Recently, someone asked me about my favorite albums from 2024. For me, that’s akin to asking a meteorologist to choose his favorite cloud on any given day. But I gave it my best shot. While these albums are ranked in order, they’re all phenomenal in their own right. The fifth slot, however, has a special place in my heart. With that said, let’s get to it!
- Happiness Bastards, by The Black Crowes
Van Morrison might be my all-time favorite, but when it comes to modern bands that I will drop anything to go see, The Black Crowes are my favorite. I’ve seen them more than any other band (and I go to a lot of live music events), including once this year to watch them perform their new album in Chicago.
That album, Happiness Bastards, was an easy first pick for my top five list. For years, we thought the group was broken up and that there wouldn’t be any more music – and then they came out with a banger.
I don’t know about you, but I usually don’t love newer music from rock legends; it somehow feels like they’re phoning it in and trading on past fame. Maybe that’s down to nostalgia, or maybe the bands lose their edge as the world moves on to newer sounds. I’m not sure. But either way, I was shocked to find myself listening to Happiness Bastards and marveling at just how good it is. It’s phenomenal. Any time I get to control the stereo in my car (see the fourth pick), this is the album I play.
- Live at the Ryman, Vol. 2, by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
This isn’t purely a 2024 favorite, as I fell for this album back in 2023. But it was still in constant rotation all year—a testament to how truly fantastic the album is.
In general, I prefer live music albums to studio sessions. You can hear the energy from the crowd influencing the music, and you can hear the crowd being influenced by the band. There’s something magical about in-person shows that you get to glimpse ever-so-slightly in a live album.
Plus, you can tell this band is at the top of their game. Everything from their performances to the music to their writing feels like they’re riding a peak. The album also has some of the best guitar playing I’ve ever heard…and I say that despite my next choice on this list.
- Luck and Strange, David Gilmore.
As a guitar player, I’ve watched countless musicians try to imitate the sound David Gilmore created for Pink Floyd… and I’ve never seen anyone succeed. And then, after decades of not putting out music, Gilmore stepped back into the ring with Luck and Strange and reminded us all why no one will ever be able to imitate that sound. It’s so uniquely him.
I think there’s a lesson in there for life beyond music. Which is: If you base your work, career, art, business model—whatever—on someone else’s style and career, you’re likely to fall short of the original. But if you focus on creating something that’s uniquely you … then people will recognize that in just a few notes. Even if you’re almost 80. Even if people had sort of forgotten about you. You’ll have the power to storm back onto the scene.
For his part, Gilmore acknowledges this is some of his best work. Beyond that, he included several duets with his daughter on the album, which I imagine were just as special to create as they are for the listener to hear.
- Moana 2, Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson
I suspect that any parents reading this will instinctively understand why it’s on my top five list. As much as I tell people that Happiness Bastards is the go-to song for my car rides, more often than not, what we actually listen to in the car is Moana. That is a battle I’ve never wanted to fight with my kids.
And so, for the last five years, the original Moana soundtrack, along with Encanto, have been the only things we listen to for hours on end. (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve fallen asleep putting my kids to bed with the Moana soundtrack on in the background.)
Now, I’ll be able to update the earworms. Even with the year coming to a close, this album is already in the rotation, and I know it’s sure to stay there until 2025. So Moana 2 gets a top spot, along with a thank you to Disney for giving me some new options for school dropoffs.
- <<name TBD>>, Stone Arch Rivals
Frankly, one of the very best albums I got to listen to in 2024 was the one I made with my band—the Stone Arch Rivals. Those singles will start coming out in early 2025, with the full album releasing this summer. But since I spent so much time with that music this year, it didn’t feel right to wait to recognize it as a favorite until 2025.
I can’t wait to send that music out into the world and for you all to hear it. I’ll be sure to share updates here as singles come out and gigs get booked.
Remember: Art, music, creativity…they all make the world better. There’s data to support it. Leaning into pursuits for the pleasure of it can make a huge difference in our lives, and that can trickle down into everything from our friendships to our relationship with money. So I hope you’ll stay tuned and join me on this creative journey. Or better yet—start one of your own!
To listen to the bands and albums I mentioned here, plus some other top songs from 2024, check out my latest Morgan on Purpose Spotify playlist. If you’ve never heard me play, you’ll get a nice preview of why I’m so excited for the year ahead with the Stone Arch Rivals.
