Mixtape VI: Sweet Black Magic (Ryan Adams B-Sides)

Before I delve into 2005 and the onset of The Cardinals in my spotlight, there's still plenty of music that needs to be (over)examined. Now, I don't follow much less obsess over collecting each piece of music that any artist records like I do Ryan Adams, but from what I can tell, he's part of a select group of musicians that constantly offer up bonus tracks with each release. Forget all his 'unreleased sessions' or rejected albums for the moment; Ryan Adams' extra songs recorded alongside those that made final album cuts still stack up higher than most folks' entire catalogs.

Starting with 2001's Gold, Ryan has rewarded pre-orders, limited editions, and often folks from other continents with extra tracks that didn't make the proper album with nearly every release. As you'll see, these are often as good if not better than many of the album cuts, and the mystery remains why these songs were never properly released. My Ryan Adams Spotlight posts have been adorned with many of these tracks that were 'bonus album cuts,' but a lot of them were never even attached to albums of his. I've whittled these 50 or so songs down to the best 22 to bring you Mixtape VI: Sweet Black Magic.

Download (zip)

Gold's side 4 is fully represented here, and the mix takes its title from one the tracks. This set of 5 songs remains his strongest bonus effort to date and not necessarily hard to come by, have helped his sophomore album reach the critical level it has. Each side of Sweet Black Magic is finished with a signature down-tempo ballad from Gold's bonus side.

Two of the strongest moments on the mix come at each 2nd track and are both pulled from a label compilation. 'Choked Up' is technically a Whiskeytown outtake from the Pneumonia recording sessions that was part of a Lost Highway 'Lost Songs' collection. 'Monday Night' was released on a Bloodshot records 5-year retrospective entitled Down To The Promised Land. Another easy standout, 'Goodbye Honey' also comes from a Bloodshot Records compilation - the label's 100th release. The Japanese bonus disc included with Love Is Hell included two tracks featured here. Both are positive, mainly acoustic cuts that would never have fit right with the cosmic, dreary album.

Leading off the second side is one of Ryan Adams' best songs of his entire catalog. 'Fool's Gold' was never part of an official release but circulated on a collection of the same name in 2001 along with the rest of Gold's bonus tracks. The Latin-tinged rocker fits right in with the feeling of that album, even starring a familiar character, Mara Lisa, who was the inspiration for another one of those bonus tracks. 'Lovely and Blue' is another unreleased song that was available for a short time on Ryan's web site and features the more polished sound similar to Easy Tiger material. The remainder of the tracks here were b-sides released either on EP's or with singles. The best of these comes from the second 'Wonderwall' CD single with the infectious melody of 'I Want To Go Home.'

Check out more from the Ryan Adams Spotlight:

• Whiskeytown
• Heartbreaker
• Gold
• Exile on Franklin Street
• The Destroyer Sessions
• The Pinkheart Sessions (1)
• The Suicide Handbook
• 48 Hours
• The Pinkheart Sessions (2)
• Halloween Promo
• Demolition
• Music In High Places
• The Swedish Sessions
• Rock N Roll
• Love Is Hell
• Mixtape V: This One's For The Rose
  

show all

Deer Tick Download Code Giveaway!!

As promised, I've got a few more unused download codes to give away. Up for grabs this week is the newest album from one of the hottest bands in the country. Deer Tick's Born on Flag Day found itself at #4 on my Top 20 Albums of 2009. Read my review.

This time there's no trivia stopping you from giving it a try. Simply click below or on the album cover and enter your email address. Next Wednesday (1/27), I'll pick a random winner and notify them via email with the working download code. Do it.

Click here to enter the Deer Tick Contest
Contest Complete - Congrats Jeanette!

Ryan Bingham leaves West Texas in the Dust...

Since honing his chops alongside many of the Texas/Oklahoma acts I used to follow, Ryan Bingham has signed with Lost Highway, released 2 critically acclaimed albums (the latest of which found my Top 20 Albums of 2009), and....

Sunday Night, New Mexico born, Texas raised Ryan Bingham won himself a Golden Globe Award. He took home the trophy for Best Original Song for 'The Weary Kind,' a tune written by Bingham for the film Crazy Heart starring Jeff Bridges. This film caught my eye as soon as the trailer surfaced. With a cast including Bridges, Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell, and Maggie Gyllenhaal, it was sure to get attention, but surprisingly, focus has been geared toward the music in the film as much as the film itself. Legendary producer T-Bone Burnett oversaw the production of the soundtrack alongside Stephen Bruton.

One of the first things that stood out to me about Crazy Heart was the fact that it was director Scott Cooper's directorial debut. He adapted the script from a book of the same name written by Thomas Cobb. It follows Bad Blake, a fictional yet very familiar country singer who, at 57, seems to have run his course in the business. Cooper had always wanted to tell the life story of Merle Haggard but could never sort out the rights. After finding the book, he learned he could not only tell Haggard's, but also stories of Waylon and Kristofferson, "with a little bit of Billy Joe Shaver and Townes Van Zandt all mixed in." Jeff Bridges pulls off the weary character perfectly, so much that he also picked up a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama.

Trailer:


Pick up the soundtrack (out today) from Amazon. It includes tracks from Buck Owens, The Louvin Brothers, Waylon Jennings, Lightnin' Hopkins, Townes Van Zandt, and a healthy helping from the movie's stars (Bridges and Farrell).

Here's your Golden Globe Winning Song performed earlier this month on Letterman:

The Lists: Top 50 Songs of 2009

Finally, my first post of the new decade. After my ski trip, I was backed up with work, and I've had a lot of photos to edit. And for the second year in a row, the task of making my lists sort of drained the free-form fun out of what I do here. I'm ready to start finding new music as well as posting about some older stuff that had a hand in me starting this blog in the first place.

Truth be told, I wanted a little extra time to refine this list as it is quite large. So without further adieu, my Top 50 Songs of 2009:

50. Sunflower Rain - Ryan Adams [purchase]
49. Dog Days Are Over - Florence and the Machine [purchase]
48. You Never Know - Wilco [purchase]
47. Sailor Song - First Aid Kit [purchase]
46. Ship Come In - Jonny Burke [purchase]
45. Give Me Time - Dawes [purchase]
44. - Brendan Benson [purchase]
43. Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear [purchase]
42. Goodbye Hollywood - JET [purchase]
41. Cry - Slaid Cleaves [purchase]
40. Don't Come Calling - Stephanie Briggs [purchase]
39. Orion & Dog - Sea Wolf [purchase]
38. Boots Boy - Langhorne Slim [purchase]
37. Brother John - Middle Distance Runner [purchase]
36. The Guitar - Guy Clark [purchase]
35. In These Arms - The Swell Season [purchase]
34. Good Ol' Fashioned Nightmare - Matt & Kim [purchase]
33. Cooperstown - The Felice Brothers [purchase]
32. Bells of Harlem - Dave Rawlings Machine [purchase]
31. Eager For Your Love - Tristen [purchase]
30. Nikorette - Conor Oberst & The MVB [purchase]
29. Champion Angel - The Low Anthem [purchase]
28. Lisztomania - Phoenix [purchase]
27. Heartbroken, In Disrepair - Dan Auerbach [purchase]
26. Round Here - Middle Distance Runner [purchase]
25. Ten Women - Conor Oberst & The MVB [purchase]
24. Hurtin' You - Ben Kweller [purchase]
23. Smith Hill - Deer Tick [purchase]
22. Tell Me True - Sarah Jarosz [purchase]
21. Cage The Songbird - The Low Anthem [purchase]
20. Ten Thousand Words - The Avett Brothers [purchase]
19. The Traitor - Sea Wolf [purchase]
18. Funeral Singers - Califone [purchase]
17. Day Is Done - Ryan Bingham [purchase]
16. Everyday - Vetiver [purchase]
15. White Limo - The Felice Brothers [purchase]
14. Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap [purchase]
13. A Thousand Men - Joe Pug [purchase]
12. Far And Wide - The Roadside Graves [purchase]
11. Easy - Deer Tick [purchase]
10. Mama's Eyes - Justin Townes Earle [purchase]
9. The Big Surprise - The Felice Brothers [purchase]
8. Speak of Trouble - Great Bloomers [purchase]
7. Laundry Room (live version) - The Avett Brothers [purchase]
6. Gunslinger - The Medders [purchase]
5. Take It In - Wye Oak [purchase]
4. I Got The Reason - Conor Oberst & The MVB [purchase]
3. Ticket Taker - The Low Anthem [purchase]
2. Honeymoon - Bombadil [purchase]

1. Ruby - Dave Rawlings Machine [purchase]

Ruby, let down your golden hair
When I'm standing at the bottom of your stairs
Ruby, I can see your TV on
But the people there, they flicker and they're gone
So let down your golden hair for me tonight
Let down your golden hair for me to climb
Just like an old-time telegraph man
I came here with a simple job to do
'Cause that news coming down the wire
Says that your head's on fire
And I'm trying to get a message through to you

Ruby, you ain't lonely yet
With your crystal and your Russian cigarette
Ruby, haven't you heard before?
Working is the finest tower when it hasn't got a door
So let down your golden hair for me to climb
Let down your golden hair for me tonight
Just like an old-time telegraph man
I came here with a simple job to do
'Cause that news coming down the wire
Says that your bed's on fire
And I'm trying to get a message through to you, Ruby

I'm that old-time telegraph man
And I came here with a simple job to do
'Cause that news coming down the wire
Says that your world's on fire
And I'm trying to get a message through to you

I'm that old-time telegraph man
And I came here with a simple job to do
'Cause that news coming down the wire
Says that your world's on fire
And I'm trying to get a message through to you
-------------

"Come Mornin' I'll Be Through Them Hills And Gone"

Headed out overnight for another New Year's ski trip. Destination: Beaver Creek - my absolute favorite place to ski. Looks like my Top 50 Songs of 2009 will have to wait 'til 2010.... wow that's strange to type.

If I find some time during the trip, I'll begin another set of Download Code Contests. I've got 3 album downloads available from my Top 10 this year: JTE's Midnight at the Movies, Deer Tick's Born On Flag Day, and Conor Oberst's Outer South. Be sure to check back for those.

For now, here are some songs to fit the mood:

Reckless Kelly - Snowfall
Fleet Foxes - Blue Ridge Mountains
Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings - Snowin' On Raton (live)
White Antelope (Robin Pecknold) - Wild Mountain Thyme

Links & News: Christmas Edition....

Merry Christmas to all. In the last few days, I haven't had time to prepare any sort of Holiday post, do any thoughtful gift-buying, or properly wrap the gifts I hastily snatched up today. My shopping expedition was haunted by a looming CVS stop and the drive to Grandma's this evening was nearly thwarted but 35+ mph wind gusts. But I'm safe and warm now, enjoying Christmas with the family... though, in a place without much for speedy internet necessary for uploading songs. So, this year, I will direct you to some that did have the time.

Christmas Music Mixes, etc:
I Am Fuel, You Are Friends
plus Heather's (re-upped) 2008 and 2007 Christmas posts.
Rollo & Grady
Brooklyn Vegan
(including some sweet videos)
Songs: Illinois
Nine Bullets offers a holiday song... and a nice reminder.
Bag of Songs is 24/25ths of the way through it's Bag of Christmas songs.
Middle Distance Runner (#7) has a free holiday track.
And, as always, Star Maker Machine has plenty of festive music.

The Lists: Top 20 Albums of 2009 (1-10)

Check out Part I (11-20)

Part II of my Top 20 Albums of 2009

10. Justin Townes Earle - Midnight At The Movies
Bloodshot, 3.3.2009
Justin Townes Earle's second album cemented his star-studded name as star in his own right and won the top spot in the first ever Bird List - by a landslide. Justin, like some of the best out there, has a difficult time translating his live show allure to a studio CD, but Midnight At The Movies does a damn good job trying. His rollicking, 'Hillbilly Music' (tracks like 'Walk Out' and 'John Henry') are where he grabs your attention, but it's the slower, more personal songs ('Mama's Eyes', 'Someday I'll Be Forgiven') that truly separate JTE from other folk-country acts out there.

Justin Townes Earle - They Killed John Henry
[Direct][Vinyl][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

9. Sea Wolf - White Water, While Bloom
Dangerbird, 9.22.2009
Alex Brown Church and the folks behind him, better known as Sea Wolf, are probably one the most accessible bands I promote here. I have to admit that they had a little advantage making my top 10 due to the fact that I didn't discover their 2007 release Leaves In The River until last year, and wanted to make up for not mentioning it in my inaugural posts. This year with White Water, White Bloom, Sea Wolf continued to make listener-friendly indie-rock paved with inspiring string pieces, powerful rhythm sections, and soaring vocals.

Sea Wolf - Dew In The Grass
[Direct][Vinyl][CD][MP3][iTunes]

8. Samantha Crain & The Midnight Shivers - Songs In The Night
Ramseur, 4.28.2009
Samantha Crain broke into the folk scene last year with a superb EP. Don't let the fact that her debut full-length was released early this year and the hype surrounding her may have since slowed lead you astray. This is one killer album. Songs In The Night contains very mature writing and even better music created by The Midnight Shivers. It's got a perfect mix of tempos - sing-along folk-rockers, contemplative acoustic ballads, and even a couple electric grooves. If I could pick a poster-band for the sound I want out of my Americana, this is it.

Samantha Crain & The Midnight Shivers - Devils In Boston
[Direct][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

7. Middle Distance Runner - The Sun & Earth
Engine Room Recordings, 10.20.2009
Every year so far, I've had at least one album that made my list for one simple reason - it rocks. This year's album that always seems to get my head bobbin' is Middle Distance Runner's The Sun & Earth. I stumbled across the D.C. band earlier this year thanks to a couple mind-numbing singles/EPs they released. I grabbed the full album released in October, delighted to see those tracks on it, and even more thrilled to enjoy the rest of the disc. It's one of those albums that you seem to not remember tracks names simply because it's 45 minutes of pulsating Rock n Roll intertwined with moments of acoustic bliss of that all melds together in you brain - in a good way.

Middle Distance Runner - Round Here
[Direct][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

6. Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid
Nonesuch, 2.10.2009
I was skeptical of Dan Auerbach breaking from his bandmate to strike out on a solo mission. But I was a fool. Dan brought his funk-filled guitar licks to the studio, polished them off just a tad, and ultimately brought everything to his solo debut that The Black Keys were missing. Keep It Hid has the feel of an artist who knew the exact sound they wanted. Plus, who knew this blues-rocker could slow it down and give us a handful of touching down-tempo ditties to compliment his unique, blistering electric sound.

Dan Auerbach - When The Night Comes
[Direct][Vinyl][CD][MP3][iTunes]

5. Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band - Outer South
Merge, 5.5.2009

I had Outer South, the second album bearing Conor Oberst's name and the first bearing The Mystic Valley Band, in my library for a while this year before I really gave it a listen. I don't know what held me back - maybe I was overwhelmed by the amount of tracks on it and the fact that Conor participated in another release this year - but as soon as I listened once through, I knew it was a top 5 album. This year will mark the 3rd year in a row that Conor Oberst has placed an album in the top 5 here at This Mornin'. Last year, I made the claim that his self-titled album solidified his place as the Best American Songwriter under 30, and with this release I stand by that claim - though he only has 2 more months to hold the title. He will then have wait 5 years in a distant second place until Ryan Adams turns 40.

Outer South doesn't necessarily show us anything particularly new about Conor - his songs continue to be energetic - only slowing when necessary - well-written, and most noticeably perfectly delivered. Conor has a knack for isolating a line apart from the music behind it with the effect of heightening the importance of that lyric like no one else. What sets this album apart from Oberst's earlier work is his band. Although The Mystic Valley Band played on Conor Oberst, that album was more about Conor. On Outer South, he lends prime real estate to his bandmates letting them take 7 of the 16 tracks, including tracks as early as 3 and 4. The songs that Nick Freitas, Taylor Hollingworth, and Jason Boesel wrote and provide lead vocals for aren't my favorite off the album, but they ain't bad, either. Hollingsworth may have the standout non-Oberst song with his Replacements-esque 'Air Mattress.' Outer South is yet another disc from the Omaha alt-rocker that doesn't have a single skippable track.

Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band - Cabbage Town
Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band - Air Mattress
[Direct][Vinyl][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

4. Deer Tick - Born On Flag Day
Partisan, 6.23.2009

Easily my most anticipated release of the year, Deer Tick's sophomore effort obviously pleased me. But not right at first - if you read my initial reaction, you'll see I was happy with it, but thought it paled in comparison to 2007's War Elephant. What I grew to enjoy about the album after some time, however, was everything that sets Born On Flag Day apart from their debut. Aside from John McCauley's grizzled vocals, this album doesn't have the same grunge-rock feel of which we were introduced to Deer Tick. In its place as an overlying feeling on the album is a bit of a retro-vibe. Born On Flag Day boasts multiple tracks that sound straight out of a 50's studio session outtake disc. Both vocally and musically, I've heard traces of The Everyly Brothers (when they tried out an electric set), The Animals, Chuck Berry, and even some Beatles when I listen to this album. John manages to get those familiar, classic rock tones from his sea-green Fender Strat, both on this album and in the band's live show.

Deer Tick - Stung
[Direct][Vinyl][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

3. Bombadil - Tarpits & Canyonlands
Ramseur, 7.7.2009

I could sit here and regurgitate words that tell you how Bombadil is groundbreaking, brave, and stylistically unclassifiable, but if you've ever heard their music, that is all too apparent. The simple fact is, it's fun to listen to them - and what else do you really need to know? Tarpits and Canyonlands outreaches the band's last album in terms of accessibility and execution. Here, there are real songs, still liberally arranged with instrumental twists and turns, but in a more focused way. The guys took their time with this recording, and it shows. Most impressively, Tarpits' strongest parts may be the more subdued moments. The slow-building opener 'I Am' provides a gentle, yet ominous lead-in to an album with peaks and valleys in terms of tempo and activity, but never a dull moment.

Bombadil - I Am
Bombadil - Kuala Lumpur
[Direct][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

2. Dave Rawlings Machine - A Friend of a Friend
Acony, 11.17.2009

I reserved big, comfy spot for this album in my Top 10 as soon as I learned of its release. Don't get me wrong - I still analyzed the songs, but I already knew what we were getting. For an artist with a resume like Dave Rawlings, over a decade to hone his songwriting chops, and the likes of Gillian Welch and Old Crow Medicine Show ushering him in, A Friend of A Friend was bound to be nothing short of spectacular. The last thing I expected going in was to be most impressed by the strength of Dave's original songs. 'Ruby' immediately shot to the top of my favorite songs list, while 'Sweet Tooth' and 'Bells of Harlem' are at once fresh and classically timeless. It's a short and sweet album, with a perfect mix of Dave's early co-writes, well-chosen covers, and original compositions that will no-doubt stand the test of time. Expect a further in-depth review of this one after I've let it simmer a little longer.

Dave Rawlings Machine - Sweet Tooth
[Direct][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

1. The Low Anthem - Oh My God, Charlie Darwin
Nonesuch, 6.9.2009

Last year, I expressed my thoughts on what I believe makes a great album. Most importantly, that it need be a cohesive, focused, flowing collection of songs, none being superfluous or out of place. The Low Anthem's Oh My God, Charlie Darwin takes this idea to another level. It's a beautiful record, start to finish, complete with ballads and rockers, an interlude, and a reprise. It flows seamlessly, taking you through ethereal hymns and turbulent gospel barn-burners. Some may argue that OMGCD was a 2008 release - the Providence-based band self-released the album in September of 2008 and were subsequently picked up by Nonesuch Records. The label then gave the record a proper release (including vinyl) in June of this year. I discovered the band just after this release and was pleased to see that their schedule crossed paths with mine and we would both be in Nashville at the same time - me for The Big Surprise Tour, them for an intimate show at The Basement. Catching a live show of theirs and meeting the band members had a big part in the placement of this album at the top of my list. Read my review.
The Low Anthem's strongest quality - as a band and especially on this album - is their unmatched instrumentation. Between only Ben Knox Miller, Jeff Prystokwsky, and Jocie Adams, The Low Anthem travels with a trailer-full of gear, all of which gets used on a nightly basis. Their stage progression plays out like a carousel, or literally a game of musical chairs. Most instruments can be played by more than one member, each with their own personal flair. I read a few interviews with the band prior to this write-up (check out this well-written one). In one interview, Miller says they try to push their musical limits by limiting their play on instruments they are comfortable with. He says they walk blindfolded into the instrument room; they "prefer to stumble into beauty." Another interesting note I picked up on, Miller says that band doesn't get too caught up in listening to a lot of contemporary music. This is obvious in the end result of their own music - you can't seem to pick out any specific influence or even compare it to anything else you've heard before: completely original music, earthy and natural.

The Low Anthem - Charlie Darwin
The Low Anthem - Horizon Is A Beltway
[Direct][Vinyl][CD][MP3][iTunes]

-------------------------------------------------

More best of 2009 at This Mornin':
Top 20 Albums, Part I
Best Videos
Top 5 EPs

Continue to the Best Songs of 2009 post

Contest: Free Avett Brothers Album!

Round Two of my Free Digital Download Code Christmas Giveaway!

Available today is The Avett Brothers - I And Love And You. It was #12 on my Top 20 Albums of 2009. This one is simple:

What were my #1 picks for Album and Song for 2007?

Comment with the answer and your email (or email me if you like that better).
First correct answer wins the download code.

---------------------------------------------

Congratulations again to Scott, the winner of the first contest. He won a download code for The Felice Brothers - Yonder Is The Clock by being the first to answer this question:

Which Felice Brothers song contains a 'pop' in the audio, allegedly due to a nearby lightning strike while recording in the rain?

Answer: The Felice Brothers - Hey, Hey Revolver
It occurs about :35 seconds in - you hear a quick drop in volume, then the telltale thunder roll seconds later.

I should get the Top 10 Albums posted tonight, and I have a handful of download codes to give away from those as well. Stay tuned.

Contest: Free Felice Brothers Download!

'Tis the season of giving. And although I haven't let loose any holiday music just yet, I though I'd join the spirit of the season with the first-ever This Mornin' I Am Born Again Contest/Giveaway!

I try to buy vinyl as much as possible. I've basically stopped buying CD's unless I've just got to have a hard copy and it's the only option available. These days, with most new vinyl purchases (and many re-issues) you get a code to download the album in high-quality mp3's. Thing is... I'm an impatient person. More often than not, by the time I get to the record store or the vinyl arrives in the mail, I've already found a way to get my hands on the digital tracks. So, lucky for you, I have a stack of unused (hopefully still valid) download codes just waiting to be redeemed.

Up for grabs tonight is #16 on my Top 20 Albums of 2009 - The Felice Brothers' Yonder Is The Clock.
Here's what you gotta do:

Which Felice Brothers song contains a 'pop' in the audio, allegedly due to a nearby lightning strike while recording in the rain? (mentioned before on this blog)

Congrats to Scott, who sent in the correct answer, 'Hey, Hey Revolver.'

Comment with the answer and your email (or email me if you like that better).
First correct answer wins the download code.

The Lists: Top 20 Albums of 2009 (11-20)

Here it is folks! Expanded for 2009, my
Top 20 Albums of the Year - Part I.

20. Wye Oak - The Knot
Merge, 7.21.2009
It's a loud, alt-rock album kept country with a heavy dose of steel guitar. Wye Oak is Jenn Wasner (guitar, vocals) and Andy Stack (drums, vocals). If being signed to Merge Records isn't enough, the beauty of The Knot, their sophomore album, should help bring some attention going into the next decade.

Wye Oak - For Prayer
[Direct][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

19. Wilco - Wilco (The Album)
Nonesuch, 6.26.2009
The boldly titled seventh album from alt-country mainstay Wilco did not disappoint. Jeff Tweedy continues to provide welcoming melodies and infectious guitar licks overlain with his unmistakably heavyhearted vocals. Each time I listen, I find a new favorite track. In fact, as I write this, I already wish I would have placed it higher in this list.

Wilco - I'll Fight
[Direct][Vinyl][CD][MP3][iTunes]

18. Slaid Cleaves - Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away
Music Road, 4.21.2009
Folk storyman Slaid Cleaves may not pump out albums, but for our patience we get carefully crafted song showcases that continually impress. While Everything You Love doesn't have a 'Broke Down,' there remain 11 songs filled with first-person experience that only Slaid could recount with such ease and grace.

Slaid Cleaves - Black T-Shirt
[Direct][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

17. Stephanie Briggs - Birds Barely Know Us
Smith Entertainment, 3.31.2009
It's strange that out of all the Texas acts I used to follow, a female, Stephanie Briggs, would bring an album that follows the general direction to which my musical tastes have shifted. What's not so strange is that running around with the likes of Cody Canada, Stephanie learned how to use a guitar the right way. Calling New Braunfels, TX home, Stephanie (guitar, vocals) and husband Matthew (percussion, vocals) offer a freshly energetic album with an indie-edge.

Stephanie Briggs - Private Parts
[Direct][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

16. The Felice Brothers - Yonder Is The Clock
Team Love, 4.7.2009
Since 2007's Tonight At The Arizona, each of The Felice Brothers' albums have become slightly less enjoyable - mainly due to too much album-filler. But just as I passed through Yonder Is The Clock to check inventory, I remembered just how good the good ones are. Ian Felice can strike my fancy just as easily with a raucous barn-burner as he can with a plaintive dirge. Read my original review.

The Felice Brothers - Boy From Lawrence County
[Direct][Vinyl][CD][iTunes]

15. Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses - Roadhouse Sun
Lost Highway, 6.2.2009
Another product of the Texas Music scene, Ryan Bingham emerged with the basics only to build upon them to gain national success. I'll admit, if I hadn't found this album for $3.99 on Amazon, I most-likely wouldn't have given it a shot this year. Sure glad I did - Roadhouse Sun is a dustblown disc expertly arranged with the fullest sound to come from Ryan yet.

Ryan Bingham - Change Is
[Direct][Vinyl][CD][MP3][iTunes]

14. Great Bloomers - Speak of Trouble
Maple Music Recordings, 4.21.2009
The Great Bloomers came out of nowhere (actually Canada) and brought us an easy choice for a top 20 list. Lowell Sostomi and crew offer piano-fueled, guitar-aided, harmony-highlighted folk-pop that oozes optimism. Listed first in their 'influence' column are The Beach Boys, and nowhere does that 'influence' ring truer than when they institute deft 4-part harmonies. Speak of Trouble jauntily guides you though 11 tracks of unique arrangements and sticky melodies.

Great Bloomers - Admit Defeat
[Direct][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

13. Brendan Benson - My Old, Familiar Friend
ATO, 8.18.2009
This is Brendan Benson's fourth solo album, but remains the only one I've heard. I was first introduced to Brendan when he joined forces with Jack White in The Raconteurs. When I heard My Old, Familiar Friend, it was quickly evident how much of Consolers was influenced by Brendan. If you like the pop melodies and smooth vocals from The Raconteurs, Brendan Benson comes highly recommended. First order of business for 2010: check out Benson's back catalog.

Brendan Benson - Garbage Day
[Vinyl][CD][eMusic][iTunes]

12. The Avett Brothers - I And Love And You
Sony/American, 9.29.2009
Just two short years after The Avett Brothers topped my list of albums, it seems they are already the clichéd choice. Good news for them, but as you'll remember from my original review, (sorta) bad news for me. Their meteoric rise from obscurity landed them in the studio with Rick Rubin for 2009's I And Love And You. His polished touch on the album created a different sound that initially rubbed some of us the wrong way. From the small sampling of reviews I found that weren't fawning over the disc, one common theme emerged: This album will grow on you. While in its second listening round, the album hit me in a different way. Once I got over the production choices, all that was left were the songs. And they were good.

The Avett Brothers - And It Spread
[Direct][Vinyl][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]

11. These United States - Everything Touches Everything
United Interests, 9.1.2009
Reigning Best Album champs These United States released their third disc in just two years. Last year's Crimes was my choice for Best Album last year, but interestingly enough, I couldn't find a song from it to include in my Best Songs list. The same approach was taken with 2009's Everything Touches Everything, in which Jesse Elliot crafted a cohesive album. None of the songs were written with a single in mind, but rather each was written as an equally important element to the disc. Maybe it's not quite as good as Crimes (due mainly to the fact that its opener was a stellar, thematic lead-in), but still an immense joy to listen to - and that's all that matters.

These United States - I'm Gonna Assemble A City
[Direct][CD][MP3][eMusic][iTunes]


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Continue to Part II (Albums 1-10)....
2009's Top 5 EP's
2009's Best Videos

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Refresh your memory with last year's lists:
Top EPs
Top Songs
Top Albums, pt 1
Top Albums, pt 2