Year-End Lists

David Crosby, Boz Scaggs, Marc Ribot: S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2018 (Part 1 of 4, Non-Jazz)

David Crosby, Boz Scaggs, Marc Ribot: S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2018 (Part 1 of 4, Non-Jazz)

David Crosby, Boz Scaggs and Marc Ribot headline S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2018 list for non-jazz albums.

Judas Priest, Dead Daisies, Amorphis + Others: Fred Phillips’ Best of 2018 (Hard Rock / Metal)

Judas Priest, Dead Daisies, Amorphis + Others: Fred Phillips’ Best of 2018 (Hard Rock / Metal)

This best of 2018 list for hard rock and metal is capped by one mammoth record that made the whole year worth it.

Mark Wade, Chris Carver, Peter Erskine + Others: Preston Frazier’s Best of 2018 (Jazz)

Mark Wade, Chris Carver, Peter Erskine + Others: Preston Frazier’s Best of 2018 (Jazz)

Preston Frazier’s jazz-focused survey of Best of 2018 albums includes Mark Wade, Chris Carver, Peter Erskine and Stanley Clarke, among others.

Yes, Chicago, Bill Bruford, Glenn Frey, Chris Squire + Others: Preston Frazier’s Best of 2018 (Box Sets / Reissues)

Yes, Chicago, Bill Bruford, Glenn Frey, Chris Squire + Others: Preston Frazier’s Best of 2018 (Box Sets / Reissues)

It was quite a year for fans of Yes, as Preston Frazier’s Best of 2018 list for box sets and reissues shows.

Beatles Gift Guide: Kit O’Toole’s Top 2018 Albums, Books, Movies, Box Sets and More

Beatles Gift Guide: Kit O’Toole’s Top 2018 Albums, Books, Movies, Box Sets and More

The year 2018 proved to be a bonanza for Beatles fans. Here’s a look back at some of the best albums, books, movies, box sets and more.

Wadada Leo Smith, Peter Erskine, Brian Blade: S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2017 (Part 4 of 4, Fusion Jazz)

Wadada Leo Smith, Peter Erskine, Brian Blade: S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2017 (Part 4 of 4, Fusion Jazz)

The baker’s dozen in this Best of 2017 list reveals that fusion jazz has expanded and diversified way past its ‘Bitches Brew’-era beginnings.

Sexmob, Mary Halvorson, Brandon Seabrook: S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2017 (Part 3 of 4, Avant Garde + Experimental)

Sexmob, Mary Halvorson, Brandon Seabrook: S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2017 (Part 3 of 4, Avant Garde + Experimental)

Here’s the part of the annual Best of 2017 lists that’s the most fun to pull together.

Chris Potter, Vijay Iyer, Linda May Han Oh: S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2017  (Part 2 of 4, Modern and Mainstream Jazz)

Chris Potter, Vijay Iyer, Linda May Han Oh: S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2017 (Part 2 of 4, Modern and Mainstream Jazz)

It was easy to find jazz records that deserved a year-end salute; maybe ‘too’ easy. The heavy lifting came from figuring out which stood above the rest for this Best of 2017 list.

Taj Mahal/Keb’ Mo’, Blackfield, Arto Lindsay: S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2017  (Part 1 of 4, Non-Jazz)

Taj Mahal/Keb’ Mo’, Blackfield, Arto Lindsay: S. Victor Aaron’s Best of 2017 (Part 1 of 4, Non-Jazz)

Even in my jazz-centric world, I can come upon enough standout non-jazz records to put together a decent-sized Best of 2017 list.

Alestorm, Bob Wayne, Alice Cooper, Hellbound Glory + Others: Fred Phillips’ Best Metal, Country and Hard Rock of 2017

Alestorm, Bob Wayne, Alice Cooper, Hellbound Glory + Others: Fred Phillips’ Best Metal, Country and Hard Rock of 2017

It was, honestly, a pretty lousy year for music. This list of Best Metal, Country and Hard Rock of 2017 highlights five exceptions, and some key honorable mentions.