Favorite Music of 2020

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times …”

 

In most respects, 2020 was a year to be forgotten as quickly as humanly possible. It did, however, produce more than its share of great music.

 

For the first time, I decided that more than one song was worthy of topping my lists. In the adult-album-alternative world of WXPN and its peers, we had the raw urgency of “Help Me”, the poignant imagery of “Dreamsicle”, and the gentle optimism of “Colors”. As for Top 40 tunes, “Blinding Lights” fully deserved its ubiquity – along with many others, I still haven’t gotten tired of it. On the other hand, Alicia Keys’ compelling single “Underdog”, despite being certified gold in August for digital sales, never quite found the radio audience that it deserved.

 

Last June, I rashly predicted Grammy glory for Jason Isbell’s superb album Reunions. Shows how much I know: the album not only was not included as a finalist for Best Album overall, it didn’t even make the cut for Best Americana Album. (At least those of us who voted in mvyradio’s annual listener poll had better taste.) That was my clear choice for #1, but a lot of my “regulars” also wound up releasing LPs last year, so I had a lot to listen to.

 

I was fortunate to have attended three in-person shows before the pandemic shut things down. Paradoxically, through the wonders of streaming, I probably wound up seeing more live performances in 2020 than in any previous year. Spring produced a succession of multi-artist benefit shows for charitable efforts in places such as Philadelphia, New Jersey, NYC, Boston, Nashville, and Austin. (None that I was aware of for the DC area, oddly enough.) Later on, I enjoyed watching multiple sets by KT Tunstall and Richard Thompson. My choice for best show overall would be the Black Pumas’ June 21st performance from the Austin Central Library (starts about 4:30 into the video).

 

Songs (AAA division)

 

1.      Help Me --- Low Cut Connie (#27, WTMD Top 89)

1.      Dreamsicle – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

1.      Colors – Black Pumas

 

4.      Hard On Everyone – Kathleen Edwards

5.      Heartbreaker Please – Teddy Thompson

6.      Letting Me Down – Margo Price

7.      And It’s Still Alright – Nathaniel Rateliff (#89)

8.      Love You For A Long Time – Maggie Rogers

9.      Be Afraid – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (#41)

10.   Letter To You – Bruce Springsteen

11.   Expectations – Katie Pruitt (#14)

12.   Options Open – Kathleen Edwards (#57)

13.   This Forgotten Town – Jayhawks

14.   Kyoto – Phoebe Bridgers (#16)

15.   Cold – Chris Stapleton (#67)

16.   Texas Sun – Khruanbin & Leon Bridges (#2)

17.   Living In A Ghost Town – Rolling Stones (#85)

18.   Fire – Black Pumas

19.   Who Do You Think You’re Talking To – Dawes

20.   I Can Change Your Mind – James Hunter Six

 

Songs (other)

 

1.      Blinding Lights – The Weeknd

1.      Underdog – Alicia Keys

 

3.      Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles

4.      Don't Start Now – Dua Lipa

5.      Sunday Best – Surfaces

6.      Say So – Doja Cat

7.      Supalonely – Benee

8.      Adore You – Harry Styles

9.      Break My Heart – Dua Lipa

10.   ily (I love you baby) – Surf Mesa f/Emilee

 

Worst song of the year (special award)

 

Lonely – Justin Bieber & Benny Blanco (multi-millionaire pop star drops f-bombs and whines about how tough his life is, in the midst of a global pandemic that so far has killed nearly 2 million people)

 

Albums

 

1.      Reunions – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (#1, mvyradio Top 25)

 

2.      Nick Of Time – The James Hunter Six

3.      Heartbreaker Please – Teddy Thompson

4.      Total Freedom – Kathleen Edwards (#6)

5.      Selling Things – Brian Dunne

6.      The Dirt And The Stars – Mary Chapin Carpenter

7.      Good Luck With Whatever – Dawes (#17)

8.      That's How Rumors Get Started – Margo Price

9.      Letter To You – Bruce Springsteen (#2)

10.   Look Long – Indigo Girls

 

Notable EPs (digital only)

 

Bloody Noses – Richard Thompson

Emergency Coverage – Teddy Thompson