Every December I try to think of some clever way to recap the year’s musical releases, but nothing ever seems right. We have access to so much great music in today’s world; and, people all over the world are making incredible pieces of art.
It is tough to decide which albums I want to highlight. I spend a lot of time listening to records. The majority of that time is allocated to doing research for The Marinade, so any year-end or favorites list is naturally going to include Marinade guests or folks who are Marinade adjacent.
I don’t consider myself much of a critic, so when I say “best” albums I mean my favorites. These are the albums that have been on heavy rotation at my house, in the car, and during my workouts. These are the works that captured my attention for extended stretches of time. They are the albums that came to mind when I thought about doing a “best of” piece.
This is Part II of two “Best of” recaps. You can read Part I here. The records are presented here without regard for any ranking. If you would like to hear more about why I included these albums, and how I would rank them, head over to patreon.com/marinadepodcast and subscribe for the price of a latte or a nice IPA.
Sturgill Simpson The Ballad of Dood and Juanita
Willie Nelson’s Redheaded Stranger changed my expectations for albums. My father is not a musician - and only a casual music fan for the most part - but when he is passionate about something he becomes an evangelist. He turned me on to Tom T. Hall and Waylon Jennings. He instilled a love of bluegrass.
When I started to get passionate about albums, I asked him what the best record of all time was in his opinion. He said something that sounds like what I would now tell a young person. That’s an impossible question, but you can’t go wrong with Redheaded Stranger.
Sturgill came off of two bluegrass re-imaginings of his incredible catalog with a lot of critical acclaim and the support of his fervent fan base. Still, I did not give Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1 and 2 more than one spin. Not because they were not good. They were very good. I just have come to expect so much from Sturgill. Sound and Fury was a masterpiece. As was A Sailor’s Guide to Earth and Metamodern Sounds in Country Music. Hell, the whole damn arsenal is brilliant.
If he wanted to put out a bluegrass record, I would like some new Sturgill tunes. That is probably not fair. It is a criticism based on my own expectations and not some objective commentary.
No matter. All is forgotten with The Ballad of Dood and Juanita. Parents will be answering the question about great records with most of Sturgill’s catalog and this record is a perfect example of why.
The Roseline Constancy
This record came into my life because I lost my keys and got stuck in the garage. Craig of All Knowing McGill suggested I listen to The Roseline to pass the time and I got hooked from the first spin. Click here to read my Review Under Two of the record.
Nathan Bell Red, White, and American Blues (It Can Happen Here)
Nathan Bell is a thoughtful, smart dude. This record says so much of what I am feeling about the world today in a way I could never. Red, White, and American Blues (It Can Happen Here) got the Review Under Two treatment right about the time it was released. Check that out here. Also check out our conversation with Nathan here.
Waltzer Time Traveler
Time Traveler is a breath of fresh air and Waltzer is too cool. Waltzer writes tunes that are catchy and reflective, kooky and honest. This album was a constant companion in 2021 because of its unwillingness to be what anyone expects. It is an expression of Sophie Sputnik embracing who she is as an artist and a person.
Sophie sat down for an episode of The Marinade around the record’s release. We had so much damn fun and she gave the listeners a window into what makes her songwriting and playing so special.
Andrew Bryant A Meaningful Connection
Andrew Bryant found meaning and connection in an unconventional way during 2020. He stopped drinking, moved houses, and created the most impressive record of his exceptional career. A Meaningful Connection bridges the gap between the literal struggles of 2020 and the metaphors that carried Bryant into the next phase of his life.
In July of 2020, Bryant turned forty and stopped drinking. Those two things alone would be a lot to bear for most of us, but Bryant was enduring more. His father-in-law was sick. He was moving his family. He had just released a record at a time when no one could leave their house and the leader of the nation was telling people to ignore the facts about a lethal once-in-a-generation pandemic.
For this record, he set out to write about things other than himself. The reality is, Bryant is interesting. His life is interesting and he is self-reflective about that life. In discussing A Meaningful Connection’s stunning cover art on The Marinade with Jason Earle, Bryant said he always found it strange that windows both reflect and allow you to see through them.
The picture is of a shirtless Bryant sitting up in bed. His wife lays next to him looking up as the artist holds his phone and looks into the camera. The scene is tender and vulnerable, honest and reflective. A mirror held up to a collective and personal transition into something better. A Meaningful Connection achieves what its title promises.