Being that I have already reviewed most of the nominees for Album of the Year in depth, I thought it best to highlight my favorite tune from each record, a brief reason why and embed it here for you to enjoy (and of course link to those reviews for your reading pleasure here in this article). Many of these are already on my personal favorites list from this year, so it’s certainly a tough decision to make blind…or deaf.

So listen to these tracks, listen to the full records, buy the music of these incredibly gifted and wonderful artists. Your favorite mainstream artist was once a local, independent musician…so why not get behind one or all of these folks.

The Suitcase Junket – “Make Time” – There have been more than a few occasions in the past 10 months where I sat down to write a song, thought I had something brilliant and realized I was basically writing ‘Dauphine and Desire’. There is something so sincere and heartfelt in the way that Lorenz sings this song. Heart on his sleeve, leaving himself bare and vulnerable. The tone from his guitar, acoustic but with this hint of overdrive that is subtle but enough to really tap you into it. A gentle stroll into a man’s emotions that keeps attention, builds and falls again. Beautiful.

Jenee Halstead – “Edge of the World” ‘Juarez’ can be summed up in one phrase “chilling, sultry goodness that gives me shivers”. Cavernous and deep in its arrangement, with notes being allowed to ring deep and fill the space behind Halstead’s intriguing and siren like voice. There is an ethereal and out of body type of vibe to this music, especially this track in particular. Jenee is a powerhouse singer, but the delicate and restrained nature that she takes with this track makes it all the more sly and clever. The kind of music that you turn off all of the lights, put the record on and just listen without distraction.

Krista Baroni – “The Alabaster Girl” – Little Soul is one of the shortest songs I think I have ever had in an album review, but that’s what makes it all the most poignant and memorable. Baroni only needs a minute and a half to capture you and make you an instant fan. A slow picked, slightly off time guitar really makes the arrangement compelling. Baroni has a voice that is incomparable. I really don’t know any other contemporary artist with a similar tone and character. Plus, the way it flows so effortlessly into the follow up track on the record is some really smart assemblage of an album.

The Meadows Brothers – “Won’t be Troubled” – I am a sucker for a song that really tells a story. The brothers have a keen ability to really rock, whether it’s with just two guitars and two voices or introducing percussion and electric guitar, but it’s when they bring it down slow and mellow that the harmonies and tenderness of their music shines incredibly bright. Lonesome Pine Company is a great story song, the narrative is easy to follow and really portrays a sense of working in the wilderness, the loneliness and emotion that ensures, or perhaps something even deeper embedded in the tale.

Molly Pinto Madigan – “Wildwood Bride” – Madigan sings with a very delicate and innocent color to her voice. Secretive almost, lost in a wintery pine forest calling out to something lost. Bloom is a slow build where the other pieces of the arrangement shelter around Molly’s voice. Fragile, but not weak.  Madigan’s voice is airy and light. It has a delicate flow in the way it dances across the arrangements, yet it stands out.  She writes in a very poetic manner, and has words that you could read just as easily listen to.

Brown Bird – “Axis Mundi” – Tortured Boy…it destroys me.  If ever there was a song that could get to the heart of what it means to love and lose, its this. “I don’t want to bathe/ I’m afraid I’ll lose your smell”, that says it all right there. It is very difficult to listen to this record without being swept up in that emotion. That is something truly special. Something moving. Something that makes you feel human and all the vulnerability that comes along with it.

Daniel Miller – “East Tennessee” – Daniel Miller dances a tightrope wire. That which lies between the excellent production value of more popular Nashville style music, but there are no trucks and red solo cups in his words. He has a country man’s country voice, with a slight twang and break to it. Robust and strong.  “Tomorrow’s  Bloodshot Eyes”  delves deeper as he paints introspective stories over the soft cry of a pedal steel. Catchy, but lonesome. A great combination.

Danielle Miraglia “Glory Junkies” – Tear it Down has all the attitude and bluesy badassery that folks have come to know Miraglia for. She is singing her heart out, right up in your face on this tune. The licks on the dobro rolling underneath her spitfire and the tune moves along, breaks and then fills back in. Harmonica howling, foot stomping, deep down in your chest singing goodness.  Is this a river delta in the south? No, its just Boston’s badass songstress with another great tune.

OH YEAH, NOW VOTE!!!