Springsteen, Shires & Shemekia: The best albums of 2022

Every year the album seems to decline in the eyes of music consumers, who veer toward smaller samples of an artist’s work, or even limit themselves to streaming single songs. But the album is still capable of containing a concise statement or a snapshot of what a musician is all about and what they care about. 2022 offers a wealth of outstanding efforts, and with the usual disclaimer that we don’t hear everything, here are the albums that stood out on our playlist, in no particular order.

'Take It Like a Man,' by Amanda Shires

The days of music fans knowing Amanda Shires merely as the fiddler in husband Jason Isbell’s band are long over. Her turn in The Highwomen was one eye-opener, and her previous albums were notably unique, but this is the one that made her a stunning headliner in her own right. Whether it’s the haunting lust of “Hawk for the Dove,” the eerie breakup lurking behind the poetic title cut, or the seductive strut to “Here He Comes,” Shires’ music connects on an emotional and visceral level.

'Gently Used,' by Matt York

It’s ironic that, as York’s performing career took off with his salute to The Highwaymen, he’d also released perhaps his best collection of original music. Pembroke’s York ranges from the joyful two-step of “If You Want Love” to the melancholy title cut, a portrait of a worn-out stripper that might’ve fit neatly on a Townes Van Zandt or Flatlanders record. “Baby Doll,” a country-rocker about an ex-con trying to rejoin society, rode the kind of haunting atmosphere Chris Isaak excels at, and also had a starkly affecting video shot in South Boston.

'Crackdown,' by GA-20

How to follow up their worldwide hit album of Hound Dog Taylor covers? The Boston trio of Matt Stubbs, Pat Faherty and Tim Carman unleashed a sizzling record of their own tunes, proving they have this primal blues-rock thing down pat. Faherty’s plaintive vocals on “Dry Run” are thrilling, the gutbucket charge of “Fairweather Friend” can’t be denied, but the title cut might be best of all, a lengthy instrumental strut with delectable melodic development that could’ve been discovered in a late 1960s Stax-Volt vault.

'External Combustion,' by Mike Campbell and The Dirty Knobs

It’s not a Tom Petty, or even a Heartbreakers, album, but it’s as close as we’ll ever get now. Campbell is a solid vocalist, and the songs are well written and compelling rock ‘n’ roll. The gritty workingman’s rocker “Dirty Job” features guest singer Ian Hunter. “Wicked Mind” is the type of pell-mell rocker Petty loved. The title cut is about grudging acceptance of one’s limitations, while the tender duet with Margo Price on “State of Mind” suggests there are few limits to Campbell’s vocal potential.

'Mercy Me,' by Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters

The former Roomful of Blues guitarist has been turning out superb albums for decades now, and this latest 79-minute gem includes all manner of blues, soul and jazz, all with his stellar fretwork and spiritual undertone. “A Blues for Ruthie Foster” is a subtle acoustic trio number, while Dave Mason’s classic “Only You Know and I Know” is propulsive big band rockin’ blues. The poignancy of his “Blues for Duke Robillard” shows Earl’s mastery of electric guitar at its finest. And a co-write with Marshfield’s Anthony Geraci, “A Prayer for Tomorrow,” is simply an exquisitely melodic rumination.

'Done Come Too Far,' by Shemekia Copeland

The final volume in the trilogy Copeland began after the birth of her son continues to combine her room-shaking vocals with topical issues to good effect. “Too Far to be Gone” is the muscular rock take on the title theme, declaring the path to equality has no option for turning back, while “Done Come Too Far” is a reworked acoustic version with some different lyrics and a heightened gospel flavor. “Pink Turns to Red” is another rocker with bite, as forceful a portrait of school shootings as we’ll ever hear. For lighter fare, “Nobody But You” is a classic torch song, and “Fell in Love With a Honky” is a humorous view on a romance not far off Copeland’s marriage. That volcanic voice and songs that demand your attention − this is a great record.

'Fatal Mistakes,' by Del Amitri

The first new album and tour in 25 years from the Scottish rockers was a triumph. The songs all deal with people who are in your life for years, and also how changing times cause us to question old notions. “You Can’t Go Back” and “All Hail Blind Love” both brilliantly weave old romance and images of a band reuniting into bracing rock. Other tunes deal with harsh self-examination as one matures, and “Nation of Caners” and “Close Your Eyes and Think of England” take scaldingly unvarnished views of their native United Kingdom. Singer Justin Currie still sounds terrific, and still pens some of the most incisive, heartbreaking lyrics anywhere.

'Land For Sale,' by Lola Kirke

Lola Kirke is the 32-year old daughter of Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke, so she’s a second-generation musician. She may be better known as an actress from roles in "Mozart in the Jungle" and in this year’s HBO series "Winning Time." But her second full-length album proves she’s going to be making waves in  the music world too, with a sound that might be described as classic-era Fleetwood Mac-with-twang, or perhaps akin to Rosanne Cash’s country-rocking 1980s work. Kirke is a compelling songwriter too, with “Lady for Sale” riding country-rock verve, while “Pink Sky” has a Christine McVie vibe. The love song “Better Than Any Drug” adds some R&B heat to the Americana palette for a most enticing mix.

'Only the Strong Survive,' by Bruce Springsteen

Among the most alluring pandemic projects we’ve heard is The Boss doing these 15 classic soul covers. He smartly chose songs that fit his voice, and avoided doing the most obvious, played-out chestnuts. The title cut, from Jerry Butler, is a good example, a hidden gem that soars with the superb arrangements and horns here. Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave) is on hand for harmonies on “Soul Days” and “I Forgot to be Your Lover.” The melodic grace of “Nightshift” is just sublime, and the concluding pair of “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted?” and “Someday We’ll be Together” gives it all a revival feel. If you’re too young to remember the glory days of soul music, this album is a terrific primer.

'Monsters & Angels,' by The Nervous Eaters

There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since the Boston quartet served as house band at the Kenmore Square punk-rock headquarters The Rat, and several lineup changes, but the constant thread has been the superb songwriting of singer Steve Cataldo. This is one of the best Eaters lineups, their potent garage rock is as enticing as ever, and the song and video for “Wild Eyes,” the first single, is ample proof. Tunes like “Hop Sing Said” and “End of the World Girl” show there’s still plenty of fire in the quartet, and this has to rank among 2022’s most notable comebacks.

'Blues Called My Name,' Anthony Geraci

Have local fans ever fully appreciated what a massive talent we have based in Marshfield in soul and blues pianist Geraci? Here’s yet another stellar album of his compositions, with a glittery array of guests including Sugar Ray Norcia, Monster Mike Welch, Erika Van Pelt and Walter Trout. The master of melody shines on instrumentals like “About Last Night” and “Wading in the Vermillion,” and even sings effectively on “I Go Ooh.” Trout’s incendiary guitar is a treat on “Into the Night,” and Norcia makes the title cut, “The Blues Called My Name,” an indelible moment.

Upcoming gigs: Aldous Collins; Eagles and Grateful Dead tributes

There's virtually no music happening this weekend – Merry Christmas!  But let's take a look ahead to upcoming attractions. 

Dec. 28: Playin' Dead jams at Soundcheck Studios.

Dec. 29: The Adam Ezra Group heats up The Narrows Center.

Dec. 30: Eagles tribute band Another Tequila Sunrise has sold out its Spire Center show. Scituate's Ward Hayden & the Outliers celebrate the life, legacy and music of Hank Williams Sr. at The Narrows Center. Booty Vortex grooves at Soundcheck Studios.

Dec. 31: New Year's Eve! The reggae fun of The Elovators, with local faves The Aldous Collins Band among the openers, at House of Blues. The Harbormen come ashore at The C-Note. Soundcheck Studios offers three up-and-coming local artists with Valerie Barretto, Birch Swart and Rob Bellamy performing. Gimme Gimme Disco warms up Brighton Music Hall.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Springsteen, Shires & Shemekia: The best albums of 2022