Favorite Albums of 2020
I find music to be the most isolating popular art form and has been a salve in the most isolating year. I could argue that against myself with the shows, concerts, dance parties we have been to and collectively enjoyed it. But, for me, music has always been more personal. I like talking about music but it’s so subjective I have found I talk much more about movies and TV.
Music hasn’t changed as much as movies for me this year. Not seeing movies in a theater lowers the impact they could have. TV hasn’t changed because it has always been in our homes. Music though needs that live performance element sometimes. I’ll never know which record would’ve been upgraded in my memory by seeing it performed live. I can guess, but never be sure.
I listened to a ton of music this year so here are a list of albums alphabetically I enjoyed but did not make my list.
Live Forever by Bartees Strange
Youth Pastoral by Ben Seretan
Jump Rope Gazers by The Beths
Down in the Weeds, Where The World Once Was by Bright Eyes
Making a Door Less Open by Car Seat Headrest
Coriky by Coriky
Melee by Dogleg
Reach Into the Dark & Pull It Closer by El Obo
In Sickness & In Flames by The Front Bottoms
Teamwork by Futurebirds
Women in Music Pt. III by HAIM
Inlet by Hum
FREE IH: This Is Not the One You’re Waiting For by Illuminati Hotties
Imploding the Mirage by The Killers
Football Money by Kiwi Jr.
Bad Vacation by Liza Anne
Serpentine Prison by Matt Berninger
Tourist Season by Miel
Songs for Pierre Chauvin by The Mountain Goats
Things I Never Said by Oceanator
Every Bad by Porridge Radio
The Baby by Samia
Untitled (Black Is) by SAULT
The New Abnormal by The Strokes
Welcome to Conceptual Beach by Young Jesus
Now my top 20 favorite records with a song, probably my favorite, from the album underneath. Let this be a video playlist for your night sometime. I’ll post a link to my 2020 playlist at the end.
TOP 20 ALBUMS
20. I Was Born Swimming by Squirrel Flower
19. Honeymoon by Beach Bunny
18. The Waterfall by My Morning Jacket
17. Julliet by En Attendant Ana
16. Burst by Snarls
15. The Situation is Excellent by Miss New Buddha
14. Figure by Into It. Over It.
13. Alfredo by Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
12. Built to Spill Plays the Songs of Daniel Johnston by Built to Spill
11. Marigold by Pinegrove
Top Ten
10. Beginners by Christian Lee Hutson
An album that has grown to this spot over the last few weeks as I revisit it. This Kevin Devinecore indie acoustic based music doesn’t always hit the mark but when it does, it really does. There are two great songs on this record and I will post them both.
9. Fear of Death by Tim Heidecker
My biggest surprise of the year was how good this record is. Sincere songs that satirize, of course, but they really capture the way we live life right now in a way that meant something to me. Put me on the Yacht Rock channel and lose the knob, baby.
8. LP2 by Lo Tom
My favorite artist David Bazan is trying to put out a record of some kind every year for the foreseeable future and I am happy about it. Just a great 20+ minutes of dad rock.
7. Likewise by Frances Quinlan
Like her band Hop Along, but this solo record is more of my thing. She has one of the most unique vocal deliveries to me and writes wonderful songs. No one sings the word somebody in more different ways.
6. RTJ4 by Run The Jewels
Came out at the right moment and is endlessly relistenable to me. If I ran, I would run to this.
5. Saint Cloud by Waxahatchee
One of the most praised and acclaimed records of the year for good reason. Just a magnificent songwriter with a beautiful rare voice that feels meant to have the windows down.
4. Getting Into Knives by The Mountain Goats
Two records in one year and this much quality is incredible. John Darnielle will probably release a book in 2021 and I will devour it. Best storyteller/lyric writer in music to me. Let’s get into knives.
3. Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers
I liked Phoebe Bridgers but I didn’t love her like so many did after that first record. I’ve liked everything she’s done so far, but this album is where it happened for me. I think this is her best work so far and she rules.
2. NO DREAM by Jeff Rosenstock
Worry, his album from 2016, is still the pinnacle for me but this album is great and only better each time I listen. The surprise album drop is a great thing and I hope he does it every year.
1. Fetch the Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple
Recorded all inside her home, includes her dogs even, and it is a near perfect album to me. It is the universally loved record of the year, and I guess this is a boring pick, but the album is not.
Thanks for reading (listening) here you go
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4dEXRJutLsf0yneNZ39PZz?si=Vp6tLuFBSAyaEPuGaCFobQ