Albums of the Year, 2022 Edition (Part 1)
Exploring the top 5 Albums of the year for 2022
2022 had its fair share of awesome music, but I am going to narrow it down to my top 5 from the vinyl I purchased in 2022. It might be a short list but over the next three parts I will break them down and why you should give them a listen.
Number 5: Portals, Kirk Hammett.
Blackened Records: April 2022.
This album was put out by Metallica guitarist, Kirk Hammett. To me it reminded me of the mid 80’s to early 90’s Metallica guitar shredding with its impeccable finger work. Hammett does a wonderful job on this album by releasing four songs with varying themes.
In multiple interviews Hammett explains that he was paying homage to film scores of the past and he makes no secret that he has aspirations to become a film score composer.1 To me this is more reminiscent of a masterwork of guitar playing than a music score by John Williams or Ennio Morricone.
Track 1: Maiden and the Monster
The album opens with the powerhouse instrumental, Maiden and the Monster. It gets up to speed quickly and never takes it foot off the accelerator of face melting guitar solos that meld perfectly with the accompanying instruments. As the song progresses it begins to feel like something out of the 80s with some snythwave elements before the drums take over the second half of the song which help power this song to an epic conclusion.
Track 3: High Plains Drifter
Going from electric shredding we settle into another work of art on the album, High Plains Drifter, which showcases a softer side of Hammett. While not melting your face like other songs on the album, this one is played with an acoustic guitar that pays its respects to the westerns of the 50’s and 60’s. Taking a page from these westerns you would fully expect to be transported to the OK Corral in Tombstone along side the Earps or Clanton gang.
One thing I really enjoy in this album is the range that Hammett shows with his guitar skills. As of late on a few of Metallica’s studio albums it feels like that he is being drowned out by front man James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich and is taking a back seat to his other two bandmates.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Number 4: Smoke and Oakum, The Longest Johns.
Decca Records: January 2022.
Switching gears we move to another solid album but this one is more vocals than instrumentals. This is the Longest Johns 5th studio album, Smoke and Oakum.
When you think of this group, think of the sea shanty singers of the mid 18th century and folk songs from the 19th century. To me this album completely covers both time periods equally well as their albums in the past focus on one or the other genre almost exclusively.
Track 6: Wayfaring Stranger
The middle of the album has a song you might recall if you played the Oregon Trail remake from 1990. Wayfaring Stranger actually makes it debut as a spiritual in 1858, but it became popular during the Civil War as the Libby Prison Hymn. It was documented that a Union prisoner sang it to a fellow prisoner to comfort him as he lay dying.
Wayfaring Stranger is my favorite song on the album due to the history behind it as well as the Oregon Trail was one of my favorite games of my childhood. It was a pleasant addition to an already solid album where the vocal work is top notch as each member of the group perfectly blends harmony and balance to make this song stand out.
Track 14: Beer is Great
I mean as a blogger who writes about music and brews, could I really pass up this last song on the album? I don’t think so.
The song is basically a tribute to beer and all the different kinds as well as ways to drink it. I don’t really need to explain the song any more than I already have.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
So now that you have seen my number 4 and 5 albums of the year, lets raise a glass or pint to Kirk Hammett and The Longest Johns.
Tune in next week to see my number 2 and 3 albums of 2022, but why wait, leave a comment below if you think you can guess what the last 3 albums are. I will give you a hint on number 1, it is 12 hours of music that is unmatched by any album I currently have, including the Grateful Dead live albums.
The Countdown Celebration is just a photo of drinking some beers at Trillium Brewing this past summer. I urge you to grab your favorite beer or drink and give these two albums a listen.
Louder (loudersound.com)