YES, it’s that time of year again! Christmas is coming up fast, and then a new year will be upon us before we draw breath. It’s a time to look back over the past 12 months and plan for the future.

Since I started out as a cub reporter on my very first newspaper back in 1974, I’ve published an Albums of the Year list, and I see no reason for breaking a tradition that’s now lasted fifty years.

So, without further ado, here are my favourite albums of 2024. Check them out, take a listen and see what you think.

1. TUK SMITH & THE RESTLESS HEARTS : Rogue To Redemption

Remember the 1970s? Tuk Smith shouldn’t – he’s too young. But the former Biters frontman from Atlanta clearly has the decade’s DNA running through his body. His new band’s sophomore set is a short, sharp sweet half-hour or so of ready-made rock anthems steeped in the soundscape of 70s staples such as Mott The Hoople, Thin Lizzy, The Sweet and more, but all in credibly contemporary gladrags. Highlight is stadium singalong-in-the-making End Of An Era. Now that’s what I call a comeback.

2. THE RED CLAY STRAYS : Made By These Moments

The Alabama band first excited interest a couple of years back with TikTok love song Wondering Why but Brandon Coleman & Co prove they’re so much more than that with an album grown from Southern Rock roots, honing a harder edge to Americana. Produced by Dave Cobb, who has worked with Chris Stapleton, Slash and Greta Van Fleet, it packs a powerful punch showcased in standout Drowning, Devil In My Ear and Disaster. As a bonus, they revisited several of the songs on last month’s Live At The Ryman.

Watch Drowning performed live at the Ryman here.

3. AMERICAN AQUARIUM : The Fear Of Standing Still

There’s a darkness deep down in the bones of Aquarium curator BJ Barham, as he himself admits a number of times during an album that blends contemporary country with soulful rock and roll, most notably on gravelly opener Crier, one of the contenders for song of the year, and the track that first made me sit up and listen. Tom Petty would have loved Head Down, Feet Moving which does what it says on the tin, while Katie Pruitt duets on Southern Roots, which addresses redemption and the sins of the past.

Catch Crier, played live in the studio, here.

4. LUCINDA WILLIAMS : Sings The Beatles From Abbey Road

What’s not to love? Louisiana’s Lucinda Williams – my album of the year pick for last year’s Stories From A Rock & Roll Heart – takes up residence in the hallowed Abbey Road studios to revisit the Beatles back catalogue. It follows lockdown ‘Lu’s Jukebox’ jaunts through the music of Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Southern Soul, and is the best of the side project series. Standouts are a wonderful While My Guitar Gently Weeps, the rocky I’ve Got A Feeling and Yer Blues, and a vulnerable Don’t Let Me Down.

Watch Lu’s Abbey Road take on I’ve Got A Feeling here.

5. DAVID GILMOUR Luck And Strange

David Gilmour says he reckons Luck And Strange is the best album he’s made since Pink Floyd’s iconic Dark Side Of The Moon, and on this evidence I’m not about to disagree. Although standout Scattered, and the opening guitar tease of Black Cat, both recall glory days of yore, this is an eclectic set ranging from the swampy title track, via soulful Between Two Points – a duet with daughter Romany – to the unashamedly bluesy Dark And Velvet Nights. Don’t miss the bolted-on bonus jam at the end.

6. CROSSBONE SKULLY : Evil World Machine

Every album of the year list has to include a guilty pleasure. Last year it was Dolly Parton’s reinvention as a Rockstar, this time round it’s the best album AC/DC never made. Crossbone Skully is the brainchild of Hollywood Vampires guitar star Tommy Henriksen. When roadies heard him jamming AC/DC hallmarks during a soundcheck, they urged him to take it further. Legendary producer Mutt Lange was lured out of retirement, and the resulting set of rock riff belters is crowned by The Boom Went The Boom.

7. MORGAN WADE : Obsessed

Indiana singer-songwriter Morgan Wade’s third album may well be her best yet, eschewing the pop sensibilities of last year’s Psychopath for more subtle self-reflection on her rise to fame and an often lonely life on the road. It’s a topic visited in both Total Control and album highlight 2am In London. It’s run close, however, by the country-tinted title track and Moth To A Flame. Chart star Kesha guests on Walked On Water, a tale of regret and recrimination, but never nudges Morgan from centre stage. 

See Morgan Wade’s 2am In London on YouTube here.

8. THE WANDERING HEARTS : Mother

I first discovered The Wandering Hearts when they were named among support acts for the Eagles Hyde Park gig a couple of years ago, and went off in search of the Londoners. This, the band’s fourth album, is a folk-pop delight from start to finish, sounding as if it might live in Laurel Canyon. Lilting melodies layered with seamless harmonies hallmark the likes of About America and the dreamy Still Waters. Highlight is River To Cry, its blend of folk and blues recalling Fleetwood Mac at their very best. 

Watch Wandering Hearts play River To Cry here.

9. SARAH JAROSZ : Polaroid Lovers

Texan singer-songwriter Sarah Jarosz has won Grammy Awards for music usually listed in the country, folk and roots categories. Seventh album Polaroid Lovers finds her dipping her toe in mainstream soft rock, with both Jealous Moon and Runaway Train absurdly radio-friendly. It’s a polished production but thankfully allows her writing to shine, too, especially on Big Apple love letter Columbus & 89th and the Mexican dreamscape of Mezcal And Lime. If you loved Suzanne Vega, this’ll be a snap success.

See Sarah Jarosz’s Jealous Moon on Youtube here.

10. MOOCH : Visions

Montreal’s Mooch push boundaries and blur borders on an album that’s near-impossible to bag, tag and label with grunge, prog-rock, jazz and soaring melody among unpredictable delights. What ties the bundle together is exceptional musicianship that never strays into self-indulgence. Both show-stealing set opener Hangtime and multi-faceted New Door offer hints of The Doors, while Morning Prayer opens quietly before taking a detour into grunge and jazz-funk. Just expect the unexpected, and enjoy the ride.  

Among other albums that have demanded repeat plays over the year are Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes’ surprisingly genre-busting Dark Rainbow and the late Robbie Robertson’s Killers Of The Flower Moon movie soundtrack.

Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs forged their own identity with Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits, while his late boss, Tom Petty, was rousingly remembered in Petty Country, an all-star contemporary country compilation of his best-known songs.

There was a breakthrough for Forgotten Pharaohs, with an eclectic King Of Mirrors; young band Broken Wires enjoyed deserved debut success with Author Of Your World, and Blacktop Mojo returned to rock and roll with near-perfect Pollen.

Last but by no means least, a live album and two tasty TV soundtrack songs. The National served up the rock-slanted setlist we’d all wanted on the remarkable Rome album recorded live, warts and all, in the Eternal City.

Meanwhile, on the small screen, Celeste returned with This Is Who I Am, soundtracking Sky’s new version of The Day of the Jackal, and it turned out to be the best Bond theme there never was.

The ultimate earworm, however, had to be The Ballad of the Witches’ Road, performed by Kathryn Hahn and the brilliantly bonkers cast of Marvel hit Agatha All Along, which you can watch here.

Thanks for visiting. Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!