Records of the Year: 2020
What a weird year for music, but here we are with another installment of Records of the Year.
ONE. Ethan Gruska. En Garde.
The songwriting and production sensibilities combine here to make my ideal music.
TWO. Phoebe Bridgers. Punisher.
This makes sense to be here since Ethan also had an important hand in producing this record.
THREE. Bahamas. Sad Hunk.
In theory, I know people love Bahamas, but it wasn’t until spending a few long runs with this record this year that I got it. His songs are fresh, and fun, and groovy — definitely a big fan now.
FOUR. Tyson Motsenbocker. Someday I’ll Make It All Up To You.
This is hard for for me to wrap words around. I am so impressed and proud of what Tyson put into these songs. A full-on pouring of blood, sweat, and tears. Honesty, vulnerability, desire, and understanding. To watch the life that leads to the songs do just that. The players, the producer (hat tip Tyler Chester), and the timing. And then playing these songs live was one of the great joys of my life.
FOUR. Colony House. Leave What’s Lost Behind.
I think of these guys and how proud I am of who they are all the time. These songs are an amazing reflection of their growth as humans and as a band.
SIX. Louis Prince. Thirteen.
The perfect version of newness I needed to hear when I did.
And in no particular order…
Phantom Planet. Devastator. A few friends were really impressed with this record so I needed to check it out. I like Phantom Planet in theory, but was incredibly blown away by the songs and the attention to detail in Tony Berg’s production.
Sufjan Stevens. The Ascension. If his name is on it, I am bound to love it.
Fleet Foxes. Shore. Fleet freshness on a new level. Perfectly in line with what I hoped for, and
Blake Mills. Mutable Set. Similar to Sufjan, if his name is on it - I am probably going to appreciate it. It’s not as clear of a lifelong favorite as Heigh Ho was for me, but still super interesting landscape for him to explore.
Matthew Wright. Kitchen Songs. Matt put a lot of time into self-producing, -engineering, and writing these songs.
Margaret Glaspy. Devotion. Another Tyler Chester creation with solid songs for the listener.
Matt Berninger. Serpentine Prison. I was skeptical to like it in case it was too much like The National. But it is new enough to really help me get excited about this batch of solo songs.
David Ramirez. My Love Is A Hurricane. David is progressing in a beautiful way with each record.
Andy Shauf. The Neon Skyline. Fresh.
Deep Sea Diver. Impossible Weight. Rock is alive in the northwest, and Andy Park did awesome shepherding these songs.
Josh Baldwin. Live at Church. I ran into this (literally, I was running) record and was so moved by the depth and wall of sound emotionally and physically in my ears
Cody Carnes. Run to the Father. These songs are so special. Hit me right where I want to be listening and writing!
Thad Cockrell. If In Case You Feel the Same. Thad works hard and is such a great songwriter.
Jon Guerra. Keeper of Days. A fine songwriter I hadn’t spent enough time with until a recommendation from a friend to dive in, and it has been a rewarding dive.
And some honorable mentions:
Perfume Genius, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Madison Cunningham covers, Grey Boy All Stars, Dawes, Delta Spirit
