Best Music of 2022 - Part 3

I usually wrap up this list on New Year's Eve. This year, I actually tried to write this post on Christmas Eve, but then I got too busy and was traveling over the holidays. So, here I am finalizing this thing a couple days into the New Year.

As always, thanks for reading and Happy New Year!

5. Bonny Light Horseman - Rolling Golden Holy

My top two candidates for show of the year were Dirty Deeds (an AC/DC cover band) at the Breakaway in Danvers and Bonny Light Horseman at the Sinclair in Cambridge. The latter was an amazing show, and probably worthy of the honor, but the Dirty Deeds show was Little Chuck's first and he met the lead singer and lead guitarist.



4. American Aquarium - Chicamacomico



3. Pedro the Lion - Havasu



2. Cloud Cult - Metamorphosis

Cloud Cult's fifth top ten album ties them with The National, Wilco and Drive-By Truckers for the most in the history of this list. 



1. Anais Mitchell - Anais Mitchell

Anais Mitchell (also a member of Bonny Light Horseman) becomes the fifth person to make the top ten twice in the same year, and the first since Jay Bennett in 2002.

Best Music of 2022 - Part 2

And now for the top ten: 
 
10. Spiritualized - Everything Was Beautiful



9. First Aid Kit - Palomino



8. Craig Finn - A Legacy of Rentals



7. Death Cab for Cutie - Asphalt Meadows



6. Spoon - Lucifer on the Sofa

Best Music of 2022 - Part 1

2022 was another year that I placed less emphasis on new music than usual. It's probably because I'm getting old, but I've also reached a point where one partial listen to a new album is sometimes enough for a quick dismissal. It's possible I'm overlooking growers, but I've just reached a point where I just feel like spending more time with music I know I like.

Little Chuck's interest in music is another reason. He's still only into one band really -- AC/DC -- but he seems to be finding an appreciation for other music as well. But perhaps my musical highlight of the year is he started guitar lessons in March and has made amazing progress. I'm really excited to live vicariously through him on this one. 

All that being said, I still found 22 albums worth ranking in a year end list. So, without further ado, on to the first installment of my top 22 albums of 2022. 

22. Def Leppard - Diamond Star Halos

21. The Smile - A Light for Attracting Attention

20. Wilco - Cruel Country

19. Tomberlin - I Don't Know Who Needs to Hear This…

18. Camp Cope - Running With the Hurricane

17. MJ Lenderman - Boat Songs

16. The Reds, Pinks & Purples - Summer at Land's End

15. Pinegrove - 11:11

14. Stars - From Capelton Hill

13. Momma - Household Name

12. Drive-By Truckers - Welcome 2 Club XIII

11. Big Thief - Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You