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10. Bill Scorzari – Through These Waves
Rugged, soulful Americana with distinct gravelly vocals that make you want to build a cabin in the mountains and learn how to play the banjo.
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9. The Jerry Cans – Inuusiq/Life
Featuring throat singing mixed with indie rock and country, this is one of the most unusual and interesting albums of the year from a band who live somewhere most people have never heard of (Nunavut).
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8. Baby In Vain – More Nothing
Baby In Vain is a t trio of females from Denmark with a penchant for noisy alt-rock. On this album, they align themselves with the greatness achieved by Babes In Toyland and L7.
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7. Justin Townes Earle – Kids In The Street
The younger Earle does his father Steve and his namesake Townes Van Zandt proud on this warm, breezy, and brilliant album of folk, country, and blues.
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6. A Giant Dog – Toy
This is one of the best albums on Merge Records in recent history. The garage rock, power pop, and anthemic tunes here are full of fuzzy power and self-deprecating lyrics that are contagious.
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5. Jon Langford – Four Lost Souls
The Mekons frontman returns with a post-election Americana affair that brings in R&B and backing female vocals. This release is a highlight in an already incredible and lengthy career.
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4. Elliott Smith – Either/Or (Expanded Edition)
One of Smith’s finest albums remastered with essential bonus material. Though this was originally released 20 years ago, it remains some of the finest singer-songwriter albums to date.
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3. Kissing Is A Crime – Kissing Is A Crime
The Brooklyn sensations bring their post-punk influences to a New Wave and alt-rock party with stunning results. Dual gender vocals and fuzzed out guitars help make this a splendid debut album.
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2. Cock Sparrer – Forever
After 45 years as a band and having influenced countless other outfits, Cock Sparrer has become an institution of Oi! influenced punk. This first album in a decade brings all their hallmarks to the table: gang vocals, melodic guitar work, and sharp lyricism.
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1. Fire In The Radio – New Air
Charming ’90s influenced melodic punk with shards of New Wave, shoegaze, and grunge, this one’s vital for both aging punks and the younger Hot Topic crowd.
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