Ed Top Ten 2020

Here’s my pandemic top 10. This year I determined my list differently than in the past - I’m only naming albums that particularly struck me, rather than giving any consideration to # of listens or some notion of importance or loyalty. Really excited to see everyone’s favorite music this year. No lukewarm takes, mamas!

1. songs by Adrianne Lenker (listen to - anything (2020 #3))
2. The Mandalorian (Season 1 Soundtrack) by Ludwig Göransson (‘A Thousand Tears’ (@2:13) (Ch8) & ‘The Mandalorian’ (Ch1))
3. Things Happened Here by Kansas Smitty’s (Riders (2020 #8))
4. I Remember Everything by John Prine (A single, but striking enough for a spot (2020 #4))
5. BREACH by Fenne Lily (Berlin)
6. folklore (long pond studio sessions - not the studio album) by Taylor Swift (Invisible String (2020 #5))
7. Shore by Fleet Foxes (Can I Believe You (2020 #10))
8. Circles by Mac Miller (Good News (2020 #7))
9. Women In Music Pt. III by HAIM (Summer Girl)
10. Future Islands - As Long As You Are (For Sure)

HM
-Wonderful by Burna Boy: Favorite 2020 song (2020 #1)
-And It’s Still Alright by Nathaniel Rateliff: This album is as bad as its single is good - (2020 #2)
-Set My Heart on Fire Immediately by Perfume Genius: I think this album will strike me in the future, Michael Hadreas has that quality somehow (Without You (2020 #9))
-Sundowner by Kevin Morby: Not the first time I’ve given him a chance, but the first time I’ve appreciated him
-Love is the King by Jeff Tweedy: Better than Wilco
-Serpentine Prison by Matt Berninger: Can’t tell if I like this or just him, but I really like at least one of them
-Dionne (2020 #6) by The Japanese House: This song is 10x better than Exile

Notably bad
-Exile (Sorry, Sue)
-Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers: This is the IGOR of 2020 for me - Everyone loves it but it’s boring

Final thought - Getz / Gilberto (1967) is the most striking for me this year, has a lot in common with Light Upon the Lake, and is better than any album named in this email.

Ed
p.s. Reflecting years later, listing a podcast was a stretch.