Top 25 Albums Of 2019

Now that you’ve seen my Top 50 Songs of 2019, here’s my album list.  Not sure about you, but I’m always surprised at how many artists with albums on this list don’t make an appearance on the one with songs only.  I guess it just goes to show that some stuff simply works better within the context of an LP.  Enjoy.

25) Mono – Nowhere, Now Here

Mono put out a fantastic set of post rock and celebrated their 20th anniversary this year.  Here’s to 20 more.

24) PUP – Morbid Stuff

PUP with one of the most energetic and infectious albums that I came across this year.

23) The Raconteurs – Help Us Stranger

This album does not sound like it was made by a band that last collaborated 11 years ago.  Way to be, Raconteurs.

22) Yawners – Just Calm Down

32 minutes of pure power pop from Yawners.

21) Faye Webster – Atlanta Millionaires Club

There isn’t a single song on this LP where Faye Webster doesn’t sound lovely.

20) Mikal Cronin – Seeker

I’m not sure that Mikal Cronin is even capable of making a bad album.

19) White Denim – Side Effects

A fun, super jammy effort from White Denim, one of Austin’s best bands.

18) B Boys – Dudu

I really dig the Parquet Courts-ish vibe that’s all over this album from B Boys.

17) The Coathangers – The Devil You Know

Another set of badass punk/garage rock tracks from The Coathangers.

16) Tool – Fear Inoculum

The guys in Tool got old and made a vibey, oddly relaxing album.

15) Sleater-Kinney – The Center Won’t Hold

The latest from Sleater-Kinney seemed to generate mixed responses from a lot of people, but I jammed it frequently.  I appreciate the chances that they took on it.

14) The National – I Am Easy To Find

It took me a little bit, but I eventually fell in love with this very collaborative effort from The National.

13) Harlem – Oh Boy

Austin’s own Harlem with a comeback effort that’s loaded with clever tracks.

12) Alex Lahey – The Best Of Luck Club

Props to Alex Lahey for continuing to be one of the most earnest songwriters around.

11) Shura – Forevher

A very easy-to-enjoy, wonderfully-produced effort from Shura.

10) Orville Peck – Pony

Even if you aren’t into country music, this Orville Peck album will still swallow you up.

09) Carly Rae Jepsen – Dedicated

CRJ continues to be my favorite pop artist.

08) Nilufer Yanya – Miss Universe

A big, diverse effort from Nilufer Yanya.

07) Jay Som – Anak Ko

Every single part of this Jay Som LP just glides.

06) Whitney – Forever Turned Around

Whitney’s latest has such a pleasant sound that I’ve considered snuggling it.

05) Crumb – Jinx

I don’t know how many times I’ve put on Crumb’s debut and just let it loop.  Psychedelic bliss, man.

04) Malibu Ken – Self Titled

This one from Malibu Ken (Tobacco + Aesop Rock) is by far and away my favorite hip hop release of the year.

03) Karen O & Danger Mouse – Lux Prima

An immaculately produced effort from Danger Mouse that features an inspired Karen O.

02) Mannequin Pussy – Patience

This Mannequin Pussy album is an impassioned, monstrous force.  Everyone needs it.

01) Vampire Weekend – Father Of The Bride

Dammit.  I didn’t even like this album when I first heard it.  I thought it seemed small and I found it disappointing that Vampire Weekend seemed to be content with plodding along the same path.  As the year moseyed along though, I found myself frequently revisiting Father Of The Bride, and at some point its intricate, pretty, warm tracks fully pulled me and never let go.  Ironically, now I hope they stay just the way they are (for at least a while longer).

A Few More Albums That I Also Liked A Lot:

Taylor Swift – Lover
Sharon Van Etten – Remind Me Tomorrow
Bon Iver – I,I
Bill Callahan – Shepherd In A Sheepskin Vest
Hovvdy – Heavy Lifter
Angel Olsen – All Mirrors
Bayonne – Drastic Measures
Calliope Musicals – Sweat
Generationals – Reader As Detective
Cherry Glazerr – Stuffed & Ready
Girlpool – What Chaos Is Imaginary
Bruno Bavota – Re_Cordis / Get Lost
Big Thief – U.F.O.F / Two Hands
Chastity Belt – Self Titled
Maggie Rogers – Heard It In A Past Life
Weyes Blood – Titanic Rising
Soak – Grim Town
Abram Shook – The Neon Machine
Jeanines – Self Titled
Brutus – Nest