Top 40 Albums of 2019 (20-1)

In terms of music, 2019 began with a whimper and ended with a roar. An influx of powerful, innovative works emerged in the latter months, many of which have buoyantly emerged near the top of this list. The 2010’s have been a multifaceted decade of music, and the music in 2019 provided a perfect exclamation point as we head into a new decade. 

Top 40 Albums of 2019 (40-21)

In terms of music, 2019 began with a whimper and ended with a roar. An influx of powerful, innovative works emerged in the latter months, many of which have buoyantly emerged near the top of this list. The 2010’s have been a multifaceted decade of music, and the music in 2019 provided a perfect exclamation point as we head into a new decade. 

Honorable Mention

Deerhunter, Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared?

Damien Jurado, In the Shape of a Storm

Ezra Furman, Twelve Nudes

Flaming Lips, King’s Mouth

Maxo, LIL BIG MAN

Pharmakon, Devour

Pile, Green and Gray

Pissgrave, Posthumous Humiliation

Joan Shelley, Like the River Loves the Sea

Sacred Paws, Run Around the Sun

Wilco, Ode to Joy

Year of the Stevie: Episode #3 (The Story of Stevie Wonder)

In the third episode of “Year of the Stevie”, we take a look at Stevie’s team trying to capitalize on his hit song “Fingertips” and his rise as a songwriter in his teenage years. You can hear it HERE, or better yet, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, GooglePlay, or Stitcher.

Year of the Stevie: Episode #1

In the first episode of “Year of the Stevie”, we take a look at the events from Stevie Wonder’s childhood that would go on the shape the icon behind some of the biggest hits in the genres of funk, soul, and R&B. You can hear it HERE, or better yet, subscribe on iTunes, GooglePlay, or Stitcher.

WORKS CITED
INTERVIEWS (Can be found on YouTube)

Superstars and their Moms (Stevie and Lula)

Interview with Mesha McDaniel

Stevie Wonder on Visualizing Food

PBS Interview: Songs in the Key of Life

Larry King Now

CNN Interview (2010)

MOVIES

Hitsville: The Making of Motwon

Standing In the Shadows of Motown

MUSIC
Stevie Wonder:

“Evil”

“I Wish”

“Mother’s Eyes”

“Wondering”

Others:

Bessie Brown “Song From the Cotton Field”

Count Bassie’s Orchestra “Topsy”

Memphis Minnie “Down in the Alley”

Wes Montgomery “D Natural Blues”

Jackie Wilson “Lonely Teardrops”

RESEARCH:

Blind Faith: The Miraculous Journey of Lula Hardaway, Stevie Wonder’s Mother by Dennis Love and Stacy Brown

Motown: The Sound of Young America by Adam White

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Soulful Journey of Stevie Wonder by Mark Ribowsky

 

Top 20 Albums of 2019 (So Far)

2019 has been a toss-up year in terms of music so far. Without any major releases as of yet other than maybe Vampire Weekend or Solange, a batch of new artists have arisen to fill the void. It’s been exciting so far as lesser known musicians have elevated the year with exciting new sounds. Here are some of my favorite albums so far.

(NOTE: All albums on this list were released before July 1st)

BDWPS Podcast: Episode #79 (the Music of 1976)

In this episode of BDWPS Podcast, we check out some of the best music to come out in the year 1976, including tracks from The Ramones, The Modern Lovers, Selda, Judas Priest, Mighty Diamonds, Flamin’ Groovies, Penguin Cafe Orchestra, Steely Dan, Thin Lizzy, and Bob Dylan.

Check it out HERE, or better yet, subscribe on iTunes or Sticher (just search: BDWPS Podcast).