Ok here we go... Tons of amazing stuff has been happening on the fringes of country music in recent years and 2015 continued the trend: State Champion – Fantasy Error (if these guys aren't already New Rider’s new fav band, they should be) Sarah Shook & the Disarmers – Sidelong (unbelievable debut album from Chapel Hill NC local band, self-released on Bandcamp https://sarahshookthedisarmers.bandcamp.com/ ) Daniel Romano – If I've Only One Time Askin' (trad. country album w/ segues between songs, random bits of orchestration and weirdness, this should be on year end lists everywhere) Phil Cook – Southland Mission (solo release by guy from Megafaun, country-gospel-soul) Jason Isbell – Something More Than Free (no explanation needed) Chris Stapleton – Traveller (killer songwriting) John Moreland – High On Tulsa Heat (killer voice) Other (more rock) stuff that was great:Bright Light Social Hour – Space Is Still The Place (trippy spacey jammy awesomeness)Tame Impala – Currents (ditto)Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell (great album, surprisingly even better live show)Wilco – Star Wars (feels good to put a Wilco album on a year-end list again)