2012 - Best of Americana Albums....(mostly) from America

Seeing as this is a blog about americana, alt-country and the like in Ireland, it wouldn't be fair of me to ignore music from the U.S.A. So here is a brief list of my favourite albums I have come across the last year. Like my previous post, the albums here may not have been released in 2012 however they came my way in 2012.

By the way if you are looking for some recent alt-country/americana albums to get into I recommend consulting these music blogs 2012 best of's as a good place to start: Americana Rock Mix, Nine Bullets, Twang Nation, Country Fried Radio and for a sound summary check out the No Depression site for a collation of various blogs best of's. So now that's that covered, here is my favourite 9 albums of the year.

The Pollies - Where the Lies Begin

Seamlessly moving between more pop sound of "Something New" and the straight-up alt-country of "Ashes of Burned Out Stars" this is a perfectly paced and structured album.

Lucero - Women & Work

A band that has been going for near 15 years, hailing from Memphis, these lads are what I think of when someone mentions country-soul (I'm afraid that Alabama Shakes train passed me straight by).

The Lumineers - The Lumineers

You may have heard this crowd on the radio over the past few months. Generating the same ecstatic buzz from some people on this side of the pond that Mumford and co. did in America last year, The Lumineers produce fine gospel tinged americana folk. The album is worth getting for "dead sea" alone. Like them quick before they become too popular

The Mastersons - Birds Fly South

Once the backing band of Steve Earle, the Mastersons broke out on their own this year with Birds Fly South. Full of warm melodies, amazing harmonies and some sorrowful lyrics this is americana at its best.

First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar

At the start of the year I never expected two sisters from Sweden would produce one of the americana albums of the year but Johanna and Klara Söderberg have done just that. Perfect harmonies on an album full of soulful songs.

Scott Miller - Reconstruction

Although he released a new album this year, I picked this Scott Miller album as it was my first introduction to his music. I only came across this man this year and this live album is a perfect introduction featuring songs from his previous albums and from his previous band the V-Roys. A great songwriter.

We are Augustines - Rise Ye Sunken Ships

Music that might be classed as on the edge of americana, We are Augustines are a three piece from New York that produce beautiful atmospheric songs.

Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires - There is a Bomb in Gilead

Formally of the now disbanded Dexateens, Lee Bains, who hails from Birmingham Alabama assembled a band and began working on new songs. Filled with impressive lyrics and full of country soul, this is modern southern rock.

River Giant - River Giant

No My Morning Jacket album this year. Wishing Neil Young and Crazy Horse new album sounded more like 1975, then this is the album for you. Good old-fashioned country-rock.

There you go. Have a listen. Let me know what you think.