25. Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey- Stay Gold
Full Review Here- http://chinacatsunflower.tumblr.com/post/815791737/jacob-fred-jazz-odyssey-stay-gold
Key Tracks- Sensation of Seeing Light, Trampoline Phoenix, The Return, Stay Gold
24. Justin Townes Earle- Harlem River Blues
With his last album, Midnight at the Movies, Justin Townes Earle officially stepped out behind his father’s intimidating shadow and established himself as a terrific songwriter in his own right. Harlem River Blues lacks the consistency found on Midnight at the Movies, yet is still a step forward as it finds Earle moving away from the folksinger tag and incorporating electric instruments and gospel influences. Unlike Midnight at the Movies, there are one or two stinkers on here, but the album gets stronger with every listen and it’s refreshing to hear Earle embrace a more original sound.
Key Tracks- Harlem River Blues, Workin’ For The MTA, Wanderin’, Ain’t Waitin’
23. Carl Broemel- All Birds Say
Carl Broemel’s All Birds Say wildly exceeded my personal expectations, and is simply a fantastic folk rock album. Broemel’s voice is surprisingly pleasant, and his warm, delightful acoustic melodies will float around in your head for days. From the gorgeous opening acoustic instrumental to the closing harmonies of “Retired,” the album is a soothing and joyful listen that echoes the works of Paul McCartney, Nick Drake and Simon & Garfunkel.
Key Tracks: All Birds Say, In The Garden, Carried Away, Enough
22. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals- III/IV
Long awaited new material from Ryan Adams was one of the most pleasant surprises of 2010 for me. Of course III/IV is actually culled from recording sessions in 2006, which also yielded Easy Tiger, so it’s not exactly new material. But I do believe that The Cardinals were the best thing to happen to Ryan Adams’ career and, in their prime, the best rock and roll band in the country, so it is a real treat to hear more material from that great band.
Musically, III/IV has more in common with the almost mainstream rock of The Cardinals final album Cardinology than the psychedelia tinged country rock of their masterpiece Cold Roses, but the songwriting is vastly superior to that found on Cardinology. As with any double album, there are a few throwaway tracks, but most of the songs are focused, catchy rockers with crunchy guitars. Over the years, Adams has embraced more than his fair share of musical styles - he has his country albums, depressed singer/songwriter albums, and even a recently released metal album. III/IV finds Ryan Adams & The Cardinals as high energy garage rockers, and while those new to Ryan Adams should start with Cold Roses or Heartbreaker, III/IV is a strong addition to the Ryan Adams canon and leaves me excited to see what Ryan can do in 2011 as he’s promised more album releases are on the way…
Key Tracks: Dear Candy, Wasteland, The Crystal Skull, Kill The Lights
21. Tea Leaf Green- Looking West
Full Review Here- http://www.jambands.com/reviews/cds/2010/08/16/tea-leaf-green-looking-west
Key Tracks- Looking West, Jackson Hole, Bouncin’ Betty
