The Un-Herd Music Top 50 of 2020
Adam
Weiner's hook-heavy mix of soul, R&B, rock & roll, &
basically everything else under the sun is exactly the empathetic, good
vibin' music the world needs right now - just hope we're not all too far
gone to hear.
2. Dangereens Tough Luck
Montreal band with reckless disregard for speed limits, a pronounced fondness for old 'Mats reckids, and a batch of hook-ridden tunes w/ pounding piano + sax riding shotgun.
One of the most original bands from the 90s indie boom returns with their inimitable mix of 60s pop, garage rock, sitars, flutes, electronics and, I can only imagine, something borrowed from a far better future.
If
the Ramones had the harmonies of the Beach Boys or the Beach Boys had
the drive of the Ramones... Such perfect summer music that it'll make
you forget it isn't summer.
Backed
by members of the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Josh Ostrander hooks
into snatches of Lou Reed, hip hop, Jesus and Mary Chain, and
singer/songwriter pop and still manages to knit it all into a cohesive
whole.
While
so much modern power pop rests in the hands of those who view "The Long
and Winding Road" as the epitome of rock & roll, Rookie allows a
stomping beat and a few power chords to ride shotgun with the expected
Beatles-esque hooks.
7. Nicole Atkins Italian Ice
Recorded at Muscle Shoals and backed by members of that same hallowed session band, this album sprawls comfortably into a relaxed soul groove. Also boasts help from Britt Daniel, My Morning Jacket, and some Bad Seeds... none of who come close to eclipsing Atkins' powerful voice.
The
return of Foxy Shazam was one of the few "good news" stories of this
disastrous year, and even if it might not match the heights of The Church of Rock & Roll, it definitely gets them back on track to world domination. Give 'em time.
Romano
released 10 albums in the year 2020, ranging in sound from his more
typical country to indie rock to hardcore punk to a welcome re-imagining
of an entire Dylan album, and what makes his feat of ambition somewhat
miraculous is the sheer quality of songwriting. This one (and Dandelion) are perhaps the most eclectic of the bunch.
10. Bette Smith The Good, The Bad, and the Bette
With
some help from Luther Dickinson and the Drive-by Truckers, Bette Smith
dives into southern soul and traditional R&B while embracing the
distortion and power of punk.
