The Bird List
So, I contributed my Top 20 Albums of the Year list to a poll of country/alt-country bloggers put together by A Truer Sound – a pretty massive undertaking on his part, since about 30 different blogs were involved. I was probably the odd duckling in this bunch, given that my list was less ‘alt’ and more straight-down-the-middle country than just about any other. My voting bloc of one didn’t sway the overall results much – only four of my picks scratched the overall Top 20 – so there’s a lot of stuff to here that you wouldn’t have been hearing about otherwise on this site. Take it as an opportunity to expand your horizons… and if you’d like, try to guess which four of these albums will appear on the personal Top 20 list I’ll post in the next week or so.
Also, check out some of the other contributing blogs. You should never be at a loss for stuff to read.
The Bird List. A bird’s eye view of the combined top 20 lists of a loose confederation of like-minded bloggers. Here are the best albums of the year as voted on by 30 of the web’s leading aficionados of twang-like music.
1. Justin Townes Earle – Midnight at the Movies
2. Lucero – 1372 Overton Park
3. Ryan Bingham and The Dead Horses – Roadhouse Sun
4. Buddy and Julie Miller – Written in Chalk
5. Dave Rawlings Machine – A Friend of a Friend
6. Slaid Cleaves – Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away
7. Todd Snider – The Excitement Plan
8. Avett Brothers – I and Love and You
9. Band of Heathens – One Foot In the Ether
10. Tom Russell – Blood and Candlesmoke
11. Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit – S/T
12. Corb Lund – Losin’ Lately Gambler
13. Charlie Robison – Beautiful Day
14. Drive-By Truckers – The Fine Print
15. Steve Earle – Townes
16. Deer Tick – Born on Flag Day
17. Wrinkle Neck Mules – Let The Lead Fly
18. Magnolia Electric Co. – Josephine
19. Guy Clark – Somedays The Song Writes You
20. Those Darlins – S/T
20. Miranda Lambert – Revolution
Contributing Blogs:
A Fifty Cent Lighter, A Truer Sound, Alt-512, Amber Waves of Twang, Americana Rock Mix, Americana Roots, Beat Surrender, Because Whit Happens, Country California, Country Music Pride, Farce The Music, For The Sake of The Song, Front Porch Musings, Heartworn Highways, High Noon Saloon, It’s Great To Be Alive, Kim Ruehl (No Depression), Juli Thanki (The 9513), Romeo Sid Vicious, More Cowbelle, My Aimz Is True, Ninebullets, Sounds Country, The Gobbler’s Knob, There’s Always Someone Cooler Than You, This Mornin’ I Am Born Again, Twang Nation, Twangville, Freight Train Boogie, When You Awake
Special thanks to:
Truersound, Sounds Country, Romeo Sid Vicious, and David Attaway
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I get the feeling Miranda Lambert is the female Jaimee Johnson of the Country Blogs. No one really listens to her music but because someone decreed at some point that she was “real country” in todays pop country then she is going to make every list of best-of on any of these sites. Honestly, how many of you actually listen to more than one of her songs more than 5 times since the album came out?
I think there’s probably some amount of truth in Chuckles’ theory of how Miranda has been embraced by the alt-country/general critical crowd, but I would add that it’s difficult for a hype snowball to get that big if there isn’t something pretty substantial pushing it along. I have personally listened to Revolution far more than any other album this year, and I really do think it’s a strong, strong album. Not traditional country, but something really cool all the same.
I guess I’m going have to try and get into Lucero, huh? Their name keeps popping up a lot.
There’s some truth to the underlying sentiment, but Chuckles (whose name seems a mismatch to his/her personality) couches it in pretty objectionable terms.
No one really listens to her music…
Oh? Where are you getting this information?
… but because someone decreed at some point that she was “real country” in todays pop country then she is going to make every list of best-of on any of these sites.
Every list? She only made 6/30 to secure her last place spot in the overall rankings. As far as you setting this up as a “real country” versus pop country thing, I’d say there are precious few moments of traditional country on the entire album, especially taking into account the aggressively modern production style. What matters isn’t what you call it, but that a lot of people have decided that it’s a pretty good album. And I take it in good faith that they did decide – as autonomous beings – unless you can explain who issued the decree and how they got everyone to play along. Some critics are drones, but most aren’t.
Honestly, how many of you actually listen to more than one of her songs more than 5 times since the album came out?
Between me and Dan, we’re 2 for 2 so far.
Just because you don’t like something as much as the critics do, that doesn’t mean they’re not listening as well as you are or being insincere in their choices. Tastes differ, y’know. Deal with it.
all opinions that are not one’s own when stated as fact are objectionable to those that hold an opposing view. This blog often states it’s opinions of various artists whom is disapproves of in very derogatory terms, with no leeway as to the merit those artists might have in the eyes of others. So I find your taking offense to my own statement of my opinion as fact as an indicator of your own inability to see that you do the same thing yourself. Once again, my opinion, my impression based on the totality of what I’ve read on this blog and others.
My job (to use that term very loosely) is to offer my opinion, not encompass all possible opinions. I give my opinion, you give yours. It works pretty well as long as we don’t start assuming those who disagree are liars, not actually listening to the music, etc., which is exactly what you did in your previous comment. I speak my mind emphatically, maybe, but I never rule out the possibility that others might reasonably disagree.
Off all those contributing blogs the only ones I visit are this one, The 9513, and Farce the Music and this list just reinforces why. Truersound took exception to my labeling most of these artists as Texas / Red Dirt at The 9513 and I must admit the catch all “Americana” moniker is more accurate. The overall style and feel of the music these artists make just doesn’t appeal to my old fogey brain, but that’s the way it goes.
I prefer male artists back from the 1940’s through the 1960’s periods but these days I favor female artists and don’t care for the token pair included on this list, but am grateful Maren Morris was not included! (lol)
I wish someone would do a scientific study to see if the list of artists above appeals more to Obamavoters than right-wing conservatives! I would just it bet it does as poor tastes in politics tend to manifest themselves in other areas as well…(lol)
Chuckles, I listen to both Jamey Johnson and Miranda Lambert weekly if not more.
Dan, Lucero (my favorite current band) is an acquired taste, but well worth a healthy sampling to see if they’re your cup of tea. Country, punk and bar rock all rolled into one.
Rick, I’d say a higher percentage of Americana/alt-country fans are left-leaning based on my experiences and message board meanderings. I have listened to and enjoyed 18/20 albums (hated Band of Heathens, haven’t heard Dave Rawlings Machine) on this list, but I lean conservative. Go figure.
“Between me and Dan, we’re 2 for 2 so far.”
Count me on that list.
When I review an album, I listen to it at least three times, usually more, because album reviews don’t come easy to me. Furthermore, several Lambert songs (including from Revolution) are in my itunes library and have gotten considerable play. To say that an artist is overrated is one thing, but to suggest that those who are doing the overrating don’t even listen to the music is legitimately offensive.