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The Best Releases of 2009

Well, it’s time once again to run down the GRITZ Best Albums of 2009. It wasn’t easy. There was a lot of good music this year, but we narrowed it down to our twenty best. Let us know what you think.

1. By a Thread  Gov’t Mule
My favorite Mule since Life Before Insanity. With the addition of the new bass player, the Mule seems to have recaptured the old vibe I loved when Woody was still with us. (Review coming soon.)

2. Rock This Country   Swampdawamp
This album rocked my world. Gig Michaels is a powerful. unique vocalist, and the whole band keeps the real honest to God Southern Rock sound alive and kickin’ like a team of wild mules.

3. Cody McCarver   Cody McCarver
Confederate Railroad’s Cody McCarver delivered a smokin’ Southern Rock and country album that seriously does not have a bad song on it. “Country Badass” kicks.

4. Closer To The Bone   Kris Kristofferson
Stripped bare, Kris is at his finest. Mostly just him and a guitar and his unparalleled songwriting ability.

5. Live Notes From Athens  Tommy Talton Band
The former member of Cowboy and We The People has a really fine band these days, and Talton is writing as good or better than ever. This live set from The Melting Point is a treasure.

6. The Year I Grew Up   Clay Cook
Clay worked with John Mayer and The Marshall Tucker Band, and today is a member of The Zac Brown Band. This solo album shows the true breadth of his talent. He wrote it all and played all the instruments.

7. Modbilly   The Boxmasters
The second double disc set from these hillbilly rockers is filled to the brim with originality. Great original tunes dominate one disc, while eclectic covers are featured on the other. Top flight pickers to be sure.

8. Take the High Road   Silver Travis
The sophomore release from these Carolina boys is even finer than the first. Rick Cash is one of my favorite singers, and the band are all seasoned pros. Special guests include Paul Riddle and Jerry Eubanks from the original Marshall Tucker Band.

9. Acquired Taste   Delbert McClinton
Delbert is always the man, but with this release, he blew my mind. I must have played it every day for two months after I got it. So fine.

10. Saints and Sinners   Jackson Crossing
A great band with great songs, Jax Crossing are another Spartanburg, SC band with strong Marshall Tucker influences. The album was produced by Paul Hornsby. SInger/guitarist Rick Willis is now a member of The Marshall Tucker Band.

11. Welcome to the South  Rebel Syndicate
This is a great record from some really talented country-rockin’-Southern-rockin’ pickers. The title track says it all.

12. The Toler Townsend Band
What happens when one of pop-rock’s finest voices teams up with the former guitarist of The Allman Brothers Band? Magic. Pure magic. (Review coming soon.)

13. God & Guns  Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sadly the last record to feature the late Billy Powell and Ean Evans, there are some fine cuts on the album, especially “Still Unbroken.”

14. A Good Excuse   Dixie Tabernacle
A really nice and different style of album that features Larry Goad and a host of star friends from Jimmy Hall to Artimus Pyle. Good songs, wide variety.

15, All Points In Between   Rebel Pride
The second album from one of the Sunshine State’s finest guitar bands is still burning in my mind a year later.

16. Preacher Stone  Preacher Stone
I was only turned onto these cats two weeks ago, but they are amazing Southerm Rock and country players and their debut album is a stunner. (Review coming soon.)

17.The Reason  Thomas Wynn and the Believers
This Florida band is destined for greatness. All you have to do is hear them once. Thomas is a great front man, and the whole record is super tight.

18. Don’t Wake Albert   Highly Kind
Produced by Johnny Sandlin, this album is just full of highly listenable sounds. Witty lyrics and super fine musicians and singers.

19. 127 Rose Avenue   Hank Williams, Jr
One of Bocephus’ best records in a while. Good country, good rock and roll, all Hank.

20. Through The Scattered Trees   Lingo
Another young band to keep an eye out for. Their debut is well produced, and just plain fun.

Keep it Real. Keep it Southern.
Buffalo





 

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