The beginning of a New Year for Vinyl

January 2021 – a new year but is it any different than 2020.  Still mostly at home, no live shows so hey might as well buy some new albums.  I’ve split this month’s purchases up into three categories.

 

New releases – three new releases were added in January. 

Lucero is one of our favorite bands.  The last two albums were great and we’ve seen them live quite a bit – from the Old 97’s County Fair in Dallas in 2016, at an old Post Office here in Houston with about 50 people right before a torrential downpour, at Numbers, an old Houston club with another 50 – this time disco balls from the ceiling but a packed show and the ultimate at the Ryman in Nashville.  I’m always eager for a new release.  I preordered “When You Found Me” the day it was announced.  Sadly, it’s not very exciting.  It’s pretty dark which is not a problem for me but just not a lot of songs that catch my ear.  In fact the one that does the most, “Back in Ohio”, seems lost in the context of the album.  I’ll keep playing it since we all know it sometimes take time for an album to resonate with you. 

Magnolia Record Club – Spotify Singles – I joined the Magnolia Record Club a couple of years ago when Jason Isbell’s The Nashville Sound came out.  It’s right when my interest in vinyl was restored.  Every month you get an album and the chance to add some new artist vinyl as well.  It’s a great way to guarantee 12 new albums a year and I’ve added a lot of music I may not have bought.  This is an album of covers by Americana artists.  The Lumineers, Phoebe Bridgers, Langhorne Slim, Sarah Jarosz, etc.  I’m not a big fan of buying covers but this album puts am Americana spin on some classic songs – Harvest Moon, Friday I’m in Love, I Won’t Back Down and When Doves Cry.  Definitely an album I wouldn’t have bought but it’s a fun listen.

The War on Drugs – Live My friend Matt in Phoenix is a huge music fan – he has probably forgot more than I know and he is a big promoter of The War on Drugs so I always try and listen to his recommendations.  Live albums often put a different spin on music so I gave this a shot.  It still sounds so much like the studio versions to me.  Of course we all know “Under the Pressure”.  Other than that it’s doubtful this album sees a lot of spins on my turntable.

 

Completing the 2020 Catalog – a few albums I discovered late in 2020 or they just didn’t get delivered in time so they make the 2021 additions list rather than 2020.

Katie Pruitt – Expectations – who knew when we saw Katie open for the Wood Brothers a little over a year ago that her yet to be released album would be so highly thought of.  Of course you have all heard the title song and it’s terrific.  But the album is filled with thoughtful songs about her life and how she has made it to this point.  This is a beautiful album and would have definitely made my Top 25 list for 2020.

Butch Walker- American Love Song – when I did my year-end best of list my friend Kevin in NC sent me some of their other favorites from the year that didn’t make my list.  And thus how I found this great album.  I know Butch from his producing awards- he produced the excellent Elizabeth Cook album last year.  But this album is terrific.  I listened to it again today from start to finish.  It highlights why albums are still important as it tells a story from beginning to end.  Streaming or listening to a song or two doesn’t do it.  It is an album full of sarcasm and as I may have been told I’m sarcastic once or twice.  The entire back of the album jacket is Butch telling the story behind the songs.  And one of my favorite song lyrics of recent history is in the song “Gridlock” – “MAGA sticker on the back of Japanese cars, buddy I’m just as confused as you.”  Think about that one for a second – Make America Great Again on the back of a Japanese car – just great songwriting about the time and place we are in.  Just a plethora of great songs on this album but you have to listen from beginning to end.  And do that.  If I had found this album in 2020 it would have definitely been on my Top 10 list.

Josh Ritter – See Here, I have Built You a Mansion – I bought this special release in mid-2020 but due to production issues it didn’t get here until January.  I have listened to Josh for a long time and his music is exactly like a sticker that was included in with this album – “Rock and roll with lots and lots of words- that is Josh Ritter.”  This is an album of rare and unreleased songs and definitely a great listen.  Includes a nice cover of Brothers in Arms from Dire Straits.  The album closes with a song called “Lawrence, KS” recorded live strangely enough in Lawrence, Kansas!

 

Filling in Holes in the Collection – always looking to get on vinyl albums I love and either don’t have or have it on that dying medium – Compact Discs

John Moreland – High on Tulsa Heat and Big Bad Luv.  I think you all know we love John Moreland.  There is not a better writer of sad songs in America today (sorry BJ Barham) and we see him every time he comes to town.  Tulsa Heat was the first time I heard John and then we saw him not long after we were sold.  Big Bad Luv was next and that tour was special as well as it’s when I first heard Caroline Spence opening for John.  Two of my favorite sad song lyrics are on Tulsa – from “Heart’s Too Heavy” – “I lived inside these melodies, just to make sure I still could.  And later on the album in “Sad Baptist Rain” – “Outside the show, drinking NyQuil and Honey, trying to conjure up some rock and roll.”  If you don’t have John in your library get on the internet and part with some of those stimulus dollars.  He is an American treasure.

Josh Ritter – The Animal Years.  Back in 2005 got this CD and wore it out.  It’s just a great album for all 11 songs.  The first three songs are etched in my brain – “Girl in the War”, “Wolves” and “Monster Ballads” and as the album flips to side 2 you get “Best for the Best” and “Thin Blue Frame”.  This album is in the discussion when I try to narrow down my favorite albums of all time.  Probably not Top 10 but not far away.  Josh has a loyal following and is continuing to create great music and this was my first taste of his songwriting skills. He is a hell of a painter as well.  He shows his work on Instagram frequently.  Maybe I need one of those for my music room!

 

Coming in February – Waylon Payne and Steep Canyon Rangers 2020 releases – more catching up as well as new releases from Langhorne Slim and Moon Taxi and some library catchup from Emmy Lou Harris and Amy Speace.  If you get a chance check out Amy’s new song “There Used to Be Horses Here” from her forthcoming album.  It’s the early leader for my song of the year for 2021.

Stay safe, listen well and as Mr. Springsteen says “Wear a f%#*in’ mask”!