The King is Dead! (Long Live the King!): Rock 'n Roll in 2021

It was an awful year in rock music. Many might insist that it was simply an awful year, period. It appears that rock is indeed dead, replaced by identity politics (blech), rap (which I suppose has its moments), and twee Generation Z banality disguised as earnestness. There is nothing new under the sun, though the latter group, especially, will insist they are "breaking new ground." Have you listened to Dylan? Springsteen? Good grief, have you listened to The War on Drugs? Also, there were women who played rock and roll a decade ago, and even sixty-freaking-years ago! But let us not talk of the past. Let us review the most recent full year in rock and roll. There were a few gems hidden amidst the detritus.

1. I Don't Live Here Anymore by The War on Drugs--Two platinum albums and a Grammy affirm that the formula works: shimmering synths, soaring guitar, steady rhythm, and pristine production. I still love Drugs, but there is little originality here. It is no Lost in the Dream. Still, middling TWOD is better than most guitar rock being produced these days.

2. The Monster Who Hated Pennsylvania by Damien Jurado--A familiar name on these "Best of..." lists, Jurado remains the finest (and most prolific) singer-songwriter of his generation. "Johnny Caravella" is a classic.

3. As the Love Continues by Mogwai--Post-rock stalwarts from Scotland continue to defy logic in making an obscure sub-genre accessible to the masses. Produced during the dark days of severe UK Covid lockdowns, this album is a ray of light.

4. Sympathy for Life by Parquet Courts--More techno beats and synth-driven pop impulses, but the guitar-driven punk core remains ("Homo Sapien"). While I miss the days of Light Up Gold (perhaps in the same ways that fans of The Clash scratched their heads upon the release of Combat Rock longing for the days of London Calling) art advances, and perhaps PC really are breaking new ground.

5. Sour by Olivia Rodrigo--An exceptional debut for the young singer-songwriter. She out-Swift's Taylor, creating complex, emotionally direct, and winsome pop bangers that are confident and vulnerable. And she mercifully lacks Swift's cardboard cutout, formulaic, "I'm one of you, only more genuine" affectedness.

6. A Billion Little Lights by Wild Pink--As "...Bigger Than Christmas" transitions seamlessly to "The Shining But Tropical," there is a moment when it seems as though the lights come on, we've been let in on a secret, and somehow things are going to be okay after all.

7. The Ultra Vivid Lament by Manic Street Preachers--How did I miss these guys over the last thirty years? Is this the British version of Dad Rock, or are they simply a more talented Panic at the Disco!? Are they leftist whackos (the early years) or right wing nut jobs (more recent accusations)? Perhaps they are just in the place in-between, which is super punk rock in these haunted days of ideology and identity politics.

8-10. As an act of protest against what was truly a HORRIBLE year in rock music, I am leaving these last three positions blank. Seriously, there were not ten albums worthy of this list in 2021.

Honorable Mention: Chemtrails over the Country Club by Lana Del Ray, The Besnard Lakes are the Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings by The Besnard Lakes, The Battle at Garden's Gate by Greta Van Fleet.

Dishonorable mention: Daddy's Home by St. Vincent, Montero by Lil Nas X, An Evening with Silk Sonic by Silk Sonic, 30 by Adele, JORDI by Maroon 5, Music of the Spheres by Coldplay, and anything by Taylor Swift.