In Memoriam….Before I get to my list, I want to remember five musicians who I have found personally important who passed away in 2024…

• Al Green.  Personally, my favorite ’70s soul singer of all time.
• Kris Kristofferson.  Me and Bobby McGee.  Sunday Morning Coming Down.  For the Good Times.  Those are just three reasons to remember this man.
• Percy Sledge.  Highly underrated soul singer whose name ought to be mentioned with the likes of Wilson Pickett, Curtis Mayfield, and Marvin Gaye.
• Ka.  Ka was an incredibly dense rapper who focused hard on lyrical content.   His work–all independently produced–was often obscure and challenging to listen to, but those who put in the effort were rewarded.  He was also a decorated NYC firefighter who was one of the first responders on 9/11.  He passed away suddenly this year at age 52.
• Phil Lesh.  Founding member and bass player for the Grateful Dead.  I lost count of how many GD shows I have seen.  Phil was a huge figure in my musical life.

50. Maxo Kream, Personification

49. Potter Payper, Nightmare Before Christmas

48. Adrianne Lenker, Bright Future

47. VStylez, Buddy Revell

46. Killer Mike, Songs for Sinners and Saints.

45. Arrested Development, Bullets In The Chamber

44. Clairo, Charm

43. Bloc Party, A Weekend In The City B-Sides.

42. Freddie Gibbs, You Only Die 1nce

41. Rapsody, Please Don’t Cry.

40. Guilty Simpson x Abstract Museum, Block Runners.

39. Oh Brother, Dawes.

38. Joell Ortiz, W.A.R.  and Tapestry (with Kxng Crooked).  Joell deserves much more love than he ever seems to get.  He’s been rapping for decades and is still putting out some his strongest work.

37. The Collective by Kim Gordon 

36. Arkells, Disco Loadout.  There’s nothing complicated here.  It’s just fun covers of mostly ’80s songs you’ve heard covered many times before (“Dancing in the Dark” and “I Want You Back,” e.g.).   But the enthusiasm and joy here is unmatched.  Great stuff.

35. The Game as a Supporting Player.  I’m old.  Game is still my “go to” for so many moods, and probably my favorite rapper in terms of the sheer number of times I listen to his work month-to-month.  This year, he took on the role of supporting character on two albums: Time, with Woodboy Gee, and Paisley Dream$, with Big-Hit.  There were smarter rap albums this year and ones with better beats but…These two have some of the highest play counts in my library.

If you like… The sound and mood of California old(er) school gangsta rap, check out Big-Hit and Hit-Boy’s father/son project, Black and White.

34. Black Keys, Ohio Players.  Not as groundbreaking as their earlier works, but still a solid entry into this band’s catalog.  I expected this to be all covers of Ohio Players songs, but after I got over that initial disappointment, I was hooked.  The cover of “Forgot to be a Lover” certainly helped.

33. Bob Vylan, Humble as the Sun.

32. Spoon, They Want My Soul.  A re-release with demos.

31.  Fontaine’s DC, Romance.

30. Zach Bryan, The Great American Bar Scene.  Americana.

29. The Last Dinner Party, Prelude To Ecstasy. Smooth, straight up rock and roll.  Excellent.

28. Britti, Hello I’m Britti.  Imagine if Sade was a younger British waif, and you’ll get a sense for what this terrific pop album is all about.

If you like … nerdily sexy female-fronted pop, check out Charly Bliss’ “Forever.”  It’s one of their best.

27. Eminem, The Death of Slim Shady.  Marshall argues with his violent alter ego, trying to justify his prior actions and hurtful words.  Em is always introspective, but he really seems to own his own past here–without minimizing or excusing it.

26. Thelonious Coltrane’s Remix Albums.  Remixes aren’t anything new to rap. They’ve been around every since Puff Daddy invented the remix.  And even before that, too.  What makes TC’s remixes so great is the respect and love he has for his subjects–dedicating entire albums to a single artist.  Before ’24, his selection usually focuses on grimey rappers–like all three Griselda founders getting an album (Conway got two), along with underground guys like elcamino and Mach Hommy.  But this year he branched out, offering a super-sized Freddie Gibbs album and another by Curren$y–in addition to his more typical selections (Joey Bada$$, Tha Mussalini, and Mickey Diamond).  He also offered Evidence, who is more old school than Coltrane’s standard lineup.  TC’s albums are like a “greatest hits” with beats that are sometimes very different, other times only subtly so, but every album serves as a great entry point for its focused rapper.

Best of all?  They’re free here!

25.  Jason Isbell, Live at the Ryman Vol. 2.How Jason is meant to be heard.

24. Bugzy Malone, The Great British Dream.  About as strong a British “pop/rap” album as you’ll find this year.

If you like .. Grime-adjacent UK rap, try Bashy’s “Being Poor is Expensive.”

23. Benny the Butcher is now the best Griselda rapper.  He released several projects this year.  None were bad, and these were excellent: Everybody Can’t Go and Shrouds Got No Pocketz.  His sequel with 38 Spesh, Stabbed and Shot 2, was also solid.

If you like … Griselda, Conway the Machine is still great, too.  I didn’t find 2024 to be his best year, but Slant Face Killah still really good.  I can definitely recommend it without reservation.  Oh, and Che Noir’s Lotus Child seemed to inexplicably fly under the radar.  It was really good.

22. Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration Of Tom Petty and the Bad Monkey Soundtrack.  I doubt there will be a day when I don’t feel like hearing a Tom Petty song, and we got two–TWO–solid Tom Petty cover projects in 2024.  Track-for-track it’s hard to say which was better–although Bad Monkey is two albums’ worth of music so it wins the contest just in terms of numbers.  The country collection is certainly more consistent in terms of sound and quality, but the Bad Monkey soundtrack takes more risks (which land more often than miss).  Standout Country cuts include Chris Stapleton’s “I Should Have Known It” and Dierk’s Bentley on the timeless “American Girl.”  As for Bad Monkey, Eddie Vedder doing Room at the Top was good (although Jason Isbell’s version on his recent Live From the Ryman 2 album was better) and Sharon Van Etten transforms “I Won’t Back Down.”  If you can’t pick between the two, why not buy both and support the production of even more Petty covers in the future?

If you like … Tom Petty covers, Jason Isbell’s latest Live at the Ryman volume has a most excellent cover of Tom Petty’s “Room at the Top.”  And if classic rock covers are your thing I recommend Everybody’s Getting Involved–a Talking Heads tribute.  Also, War on Drugs released an A/B side single this year with two Bruce Springsteen covers that are terrific.

21. Bruiser Wolf, My Stories Got Stories.  Bruiser Wolf is one of those “out there” rappers who can be funny and tragic all in the same few bars.  He’s like Danny Brown with a little less overt rage and a lot more sarcasm.

If you like it, try: Heems x Lapgan, “Lafandar.”

20. The Linda Lindas, No Obligation.  It’s been so gratifying to watch this band go from a lofi indie start-up to this latest album, which is their best so far.  It’s smart punk that remembers how much fun it can be to get pissed off and yell a lot.

If you like…modern punk, try Idles’ new album Tangk.  Idles is a reliable band that has never quite moved me beyond the casual listen, but I enjoyed this one more than their prior records.

19. Your Old Droog, Movie.  Another album from one of the day’s wittiest and most imaginative working MCs.  Virtually no features because YOD doesn’t need ’em.

If you like … “Movie,” go check out YOD’s back catalog.  Every album is amazing.  This man would be huge if the music industry still backed artists.  Thelonious Coltrane, who appears earlier on this list, even created a remixed “best of” Droog, which you can get, free, here.

18. Rachel Chinouriri, What a Devastating Turn of Events. This is one of those genre-busting rock/soul/folk albums that makes running a music blog so much fun.

If you like … creative folk, Cloud Cult’s Alchemy Creek continues this band’s streak of always making incredible albums.

17. MEGAN and Act II, both by Megan Thee Stallion.  MEGAN was Megan Thee Stallion’s first 2024 release, and it was an excellent showcase of her incredible mic skills.  But then she followed up with an even stronger collection titled Act II.  Megan doesn’t just make raunchy sex raps (although this album has some songs that are hot-as-fuck) and doesn’t just make girl empowerment anthems (but hers are best in class), she proves time and again that she’s one of the best in business today.  Not one of the best women, one of the best, period.

If you like … Tough female rappers who aren’t also afraid to be sexy, you might also like these albums, all of which owe Megan a debt: World Wide Whack (Tierra Whack); Dauntless Manifesto (CupcaKKe); Fine, Ho, Stay (Flo Milli).

16. Ella Langley, Hungover.  This has been a year of great modern country albums by women.  I’ve mentioned Morgan Wade elsewhere on this list (but “Shameless” is worth plugging twice).  Miranda Lambert continues to release reliable, solid, well-written records.  Ditto Lainey Wilson, whose “Whirlwind” is her third great one in a row.  And there’s always Beyonce, too … So why is Langley the one who made my list?  Because it’s the best of the lot.  The writing is both crisp and ironic while still staying lose to the traditional themes of the genre, her voice is unusual without being offbeat, and her delivery is perfect.  Plus, it’s her first album, so let’s give her a boost!

15. Vampire Weekend, Only God Was Above Us.  VW was a band who broke big and fast and then kind of got…Tepid.  This album is a wonderful return to form, their best since their first.

If you like … Indie stalwarts, Kim Deal is the mother of many of them.  I didn’t love “Nobody Loves You More” as many critics did, but it was definitely a solid addition to a storied career.

14. Skyzoo, Keep Me Company.  It’s true that Skyzoo never veers too far away from his jazzy sound, but why should he?  He’s got bars for days and the beats are terrific.

If you like … smart, different hip hop, Little Simz’s 2024 release, Drop 7, was one of her more experimental albums.  It wasn’t good enough to make my “best of the year” cut, but it’s definitely another strong entry into her catalog.

13.  Nilüfer Yanya, My Method Actor.  I can appreciate the mournful modern female singer songwriter sound that seems to be overly prevalent these days, but even the greatest of them (like Sharon Van Etten or Caroline Polachek) don’t stick with me the way this album did.  I never seemed to know where it was going, and couldn’t wait to hear what would happen next.

12.  MJ Lenderman, Manning Fireworks.   Honest indie rock.  This album kicks ass.

If you like… rootsy indie rock, check out The Gaslight Anthem, History Books. The album was return to form for a band that hasn’t had a truly great album in 11 years.  Springsteen himself appears on the record.

11.  MK.gee, Two Star & The Dream Police. 

About as fascinatingly eclectic as a debut album can be.  Indie, soul, smooth rock … This album defies description and is f-ing phenomenal, unique, and rewarding even after many listens.

If you like … music that keeps you guessing, check out Crack Cloud, Red Mile.  Spoon meets Gary Numan at a War On Drugs concert and decides to make the kind of album David Byrne would make if he were in his 20s today.

10. Stove God Cook$, Stop Callin’ Me I’m Cookin’. 

 

I was late to the game on Stove God, but the fact that the dude rarely releases any albums is partly an excuse.  Then this year, we get an amazing record plus a solid mixtape (“The Top Supplier”).  The sun may be setting on the upstate New York grime scene, but Cook$ is pure fire.

If you like this … You can try any of the Griselda or Griselda-adjacent releases this year.  In particular, 38 Spesh continues to be dependable (particularly his album with Grafh, “God’s Timing”), and RJ Payne is really turning into a great rapper.  Last year’s Barber Shop was an unsung marvel, and sits well alongside  “Guttr,” a joint album by Havok, Ras Kass and RJ Payne.

9. Sierra Ferrell, Trail of Flowers. 

 Sierra Ferrell has been making traditional-leaning country/bluegrass for quite some time now.  This year, she came into her own with a wonderfully authentic collection of songs that hew much closer to a folk sound.

If you like … old-fashioned country, you’ll dig Kaitlin Butt’s “Roadrunner” and the always reliable Kelsey Waldron’s EP, “There’s Always a Song,” which features duets with Amanda Shires and Margo Price, among others.

8. Johnny Blue Skies, Passage Du Desir. 

Sturgill Simpson has a new name and the best album of his career so far, with long-form songs that cross over smoothly from jam-based music to his own particular brand of country.

If you like … your country a little less experimental but appreciate strong songcraft, check out “Obsessed” by Morgan Wade.  Another great record from a lesser-known country rocker.

7. Mach Hommy, #RICHAXXHAITIAN.

Hommy is never easily accessible, but if you’re willing to put in the work to listen, his dense raps and gritty sounds are as good as ever on his latest album.

If you like … the grimy New York sound, check out Overlord Scooch–either his 2024 album or mixtape.  I know there’s lots of it out there.  Overlord’s lyricism lifts him high above the rest.

6. Doechii, Alligator Bites Never Heal

I know Beyonce will top most end-of-year lists, and I’ll agree that Cowboy Carter was good.  But this is the kind of hip hop hybrid that moves me: Offbeat, with street cred, solid bars and excellent music, and a message.  TDE tops my list, below, and that’s Doechii’s label. Right now, she’s the freshest thing on it.

If you like … A healthy dose of soul with your rap, check out “Old Soul New Conscience” by Raina Simone.  I started this blog decades ago as. away to promote unheard artists, and this album is exactly why.  It’s fantastic, classic-sounding New York City hip hop and soul.

5. The Cure, Songs of a Lost World.  

After 16 years of nothing, nobody was expecting a new album from this band.  What we got was the best work they’ve done since their peak in the ’80s.  Nothing here that didn’t expect from a Cure album, but that’s not a criticism or complaint.  Nobody is making this kind of thoughtful goth rock anymore.  Great to have them back.

If you like … Consistency in your blasts from the past, check out Pearl Jam’s, “Dark Matter.” It’s not as good of some of their other later-term albums and may not win over new fans, but it will satisfy the many fans they already have.

4. Marciology by Roc Marciano. 

This was the year I finally “got” Roc Marciano.  On the strength of this album, I dusted off my copies of Mt. Marci, Reasonable Drought, and his Rosebudd’s Revenge records.  All great.  I’m not sure why I wasn’t able to embrace him before, but I’m down with him now.

If you like…your street raps to also be a little deep and sophisticated, check out Boldy James’ 2024 album, Bricktionary and Ka’s, The Thief Next to Jesus.  Rest in Peace, Ka.

3. Masta Ace and Marco Polo, Richmond Hill. 

Masta Ace is my favorite rapper of all time, so I had that bias going in.  Even so, Richmond Hill is yet another example of dazzling wordplay, sophisticated ideas, and proof that rap can, in fact, grow up.  And still be awesome.

If you like … the mature boom bap of Masta Ace, Lupe Fiasco had a solid album this year called Samurai.

2. Hurray for the Riff Raff, The Past is Still Alive. 

Just a lovely album. The music and vocals are some of the best Riff Raff have ever produced, the content ranges from the esoteric to the intimate…Just lovely.

If you like … Smart and humble Americana/folk, give these albums a try: Blitzen Trapper, “100’s of 1000’s, Millions of Billions” and Caleb Caudle, “Sweet Critters.”

1. The Black Hippy Crew. 

First of all, 2024 is the year that Ab-Soul became the best rapper out of the old TDE crew.  As much as I love Kendrick’s surprise 2024 release (“GNX”), “Soul Burger” is fascinating, hilarious, challenging and brilliant.  Frankly, Schoolboy Q’s “Blue Lips” may not be as lyrically engaging as GNX, but if you go by texture and sonic themes, it’s truly groundbreaking.  So my #1 album of the year pick is actually all three of these records, each for different reasons.  GNX is smart and thought-provoking.  Blue Lips is bonkers.  Soul Burger is fast and insightful, rewarding repeat listens.  All three are excellent and are my #1 pick.  Deal with it.

But if I had to pick just one, it’s Ab-Soul.  Album of the year.  It is completely bizarre that no one else seems to be singing the praises of this record.

If you like … the big mainstream hip hop sound coupled with excellent wordplay and hilarious rage, you can’t go wrong finding the half-a-dozen songs that make up the 2024 rap war between Kendrick Lamar and Drake (and J. Cole).  On the one hand, I don’t want to encourage even more conflict in America.  On the other hand, the bars coming out in this battle were some of the most biting and laugh-out-loud funny I’ve heard since Pusha-T also battled Drake, several years ago.

 

  In Memoriam….Before I get to my list, I want to remember five musicians who I have found personally important who passed away in 2024… Al Green.  Personally, my favorite ’70s soul singer of all time. Kris Kristofferson.  Me and Bobby …