Honesty, soulfulness and word-smithing embodied the music I enjoyed the most this year. From juke-joint boogies to painful laments, thoughtful songwriting paved the way for a year of great music in 2015.
Pipes’s Picks: The Top 15 of ‘15
You can check out a playlist of these and other great music from this year on my Pipes's Picks of 2015 Playlist on Spotify:
You can check out a playlist of these and other great music from this year on my Pipes's Picks of 2015 Playlist on Spotify:
As the frontman for Lifter Puller and most notably the Hold Steady, Craig Finn has developed a unique style of vocals and songwriting in which listeners are transported into the lives of his characters and their adventures, often set in Minneapolis. Branching out as a solo artist, Finn provides a greater depth, insight, and maturity that is reflective in his compositions. Faith in the Future is perhaps the record that Hold Steady fans were yearning for as Finn proves that it is in reflecting on the past that we can build and improve on the future. 14. El Vy- Return to the Moon
Powered by one of my favorite songs of the year, the title track, “Return to the Moon,” the side project of the National’s Matt Beringer and Brent Knopf of Mnemonea and Ramona Falls delivers a collection of quirkily infectious tunes. These are songs that get stuck in your head and stay there- both lyrically and sonically.
Soulful country singer, Chris Stapleton’s deeply passionate vocals and superb lyrics make this release one that transcends genres. In many ways, Stapleton epitomizes the classic country songwriter in his ability to transport his listeners into the midst of his songs and stories. Traveller provides a powerful antithesis to much of the "bro country" that has dominated the genre in recent years and is a marquee record for the country-Americana genre.
The red dirt band from Oklahoma City put out their finest collection of fiddle-driven ditties with their third record, this year's self-titled release. Even Felker’s lyrics have evolved, allowing the Troubadours to truly shape their tunes in the spirit of classic American country artists. With innovative, staggered instrumentation the Turnpike Troubadours both branch off from and holds true to a classic Americana sound simultaneously.
Fast-paced catchy garage rock riffs with raw power chords serve as the backdrop for the witty, rambling lyrics and stories penned by Melbourne’s Courtney Barnett, an artist who many will consider the break-out new star of 2015. Barnett’s songs tell stories of sensational things happening at mundane times, and are engaging listen after listen.
10. Alabama Shakes- Sound and Color
In their sophomore release, Alabama Shakes steps up as a mainstream southern rock force driven by Brittany Howard’s soaring vocals. With a more soulful and refined sound, Alabama Shakes prove that they are a force to be reckoned with with this intense soul and rock record.
9. Wilco- Star Wars
Jeff Tweedy sings, “I don’t want to go, and I don’t want to stay,” in “You Satellite,” somewhat encapsulating the sentiment of Star Wars, a collection of heavily nuanced shorter songs, that takes the band in a different direction than their previous work- yet staying true to form, all at the same time. The star of this record is Nels Cline, whose highly textured guitar work brings life and intrigue to many of the tracks.
Jeff Tweedy sings, “I don’t want to go, and I don’t want to stay,” in “You Satellite,” somewhat encapsulating the sentiment of Star Wars, a collection of heavily nuanced shorter songs, that takes the band in a different direction than their previous work- yet staying true to form, all at the same time. The star of this record is Nels Cline, whose highly textured guitar work brings life and intrigue to many of the tracks.
With Currents Tame Impala deepened and expanded their sounds, making the psychedelic quartet from Perth, Australia a bona fide top tier indie rock act. Top to bottom this album is powered by deep grooves, catchy melodies, and soaring vocals that create a sweeping sonic quilt of a record.
With a voice, smooth as chocolate mousse and a sonic quality that at times feels like it belongs on the Time-Life Records A.M. Gold compilation, Matthew E. White delivers a fresh take on a soulful sound, punctuated by personal storytelling the draws the listener in. With a foot in the lounge sound and another in the soul camp, White delivers a powerful collection of tales set to an almost timeless soundtrack.
A true feel-good record that has something for everyone is hard to come by, but Phil Cook harnesses the power of a hybrid country-rock-soul-folk sound with Southland Mission. The soaring harmonies of “Ain’t It Sweet” will hook you into this exceptional record from the opening seconds of the first track. Genre redefining, Cook varies his compositions from country to folk to rock to bluegrass to soul and back to rock all in the course of a single track. Yep, he’s that good.
It’s hard to listen to Father John Misty without the image of Josh Tillman in his vintage leisure suit slinking around the stage. A consummate storyteller, Misty takes you on a melody driven journey into the lives of intriguing characters in an album that sees him continue to hone his skills and evolve as an artist.
4. My Morning Jacket- The Waterfall
With their strongest studio release since their breakthrough record Z, which was released a decade earlier, Jim James and the boys from Louisville deliver a collection of tracks that build upon their multi-layered rock tapestry. “Believe (Nobody Knows),” “Compound Fracture,” “In Its Infancy,” “Springtime” and “Tropics” have all become instant classics as part of their live set.
Indie folk’s stalwart road man, Nathaniel Rateliff’s venture into soul music provided one of the most fun, insightful and powerful listens of the year. Rateliff’s vocals are rich and textured and accompanied by a top-tier rhythm and blues band, the Night Sweats, make this record both a living incarnation of Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi in The Blues Brothers and a cathartic autobiography about aging, searching for purpose, and life on the road all at the same time.
With deeply personal narratives about childhood, family, loss and redemption. Stevens most intimate release delivers a true gem of a record for an artist with a penchant for telling remarkable stories. The raw, more minimalist compositions on Carrie & Lowell transport the listener through tales of childhood, family dysfunction and ultimately hope.
There are storytellers, and then there is Jason Isbell. As an artist who has mastered the concept of allowing space between his lyrics to allow for listeners to draw their own conclusions, Isbell delivers arguably his finest collection of eleven songs this year. From the the jangly poppy, “If It Takes a Lifetime,” to the reflective “24 Frames” (tied with El Vy’s “Return to the Moon” as my favorite song of the year), to the powerful “Children of Children” and rocking “Palmetto Rose,” Isbell paints a tragically hopeful picture in his album about searching for a greater existence and growing up, amply titled, “Something More Than Free.”
No comments:
Post a Comment