Bruce Springsteen – We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions: I have been scolded for daring to heap anything but massive amounts of praise on this album. I will confess, I like it more than I thought I would and like it more now than I did upon its initial release (and subsequent repackaging). The Springsteen version of “Mrs. McGrath” will always make me cringe, but other songs from the record have grown on me. I would love it if this band reconvenes to record an album of Springsteen originals- the best of both worlds. Current Favorite Track: “Jacob’s Ladder.”

Leigh Nash – Blue on Blue: This is another album that surprised me this year. I had no expectations for it- I did not even intend to buy it. I am very glad I did. It is catchy in a sneaky, sublime, and charming way. This is not the type of album that will garner massive sales or rave reviews. It is a simple, sweet little record and I never mind hearing it. Current Favorite Track: “Angel Tonight.”

Barenaked Ladies – Barenaked Ladies Are Me: I have counted myself among the Barenaked Ladies fans for some time now but thought I was over them. BLAM has brought me back into the fold. The album is too long and there is some filler, but I found myself queuing it up again and again. I caught myself tapping my foot and cracking up during “Bank Job.” “Sound of Your Voice” still sounds like a Queen song to me and I love it. Current Favorite Track: “Adrift.”

Built to Spill – You in Reverse: YIR is not a collection of singles but a carefully crafted collection of songs that functions best when taken all at once. It can be a daunting task for those of us with short attention spans, but we are rewarded for our perseverance. I have always loved the Billy Corgan method of layering guitars (for my money, the Zwan record is the best example of this). Doug Martsch’s approach is similar, but he is a far more imaginative player than Corgan. The songs on YIR are filled with huge walls of guitars, complimenting and competing with each other. “Goin’ Against Your Mind” is a staggering opus that builds and deconstructs only to build up again. Current Favorite Track: “Goin’ Against Your Mind.”