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Goldmine writers (presented in alphabetical order) picked their favorite music releases of 2022 — a wide assortment of sounds (plus, a few books and DVDs), from Americana to Heavy Metal.
John M. Borack picks of 2022

The Beatles, Revolver (Super Deluxe Edition)
Included is the album’s revelatory new stereo mix, sourced from the original four-track masters; the album’s original mono mix; more than two dozen outtakes from the sessions and three home demos; and a four-track EP with new stereo mixes and remastered original mono mixes of “Paperback Writer” and “Rain.” Revolver heralded the beginning of the psychedelic rock era and, according to Giles Martin, “It sounds like seven different bands playing, which speaks to the disparity of the tunes.” Rock, sunshine pop, psychedelic ruminations, heart-tugging balladry, and a little bit o’ soul were all part of the sonic palette, and it’s not a stretch to say that Revolver is the Beatles at their creative zenith.
Lannie Flowers, Flavor of the Month
Conceived as a way to collect a passel of download-only singles, Lannie Flowers’ Flavor of the Month stands proudly on its own as an album proper. As a matter of fact, it plays a lot like a greatest hits record, with each song delivering the goods in a big way. It’s powerful and it’s poppy, but calling it power pop doesn’t really do it justice — the songs seem a bit deeper and more meaningful than your average disposable pop fluff. Nods to The Beatles, Tom Petty and Lindsey Buckingham are apparent, and tying everything together are Lannie Flowers’ expressive lead vocals, which are equal parts Texas twang and a little bit o’soul.
Ramones, The Sire Albums, 1981-1989
A Record Store Day Exclusive release collecting six 1980s-vintage albums from punk stalwarts Ramones in a numbered slipcase, along with a seventh LP of 14 rarities presented on neon pink splatter vinyl. Including slightly under the radar efforts such as Pleasant Dreams and Too Tough to Die, it’s a comprehensive look at an under-appreciated era in Ramones history and is a must-purchase for fans who have worn out their original copies of the records.
Marshall Crenshaw, Marshall Crenshaw
An anniversary reissue celebrating 40 years since the original release of Marshall Crenshaw’s self-titled debut, rightly hailed as a low-key, tuneful pop masterpiece. It includes a second disc with seven additional cuts, a handful of which are previously unreleased. The LP proper contains Crenshaw classics such as the poppy, neo-rockabilly “Someday, Someway,” the glistening “Cynical Girl,” and his Arthur Alexander-by-way-of-The-Beatles cover of “Soldier of Love.”
The Beau Brummels, Turn Around: The Complete Recordings 1964-1970
Turn Around collects pretty much everything anyone would need to hear from the Beau Brummels: it’s an exhaustive eight-disc, 228-track box that includes the Brummels’ five albums proper released between 1965 and 1968 (with tons of demos, alternate versions and outtakes appended as bonus tracks) and plenty more. The hits “Laugh, Laugh” (No. 15) and “Just a Little” (No. 8) are here, and the band also touches on folk-rock, baroque-pop and country rock along the way.
John M. Borack is a veteran music journalist who currently serves as a contributing editor and Power Pop Plus columnist at Goldmine. Borack is also the author of four books including his latest, The Beatles: 100 Pivotal Moments that Shaped a Band and its Music.
Ray Chelstowski picks of 2022

Tedeschi Trucks Band, I Am the Moon
From a total of 24 tracks, the Tedeschi Trucks Band began releasing singular multi-song “episodes.” The first arrived in May, and the last dropped in August. Together they create a remarkable narrative that was inspired by the 12th century Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi’s “Layla and Majnun.”
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Perspective
In spring 2022 the band Pigeons Playing Ping Pong released Perspective, their sixth studio album. They present a collection of songs that are bright and bold. Through this medium of psychedelic funk, they have been spreading a steady message of positivity since 2009.

Drive By Truckers, Welcome 2 Club Xlll
Drive By Truckers new album Welcome 2 Club XIII, is a musical nod to the band’s origins and to the Muscle Shoals honky-tonk where they cut their teeth. It’s the band’s (whose lineup also includes Mike Cooley, keyboardist/guitarist Jay Gonzalez, bassist Matt Patton and drummer Brad Morgan) 14th studio album and like those that precede it, Club XIII tackles topics with wit and irony. Absent here, however, is the presence of a political end. This record, instead, is a rightly timed walk down memory lane.
Dopapod, Dopapad
Dopapod are back with a new record and it’s already receiving wide-spread praise for its great groove, its seamless jams, and its fluid, slinky guitar parts. From the self-titled record comes the third single “Black Holes.” It’s a song that begins with an infectious guitar hook and quickly explodes into a funk focused video arcade like ride. The beat pushes the song forward like a march while all of these percussive sounds dance about on top, driving things forward to the chorus where the harmonies are launched high into the air, soaring with confidence and color. It’s one memorable way to make your return something no one misses.
Magic Beans, Unzipped
As they pass by their 10-year mark, Magic Beans introduces what is perhaps their most ambitious and cohesive offering, the new album Unzipped. It’s a transformational record birthed out of the pandemic and presents their musical thoughts through an instrumental eye. The result is remarkable and ties this record to standout releases like Herbie Hancock’s 1973’s Head Hunters; both have such strong but unforced grooves.
Ray Chelstowski is a contributing editor at Goldmine, writing the weekly Natural Funk Projekt column about the jam band scene. He is the former publisher of Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly magazines and writes his own music blog, Disciples of Sound.
John Curley picks of 2022
Wet Leg, Wet Leg
The self-titled debut album by the Isle of Wight, England-based duo that is comprised of vocalist/guitarist Rhian Teasdale and guitarist/vocalist Hester Chambers goes from strength to strength with outstanding tracks such as “Chaise Longue,” “Wet Dream,” “Ur Mum” and “Angelica.” There is no filler on the album. Every track is worthwhile. While Wet Leg had some stiff competition, it was the best debut album of the year.

Pixies, Doggerel
The fourth post-reunion album by Pixies (and their ninth overall), Doggerel includes solid material such as “Vault of Heaven” and “Who’s More Sorry Now?” But the album’s highlight is the lead single, “There’s a Moon On.” It’s an explosive song that has the band firing on all cylinders. Black Francis’ heavy-duty lead vocal stands in stark contrast to the dreamlike backing vocal by bassist Paz Lenchantin. “There’s a Moon On” is easily my favorite single of the year.
The Mysterines, Reeling
Reeling, the terrific debut album by the Liverpool-based band The Mysterines, shows that they are a band to be reckoned with. Lia Metcalfe’s lead vocals shine and shimmer on the standout tracks “Dangerous,” “All These Things” and “Life’s a Bitch (But I Like It So Much).”
Rick Buckler and Zoë Howe, The Jam 1982
A very comprehensive hardcover book written by The Jam’s drummer Rick Buckler with the writer and broadcaster Zoë Howe, The Jam 1982 tells the tale of The Jam’s final year with comments from many that were on the scene as well as quite a few great photos from the time. The book makes it clear why The Jam’s ardent fanbase still cares so much about the band 40 years after its breakup.
Rise Above It: The Story of Stone Foundation
An outstanding documentary film from Mono Media Films, Rise Above It tells the story of the 25-year history of the powerhouse British soul band Stone Foundation. The film details the highs and lows of the band, which is led by guitarist and lead vocalist Neil Jones and bassist Neil Sheasby. Footage showing the band’s collaborations with artists such as Nolan Porter and Paul Weller is one of the highlights of the film.
John Curley is a contributing editor at Goldmine, writing album, book and DVD reviews, the occasional feature and contributing to 10 Albums That Changed My Life for the print magazine, as well as writing live reviews, features and posts for the U.K. music column Sounds From Across The Pond for Goldmine’s Web site.
Andrew Daly picks of 2022

Megadeth, The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!
Leave it to Dave Mustaine to skirt death and destruction yet again, only to unleash his most venomous record in years. Full of p*ss and vinegar, Mustaine took out his frustrations on listener’s ears in the most sublime possible. No more David Ellefson? No problem. And while this reports of this version of Megadeth challenging the Mustaine/Friedman/Ellefson/Menza era are certainly a bit premature, I do feel that Mustaine/Loureiro/Verbueren/LoMenzo encompass the Bay Area staples best since the golden era. For those reasons, and many more, The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead! is my record of the year.

King’s X, Three Sides of One
It seems that 2022 was the year of comebacks, especially for hard rock and heavy metal, and alt-rock darlings, King’s X, are no exception. For the uninitiated, at 72 years of age, dUg Pinnick’s golden voice is still as smooth as velvet. And Ty Tabor and Jerry Gaskill — despite sickness and near death — haven’t one bit of their luster. King’s X isn’t breaking new ground here, but the fact that rock’s last remaining great trio was able to seamlessly pick up where they left off 14 years ago is nothing short of astounding. Moreover, if you’re the sort to ponder your mortality or are prone to bouts of weirdly comforting depression, Three Side of One is for you.
Pixies, Doggerel
Since their 2004 reformation, the Pixies’ output has been somewhat uneven, albeit gaining steam in terms of quality with each successive release. But what’s most incredible about Doggerel is that the Pixies finally seem comfortable in their own skin for the first time since Kim Deal departed. I’d wager that this record is the band’s best since their late ’80s and early ’90s heroics. And you might be surprised — or enraged, depending on your disposition — that I rank Doggerel just behind Doolittle and Surfer Rosa in their discography.

Skid Row, The Gang’s All Here
Yet another comeback within the arena of hard rock and metal, this time, we’ve got New Jersey’s own Skid Row ringing in with The Gang’s All Here. Skid Row’s first two records, Skid Row and Slave to the Grind, have been retrospectively lionized, and with good reason. But ever since — save for Subhuman Race — Skid Row has had a ton of trouble finding their sound. A lot of that can be attributed to the missing-in-action Sebastian Bach, but worry no more, Skid Row fans, Swedish-born Erik Grönwall is here, and for the first time in a long time, Skid Row has crafted an album that matches their early efforts pound for pound in The Gang’s All Here.

Def Leppard, Diamond Star Halos
Many of my picks seemed to come out at the back end of 2022, so I’m rounding this out with Diamond Star Halos by ’80s hair metal warriors Def Leppard. Of course, the mighty Leppard is far more than your average hair band, and their performances during this summer’s Stadium Tour proved it. This record was loved early on, but I can’t say that it fully clicked until I saw them live. If you have the chance, I urge you to see Def Leppard live; it’ll change your life. As for Diamond Star Halos, the record rocks, and Def Leppard sounds like the same band that recorded Pyromania and Hysteria in the ’80s. The new songs slot beautifully into the set, and they hit hard. What more can you ask?
Andrew Daly is a contributor to Goldmine, writing articles and features on music collecting and music history for both online and the print magazine.
Gillian G. Gaar picks of 2022
Brian Auger & The Trinity, Far Horizons
So wonderful to get the chance to dig into the offerings of this eclectic combo over four CDs. It’s a rock-jazz-soul-pop hybrid, far out then (1967 to 1970) and far out now. Plus, the extraordinary voice of Julie Driscoll. If your tastes run to the unusual, don’t let this pass you by.

The Beach Boys, Sail On Sailor – 1972 (Super Deluxe Edition)
This set proves that Carl and the Passions — “So Tough” and Holland were better albums than you think. But the bonus tracks are the main reason to get this set. A deep dive into the archives brought up much previously unreleased material (Dennis Wilson’s “Carry Me Home” is a highlight), plus a previously unreleased concert. And all those melodic bits and pieces that Brian Wilson never developed into complete songs.
The Beatles, Revolver (Super Deluxe Edition)
My favorite Beatles album gets a remix, which adds some clarity (though I still find the drums too loud in places), plus there’s mono version to enjoy (the best way to listen to the album, in my view). Some great bonus material too (“Rain” at its original speed before being slowed down; songwriting work tapes of “Yellow Submarine”). A Rubber Soul remix on the horizon?

Blondie, Against the Odds: 1974-1982
This is how a comprehensive career overview box set should be done. The albums, embellished with lots of bonus tracks, and a lovely accompanying book packed with interviews and rare photos. Great Warhol-esque design for the outer box as well (referencing the Factory’s silver era).
George Martin, A Painter In Sound
So much has been written about Martin’s work with The Beatles that his pre-Beatles era barely gets noticed. This box set remedies that, showing how many musical pies Martin had his fingers in as a producer, as well as revealing how his imaginative work made him the perfect producer for The Beatles.
Gillian G. Gaar is a longtime Goldmine contributor. She’s written for numerous magazines around the world and was a senior editor at legendary Pacific Northwest music paper The Rocket. She’s the author of over 15 books, including Elton @ 75, Return of the King: Elvis Presley’s Great Comeback and Entertain Us: The Rise of Nirvana.
Bill Kopp picks of 2022

Steve Hackett, Genesis Revisited Live: Seconds Out & More
Steve Hackett left Genesis in 1977. But a strong case can be made that he — and only he — is carrying the torch for the band’s adventurous years as one of the most innovative, compelling and emotionally resonant progressive rock bands. This new collection recreates a live album from Genesis’ prime era. All of the melodrama and pyrotechnics are here, along with readings of the songs that balance reverence with artistic expression. And the set adds a few solo-era songs (to remind us, should we need reminding) that Hackett’s post-Genesis catalog is filled with gems as well.
The Comet is Coming, Hyper-dimensional Expansion Beam
GA-20, Crackdown
April March, In Cinerama
The New Mastersounds, The Deplar Effect
Bill Kopp is the author of Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave (2022) and Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon (2018), and a full-time music journalist.
Warren Kurtz picks of 2022

Jeff Scott Soto, Complicated
Vocal powerhouse Jeff Scott Soto, who is currently on his annual tour with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, released his eighth solo album in 2022, the solid Complicated. Produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio, the 11-song collection ranges from the catchy “Don’t Look Back” with “time to reassess” and “missing that human touch” as a lyrical theme written during the pandemic to the power ballad “Until I See You Again.” The fast-paced “New Horizon” should please Deep Purple and Sweet fans and the sitar sound at the beginning of “Love is the Revolution” recalls The Beatles. Soto told Goldmine, “I went with an ‘All You Need is Love’ message.” The title tune “Complicated” recalls Sammy Hagar-era Van Halen with its keyboard and guitar combination and Soto points out, “A lot of this album was derived with the intention of bringing forth the element of Talisman, the band who were a massive part of my career, so I have tapped into that influence.” Complicated is powerful, entertaining and filled with top-notch musicianship
The Cowsills, Rhythm of the World
Generation Radio, Generation Radio
Circle of Friends, The Garden
The Roads, Simple Plan
Warren Kurtz is a contributing editor at Goldmine, writing the weekly Fabulous Flip Sides and monthly In Memoriam series. Warren’s Fabulous Flip Sides radio segment can be heard most Saturdays, around 9 a.m. Eastern Time as part of DJ Brian Donovan’s Moments to Remember show, on WVCR-88.3 “The Saint” at wvcr.com or iHeart.com (search WVCR).
Peter Lindblad picks of 2022
The Sadies, Colder Streams
The sentimental choice for album of the year, Colder Streams arrived in the wake of Dallas Good’s death, swimming in dreamy, winding currents of Vaseline-smeared, ‘60s psychedelia and brawling in alleyways of fevered, Nuggets-inspired garage-rock. Ominous warnings, whimsical fantasies and earthy, barroom soliloquies roll off The Sadies’ tongues, as they throw painted elements of bluegrass, country and folk at their epic canvasses, creating works of art full of textures, color and imagery to get lost in. Colder Streams is a museum of vintage sounds, straightforward storytelling and enigmatic mystery, as The Sadies make a bid for immortality. Maybe they’re Canada’s answer to R.E.M.
Fontaines D.C., Skinty Fia
Sea Power, Everything Was Forever
Beach House, Once Twice Melody
Sharon Van Etten, We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong
Peter Lindblad is former editor and current contributor at Goldmine. He has authored the fourth edition of Goldmine Records & Price Guide, and he has also written for various music and entertainment publications and contributed to books such as Harvey Kubernik’s Canyon of Dreams and Woodstock: Peace, Music & Memories.
Martin Popoff picks of 2022

Pink Floyd, Animals
The long-delayed remix version of Pink Floyd’s bleakest and most atmospheric album (of the accessible years, anyway), was finally issued in late 2022, in various formats, including an album cover that was even more foreboding than the original. It always sounded good, but not The Dark Side of the Moon or Wish You Were Here good. Now the highs are more scintillating and the bass richer (although there are some questionable drum adjustments). In any event, this deluxe celebration of my favourite Floyd was long overdue. Viscerally political and vital even today, Animals is a tightly-wound concept album with sober, disciplined music to match, not to mention the most amusing of song titles.

Kate Bush, Hounds of Love
Clutch, Sunrise on Slaughter Beach

Porcupine Tree, Closure/Continuation
King’s X, Three Sides of One
Megadeth, The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!
Martin Popoff has written for Goldmine for over 20 years. He is the author of 80-plus books on music, mostly hard rock and heavy metal. He has also worked on various documentaries for Banger Films, including the award-winning Rush doc Beyond the Lighted Stage.
TONE Scott picks of 2022
Tears For Fears, The Tipping Point
These guys have never lost it. They literally just keep getting better and better. I was able to see them perform live for the first time in my life back in 2017 at the Santa Barbara Bowl here in Southern California. I remember being so blown away by their live performance and musicianship, to the point of that show being immediately inducted into my personal 10 best live shows of all time, and me being a 25-year music industry veteran, you can bet I’ve seen live almost anybody you can imagine. When The Tipping Point was released earlier this year, I had high expectations… maybe too high. When I bought the album and listened, I thought to myself – “My high expectations could have been doubled and they would have still been met… this album is fantastic!”
Khruangbin & Leon Bridges, Texas Sun
This is a short but powerful album. It is not an LP album (Long Play), it is and EP album (Extended Play), and it is on the shorter side of EP. At four songs, one might say, “what’s the point?” I would say that all you must do is take a listen, and you will retract your question. I would have questioned the lineup on this record, too, but I already did that when the two music acts went out on tour together over the past couple of years (not including 2022). I thought to myself – “I love both recording artists, but do they really go together, that someone would put them out on tour together?” At first, I thought it was because both artists come from the exact same suburb of Houston, Texas, and Leon was trying to support the fledgling Khruangbin. But no; because when you hear the New Northern Soul vocals of Leon Bridges, up against the Psychedelic Soul genius of Khruangbin, you will know exactly why these two musical entities collaborate – just brilliant.
Michael Jackson, Thriller – 40th Anniversary One-Step Remaster
I won’t say too much about this AMAZING release, because I have just constructed a very expository article and assessment of this brilliant attempt at remastering one of the most amazing albums in the history of recorded music, which I encourage everyone to read (you can read the entire article in full, Here). However, what I will say, is if you want to experience this iconic, this historical, this ground-breaking, this brilliant R&B Pop record, which is the highest selling album of all time, in an exciting, fresh and new way, this release by Mobile Fidelity is, hands down, the only way to do it – so do it… now Beat it.

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Unlimited Love
Back with Rick Ruben after a Danger Mouse hiatus, this record took me back to the first time I heard Blood Sugar Sex Magik. It’s like, most people just cannot comprehend how FU**ING deep and complexed their lyrics are. The songwriting capabilities, along with the extraordinary musicianship and production leadership make this one of the most profound albums of the past decade, period. Yes, they did do even another album release in 2022 with their double LP – Return Of The Dream Canteen – but there was something more ‘nostalgic’ about Unlimited Love for me; and for me, ‘nostalgia’ goes a long way. This, is a “perfect” record.

Julian Lennon, Jude
If you are like a billion-plus other people in this world, who revere the brilliance of The Beatles and commemorate the solo career of John Lennon (who left us much too soon), and wonder what a 2022 album would have sounded like from him… well, here you have it. Yes, the clarity and poignancy of Julian’s vocals are not as sharp as they once were, but in fair trade, they are much more soulful, they are much more deep, they are much, much more emotional and “believable” than they have ever been. This is what it would have sounded like, had John Lennon recorded a 2022 album titled Jude… yet it still sounds 100-percent like Julian –“Bravo”, Julian.
TONE Scott is a career-long American Music Industry professional. He is an award nominated, platinum selling songwriter/ composer/ producer, a published music journalist, and a seasoned record collector with over three decades of music collecting experience. He is a feature writer for many music publications including Goldmine, as well as a contributing editor with two bi-weekly columns (The TONE of Soul & Adventures of a Music Collector). As a content creator he hosts his own YouTube channel – TONE Scott – were he produces vlogs revolving around his career and his life as a music collector. He is also the host of Record Store Spotlight; an online show that highlights independent record stores everywhere.
Dave Thompson picks of 2022
TV Smith & the Bored Teenagers, Replay The Adverts
Recorded in a tiny studio barely 12 hours after the same songs were performed live at the 2021 Rebellion Festival, with the sweat barely dry before it started flowing again, Replay The Adverts is an electrifying recounting of Smith’s late 1970s. The Adverts’ debut Crossing The Red Sea is reprised in its entirety, together with a clutch of b-sides, highlights from the second LP and, of course, a gigantic “Gary Gilmore’s Eyes.” And Smith and his band do them all full justice.
Horace Andy, Midnight Rockers/Midnight Scorchers
David Bowie, Divine Symmetry
Robert Fripp, Exposure
Garbage, Anthology
Dave Thompson is a longtime contributing editor at Goldmine, contributing the monthly Spin Cycle vinyl column and more besides. A much published author, he co-wrote autobiographies by Eddie and Brian Holland, New York Doll Sylvain Sylvain and Walter Lure of Johnny Thunder’s Heartbreakers. His memoir The Grunge Diaries is in the Goldmine Store.
Howard Whitman picks of 2022

Todd Rundgren, Space Force
On Space Force, Todd Rundgren collaborated with a varied group of musical friends for a fresh, inventive set of new songs. The pieces ranged from the sublime team-up with the Lemon Twigs, “I’m Leaving,” which recalled old-school pop Todd, to the angry and aggressive “Stfu” with Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen, the evocative “Artist in Residence” with Neil Finn, and the downright loony “Your Fandago” created with Sparks. Rundgren’s ability to merge so seamlessly with such diverse artists shows what a versatile and creative musician he still is in 2022.

Alan Parsons, From the New World
King’s X, Three Sides of One

Ozzy Osbourne, Patient Number 9
Arc of Life, Don’t Look Down
Howard Whitman is a contributor at Goldmine, writing the monthly Prog-versation column. When Howard’s not writing about music (specializing in his favorite genre, progressive rock), he’s playing it in three Philadelphia-area tribute bands and as a solo artist. He released a CD of his original songs, However, in 2021.
Lee Zimmerman picks of 2022
Josh Rouse, Going Places
Like so many artists seemingly stifled by the pandemic, Josh Rouse found himself going stir-crazy due to the shut down. Having spent a good deal of time holed up in Spain, he took the opportunity to record a new album for the sole intention of giving himself some new material to perform at a nearby ‘50s-style American bar that happened to be owned by members of his Spanish band. The result, the hopefully titled Going Places, shares an intimate yet ebullient feel, a sound that reflects the casual pace and sunny vibes of the country he now calls home. At the same time, it also manages to maintain the perky pop sound Rouse has infused in his MO over the span of the last two decades. As a set of songs made to be performed live, it’s obviously energetic, meant to emit a good time vibe that’s worthy of an eager audience.
Todd Rundgren, Space Force
Richard X Heyman, 67000 Miles an Album
The Deslondes, Ways and Means
Grant Lee Phillips, All That You Can Dream
Lee Zimmerman is an accomplished writer, blogger and reviewer. He writes the Goldmine column Indie Spotlight for both online and print. A proud resident of Maryville Tennessee, he contributes to several publications, both locally and nationally. He has written the definitive book on Americana music — Americana Music: Voices, Visionaries & Pioneers of an Honest Sound — sold in the Goldmine Store and published by Texas A&M University Press,
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