Favorite Albums of 2022 – Gregs Guitar Lessons

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As always, here are the previous lists:
2021,2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 , 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010

Playlists
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My Favorite Songs of 2022

My Favorite Records of 2022

Favorite Records of 2022
As always, I won’t be putting these in any sort of ranked list. Music listening is subjective and based on moods & emotion. The order of the list could change on any given day!

Pedro the Lion – Havasu
If David Bazan releases music in one of his many projects, it’s likely to end up here. He’s one of my absolute favorite songwriters, ever. Havasu is part two of an autobiographical record concept where each release details his time growing up in that city. This album has similar musical themes to the previous release, and the story telling is wonderful.

Pinegrove 11:11
Pinegrove is just one of my favorite bands going today. I think my Spotify wrapped had them my top artist in 2021 AND 2022. This record feels like a big step forward for them as band. They branched out and brought in a producer (Chris Walla from DCFC), and recorded at a big studio (instead of their home). The record is big and lush. The songs are complex and dynamic. It’s definitely their most overtly political. If previous records were written from a place of love or loss, this one comes from anger and frustration.

David Knudsen – The Only Thing You Have To Change Is Everything
If you know me, or have taken lessons, you’ve heard me sing the praises of Dave Knudsen. I think he has been one of the most impactful guitarists of the last 25 years. He should be spoken of in the way people refer to Tom Morello. In his first solo release, he has a collection of dancey pop jams that just absolutely rip. They thread the needle of being both great songs, while being super fun and technical from a musical / guitar perspective. Having a handful of awesome guest vocalists just seals the deal. Loved every moment.

Softcult – Year of the Snake
Our first newcomer to the list! We saw Softcult open for Teenage Wrist this past summer, and were blown away. Twin sisters writing meticulous 90s alt rock jams. Living somewhere between grunge & shoegaze, they have really perfected a modern take on the music I grew up with. The vocal hooks are just so great. It won’t be long until they’re everywhere.

Their / They’re / There – Their / They’re / Three
My local boys! It’s been a minute since they’ve been active, but they’ve come out swinging. This record absolutely rips on every level. Jared has brought new energy to the band with his distinct drumming style. Matt Frank is a riff farmer. That dude has unearthed endless new and wild ways to absolutely shred in musical ways. And Evan’s bass tone is devastating. His ability to write pop hooks never seems to end. Just incredible, mathy indie rock. As good as it gets.

Tuk Smith & The Reckless Hearts – Ballad Of A Misspent Youth
Tuk Smith came across my timeline with a one off single a few years ago. It’s a throw back to just classic rock and roll. This record is a bit of an outlier on this list. But every song is just a total tongue in cheek throwback jam. Mötely Crüe should have hired him to write them a record. But this isn’t cheesy, just good rock tunes.

Startographers – Static Calls
Another local jam! Kind of. Part Midwest, Part Austin, this is a collection of musicians from other solid bands including Schatzi, Magnet School, and Honeyrude. This is just great textured indie rock tunes. A little bit shoegazy, a little riffy, and just great songs. Absolutely love it.

Beach Bunny – Emotional Creature
Chicago’s new darling band. Each one of their releases is pretty much perfect front to back. This is no different. It is perfect indie pop. There is NO fat on these songs. Just perfect bops front to back. Even the slow sad ones are still surgical in how the hooks drive the songs. Lili write absolutely perfect pop tunes, and this album feels like the most realized of the band. Sean O’Keefe killed it on production. Hats off.

Butch Walker – Glenn
Butch. If he releases something, it’ll be on the list. He’s just my most favorite musician on the face of the earth. This is a concept record about a balladeer named Glenn, and plays out as he’s trying to perform his set (complete with bar fight). This record is a series of cap tips to 70s piano rock. As you listen, you’ll channel Elton, Billy, Jackson, and despite the dude’s tastes, the Eagles. They are just perfect songs. I loved every second of it. Roll Away & Holy Water Hangover are PERFECT.

Cave In – Heavy Pendulum
GM CHRYSLER. This record is an absolute stunner. If you like heavy music, this record should be at the top of your list. Cave In is an all time all timer for me, dating back to the 90s. Jupiter and Antenna are both in my top 20 most influential records ever. But this may be the most perfect distillation of what the band is. Heavy, melodic, psychedelic, spacey, shoegazy, riffy, and perfect. Kurt Ballou captured them at their best. Just an absolutely perfect, 10/10 heavy record.

Other Great Records

Lo Moon – A Modern Life
The follow up to the PERFECT s/t lp. I just love their laid back, low key vibes and terrific songwriting. Absolutely recommended.

Cloakroom – Dissolution Wave
Our neighbors in Indiana back with another heavy, gazey, jam of a record.

Death Cab For Cutie – Asphalt Meadows
Ben Gibbard is in my top 10 living songwriters. I’ll listen to anything he releases. This record feels like DCFC just being a the massive band they’ve grown up to be.

S.Carey – Break Me Open
An absolute heart breaker from the BON IVER mainstay, Sean Carey. A record written about the dissolution of his marriage, but delivered in the most beautiful way.

Rocky Votolato – Wild Roots
It’s hard to believe that Rocky could manage to make the most beautiful record of his career. Initially intended to be a tribute to his family, the unexpected passing of his son changed the tone and listening experience. Just beautiful & gut wrenching indie folk.

Big Theif – Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
This will be on the top 5 of most major music critics, and rightfully so. Brilliant indie folk by a band who is on the cusp of blowing up. This record is the best kind of moody, may be their most accomplished album.

Spoon – Lucifer On The Sofa
One of the most consistent bands in rock. Just another collection of upbeat indie rock jams that feel perfectly at home in their incredible catalog.

Wet Leg – Wet Leg
Another indie darling here. Just perfect indie pop. The songs are just so fun. Couldn’t recommend enough.

The Smile – A Light For Attracting Attention
Thom Yorke & Jonny Greenwood from some other band join forces to assemble some dynamic, textured tunes that feel a little Radioheady, if that’s your jam.

Alexisonfire – Otherness
They’re back! Melodic Canadian post hardcore stalwarts have returned to do what they do best. Dallas Green has the most perfect voice in rock and roll.

Coheed & Cambria – Vaxis II
If you knew me in the very early 2000’s, you’d know that Coheed was one of my top bands. I bet I saw them 10x between 02-05. Over the years, we began to grow apart, but this record brought us back together. It absolutely rips, and has some terrific alt-rock bangers!

Jackson Wooten – From A Warm Valley
A followup EP from one of my favorite artists of 2021. More indie-folk from a terrific young writer in Nashville. His full length is one of my favorite records from the last few years, and gets a lot of play around here.

Songs of the Year