By Jay N. Miller
It’s that time of year for top albums lists–in our case, what records turned up most often when we listened to music for pleasure in 2021.
'In these Silent Days,' Brandi Carlile
Carlile continues her unerringly compelling work with this album, produced by Dave Cobb and Shooter Jennings. The lyrics examine personal relationships, isolationand self-examination – all subjects tinged with pandemic resonance. From the brilliant allegory in "Sinners, Saints and Fools"to the power ballad "Letter to the Past"(“you're a stonewall in a world of rubber bands …”) to perhaps her hardest rocking tune ever, "Broken Horses,"Carlile delivers with heart and that magnificent voice.
'Exit Wounds,'The Wallflowers
Jakob Dylan ponders problematic relationships, past and present, but Bob’s son does it so well, with such literary flairand infectious hooks, that it never gets old. Produced by Butch Walker, this album includes Shelby Lynne helping out on some vocals. Dislocation is a theme in "I Hear the Ocean (When I Want to Hear Trains)", and the lure of a doomed relationship powers "Dive Bar in My Heart."And the starkly realistic portrait of addiction in "The Daylight Between Us"sticks with you long after the song ends.
'I Don't Live Here Anymore,' The War on Drugs
There are big sweeping arrangements, but this one still feels like thoughtful folk-rock. Songsmith Adam Granduciel’s subject matter includes loss, grief, isolationand burnout– in other words, a kind of soundtrack for the past 18 months. There are rockers such as "Harmonia’s Dream"and the pulsating "Victim,"as well as gorgeous midtempo tunes such as "Change"that suggest what matters is not wasting timeand especially time together."Occasional Rain"is a marvelous reverie on life with people and without them, the ideal capstone to this breathtaking album.
'Smoke From the Chimney,' Tony Joe White
If you had offered any rock fan the chance to hear an album from swamp-rock pillar White with Black Keys guitarist Dan Auerbach, they’d have turned cartwheels. Sadly, White died in 2018, but Auerbach took demos of unrecorded songs and recorded them with White’s vocal lead tracksand added musicians. "Listen to Your Song"became a greasy anthem for any music fan. The allegory in "Someone Is Crying"appeals to our better angels, while the heartwarming "Billy"is an older artist bidding farewell to the road.
'38 Degrees and Raining,'ChuckMcDermott
Cohasset resident McDermott was a pioneer in Boston’s country-rock scene with his band Wheatstrawbefore taking a few decades off to work in the real world. But this latest effort proves he hasn’t lost a step as a songwriter of concise and evocative power. Guitarists Duke Levine and Luther Dickinson are among the guests on this seven-song record. The title cut obviously relates to living in New England, as a backdrop to romance. The ode to enduring love"You Always Do That to Me, Sometimes,"with Dickinson, is a showstopper. And McDermott’s "Here’s the Thing About America"could be a new national anthem, with its open-hearted plea for unity.
'Fatal Mistakes,' Del Amitri
The Scottish rock quartet always struck me as the best Beatles-influenced '80-'90s rockers, their songs smarter and more direct than Oasis. They’re back together after a long breakand their first U.S. tour in 25 years hits Somerville’s Crystal Ballroom in March. Songwriter/singer Justin Currie examines love and life in middle age in most of these songs, with the bittersweet irony that colors most of his work. You might think of John Lennon’s mordant wit hearing the muscular rocker "Losing the Will to Die,"where the singer actually notes that a new love has revived his zest for life. "Lonely"might suggest Del Amitri could be the Scottish version of Crosby, Stillsand Nash. And "All Hail Blind Love"infectiously notes how we sometimes do foolish things for amour.
'Triage,' Rodney Crowell
Crowell turns his pen to self-examination, spirituality and how we ought to try to live together, all matters with a distinct post-pandemic tinge. The title cut gently bumps along as the singer tries to define what love is. "Something Has to Change"is a stirring plea for people to work together, while on "The Girl on the Street"the singer takes himself to task for not living up to his ideals. Crowell’s merciless self-examination forces us all to think of ways we could do better, and while he may not have been in a church for years, his "Hymn #43"includes succinct advice for America 2021:"Praise be the life in me, praise be the life in you, Sing, sing, let freedom ring, there will always be more work to do."
'Free Country,' Ward Hayden & the Outliers
The country-rock band previously known as Girls Gun and Glory, from the badlands and big sky of Scituate, touches upon topical matters with its ninth album. The exuberant rocker "Nothing to Do (For Real This Time)"could be anthem for pandemic times. Songwriter/singer Ward Hayden cleverly uses the love song format of "I’d Die for You"to examine how "truth no longer matters,"and the heavier "When the Hammer Falls"might be summed up as illusions-meet-reality. Sharp, tart writingand Hayden’s stellar vocals stand outand, as always, the emphasis is on their rock side.
'Resurrection,' Mike Zito
Maybe once a year there’s a record with music so vital it seems to leap off your turntable. Zito wrote eight of the 11songs here. J.J. Cale’s "I’ll Make Love to You"charges out of the speakers with the kind of dynamic arrangement that wakes the dead. "Dreaming of You"showcases Zito as the triple threat he is:songwriter, singer, guitarist. "Presence of the Lord"is more intense than Eric Clapton’s original, mainly because Zito is a better singer. The title cut is a midtempo tale of rediscovered love, where Zito’s vocal and guitar combine for maximum soulful effect.
'Michael MudcatWard'
Cambridge bassist Ward has played with every name blues act in New England, so his solo debut boasts many luminous guest stars. Ward wrote all 11 songsand sings on most of them. The production deftly proves that "less is more,"with a clean, acoustic sound. Ward, playing keyboards and lap steel as well as bass, has fun with a variety of styles, from the Western swing of "Heaven Bound by Rail"to the Cajun two-step "Valse de Billerica." "Blues for Parkland"is a heartbreaking instrumental duet with Ward on piano and Sugar Ray Norcia on harmonica. And Ward’s 11-minute long "Joe Louis Blues,"centered on his piano, is a detailed look at the boxing champ’s life and mistreatment by the IRS.
Close cuts
“City/Country/City” by Ricci/Krown:Keyboardist Joe Krown, who co-led Sally and the SophistiKatz during the late 1980s-early '90s in Boston, joins singer harmonica ace Jason Ricci for a funky down home stroll through Louisiana.
“Prince of Poverty” by Kristian Montgomery and the Winterkill Band: The middle of three CDs turned out by the Hanover rocker in the past 18 months, where he really finds his voice as a workingman’s songsmith.
“The Ghost Light” by Bob Bradshaw: How is it that one of today’s most compelling and versatile heartland rockers is an Irish émigré living in Somerville?
“Where the Hard Part Starts” by Matt York:Pembroke’s York delves deeper into traditional country, but also branches out into more stylistic colors in his most ambitious record yet.
“Layla Revisited” by Tedeschi Trucks Band featuring Trey Anastasio:The TTB, enhanced by Phish frontman Anastasio and Doyle Bramlett II on vocals, lovingly re-creates Derek & the Dominoes’ epic 1970 double album, live at the 2019 LOCKN Festival.
Boston blues bash:GA-20 trio captures the spirit of Chicago blues legends
'Musical bliss':Norwell's Susan Tedeschi performs for sold-out hometown crowd in Boston
'Guitarmaggedon':Allman Family Revival tour to honor Gregg Allman in Boston
Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. Please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription.Here is our latest offer.
