At some point I’ll get around to writing about pedals and gear , but for now I’m just trying on my blogger’s cap and seeing what happens. 

 As the year comes closer to an end I’ve been thinking about my personal favorites in Music.  Being a pop culture nerd I’m a big fan of the AV Club website.  They’ve been putting out  “best of the decade” lists for the past couple of weeks and it has inspired me. I don’t feel like going back 10 years, so I will just devote a few minutes to my 3 favorite albums of 2009. 

To people that know me or hang out on the Tone Factor forum this list probably won’t be a surprise at all, but maybe someone will stumble onto it and discover some great new music. So here goes (in no particular order):

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit : Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

This is the second solo album from Jason Isbell, and the first with his full time touring band, the 400 Unit.  If you’re familiar with Jason it’s probably from his stint in the Drive-By Truckers.  Under normal circumstances I’m usually saddened when a band that I like loses a member, but that wasn’t the case here.  Jason was both my favorite singer and songwriter in DBT, and I was pleased when he left. I wanted to hear complete albums from him, instead of the occasional song here and there, and so far I haven’t been disappointed at all.  His first solo album “Sirens of the Ditch” is fantastic, but ”Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit“ shows depth that was only hinted at on the first record.  Most of the songs aren’t as instantly accessible as songs from SOTD  like “Chicago Promenade” or “Dress Blues”, but with repeated listens they just sort of settle in and feel “right”.  I love how his music feels familiar without sounding contrived.  His music is obviously influenced by life in the South, without being completely defined by that.

Baroness: Blue Record

This is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed Red Album, and to my ears, feels like a natural progression from there. I’ve heard complaints that they’ve mellowed with each album, but I disagree. I think it’s great when a band’s material matures with them, and that’s the case here.  Songs like “O’er Hell and Hide” and ”The Sweetest Curse” hold their own (in brute force) with anything that the band has previously recorded.  I’ll always dig First and Second, but this album can peacefully coexist on the same shelf as those, with no problem.   As a side note, John Dyer Baizley is one of the best graphic artists to come along in a very long time. Do yourself a favor and check out his artwork.

Alice In Chains – Black Gives Way To Blue

As I’ve stated before, on the forum, I wanted to hate this album.  Alice In Chains was a huge influence in my teen years, and Layne’s death was heartbreaking to me.  I couldn’t imagine the rest of the guys ever releasing another album under that name again.  Having said that, I think that this album is both a loving tribute and acknowledgement that life goes on.  It also shows what a huge part of the AIC sound that Jerry Cantrell really is.  This still sounds like Alice In Chains.  This is Alice In Chains.  Noone will ever replace Layne, to me, but there’s no reason that the rest of these guys shouldn’t continue making great music. I’m happy for them, and glad to see them carrying on.

Brad Fee