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.