Pipes's Picks: Best Music of 2020

While musicians were unable to tour much due to the COVID19 pandemic, a big blessing that came out of 2020 was the plethora of outstanding records.  Here are my favorites of the past twelve months.

1.    Phish Sigma Oasis One can certainly make an argument that Trey Anastasio, the lead guitarist and songwriter of Phish has experienced a resurgence and rejuvenation in his songwriting in recent years.  Ghosts of the Forest, 2019’s complex tribute to his long-time friend Chris Cottrell who passed away from cancer, was an exceptional release worth checking out.  Joining up with the Phish crew of Jon Fishman, Mike Gordon, and Page McConnell, Anastasio and company, dropped Sigma Oasis as a surprise record in early April. Sigma Oasis ranks as one of Phish's finest studio releases, if not their very best record in their over thirty year career, and served as a constant soundtrack to 2020 in so many ways for me. Simply put, Sigma Oasis often tackles the theme of uncertainty with an underlying notion of hope and positivity... a message most needed in this year of years.

There are many stand-out tracks on this nine song record, which clocks in at a little over an hour (a robust release by modern standards).  “Sigma Oasis,” and “Mercury” are both stellar numbers.  The slower ballads, “Shade,” and “A Life Beyond The Dream,” are stripped down, touching and earnest.  However, the highlight of the record is the 12:22 “Everything’s Right,” a song that lyrically encapsulates 2020, as well as providing listeners with the closest Phish has ever gotten to capturing the magic of their live improvisational performance on record.  

Stand out tracks: “Everything’s Right,” “Sigma Oasis,” “Mercury,” “Shade.”

2.    Bonny Light Horsemen- Bonny Light Horsemen

Bonny Light Horsemen was a project that originated at the 2018 Eaux Claires music festival where three folk-aficionados, Eric Johnson (of the Fruit Bats), multi-instrumentalist Josh Kaufman and singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell first connected.  Their aim was to reimagine tunes that are centuries old with a modern realism and relevance.  In their 2020 self-titled release they more than accomplished their mission, adding soaring harmonies and lush arrangements to create a progressive folk masterpiece.  In addition to the record, Bonny Light Horsemen released a series of singles throughout the year, which were also excellent.

Stand out tracks: “Deep in Love,” “Jane, Jane,” “Magpie’s Nest”

3.    Waxahatchee- Saint Cloud

Katie Crutchfield certainly came into her own with Saint Cloud, her fifth record performing as “Waxahatchee.”  Saint Cloud is a record that showcases the singer-songwriter’s beautiful vocal range, intimate lyrics and vivid storytelling.  Simply put, it plays like a gentle summer’s evening, with lots of wonderful allusions to nature and finding joy in the mundanity of everyday life.  Listening to Saint Cloud feels like Cruitchfield is right there with you in the living room, in the car, or wherever the record is played.  There is nothing overly fancy here, and there doesn’t need to be, as sometimes the simplicity of songs is what makes them the most beautiful.

Stand out tracks: “Oxbow,” “Can’t Do Much,” “Lilacs”

4. Field Report- Brake Lights, Red Tide

Field Report songwriter Christopher Porterfield has long been known for creating beautiful, thought-provoking, reflective tunes that are relatable to listeners on so many different levels.  Through similes and imagery that sticks to your soul, Brake Lights, Red Tide is up there with Porterfield’s finest work to date.  Caley Conway’s guitar and backing vocals along with Devin Drobka’s drumming shine throughout the record as well. 

Stand out tracks: “Begin to Begin,” “Breathe,” “Peoria”

5. Fleet Foxes- Shore On their fourth LP, Fleet Foxes’s principal songwriter, Robin Pecknold, delivers perhaps the band’s most consistent records of their career, ranking up there with their self-titled debut LP release from over a decade ago.  This is a beautiful record, front-to-back, which deserves being listened to as a whole piece with the headphones on and a tasty beverage in hand.  Excellent production and sound layering make this record an instant classic which delivers new surprises with each listen.

Stand out tracks: “Sunblind,” “Can I Believe You,” “Jara,”

6. Jeff Tweedy- Love Is King

Jeff Tweedy is perhaps the Godfather of "Dad Rock" these days. The Wilco frontman has been busy with his solo work, and on his fourth solo effort, was joined by his sons Spencer and Sammy to craft a defining "shut in at home" record. There is a beauty and simplicity to Tweedy's songwriting, and his message on this record is all about the need and importance of human connection. I would love nothing more than to see Wilco extend some of these tunes live when shows hopefully return. Stand out tracks: "Gwendolyn," "Love Is King," "Guess Again"

7. Khruangbin- Mordechai

The term Khruangbin translates to "flying engine" in Thai, and is as apt a descriptor as anything for the Houston-based funk-soul-psychadelic trio. Khruanbin has been quite prolific in recent years, releasing a steady stream of records which continue to push the trio's sound in a variety of directions. The trippy, funky, and feel-good vibes of their latest release, Mordechai were a welcome groove and distraction to this crazy year. In many ways Khruangbin is to 2020 as Jamiroquai was to the mid 1990's... feel-good, heavy groove driven music that seems to be in its own eternal time warp. This is a band that will soar to new heights on the national and festival scene once live shows return.

Stand out tracks: "Time (You and I)," "So We Won't Forget," "Pelota"

8.    Sylvan Esso- Free Love

Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn have certainly become a power couple of sorts in the indie music scene.  The eclectic duo continue to innovate and reimagine their sound mixing Sanborn’s beats with Meath’s ethereal voice and lyrics.  There is something refreshingly tangible about the ten songs on Free Love that make the record both incredibly intimate and accessible.  Once again, upbeat tunes win on this record, which is impossible to sit still while enjoying.

Stand out tracks: “Ring,” “Ferris Wheel,” “Rooftop Dancing”

9. Sturgill Simpson- Cutting Grass Vol. 1 and 2

What do you do when you’ve become a national headlining outlaw country star?  If your name is Sturgill Simpson, why not reimagine your work in bluegrass form. As a fan of the bluegrass genre and Simpson as a songwriter, listeners are in for a real smile and treat hearing the re-workings of many of these tunes.  What is especially compelling about these two records is both the arrangements as well as the focus on Simpson’s lyrics and storytelling. This music makes you feel like Simpson and his all-star crew are sitting on your back porch picking away.

Stand out tracks: “I Don’t Mind,” “Old King Coal,” “Brace for the Impact (Live A Little),”

10. Phoebe Bridgers- Punisher

For a twenty-five year old songwriter, Phoebe Bridgers has made quite a splash.  Coming off of last year’s phenomenal Better Oblivion Community Center record, my favorite of the year, with fellow songsmith Connor Oberst, Bridgers returned with a career defining effort.  Punisher sees Bridgers emerging as a songwriter well-beyond her years.  Her songs have a raw and inviting feel to them and her storytelling is clever, introspective, and insightful. "I Know the End," might be one of the most perfect anthems of 2020.

Stand out tracks: “Garden Song,” “Kyoto,” “I Know The End”

11. Dehd- Flower of Devotion

The Chicago trio "Dehd," may be one of the best finds of 2020.  The group's palpable energy comes through on their third LP release, Flower of Devotion, with wonderful pop-rock sensibilities, wonder and joy.  This is a band that you can envision having a great time on stage together as you listen to the interplay of Emily Kempf, Jason Balla and drummer Eric McGrady.  Dehd's ear-worming melodies burrow deep and get stuck in your head quickly.

Stand out tracks: "Haha," "Loner," "Nobody"

12. My Morning Jacket- The Waterfall II

Listening to The Waterfall II is a surefire recipe for any music lover to groan and lament how we miss seeing live tunes this year. "Wasted," with guitarist Carl Brommel's expert shredding is a prime example of what we all love about the Jacket. Jim James and company returned with an album on par with any of their more recent work, the well-produced and diverse Waterfall II. Like many records on this list, there is a certain amount of poignant reflection that comes through on this record and across the range of tunes on it.

Stand out tracks: "Spinning My Wheels," "Run It," "Wasted."

Notable EP Releases:

• Dead Horses- Birds Few artists can tell a story with more earnestness and warmth than Dead Horses's Sarah Vos. Vos and her collaborator, Daniel Wolfe, continue to hone their craft with their latest EP "Birds." Be sure to check out the tunes "Family Tapes," and "Birds Can Write the Chorus," both of which are stellar recent tracks.
  
  
• Kurt Vile- Speed, Sound, Lonely KV (ep) Philadelphia's Americana troubadour, Kurt Vile, released a beautifully and apt titled EP Speed, Sound, Lonely KV, which clearly channeled quarantine feelings. In many ways, Vile's muse, the late, great John Prine's spirit is alive and well on this collection of tunes. The highlight, "How Lucky," a duet with Prine himself, emerges as a timeless and loving tale of two amazingly prolific songwriters. Vile's own "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" is one of his finer compositions as well.
  

For a sample of all of the music featured on this list, along with a lot of other notable music from 2020, please check out my "Pipes's Picks Best of 2020" playlist on Spotify: