1. The Decemberists
2. Dan Mangan
3. Laura Marling
4. One Hundred Dollars
5. Snailhouse
6. Gillian Welch
7. Richard Buckner
8. The Deep Dark Woods
9. Daniel Romano
10. The Barr Brothers
11. Sunparlour Players
12. Nick Lowe
13. Ryan Adams
14. The Jayhawks
15. Hayes Carll
16. Jenn Grant
1. The Decemberists The King Is Dead (Capitol)
On the one hand, it's easy to wonder if the Decemberists' The King is Dead was so beloved because a) it wasn't the prog-rock mess that was their previous album, The Hazards of Love, and b) it was the kind of R.E.M. and Tom Petty record that neither artist has made in at least 20 years. Let's instead take The King is Dead for what it is: Colin Meloy putting his lifetime's worth of songwriting talent into nine concise country-pop songs, brilliantly performed by his seasoned band and augmented by the towering harmony vocals of Gillian Welch (who had more than a rather good year herself).
Michael Barclay
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Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2011-12-03 11:18:25YAY!
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2011-12-04 21:41:05Elliot Brood's Days Into Years not in the top 16? Someone's not paying attention
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2011-12-05 11:29:32Where's the new Matt Andersen album? Surprised it doesn't make it after two great album reviews!
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2011-12-06 08:03:13I agree with the poseur above. This list should be invalidated for not including Elliott Brood. For shame, Exclaim. They are one of Canada's most excellent bands.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2011-12-06 11:39:33Has anyone heard of Fleet Foxes ?
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2011-12-06 12:35:03Where is Chuck Ragan??
Sure he isn't playing popular hipster folk like The Decemberists or Dan Mangan, but he not only won over the oft picky punk crowds with his hints of bluegrass & gritty folk, he is also promoting the most interesting folk in the genre with his brilliant Revival Tour!
I would also argue that Trampled By Turtles and Blackie & the Rodeo Kings are obvious exclusions.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2011-12-06 13:59:09all the bands your talking about suck
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2011-12-06 14:34:11Um, Fleet Foxes? Helplessness Blues? You know, the best album of the year? You may have heard of it?
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2011-12-06 14:40:20I'd also add William Elliott Whitmore to the list.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2011-12-06 15:43:45maybe bruce cockburn, you know that dude that just won an award for best folk album yesterday. Jenn Grant? Please. I dig Chuck Ragan. I like most of this list though.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2011-12-12 11:32:23William Elliott Whitmore!!!!! ya!!!!
POP & ROCK: Beach House - Bloom
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