The Top 50 Albums Of 2013: Honorable Mentions

Robbie Fulks – Gone Away Backward

Witty, irreverent alt-country icon Robbie Fulks has more than two decades under his belt as a sharp-tongued troubadour, but on new album Gone Away Backward, he turns his focus to dark, mostly acoustic ballads. Of course, they’re some of his best tracks to date, and with production aid from Steve Albini, some of the best sounding as well.

John Moreland – In The Throes

John Moreland has a lot in common with the artist behind American Songwriter’s Album of the Year: Jason Isbell. He can do heartfelt, heart-breaking folk rock, but knows his way around a raw, gritty rocker as well. Those not familiar with the Oklahoma City singer-songwriter should remedy that pronto with this excellent release.

Okkervil River – The Silver Gymnasium

On Austin-based Okkervil River’s seventh album, frontman Will Sheff took on a conceptual approach, focusing on his childhood growing up in New Hampshire. As such, there’s an even greater ‘80s pop influence on The Silver Gymnasium, which opens up the band’s sound, taking them to widescreen stadium majesty.

James Maddock – Another Life

A transplant from the UK, James Maddock has a distinctive and warm folk-rock sound that’s uniquely American. On the title track to Another Life, he adopts a breezy, laid-back sound with just a touch of country twang, while on “Arizona Girl” and “Timing’s Everything,” he opts for intricate, gentle acoustic balladry. Whether stripped down or fleshed out, the songs on Another Life are all quite gorgeous.

Possessed by Paul James – There Will Be Nights When I’m Lonely

In 2013, with so many new sounds coming and going at any given moment, it’s remarkable there’s not just still a demand for bluegrass, but that there are still artists who can keep it sounding fresh. Austin’s Konrad Wert, AKA Possessed by Paul James, is one such artist, delivering an intricate and beautiful set of folk-tinged roots music in There Will Be Nights When I’m Lonely.

Ha Ha Tonka – Lessons

A lot of bands have gotten in on the foot-stomping barn-dance sound in recent years, but few have the driving power that Ha Ha Tonka can conjure. Their new album Lessons is earnest and rootsy, certainly, but in songs like “Colorful Kids” and the Springsteen-esque “Staring At the End of Our Lives,” what stands out the most is just how hard they rock.

Austin Lucas – Stay Reckless

There’s a rowdy, fiery rock ‘n’ roll riff that opens Austin Lucas’ Stay Reckless, the kind of riff that’s just a hop and a skip from Dinosaur Jr. — and yet, Lucas has the kind of Southern twang to his voice that comes from a background of real country music. And that’s definitely his heritage — his father is bluegrass producer and songwriter Bob Lucas. Whatever his roots, Stay Reckless shows that Lucas is a rocker above all.

Brian Wright – Rattle Their Chains

Texas songwriter Brian Wright can put together a memorable, mesmerizing tune — this much is apparent through the whole of new album Rattle Their Chains. But what makes his roots-rock tunes all the more powerful is how immaculately arranged they are, with a pluck of banjo here, a Rhodes groove there, and outstanding melodies around every corner.

Jonathan Wilson – Fanfare

Jonathan Wilson’s been releasing indie folk records for a few years now, but he’s reached a new peak with Fanfare, a lush, ‘70s-leaning collection of orchestral pop that recalls Dennis Wilson’s Pacific Ocean Blue in its greatest moments. At 78 minutes, it’s a lot to absorb, but it manages to be both the kind of record that stuns on first listen, and only gets better after repeated spins.

Andrew Duhon – The Moorings

Andrew Duhon’s self-released new album The Moorings earned a Grammy nomination for Best Production, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a brilliant sounding record, sparkling with fresh folk-rock arrangements and gorgeous melodies that linger long after the album’s finished spinning.