All right folks, 2002 was the best year for new albums in a long time. Usually it's a lot more cut and dry for me and I could have easily done a top 20 without a whole lot of fall-off, but here goes:

1. Jerusalem- Steve Earle

Absolute gem. There's not a bad song on the entire album and I love the political slant; particularly this year when most artists chose an easier/less controversal route politically. Every album Earle's put out since jail proves this guy is just getting better and better as a songwriter. Favorite tracks: Jerusalem and Shadowland.

2. Barricades & Brickwalls- Kasey Chambers

This is her second album (Captain was her first) and she nailed it. She sounds similar to Lucinda Williams; this Aussie was the first non-North American to appear on Austin City Limits. Coming to Ann Arbor in a month and a half and I can't wait. Favorite tracks: I Still Pray and Barricades & Brickwalls.

3. Drunken Lullabies- Flogging Molly

If you like the Pogues, this is the second coming. Rip roaring Celtic punk, this is easily the best drinking album of the lot. This is their second album- their first, Swagger, is very good too. Favorite tracks: If I Ever Leave This World Alive and What's Left of the Flag.

4. The Last DJ- Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Rivals Full Moon Fever as Petty's best work and sends some very important messages to the music industry. I like Petty much better pissed off than not. Favorite tracks: Money Becomes King and Lost Children.

5. Brainwashed- George Harrison

Second Wilbury in the top 5. This is the best thing George has done since All Things Must Pass and that was a long time ago. I'm glad his last album was a good one. Some people didn't like the fact that Jeff Lynne (yet another Wilbury) worked on it, but hey, they've been working together for along time and I liked Cloud Nine too (another Lynne produced album). Favorite tracks: P2 Vatican Blues (Last Saturday Night) and Any Road.

6. Demolition- Ryan Adams

I honestly like this album a lot better than Gold. Sorry to anyone I've upset by that, but I like the fact that the songs are so bare and are all very well written. I hope he keeps putting out an album a year and I'd love another demo album in the future. Favorite tracks: She Wants to Play Hearts and Chin Up, Cheer Up.

7. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot- Wilco

Gotta love the story behind this one (buying album back from label after label refuses to put it out and then selling it to another branch of that same label). Thankfully Jeff Tweedy's here to stay. This is one of the most innovative albums to come along in awhile. I think working on the Woody Guthrie project with Billy Bragg has really helped Tweedy's song writing, but I'm glad his first Wilco album since the project wasn't simply a rehashing of the Mermaid Avenue sound. Favorite tracks: Jesus, etc. and Ashes of American Flags.

8. The Ragpicker's Dream- Mark Knopfler

The former Dire Straits frontman proves what a whiz he is on the acoustic guitar in this folk-rock release. This is the second Aussie on my list and the more I listen to this album the more I like it. Favorite tracks: Why Aye Man and Devil Baby.

9. Cobblestone Runway- Ron Sexsmith

Jeremy turned me onto this guy a couple years ago and his 2000 release Blue Boy is an excellent album. I like his recent release a whole lot better, however. I think this album is a reaction to Sept. 11 (a rather popular topic in 2002), but Sexsmith's reaction is much more resilient and introspective than others I've heard. More like how I wish our reaction as a nation had been. Favorite tracks: Former Glory and God Loves Everyone.

10. Sea Change-Beck

Nothing this guy does sounds remotely like anything else he's done, but it's all good. Great songwriting continues to be his strength. This album probably means more to him than any other he's put out, since it's all about the end of his 9 year relationship with his ex-girlfriend. Very mellow and even kind of sad. Can't wait to see what he does next? Heavy Metal maybe? I wouldn't put it past him. Favorite tracks: Lost Cause and Guess I'm Doin' Fine.

So that's it. Like I said, this year was tough because there were also great albums put out by Weezer, Neil Young, Junior Kimbrough, Paul Westerberg, The Flaming Lips, and Ben Kweller just to name a few. Hope you all had a good 2002 and hopefully 2003 will be a good year, album and otherwise.