Articles | Scott Bedgood Comedy

I try to do something different every year for my album of the year list, so this year I wrote a little poem for each of my top ten albums. Let me know which albums you loved this year in the comments

Honorable Mentions

The Saint of Lost Causes - Justin Townes Earle, New Age Norms 1 - Cold War Kids, Light'n Up - Matthew Logan Vasquez, Turn Off the News (Build a Garden) - Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real, The Valley - Charley Crockett, K.R.I.T Iz Here - Big K.R.I.T, The Highwomen - The Highwomen.

10. Jaime, Brittany Howard

We are blessed to live in the time of Brittany Howard The Alabama Shakes's lead singer keeps moving forward Her solo debut is full of brilliance, beauty, and fire But it's a bit uneven, keeping it from ranking even higher

Watch this performance and ascend into heaven. I already feel, like doing it again, honey https://open.spotify.com/track/4vtyIW5uMCzu827nc5ThVt?si=HoYq0SVGRY-phL_EQv79FA

9. Better Oblivion Community Center, Better Oblivion Community Center

Putting Phoebe Bridgers and Conor Oberst together created an album full of promise At times quiet and slow, it swells to a roar on songs like "Dylan Thomas" Others, like "Exception to the Rule" and "Chesapeake" Are the types that sit with you for a week

I'm getting used to these dizzy spells I'm taking a shower at the Bates Motel I'm getting greedy with this private hell I'll go it alone, but that's just as well https://open.spotify.com/track/6x14wL9HvABR2Rix8N88EH?si=UO0LE5f5QUyuR4unv5HQgQ

8. Wilder Woods, Wilder Woods

The NEEDTOBREATHE frontman's sneaky solo debut Tells stories from a different point of view With a new sound that surprised many This funk, soul, pop album has delights aplenty

When the night's too much And you need a touch Maybe I can kiss you right Try a little supply and demand https://open.spotify.com/track/0tsUIJakq2RksuC1YixAHX?si=20zW-iD_QXS93iTAv-Ii6g

7. JESUS IS KING, Kanye West

Ye is back with a new belief For fans who hoped for redemption this was quite a relief He reunited Clipse so we could hear No Malice and Pusha T But only Kanye could pair them with the smooth sax of Kenny G

They give you Wraith talk, I give you faith talk Blindfolded on this road, watch me faith walk Just hold on to your brother when his faith lost https://open.spotify.com/track/0oPOuDmmkVp3h6puekhs6P?si=XF_IHLGFQLWb5wXPUvRfYA

6. I Am Easy to Find, The National

It's a little self-indulgent and overly long But the inherent genius of The National makes the work so strong Matt Berninger's baritone vocals harmonize perfectly with guest voices Songs like "The Pull of You" and "Hairpin Turns" are top choices

What are we going through, you and me? Every other house on the street's burnin' What are we going through, wait and see Days of brutalism and hairpin turns https://open.spotify.com/track/5szEXCOWnzRCI6OZg1ecKX?si=4WdwnlNHRzOpZZzDpK-SKA

5. Room 41, Paul Cauthen

The baritone country bad boy's album gets it right fluctuating from a drug-fueled party to a cry for help on a lonely night It's everything a country album should be

You know I can work real hard Keep a roof right over our heads And make sure the lights stay on And keep the baby fed But that's only in my dreams You've been gone for quite some time https://open.spotify.com/track/2H6EhLFkqkt4H9O2OLKmbg?si=0EJVPFA5QJyx2C7aaI5h3w

4. SOUND & FURY, Sturgill Simpson

Doing the unexpected is how Sturgill has made his name Instead of saving country music, this one is hard rock that laments fake friends and the endless quest for fame At this point, nothing Sturgill does is a shock

Mercury must be in retrograde again But at least it's not just hangin' around, pretendin' to be my friend https://open.spotify.com/track/6PT1dLDHk9BaVwFG74pomG?si=XM_n2sDhR4CVhXWPy7Og_g

3. Ghostseen, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Dense, dark, deep, unyielding You expect nothing less from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds But wrestling with the death of his son packs this with even more feeling Honest, vulnerable, quality art is what the world needs

A priest runs through the chapel, all the calendars are turning A Jesus freak on the street says He is returning Well sometimes a little bit of faith can go a long, long way Your soul is my anchor, never asked to be freed https://open.spotify.com/track/1aaUv9RdPa2zEKvaxbHHpc?si=5PFFBQY7R92BfEii3EbvBQ

2. "Let's Rock", The Black Keys

The modern kings of rock and roll made a surprising comeback With a hard-driving, fun, and fast rock attack The lyrics mean nothing and that's alright Dan and Pat just want you to have a good night

No one really knows Where it goes from here But we all decompose And slowly disappear https://open.spotify.com/track/365TSrFPqM66giaxJuafR3?si=ZMitD-S3QKeHD-ofz4-TvA

1. The Thunderbird, Beau Jennings & The Tigers

It's hyperlocal and Oklahoma-centric But The Thunderbird's universal truths make it less specific Often you're dropped into a time and place in unfamiliar company Where you encounter deep feelings of nostalgia, longing, and empathy Jimmy Houston hosted a fishing show for decades Only Beau could write a song about him that brings up past heartaches Dairy Queen serves Blizzards and steak fingers So why does Beau's song about it create a feeling that lingers? It's only been three years since Kevin Durant played for OKC But a name-check on "Back In Town" feels like a reference from another century Nostalgia is a powerful weapon and Jennings wields it right Not cheaply, but in a way that makes you feel alright In these polarizing times where it's easy to be snide Jennings even offers a hand to "The Other Side"

Tonight the Empty Bottles got us all a little closer to heaven The basketball game's on the TV at the bar and we're praying to this kid named Kevin https://open.spotify.com/track/5sWoJ04JoVNY0C2m3ExE5C?si=gO8hlQSxR2yS30BS-dc2uA

Top Ten Albums of 2019