Fervor Coulee’s Favourite Roots Albums of 2020…so far

As the first half of 2020 comes to a close (and thank criminy for that) and inspired by Exclaim! magazine’s request that I participate in their ‘top albums of the year…so far’ project (shocker: none of my albums made their list, and I even eliminated the bluegrass albums because I knew there was no point), I decided to reflect on my favourites of the last several, dark months. It also allows me to pretend that I am attempting to write rather than continually streaming five-plus seasons of Cold Feet and a selection of other BritBox delicacies.

What follows are my favourite roots albums of 2020…so far, with links to my reviews where available.  

1. Ayla Brook & the Sound Men- Desolation Sounds

2. Special Consensus- Chicago Barn Dance

3. Mark Erelli- Blindsided

4. Bradley & Adair- Oh Darlin’

5. Eric Brace & Last Train Home- Daytime Highs & Overnight Lows

6. High Fidelity- Banjo Player’s Blues

7. The Harmed Brothers- Across the Waves

8. The SteelDrivers- Bad For You

9. The Jerry Cans- Echoes

10. Appalachian Road Show- Tribulation

11. Della Mae- Headlight

12. Jeremy Garrett- Circles

13. Marshall Chapman- Songs I Can’t Live Without

14. John McCutcheon- Cabin Fever: Songs from the Quarantine

15. Jake Blount- Spider Tales

Discovered an additional album this week, Honourable Mention then to- Tami Neilson’s CHICKABOOM! (featured below)