10. The Beths - Expert in a Dying Field
9. Caamp - Lavender Days
8. Alvvays - Blue Rev
7. Courtney Marie Andrews - Loose Future
6. The Sadies - Colder Streams
5. Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway - Crooked Tree
4. Spoon - Lucifer on the Sofa
3. Andrew Bird - Inside Problems
2. Bonny Light Horseman - Rolling Golden Holy
1. Charley Crockett - The Man From Waco

Charley Crockett produces at least two albums a year, and this is his collection of originals for 2022. Loosely based on a fictional ‘Man From Waco’, the songs draw from Charley’s time on the road and exhibits a great familiarity of the places he uses to base the songs. The album sounds both classic and fresh at the same time, owing to Crockett’s use of multiple classic styles coupled with the modern production of Bruce Robison. Robison himself was impressed enough with the result that he took on the role of manager for Crockett. You won’t be bored as Crockett roams the West in styles ranging from classic country to soul.

11. Taj Mahal & Ry Cooder - Get On Board
10. Bob Corritore & Friends - You Shocked Me
9. Delbert McClinton - Outdated Emotion
8. Charlie Musselwhite - Mississippi Son
7. Duke Robillard Band - They Called It Rhythm & Blues
6. Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters - Mercy Me
5. Bonnie Raitt - Just Like That...
4. John Nemeth - May Be The Last Time
3. Shemekia Copeland - Done Come Too Far
2. North Mississippi All-Stars - Set Sail
1. Buddy Guy - The Blues Don't Lie

10. Charley Crockett - The Man From Waco
9. Molly Tuttle and Crooked Highway - Crooked Tree
8. 49 Winchester - Fortune Favors the Bold
7. Jim Lauderdale - Game Changer
6. Kaitlin Butts - What Else Can She Do
5. Aaron Raitiere - Single Wide Dreamer
4. Joshua Ray Walker - See You Next Time
3. Charley Crockett - Lil GL Presents: Jukebox Charlie
2. Willie Nelson - A Beautiful Time
1. Various Artists  - Something Borrowed, Something New: A Tribute to John Anderson

John Anderson is a somewhat forgotten country superstar who had his biggest songs in the early 80s with five number one singles. He was an early ‘new Traditionalist’ in country music and paved the way for some better known performers who followed.  The tribute brings fresh voices to the Anderson library, including a previously unreleased track from the late John Prine. Sierra Ferrell adds a twist by covering a recent Anderson song, and overall it is a terrific collection of artists collected by producer Dan Auerbach serving as a great re-introduction to Anderson’s music.

10. Fontaines DC - Skinty Fia
9. Tyler Childers - Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?
8. Danielle Ponder - Some of Us Are Brave
7. The Head & the Heart - Every Shade of Blue
6. Jack White - Fear of the Dawn/ Entering Heaven Alive
5. Goose - Dripfield
4. Spoon - Lucifer on the Sofa
3. The Smile - A Light for Attracting Attention
2. Nilufer Yana - Painless
1. Tedeschi Trucks Band - I am the Moon I-IV

10. AURORA - The Gods We Can Touch
9. Ibibio Sound Machine - Electricity
8. Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway - Crooked Tree
7. Rubblebucket - Earth Worship
6. Charley Crockett - The Man From Waco
5. Spoon - Lucifer on the Sofa
4. Beth Orton - Weather Alive
3. The Smile - A Light For Attracting Attention
2. Bonny Light Horseman - Rolling Golden Holy
1. Danielle Ponder - Some of Us Are Brave

To narrow down to only ten favorite albums from the past year proved more difficult than I expected. And some of my favorite songs of the year weren't tied to my favorite albums (like Sharon Van Etten "Mistakes" and The Black Keys "Wild Child"). 2022 served us many treats including new music from Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Pixies, but alas those didn't make it in my Top Ten either! Ultimately, it's the albums I reached for over and over again that received my top honors. I feel blessed to work in a world filled with new music everyday, and I hope you discovered a new favorite yourself over the past year.

10. Kurt Vile – Watch My Moves
9. The Weeknd – Dawn FM
8. Maggie Rogers – Surrender
7. Grace Cummings – Storm Queen
6. Tim Heidecker – High School
5. Big Thief – Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
4. Summer of Soul (or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) – Soundtrack
3. Kevin Morby – This is a Photograph
2. Alex G – God Saves the Animals
1. Father John Misty – Chloe & the Next 20^th Century

10. Broken Bells - Into the Blue
9. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cool It Down
8. The Mars Volta - The Mars Volta (self-titled)
7. Father John Misty - Chloë and the Next 20th Century
6. Spoon - Lucifer on the Sofa
5. Danger Mouse and Black Thought - Cheat Codes
4. Viagra Boys - Cave World
3. The Smile - A Light for Attracting Attention
2. Murder by Death - Spell/Bound
1. The Head and the Heart - Every Shade of Blue

10. Beth Orton – Weather Alive
9. Bonny Light Horseman – Rolling Golden Holy
8. Charley Crockett – The Man From Waco
7. Thee Sacred Souls – Thee Sacred Souls
6. Vieux Farka Toure’ et Khruangbin – Ali
5. Tedeschi Trucks Band – I Am The Moon
4. Spoon – Lucifer On The Sofa
3. Nilufer Yanya – Painless
2. Fontaines D.C. – Skinty Fia
1. Danielle Ponder – Some Of Us Are Brave

10. Calexico - El Mirador
9. Caroline Spence - True North (Cville's own now on Rounder/Concord!)
8. Danger Mouse/Black Thought - Cheat Codes
7. Alvvays - Blue Rev
6. Danielle Ponder - Some Of Us Are Brave
5. Afghan Whigs - How Do You Burn?
4. John Moreland - Birds In The Ceiling
3. Wet Leg - s/t
2. Yard Act - The Overload
1. Eddie Vedder - Earthling