It’s almost time to close the chapter in life known as 2013. So let’s take a look through the albums that intrigued me this year. (listed in alphabetical order).
Amy Grant – how mercy looks from here
“Time is illusion. Time is a curse. Time is all these things & worse, but our time is now.” – Our Time Is Now
The highlights of this album include the (mostly subtle) vocal guest stars on five of the tracks, including James Taylor, Sheryl Crow & Eric Paslay, Will Hoge, Carole King, and Amy’s husband, Vince Gill. “Our time is now” reminds me a bit of John Lennon’s “give peace a chance.”
Billie Joe + Norah - Foreverly
“you cheated me and made me lonely. I tried to be your very own. There’ll be a day you’ll want me only. But when I leave, I’ll be a long time. Be a long time gone. I’ll be a long time gone. Yes, when I leave, I’ll be a long time gone.” – Long Time Gone
I’ve always loved Billie Joe Armstrong’s voice, but not all of his songs with Green Day. This album of duets with Norah Jones – their re-creation of the Everly Brothers’ “Songs our daddy taught us” album – highlights his voice, as well as captures the Everly sound quite well.
Blake Shelton – based on a true story
“It’s just a double barrel 12. The stock is cracked & it kicks like hell. It wouldn’t mean what it means to me to no one. I can hear his voice when I put it to my shoulder, ‘a gun’s like a woman, son, it’s all how you hold her.’ He taught me a whole lot more than how to hunt. And one of these days I’ll pass it on to my son. Granddaddy’s Gun.” – Granddaddy’s Gun
For some reason, it still amazes me how Blake can mix the rowdy/party boy songs with the sweet & charming ones to continuously form cohesive albums. In this compilation, we get “Boys Round Here,” “Small Town Big Time” and “Country Radio” paired with “Do You Remember”, “My Eyes”, “Mine Would Be You,” and “Granddaddy’s Gun”. I applaud Blake for not being like the rest of today’s not-so-country male artists whose rowdy/party boy songs would be better suited in the ‘rock’ music category. Thankfully, Blake has a way of keeping his “fun” songs still quite country.
Brad Paisley – wheelhouse
“He’s in a bar chasing Cuervo with Tecate, he doesn’t know she’s been taking karate. The way she figures it, about July she’ll finally have the belt to match her eye.” - Karate
It’s rare to find a non-Greatest Hits album these days that includes 20 or more original tracks. Granted, there are four tracks on this album that are under 2 minutes in length, but that’s countered by those that are over 4 and 5 minutes in length. As usual, Brad finds a way to mix ‘current events’ into his songs, like “Facebook Friends,” and “I can’t change the world,” along with mixing in ‘tough’ subjects, like abuse in “Karate.” However, I’ll admit that I’m still not sure what to make about “Accidental Racist” with LL Cool J. The way I see it – country + rap = crap.
Dido – girl who got away
“take it by your silence that I’m free to walk out the door. By the look in your eyes I can tell you don’t think I’ll be back for more. Try to think of the world where you could stay and these safe hands could go. Take your heart above the water, wherever I choose to go. No love without freedom. No love without freedom. No freedom without love. “ – No Freedom
Dido’s voice always sounds so fragile, and most of her songs have an ethereal tone to them, but she doesn’t allow them to be sweet and sugary. I’ve never been a fan of the songs that incorporate rap, and “let us move on” with Kendrick Lamar is no exception. It even reminds me of when Eminem used “Thank You” for his song, “Stan.” However, that one I actually liked. While not quite as great as her No Angel and Life For Rent albums, this one is still very good. “Blackbird,” “no freedom,” “day before we went to war” and “girl who got away” are a few of the highlights.
Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell – old yellow moon
“did you say that you’ve been searching for a place you’d never been? Well, here it is. Here it is. We’ve been down there on the bottom and looking out for a friend. Here I am. Here I am. We’ve both grown tire of running after rainbows. Here we are. Darling, here we are.” – Here We Are
An album by Emmylou Harris is always going to be towards the top of any list, but when you add Rodney Crowell to the mix, I know it’s even going to be that much better. If you’re a fan of great harmonies and good old country music with simple instrumentation, then Old Yellow Moon is definitely worth a listen.
George Strait – love is everything
“Here I am again, it's 4 a.m. I think I'll play that song again, The one called "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" And I'll wonder where you are tonight. I don't know, I just don't know, But I just can't go on dying like this. Can I see you tonight, Baby I'll act just like you want me to. Or is that just exactly what I'm not supposed to do? I'll just stop in here, have a glass of beer. I'm just a fool I guess. But I just can't go on dying like this.” – I Just Can’t Go On Dying Like This
There’s a reason he’s called King George in the country music world. He’s not flashy. His songs aren’t over the top. They’re just great stories with nice instrumentation. This is George’s 40th studio album.
Kacey Musgraves – same trailer different park
“Who needs a house up on a hill when you can have one on four wheels and take it anywhere the wind might blow? You don't ever have to mow the yard, Just hang a map and throw a dart and pray to God the engine starts and go. Water and electric and a place to drain the septic. Any KOA is A-OK as long as I'm with you. So come on hitch your wagon to the living room I'm draggin'. If I can't bring you to my house I'll bring my house to you.” – My House
You’ve got to figure that any album that includes “Trailer Park” in the title is going to be a hit. Kacey’s first album for Mercury records is definitely that. Simple instrumentation and great story lyrics make this a great album.
Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison – cheater’s game
“I can fake it for a while ‘til I fall apart in style. After all rock bottoms not too far down. A little heartache, a little pain. A little stick opens the vein. A dash of salt for the wound barely makes a sound. I’m not ashamed of being afraid of loosing you. What more can I lose? But it’s a Cheaters game just breaking me down, when I’m broken in two. Is that so easy to do?” – Cheater’s Game
Some call them the “First couple of Texas music”. The husband/wife team of Bruce & Kelly have no problem living up to that title with their great songwriting and even greater harmonies.
Kim Richey – thorn in my heart
“A hot sticky vinyl in the afternoon. We left Birmingham on the 4th of June. Under a red sky, I should have known we were going nowhere - nowhere like home. And I’m sitting in the middle of the wrong place with a drink in my hand and a long face. Keeping track of all the hours that I can’t sleep in the dark flippin’ channels on the tv. I’m still hoping that there’s something more.” – Something More
I’ve been listening to this lady’s music since her debut self-titled album in the mid-90s. Kim Richey’s strength is in her songwriting, but you shouldn’t underestimate her vocals. She also includes subtle guest appearances from Trisha Yearwood, Jason Isbell, and Wilco's Pat Sansone.
Lady Antebellum – golden
“Made my way to the bathroom mirror, standing next to some girl spilling beer. She didn't notice I was drying my tears. Just look at me now, God, how'd I get here? 'Cause I just kissed a boy and I barely even knew his name. I let him take me by the hand, hold me close while our old song played. It ain't pretty, it ain't pretty when a heart breaks. I almost dialed your number to remind you what you did. But I think it might be better to just let this night end. So, I just called a cab. Outside it's starting to rain. I got my high heels in my hand. Oh I'm ready for the walk of shame. It ain't pretty, it ain't pretty. It ain't pretty when a heart breaks” – It Ain’t Pretty
I think you can guess that the main theme to my Top Albums list is about harmonies. This trio definitely has that. The greatest part of this trio is that there are both male and female voices changing lead vocals on the different songs. It gives them more variety in their music and they’re not stuck with just one sound.
Lori McKenna – Massachusetts
“It’s an old song, but I still know all the words. It’s an old ring, but it fits me just right. It’s an old picture of us hanging in the hallway. We walk by it every night. The house is gonna need a new roof this summer. They closed down the drive-in last year. The church bells still ring on Sunday. They’re just getting harder to hear. Sometimes it’s still gonna rain. God knows we’re still gonna fight. We’re broken and patched up in ways. It takes a crazy kind of love to survive. These days nothing’s made to last. The world keeps changing its mind. But you and I, we’re getting better with time.” – Better With Time
Lori McKenna is a great songwriter, with songs recorded by Hunter Hayes, Little Big Town, and Faith Hill. Sometimes it’s felt that her singing gets underrated. I categorize Lori as a cross between Nancy Griffith and Kim Richey. Check out “Love can put it back together,” “Better with time” and “Make every word hurt.”
New Kids On The Block – 10
“I could leave you right now, pick up the phone and say we're through, even though we both know I'll come right back to you. It's a fact I need you. You're the oxygen I breathe. You're running through my veins, under my skin. You're no good for me. I know I gotta give you up. But I just can't let you go. Save my love for another ‘cause it's wasted on you. And even though you drown me, I keep holding on to you. I can't let you go. My love's wasted on you. And even though I'm no fool, I know I'm just passing through. But now I know, My love's wasted on you.” – Wasted On You
I was never into the ‘boy bands’ back in the day (thank goodness!). However, as they (and I) have grown up, I can appreciate the maturity that I hear in this album – even though I still hear their 80s/90s influence.
Pistol Annies – annie up
“You better start working some overtime. Can't buy high heels on nickels and dimes. You're going bald and I'm getting fat. I hate your mom and you hate my dad. Hey hey, it's alright. Everybody fusses, everybody fights. With all of the baggage you and me carry. We'll spend forever unhappily married. I'll cook your dinner if you wash my car. May as well keep going, hell we made it this far. We'll both play our parts in this disaster. I'll be the bitch and you'll be the bastard. Hey hey, it's alright. Everybody fusses, everybody fights. With all of the baggage you and me carry. We'll spend forever unhappily married.” – Unhappily Married
Howwwwdeee! The three cowgirls - Miranda, Ashley and Angaleena – are back. While not as great a full compilation as their debut album, you just can’t overlook the great twang. Check out “Loved by a workin’ man,” “Unhappily married,” and “Being Pretty Ain’t Pretty.”
Sheryl Crow – feels like home
“So I'm dating again. Letting my guard down is just so hard to do. Never introduced my son to someone new. 'Cuz if I get my heart broke, Honey he will too. And so I wear waterproof mascara. There's things you shouldn't see when you're a kid. Thank God they make waterproof mascara. 'Cuz it won't run like his daddy did. I can throw the ball out in the yard. Teach him how to fish, how to drive a car. But in my heart, it just wont be enough. We've always gotten by somehow. I may not need a man right now. But I know he does. Thank God they make waterproof mascara. 'Cuz it wont run like his daddy did. That's why I wear waterproof mascara.” – Waterproof Mascara
After all these years, Sheryl’s finally come “home” to country music. The genre seems to fit the Missouri girl so well. As a fan of Sheryl’s since the late 90’s, I will say that this is her best album since 2002’s “C’mon, C’mon.” Check out “Give it to me,” “waterproof mascara,” “Callin’ me when I’m lonely,” “We oughta be drinkin,” “crazy ain’t original,” and “homecoming queen.” Zac Brown provides background vocals on “Homesick” while Vince Gill & Ashley Monroe make vocal contributions to “give it to me.”
Shooter Jennings – the other life
“Times are changing you, babe. Seems the older I get the less I seem to fit in a young person's world. And the higher I climb, The more I see desire, and the keepers are all confined Rubbing oyster of their pearls. And I am the outsider. A horse with no rider. I am a fighter when the darkest day is done. And I am the survivor, not laying down and dyer. Long distance driver and I will overcome.” – The Outsider
The son of Waylon & Jessi continues to carve his outlaw path through the music world. He still brings a lot of Waylon influence to his songs. “Wild and Lonesome” features the wonderful Patty Griffin. Also check out “The Outsider,” “Outlaw you,” “The low road” and “The Gunslinger.”
Tegan & Sara – heartthrob
“Do you remember I searched you out? How I climbed your city’s walls? Do you remember me as devout? How I prayed for your calls? I stood still. It’s what I did. Love like ours is never fixed. I stuck around. I did behave. I saved you every time. I was a fool for love. I was a fool for love. I was a fool. I was a fool. Then you blamed me and blocked me out. How long did you think I’d last? Then you disappeared for weeks to pout. How many times could I pack? But stand still is all I did. Love like ours is never fixed.”– I was a fool
Every so often, there are those songs that unexpectedly get stuck in your head – sometimes they are good songs, and sometimes they are ones you really can’t stand, but still get stuck there anyway. The biggest ‘stuck in my head’ song for me this year was Tegan & Sara’s “I was a fool.” Thankfully, it was a song that I absolutely loved.
The Band Perry – pioneer
“Put me in the ground. Put me six foot down. And let the stone say: ‘Here lies the girl whose only crutch was loving one man just a little too much.’ If you go before I do I'm gonna tell the gravedigger that he better dig two.” – Better Dig Two
As with Tegan & Sara’s “I was a fool,” The Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two” is also a ‘stuck in my head’ song. As with previous Band Perry albums, this one combines the uptempo ‘rockers’ with the sweet & sentimental. However, it’s the sibling trio’s combination of harmonies and instrumentation (including banjo & mandolin) that will hook me every time.
Those Darlins – blur the line
“I was a drunk girl in the shower in yet another shit hotel. I could have been just anywhere. The towel I held, well I was drying off my hair. Both my feet and legs were bare. My shirt was almost ripped in two. That ragged shirt I wear to prove that mom and dad, That mom and daddy’s love was true. It was a picture that he drew. It was the fabric that she made. And every hole was one I earned, I earned them holes. A different city every day. I earned them holes. A different city every day. Well after every toilet seat, And every ash tray of a night. The gas pump sidewalk sort of days I smell the fumes. I smell them every single night. It was a drunk and steamy shower. You left a message on my phone. When I pressed it to my ear I heard you whine. Oh god I heard you whine and moan. Well as I pressed it to my hear I could hear you whine and moan. In a frantic voice you asked ‘What have I done?’ You said ‘oh god what have I done. What have I done?’ You said ‘oh god what have I done?’” – Oh God
Don’t let the album cover of all the nude ‘Darlins’ turn you away. For Those Darlins, it seems to be all about being in harmony - their vocals, that is. Check out “That Man,” “Can’t Think,” “The Wilderness” and “Oh God.”
Willie Nelson – to all the girls
“I want you to know you can always depend on promises made and love without end. No need to wonder how faithful I’ll be. Now and on into eternity. From here to the moon & back. Who else in this world will love you like that? Forever & always, I’ll be where you’re at. From here to the moon & back.” – From Here To The Moon And Back
There are not many things better than an album of male/female duets. This album features Willie with the likes of Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Shelby Lynne, Brandi Carlile, Emmylou Harris, and Miranda Lambert. While listening to this album, I was reminded again of how hard it really is to sing a song with Willie. The new rendition of “Making Believe” with Brandi may sound disjointed on first listen, but the new cadence of the song actually works nicely. On “Somewhere Between”, it shocked me to hear frailty in Loretta’s voice. I guess I haven’t heard any of her live stuff in the past few years.
There you go. That’s my list of Top Albums for 2013.
On a side note: I encourage you to check out NCIS: Benchmark. It’s the NCIS soundtrack that was released this year as well. It includes my favorite song of the year – “Somebody saved you” by Pauley Perrette (who plays Abby on the show). There’s also a song from Michael Weatherly (who plays Tony) called “Under the sun.”
