ALBUM OF THE YEAR - SHORT-LIST .... ALBUM #13 - The 'wildcard' of  2020

I knew what I was getting into here. There were so many great albums coming out in the first six months of 2020, that the idea of 'an album a month' for the whole of 2020 seemed feasible. It worked out a bit harder to choose one every month (see August) than I thought, but it was also harder to pick only one some months.

Especially March. March was mad... 

The winner, if you recall, was Lewsberg. No regrets. However, for Slow Readers Club, Morrissey, and Baxter Dury, they all released great albums in March, and were unlucky not to get picked. That leads us to Mr Malkmus. His third album (all very different) in 3 years is the winner of my bonus slot on the albums of the year list. 

Just to repeat, its his third album in three year, all very different musically, but his voice and lyrics bring them together. That alone is worthy of recognition, but its a lovely album in its own right. The title refers to the use of traditional string and flute instruments on the album, and it makes for a fresh sounding album that has been called 'folk'.

Have a listen : 

I saw Stephen play a gig in support of his previous album, 'Groove Denied', in Sept 2019 in Milan. I'd also seen him supporting 'Real Emotional Trash' in 2008, but I've yet to see Pavement, they are on my bucket list, and since they had planned gigs this/last year, who knows...? I've not given up hope...

If you have time, (and its nothing to do with this album), this is incredible .... : 

I think everyone should want to be Stephen Malkmus... he really makes life seem effortless, so cool and laidback, intelligent ... ok , I'm a little in love ... (blush)

so thats it, we have our 13 album's of 2020 ... just to wrap it all up and land this baby ...