Favorite Albums of 2025

Long time no blog. As anyone that knows me can tell you, I tend to serve no favorite albums list (of any given year) before its time. I like to wait at least until the year is over. Truth be told, seldom do any late year releases alter my list but it does give me time to check other lists for albums that may pique my interest. Even then, it's not often that my Top 10 will change. The only shakeup here occurred last minute when I decided to go with Big Thief's Double Infinity as my #1 instead of James McMurtry's The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy. S.G. Goodman's Planting By the Signs could have also easily have been my overall favorite. As I was beginning to ponder this it dawned on me just how frequently I kept returning to Double Infinity (and still am).

Still to come, a list of favorite songs, concerts, books, and movies from the past year with the last three being relatively short lists. If you're reading please feel free to respond with your favorites from 2025. With no further ado, my list...


10. The Beths Straight Line Was A Lie

This one doesn’t quite hit the heights of their previous effort, 2022’s Expert In A Dying Field but it is a solid record nevertheless, full of hooks and Elizabeth Stokes’ superb songwriting.

9. Kathleen Edwards Billionaire


A much needed breath of fresh air from Kathleen Edwards in 2025. Co-produced by Jason Isbell and Gena Johnson, this is among her finest works from an already consistent artist whose stunning debut Failer appeared in 2002.

8. Fust Big Ugly


Fust first appeared on my radar during a day party at Neptunes in Raleigh during the Hopscotch Musical Festival in 2023. They played just before fellow Dear Life Records labelmates, Florry. To be honest, I was not as taken with their live show at the time as I am with this record but my attention was admittedly more focused on Florry.

7. Horsegirl Phonetics On and On


Horsegirl really came into their own with this, their second full length record. The sound is a bit more refined but attribute that to their evoultion as artists, not an attempt to appeal to more listeners. Songcraft, sound craft, it's all here. Love them.

6. Robert Plant with Suzi Dian Saving Grace


A debut album of sorts as this is Plant's first album with this lineup of musicians of which he shares vocal duties with Suzi Dian. Formed in the English countryside during the Covid lockdown of 2020, they have finely honed their unique sound. There is no original material here, it's all covers but no matter, Saving Grace put their own stamp on works from blues, folk, indie and psychedelic rock artists such as Memphis Minnie ("Chevrolet"), Low ("Everybody's Song"), and Moby Grape ('It's A Beautiful Day Today"). Plant is a relentless spirit who always takes us on a new adventure. This album is no exception.

5. Florry Sounds Like…

My current favorite band who first set their hooks in me with The Holey Bible (2023). As much as I love Sounds Like… it’s The Holey Bible I remain most drawn to. Not that Sounds Like… isn’t full of its own rugged charm. It is. Opening track “First It Was A Movie, Then It Was A Book” sets the pace. One full of jubilance, cheer and wry humor. There are more introspective moments on the record but in 2025 principle songwriter and vocalist Francie Medosch’s perspective was a welcome respite from trying times.

4. Patterson Hood Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams

If you pay attention to Patterson’s year end lists of favorites as well as his influences in general, you know they’re broad and varied, even if you may not always hear even the most impactful ones in either Drive-By Truckers or his solo work. In this, his fourth solo album, many of those influences are on full display, often reflected in the myriad of artists he worked with on this record from Waxahatchee to members of Wednesday, Lydia Loveless, and producer/musical collaborator Chris Funk (The Decemberists), to name but a few.

He also goes completely out of his comfort zone by contributing his first foray into piano to this record. While I wouldn’t quite describe the end result as experimental, it is a marked departure from his previous solo albums with the notable exception of “The Van Pelt Parties” where he’s backed by most of Wednesday. While not necessarily touted as a concept album, it works backwards from his young adulthood to when he was a child. Though I love this album, it's what I'd refer to as a mood record, best suited for Sunday mornings and late evenings.

3. S.G. Goodman Planting By the Signs

I first became aware of S.G. Goodman with 2022's Teeth Marks. I was fortunate enough to see her the following year when she came to Motorco in Durham with H.C. McEntire opening. S.G. had appeared on "Shadows" from H.C.'s most recent release, Every Acre but alas, no such duet materialized during their respective sets. That evening, S.G.'s banter was as compelling as her songwriting. Also, her choice of covers, which on this night included her take on Waylon's "Waymore Blues." I was already a fan but with that, I was all in. As the title suggests, Planting By the Signs is rooted in her rural upbringing in Kentucky as well as her earthy genuineness. This runs throughout the record but is most evident in the title track, "Fire Sign," 
Snapping Turtle," and "Heat Lightining." There are also more pensive moments such as "Michael Told Me" and "I'm In Love," the later of which may be my favorite from the album. Best suited for deep listening on starlit nights by a campfire.

2. James McMurtry The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy


It would be difficult, if not impossible for me to name a least favorite James McMurtry song. Same goes for his albums. The level of consistency is remarkable and practically unheard of, especially for someone this far into their career (his debut, Too Long In the Wasteland was released nearly 40 years ago). Co-produced by Don Dixon (Arrogance, R.E.M. Smithereens, solo, etc.), The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy (featuring artwork of a young James and his dog by family friend Ken Kesey) stands among his finest work. Not only does it speak effectively to the present ("Sons of the Second Sons") but also to the not too distant past on "Annie" which is set on September 11, 2001 and it's aftermath. Neither resorts to broad strokes, which has never been James' wont as a songwriter. They're deeply personal and detailed, which puts you in the center of the songs, another of his gifts. It is also telling to me when one of my favorite songwriters covers another artist. In this case, this album includes songs originally written by Jon Dee Graham/Mark Andes/Michael Hardwick ("Laredo [Small Dark Something]") and Kris Kristofferson ("Broken Freedom Song"). This is not a work that beats you over the head with signs of these dark, troubled times. Rather, it's one that addresses them with a sense of humanity. It's easy and understandable to allow current events to let us sink into pits of dispair. James reassures us that we are not alone and that somehow, we will get through this together.

1. Big Thief Double Infinity

Up until I went to finalize this list last week, I had James McMurtry's The Black Dog and The Wandering Boy as my overall favorite. Truth be told, I could have also gone with the top three being tied for my favorite album of the year. In the eleventh hour I went with Big Thief's Double Infinity because it is likely my most played album that was released in 2025. Oftentimes, even when I wasn't listening to it, I was thinking about listening to it. When I wasn't doing that, I was taking a deeper dive into their catalog. I heard their debut, Masterpiece when it was released in 2016 but hadn't really kept up as I should until Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You came out in early 2022. That album, along with Alvvays' self-titled debut, Julia Jacklin's Crushing and the then latest releases from Drive-By Truckers (Welcome 2 Club XIII), Angel Olsen (Big Time), and Margo Cilker (Pohorylle) all played crucial roles in regaining some sense of well being coming out of Covid and the ensuing time period. For a work often referred to as "sprawling," Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You felt pretty cohesive to my ears. Perhaps less a reflection of the music and more a snapshot of where my head was at at the time.


Which brings me to Double Infinity. If would seem that coming on the heels of Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You the time would be ripe for an even more exploratory effort. Instead, Double Infinity plays it pretty close to the vest without feeling like they'd chosen to play it safe. All of what drew me to Big Thief a decade ago is firmly in place: Adrianne's vocals, her way with words, and instrumentation rooted in folk, often bordering on, and occasionally drifting into rock. A sound not at all out of the realm of many other artists, yet unique when coming from Big Thief, another artist providing much needed light and comfort, a soundtrack for these dystopian times. When it comes to my favorite artists, I find myself grappling to find the right words, which is the case here. I'll just say they have a distinctive sound that never falls to draw me in. Those strengths are in ful effect here on what may well be their most well realized effort yet.

Honorable Mentions

• Margo Price Hard Headed Woman

• Caroline Spence Heart Go Wild

• Snocaps

• Lilly Hiatt Forever

• Winter Adult Romantix

• Wishy Planet Popstar (EP)

• The Salt Collective A Brief History of Blindness

• Various Artists Let’s Go Dancing: Split A Mountain in Two With a Flake of Snow

• Various Artists Let's Go Dancing: Said The Falling Rain To The Open Flame

• Briscoe Heat of July

• Otis Gibbs The Trust of Crows

• Jeff Tweedy Twilight Override

• Michael Hurley Broken Homes and Gardens

• A. Lee Edwards Interpreting Heart Sounds, Vol. I

• Will Stewart Moon Winx

• Throwing Muses Moonlight Concessions

• John Howie, Jr. and the Rosewood Bluff The Return of John Howie, Jr. and the Rosewood Bluff

• Julien Baker and Torres Send A Prayer My Way

• Anna Tivel Animal Poem

• Janet Simpson Can I See You Tonight?

• Murray Attaway Tense Music Plays

• Mavis Staples Sad and Beautiful World

• Mic Harrison & the High Score Peach Blossom Youth

• Wet Leg moisturizer

• Hayes Carll We’re Only Human

• Case Oats Last Missouri Exit

• Peter Holsapple The Face of 68

• The Minus 5 Oar On, Penelope!

• Jason Isbell Foxes in the Snow

Reissues

• Drive-By Truckers The Definitive Decoration Day

• Frazey Ford Indian Ocean


Looking Forward To in 2026

This being almost the end of February, some of these are already out.

Lucinda Williams World’s Gone Wrong (January 23rd)

Lapeche Autotelic (February 6th)

Neba Solo & Benego Diakité A Djinn and a Hunter Went Walking (February 13th)

U2 Days of Ash EP (February 18th)

Courtney Barnett Creature of Habit (March 27th)

Johnny Blue Skies and the Dark Clouds Mutiny After Midnight (March 13th)

Snail Mail Ricochet (March 27th)

Hiss Golden Messenger I'm People (May 1st)

*Babehoven

*Jobi Riccio

*Fancy Gap

*Tim Easton

*Bella White

*No release dates for these artists but they have all announced they will release new albums this year

Fust on Saturday Sessions

I did not see Durham’s Fust popping up on CBS Saturday Morning’s Saturday Sessions coming yesterday. It was also a pleasant surprise to see the keyboard player’s “Florry is numero uno” t-shirt. Though not a stretch since they’re Dear Life Records label mates. My first time seeing Florry they were on the same bill as Fust during a day party at Hopscotch in Raleigh in 2023.

Courtney’s Back

New music from Courtney Barnett.

Drive-By Truckers at Pine Hill Farm 10.6.01

 

Listening to this previously unreleased live acoustic version of “Sink Hole” from the upcoming expanded edition of Decoration Day (The Definitive Decoration Day, due November 14 on New West) immediately put me in mind of the first of two mostly acoustic house shows Drive-By Truckers did at Pine Hill Farm in Durham, NC nearly a quarter century ago this month. This show was among the last they did with Rob Malone. I’d just seen them the night before at Firebelly Lounge in Wilmington. By the time they returned to Firebelly in early December they had a new guitarist in tow, Jason Isbell. 

The following year they returned to Pine Hill Farm. It was no less enjoyable than the first show but had an entirely different vibe. The first show was held inside with everyone jammed in front of the fireplace. It had a far more intimate feel. It was also in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, which gave new meaning to songs from Southern Rock Opera, especially “Angels and Fuselage” and lines like, “Livin’ in fear’s just another way of dyin’ before your time” from Cooley’s “Shut Up and Get On the Plane.” 

While there were somber moments like the late Jyl Freed singing backup on and being moved to tears by “Angels and Fuselage,” there were also moments of jubilation such as the crowd singing along to the set closing cover of Wet Willie’s “Keep On Smilin’” and gut busting laughter thanks to the one liners of drummer Brad Morgan, who you usually never hear a peep out of during a regular show. 

The more casual atmosphere also afforded Patterson Hood more of an opportunity to preface the songs with his unique brand of storytelling.  It was an epic show in every sense of the word, never to be repeated. Their return engagement in early summer of 2002 with Isbell roughly a year before the release of Decoration Day (his first album with the band), had its moments but lacked the magic of the first. Years later, following Isbell’s departure from the band, these shows would serve as inspiration for the largely acoustic Dirt Underneath tour where they broke in songs that would become their next record, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark.

Circling back to “Sink Hole,” it was also at this first house show at Pine Hill Farm where Patterson tipped many of us off to The Accountant, a dark comedy starring Ray McKinnon about “saving the family by any means necessary,” that had inspired the song. The next year, it went on to win Best Live Action Short Film at the Oscars.

Below are some brief snippets from footage Craig Zearfoss shot at the first Pine Hill Farm show, the setlist, and other pertinent links. Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to locate an audio recording of the show to link to, though a recording does exist. Video can be obtained from the Southern Folklife Collection at UNC in Chapel Hill. In closing, I’m thankful to see an entire recording of one of the Truckers mostly acoustic shows finally see an official release.

Kurt Heggland, né Hickey introducing the Truckers

 

“Heathens” (snippet)

“Sink Hole” (snippet)

Drive-By Truckers at Pine Hill Farm in Durham, NC 10.6.01

1. Heathens
2. The Boys From Alabama
3. Marry Me
4. Goode's Field Road
5. Panties In Your Purse
6. The Tough Sell
7. The Company I Keep
8. Stupid Song
9. My Sweet Annette
10. Old Timer's Disease
11. One Of These Days
12. Sink Hole
13. Mizen Was American
14. Tornadoes
15. Daddy's Cup
16. Days of Graduation
17. Ronnie and Neil
18. 72 (This Highway's Mean)
19. Dead, Drunk, and Naked
20. Guitar Man Upstairs
21. Cassie's Brother
22. The Southern Thing
23. Women Without Whiskey
24. Zip City
25. Let There Be Rock
26. Shut Up and Get On The Plane
27. Greenville To Baton Rouge
28. Bulldozers and Dirt
29. Angels and Fuselage
30. Keep On Smilin' (Wet Willie)

Links

Craig Zearfoss Collection, 1988-2008

Drive-By Truckers at Pine Hill Farm, 6.29.02

U2 Released Rattle and Hum on This Day in 1988

 

Print advertisement for Rattle and Hum, released 0ctober 10, 1988.

U2 released Rattle and Hum on this day in 1988. This, and R.E.M.’s Green (released the following month on Election Day) were my last new vinyl purchases at the time. Rattle and Hum marked the end of an era for U2 and Green, R.E.M.’s major label debut on Warner Brothers, marked the beginning of a new one for them.

R.E.M.’s Green on CD housed in a longbox. Released November 8, 1988 in the US.

That year for Christmas I received a CD player along with my first CDs: Green and The Best of the New Riders of the Purple Sage. I had held out for as long as I could before making the transition to CDs. At this time, vinyl was being phased out, seemingly for good. Who knew it would someday make a return. In this digital age where streaming reigns supreme it all seems so quaint, especially thinking back on CD longboxes.