Best Of 2021
(strictly for fun and heated argument)
By Peter Jesperson
By any measure 2021 was a strange and challenging year for us all. As for my music consumption, I spent much of the year looking back, for two reasons; generally speaking for a lengthy writing project I’m working on; and specifically for a 40th anniversary set of The Replacements’ 1st album that I helped put together. Which at least partly explains why, as I tallied my favorites near the year’s end, I realized my list was much shorter than usual and that there were less new releases. Speaking of looking back, I think it was a particularly remarkable year for archival reissues.
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Releases from my old hometown were especially inspiring and plentiful this year so I’ll begin there.
The Suburbs – Poets Party
I’ve loved all The Suburbs recordings from their first in 1978 and this one stands with their very best. The singing by longtime keyboardist, primary songwriter and lead vocalist Chan Poling is exquisite. The Suburbs have often been referred to as “The Midwestern Roxy Music,” which isn’t untrue, but they’re so much more than that.
Steve Almaas – Everywhere You’ve Been
This was an album that was never far from my stereo all year long. It’s a textbook example of how to bridge art and craft in writing and performance. The former Suicide Commandos/Crackers/Beat Rodeo bassist/guitarist/vocalist/songwriter has leaned country-rock for quite some time now and this will stand with the finest work of any kind that he’s done in his 46 year career.
(https://www.amazon.com/Everywhere-youve-been-Steve-Almaas/dp/B08WZ5PC21)
Fingerprints – Where The Beat Goes On
This formidable quintet was one of the first signings to the Twin/Tone label in 1978. Featuring a powder keg of a front man, a formidable rhythm section and three of the finest guitarists in local music history, Fingerprints held a position along with the very best bands in the Twin Cities. Their live shows were complex and explosive. This is a compilation of tracks they were working on for an LP that sadly was never finished, meticulously restored by the band’s guitarist/studio engineer Mike Owens. Twenty-four tracks that substantially add to the story of the remarkably rich late 70s music scene in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
(https://blackberrywayrecords.com/album/2011919/where-the-beat-goes-on)
Robb Henry – Five By One (EP)
The first solo release by the Fingerprints co-founder. I’ve marveled at Robb’s playing since we were in junior high together, a truly gifted guitarist. This instrumental EP is a lesson in perfection. Four original pieces and a gorgeous arrangement of The Stones’ “Lady Jane.”
Gary Louris – Jump For Joy
Gary’s work is so consistently great it’s never surprising to me when a new album from him lands in my ‘most played category’ for any year, but there’s an extra sparkle to this one. Maybe the additional edge it has stems from Gary playing and singing everything you hear on it but I would also point out the expert mixing, courtesy of Boston’s Paul Q. Kolderie.
(https://www.garylourismusic.com)
Joe Fahey – February On Ice
Joe has been quietly and modestly making excellent records for many years under various guises and this album might just be his best to date.
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1. Angus & Julia Stone – Life Is Strange
Beguiling Australian brother-sister folk-rock artists Angus & Julia Stone delivered their fifth album with no physical components (yet) as a soundtrack to a new video game Life Is Strange – True Colors. If that sounds off-putting or slight, the actual audio experience is anything but. This is yet another full-on Angus & Julia masterpiece, with all the delicacy, brilliance, and simplicity of their best work. Their music doesn’t worry itself with concerns of career moves or expectations, it’s all about the feel. I cannot wait to hear these songs performed live.
(https://angusandjuliastone.com)
2. Daniel Romano – Kissing The Foe
- Cobra Poems
- Fully Plugged In (Live)
‘Foe’ is Daniel playing and singing most everything while ‘Cobra’ and ‘Fully’ feature Daniel’s stellar band of the last few years, the Outfit. IMO ‘Foe’ is the best of the two studio efforts. ‘Fully’ is an astounding and fierce performance that reminds me of the last live show I saw Romano and company do (at The Moroccan here in LA back in February of 2019), which quite literally took my breath away. On this recording however, the previously 4-piece band welcomes a new 5th member - vocalist, Julianna Riolino, who brings much to the table. I’m hard pressed to imagine a more compatible vocal partner for Daniel, it’s uncanny how well their voices work together. The best examples of Julianna’s work on this record are her harmonies on “Impossible Green” and “All The Reaching Trims” and her duet with Dan on “The One That Got Away.” The fact that this live set included The Kinks magnificent anti-organ transplant song, ”God’s Children,” and the sly brief reference to The Creation’s “Making Time” (at about 1:08) in “Anyone’s Arms” is further evidence of Dan’s impeccable taste. A live streaming show that mirrored this live album’s set list was broadcast on March 6th of ’21. It was ridiculously exciting to watch, and the sound was the best I’ve heard on a livestream to date. Daniel and his Outfit rank at the top of my list of live groups of this era, alongside other favorites, The Angus & Julia Stone Band, and The Unthanks.
(https://danielromano.bandcamp.com)
3. Bob Weatherall & Halfway with William Barton – Restless Dream
Another brilliant and admirable move on the part of the criminally overlooked Brisbane octet, Halfway. Spearheaded by guitarist John Willsteed (former bassist for The Go-Betweens), this is a collaboration with their friends, Indigenous leader Bob Weatherall and William Barton, an Aboriginal didgeridoo player. As their website says, “It tells the story of the repatriation of Aboriginal remains.” A song called “We Are Gone” was one of my most played of the year. An extremely moving musical history lesson.
4. Michigander
– Everything Will Be OK Eventually (6-song EP) 2021
- Where Do We Go From Here (5-song EP) 2019
- Midland (6-song EP) 2018
The brainchild of main-Michigander-man, Jason Singer – a prolific songwriter/lead singer/guitarist, with a disarmingly warm, friendly personality and a dynamite band behind him. Skillfully written, catchier-than-all-get-out pop-rock. Jennifer and I only discovered them in ’21. We loved the recordings, then saw them live - on their first LA performance in October - and that was final proof. Indisputably real contenders. I was late to the Michigander party so include their two previous EPs above, just cos they’re so damn great.
(https://www.michiganderband.com)
5. NRBQ – Dragnet
A national treasure for over 50 years and still one of the best rock ‘n roll bands on the planet. And Dragnet is their best in years. Hat’s off to Omnivore for putting this one out!
6. Tristen - Aquatic Flowers
What can I say? I’m a sucker for Tristen’s music, and have been since her first record. She hit new highs with the last two so I was concerned this one might have a hard time living up to them. My worries were all for naught.
(https://tristen.bandcamp.com)
7. The War On Drugs – I Don’t Live Here Anymore
There’s great joy and great comfort in the music Adam Granduciel and company make. It is music to lose yourself in. Album #5 doesn’t deviate too much from their template but that’s OK. They subtly refine as they go and the soulful mix of guitars and synthesizers in their sprawling rock songs is something that always sounds beautiful and inspiring to me.
(https://www.thewarondrugs.net)
8. Paul Kelly’s Christmas Train
I live with a Christmas fanatic but must admit, Christmas music isn’t something I delve into deeply. This album is an exception. The song selection was carefully curated and includes things I had never heard before, which really got my attention. And Paul magnanimously invited other lead singers in. Linda Bull’s vocal on Darlene Love’s classic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” is exceptional. The version of “Silent Night” (including a verse in the original German) is a favorite. And I was knocked out that Paul chose to cover The Band’s “Christmas Must Be Tonight.” I’ll have no problem playing this Christmas record all year long.
(https://www.paulkelly.com.au)
Singles, EPs, etc.
Phoebe Bridgers
- That Funny Feeling (cover of the Bo Burnham song)
- Day After Tomorrow (cover of the Tom Waits song)
- Friday I’m In Love (Cure cover - Mojo Sampler/Recorded at Spotify Studios NYC)
- Seize The Day (Paul McCartney cover)
-“Nothing New” – Phoebe’s duet with Taylor Swift (as featured on the re-do of Taylor’s album Red) is one of the best things I heard all year.
(https://phoebefuckingbridgers.com)
Labrys (feat. Penny Pitchlynn from Broncho)
- Outta My Head
- Under A Spell
(https://labrys.bandcamp.com/music)
Wet Leg
- Chaise Longue
(https://www.wetlegband.com)
Angus & Julia Stone
- Hark The Herald Angels Sing
(https://angusandjuliastone.com)
Mick Jagger/Dave Grohl
– Easy Sleazy
(apparently, not available for sale anywhere!)
Reissues, Box Sets, Compilations, etc.
The Beatles – Let It Be – Super Deluxe Box Set
John Lennon Plastic Ono Band – The Ultimate Collection Box Set
George Harrison – All Things Must Pass 50th Anniversary Box Set
Neil Young – Canterbury House Ann Arbor, MI 10/16/69 – 3 sets!
(from the Concert Performance Timeline on Neil Young Archives)
Various Artists - Bob Dylan Revisited -14 Of His Greatest Songs Reinterpreted For Uncut (Free cover mount CD with June issue)
Bob Dylan – 1970 (compilation)
Bob Dylan – Springtime In New York (Bootleg Series #17)
The Who – Sell Out – Super Deluxe Edition Box Set
Supergrass – In It For The Money 2021 Remaster (3CD Set)
Various Artists - I’ll Be Your Mirror – A Tribute To The Velvet Underground & Nico
Alex Chilton And The Hi Rhythm Section – Boogie Shoes: Live On Beale Street
Wire – PF 456 Redux
Live (in LA except as otherwise noted)
January 21 - Phoebe Bridgers - Band Is In Town live stream
February 13 - Tommy Stinson - live stream
14 - Tristen live stream from The 5 Spot
27 - Mick Rock (photographer) live stream interview
March 6 - Daniel Romano's Outfit live stream
May 5 - Chuck Prophet live stream interview/Q&A
13 - Rockfield: The Studio on the Farm documentary @ Van Nuys Drive-In Theater
22- 24 - Bob Dylan at 80 - Virtual Conference
July 17 - Roger McGuinn - Fred Kavali Theater
18 - Bob Dylan - Shadow Kingdom live stream
September 16 - Van Dyke Parks - Zoom interview
18 - Hamilton - Pantages Theater
24 - Lucy Dacus - Theater at The Ace Hotel
October 6 - Michigander! - El Cid
21 & 22 - Phoebe Bridgers & Band - Greek Theater
26 - The Nic Skrabak Band - USC House Party
November 9 - Son Of The Velvet Rat - Hotel Café
12 - Katie Pruitt - Hotel Café
19 - Tommy Stinson - Silverlake Community Church
25, 26, & 27 - The Beatles - Get Back (streaming Disney +)
December 14 – Wet Leg – The Moroccan
In The Can’t Not Mention Department
The Beatles – Get Back – documentary
Eight of the best hours of my life.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles:_Get_Back)
The Replacements - Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash 40th Anniversary set
100 songs, 67 unreleased, on 4 CDs & 1 Vinyl LP plus a 24-page booklet. A gargantuan project that was a joy to be a part of. To my ears these recordings stand the test of time and sound every bit as good as they did in 1981.
Phoebe Bridgers – The Greek Theater – October 21st & 22nd
Her first full performances in LA since the pandemic hit, Phoebe pivoted gracefully from doing local shows to concerts. These two sold out nights at the Greek (5,900 x 2) fell at the end of a 26-date national tour and she received a mighty hero’s welcome from the hometown crowd. I had worried in advance about how her more delicate, quiet songs would come off in the relatively large venue but my concern was unwarranted - you could have heard the proverbial pin drop on every one of ‘em. About six or seven songs into the set my boy Autry exclaimed, “I didn’t think I could love her any more than I already did but … I do!” Her band was spectacular and the animated ‘pop-up book’ backdrop was so artfully done, it made the night feel even more like an event. As close to perfect as live shows get. The highlight? That voice.
Follow The Music by Jac Holzman and Gavan Dawes
The story of Elektra Records and founder, Jac Holzman. One of the best books on music that I’ve ever read. Originally published in 1998, I’d had it in my library for years but, for no good reason, just hadn’t read it until 2021. It’s done oral history-style so there are actually many voices besides Jac’s, and that serves to tell a well-balanced version of events. It was an absolute page-turner for me, I could not put it down. I read more passages out loud to Jennifer than any other book for as long as we’ve known each other. I came away from it thinking Jac Holzman may be the greatest record label head of all-time, a true visionary.