15. White Denim – Corsicana Lemonade
White Denim do not fit in any one genre and that is on full display for Corsicana Lemonade. It blends fractured indie rock with roots and blues tones of the past. There are also plenty of driving beats and tangents into jazz-fusion jam territory. Vocalist James Petralli has a colossal voice that alternates between soulful crooner and blues wail. “At Night In Dreams” is a frenzy of tempo changes and big riffs with an explosive chorus, where “New Blue Feeling” features a slow building vibe and amazing falsetto vocals. “Let It Feel Good” could easily be featured as a mainstream radio staple with its addictive chorus. Throughout the album, the musicianship is stellar with ubiquitous lead guitar ripping and some intense jams (both chill and lightning-fast) that build beautifully. The music resides in a weave of many layers and reveals more with each listen, but these are well-crafted rock songs that impact on first spin.
White Denim – At Night in Dreams
14. The Avett Brothers – Magpie and the Dandelion
I’ve described The Avett’s particular blend of folk and partly cloudy bluegrass pop as slightly too tidy. Magpie doesn’t stray far from that arbitrary notion, but it doesn’t (and shouldn’t) matter when it’s this incredibly good. “Open-Ended Life” leads it off with a rollicking back porch piece, and the album moves through alternating tempos and incorporates the wide variety of instruments these guys have mastered. “Good To You” stays in your head for days, and “Skin and Bones” is a masterful olio of all their strengths. The slightly rockier accents this time out are in addition to their sublime melodies and trademark reflective vocals.
The Avett Brothers – Open-Ended Life
13. Pickwick – Can’t Talk Medicine
I’m pretty confident I’m going to be following this band for some time after digging this debut so entirely all year. It’s a deft mix of 70s-era rock, soul, and blues, and the real focus is tightly written songs. One of those albums that rest on a steady stone in a world of diverse musical waters. “The Round” pays respect to a classic R&B era, “Brother Roland” is all atmosphere a la Dr. John, and “Window Sill” contains catchy chorus hooks around a blues stomp. The influences are evident, but thankfully, this band not only creates fervent rock but also plays with feeling that reveals dense texture with every listen.
Pickwick – Window Sill
12. Iron & Wine – Ghost on Ghost
The gorgeous Ghost on Ghost provides the soothing swim one needs after a long rocky day…..or year. The beauty of Sam Beam’s croon seems to reach new levels with each release while the ever-changing sound envelops the patient listener. Whereas previous releases have leaned towards the folk side of indie-pop, this album has the instrumentation and intricacies of a Steely Dan-ish jazz-pop release. The masterful qualities here, however, are that it never gets too neat and technical, and relies more on atmosphere and feeling. It’s a fascinating, eccentric, and deeply interesting album. The groove penetrates so permanently into the soul making it extremely successful.
Iron & Wine – Grace For Saints and Ramblers
11. Ivan & Alyosha – All The Times We Had
On first listen, this impressive debut simply feels enjoyable from beginning to end, with smart lyrics and beautiful harmonies that stick in the head and find their way out during random times of the day. This constant companion to your life keeps you coming back for more. Soon, the superb melody, rhythm, and tight soaring songs ascends this release to meet the upswing of your best life moments. The instrumental embellishments of “Fathers Be Kind”, captivating “Running For Cover”, and absolutely stunning “The Fold” are just a few highlights on an album full of them. This is right in my wheelhouse….sharply written, passionate melodic rock with everyday themes I identify with.
Ivan & Alyosha – Fathers Be Kind