A quarter of a century gives us so much music. In this column of La Ruta Norteamericano, we know this well because, since its debut as a music blog format, way back in 2008 – it’s easy to say! -, we have recommended many albums and artists of all genres, always according to criteria of personal taste. The transformation of La Ruta Norteamericano into a journalistic column, open to other sound genres outside of American roots music, more focused on current affairs and with a sometimes narrative purpose, has led to a space less subject to record recommendations.
On this occasion, I try to go back to the origins of La Ruta Norteamerica, even if I haven’t stopped drawing up my personal list of the albums that have taken me away the most every year. I therefore take advantage of this quarter of a century to recommend 25 exceptional albums, splendid in my opinion. 25 essential albums to arouse emotions as only the best music can do. Also 25 albums off the commercial and mainstream radar.
For readers who have followed in La Ruta Norteamerica’s footsteps, many of these albums will be known because they were written about or have appeared on best-of lists each year. I decided to highlight a work published in each corresponding year and thus give a broad overview of the past century. I also wanted to avoid including great figures, such as Nick Cave, Bob Dylan, PJ Harvey or Tom Waits, and try, in this sense, to propose lesser-known, but equally rewarding delights. Yet some discs seem too obvious to me and I have been on the verge of removing them. Let’s say in the case of albums by Wilco, Weezer or Richard Hawley, which I consider classics in life, like giants in all respects, grown and evolved in the 21st century and with an impact typical of figures of the highest level. But what the hell, they are three great artists who well define the restless spirit of La Ruta Norteamerica, both as a blog and as a column, and that of this 21st century to highlight.
And, in this sense, I feel particularly sorry for Father John Misty, Lucinda Williams and The War on Drugs, artists and bands who would fit perfectly on that podium together with Wilco, Weezer or Richard Hawley and who I never tire of recommending and writing about. Well thought out: how wonderful that there is no space to increasingly recommend music, an inexhaustible source of life.
Turn up the volume. I consider this list of 25 splendid albums for 25 years of the 21st century to improve existence. And it’s better than listening to the news.
List of albums by year
2025 – Brown Horse – All the right weakness
2024 – John Moreland – Visitor
2023 – Duff Thompson – Shadow people
2022 – Jesper Lindell – Twilight
2021 – Curtis Harding – If words were flowers
2020 – Ray Lamontagne – Monovision
2019 – Yola – Walk through fire
2018 – Natalie Prass – The future and the past
2017 – Foxygen – learn
2016 – Max Jury – Maximum jury
2015 – Chris Stapleton – Traveler
2014 – Elliot Brood – Work and love
2013 – Doctor Cane – Broom
2012 – Alabama trembles – Boys and girls
2011 – My morning jacket – Circuital
2010 – Band of horses – Endless arms
2009 – Justin Townes Earle – Midnight at the cinema
2008 – The Felice Brothers – The happy brothers
2007 – Levon Helm – Dirt farmer
2006 – Crackers – Greenland
2005 – Richard Hawley – Coles Corner
2004 – Ron Sexsmith – documentarian
2003 – The Decemberists – Castaways and clippings
2002 – Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
2001 – Weezer – Green
Playlist of songs from these albums on Spotify.
