The Top Ten Albums Of 2020

This has certainly been a weird year. When it started, we couldn't have known we were in store for a pandemic, months of isolation, and a sea change in how the music industry would release music and survive. This could very well turn out to be a watershed year, an occasion where everything was upended and reordered, when the music industry was forced into a new paradigm. Of course, this could also turn out to be a temporary bend in the through-line of history, as our psychology could be obstinate enough to push us into reverting back to 'normal', as if to prove a point.

What I can say with certainty is that this year's releases were put in an uncomfortable position. No one knew whether or not to release new music into the world's upheaval. Some forged on with their albums as they were scheduled, others delayed releasing new music until they thought we would be out of the shadow of doom, while others were busy making music during this time. We got a bit of all of that, and while the effects of this year's delays will still be felt next year, there was still enough music being released this year to fill our time.

Personally, I am thankful to those bands and artists that saw fit to provide us with diversions from the news, who realize their albums do not need to be on planes and in trucks on their way to us in order to sell concert tickets whenever that will again be possible. We may or may not ever be 'normal' again, but we still have music, and sometimes that is all we need.

And so, with that being said, here are my picks for the best music of 2020, as I heard it.

10. Xtasy - Eye Of The Storm

It's funny how I tend to like the records Erik Martensson from Eclipse makes outside of his own band the most. He contributed to the writing of this one, and it shows in many of the melodies. This is sparkling melodic rock, full of bright energy and strong hooks. It can take some adjusting to the accented vocals, but there are some real gems to be found here. This record went under the radar almost everywhere I saw, and that's a shame, since it's a strong set of songs. It's one of those albums that didn't sound like much at first, and then continued to grow on me.

9. One Way North - To Light

Modern rock can be a slog to sit through, with countless bands playing the exact same, dour misery. That is why One Way North was so refreshing, as they made a modern sounding rock record that is definitely ready for the mainstream, but doesn't suck out your will to live. Using the blueprint of Mark Tremonti's solo band, One Way North writes even better songs. There are big guitars, big hooks, and a quality about the whole record that rises well above their stature.

8. Serenity - The Last Knight

Power metal has not had much to cheer about in recent years, and that has included the very hit-or-miss Serenity. With this album, they have finally put together an entire album that lives up to their potential. They have always had a couple of songs on every record that are inescapable in your memory, but this is the first time it extends from beginning to end. This is easily their best album, and the best power metal album of the year. As was the case earlier in the list, the only issue is that these are songs about knights and battle, which don't give me anything to relate to, so the record is enjoyable without being relevant.

7. Creeper - Sex, Death, & The Infinite Void

After a great emo-punk debut, Creeper through open their wings and decided to see how far they could stretch. The result is a record that dabbles in many areas of their previous identity, as well as glam, soul, and 70s rock. There's everything from a church revival sing-along to a Motown meets Meat Loaf mini-epic. Despite the diversity, everything still has Creeper's DNA running through it. Evolving is a difficult challenge for a band, and Creeper have done it in spectacular fashion. Their potential is nearly limitless.

6. Lykantropi - Tales To Be Told

I keep wanting to love the retro/vintage rock bands, because I prefer the organic sound and production that comes along with it, but so few of those bands write great songs. Lykantropi blossom on this album, giving us an album that sounds timeless in both senses of the word. The music is a lovely brand of vintage, where the guitars have just the right amount of gain. But the key is the atmosphere. This record is charming, inviting, with a sense of sitting around a campfire at night, listening to beautiful harmonies. This record is a bit of a warm hug on a cold night.

5. Harem Scarem - Change The World

Few bands release their best album decades into their career, but Harem Scarem did that with "United", and they've come back with a record every bit as good. Right now, they are at the apex of melodic rock. Song after song, they churn out effortless sounding tracks with massive choruses that would have been sung back to them by thousands at a time back in the 80s. This also happens to be an album with a bright, optimistic sound that was much needed in this year's darker moments. It's a feel-good record that hits the spot.

4. Spanish Love Songs - Brave Faces Everyone

This album has been critically acclaimed, and yes, it is for good reason. This album is dynamic, powerful, and such a massive leap forward for the band it's truly shocking. Song for song, it's one of the strongest collections of huge hooks and ardent vocals of the year. If we are looking for a soundtrack to 2020, we might not be able to find better than this record, which sums up the desperation and hopelessness so many feel. Personally, I can't relate to most of the lyrical themes of abuse, addiction, and struggle, but the whole package is more than the sum of the parts. Even if you only take it as a "fuck you" to 2020, it's a hell of a ride.

3. Taylor Swift - Folklore

Color me shocked. I did not think Taylor Swift making a somber indie-rock record was a good idea, and yet here I am heaping praise on it. As it turns out, stripping away the pretext of being a pop star striving for hits is exactly what Taylor needed. She is a great songwriter, and a record that puts the spotlight on her songcraft has redeemed the last few years of disappointment. Taylor's vocal range perfectly fits the more intimate production, and her melodies stand out even more against the sparse arrangements. Not only is it a shock to hear her dropping multiple f-bombs, but it's a shock to hear once again how Taylor Swift is able to subvert expectations and deliver a record that I can't seem to forget.

2. Allen/Olzon - Worlds Apart

Carrying on the legacy of the Allen/Lande albums, Russell Allen is paired on this record with Anette Olzon, who gives him an even better partner to sing with. Magnus Karlsson delivers his best album of songs in nearly a decade, and the blend of their voices is magical. This is a rare duet album where the two vocalists work perfectly together, but also bring radically different qualities to the table. Melodic metal doesn't get any better than this. The only thing that could have made it better was more interaction between Allen and Olzon. Their magic is used sparingly, and I kept wanting even more.

1. Yours Truly - Self Care

Last year, Dream State came in at #2 on my list with an album that was the catharsis when we reach the light at the end of the tunnel. "Self Care" is that kind of album, and it was desperately needed this year. Yours Truly gave us an album that is the sound of working through your problems, learning to understand yourself, and realizing we can still have hope for better days ahead. Self-improvement isn't an easy thing to capture in music, and it's even harder to make it also sound appealing, but that's what Yours Truly has accomplished. "Self Care" is a candy-coated emo/pop-punk/alternative record full of bright guitars and infectious hooks, but the sugar is masking the bitter pill of truth we are trying not to swallow. This record makes it easier to admit to the truth, it reminds us there's nothing wrong with not being who or where you want to be, because there is no end point. Every day is a journey toward something better, and "Self Care" is the soundtrack for the ride. I think that is vitally important, and that's why Yours Truly has made the best album of 2020.