Music

Written by Darren C. Demare
list compiled through votes by the AltOhio Music staff

Albums 50-41

50. William Elliot Whitmore "Animals in the Dark"

This man's voice is pure, beautiful Mississippi River. Slightly more political, mostly because the current climate demands it, this album explores everything from evil to missing a drinking buddy.

Inspired Track: Hell or High Water

49. M. Ward "Hold Time"

It was a good year for M. Ward. Between this album and the work he did with Zooey Deschanel in She & Him, M. Ward really put himself in front of a lot of new listeners. This is a very good thing. M. Ward can play any kind of song, and this album does an excellent job of controlling the pace of his talents.

Inspired Track: Oh Lonesome Me

48. Langhorne Slim "Be Set Free"

With every subsequent album he's made since his terrific debut "When the Sun's Gone Down" Langhorne Slim has become more polished, and more direct in his approach to making albums. "Be Set Free" is a fine continuation of the excellent live performer.

Inspired Track: For A Little While

47. Times New Viking "Born Again Revisited"

Columbus' own Times New Viking continues on their path of lo-fi rightousness without destroying their catchy true nature. This album is a plow through of reverb that remains re-listenable, which is no small feat.

Inspired Track: Martin Luther King Day

46. Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons "Death Won't Send A Letter"

This was the first album I had heard from Cory Chisel, and I was damn impressed. He takes his singer/songwriter chops and is able to put them in the right setting on any giving song. The direction he will take these skills has me intrigued.

Inspired Song: Angel of Mine

45. Tegan and Sara "Sainthood"

There is a new speed to this album. It's by far the most dynamic Tegan and Sara album, and that, for me, takes them out of the land of bands that produce one or two good singles an album, and nothing else. If frenetic continues to spin these right wheels, they could really be onto something.

Inspired Track: Northshore

44. Peter Bjorn and John "Living Thing"

More concept than single-driven, this is an obviously talented band, that will damn well flex that when they choose to.

Inspired Track: It Don't Move Me

43. Hayden "The Place Where We Lived"

One of the most frank, beautiful Canadian songwriters we have. Hayden has been in the groove for almost a decade and a half now. "The Place Where We Lived" is maybe his most complete work.

Inspired Track: Message from London

42. Those Darlins "Those Darlins"

These ladies have a song on this album about getting drunk and eating a whole chicken. That's enough right there to get me to love this album. Beyond that, all of these songs are just so damn catchy and fun.

Inspired Track: Red Light Love

41. Passion Pit "Manners"

They got famous fast for a reason. This isn't even my kind of music, and I love this album.

Inspired Track: Sleepyhead