Welcome to The Marinade’s Favorite Records of 2023! It has always struck me as a little strange that media outlets start to release their year-end lists as early as November. I don’t say that to be contrarian, or even critical, it just strikes me as incongruent with how I think about these things. One of my favorite records from 2022, Adeem the Artist’s White Trash Revelry was not realeased until December, and these things need time to digest.
Thus, it has been my practice to wait until the end of 2023 or first of 2024 to start compiling my list. I chose the adjective favorite because it’s a little biased. Some of my friends and favorite artists made the cut. This is not a journalistic exercise, it’s a celebration of the records that meant the most to me during what was by far the toughest year of my life.
These albums are presented in no particular order except that the three in this post were by far the most influential and important to me.
They are companions and comforts- go-tos during the good and not-so-good of turbulent year.
Enjoy the list and jump in the comments with your thoughts! Thank you for another amazing year of The Marinade!
Love,
JE
Van Plating - Orange Blossom Child
This record is close to home. For the most part, the work I do is intentionally subjective. I lose myself in records regardless of their perspective. With Van Plating albums, the immersion leaves me up to my neck in the swamp that is this place we both call home.
Van Plating is one of the best people I know and I love her dearly. She is also one of the best songwriters in a genre full of brilliant artists.
Her brand of Americana, which she calls Orange Blossom Country, is always fresh and exciting. This record deftly touches on the reproductive rights of women, enduring and laughing at the entitled misogyny of the music industry, Gen X nostalgia, and so much more. Despite the broad swath of themes, Orange Blossom Child is a cohesive masterwork that steps up her already incredible catalog.
Jason Isbell - Weathervanes
Marinade Media is full of exaltations of this man and his work. Jason Isbell is America’s greatest songwriter and each album is better than the last.
That point finds itself under frequent debate among Isbell’s super fans. I contend there is a case to be made that all of his other near perfect records have a misstep. “Super 8” is a good song but it sticks out like a sore thumb on his otherwise perfect breakthrough Southeastern. “Anxiety” borders on Dr. Suess triteness at times on the Grammy winning The Nashville Sound.
Weathervanes contains no arguable missteps. It is full of songs that could each be my favorite of the year. Take “Volunteer,” which has flown under the radar. Find one song from any other artist that rivals this tune.
Pony Bradshaw - North Georgia Rounder
If Jason Isbell did not exist this would probably be my favorite record of the year. Pony Bradshaw’s sense of place and ability to transport the listener is rivaled by very few writers. I have been listening to this record since November of 2022 when it was first pitched to me for coverage.
As is custom, I burned a CD and listened to it on my morning commute, while on my way to a job I hated, and when going to the store. It was there all year and then some as I navigated the mundane as well as the complicated and heavy aspects of my life.
North Georgia Rounder does not need space to grow on you. Its brilliance is apparent from the first listen. But, if you are open, it will give and give.