The End of the Year: From The Managing Editor

The end of the year marks a milestone for The Oklahoma Reviews and our team of talented writers, editors, and photographers. It was our first in existence. A year of trying our hardest to promote independent music that we love so dearly. A year to cover big events and festivals all over the United States. We covered shows in the United Kingdom and some of the biggest albums and musicians of the year. However, our goal is to always provide a voice for the smaller labels and independent musicians. We want to continue to build a following that allows us to distribute music that might otherwise not be widely known. Good music is everywhere. We want to showcase it. 

I want for OKR to be a trusted source for people to discover these artists. To do that, we need music fans to help us distribute our content to their friends and friends of friends. We need you to talk about the music, to go to the shows, to buy the merchandise. Our team has compiled a personal list of their top albums, top songs, and shows of the year. For me, that is far more difficult to do, as every single thing we have published is personal and means a great deal to me. So please, go to our website. Scroll to the bottom and have a look at what we have published in the past year. Click on an artist that you may not be familiar with and discover some new-to-you artists. We love every single one of them and hope to bring you even more in our second year here at OKR. 

Sean Payne, Managing Editor

theoklahomareviews.com

Favorite Albums of 2019

Stephanie Blackburn, Oklahoma Reviews Writer/Editor

Whiskey Myers - Whiskey Myers: The songwriting, the grinding guitar work, the vocal swapping and the cross-genre collaboration with so many great artists were everything I wanted from them for this release. While “Bitch” blatantly says it, this entire album is a call to arms against the tractor rap crap that is playing on the radio today, and “Bury My Bones” is simply phenomenal.

Micky & the Motorcars - Long Time Comin’: It was a long time comin’, but so worth the wait. The songs they included tell some of the best stories, one after another, with a giant nod to addressing current and important issues in “Hold This Town Together” and “Lions of Kandahar.”  “Road to You” is another standout, but honestly, I don’t hit the skip button on any from this album.

Drivin n Cryin - Live the Love Beautiful: Having loved this band for over 3 decades, I have watched the evolution of their punk, blues, country, soul, psychedelic, folk, and rock artistry. Songs like “Free Ain’t Free” and “Live the Love Beautiful” embody all of my favorite elements of their music over the years, and further validate why they will forever be on every playlist and show schedule I have. Every. Single. One. 

Flatland Cavalry - Homeland Insecurity:  I don’t know if it was the timing of the album being released so early on, or that I got to see them perform the songs several times live right after being released, but it hasn’t left the top for me. Cleto’s unique voice and well-written lyrics and music, from “Come Back Down” to “Years from Now,” I needed every song on this album this year. 

Shane Smith and the Saints - Hail Mary:  Lyrically and melodically amazing, the tone of Shane’s voice always soothes my soul.  From the slower songs to the all-out rockers, I often say to people new to the genre, “Have you heard of Shane Smith and the Saints?” Then, I just play “Hail Mary” or “Oklahoma City” or “Whirlwind” or “Parliament” or…. all of them. 

Jolene Horihan, Oklahoma Reviews Writer/Editor

Mike and the Moonpies - Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold: Maybe it’s the nostalgic feeling that this album oozes, but I was instantly transported to the classic country music age the day this album dropped. And boy, did it drop. In a surprise summer release, Mike and the Moonpies and producer, Adam Odor, shocked the country music world with this one. I had been hearing a few of these songs played live in the several months preceding its release, but to listen to them together in their entirety, recorded at the Abbey Road Studio with the London Symphony Orchestra, is a whole ‘nother level. And if you want to turn up the nostalgia even more, just give the vinyl a spin.

Kelsey Waldon - White Noise/White Lines: The third album release from Kelsey Waldon is a special one. Not only did she get to work with John Prine’s team at Oh Boy Records for this one, but she poured out her heart in a very personal tribute to her upbringing and her home of Western Kentucky. I loved the little nuances she inserted in between some of the tracks and how she used intimate details from her formative years to bring each song to life. There is strength in forging on in adversity and sensitivity in the longing for home. 

Charles Wesley Godwin – Seneca: Charles Wesley Godwin warned us that Seneca was coming, but I don’t think we were truly prepared for what that meant. Weaving the tapestry to his homeland of West Virginia, you are transported down a timeline of the Appalachian life in Godwin’s debut album. His unique vocal reverb sets the tone and emotion of each song. There is a message of hope even in the seemingly hopeless of stories that Godwin is telling. This is the backbone and the beauty of the Appalachian way of life.

Ian Noe - Between the Country: Ian Noe’s debut album is a glimpse into the stark reality the characters in his stories are living. Noe uses his home state of Kentucky and individuals in his life as his muse. Noe draws you in to each song like you are watching a mini-movie. The emotion he invokes with his delivery is riveting and is only further amplified by the beautiful Dave Cobb arrangement.

Tanya Tucker - While I’m Livin’: Tanya Tucker’s first album in 17 years was worth the wait. Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings put together a project that fit Tanya perfectly. From the songs written by Carlile and her bandmates, Tim and Phil Hanseroth, to the covers selected, to the track co-written by Tucker herself that completes the album. I love the point that Tucker drives home with “Bring My Flowers Now.” Don’t wait to show or tell the people in your life how much they mean to you; bring them flowers now instead of when they have passed on.

Kerri McClinton, Oklahoma Reviews Writer/ Editor

The Infamous Stringdusters - Rise Sun: Purely positive, this one is in my daily rotation because I can always use a dose of vulnerability and optimism. When the world feels lost, this one brings me back to my happy place. Heavy on hope and encouragement, without feeling like a clichéd, cheesy drug store encouragement card, and backed by some of the most talented string musicians on the planet and some killer harmonies, Rise Sun is, and the Stringdusters themselves are, a force for love and hope in a world that seems to value those things less and less. 

Ian Noe - Between the Country: In a word: striking. I love the sense of space and openness on the album. Every note, every chord, every word is perfectly, lovingly placed. The use of musical “white space” is one of my favorite things about the album, proving that every second doesn’t have to be crammed with something to be effective and beautiful.

Shane Smith and the Saints - Hail Mary: Everything about this one is perfection. Hail Mary stayed on repeat here for weeks and weeks. The nod to Turnpike in “Oklahoma City” is how you nail a tribute song, the “Little Bird” / “We Were Something” combo is a musical masterpiece, and “Whirlwind” is just about everything I’ve ever wanted in a song - a sweet little melody, a story comparing love to a favorite song, and Shane’s voice is as wonderful as ever.

Lost Dog Street Band - Weight of a Trigger: I’m not sure if there are words in the English language to adequately describe Lost Dog Street Band, but for now ‘raw’ and ‘honest’ will have to suffice. There’s not really much like it out there. It’s just beautiful. I love Ashley’s fiddle playing and harmonies, and Benjamin’s voice is riveting and lovely. It all just meshes together to make something truly special and wonderful.

Molly Tuttle - When You’re Ready: I literally just sat on my brother’s back porch, listening to this with my son and my grandmother, and all were happy. That tells you something about how classic and lovely and timeless this one is. Her vocals are insanely beautiful, her guitar work is otherworldly, and her songwriting gift is undeniable. The song choices for When You’re Ready are flawless - from her own songs to her collaborations with artists like Steve Poltz, Jewel Kilcher and Sarah Siskind. It’s gorgeous, top to bottom.

Melissa Payne, Oklahoma Reviews Photographer/Writer

Alexa Rose - Medicine for Living: This album easily snags my top spot for the year. Unknown to me before Americanafest, hearing a preview of the songs that would be on the album had me obsessed in the weeks leading up to its release. Alexa’s voice and songwriting are top notch, salty, yet sweet, depending on the track. The title track is also one of my favorite songs of the year. For a debut album, this is a stellar beginning.

Charles Wesley Godwin – Seneca: There isn’t a track on this album I don’t like. Godwin’s voice is as soothing as a warm, summer evening and songs like “Strawberry Queen” with its upbeat tempo will be stuck in your head for days.

Benjamin Tod - A Heart of Gold is Hard to Find: Although Lost Dog Street Band’s Weight of a Trigger is also high on my list of this year’s releases, Benjamin’s solo record is a standout for me. The top three tracks are pure songwriting gold, raw and real, a guarantee of any song that Tod writes. Whether it’s self-loathing or apologies, this record cuts deep.

Dallas Burrow - Southern Wind: Another newcomer (to me, at least) Dallas Burrow’s album, like its title, has a decidedly southern feel to it. His husky drawl drew me in to tracks like “Water & Wood” and the title track is a testament to just how good his voice is.

Vandoliers – Forever: How could I not mention the Vandoliers and their album Forever? These are one of my favorite groups out there, and their songs, whether it’s the trumpet heavy, driving drumbeat of “Troublemaker,” or the slow strains of “Cigarettes in the Rain," this country punk band and their album has my heart.

Erin Reed, Oklahoma Reviews Writer/Coordinator

Mike and the Moonpies - Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold: I foolishly hoped the next thing to come from Mike and the Moonpies was going to be a sequel to Steak Night at the Prairie Rose. To me, that album was perfect, and I expected any predecessors to follow suit. The surprise release of Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold, along with the combination of classic, country crooning and the London Symphany Orchestra, easily solidified this as my favorite album of 2019.  

Sturgill Simpson Sound & Fury: This album is one of the boldest undertakings I’ve seen from a musician, not just in 2019, but ever. As a lifelong resident of Camp Sturgill, I’ve come to adore the musical risks he takes while making no apologies for not fitting into any kind of mold or genre. 

Micky & the Motorcars - Long Time Comin’: I love when a band reaches new heights by pushing themselves out of their comfort zone. The split of songwriting duties this time around between brothers, Micky and Gary, gave this album an edge over past projects. The songs are catchy and engaging. Powerful and fun. It’s an album that I played on repeat for weeks, and still haven’t tired of. 

Vincent Neil Emerson - Fried Chicken and Evil Women: Wow. When people say “country ain’t country anymore” they clearly haven’t heard of VNE. Fried Chicken and Evil Women sounds exactly like a well-worn vinyl pulled straight from my grandpa’s sacred collection. Very Hank Williams with storytelling that's all his own. 

Shane Smith and the Saints Hail Mary: Between the power of Shane’s voice, the dynamic energy of the band and the stories woven in their lyrics, this album hits on all levels.

Randy Ruff, Oklahoma Reviews Writer

Drivin n Cryin – Live the Love Beautiful: It’s not often that you find a band writing and recording songs as fresh, exciting, and thought provoking as their debut album thirty three years ago. This record delivers all of that and more in their typical synthesis of hard rock, psychedelic, folk, blues, and “country shit.”

Whiskey Myers – Whiskey Myers: Writing, recording, and producing their way to chart topping music, the band has delivered their best effort yet. Their smashmouth southern-rock-meets-country formula earned them scores of sold out shows around the nation and across the pond, including an opening gig for the Rolling Stones.  

Flatland Cavalry – Homeland Insecurity: This sophomore effort from the band contains eleven songs so superbly crafted, you quickly lose yourself in them. Superior songwriting and stellar musicianship bely their relative youth, offering more encouragement for those seeking authentic country music in a modern age.  

Vandoliers – Forever: If you’re looking for something truly different while maintaining a linkage to traditional instruments and themes; for something that makes you sing and dance while pondering our existence; for something that feels like a blend of Jason and the Scorchers, Old 97s, and Dropkick Murphys; then you’re looking for the Vandoliers… Vandoliers Forever, Forever Vandoliers!

Ian Noe – Between the Country: Kentucky’s next wave of country music artists boasts some big names, and a host of talent. Sometimes overlooked in that mix is Ian Noe, who is quietly amassing a loyal following across the country on the strength of this collection of hauntingly authentic and powerful songs. In addition to his trademark voice, which snarls at times, Noe has the knack for tackling darker themes with ironically pleasant melodies.

Derek Scudder, Oklahoma Reviews Writer

Chris Knight – Almost Daylight: Fans have waited over seven years for this new batch of tales, and the record delivers with a fine set of soon-to-be-memorable CK characters. Also includes a seldom-heard Johnny Cash cover and a John Prine sing-along.

Mike & the Moonpies – Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold: This record dropped without warning on the same day as the new Tyler Childers album and stole much of its thunder. Most expected the next Moonpies record to continue along the honky-tonk vein of the very successful “Prairie Rose” album, but the addition of lush strings to this set caught everyone by surprise and the throwback sound was a big hit.

Rodney Crowell – Texas: The Houston Kid delivers 11 songs about the Lone Star State with help from fellow Texans: Steve Earle, Willie Nelson, Billy F. Gibbons, Ronnie Dunn, Lee Ann Womack, Lyle Lovett, and Randy Rogers, as well as Okie superstar, Vince Gill and a drummer from Liverpool named Ringo. Yes, please!

Hayes Carll – What It Is: Following his somber “Lovers and Leavers” record of 2016, Hayes is back with the wit, wisdom, and genuine fun that marked his earlier work. 

Whiskey Myers – Whiskey Myers: This band just keeps getting better with every release and this (their fifth) roars out of the gate with in-your-face rock with enough Texas country presence throughout to keep it real. A big year for the band saw them open for the Rolling Stones in Chicago and pick up a cameo on Kevin Costner’s “Yellowstone," which also features plenty of their tunes on its soundtrack.

Honorable Mentions from 2019

Tyler Childers - Country Squire

Billy Strings – Home

Erin Enderlin - Faulkner County

Holy Roller - Holy Roller

The Steel Woods – Old News

Chris Jones & the Flycatchers - Songs for Red

Garrett T. Capps – All Right, All Night

Whiskey Myers – Road of Life – As a special thanks to its fans, 10,000 special edition gold cover vinyl copies of their debut album (originally released 2008) were sent to those who were first to pre-order their new Whiskey Myers release.