RICHARD SKANSE
SORTA
Sorta
Summer Break
There were bigger and bolder records released out of Texas in 2008, but none that I reached for quite as often or that moved me half as much as this one. Sorta is, on one level, a record that will forever be haunted by the memory of band member Carter Albrecht’s death prior to its completion. But more than anything, it’s a testament to the spirit-lifting power of music too beautiful to be beaten down even in the face of tragedy.
THE DEDRINGERS
Sweetheart of the Neighborhood
Dedcrow
I was slow to embrace this one, too stubborn to admit that rock ’n’ roll this stone-cold perfect could be made by two guys not much older than the Jonas Brothers. But remembering that Jagger, Richards, Dylan, Young, Van Zandt and Parsons — all obvious influences — weren’t much older when they were cranking out their most enduring music knocked that chip clear off my shoulder. Sweetheart of the Neighborhood is an American beauty of an album that will still sound timeless when Jonny Burke and Sean Faires are old enough to collect Social Security.
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
Real Animal
Back Porch
Undeniable proof that no artist’s best work is ever in the rearview mirror; there’s always the promise and possibility of something grander, even if it’s never fully achieved. Real Animal is the sound of Escovedo finding that artistic El Dorado after a lifelong journey and celebrating in bewilderment.
TERRI HENDRIX
Left Over Alls
Wilory
A collection of outtakes, retakes and previously unreleased originals and covers that is every bit as fresh and inspired as any of Hendrix’s “real” albums, with “Be Willing” standing out as the most beautiful song she’s written to date.
GRAHAM WEBER
The Door to the Morning
www.grahamweber.com
The first half of Weber’s third album is merely very good; the second half, though, is downright devastating. He folds sadness, longing and regret into beauty like poetic origami.
GEOFFREY HIMES
JAMES McMURTRY
Just Us Kids
Lightning Rod
McMurtry not only released the year’s best album by any artist from any state or nation, but also delivered 2008’s best live shows — an improbable blend of loud, droning guitars, twitchy rhythms and subtle character studies. The same blend can be heard on this remarkable record, an odd mix of skepticism about the human race and a stubborn affection for its members. The title track punctures every illusion about the baby-boomer generation even as it sympathizes with every self-deluding one of them. And “Ruby and Carlos” conjures up two characters who will haunt your sleep as much as they haunt each other.
JON DEE GRAHAM
Swept Away
Freedom
This soundtrack from the documentary film about Graham is the best possible introduction to his music. I was an unpaid talking head in the movie, but when I claimed on camera that Graham is as talented an American musician as we have today, I was merely echoing what I had said in print many times. The proof is in these live performances delivered with a ferocity aimed not just at the listener but at the singer himself, all too aware of his own failings.
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
Real Animal
Back Porch
The Boxing Mirror, Escovedo’s comeback record after he nearly died from hepatitis C, was respectable and encouraging; but only with this new album has he returned to the transcendent heights of his past. Entirely co-written with Steely Dan-ish songwriter Chuck Prophet, Real Animal is a triumphant re-examination of Escovedo’s musical past, complete with odes to Iggy Pop and the Nuns. Prophet supplies the pop hooks and craft and Escovedo supplies the ghostly Velvet-Underground-meets-Los-Lobos depth. “Always a Friend” is the Rolling Stones anthem he has always wanted to write.
THE ROY HARGROVE QUINTET
Earfood
GROOVIN’ HIGH/EMARCY
On this album, Dallas trumpeter Hargrove revives the sound of the early-’60s Jazz Messengers when his hero Freddie Hubbard held the trumpet chair. This is retro-jazz done right, with grooves that cook, tunes that never disappear and lots of heady improvisation. As he matures, the virtuoso Hargrove is less worried about playing a million notes and more worried about singing seductively through his horn to a woman — or to an audience. Here he comes through loud and clear.
LEE ANN WOMACK
Call Me Crazy
MCA NASHVILLE
The daughter of a Jacksonville, Texas, disc jockey, Womack understands the tradition of country music better than almost anyone on Music Row. She understands that to make convincing adult music — which is what real country music is — you need to be honest about marriages falling apart and paychecks coming up short. That’s just what she does on this terrific record. The production may be Nashville modern but the voice is timeless. When that lovely soprano exhales a fleeting sigh of despair in the midst of a gorgeous vocal, it’s as if the floor has been yanked out from beneath you.
LYNNE MARGOLIS
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
Real Animal
Back Porch
Teaming with Chuck Prophet to compose a geographical travelogue of his career was an inspired move; teaming with producer Tony Visconti was another. Writing a single that sounds as if it came out of Springsteen’s head was even better. Next up: Al and Iggy. It could happen.
THE MOTHER TRUCKERS
Let’s All Go to Bed
Funzalo
Aside from the humor inherent in this band’s very name, much less attitude, their mash-up of rock and roots and country and pop — and Teal Collins’ show-stopping vocals on the cover of Billy Joe Shaver’s “When I Get My Wings” — is plenty of reason to love them.
JAMES McMURTRY
Just Us Kids
Lightning Rod
With a refreshing injection of melody into his usual talking delivery and a slash of devastating ache, Just Us Kids reaffirms McMurtry’s position as one of the truest Zeitgeist interpreters of our time.
HAYES CARLL
Trouble in Mind
Lost Highway
When Lost Highway picked him up, he was an unknown. With this release, he’s sure not anymore. He’s also matured — but, fortunately, he hasn’t lost his sense of humor.
THE DEDRINGERS
Sweetheart of the Neighborhood
Dedcrow
The bluesy young Dedringer duo’s debut is a cool, rootsy meeting of Ryan Adams and Keith Richards. But really, this one should have been a tie; honorable mention has to go to Jon Dee Graham’s Swept Away, the work of a man who finds incredible poetry in the tiniest of details.
ROB PATTERSON
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
Real Animal
Back Porch
This personal musical history is everything rock ’n’ roll should be in 2008, from raucous and righteous to sweet moments of repose and reflection. Not just his best, but one of the best albums of 2008 from Texas, as well as the rest of the globe.
HAL KETCHUM
Father Time
Curb
Texas can still claim Hal, right? And so we should, as he has made the finest country album in ages, and did it in two days, direct to two-track, with some of Nashville’s finest acoustic players and his strongest singing and set of songs ever.
TODD SNIDER
Peace Queer
Aimless
Former Texas local Snider tackles politics with his typically twisted wit and cheeky spirit. In a contentious and deadly serious presidential election year, this was the musically righteous comic relief we needed.
DANA FALCONBERRY
Oh Skies of Grey
00:02:59
On her first full-length album, this Austin songstress has come up with an utterly original, world-class collection of beautiful, smart, poetic and deliciously musical songs.
THE SERVICE INDUSTRY
Keep the Babies Warm
SAUSPOP
On their third disc, this conglomeration of Austin rock-scene vets transcends its delightfully wicked take on day jobs for a sharp ’n’ smart pop-rock rumination with everything from punk to psychedelic strains on being an American working-class peasant.
DOUG FREEMAN
SHEARWATER
Rook
Matador
A breakout album in every sense. The Austin group finally achieves the expansive sonic sound to match Jonathan Meiburg’s hauntingly stunning vocal range.
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
Real Animal
Back Porch
The venerable Texas icon crafts perhaps his best work in sweeping retrospective fashion. Bruisingly hard and honest rock anthems cut against beautifully sad and celebratory ballads.
BALMORHEA
Rivers Arms
Western Vinyl
This sophomore album from Austin instrumentalists Balmorhea breathes stunningly behind added string arrangements. Bolstered by classical sensibilities and ambient textures, the songs are intricate yet direct epiphanies.
LEATHERBAG
Love and Harm
Superpop!
Trading in his folk roots for jangly, ragged guitar pop, this Austinite’s second CD continues to display impressive songwriting growth by pushing classic sounds in new directions.
BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Fortunately
Calla Lily
Will and Lily Courtney capture classic California pop with Texas-front-porch ease, further benefiting from the added swagger of Ray Jackson’s pedal steel. Where the Byrds meet the Jayhawks.
JOHN T. DAVIS
WALTER HYATT
Some Unfinished Business
Volume One
The late, great Uncle Walt’s Band frontman had no equal when it came to seductively combining jazz, country, blues and folk. No wonder he was one of Lyle Lovett’s mentors.
MARCIA BALL
Peace, Love and BBQ
Alligator
Ball’s Austin-to-New Orleans connection keeps rolling along like a musical Highway 90, courtesy of her inexhaustible piano and bluesy vocals.
WILLIE NELSON AND WYNTON MARSALIS
Two Men with the Blues
Blue Note
Finally, a Willie Nelson duet album worth getting excited about. Nelson, a natural jazz singer, sounds like he’s having a dead-solid ball, as does the habitually dour Marsalis.
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
Real Animal
Back Porch
Escovedo was literally born again after a life-threatening bout of hepatitis C, and this rocking album is a full-throated affirmation of all that this old sweet world has to offer.
HAYES CARLL
Trouble in Mind
Lost Highway
“She Left Me For Jesus” is my hands-down favorite single this year, and the rest of the album is right up there, too. Carll is moving to the head of the Texas singer-songwriter class by leaps and bounds.
CINDY ROYAL
OLD 97’s
Blame It On Gravity
New West
The perennial favorites continue to define their own genre of Texas country-punk-pop. Highlights are the driving “The Fool” and “My Two Feet,” demonstrating Rhett Miller’s unique vocal range, from sexy ache to rock-star wail.
BRENT ADAIR
Ostrich
www.brentadair.com
The finest album of 2008 that you probably aren’t listening to (yet). It’s fresh, at times fun and quirky (“If I Could Sleep”) and capable of penetrating your soul (“Inside Me”). Like Death Cab and the Shins at their acoustic best.
OKKERVIL RIVER
The Stand Ins
Jagjaguwar
Okkervil River delivers more on celebrity, fame and seafaring with another package of lyrically intelligent and playful acoustic folk-rock tunes. Somehow, though, the gig doesn’t get old, because it’s done so well. There’s a provocative nature here that makes you want the conversation to go on.
HAYES CARLL
Trouble in Mind
Lost Highway
Hayes Carll has a way of writing traditional country songs with a sly wink and a nudge without being condescending to the genre. He’s smart and funny, so he can pull it off. The video for the irreverent “She Left Me For Jesus” is a hoot.
THE STEPS
The Steps
www.wearethesteps.com
If you like your bands as cute as the Jonas Brothers, but with the soul of Keith Richards and the heart of Paul Westerberg, these guys are for you. Sure, they’re young, but rockin’ tunes (try “Cold Floors”) and corresponding attitude make them totally legit.
