It’s the list making time of year and today’s the day I release the big one, top albums of 2018. I relistened to many, to narrow it down. Having all my music digitalized makes it easier, I just look for all albums with a release date of 2018. Also keep a running tab. If someone releases an album this month I’ll add it to next year’s list. People should really do these lists in January, but by tradition for music it’s done now.
In previous years I’ve done tiers as that is how I thought of them. This year it’s not how it feels. I have a top album that I’ll name but the rest are close enough to not differentiate. I’m naming a dozen, not ten, in honor of all the eggs that gave up their lives for my breakfast. There are many albums it hurt to exclude but I’m not doing an honorable mention list; that would mean making another difficult cutoff. There’s an unnamed 13th top album. It’s unnamed because I don’t know what it is but I’m sure there is some album I have misfiled so I didn’t realize it came out this year or rejected because that’s how it struck me in the moment and at this time I’d put it in. so now the list in alphabetical order by artist.
- Amy Kucharik – Until the Words are Gone
A favorite NERFA discovery of a few years ago did not disappoint with her first album released since then. It’s not only one of the best albums of the year but one of the most accessible. Even if you don’t pay attention to the brilliant lyrics or appreciate the musicianship you’ll love the pure fun. - Carolann Solebello – Shiver
Each album by Carolann is better than the previous. Wish Shiver she’s taken it to a new level; a great singer singing great songs. - Emerald Rae – Emerald Rae
One of my top discoveries of the year, that’s a separate list. I wasn’t sure if the album was great or just had new artist smell. I relistened, it’s great. When I play the nominees for the list on shuffle my ears perk up when it comes up. - Emily Elbert – we who believe in freedom
I’ve been waiting for this album to come out for years. Emily is no long the folkie girl that recorded the earlier ones; she’s a powerful jazz singer, songwriter, and arranger. I knew this was on the list from the moment I heard it. - The Kennedys – Safe Until Tomorrow
Nobody touches my soul like the Kennedys. There is musical virtuosity, moral virtue, and enough weirdness to make it their own. - Eric Lee – Heartache Town
I was so taken about by how Eric’s songwriting had improved that I wasn’t sure if this was a great album or I just wanted it to be. Listening on shuffle proved it was great. The song that proved to me that it belonged was Fall of Man; it’s an art rock epic. - House of Hamill – March Through Storms
Another album I knew would be on the list from the first listen. When I double checked it took me half a song to know it belonged. The virtuosity and energy of Brian Buchanan and Rose Baldino take you by storm. - I’m With Her – See You Around
I knew this would be on the list before they started recording it. Aoife O’Donovan, Sarah Jarosz, and Sara Watkins came together for a concert tour and became a band. They are great musicians that synergize to something even greater. No way they wouldn’t make one of the best albums when the put their mind to it. - Jean Rohe – Sisterly
The most recent release on the list. I’ve already rhapsodized over it in a full entry, Some Brotherly Advice, Buy “Sisterly”. An ambitious work that lives up to its ambition. - John Prine – The Tree of Forgiveness
John Prine has been writing amazing music since the 70s. I generally don’t love the new music of institutions. I somehow didn’t listen to it till I started making the list. I owed it to My Gentle Listeners to give it a try. I was delighted to find out that it was a classic, and a John Prine classic belongs on any list of top albums. - Oliver the Crow – Oliver the Crow
I was delighted to discover yesterday that Oliver the Crow was voted a Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Most Wanted. I knew they were great but I wasn’t sure the Falcon Ridge crowd would appreciate them. They did! Kaitlyn and Ben come from what the Times calls “The Scene,” The community of musicians that includes the people on Live From Here. I’m with her are also in the scene, but Oliver the Crow are from the more trad end of the community. The instruments, fiddle and cello are more prominent. I knew I wanted them at the Budgiedome from the moment I heard them. - Richard Thompson – 13 Rivers
It’s Richard Thompson, the top of the heap. He has been recording since the 60s but never became a legacy act. He keeps coming out with classics.
If you’ve been paying attention you already know my top album of the year. I said it from the moment I heard it. Drum roll please….. And the winner is …. Sisterly by Jean Rohe! It’s not just great, it’s transcendent. She shot for the moon, made a soft landing, and returned to earth safely.
I better start on breakfast. I have to leave early for therapy. No time for the omelet I wanted. I’ll have a lot to write about tomorrow.
Wise Madness 