Well, folks, it's that time of the year when I pick my favourite album that was released in 2025. Keep in mind that what I like is not always what shows up on Billboard charts or Spotify's most streamed lists. Sometimes, but not always... I'm not a huge fan of the music of Taylor Swift or Bad Bunny, but I do love the new Florence + The Machine album (although I just submitted one of Flo's albums recently, so I won't pick hers).
There were some wonderful albums that came out this past year that appealed to me. Early on, Ringo Starr released Look Up, a country album that was quite good. It was produced by the great T-Bone Burnett and featured appearances by artists like Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Lucius, and the always amazing Alison Krauss.
Jon Batiste released his newest album, Big Money, a few months ago. I'm a big fan of Batiste and it's a fantastic album although, to be honest, I bought it primarily for his duet with Randy Newman (of whom I'm an even bigger fan)--a cover of the classic Doc Pomus song "Lonely Avenue." Worth the price of the album.
I was quite entertained by the soundtrack to the film Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. It consisted of new music from "England's Loudest Band," with some appearances by Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Garth Brooks, and Trisha Yearwood on some of their classic songs. What really sells it is the cover, which is an homage to Crosby, Stills & Nash's first album. It was photographed by legendary photographer Henry Diltz who also photographed the CSN album in 1969.
Speaking of Elton John (who yelled from his bedazzled body cast in his hospital bed--and I quote--"FUCK SPINAL TAP!"), I was probably most taken with his new album. Actually, it's a collaboration. He and lifelong fan Brandi Carlile--quite the singer/songwriter in her own right--teamed up and released an album this past April. Frankly, I found it uplifting--inspiring even. These are emotions that are sometimes in short supply these days. So I take them where I can find them. Produced by uber-producer Andrew Watt (who has produced everyone from Cardi B to my beloved Rolling Stones), Elton and Brandi co-wrote all the tracks with Watt and Elton's longtime creative partner Bernie Taupin. The album climbed to #9 on Billboard's Hot 200 chart and #1 on the Top Rock and Alternative album chart. Every so often my tastes do coincide with the general public. So this week, please enjoy my favourite album of 2025, Who Believes in Angels?
(It should be noted that the album features the song "You Without Me" which also appears on Brandi Carlile's also quite excellent solo album Returning To Myself, which came out in October.)
There's a previously unplanned bonus album featured this week!
Yours in peace, love, and rock 'n' roll!
The Reverend Will the Thrill
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