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Rock is the New Roll: The Top 100 Albums of 2019 (60-51)

Here it is, the long-awaited list of the best albums of 2019. It has been a really great year for music. We heard from a couple of deceased legends in Harry Nilsson and Leonard Cohen, were treated with new records from Texas Honky Tonk legends Jack Ingram, Corb Lund, and Dale Watson, and bright lights shone for the first time with a bevy of new artists to discover including the one name wonders Lizzo and Yola.

Rock is not dead with White Reaper, Drugdealer and Balck Country Communion all inviting us to a party like it’s 1979. And of course, the singer-songwriter is back. The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, is back and better than ever and Rock is the New Roll favorite Tom Russell gave us a history lesson in 11 songs with October in the Railroad Earth.

This year we will be releasing our top 100 list 10 tasty gems at a time, so sit back, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy the ear-pleasing top 100 records of the year.

60. Jamestown Revival – San Isabel

Every 18 months or so Jamestown Revival will release an album and remind me that I really love this band. Their latest, San Isabel, takes them back to their roots and their Simon and Garfunkel by way of CSN vibe. Their loving tribute to California Dreamin’ is worth the price of admission alone.

59. Tyler Childers – Country Squire

A more than solid follow up to his 2017 release, purgatory. The songwriting appears to have a bit more of an edge and even without Sturgill on the knobs the production value is pristine.

58. The Wild Reeds – Cheers

Expanded to a five-piece with a more fleshed out expansive sound that will bring to mind sort of a groovy-tone hybrid of The Go Gos and Fleetwood Mac. All of the songs are pretty much festival stage ready with a bounce that might remind you of Oh Pep!, Lucious, or even First Aid Kit.

57. Los Coast – Samsura

This Austin based combo is a bit genre-defying, and in ‘this case that is a very good thing. Part Soul, part Surf-Rock, a lot Psychedelic, and all Cool. If Jellyfish merged with The Dap-Kings the resulting hybrid might sound like these guys.

56. Jesse Dayton – Mixtape Vol. 1

This covers record is a lot more than a slap-dash between albums mail-it-in effort. This is a seriously eclectic and cool set of songs arranged to perfection with a lot of thought going into the song selection. If Elton’s deep track “Country Comfort” or ACDC’s “Whole Lot of Rosie” isn’t good enough for you the Cars Power Pop gem “Just What I Needed” will have your head spinning until Jesse’s love of Punk comes crashing through on the Clash tune “Bankrobber.” Great stuff indeed.

55. Joseph Arthur – Come Back World

Joseph Arthur is nothing if not prolific. Despite this being his first solo project in three years, Arthur has definitely been part of the scene organically implanting himself into many musically diverse projects including Arthur Buck with Peter Buck, Fistfull of Mercy with Dhani Harrison, Ben Harper, and Jeff Ament. Here, his pals Jesse Malin, Ben Harper, and Patrick Carney join in on the fun with a spirit calming set of his most personal and powerful songs to date.

54. Delbert McClinton – Tall, Dark, And Handsome

Delbert pretty much paints from the entire Blues palette on this one. From Jump Blues to Dirty Blues, Country Blues, and Delta Blues with a little bit of Smokey Jazz mixed in, this one has a little bit of everything. Tall Dark and Handsome Doesn’t break any new ground but should serve to remind us that much like John Hiatt, Delbert McClinton is a National treasure.

53. Robert Ellis – Texas Piano Man

Somehow, right before our very ears, Robert Ellis has turned into Ben Folds. Texas Piano Man is a throwback to the 70’s singer-songwriter in all the best of ways. “Father” is a stunner of a song where a son tries to get to know more about what his father is all about and why he left, the line “I wanted a father but I’ll settle for a friend” pretty much sets the stage on this one. A new direction for sure, but still brilliant.

52. The Lilac Time – Return To Us

A lovely sort of pastoral listen, there is meandering pedal steel that sets much of the tone on this nine-song set. Slightly political in some places, the title track, written three days after the current inauguration, plays off an Obama speech, and elsewhere there is melancholy whimsey in the Country inflected “Simple Things” remembering a time with less technology.

51. Shana Cleveland – Night of the Worm Wood

Known mostly for her work with the Surf-Noir Band La Luz, Shana Cleveland doesn’t stray too far from the vintage guitar, psychedelic haze ambiance on Night of the Worm Moon, her second proper full-length record as a solo artist. The cool, laconic, mostly psychedelic undercurrent that wafts through the entire proceedings like an early era Leonard Cohen poetry reading will instantly take you back to a time when television came in both colors. Black, and white.

“The Fireball” is a shoegaze-y mellow-tron of a tune and “Solar Creep” is a night time chill-out experience. Don’t expect the jams to be kicked out anywhere on this record, just a fine, understated, spectral beauty of a listening journey.

Rock is the New Roll: The Top 100 Albums of 2019 (70-61)

This year we will be releasing our top 100 list 10 tasty gems at a time, so sit back, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy the ear-pleasing top 100 records of the year.

70. Angel Olson – All Mirrors

A bit of a Swiss Army Knife sort of artist, here, Angel Olson mostly shreds her country-inflected Indie-Folk for a more lavish and expansive sound. Bolstered by a 17 piece orchestra, this record should be a master class in how to do Symphonic Pop the right way. From the title track to the moody and expansive “Impasse” your ears will take you on a journey that would make The Moody Blues proud.

69. Twin Peaks – Lookout Low

Famous for their live shows in their home town of Chicago, on Lookout Low the band channels 70’s FM Rock. Produced by Ethan Johns, the setting is Big Star in places and Basement era The Band in others. “Dance Through It” has a Jackson Browne by way of Simple Minds flavor to it and is worth the price of admission alone.

68. Dianne Coffee – Internet Arms

If Prince and David Bowie had a love child he probably would sound like Foxygen drummer Shaun Fleming and his swaggering oddball alter ego Dianne Coffee. Mining the same Glam Psychedelic territory that he favors with his main gig, Internet Arms features mostly mid-tempo synth numbers with “Stuck In Your Saturday Night” a real banger, and “Like A Child Does” dances to the beat of a thoughtful dance tune. This record is the one to put on when you are ready to go out on a Saturday Night.

67. The Plott Hounds – Damn The Wind

This time we mean it! The Plott hounds are definitely one of our new favorite bands. With the first introduction to these guys coming from a live version of “Get High (Down Town Anoka),” the first blast to the ears is courtesy of that voice, the one that belongs to Noah Alexander, the lead singer and guitar player for the group. It’s not only the whiskey-soaked, deep from the bowels of pre-“McArthur Park” Waylon Jennings Outlaw Country hades that overcomes you like the last call at closing time, but it is mostly the passion that the entire band that is what makes The Plott Hounds special.

66. Austin Meade – Waves

This denizen of the Texas hill country lays down a template of 70’s outlaw inspired country-influenced songwriting with more than a touch of Rock as well as Roll.

65. The Yawpers – Human Question

If you could only listen to artists from one single record label then Bloodshot Records should be your jam, and The Yawpers are right up there as show horses in their stable. A little more on the Rock and Roll Side than their last album, “Earn Your Heaven” will Rock your ears off and on “Dancing on My Knees” the rhythm section shows the musicianship and energy worthy of Stevie Ray’s Double Trouble.

64. The Regrettes – How Do You Love

Their Pop driven Punk songs are a must-hear. If the Go Go’s were actually cool they might have sounded like The Regrettes. Their sophomore record is full of Ramones worthy ear blasts.

63. Lizzo – Cuz I Love You

Believe the Hype. Behind the Lizzo-Mania is a serious talent. On her break out record she blends Pop, Soul, R&B with a touch of Hip Hop for good measure. Listen to her get funky on “Cry Baby,” a little frisky on “Better in Color,” and downright bombastic on the stellar “Juice.” Lizzo is one of the best talents to come down the road in a long time.

62. Kyle Craft – Showboat Honey

This dude is a bit genre-defying, this dude is. A bit Kinks, slightly Brit Pop, some Power Pop and Badfinger, but it’s all pretty cool. This one is a nifty follow up to the equally excellent Full Circle Nightmare from all the way back in 2018.

61. Beth Hart – War in My Mind

Beth Hart has never been one to bury her darkest secrets, and on her latest record, she continues to peel away the layers of her soul. This is one of those rare artists that you feel you really know and appreciate simply by listening to her songbook.

Best Albums of 2019: The Who – Who

The surprise here is not that The Who has released their first full-length record of original material since their 2006 release of Endless Wire, the rumors were out on the streets for quite a while now, but the real mind-boggler is that the album is good. And not just good, it is seriously good.

It’s an honest to goodness Who Album! Roger Sounds great! – Larry Carta, Chicago, Illinois

Let’s start with the elephant in the room, Roger Daltry’s voice. After it became necessary to cancel a couple of shows and cut others short, there was a bit of skepticism concerning the quality of the vocal performance we would be getting here. But no worries, on virtually every one of the 14 songs presented here Daltry is in fine vocal form. The arrangements and the songs themselves fit into the pocket just fine, and the times that he seems to be on his way to reaching for a level from days gone by he seems to stop just short, and scale things back to AOR appropriate heights.

From the opening track, “All This Music Will Fade” we get classic Who. strong up-front vocals, whirling guitar courtesy of Pete Townshend, and Ringo sire Zak Starkey making poppa proud from behind the kit. This one is pure mid-’70s Face Dances coolness.

There is a bit of an edge on “Ball and Chain” that has a subtle dusting of “Baba O’Riley” around the edges, and there is a certain chemistry on “I Don’t Want To Get Wise” that is pleasing to the ear with Pete Townsend contributing to the vocals in the background just like the old days. Extra credit here goes to Tom Petty’s ivory tickler Benmont Tench doing side-duty on the Hammond organ.

There are not many hints of nostalgia being professed on the record which is a really good thing, the closest the band comes to addressing any past band turmoil is on “Beads On One String,” a semi-ballad that seems to be equal parts Daltry and Townshend and is exhibit A evidence that the two still bring out the best in each other.

Pete Townshend wrote most of the songs here and on “Got Nothing To Prove” he seems to turn back the clock way back to The Who Sell Out Days taking over the lead vocals on a tune that could be playing right now in the mojo dojo of Austin Powers. And, the delicate Townshend touch is even more evident on the poignant “Danny and My Ponies,” a beautiful song that could fit quite nicely as a key track on any of the band’s back pages. Pete plays all of the instruments on this one including drums and synthesizers.

As an album close-out tune, “Danny and My Ponies” is about as perfect an adieu as you can get. Here’s hoping that this record is the last in a very long list of masterworks. Sometimes it is all right to go out on top, and the band deserves props for producing a swan song of new material instead of resting on greatest hits retread laurels or cover song anthologies.

If this is our last visit with Roger, Pete, and the rest of the band, it has been a life well lived and supremely enjoyed by all.

Rock is the New Roll: The Top 100 Albums of 2019 (80-71)

This year we will be releasing our top 100 list 10 tasty gems at a time, so sit back, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy the ear-pleasing top 100 records of the year.

80. The Black Keys – Let’s Rock

After spending time apart from each other going back to 2014 Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney are reunited and it feels so good. Blues, Garage, and Old Soul are still at the core of their sound, but this time around there is a Joie-de-vie amplification that seems to have the band re-energized.

79. The Magpie Salute – High Water II

High Water II, the appropriately titled sequel to High Water I, comes so close to sounding like vintage Black Crowes it might as well be a reunion record. And no, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Heavy on rockers and blues-boogie with an occasional acoustic interlude thrown in for good measure with Rich Robinson providing the guitar riffage. In the battle of the brothers Robinson for world domination, Chris definitely has some catching up to do.

78. Flying Colors – Love Letter

A Progressive Rock supergroup channeling their inner Beatles and ELO, Mike Portnoy, Steve Morse, and Neal Morse join singer Carey McPherson in a harmony drizzled dose of Sunshine Pop. The song “Love Letter” is definitely worth the price of admission alone.

77. Quaker City Nighthawks – Quaker City Nighthawks

Formed in Forth Worth in 2012, the Quaker City Night Hawks are constantly and consistently refining their sound. On their latest self-titled record, they mix funky rockers with piano-led ballads. On “Suit In The Back” they look back to when they were pulled over and arrested for the possession of marijuana concentrate.

76. Allison Moorer – Blood

You will be hard-pressed to listen to a more poignant record this year as Mrs. Hayes Carll presents a biographical record in conjunction with a book release later in the year. Having been raised by her sister Shelby Lynne after her father killed her mother and turned the gun on himself, the album, as well as the book, will take you on an emotional journey that will make you feel alive.

75. Goodbye June – Community Inn

Nashville’s favorite sons Goodbye June finally deliver what should be their breakout album. Full of anthemic Southern Blues Rock with more hooks than a season of Dangerous Catch, this just might be the Rock and Roll record of the year.

74. Miranda Lambert – Wildcard

With her latest album, Wildcard, Miranda Lambert seems to be walking on the wild side after a much-publicized public divorce. Ditching her old producer in favor of Jay Joyce who twirled the knobs for Brothers Osbourne, Brandy Clark, and Ashley McBryde, there seems to be a bounce in her step that wasn’t there before. There is a bit of Swamp Funk on “Holy Water,” and 80’s Rock on “Mess With My Head.” This is a diverse and textured record that will reward multiple listens.

73. Lucille Furs – Another Land

With a Magical Mystery Tour as your tour guide, Lucille Furs and Another Land will time warp you back to superspy Austin Powers groovy bachelor pad at the blink of a mellotron.

72. Jade Bird – Jade Bird

One of the British shining stars on the Americana Folk scene, on her debut record there are soaring pop epics the likes of “Side Effects,” introspective slow burners with “My Beauty” where she sounds like Melissa Etheridge in her prime, and on the low and slow “Does Anybody Know” her songwriting talents really shine. This one will be on heavy rotation for quite a long time.

71. Black Star Riders – Another State of Grace

With a more than solid follow up to 2017’s album Heavy Fire, this band born from the ashes of Thin Lizzy continues to place themselves on the mount Rushmore of bands that are saving Rock and Roll. The song “Don’t Let Me Down” is a distant cousin to Lizzy’s “Dancing In The Moonlight and is worth the price of admission alone.” The title track is Thin Lizzy meets Dropkick Murphy’s.

Five Cool Ones: Five Cool Records Released This Week (December 6, 2019)

While we are still, without a lot of success, trying to stay away from the Christmas music scene, some fine musical nuggets are reaching our ears including the new album by The Who.

The Who – Who

With what, hopefully, will be their last record, the Who set the flag in the ground for a grand departure. The record is actually quite good with Daltry not overstepping his diminished vocals by not trying too hard to hit those high notes from days gone by. He is staying in his lane, letting Pete do the heavy lifting and the results are close to vintage Face Dances Who.

Pitbull – Libertad 548

Here, at Rock is the New Roll we have a few guilty pleasures. Along with The Bay City Rollers, The Sweet, and Eddie Murphy’s “Party All The Time,” another one of these is Pitbull. While we will stand on Snoop Dogg’s coffee table and proclaim “Fireball” as our number one party starter of all time, we don’t care how many bitches you have in the living room getting it on, there is always room for another Mr. Worldwide record to make it rain for us.

Hurt Valley – Glacial Pace

A somewhat appropriately monikered record, Hurt Valley’s Glacial Pace is a low-key gently paced pastoral adventure in hi-fi. There is a gentle psychedelic haze around this entire affair. Spark one up while you are listening to this one.

Chad Kostner – Highway 63

A newcomer to our ears, Chad Kostner has a voice that falls somewhere north of Steve Earle and South of Bryan Adams, and we think it’s cool. Born in Chicago and raised in Wisconsin, he has graduated from drinking and party songs to solidly introspective crafted John Prine inspired tunesmithing.

Los Colognes – From The Vault

Better musicos than us have tried and failed to genre identify Los Colognes. There is a definite hippy Laurel Canyon vibe weed-wafting in the air tonight essence going on with these guys, but there is more than meets the ear going on here. The twangy jam-oriented arrangements have a Grateful Dead meets Fleetwood Mac essence about them, and if you are deep into this band it is almost like you are in a secret society that revels in its underground status. Here, we have an abient scented E.P. that is best absorbed in a dark room with Tommy Chong.

Rock is the New Roll: The Top 100 Albums of 2019 (90-81)

This year we will be releasing our top 100 list 10 tasty gems at a time, so sit back, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy the ear-pleasing top 100 records of the year.

90. Jeremy Ivey – The Dream and the Dreamer

Mostly known for his work with Buffalo Clover as well as his role as Mr. Margo Price, Jeremy Ivey is stepping out on his own in fine fashion. Here, his 60’s County-Pop flag is flying as he carries his Laurel Canyon vibe to what should be the start of a terrific solo career. “Diamonds back to Coal” is the cream of a stellar crop.

89. Black Pumas – Black Pumas

Hard to classify this group of Austin musicians. Rock, Soul, R&B with a hint of Tex Mex? Yep, Yes, and sure. The best we can come up with is that if Marvin Gaye fronted The Black Keys, and was based out of Tijuana, they would sound like these guys. Check them out for yourself.

88. Camila Meza – Ambar

A bonafide triple threat Camila Meza Sings plays exquisite guitar and writes most of the songs on her latest release, Ambar. Singing in both her native Chilean tongue as well as English, her George Benson, and Pat Methany influenced soundscapes with full orchestral accompaniment are delicately nuanced wonders.

87. The Raconteurs – Help Us Stranger

And speaking of Jack White, The Raconteurs are back. This is notable mostly in that we get a Halleys Comet type appearance from the Power Pop genius Brendan Benson who inexplicably only shows up in Jack Whites’ side-piece band. The Ying to White’s Dirty Blues Yang. If you haven’t heard Benson’s 1996 album One Mississippi search it out.

86. Josh Ritter – Fever Breaks

Superbly backed by Jason Isbell’s 400 Unit, this record just might be Ritter’s best yet, easily his best in several releases. Every song is a cracker with Josh easing into each song like a hand in a glove.

85. Cody Jinks – After The Fire

With each successive record he releases Cody Jinks seems to channel Chris Stapleton more and more, and that is a very good thing. Now that he is back to being independent after a brief dance with Rounder Records, Cody delivers a solid set of Outlaw Country complete with Honky Tonk blazers and mellow ballads. Jinks blends the darkness with the light with a nimble touch and his Randy Travis Meets Garth Brooks croon is wearing very well on him.

84. BAILEN – Thrilled To Be Here

If you are a fan of the Laurel Canyon multiple harmony sound and groups like The Milk Carton Kids or the new Cactus Blossoms record then Thrilled To Be Here will be your new jam. Featuring fraternal twins Daniel and David Bailen along with their younger sister Julia, there is a First Aid Kit meets Dawes aura going on here with this impeccably produced record. There is even a dusting of Fleetwood Mac on “I Was Wrong.”

83. Janiva Magness – Janiva Magness Sings John Fogerty

As big fans of Janiva Magness when she plays it straight, and here where she covers some of our favorite John Fogerty songs we are all in as well. Thankfully no “Centerfield” here, but with such afternoon delights as “Lodi” with Sam Morrow, Rock is the New Roll favorite “A Hundred and Ten in the Shade,” and a sublime version of “Have You Ever Seen The Rain, this one is a stone-cold winner.

82. Jimmy “Duck” Holmes – Cypress

Another stellar and eclectic release from the Nashville based Dan Auerbach studio, Easy Eye Sound, the outfit that brought you Yola, Dee White, and Shannon Shaw just to name a few. Now, with Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, we are introduced to one of the last living bluesmen. Mixing a fuller sound than you would expect, drawing in a full band that includes Marcus King on a couple of songs with just Jimmy and his guitar on others, the essence of a real Mississippi juke joint is on full display with every guttural vocal and every greasy guitar lick.

81. Fontaines D.C. – Dogrel

This band hot fuzzes ferocious Post-Punk with a literate sensibility with a Clash, Meets The Waterboys, Meets The Pogues bombardier approach to their music. Dogrel is entirely listenable and firmly aligns itself in the Irish tradition that would make the Drop Kick Murphys proud.

Rock is the New Roll: The Top 100 Albums of 2019 (100-91)

This year we will be releasing our top 100 list 10 tasty gems at a time, so sit back, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy the ear-pleasing top 100 records of the year.

100. Pip Blom – Boat

Fervent fans of the Indie Rock scene of the ’90s, the Dutch band Pip Blom has released their most fully realized effort to date. Sonically excellent lead singer Pip Blom sounds a bit liked an escaped Runaway. The guitar pop on this one is the next level. If you are looking for a rambunctious romp through a 90’s Post Punk garden this is your jam.

99. Liz Brasher – Painted Image

This one is likely to be on the list of best debut albums of the year. With vintage Dusty Springfield, old school grooves mixed with contemporary Blues swirling throughout there is a definite new age feel to the record to complement the vintage sounds. “Cold Baby” sounds like Otis Redding’s long lost sister.

98. The Steel Woods – Old News

This Americana and Outlaw Country by way of Southern Rock band is the real deal. The opening couple of riffs on the lead-off song, “All of These Years” will have you digging out your old Lynyrd Skynyrd records, and if that’s not enough, their cover versions of “Whipping Post” along with Petty’s ” Southern Accents” will direct your attention to the music that these guys discovered when they were growing up.

97. Justin Townes Earle – The Saint of Lost Causes

Steve Earles’s Son Justin Townes Earle is back with another solid set of introspective songs. This time, turning to more expansive road themes instead of the deeply person familial portraits he shared on his last two records, the results are equally impressive.

96. Joan Shelley – Like The River Loves The Sea

This record is a slow burn. After one listen you will go, ok, Joni Mitchell for the new millennium. After a second listen you will think there is something a bit deep going on here. And, after a third listen, you will be putting this record on your own personal best of the year lists. This record is sensual, provocative and alarming all at the same time.

95. Madison Cunningham – Who Are They Now

It seems appropriate that Madison Cunningham would eventually land on the Verve record label. Her nuanced and sophisticated guitar playing, as well as her vocal delivery, will remind you of Joni Mitchell in her prime. The songwriting and pop sensibilities are pure Karla Bonoff.

94. Garrett T. Capps – All Right, All Night

If Townes Van Zant was just a little less screwed up and depressed, he might have been Garrett T. Capps. All killer, no filler the title track is great, and songs like “Sunday Sun” and “Babe, I’ve Got To Go” are quite possibly even better.

93. Samantha Fish – Kill or Be Kind

Six albums in, and her first on Rounder Records, Samantha Fish is still somewhat of an unknown quantity. Whether she is laying down a greasy blues riff or belting out a Soul screamer, Samantha is a Swiss Army knife of talent. And, and if there is a musical God, her new record should land her on the music radar right alongside Beth Hart and Bonnie Raitt.

92. Elles Bailey – Road I Call Home

Finally, Elles Baily has a proper release under her belt. Part Blues, some Country, all very cool, Elles Bailey is on the verge of stardom. After touring with Eric Gales and garnering high billing on several festival circuits this one just might be the breakthrough she so richly deserves.

91. Daddy Long Legs – Lowdown Ways

If Little Walter was in the Stray Cats you might get Daddy Long Legs. Just listen to “Mornin’ Noon & Night” and tell me I’m wrong. This record is a smasher from “Pink Lemonade” all the way to “Ding Dong Dang.” Old-School meets New-School in all the best of ways on this one.

The Top Songs of 2019 (20-16)

There have been a lot of really great songs released in 2019. This year, we will be revealing our top 100 songs five tunes at a time all the way to number one. Here are our picks for 20-16

20. Weyes Blood – Everyday

Titanic Rising is one of the best records of 2019, and the single “Everyday” is sort of Bob Seger meets Enya.

19. Bill Callahan – What Comes After Certainty

If Neil Diamond and Leonard Cohen had a love child that was produced by Rick Rubin, this is the sort of beautiful noise that the offspring would share with the world. Willie’s guitar even makes an out of nowhere appearance on this one.

18. Rodney Crowell – Deep In The Heart of Uncertain Texas

We could have picked any number of tunes for this list from Rodney Crowell’s Texas L.P., but we are contractually obligated to mention Willie Nelson at least one time per post, and the more the better. Here, along with Ronnie Dunn, Willie is in perfect hippy form.

17. Elles Bailey – Road I Call Home

The heir apparent to Bonnie Rait who sounds like she could be the daughter of Melissa Etheridge with better chops, Elles Baily is really coming into her own with her new record, Road I Call Home. The title track shows an artist that, by all rights, should not be as good as she is.

16. Garret T. Capps – Sunday Sun

There is an old school outlaw troubadour ethos that generates through every pore of Garrett T. Capps that draws the line from Hank to Kris to Townes all the way to Garrett T. Capps without missing a beat.

The Top Songs of 2019 (25-21)

There have been a lot of really great songs released in 2019. This year, we will be revealing our top 100 songs five tunes at a time all the way to number one. Here are our picks for 25-21

25. Sheer Mag – Hardly To Blame

A singalong chorus enhances the bounciness on this Rocker of a song from the Philly based group.

24. Leon Bridges and Khruangbin – Texas Sun

Two soon to be Texas legends, Leon Bridges from Fort Worth and Houston’s Khruangbin team up on a classic sounding single.

23. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs For Wings

The undeniable chemistry on this stand-alone (so far) single from Gillian Welch and David Rawlings makes for sweet harmony filled listening, courtesy of the San Saba Songbird from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.

22. Yes Factory – Radio Waves

Some Matthew Sweet vintage Power Pop for the new age. The band is from Rockford Illinois and features Ian Zander, son of Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander. This apple falls not so far from the Rock tree.

21. DeWolff – It Ain’t Easy

One of our more pleasant Rock and Roll finds from 2018, it took us a bit to get used to the Jamiroquai vibes on this one from their latest two-song E.P. but after a few studious listens of this one, the mid-song guitar noodling sold us big time.

The Top Songs of 2019 (30-26)

There have been a lot of really great songs released in 2019. This year, we will be revealing our top 100 songs five tunes at a time all the way to number one. Here are our picks for 30-26

30. The Highwomen – The Chain

This Fleetwood Mac classic comes alive again in the hands of the Highwomen, 2019 Supergroup of the year. This cover song is from the Melissa McCarthy movie, The Kitchen.

29. Lucy Dachus – Fools Gold

He’ll blame the alcohol and you’ll blame the full moon pretty well expresses this lovely ode to The New Year.

28. Laura Stevenson – Living Room, NY

Laura Stevenson was in Australia when she wrote this song to a flame she was missing. You can feel the longing in every breath she takes here, and you will find yourself longing for the sequel to this stunner of a song.

27. Drugdealer – Honey

From Raw Honey, Drugdealer’s highly excellent 2019 release. This one sounds like it could have been on side 2 of George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass.

26. Purple Mountains – That’s Just The Way I Feel

This is hands down the saddest song of the year given that Dave Berman took his own life shortly after recording his Purple Mountains album. There is a Harry Nilsson vibe to this one, but don’t let the bouncy tenor fool you. There is an underlying sense of despair running through the core of this poignant swan song.