The Top 25 records of 2011 are -

'Rebel' Rod's # 1 of the year

By 'Rebel' Rod Ames

It is the last day of the year – finally. It has been a trying year to say the least. Trying to keep up with all of the wonderful music has been a chore, all be it a good chore. I hate to even call it a chore because that would imply work. The only work was to figure out who to exclude from my top 25.

I used to do a top 10 list but that was just so unfair, so I decided to lengthened the list to 25. Not quite as difficult, but difficult never the less.

So without further ado here is my list-finally! One more note, the top 10 is in order. After 10 there is no particular order.



1 – 13ghosts “Liar’s Melody” (This is American Music)

2 – Ray Manzarek/Roy Rogers Band – “Translucent Blues” (Blind Pig Records)

3 – Carolyn Wonderland – “Peace Meal” (Bismeaux Records)

4 – The Cash Box Kings –“ Holler and Stomp” (Blind Pig Records)

5 – Lauderdale – “Moving On” (Lauderdalemusic.com)

6 – Drive-By Truckers – “Go Go Boots” (ATO Records)

7 – Ian Seigal and the Youngest Sons – “The Skinny” (Nugene Records)

8 – The Hollows – “Belong to the Land” (self-released)

9 – Scotty Alan – “Wreck and the Mess” (Spinout Records)

10 – Eric Hisaw – “Ghost Stories” (self-released)


The above albums round out my top 10 of the year. They were outstanding in every way. Literally every tune on the album is at the very least, great! You can’t go wrong with any of these and will without fail want to add each one to your library.

The remaining albums finish out the top 25 and are in no particular order. They are all great records. Rebel Rod would never steer you wrong!



The Far West – “The Far West” (Light Fighter) – This one could have very easily been in the top 10. It was a coin toss – literally.

Piñataland – “Hymns for a Dreadful Night” (Mekkatone Records) – a wonderful concept record – pure genius.

Candye Kane – “Sister Vagabond” (Delta Groove) – Candye Kane is awesome as usual and Laura Chavez bends them strings brothers and sisters!

The Black Keys –“El Camino” (Nonesuch Records) – This may not be their best it is still the Black Keys.

Hadden Sayers – “Hard Dollar” – Good Texas style blues.

Tracy Nelson – “Victim of the Blues" (Delta Groove) – Come on, It’s Tracy Nelson for cryin’ out loud!

Jack Cade and the Everyday Sinners – This Fiery Road (Collision Music) – great American Music from across the pond – I wish American music were as popular in America (loud and long sigh!).

Robert Earl Reed – “Carlene” (Hill Country Music) – The good reverend is proving himself a force to reckon with, hailing from the Hill Country of Mississippi. We will be hearing from this amazing singer-songwriter for years to come.

Butchers Blind – “Play For the Films” (Paradiddle Records) – This band is just getting started – expect to hear from this band in the future for sure – a very talented group of young musicians from Brooklyn!

Jo Wymer – “Living With Scars” (Lakehouse Music) – This beautiful lady from New Jersey can belt out a tune!

Pokey La Farge – “Middle of Nowhere” (Free Dirt Records) – This young cat knows how it’s supposed to be done and does it in fine fashion here.

Tom Waits – “Bad As Me” (Anti/Epitaph) – Mr. Waits is as incredible as ever!

Rhubarb Whiskey – “Cautionary Tales” (Self-released) – Dark, humorous, weird, just the way I like it.

Wess Floyd – “Foxhole Confessions (Blind Roar/TIAM) – anyone that writes and performs a song titled “George A. Romero” is a friend of mine. Truly and awesome album. 

Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears - "Scandalous" (Lost Highway Records) - This guy's got soul and covers just about every genre from R&B to Blues on this record.






Happy New Year everyone! Rebel Rod says check ‘em all out! Let’s all get ready for the end of the world!

Peace!