2020 end of year lists

Oh no, please don't go

30-21 of my album lists below.. took a different approach this year.

Not saying I dont enjoy this, but I hope you provide a written list for the person who has to make the count...

Haha. Fear not, Barny. I will post a written list for you.

Marvellous work Kevin. I do feel sorry for Barny though.

At least I hope if you didn't purchase position 16 for whatever reason, you strategically put a photo of Karl instead

I’ll get my list done by Christmas Eve guys. I have to debate how high I’m going to put Fontaines DC

Behind Peter Bjorn and John I guess

My "If Canada had Mojo Magazine" list will be up tomorrow, Barn.




Doves will feature prominently.

Apparently to make my top 20 this year, you had to have not put out an album for a while.


19. Tricky - Fall to pieces

18. Drive-by truckers - the unravelling

17. Drive-by truckers - the new OK

16. Travis - 10 songs.

15. AC/DC - PWR/UP. When i saw them live in 2015, i figured that would be my last involvement with them. Brian Johnson was going deaf, Phil Rudd was in jail, Cliff was retired and Malcolm was dead. Well, i guess not. Somehow against all odds, they sound like AC/DC. Nothing else really profound to say, but it's nice that they're still around.

14. Joel Plaskett - 44. Canadian indie legend who released a triple album on his 33rd birthday, decided to go one further with a QUADRUPLE album on his 44th birthday. There's some really good stuff on here, but it would have made an amazing single album. To paraphrase Ringo talking about the white album: there's a lot of information on a quadruple album.

13. Gordon Lightfoot - Solo. I have nothing particularly profound to say about this, just that it's nice that he's still alive and that he decided to put out an album for the first time in almost 2 decades. There's one track 'e-motion' that has the guitar sound of a Noel acoustic session from 1996 and the absurd lyrics of Noel in 2019, so there's that.

12. The Strokes - The new abnormal. It sounds like a Strokes album. Admittedly, at times it sounds like the strokes on ambien, but that's still better than most of what they did last decade. Happy to have them back.

11. Steve Earle & the Dukes - Ghosts of West Virginia. A 10-song cycle about miners in west virginia is not something i would have predicted being in my top albums list, but here we are. This is the best of Steve Earle, story songs with a powerful band behind him, and in and out in 30 minutes. His best album in years.

10. Elvis Costello - Hey clockface. I was totally surprised by 'look now' in 2018, which sounded like it would fit well alongside armed forces or this year's model, but i was completely unprepared for this, which builds on look now, but gets a bit out there for ol' Nerdlinger. I appreciate his desire to take chances, but most of the time they don't work. This one did.

9. JARV IS... - Beyond the pale. the last time i thoroughly enjoyed a Jarvis album was 2006. Admittedly, that's only 2 albums, but still. This is Jarvis getting back to doing what he does best, sleazy, snarky, slimy rock. I found it interesting that this was essentially recorded live, because it sounds totally like a studio creation. Must he evolve? No no no no.

8. Paul Weller - On sunset. Weller continues his weird phase, or more accurately, returns to his late-period Style council/early solo years. I didn't really get much out of the last 2/3 albums he's done, but this one really grew on me. Particularly after watching the livestream he did last month where he played a number of these songs live. He needs to sit Noel down and show him that you can get weird and *still* write good songs, it doesn't have to be one or the other.

7. Bruce Springsteen - A letter to you. I haven't legitimately enjoyed a bruce album since Magic in 2007, but this breaks that streak. Bringing the E Street Band into the studio and recording live clearly reinvigorated the Boss, and breaking out 3 songs he wrote in the early 70s was an inspired decision. 'Janey needs a shooter' is the best thing he's done in decades.



6. Paul McCartney - McCartney III. I don't really know where to put this yet, beyond i like it but not as much as the top 5. Better than anything he's done in the last decade, though.

5. Jason Isbell and the 400 unit - Reunions. He played 'overseas' at a show i caught last year, and didn't think much of it amongst the DBT songs and the songs from southeastern, but it sounds miles better in the studio. But the real killer on this album is 'letting you go', about a father reflecting on his daughter's life as he is about to walk her down the aisle. It makes me cry every time i hear it and even now as I type this. Daughters are the best.


4. Neil Young - Homegrown. I bow to no one in my love of Neil's ditch period, and to hear there was a 'new' album coming from the tail end of that period was rather exciting, but really how good could it be if Neil never released it? Answer: very. It's not as good as Tonight's the night or on the beach, but it's up there with what came after. Glad he finally got around to getting this one out.

3. Sarah Harmer - Are you gone. Sarah's first album in a decade sees her reflecting on the loss of her friend and her (and my) hometown compatriot, Gord Downie. I've always had a soft spot for her particular brand of country folk rock, and this was an absolutely welcome return.

2. Doves - the universal want. There was nothing this year, with the exception of what comes next, that filled me with more glee than Doves announcing a new album. It also filled me with dread, since their first four albums were essentially perfect, that they wouldn't be able to live up to expectations. No need there, from the moment that 'carousels' dropped, they were back. The first half of this album stands up with their best work, and overall the album is right up there with everything they did before 2009. It's so great to have them back.

1. Bob Dylan - Rough and Rowdy ways. I was actually up having a glass of Bushmills at midnight when i saw on twitter Bob posted a link to a new song. 17 minutes later, i thought someone had spiked my drink. A 17-minute almost spoken word meditation on the kennedy assassination and America in the 2nd half of the 20th century? What the fuck is this? And then another new song two weeks later. And then another awesome one and a new album? 2020 ain't all bad, i guess. This is by a comfortable margin the best thing he's done since "Love & Theft" in 2001, and after 3 middling albums and 3 mostly pointless albums of sinatra material, Bob's back with a vengeance. He ain't no false prophet, he just said what he said. The old man's back again.

10. CULT OF DOM KELLER - Ascend!
Dark, moody, heavy and quite expansive in places. Was listening to this slot as the world was just falling to pieces and it felt very fitting.

9. Craven Faults- Erratics & Unconformaties
Hypnotic electro with lots of bass and pulsating, rhythmic synths. I'd have listened to this a lot on flights had I travelled much this year.

8. Tame Impala - The Slow Rush
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Still prefer the sound of the first 2 albums but still really liked this, some killer tunes.

7. Fontaines D.C. - A Hero's Death
Had never heard their debut but saw a few people raving about this so gave them a go. Much prefer the darker more paranoid sound of this over what they were doing on the 1st album.

6. Protomartyr - Ultimate Success Today
Not as good as their last one but still a very strong record for me. There's just something quite visceral and menacing about this which ticks a lot of boxes.

5. Run The Jewels - RTJ4
My 2nd favourite of theirs behind RTJ3. Manages to be relevant and striking in its message without sacrificing all that is so good about their sound.

4. The Strokes - The New Abnormal
The best Strokes album since Room On Fire by a country mile. Feels familiar is also trying some new ideas.


3. Doves - The Universal Want
2. The Cribs - The Night Network

Giving Doves & The Cribs the same write up because I didn't think we'd heard anything from either band for a while still but they kinda came out of nowhere with fucking great records doing what they do best without trying to reinvent the wheel. It was hard to separate them in terms of position but Cribs edge it with it for me just because its more of a rock album.


1. The Killers - Imploding The Mirage
This really caught me off guard. I started getting a bit of a soft spot for then again after last years Glastonbury set but I didn't think I would enjoy this so much. Everything barny says is totally on the money. For me, it came along when I needed a big, fist-pumping dose of positivity and was something I could turn to when I needed to pull myself out of a rut.

25. Yves Tumor- Heaven to a Tortured Mind: a weird, psychedelic album neo-soul. A times I still don't know what to make of it. But the production is very good.

24. Monophonics- It's Only Us: jazz, soul funk and it's not very original. But it's well played, and when it sounds as good as this, it 'll do me

23. Laura Marling- Song for our Daughter: her most personal album. Short and sweet.

22. Sault- Untitled (Rise): just recently I took the time to listen to their companion releases. This one stood out most. Defintely a grower, but like I said....just got

21. Sarah Harmer- Are You Gone: after ten years another release from this gifted singer songwriter. Nothing spectacular by any means, but just good songs.

20. Motorpsycho- The All Is One: these Norwegians are very, very prolific, so it is a bit hard to keep up with their stuff. I enjoyed this one though. A mix between psychedelic, progressive and krautrock. And it works very well.

19. Swamp Dogg- Sorry You Couldn't Make It: there are two reasons I want to put this on the list. First of all: the late John Prine (died this year of coronavirus) is on it, and "Billy" is one of my favourite songs of this year, reminding me of Tom Waits.

18. Protomartyr- Ultimate Succes Today: simply one of my favourite rock albums of the year.

17. The War and Treaty- Hearts Town: their 2018 album "Healing Tide" was a revelation. These two (a married couple) really can sing. This album ain't as good as their last one, but still I really hope they will reach a wider audience. The first half of this album is a bit too "much rock", but the second half really stands up to their earlier work.

16. Taylor Swift- Folklore: a couple of songs too long, but in the end a great (acoustic, introspective) and first and foremost pop album. Love the production as well. Very well crafted album. And the Bon Iver collaboration is brilliant (also love those new Pond Session versions).

17. This Is The Kit- Off Off On: what a nice little surprise this album (and artist) has been. Jazzy folk, with some afrobeat.

15. Future Islands- As Long as You Are: saw them a couple of years ago at a festival. Love their sound, reminds me a bit of The Blue Nile (who never made a bad album, btw)

14. The Strokes- The New Abnormal: to me it's their best since "Is This It?", playful and it sounds like fun.

13. Laura Veirs- My Echo: produced by multi-instrumentalist Tucker Martine, this is another little gem from Laura Veirs.

12. Doves- The Universal Want: a full, thick production takes away a bit of the Doves' magic. But I'm glad they're back.

11. John Moreland- LP5: really dig those new flavours to his americana sound. Fantastically produced. And the songs are always there.

10. Run The Jewels- RT4: okay, so it's more or less the same vein like their previous efforts. Not as fresh or inventing as RTJ2 and 3, but quality all over, and at least as vibrant.

9. Waxahatchee- Saint Cloud: although pretty straightforward this one stills grows one me, really love it. I'm a sucker for these warm acoustic sounds all throughout.

8. Dan Penn- Living On Mercy- Just because this fantastic songwriter needs a lot more recognition, before he's gone. And its a good album, of course.

7. Idris Ackamoor- Shaman!: sounds like it could have been released som 40 years ago. And that's not a bad thing at all. 2020 really could have used some more of this kind of shimmering jazz.

6. Bruce Springsteen: his last couple of albums were a bit hit and miss, really. Especially "High Hopes" which I found just boring. On this one the "spirit" is back: great clean production and (live) playing by the E Street Band. The new songs are partly good and mostly great ("Ghosts", One Minute You're Gone") and the older tracks have written "classic"all over them ("If I Were The Priest, "Song For Oprhans", "Janey Needs A Shooter")

5. Phoebe Bridgers- I just recently bought "Stranger in the Alps". Which I really liked. This one's even better.

4. Fontaines D.C.- A Hero's Death: sober, repetitive, intense, monotonous. Love it.

3. Jason Isbell & the 400 Union- Reunions: Ever since the release of "Southeastern", I bought every album by Jason Isbell. He's a great storyteller as well as a gifted songwriter. He may never make an album as good as "Southeastern", but on every album there are always a couple of beauties to be found. On this one it's "St. Peters Autograph", "Letting You", "Overseas" that really got me.

2. Fleet Foxes- Shore: can't wait to buy this on vinyl next year. Already my favourite Fleet Foxes album.

1. Adrianne Lenker- Songs/Instrumentals: can't decide which part I like best. Anyway, both discs are great.

Nice list Bruce, even if I was hoping to see Fiona somewhere. That Big Thief record is from last year though :/

Also besides the Scottish couple who are around here, does anybody know anything about Stocky and Baz? With the addition of Bruce and Johnny we might have more lists than ever!

All thanks to the tucker/jp/rolli regime

20-11..

Loving the videos Kev. Can we have a 10 minute video for each of your top ten going into real depth please.