Our Top Six Albums September 2024

Posted on Sep 2, 2024 in Album Reviews, Lists and Bests

Our Top Six Albums September 2024

Top Six Album Releases

September 2024

Our Top Six Albums September 2024

By Rob Dickens

Joe Ely

Driven To Drive

Rack ‘Em Records

2 August 2024

Since 1977, Texan Joe Ely has delivered sixteen studio albums, along with collaborations like The Flatlanders. There’s not enough room here for a deep dive into Grammy-winning Ely’s impressive bio, but here’s a fun fact – he sang Spanish vocals on The Clash‘s “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?”. As well as Joe Strummer, Bruce Springsteen is clearly a fan, with his contribution on track two of Driven To Drive, the slow but insistent “Odds Of The Blues” with that undeniable Texas blues vibe.

The album has a vivid thread running through it, songs about travelling as a musician – the venues, the places, things left behind and the highs and lows of life on the road. A leader in many genres like Outlaw Country and Texas Rock, Ely has excelled and endured – “Nashville Catfish” is a domonstration of his musical hegemony.

Driven To Drive is a helluva smooth ride.

OFFICIAL SITE

Julian Taylor

Pathways

Howling Turtle, Inc

27 September 2024

There is a sonic tranquility and undying honesty around Julian Taylor‘s music. I was a big fan of his 2022 release Beyond The Reservoir (his second album was nominated for two Juno Awards and three Canadian Folk Music Awards) and Pathways continues to set high standards in songwriting and vocal delivery.

“When you feel heavy, you’ve got to get things off your chest and Pathways reflects the way I was feeling while I was writing it and making it. What any of us are going through at any particular time acts as a stamp, or an imprint, of what we’re battling and trying to heal within ourselves”. – Julian Taylor

Pathways was co-produced by Taylor and Colin Linden (Emmylou Harris, Bruce Cockburn, Blackie and The Rodeo Kings) and was recorded in two key locations: Jukasa Studios at the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, and Linden’s own Pinhead Recorders in Nashville.

Pathways is a consoling and undeniable success.

OFFICIAL SITE

Via Skye Media

Laurel Lewis

RC1

2 August 2024

Laurel Lewis admired Americana icon Rodney Crowell so much, she, at age eighteen, enrolled in one of his private songwriting camps. “He emailed me one day after the camp ended” said Lewis, saying: “‘You’re as good a performer as you are a songwriter, and I wanna know more about what you’re up to.’”

Her first album was released under the name Madison Lewis (the name Laurel Lewis is in honor of Lewis’ hometown, nestled in the heart of Laurel County, Kentucky). Laurel Lewis, the album (produced by Crowell on his won RC1 label), contains some beautiful storytelling, shining observations of people she has met, her Appalachian childhood and, above all, following your own instincts to create your own true personal identity.

Her insight and wordsmith craft are special.

OFFICIAL SITE

Nathan Jacques

Dark Wanderer And The Bounty Heart

Hidden Mountain Records

26 September 2024

Don’t be fooled by the flashy comic vibe of the album cover or clip below, Nathan Jacques‘s talents are not to be laughed at. Dark Wanderer And The Bounty Heart is a shining western-themed collection, an excellent endeavour with Jacques’s smooth baritone and the crisp twangy arrangements featuring loud and clear.

Spaghetti western touches, strains of movie soundtracks, sounds of great expanses and riding rhythms all triumph over the twelve tracks and eight interludes contained within. The band deserves a mention – Christopher Motter (guitar), Allen Moreno (steel & baritone guitar), Matt Littell (bass), Edward Cerecedes (drums) and Eric Bell (organ).

Dark Wanderer And The Bounty Heart is a cowboy delight.

OFFICIAL SITE

Via Publicity Please

Orville Peck

Stampede

Warner Records

2 August 2024

Speaking of cowboys, the gilt-edged masked man Orville Peck returns with his most dramatic and colourful record yet, spruiking his gayness, flamboyance and, above all, his musical talents. What is also on offer on Stampede is an incredible list of guests which clearly evidence the esteem in which he is held by his peers.

Appearances on the album include Willie Nelson, Elton John, Molly Tuttle (and Golden Highway), Midland, Beck, Debbii Dawson, Allison Russell, Noah Cyrus, Bu Cuaron, Kylie Minogue, Diplo, Teddy Swims, Margo Price, Mickey Guyton, Nathaniel Rateliff, TJ Osborne, Waylon Payne and Fancy Hagood.

That cast list, alone, is proof positive that Orville Peck‘s latest is a monument – one of the best of 2024.

Reckless Kelly

The Last Frontier

No Big Deal Records

13 September 2024

“If you’re the kind that goes out looking for some trouble, have what’s left of mine” – “Long Lonesome Ride”

Brothers Willy and Cody Braun are the frontmen of the Austin, Texas journeymen band Reckless Kelly. An alt. country band (recipients of Grammy and Ameripolitan Awards) that has consistently delivered A-grade recordings and live shows, amassing a significant and loyal following of fans over the years. The new record is no different.

There are some solid uptempo numbers here where the five-piece struts their stuff, but the real winners are a series of gritty ballads “You Were The One”, “Long Lonesome Ride” and especially “Lightning In A Bottle”.

The Last Frontier represents a turning point as the band has announced it will be pairing back its live appearances and the traditional touring model from the end of next year, to focus on their annual festival, The Braun Brothers Reunion, a three-day event in Challis, Idaho, which is celebrating its fortieth anniversary in 2024 and other special events. So, if you get the chance, go see ’em!