2024: Something Old, Something New

by Jason Warburg

It was a year of change and challenge, and one in which music, for me, took on many of the qualities of comfort food. You’ll see a lot of familiar faces on the list below—though at least one in the top section is new—along with a couple of folks who seem to be genuinely defying the march of time with late-in-life triumphs. The message is clear: don’t give up, not now, not ever.

With that, here are the albums that grabbed my attention this year and refused to let go.

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This is How You Do It Award

Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks – True

At 79, Yes co-founder and former lead vocalist Jon Anderson showed the group’s fans what they’ve been missing with the strongest album issued by any of the band’s principals in decades, aided immeasurably by the superb Band Geeks.

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Timeless Wonder Award

Ian Hunter – Defiance, Part 2: Fiction

Seventy-nine? Hah! Ian Hunter turned 84 while recording this raucous, piercing, charming and witty star-studded sequel to last year’s Defiance, Part 1. Rumor is Part 3 is in the works; we can only hope.


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Live And Kicking Award(s)

Big Big Train – A Flare On The Lens

After a season of change, progressive rock luminaries Big Big Train returned to the live stage with something to prove—and boy did this album prove it.

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit – Live At The Ryman Vol. 2

In the midst of their own season of change, Jason Isbell and his 400 Unit delivered a series of fiery performances on their home turf of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

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No Chance of That Award

Maggie Rogers – Don’t Forget Me

The one-time college phenom hit her stride while swaying in a bright spotlight with this beguiling and frequently brilliant album, rich with supple melodies, pulsing beats and wry observations.

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Americana Album of The Year Award

American Aquarium – The Fear Of Standing Still

Singer-songwriter-frontman BJ Barham’s songs just keep getting sharper and deeper and wiser, and the now-stabilized lineup behind him has never sounded better.

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Indie Album Of The Year

Last Charge Of The Light Horse – In The Wind

Last Charge maestro Jean-Paul Vest promised last year that the group’s next album would rock, and In The Wind hits that mark solidly while also delivering an especially rich, pointed, and tender collection of songs about the strange times we’re inhabiting and the compassion and connections that help us to endure.

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Album Of The Year

Big Big Train – The Likes Of Us

Even some of the band’s most passionate fans questioned whether Big Big Train should continue after the late David Longdon’s tragic passing in 2021. Their first studio album with new frontman Alberto Bravin, The Likes Of Us, is absolutely everything it needed to be—similar yet different, passionately crafted, richly melodic, and full of brilliant songwriting, arrangements and performances. Faced with the possible end of the band's story, founder Gregory Spawton and the group's new lineup instead delivered this vital, dynamic opening to a new chapter.



Honorable Mention (alpha by artist)

Gary Clark Jr. –
JPEG Raw
Raw is right, but when chameleonic guitar-slinger Clark hits the mark, there’s no one quite like him.

Dim Gray –
Live in Europe 2023
The Norwegian trio-turned-quintet delivered an engaging set of cinematic progressive rock while growing from a studio band into a star of the stage.

Fastball –
Sonic Ranch
The Austin, Texas trio returned once more with another collection of power-pop that makes you think even as it’s pulling you up out of your chair.

Delaney Hafener & Pete Mancini – The Quiet Part (EP)
This acoustic duo of gifted Long Island singer-songwriters casts a spell with beautifully intertwining voices on a short set that leaves you wanting more.

David Luning –
Lessons
Americana singer-songwriter Luning’s third outing ranges between cinematic Southern rock and rambling country-folk, feeling like an album out of time.

Randy McStine – Mutual Hallucinations
Singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist McStine—last seen as second guitarist/harmony vocalist in the touring edition of Porcupine Tree—delivers a rangy set of adventurous, at times experimental progressive rock.

Mouths Of Babes –
World Brand New
The complementary vibes of singer-songwriter couple Ty Greenstein (Girlyman) and Ingrid Elizabeth (Coyote Grace) give their music range even as their appealing songs give it depth.

Fernando Perdomo –
Self
Session guitarist supreme Fernando Perdomo steps out solo with an album that dazzles with its range, craft, and playfulness.

Pemberton Roach –
The New Kid
The ace bassist for Last Charge Of The Light Horse steps out solo for a singer-songwriter set that’s alternately earnest and witty.

Sadler Vaden –
Dad Rock
The ace guitarist for Jason Isbell’s 400 Unit steps out solo for a blazing detour through ’70s rock that’s all riffage and no biffage.

Mike Zito –
Life is Hard
The accomplished blues-rock singer-songwriter tackles his toughest assignment yet—making an album about losing his beloved wife to cancer—and nails it like the pro he is.


Looking Forward To:

Big Big Train – Bard (reissue)
The band’s long-hidden third album will return from the “discontinued” bin in March with a fresh mix and two bonus tracks, including a live 2024 performance of its strongest number, “The Last English King.”

Dim Gray – Shards
The young Norwegian proggers debuted the first single from their forthcoming 2025 album a few weeks back, and it might just be the best track they’ve released yet.

Lilly Hiatt – Forever
There’s nothing easy about walking in an accomplished parent’s footsteps, which makes Lilly Hiatt’s emergence as one of her generation’s finest singer-songwriters that much more impressive.


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