2020. What a year, huh?
Despite being trapped in the house since March, I listened to less music this year than any year I can remember. The work / life balance changed so significantly, that I just didn’t have the time. Add in the fact that I spent a ton of time recording / mixing music, that when I had listening time, I was usually critiquing my own mixes as homework.
But, that isn’t to say I didn’t listen to music. I just didn’t come close to my goal of one new release a day. Overall, I thought 2020 was a pretty terrific release year! A lot of music from my personal heavy hitters, as well as some newcomers to my world!
As always, there is no particular order or rankings. Music is so personal and so moody. Some days I want soft, others I want heavy and angry. They shouldn’t be ranked! Just appreciative all of these artists decided to release music in such a weird year!
I know it’s been a tough year. If you’re in the position to, try the music on Spotify, but please please please….
BUY THE MUSIC ON BANDCAMP.COM!
Ideally, on the first Friday of a month, in which the artists get 100% of their sales.
As always, here are the previous lists:
2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 , 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
Playlists
There are spotify playlists of EVERYTHING on here at the bottom of the page.
I kept track of everything I listened to on Spotify. Although, there were a handful of bandcamp-only releases!
Quick Links:
Favorite Songs of 2020 A favorite song off of each record, and a handful of singles.
All music listened to (on Spotify) There is a TON in here not listed below. Go exploring!
My Favorite Records of 2020
Evan, Adam, Matt & co outdid themselves on this one. Self recorded. Self produced. Absolutely perfect songs with thick lush production. Layers of effects, synths, and noise makers make the bed for the best breakup record of the year. Double bonus points for the best LP packaging of the year, and it’s not even close.
Novo Amor – Cannot Be, Whatsoever
Novo does no wrong for me. I feel like a handful of listeners have cast him off as a Bon Iver clone, but they are absolutely missing out. The Welsh singer/songwriter manages to make such complex, organic songs. I suppose you could call it indie folk, if you had to put a genre on it. But the killer moods, lyrics, and instrumentation keep me coming back. Love it.
One of my favorite ATL bands, back with a vengeance. Their 2016 release Endless Light was one of my favorites of that year. This record was made with Andy Hull (from Manchester Orchestra) at the helm. It’s a little less brooding, and a little more complex than Endless Light. I feel like they have all been taking some classical guitar lessons, as the nylon string guitar is a featured instrument. Double bonus points for being the first big release of a bandcamp Friday. Props for the successful self release.
One of my absolute favorite bands going right now. Their unique brand of indie/alt/americana isn’t really found anywhere else in music for me. 2018’s Skylight is one of my favorites of the last decade. And this may top it. Their self production was really dialed in, and mixed exceptionally well. On top of being one of my favorite records, Endless may end up being my favorite song of the year.
Well, as of writing of this, she was just nominated for 4 Grammy’s. So I guess I’m not alone in thinking this record is damned near perfect. The songs are the perfect blend of cute indie tunes, with a black cloud hovering over them. Her lyrics paint perfect pictures of the stories she’s telling, and the music is just flawless productions. So great.
This was an absolute shock. The first Hum record in 22 years. With zero notice that it was still being worked on. Released on a random summer Wednesday, for immediate download. And it absolutely rips. Huge riffs by equally huge guitars over crushing drums with so much space & atmosphere surrounding it. I feel like they finally captured what it’s like to see them live, with the sheer size of the record. I also appreciate that they didn’t feel beholden to the 3 minute pop song anymore. If they wanted an 8 minute banger, they wrote two. The record came out in June, and my neck is STILL sore from head banging.
If you’ve read one of my lists before, you’ll know that if Allen Epley puts out music, it’ll probably be on my list of the year. Especially the first new Shiner record in two decades? Hell yeah. The fact that both Shiner AND Hum put out new records this year still blows my mind. 20 year Greg would be stoked. 38 year old Greg is VERY stoked. This feels like the logical next step in the realm of Shiner. Not as Mathy, a thick Paul M production, and some matured songwriting. Josh’s parts are like the highly effected marionette strings that dance above you, while Jason & Paul’s rhythm section pummel you repeatedly.
Vennart – In the Cold Dead Wood
Another surprise release! Again, if Vennart releases something, it’ll end up on this page somewhere. This one was written at home during the early months of covid, and released unexpectedly in November. It’s as good as anything he’s ever done. Big guitars, riffs, proggy structures, big modern rock production with a ton of killer layers. The mix is perfect, the songs are perfect, and his voice is as good as it’s ever sounded.
Butch Walker – American Love Story
My number one with a bullet for the last decade? Butch does no wrong for me. This record is a bit of a departure for him, in that it’s a concept record. And a heavy one at that. He started it writing while watching the events of Charlottesville unfold. The record is commentary on the modern divide of American politics, hatred, bigotry, and love. It’s got a total 80’s sheen, with cap tips to a ton of classic songs from that era.
I took this for a spin while working out. I not only set new personal records, I doubled them! This album is like John Travolta stabbed you in the chest with a shot of adrenaline. Loosely controlled chaos surrounds aggressive vocals addressing all of the issues of the modern world. Holy cats. My heart rate jumped up just thinking about this record.
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit – Reunions
Isbell is on a hell of a streak, isn’t he? I think just about everything he’s touched since releasing 2013’s Southeastern has turned to gold. Reunions is no different. It’s just a terrific country record. Wonderful lyrics telling great stories. Monster guitar playing, and just textbook songwriting. And, he’s a wonderful twitter follow to boot.
The indie rock super group has returned! Somehow, they totally flew under my radar that they were chewing on a new a record. If David Bazan puts out music, I’m likely to be ALL over it. This is pretty much stripped down straight forward stock-rock. And it’s great. They totally get it right. Edgy, riffy guitars lay the foundation for Bazan’s always perfect melodies & lyrics.
My love for Mike Kinsella runs deep. He traveled back to northern WI to make this record with Sean Carey at the Bon Iver compound. Not that any of his records are particularly “happy”, this record found a different level of melancholy. And the juxtaposition of the beauty of the layers of acoustic instrumentation, and the sadness of the lyrics may be the peak of his skillset.
Well, I didn’t see this one coming. A surprise Taylor Swift quarantine record? Produced by Jack Antonoff, and Aaron Dessner? I was intrigued, but wasn’t overly optimistic. I was wrong. This record is absolutely terrific. It’s a totally low key, chill vibe, with organic acoustics, and the lush keyboard beds that Antonoff & Dessner are known for. All while still having the perfect pop melodies and catchy lyrics that Taylor Swift has built her empire on. The Folklore performance on Disney+ is equally great.
Until the Hum announcement, I think Criteria was in first place for most shocking and unexpected come back. And they brought it. Still wearing that Saddle Creek badge of honor, their brand of indie rock is riffy, poppy, and occasionally abrasive. It’s almost as if they borrowed the Weezer Pinkerton playbook, but took that down the rabbit hole even further.
Fiona Apple – Fetch The Bolt Cutters
I guess it’s the year of the surprise record for me. The triumphant return of the great Fiona Apple. This record just tore me apart. The collection of chaotic rhythms, progressions, lyrical deliveries, with her absolutely perfect voice. The first listen almost felt like a collage. A collection of pieces put together so creatively, it takes stepping back to see the big picture. The fact that a lot of it was just done at her house with garage band blows my mind. She is just an incredible talent. Welcome back.
Local boys! One of the talented singer guitar players was an Oasis kid once upon a time, so you may say I’m biased. This is not true. Rookie just absolutely RIPS. They have this perfect retro feel of Cheap Trick power pop meets Ryan Adams and the Cardinals. The songs, the aesthetic, the vibe. They just get it all so so so right. It’s a total feel good summer jam with the windows down, volume up. If you’re looking for a nice cap tip to the Late 70s, early 80s rock groove, the Rookie debut delivers.
Yet another record written in early days of covid quarantine. Ben Sharp, the man behind Cloudkicker used his extended stay at home to write, record, and mix yet another instrumetal record. The riffs are insane. His balance of heavy and progressive to lush and melodic is still untouched in the genre. It’s as good as anything he’s released, and it may be his best mix to date, which is really saying something.
I can’t believe these guys are still delivering the goods after all of these years. This record is still heavy, angry, and atmospheric, but they somehow always keep it fresh. The Terry Date production is as tight as ever, and he just seems to capture them at their best. They certainly aren’t breaking any new ground these days, but if you’ve liked anything they’ve done for the last 15 years, you’ll like this too.
Alt country? Indie Americana? I don’t know what to call this, but hot damn, it’s one stunning record. This is, without a doubt, her most mature, and realized record. Some of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard this year are on this record. Can’t Think is just a perfect song. I really wish she could have toured this record.
Haley Williams – Petals For Armor
The first full solo record from Ms Williams is a stunner. Just really heartfelt, meticulously crafted pop rock tunes. Big budget production, and my god, her voice. She is one of those who could sing the phone book (if phone books were still a thing). It’s nice to hear her outside of the machine that Paramore has become.
Other Great Records!
Meticulous pop rock with a fabulously strong female singer. I absolutely love her voice, and the songs are just perfect.
Another consistent Fallon release. If you like any of his catalog, you’ll enjoy this.
The best Local H release in YEARS. Produced by J Robbins, it sounds stunning and the songs kick ass.
American Aquarium – Lamentations
Another meticulous country record for fans of Jason Isbell and great songs.
Modern grunge from the Will Yip family tree. So strong.
Alt indie folk related to Novo Amor, one of my favorites.
Former Hopesfall/Celebrity.
80’s Cure meets Smashing Pumpkins lushness, mixed by Ken Andrews of Failure.
90s influenced modern indie with a GREAT female singer/song writer.
Bonus points for inspiring Andi’s birthday song.
Modern take on an old school country attitude, produced by Butch Walker.
Nandi from Pinegrove’s band. Electronic / organic indie rock.
A darling of most end of the year lists. Strong indie electronic folk.
Beach Slang – The Deadbeat Bang Of Heartbreak City
This was new to me. Just a great 80s rock vibe.
Another massive, dynamic instrumental beast from Caspian, with Will Yip on the board.
Boysetsfire frontman doing his songwriter/Brian Fallon thing.
The Strokes – The New Abnormal
The return of The Strokes was shockingly great.
More great chill synth vibes from the west coast.
Gazey guitar rock with some alt rock tendencies.
Still at it, and as on top of their game as ever.
Folk from the Bon Iver family tree.
Spotlights – We Are All Atomic
Slow, brooding, sludgy, heavy rock from my favorite husband / wife in rock.
Peach Pit – You And Your Friends
Low key vibe party music. Jazzy chords in pop rock.
Drive-By Truckers – The Unraveling
DBT returns with a blistering country fried rock take on America.
Green Day – Father Of All MotherFuckers
I wouldn’t have known it was Green Day if you didn’t tell me.
Produced by Butch.
Spanish Love Songs – Brave Faces Everyone
Adult emo? Angry, heavy, alternative.
The much anticipated follow up to Currents.
Artsy, driving, indie rock out of Chicago.
The biggest new Pearl Jam record, totally undercut by the pandemic.
High Floor, low ceiling record for me.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Chunky Shrapnel
More chaotic psychedelic jammy riffs coolness from a band that can’t stop making records.
Bob Nanna – Celebration States
Bob recorded this acoustic album in one day, detailing the journey of a relationship.
It’s a story telling masterclass.
Alanis Morisette – Such Pretty Forks In The Road
More classic Alanis, produced by Catherine Marks!!
The 80’s horror synths and heavy drums now have guitars. So great.
My Morning Jacket – The Waterfall II
A sequel I didn’t know I needed. Not quite as magical as Waterfall I, but still terrific MMJ.
Tyler Childers – Long Violent History
From the Sturgil family tree, this is another scathing review of the state of country.
Hard rock from the 80s, but today! Just great windows down rock and/or roll.
The Lawrence Arms – Skeleton Coast
Classic TLA, in top form. Sounds PERFECT.
Margo Price – That’s How Rumors Get Started
Possibly my favorite record of hers.
Becoming The Lion – Unearthly Creature
Long time students recorded at my studio!
Other Things I Enjoyed!
Chris Stapleton – Starting Over
Vast Robot Armies – Paper Crown Parade
Bright Eyes – Down In The Weeds, Where The World Once Was
Carley Rae Jepsen- Dedicated Side B
Puscifer – Existential Reckoning
Bombay Motorcycle Club – Everything Else Has Gone Wrong
Sufjan Stevens – Aporia / The Ascension
Trail of Dead – The Godless Void and Other Stories
The Killers – Imploding The Mirage
Palm Ghosts – Wide Awake and Waiting
Nathaniel Rateliff – And It’s Still Alright
Biffy Clyro – A Celebration Of Endings
Flock of Dimes – Like So Much Desire
GBV – Surrender Your Poppy Field
Brent Cobb – No Place Left to Leave
Brent Cobb – Keep Them On They Toes
Field Music – Making A New World
Alec Benjiman – The Book Of You and I
Sadler Vaden – Anybody Out There?
John Vanderslice – Dollar Hits
Damien Jurado – What’s New Tom Boy
Built To Spill – Daniel Johnston
The Lees of Memory – Moon Shot
EPs
William Fitzsimmons – Light Years
