I've probably missed several other really important releases but here goes:
Eliza Gilkyson - "Land of Milk & Honey" - For those who have yet to hear her, she combines elements of Joni Mitchell, Lucinda Williams, Jonatha Brooke and Shawn Colvin in their more reflective, folky moments. This album is about an American woman's view of what is happening in the World and is completely divorced from the yee-hah, red neck nature of so Nashville pap. Not as political as Rickie L J's "Evening of My Best Day", it nevertheless is an album to get you thinking. Vies with You are Quarry for best lyrics of the year.
Brendan Power - "Tradish" - A chance find this one following his appearance on Jules Holland's Later. I was amazed at what could be done with a chromatic harmonica, an acoustic guitar and a bhodran. Astounding musical ability and a truly fresh and creative approach to music - it's like Vicks Sinex for the ears.
Rammstein - "Reise Reise" - Always a favourite band, the new album may be a tad more polished than Mutter or Herzeleid nevertheless few bands can industrially grind as convincingly as Rammstein. It'll satisfy the faithful.
Morrissey - "You Are Quarry" - I can take him or leave him but thought that this album was a tremendous return to form. It just makes me wonder what the hell he's doing living in Los Angeles as it's just somehow wrong.
Faithless - "No Roots" - like some have said, No Roots has been a slow burner but has remained on or the near the top of the pile since it's release. A big plus is that my youngest daughter loves it, too.
Alison Krauss & Union Station - "Lonely Runs Both Ways" - I had for whatever reason expected a dilution of their earlier style but although this moves a bit away from their bluegrass roots, it nevertheless transcends the mainstream "country" formula and takes rural American music to a new contemporary high. Superb production, wonderful playing and vocal arrangements.
Guitar Shorty - Watch Your Back. You only need to have a look at the album cover to know what this album is going to be like.
A Perfect Circle - "Thirteenth Step" - Technically, this came out at the end of 2003 but I got my copy this year. What can I say? A great album proving that mainstream rock is alive and well and still has vision.
Viktor Krauss - "Far From Enough" - Bass playing brother of Alison, who herself features on several tracks, Viktor specialises in a much more laid back groove. This debut album features the talents of Bill Frissell and Jerry Douglas in a very satisfying collaboration between progressive country and jazz with a little bluegrass on the side. One review described it as a soundtrack without a movie but it's much more than that in the same way that Ry Cooder's soundtracks stood out in their own right. Excellent moody late night listening.
But by some margin, my favourite album has been
Johnny A. - "Get Inside" - I've harped on about this one since I got it but it really is an utterly fantastic, all instrumental and totally tasteful guitar album. It's difficult to select just one track as the standout however, "Krea Gata", which starts off with such cool groove and goes completely ballistic in the mid-section, is the sort of stuff I buy decent hi-fi for. If anyone knows of anything similar to this that I haven't got, please let me know.
