Number 11 was inexplicably omitted from yesterday’s posting. That should have been Elvis Costello with Secret, Profane and Sugarcane.

10. Pierce Pettis–That Kind of Love
Springsteen is the only artist on this list that I have been a fan of longer than Pierce Pettis. I first discovered a CD of his in a bargain bin back in the late 80s. I still look back with tremendous fondness for the number of times I was able to go see him at the historic Bluebird during my Nashville years. Although his voice has dropped to a level that is often too deep for me, his songwriting is still masterful.

9. Kelly Clarkson–All I Ever Wanted
Make fun of me all you want for having two AI offerings in my top 10 but Clarkson returned to the pop confection of her 2004 smash Breakaway with this offering. Girl has some pipes.

8. The Avett Brothers–I and Love and You
This album is one that must percolate. At first blush it is a disappointment. But the best artists always take you where you are not prepared to go. That is what happens here:

7. Alice Peacock–Love Remains
The voice of an angel searching for God. Peacock writes beautiful ballads rife with the spiritual longing and insight of a preacher’s kid. This album was my pleasant surprise of the year.

6. Spinal Tap–Back From the Dead
TAP! The most important metal recording since Smell The Glove. I don’t usually list best of material but this is a career spanning retrospective that should be on every true music lover’s shelf.

5. Bruce Springsteen–Working On a Dream
The Boss churns out another album chock full of gems. What makes this stand out was the inclusion of my favorite album track of his in 25+ years.

4. Brooke White–High Hopes and Heartbreak
As my dawg Randy Jackson would say, “she could sing the phone book and I would love it.” Her voice and style are such a picture perfect remembrance of vintage Carly Simon.

3. Neko Case–Middle Cyclone
Simply.Stunning

2. The Swell Season–Strict Joy
I wasn’t sure if they would be able to repeat the sheer beauty and transcendence of their self-titled debut and the music recorded for Once. In my opinion, however, they have surpassed that with this outing.

1. Michael McDermott–Hey La Hey
I know this comes as no surprise to anyone that I would place this number 1. I have been an indefatigable cheerleader and supporter of Michael’s for 18 years now. I have introduced him to a large number of people and consider him a friend and a hell of a guy.
However, when this first came out I was conflicted. The album was not what I expected. There was something missing. Or better said, there was something different: hope and optimism that is the true hallmark of maturity. With Hey La Hey we have the consummate tortured artist emerging on the other side, scarred and weary but intact. And finally and firmly acquainted with love.
“The Year It All Went Wrong” serves as a beautiful cap to those darkened years. It is after that year of everything going wrong that he is able to emerge singing “I’m falling in love.”
I would have been content to spend the rest of my days listening to the plaintive cries of Michael’s heart. However, I would have missed out on what comes next: a grown man who has experienced all that life has to offer only to rise up again and again and embrace the possibility of redemption, reconciliation and love.