Top Albums of 2011 So Far
(Savi
ng Country Music Radio will be playing songs from the Top 2011 Albums so far tonight (6-11-11) on The Real Deal.)
Well, we’ve just about reached the half way point of 2011, and let me level with you folks, so far this has been a down year for music. Yes, there’s been a few good projects and some surprises as well, but generally speaking it’s been pretty bleak compared to 2010, which was such a bumper year for music. Last year I thought my head was about to explode from all the great music. Well, we’re paying for it this year.
There are some interesting projects coming up, a new Hellbound Glory album, new William Elliot Whitmore, Scott H Biram, Gillian Welch, and Pokey LaFarge, and a new country album from the always polarizing Shooter Jennings that will be fun to see how it is is received, but below is a list of my top 2011 albums so far. Please note, there are a few albums already out that I have not reviewed yet. This will only include previously-reviewed albums.
Austin Lucas – A New Home, in the Old World (read review)
If you’re looking for a top-dog, and one with twang, then this album might be the winner. Excellent songwriting, beautiful singing and harmonies, a well-produced album with top-notch instrumentation and performances, and a good variety in the songs. Something about this album I’ve noticed is that while I gravitated away for the more rock-style songs on the album, many single these out as the best tracks. That means this album has a little something for everyone. Austin Lucas will be on Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown tour this summer, and he deserves this honor after putting out such a superb album.
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club – Unentitled (read review)
This album is not for everyone. Being more in the Gothic country/Americana mold, it contains some natural barriers from being a true country album of the year. But as far as the project that so far has spent the most time in the listening rotation and shows the greatest amount of creativity and originality, this is the one. Being their dark, twisted take on pop music, the album has a strange addictive and accessible quality to it as well.
Lone Wolf – Lone Wolf OMB (read review)
If you’re looking for the album that strips it all down and is simply an earth quaking, booty shaking primal experience, this is it. You may not think that one man and a banjo could be that engaging, but by the end of Lone Wolf OMB, you will be a believer.
Rachel Brooke – Down in the Barnyard (read review)
The best album so far with a conceptualized approach and a cohesive theme that makes the collection of songs better than the sum of their parts. Well-crafted songs and lyrics are custom-fit with Rachel’s magnanimous voice in a very wise approach. And this is also the premier neo-traditionalist offering so far, going all the way back to modes of The Carter Family. If you’re looking for an album to get rowdy to, keep moving. If you’re looking for an album to be listened to and not just heard, then listen to this one.
Little Lisa Dixie – Little Lisa Dixie (read review)
An excellent combination of smart and fun, Little Lisa Dixie’s premier, self-titled release is cast in the mold of the classic underground country album: a homage to the traditional approach to country music with a “devil, gun, and whiskey” edge. Little Lisa also throws a rockabilly vibe in on a few songs to keep things spicy.
Jimbo Mathus – Confederate Buddha (read review)
I have a sense that I’m going to have to drag people kicking and screaming to this album, but that’s OK, I like a challenge. Jimbo Mathus was keeping the roots alive and combining country, blues, and rock when many of the other folks in this list were still in Jr. High. Jimbo “keeps it real” in the truest sense of the phrase, is an American original, and this is a very solid, enjoyable album.
Caitlin Rose – Own Side Now (read review)
Another dark horse that may have the best songwriting from a lyrical standpoint in the whole lot and performed with a gorgeous voice. This album may be a little more placid than what folks are used to me recommending, but it is worth giving more than one chance.
Other albums to check out would be Ted Russell Kamp’s Get Back To The Land and Wanda Jackson’s The Party Ain’t Over and Left Lane Cruiser’s Junkyard Speedball.
Two albums that I feel weird trying to judge because they contain mostly previously-released material, but are worth checking out are Bob Wayne’s Outlaw Carnie, and Joe Buck’s Piss & Vinegar.
What are your top albums so far? What good albums have I’ve missed? Which albums are you most looking forward to for the rest of 2011?
June 11, 2011 @ 12:22 pm
I really like what I heard of Lone Wolf when you first posted about it but forgot all about it. Gonna get the music once I’m paid now. Also, been listening to Rachel and Slim all summer, great albums.
June 11, 2011 @ 12:27 pm
Texas Cow-Punkers The Von Ehrics newest CD “Two Foot Stomp” is a fav! Again, not a traditional Country CD but it has equal amounts Country as it does Punk with a really great Gospel song thrown in for good measure (complete with a choir backing them on vocals!)
June 12, 2011 @ 6:29 am
I have to check out out! My cousin “Gabe” is the drummer in the Von Ehrics
June 11, 2011 @ 1:42 pm
Looking forward to Mr. Scott “Fuck You” Biram’s new one! YEAH BUDDY! Did that Gravel Road T-Mod come out this year cause that album is solid!
June 11, 2011 @ 2:39 pm
So far, I think my favorite country record is Steve Earle’s I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive. It is a record that is more country influence than folk or rock though it has elements of both. Also, he covered the Hank Williams song I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive on a Record Store Day single and I have that. It’s a good cover and I wish it was included on the standard album.
Really looking forward to the new Biram album and the new Hellbound Glory too….one of those will be my album of the year.
June 11, 2011 @ 3:39 pm
I may be wrong but I think Bob Wayne’s Outlaw Carnie album came out Jan. 25th. so it & Danielle Colby Presents: The Music Of Farmageddon Records would be on my list.
Shooter Jennings & Robert Earl Keen’s new albums are what I’m most looking forward to.
June 11, 2011 @ 5:46 pm
Totally forgot to give mention to Bob Wayne and Joe Buck’s CD’s, just fixed it. Both of them are super hard for me to judge simply because I’m used to hearing the old versions of the songs. I gave them both positive reviews because I know I like those songs, but comparing them to other releases is very difficult.
The Danielle Colby comp was all previously-released material, which makes it hard to judge against others as well, and it makes it double hard when you don’t receive a copy to review.
June 11, 2011 @ 4:16 pm
The girls are really standing out so-far this year, imo. Can’t wait for Whitmore’s newest next month (really enjoying “Everything Gets Gone”)… I think before the year is up it’ll have been a classic. Biram, Hellbound Glory, and let’s not forget Hank 3 (I hope!) still to come. I am also, for the first time, looking forward to Shooter’s upcoming release.
June 14, 2011 @ 2:47 pm
“Field Song” by WEW off upcoming Field Songs LP available @ http://listn.to/williamelliottwhitmore
Great stuff.
June 16, 2011 @ 5:30 pm
He was my biggest discovery from the Hiram & Huddie. His 2 covers are absolutely awesome
June 16, 2011 @ 7:42 pm
WEW is one of the best out there right now, hands down and doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.
June 11, 2011 @ 5:16 pm
Also, I am hopeful for another Wayward Drifter album. And, though I haven’t bought the entire album yet, I am diggin’ what I have heard off Ol’ Red Shed’s debut. Rachel Brooke might get my vote for what I have heard in it’s entirety.
June 13, 2011 @ 1:59 pm
ShadeGrown- When you say “Wayward Drifters” are you meaning JB Beverly? I don’t want to assume, but if you do, I heard a new one of his on Shooter’s show the other weekend…. “Dissappear On Down the Line”.
Holy smoke was it good. As Shooter put it, “heartbreaking”. It is great tune. I guess it is coming out on Farmaggedon’s new compilation.
June 13, 2011 @ 5:21 pm
Yes. I am a lazy typer.
June 13, 2011 @ 5:34 pm
I too would love to see a new album from J.B. Beverley & the Wayward Drifters. One of my favorite bands!
June 14, 2011 @ 11:17 am
Same here
June 11, 2011 @ 7:43 pm
Ol’ Red Shed by a long shot for me. Haha. A bit biased. Other than that, Lisa and Rachel are solid as hell!
June 11, 2011 @ 8:40 pm
Hayes Carll and pine box boys.
June 12, 2011 @ 12:20 am
Country-wise I like Rachel Brooke a lot so far. I’ve gotten a few new ones over the last few weeks. Andy Vaughn’s new album is a good one. I also really like the new Austin Lucas album.
I still have yet to hear Joe Buck’s new album. Is it even available digitally yet?
I like a lot of other stuff outside of the country genre this year…but I’m only going to talk country(ish) stuff haha. The second half of the year there should be a few more good ones coming. I think Shooter’s new album has the potential to be a big one for the genre this year.
Also Trigger you still doing the interview man? Issue comes out this coming week the interview can still make it.
June 12, 2011 @ 8:12 am
@ Sounds In The Signals Magazine –
Andy Vaughan & The Driveline just had their CD release party here in Richmond (RVA!) last night. Sadly I was playing elsewhere and couldn’t attend but I’ve had other opportunities to play shows w/them and can’t recommend their new release highly enough!
Side note – Andy tried to book a show @ a club in the Northern Va. area and the booker turned them down as not being “Country” enough…. (Meaning they didn’t sound like the pop-effluent being pumped out of Nashville these days)
June 12, 2011 @ 3:34 am
Earth – Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light
Left Lane Cruiser – Junkyard Speed Ball
Cut In The Hill Gang – Mean Black Cat
Bob Wayne – Outlaw Carnie
Danielle Colby Presents…
I must say I’m still waiting for a record to blow me away like last year’s Truckstop Darlin’ or Joseph Huber. A couple of disappointments were DBT and Social D. (the latter ain’t too bad, really, but nothing to write home about either). There’s some stuff that I still have to get my hands on, but I’m pretty sure I’ll like ’em (James Leg, Slackeye Slim, Steve Earle, Todd Snider, Joe Buck, Goddamn Gallows). And there’s some great stuff in the pipeline (live Guy Clark, SHB, JTE, WEW, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Tom Waits, Lucero (?)).
June 12, 2011 @ 12:30 pm
How does Earth’s latest compare to “…The Bee’s Made Honey In the Lion’s Skull”?
June 13, 2011 @ 3:21 am
I really like this ‘second coming’ of Earth and I’d say Angels builds upon Hibernaculum and Bees, but with a more direct sound that I missed since Hex. It’s less gentle than Bees, despite the new steadily featured cello. And there are some great Neil Young-inspired electric guitar moments. Here’s a very cool interview with Dylan Carlson: http://theobelisk.net/obelisk/2011/02/11/earthinterview/
June 13, 2011 @ 10:59 am
Cool. Thanks for the insight, and the link. I discovered them due to the artwork of Arik Roper… Top notch band.
June 12, 2011 @ 4:52 am
that new album from Alison Krause & Union Station called Paper Planes is pretty good…
June 13, 2011 @ 7:03 pm
I like Allison K, haven’t heard Paper Planes yet but feel she always has made music that speaks to her heart and doesn’t sell out to the POP standards. Her collaboration with Robert Plant isn’t the same. It’s Robert Plant.
I have to say that Lone Wolf, as well as Little Lisa Dixie really caught my ear this year and of course Bob Wayne’s Outlaw Carnie makes me smile. But really there’s at least one song off almost each that I would play again.
Great blog Triggerman.
June 12, 2011 @ 5:24 am
I’m looking forward to Grand Theatre vol. 2 by the Old 97s, and the Bottle Rockets acoustic cd. Not really country, but damn good songwriting. And there’s one that should get some attention over in the USA. In august there will be a new cd from the Norwegian 4-girl-group Katzenjammer. Also not exactly country, but very original folk-music, and they’ve been to Nashville making this one. Best concert I’ve seen so far this year.
And Triggerman, I think you may have missed one candidate for country-album of the year. Buddy Miller’s Majestic Silver Strings. It’s not the foot-stomping, beer-drinking & hell-raising, barn-burning kind, but give it a listen and realise that country is classical American music. This album has 4 brilliant guitar-pickers: Buddy Miller, Bill Frisell, Marc Ribot and Greg Leisz, was recorded in 4 or 5 days in Buddy Miller’s house. Almost every track sung by different singers, including Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Lee Ann Womack and Shawn Colvin. Lots of old songs, fantastic picking, never a dull moment. It may not be no. 1, but it’s gonna be in the top 5 for sure, get me some better guitar-picking and I’ll listen.
Let’s not forget Eddie Spaghetti. His Sundowner-cd is a good fun listen.
June 12, 2011 @ 7:25 am
Eleven Hundred Springs- “Eight the Hard Way”
Eleven Hondo still kicking it with the Doug Sahm meets Waylon Jennings vibe
Jesse Dayton- “One For the Dance Halls”
Just a great Texas dancehall country album…with an awesome tribute to Joe Strummer from the Clash called “Camden Town”
Rachel Brooke- “Down in the Barnyard”
Just a really bad ass album that flows through my speakers.
Mike Ethan Messick- “The Only Easy Day was Yesterday”
An album that combines Americana, honky tonk, singer-songwriter, and roots rock. Check out “Whiskey Colored Eyes”
Kasey Anderson & The Honkies- “Heart of a Dog”
Not country by any means, but just straight up rock n roll and killer lyrics.
Jason Isbell- “Here we Rest”
I dig this album, and it may be slightly overproduced, but the song “Alabama Pines” really reminds me of the small town in southwest Louisiana I grew up in, and makes me yearn for home.
June 12, 2011 @ 8:42 am
You guys are giving me a Migraine with this Danielle Colby Comp. It isn’t even unreleased songs, if it was then it may be in the running. Like remember the Outlaw Radio Comp? All unreleased song and damn good ones too. They are a bunch of songs on there that are gold. Thats just my 2cents.
June 12, 2011 @ 4:11 pm
I have to agree with Beej, there’s a lot of great songs on the Danielle Colby Comp., but it’s not eligible for album of the year as it’s pre-released stuff. Just my two cents.
June 14, 2011 @ 8:24 am
yeah well…..there’s a few good songs like Disapear down that line by J.B Beverley, which was one of the only tracks i didn’t knew……but if they had shown the setlist of songs, I would’ve probably just bought the songs that i don’t already have….that comp should be more for folks who don’t know that scene much and want to discover it….for those people, it might be a better purchase… lots of great songs…but i you’ve bought most of these artists albums…you should save your money and purchase another album…..
June 12, 2011 @ 10:17 am
Little lisa dixie is my favourite 2011 album so far.
Rachel Brooke – Down in the Barnyard and Lonewolf OMB albums are awesome as well.
My most anticipated release is the Goddamn Gallows – 7 Devils, It will maybe not be country enough to be considered in the top albums of SCM but their last album Ghost of the rails was outstanding….now with Jayke Orvis in the line-up I think it’ll be the best album that will come out of that scene this year.
June 17, 2011 @ 5:57 pm
Totally agree with you on Seven Devils. The title song kicked ass when they played it live, can’t wait to hear more.
June 12, 2011 @ 11:25 am
Can’t wait for Leroy’s stuff later this year! Also Jason Boland has an album coming out this fall I believe, and Left Arm Tan’s new one. Shooters new one as well.
On the mainstream scene… Sunny Sweeney, The Dirt Drifters, and Miranda Lamberts new project the Pistol Annies.
June 13, 2011 @ 7:06 pm
Big Stem, why call it mainstream. It’s more than likely POP.
June 12, 2011 @ 4:10 pm
Rachel Brooke holds the top spot for me, although I have a soft spot for Hellbound Glory, so I’m anticipating an upset. The new Ol’ Red Shed might not make album of the year, but it’s pretty damn good! I’m kind of tired of the screamo lyrics in country, but I think Ol’ Red Shed pull it off much better than Hank III did on “Rebel Within”.
June 12, 2011 @ 5:40 pm
Ol’ Red Shed is basically copying Straight To Hell’s sound. The singer’s fake “twang” singing drives me nuts. I’m surprized The Triggerman hasn’t commented about that yet.
June 12, 2011 @ 4:48 pm
John Moreland’s ‘Earthbound Blues’. Great countryish-rock-and-soul-blues.
http://johnmoreland.bandcamp.com/
June 13, 2011 @ 7:49 am
You should really check out:
Released in Feb. 2011-
Jackson Taylor and The Sinners
Released in May 2011-
Blind Boys of Alabama
You can’t possibly lead the idea of saving country music without these albums.
June 13, 2011 @ 5:57 pm
Both great albums Ice Cold. I own both of them. Thanks again for turning me on to J.T.
June 13, 2011 @ 10:14 am
i’m in agreement on lone wolf and rachel brooke and little lisa dixie, all fuckin great albums. if the criteria were what i listen to most it’d be bob wayne but i get that it aint all new songs.just got the ol red shed and i like that one alot as well, lookin forward to a review on it. in some ways it makes me think of another one i listen to plenty, the honky tonk hustlas. lookin forward to all them upcoming albums and a big second half for 2011.
June 13, 2011 @ 2:01 pm
A bit mainstream, but has anyone heard Ronnie Dunn’s (formaly of Brooks & Dunn) new single… “Bleed”. I am not sure the album is out yet, but “Bleed” is good. And Ronnie has always been a country guy and his voice is gold.
His might be a good mainstream one to shake up the pop country era coming to a close.
June 13, 2011 @ 5:58 pm
Not a bad song but way overplayed. I actually can’t wait for Kix to put out something. He was always my favorite.
June 15, 2011 @ 8:28 am
I don’t doubt it is overplayed, but I don’t listen to the mainstream country station up here (MN, K102). It is awful. They still have fucking “Daddy’s Money” from Ricochet (I think) in the rotation. But I am sure they are playing the hell out of it.
I just caught the video flipping past GAC the other night. Good video too.
Kix new stuff will be interesting. He doesn’t have Ronnie’s voice, but he has a unique sound.
June 14, 2011 @ 8:56 am
You forgot Caleb Klauder!
June 14, 2011 @ 9:50 am
Great album and I reviewed it this year, but it was released in 2010.
June 15, 2011 @ 10:18 am
He speaks the truth, July 2010 to be precise. It’s a good enough album to mention again this year though! But clearly not eligible.
June 14, 2011 @ 8:58 am
I’d have to add these favorites also:
Blackberry Smoke – A Little Piece of Dixie
Hayes Carll – KMAG YOYO
Whiskey Myers – Firewater
Band of Heathens – Top Hat Crown & the Clapmaster’s Son
Jackson Taylor & the Sinners – Let The Bad Times Roll
Ashton Shepherd – Look It Up
Eleven Hundred Springs – Eight the Hard Way
Steve Earle – I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive
Honky Tonk Hustlas – South of Nashville
Ralph Stanley – A Mother’s Prayer
Foster & Lloyd – It’s Already Tomorrow
June 14, 2011 @ 9:00 am
I’d have to add Sunny Sweeney as well
June 14, 2011 @ 10:54 am
My top five so far:
Lucinda Williams – Blessed
Chris Thile and Mike Daves – Sleep With One Eye Open
Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears – Scandalous
Hayes Carll – KMAG YOYO
Ralph Stanley – A Mother’s Prayer
Looking forward to releases this month by Gillian Welch, Eilen Jewell and Dave Alvin. I have ordered the Austin Lucas album as I can no longer ignore the “hype.” Lots of love for it here, as well as on No Depression and Twang Nation. That’s the trifecta, as far as I’m concerned.
June 27, 2011 @ 5:29 am
I got my hands on the new Eilen Jewell album this weekend. It is my new favorite for this year, passing Rachel Brooke. I could listen to her sing and her band play all day long, every day of the week.
June 14, 2011 @ 5:12 pm
Listening to SCAC’s ‘Unentitled’ constantly as well as Rachel Brooke’s ‘Down in the Barnyard,’ damned fine albums both. I played Lone Wolf OMB so much I got a bit burned out from it and have had to shelve it for a while.
Jimbo Mathus and Austin Lucas are still on my wish-list, after reading the reviews on SCM, hopefully I’ll be getting them soon.
One album that has absolutely blown me away this year is mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile (Punch Brothers) and Michael Daves collaboration ‘Sleep With One Eye Open.’ I’m more of a fan of Daves’ output, but this album has got me real interested in Punch Brothers.
June 15, 2011 @ 1:37 pm
So far I think my top album of 2011 is Slim Cessna’s 2008 release “Cipher”.
Also I just noticed that album was released on Alternative Tentacles. Interesting considering Jello Biafra’s quote on Col. JD Wilkes.
June 15, 2011 @ 2:21 pm
Yeah, Cipher is an amazing album. Probably my favorite of theirs as well.
SCAC have been signed to AT since around 2000. Every album has either been released or re-released through that label except “American Country Music Saved Her Life” and “Jesus Let Me Down” (The latter has only been re-released on vinyl, last year in fact). Both are live albums.
You should check out Slim’s old side-project from the early 2000’s as well. The Blackstone Valley Sinners. Featuring Nashville Guitarist Rich Gilbert. Pretty traditional sounding stuff, even though they used a drum machine for all their recordings.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=blackstone+valley+sinners&x=11&y=17
Trigger, what did you think of BVS’s cover of Shania Twain’s “Still the One?”
June 15, 2011 @ 3:52 pm
Totally off-topic here but since you’re a big fan I have to ask. Is it me or is the opening of the Cipher track “Red Pirate of the Prairie” totally sound like the opening of “Smokin in the Boys Room”?
Every time I hear it I keep waiting for Vince Neil’s voice to kick in from that shitty cover of it that Motley Crue did.
June 15, 2011 @ 5:43 pm
I never thought about it before, but now that you mention it…
I won’t be able to get that out of my mind now!
Curse you NLindsay… Curse you!!!
June 15, 2011 @ 3:10 pm
JD Wilkes & The Shack Shakers were signed with Bloodshot and then Yep Rock, which probably in the grand scheme of things, were probably much better labels to be a part of at the time. Now they are completely independent, and from my understanding the last time I spoke to JD, is the way he wants it.
June 15, 2011 @ 3:23 pm
Gotcha.
Yeah I just thought it was interesting because of the similarities between the bands and that Jello’s quote about JD always seems to follow the Shack Shakers around.
Thanks for the info burnhead, I’ll definitely look those up! Gotten to be a huge fan of SCAC over the last year and kicking myself for not cutting out of work early last time they came through.
June 15, 2011 @ 5:40 pm
If you listen closely to the Shack Shakes track “Ichabod” on the album “Pandelirium,” you’ll hear Jello’s distinctive warble in the background during the chorus.
June 16, 2011 @ 4:06 pm
Pine Box Boys Tales From The Emancipated Head.
June 26, 2011 @ 8:06 pm
Hayes Carll’s “KMAG YOYO”?
June 26, 2011 @ 9:57 pm
https://savingcountrymusic.com/album-review-hayes-carll-kmag-yoyo
August 10, 2011 @ 8:42 pm
There are two very exceptional albums that have flown under the radar that everyone needs to check out. Felix Thursday and The Cheatin Hearts: Women, Whiskey, & Guitars, and The Ugly Valley Boys: Double Down. Trigger these albums definately deserve a review.