2009 Album of the Year

This award may seen sort of arbitrary because I definitely have not listened to every major album release this year. However, my criterion are simple: I want to see something complex, something different, and some true talent. For that I turned to jam bands and classic rockers, the last bastion of rock n' roll prowess on Earth. Mainstream rock and pop are automatically excluded because, well, it's crap. Honestly, lyrics don't justify a band to me- I need some real musical talent. Rap is not eligible because to win album of the year you must be a form of music.

As mentioned before, the two top contenders this year are Derek Trucks Band with Already Free and Gov't Mule with By a Thread. Both albums are amazing in their own right and have some stupendous guitar work.

First, the runner-up. By a Thread is such a cool album. I honestly cannot say how much I love listening to this CD. The variety of styles on each track has something for everyone. In typical Warren Haynes fashion, there are plenty of heavy riffs and slick guitar solos. Jorgen Carlsson is amazing, he is exactly what the band needed and, in my opinion, is better than Andy Hess on average. Saying that this isn't the best album of the year because it wasn't something monumental like Dose would be incorrect. In fact, I think this is the best album produced by Mule since Woody passed away. However, considering what Mule typically does, this album falls right in line. The winner this year has something special that took me by total surprise and elicited a strong emotional reponse.

Already Free is a killer. There is a special bluesy attitude to every track, and the entire album exudes this feeling of uplifting. I always break into a smile when I hit play on this sucker (which has been probably 50 times or more this year). Derek Trucks' slide work is top-notch, he has handily earned his distinction as the best slide guitarist currently alive. There are so many tracks on this album that get you tapping your foot and singing along. All of the vocals and harmonies are superb, and the song featuring Trucks' wife on leads vocals is so full of depth and deeper meaning. One of my favorite tracks is "Get What You Deserve", I've never heard anything quite like it, and really love the band's dynamic on this track. In short, the group feels so tight on this album and they pretty much scored a touchdown with every single track. Anyone who doesn't own a copy of this album should probably make their next move to be to the record store to pick one up. Once you start listening, you'll replay it over and over until you have every song in your heart.

Both of these albums should be purchased by all lovers of music, and the Gov't Mule album has a slight caveat to being runner-up: if I was asked to recommend which band to see live if they could only choose one I would immediately tell them to see Mule. Derek Trucks is great to see live, but after hearing both albums' material played live, Mule does a much better job of improvising on it and putting together a more involving show. Every show of theirs is something great, and they don't disappoint to this day. Warren Haynes has such a large library of songs to choose from that you never know what might get played or who might be guest-starring in a show. Derek Trucks plays a little more closely to the album, but aside from Already Free his material might be a little too offbeat for most people, including me.

Rating something higher than music from my favorite band was difficult, but I think Already Free deserves recognition due to the unique style and memorable licks which immerse the listener and virtually place him in the Trucks home studio with the band. Bravo, after all this 2010 is going to seem quite dull.

Review: "By A Thread" - Gov't Mule

Halfway through this week I took delivery of the new Gov't Mule album, "By a Thread." Now, anyone who knows me will confirm that Mule is my favorite band to listen to and to attend concerts for. However, I was slightly disappointed that they released a new album so close to the end of 2009. Why? Earlier this year, Derek Trucks Band released a killer album, "Already Free." When I had listened to that album I said it was hands down the best album of 2009, perhaps unless the Mule released an album. Well, here it is.
This is a preview of the album that I pieced together to give you a sampling of the flavor of this disc:



The Review:
Needless to say, this album is awesome. Warren Haynes and gang never fail to impress me, and with Jorgen Carlsson onboard they have a new style at bass which is immediately apparent from the first few seconds of this album. All of the guitar work is stellar, and is somewhat of a depart from the power trio style of before. Everything sounds a bit more full, with more layers of guitar and keyboard than previously. Also, just like Already Free, Gov't Mule decided to try a more bluesy tone, although Mule remains a Southern Rock band whereas Derek Trucks lays down a set of Delta Blues tunes that cannot be rivaled in today's music scene.

One of the things I love about "Already Free" is that I don't really have that 'least favorite' track, the one that I always skip. Every since track on that album is great, and for the most part "By A Thread" is the same way. Their last album, "High and Mighty" had a few tracks that dragged on- and for a jam band, Mule is quite capable of avoiding that effect.

Obviously hearing the music for yourself is the best judge of the album, so commenting on detail is pointless. Warren busts out some amazing slide riffs on this album, but does seem to use the same tone for most of the slide licks. Not that it is a bad thing, because his tone is beautiful, but he isn't able to diversify as much as he did in "Dose" or their self-titles album. Either way, Warren Haynes gets better at playing every day, and does not disappoint.

My final verdict on this album is: 9.0/10.0
It isn't perfect, but it will definitely get many listens and should be in every jam band, southern rock, or blues lovers' collection. If you have $15, you would be foolish not to get this album.
As for whether it will win the Best of 2009 award (to be awarded in December), all I can say is that I am still heavily contemplating passing up an album by my favorite band for one of the best blues albums of all time. (Spoiler?)