I don’t know about you, but I generally prefer my roots music with a little kick to it. So instead of a bunch of Americana, bluegrass and folk, my list veers a little more towards rock, punk, rockabilly and even psychedelia. With that in mind, here are the twangiest titles that came my way in 2019:
TINNITIST’S PICK
The Long Ryders
Psychedelic Country Soul
It’s been a long time coming. More than three decades, in fact. For those keeping score at home, we last heard new studio tracks from paisley cowpunks The Long Ryders way back in 1987, when the L.A. foursome released their mighty third album Two-Fisted Tales — and then promptly disbanded (save for the occasional reunion show). So who’s responsible for their unexpected comeback? Believe it or not, Dr. Dre. Or at least his assistant, a former Ryders roadie who got them a week in the gangsta-rap icon’s state-of-the-art studio on the house. The resulting tracks — produced by unofficial fifth Ryder and longtime Ramones producer Ed Stasium — pick up right where the band left off all those years ago.
READ THE FULL REVIEW AND HEAR THE ALBUM HERE
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
The Avett Brothers | Closer Than Together
Ryan Bingham | American Love Song
William Patrick Corgan | Cotillions
Daddy Long Legs | Lowdown Ways
The Flesh Eaters | I Used To Be Pretty
GospelbeacH | Let It Burn
The Kernal | KERN! LIVE!
The Kokomo Kings | Fighting 
Fire With Gasoline
Left Lane Cruiser | Shake and Bake
Jesse Malin | Sunset Kids
Jimbo Mathus | Incinerator
Mattiel | Satis Factory
The Mavericks | Play The Hits
Chuck Mead | Close to Home
Meat Puppets | Dusty Notes
The Mekons | Deserted
Buddy & Julie Miller | Breakdown On 20th Ave. South
Lukas Nelson & Promise of 
The Real | Turn Off The News (Build a Garden)
North Mississippi Allstars | Up and Rolling
Son Volt | Union
Strand of Oaks | Eraserland
Stray Cats | 40
Tedeschi Trucks Band | Signs
Wilco | Ode To Joy
TO FIND REVIEWS OF THESE ALBUMS, PLEASE USE THE SEARCH WINDOW AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE
