fish picks 2022

As I’ve done since 2006, I bring you this year’s iteration of, in my opinion, the best albums of 2022. I don’t expect agreement on any of these fine records achieving such a rank, but for me they each helped me endure the year a little better than if they didn’t exist. I know I’ve experienced a better year because of these albums, and I know that each of them in one way or another have done the same for so many others out there.

I said this, maybe too preemptively, that in 2021 we saw several albums coming out of the pandemic. While we still live in a new reality, I now believe 2022 is truly the year of artists finally coming out of the days being stuck in their apartment, wearing masks everywhere they went, hearing about another family member or friend who had Covid. The depression that started to lift last year hasn’t gone away, but our moods have improved. The creative sparks have increased in intensity. We have albums written with the juxtaposition of 2 years living under a dark cloud, and slowly crawling towards some semblance of life pre-pandemic.

None of this is to say that 2022 is better than 2021 - each year has its own sound, its own voice, its own tugs and releases of the heart strings. The diversity of music is one of the biggest aspects I love about it. It can make you laugh, it can make you cry, it can move your soul in a way that takes over your body, swaying and spinning with complete abandonment. One can argue that my taste itself is fairly consistent, and often that is quite true. I think you can also hear over the past few Fish Picks, I have let in not necessarily gravitated to what is comfortable, but the music that challenges me. Challenges my ears, challenges my heart, and allows my soul to truly experience music in a greater way than ever before.

For all of my words, 2022 has simply been an incredible year for music. It was not easy to pare it down to 20 songs. I know playlists are limitless, but I don’t see myself ever deviating from the idea of a mix tape. This year - I almost did. I entertained the idea of 30 songs, maybe just 25. In the end, I knew sticking to 20 was the right move and I made it happen. To the left, you’ll find the cover art, which I always find joy in making, along with an embedded Spotify playlist selecting 1 song from each of the albums. Below you will find my own semblance of a review of each album. On or around December 20th, after posting 2-3 reviews per day, the full playlist will be visible, with links to Spotify and Apple Music. I really hope you enjoy this year’s iteration, and the method of releasing it.

Here’s to 2022, love that transcends hate, humanity that binds us, and music that brings us together.

20 - Vandoliers - The Vandoliers

From the first vibrations of the fiddle on “Howlin’” I thought I was about to hear a cover of “What’s Left of the Flag” by Flogging Molly. Then, against that backdrop I’m led into a Tejano themed love song. It’s no mistake “Howlin’” directly precedes “Bless Your Drunken Heart” where I’m equally perplexed among Tejano horns, foot stomping bluegrass, and screaming from the mic as if I were in a Galway pub.

And yet, is any of it so surprising? The Irish settled the birthplace of country and bluegrass music, up and down Southern Appalachia. They were rebels from the beginning, and to actually steal from Flogging Molly, rebels of the sacred heart. I only discovered the Vandoliers this year. I’m glad I did and I can’t wait to hear what’s next in store.

19 - First Aid Kit - Palomino

First Aid Kit, at the 19th best record?!? Is this a result of Palomino’s late release date, how many other phenomenal records there were this year, or my own constant changing mood or taste or whatever you want to call it? Maybe a bit of it all. The thing is, Palomino is an excellent fucking record and there just so happened to be 18 more that struck some particular chord for me.

With Palomino, the Söderberg sisters obviously took some time with this record, blending their typical harmonies with new variations or none at all. Their haunting harmonies are still there, especially on tracks like “Ready to Run” and “Wild Horses II.” But otherwise, when present, they are simply harmonies. This isn’t bad, it just isn’t what drew me so deeply to these Swedish sisters in the beginning.

So who is First Aid Kit? Am I to put them in a box and cling tightly to that and nothing else? Or is it okay to let them spread their wings and see where the air currents take them? I’ll go for the latter as they cling to their roots and at the same time reach for what’s ahead with “Out of My Head” and “Angel.” They are definitely ready to run.