Favorite Albums (Top Ten and more) of 2021

Favorite Albums of 2021 (Top Ten and Beyond)

Like many others, at the end of the year I like to take stock and look back over the year, including the year’s best in music. So, yes, it is time for my own listing of my favorite albums of 2021. First, a bit of a disclaimer, in that I do not listen to tons of new albums each year, and generally only listen to albums that I expect to like (unlike professional critics who are paid to listen to lots of things they don’t like). I often do check out artists and albums that get recommended to me if it seems like something I would appreciate. This year I immersed myself mainly in artists that are considered part of the modern progressive rock arena, as I found more to enjoy there than within most other musical subgroups. So, most of my favorites this year could be considered melodic Prog Rock of some sort. I found many newer bands that were quite interesting, as well as old favorites that are producing some of their best. Overall, it was quite a good year for very interesting and worthwhile music. I found much to be delighted about. But, of course, there may be lots of great stuff I never heard or knew about. Anyway, here are my favorite albums released for 2021. 

First, I wanted to mention a couple of EPs of note. Not long enough to be considered with the albums, but worthy nonetheless. Counting Crows released their first new music in over 7 years with their 4-song suite Butter Miracle Suite One, which was a worthy addition to their musical legacy. Also of note was the recently released EP by Thank You Scientist - Plague Accommodations, more excitingly eclectic music from this unique band.
 

Next, a few mostly honorable mentions.  Here are two great all-instrumental albums: The virtuoso prog jazz explorations of Liquid Tension Experiment – LTE3, and the sublime and intricate melodies of Swedish band Agusa – En Annan Varld. Some other notable prog releases that were of considerable interest but were just not quite what I was looking for included Caligonaut – Magnified as Giants, Ciccada – Harvest, and smalltape – The Hungry Heart. More in the indie rock scene, The War on Drugs album I Don't Live Here Anymore was quite good, but just not quite top ten level. Another trio of albums that were good, but also somewhat of a disappointment, included the 2nd Allison Krauss/Robert Plant collaboration – Raise the Roof (they once again sound great together, but song selection was spotty with only a few really memorable songs here), Styx – Crash of the Crown (highly touted in some circles, but just good, not great), and Barenaked Ladies – Detour De Force (very uneven album, but they still know how to put together some great and fun pop-rock songs). 

Now, here are my Top Ten Favorite Albums of 2021.  

 

10. Meer - Playing House.

This was a last-minute addition to this list, as I had never heard of them until this past week, when a recommendation from another year-end list resulted in me checking them out and really liking what I heard. Meer is an 8 member collective from Norway, that bill themselves as an 'Alternative pop orchestra', combining orchestral pop, classical, and progressive rock. Lead by the vocals of siblings Johanne and Knut Kippersund and supported by violin and viola in addition to the usual guitar, piano, bass, and drums, as well as some electro-pop arrangements, they create unique melodic progressive pop, sort of a singer-songwriter approach, but with symphonic and progressive arrangements. Album was released in January 2021 and could have been forgotten, but thanks to Nathan on Shuffle (Youtube) I am so glad to have found this unique band.

9. Drifting Sun - Forsaken Innocence.

 Another ‘new’ band for me (although originally formed in the ‘90’s, and then re-formed in 2015 after many years of dormancy), this is their 5th album since their reformation. Diversity and versatility are keys here for this accomplished set of melodic prog songs from Drifting Sun. Although there are some tedious sections in the more downbeat first half of the album (in consecutive moody tomes ‘Insidious’ and ‘Dementium’), the magnificent centerpiece ‘Forsaken Innocence’ parts 1 and 2 lifts the rest of the album to glorious heights.

 

8. Jackson Browne - Downhill From Everywhere. 

Jackson, at 72, and his 15th studio album (and first in 7 years), still has it. Although nothing really new here, Jackson is still one of the great songwriters, his voice still sounds great (unlike most of his aging peers), and this is one of his best albums in years. Jackson hasn’t tried to change his style to fit the times, but just keeps writing and performing lovely, moving songs from the heart. Yes, he still writes topical songs about matters that are important to him, but they are honest and not preachy or annoying. The songs here are warm, articulate, and compelling, and it is just such a joy to listen to his beautiful voice, melodies, and simple tasteful accompaniment and arrangements. 

7. This Winter Machine – Kites.

This is another ‘new’ band for me (although this is their third album), driven by a pop-rock feel and approach, but nonetheless definitely progressive rock. From the UK, with vocalist Al Wynter as the heart of the band amidst some changing personnel, and getting some key contributions from guest musicians, including Mick Abrahams (Wishbone Ash), Peter Jones (Tiger Moth Tales), and Eric Bouillette (Nine Skies). Great melodic Prog, with nods towards more straight-forward rock, pop, and power pop. Very impressive and great fun.

6. Lifesigns – Altitude. 

Also ‘new’ to me this year (their third release), Lifesigns features John Young (keyboards-vocals), Dave Bainbridge (guitar), Jon Poole (bass-vocals), and Zoltan Csorsz (drums), all veterans of other bands, and they provide a diverse mix of styles, from pastoral to symphonic flourishes, while maintaining strong melodies and vocals throughout. Alternates between shorter more pop-rock sections to the more elaborate and lengthy prog excursions, culminating in the beautiful ballad ‘Last One Home’ and a brief reprise of the opening ‘Altitude’. Overall, a beautiful and accessible progressive rock album filled with strong emotional connections, evocative melodies, and powerful instrumental passages.

5. Steve Hackett - Surrender of Silence.  

Guitarist extraordinaire Steve Hackett has followed up his earlier 2021 release, Under a Mediterranean Sky, which was a mostly laid-back, acoustic, instrumental excursion through the music and influences in and around the Mediterranean countries, with this much bigger, bolder, and more diverse collection of songs. Still somewhat of a travelogue in that it includes musical styles and influences from around the World, but this time showing heavier and darker themes and passages amidst some lighter fare. Possibly Steve’s most diverse album, highlighting many different styles and musical structures, and strong songwriting, making this one of his best overall albums. 

4. Cyan - For King and Country. 

A great album of classic throwback symphonic progressive rock. Cyan is a project of multi-instrumentalist -songwriter Robert Reed. He initially created Cyan back in the early '90's, primarily as a solo project, released a few albums, then went on to form the full-fledged progressive rock band Magenta (featuring strong influences of Genesis, Yes, Renaissance, Pink Floyd, and Mike Oldfield), to great success. However, this year, Rob convened an all-new version of Cyan, bringing in musicians such as guitarist Luke Maschin and Peter Jones (vocals) to record an all-new revised, re-imagined, and revitalized version of a previous Cyan solo album, For King and Country. The result is just wonderful, and although it is a revised version of a nearly 30-yr old album, it sounds fresh and vibrant, in the style of classic prog. In addition, this album is special to me because it introduced to me to the world of music created by Rob Reed, Magenta, and Peter Jones, as I had not listened to them previously, but after this album I immersed myself into Reed's other projects, mainly Magenta (8 albums 2001-2020) and other solo albums, which I now love wholeheartedly, as well as Peter Jones other work (Tiger Moth Tales), and these artists have been the best and most important musical discovery for me in 2021. 

3. Transatlantic - The Absolute Universe. 

Another impressive concept album from this periodic Prog Supergoup (5 albums over a period of 20 years), consisting of Neal Morse (Spock's Beard, Neal Morse Band, vocals, keyboards, guitar), Roine Stolt (Flower Kings, guitars, vocals), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Neal Morse Band, drums, vocals), Pete Trewavas (Marillion, bass, vocals), the album was released in two different versions, a shorter (The Breath of Life, 60 min) and longer version (Forevermore, 90 plus min). I've only listened to the longer version, and it is a great epic release, with some wonderful interconnected songs and sensational virtuoso playing and musicianship in a variety of styles. Although not quite up to their very best (I would rank Bridge Across Forever-2001  and The Whirlwind-2009 higher), this is still a great epic release, and among the very best melodic progressive rock around, melding a variety of styles and influences for a great musical experience.  

2. Neal Morse Band - Innocence and Danger.  

Fantastic double album from Prog veterans The Neal Morse Band (Neal Morse-vocals, keyboards, guitar), Eric Gillette (guitars, vocals), Mike Portnoy (drums. vocals), Bill Hubauer (keyboards, vocals), Randy George (bass). Unlike their past couple albums, this one is not a big concept album with an overarching theme, but just a collection of songs, which seems to have freed the band to do more exploring and playing with different styles and sounds, resulting in some more varied and interesting tracks. But the album is still divided into 2 distinctly different sets: Disc 1 (Innocence) consists  of  8 'shorter' songs (3-8 minutes each) of varying styles, some more poppy, some more jazzy, etc., but all with strong melodies and virtuoso playing, culminating in a great progressive adaptation of Paul Simon's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water). Disc 2 (Danger) consists of 2 epic Prog tracks, 'Not Afraid Pt.2' (nearly 20 min). and 'Beyond the Years' (more than 30 min), both of which are just fantastic and shows what great bands can do with multi-part, extended length tracks. Whereas disc 1 is very good, disc 2 just takes off and soars with these incredible epic tracks, running the gamout from classical, blues, rock, jazz, pop, all worked into cohesive songs. A highpoint in this band's already impressive discography.  

 

1. Big Big Train - Common Ground.  

Following a string of great albums in recent years, 2020 saw personnel changes paring the size of the band down from 8 to 4, but this sensational album saw the new stripped-down band respond impressively, boldly moving forward, trying out some new styles and directions, while maintaining and building upon the core attributes that make this band great. I thoroughly love this album, from start to finish, every song a gem. It starts with a few songs that don’t quite sound like BBT, as they expand their sound in some interesting directions and styles, and although at first a bit disconcerting, it all works wonderfully, providing some fresh style and perspective. Later in the album, the full glory of Big Big Train is fully realized, with the concluding series of ‘Common Ground’, ‘Atlantic Cable’, and ‘Endnotes’ providing perhaps their best song sequence ever, highlighting all the soaring emotions, beautiful melodies and grand themes present in their best work. Not as ‘pastoral’ as other recent albums, but this bolder vision for BBT combines all the best aspects of previous albums with some delightful new sounds and styles. This was undoubtedly my favorite album of the year, it just keeps getting better with repeated listenings. For me, one of their all-time best (certainly best since English Electric, and possibly best overall), showing more growth and diversity, and just wonderful music. Unfortunately, BBT also suffered a devastating loss late this year, when longtime frontman vocalist-songwriter David Longdon tragically died in a vehicle accident in November 2021 (R.I.P David). A huge loss for BBT, David’s family, his fans, and the music world. But this great music will live on, and most likely BBT will also continue to move forward as well. 

OK, so those were my favorites from 2021. What were yours? What albums from 2021 got you excited and thrilled about new music this past year? You may have found some great stuff I was not aware of. Let's hear about some of the quality music you enjoyed from the last year.