Denim on Wax: January 2016

Combing through the hundred-plus albums I listen to and buy in any year and then narrowing them down to the few dozen I have fallen in love with most and still can't stop playing always proves to be both a challenge and a zealous endeavor full of rekindled enthusiasm - although marked by some sacrifices (those albums that I have liked enough to listen to several times but never loved to the point of near delirium) - and gusto for music that holds power over me and makes me more excited for any part of life.

Every year when I spend the better part of a week shaping and finalizing such a list, and almost every time I sit down to write about an artist or album in any manner, I often second-guess myself. I second-guess not because I have any reservations about the things I love or how my tastes may differ from those of anyone else, but I question why my opinions matter more or less than those of anyone else and whether anybody cares.

Eventually, I remember I chose to be a writer and the music I am most fond of fulfills me in myriad ways every day. I convince myself somebody may give a damn and be curious to discover something I've been enamored with this year that she has yet to hear. Maybe others enjoy seeing which artists have struck chords with me, may disagree, and will want to remind me what I'm missing and debate the merits of what is here and not here. I'm always eager for any lively discourse about music, especially the music that has meant the most to me.

I started my own blog (this one and, previously, Division St. Harmony) as an outlet to write however I want, about what I want, and share what I love, because I can be honest to myself and unrepentant about never having to cave to trends or satisfy anyone else's opinion. Not being beholden to advertisers and being the sole writer, editor and publisher of this blog grants me that freedom no matter how modest the audience.

With all of that said, the albums listed below were my 30 favorite records of 2015.