Well, well, well, dear readers. We made it! I'm not sure how we did, but we made it. I don't have to tell you that 2021 was a year. But the one thing that remained steadfast is music. Constant, never-ending, always changing.
I'm gonna give it to you straight, my friends. There was a long period last year where for the first time in my life, music couldn't save me. In fact, the first several months of the year, I avoided listening to much new music, clinging to favorites from childhood, from previous years' lists. No matter how trivial, serious, fun or emotionally disruptive, the music of my past is what kept me going last year. But about halfway through the year, I started to really dig into what the 2021 had to offer. Yes, much of it was dark, as Prince said, "Sign O the Times." But once I did start to delve into 2021 in music, some of the stuff that I listened to was absolute magic. That magic carried me through over 125 albums last year and culminated in the list we have here.
As every year I've done this since I started, I missed so much music. The world is too big. People always need an outlet to express themselves. Everyday there are at least 100 new albums released. Every. Day. So of course I wouldn't hear all of it, especially starting as late as I did. I also realize that there are many obvious albums that I just didn't get to for one reason or another. Hopefully you won't hold it against me.
Okay, I've rambled long enough. Procrastinated more than necessary. So without further ado, I present to you The List!
Honorable Mentions
Of course I couldn't go without shouting out a few albums that nearly made it to the main list. In no particular order (and without revealing just how close they came), here are three albums that while they didn't make the list, they still made an impression and deserve to be noted.
100-81
80-61
60-41
40-21
20-11
The Top 10
And there you have it. Another year. Another 100 albums. It was truly a remarkable one for me musically. Despite starting late, I was truly transformed in a way I haven't been in a long time. What were some of your favorites this year? Did any of your faves land on my list?
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