Mables’ Favorite Albums of 2020

We asked women in the We Are Mable Syndrome Women Facebook group for their favorite albums of the year and received lots of responses. Some people also provided a few sentences about why they chose a certain album. Some couldn’t narrow it down to just one.

In no particular order, here’s what everyone said:

Ways Away by Ways Away (Dawn Renee)

My favorite album of the year came as a complete surprise to me, and I had to be nudged a little to listen to it. Every track is bomb; however, the opening to Drop Line Sink is so beautiful and haunting that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it for months now. I have so many favorite tracks on this album and have listened to it a ridiculous amount of times. It came out in July, I believe, and I started listening to it in September. I listened to it so many times that it made it to my Spotify end of the year wrap up.

Dancing with the Curse by Get Dead (Shannon)

The whole thing is gold. There isn't one track I don't like on the entire album. The energy and raw emotion of this record is unreal. If there is one thing I needed to feel in 2020, with the lack of live shows, it was exactly this type of gut punching energy. I'm a huge fan of the way this album toys with different genres and sounds but still maintains a cohesive flow. I'm sure it's one that will be on heavy rotation for years to come.

Also recommended by Lindsey Lu, Riley, Danielle

Ska Against Racism (Joan)

The best ska compilation ever -- and I've listened to a lot of them. For one thing, it includes the only recording of Tim Armstrong & Jesse Michaels since Operation Ivy broke up – a fabulous original song they did during the one-year period (2012-2013) when Tim, recording as Tim Timebomb and Friends, released a song a day. This one was only on YouTube until now. There’s also a brilliant song by Buck-o-Nine titled Cardboard. Each verse has a different cardboard reference – break dancing on cardboard, packing stuff up in cardboard, etc. Plenty of other good songs as well, too many to mention all of them.

Also recommended by Emily

Skeleton Coast by The Lawrence Arms (Theresa)

So many songs were solid and it was a great album to listen all the way through. The album’s songs connected the listener not only lyrically but also musically.

Also recommended by Lindsey Lu, Shannon & Riley

Telling Truths, Breaking Ties by Millie Manders and the Shut Up (Kathryn)

I’ve pretty much had it on repeat since it came out!

Only After Dark: The Complete MainMan Recordings by Mick Ronson (Gabrielle)

Been listening to the Mick Ronson compilation alllll year, so many good songs that have such a range (some songs have ALL the emotions). It has motivated me to take guitar!

Under Tension by The Drowns (also mentioned by Shannon)

Musica Muerte Vol. 1 and 2 by Mariachi el Bronx

(Emily)

Hands down, kept me sane this spring/summer, while shut away from everyone.

Fetch the Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple (Mandy)

Surprisingly amazing.

Other Favorites

Local Honey by Brian Fallon (Shannon & Elodie)

Frail Bray by Western Addiction (Michelle)

Wonderful Hell by War on Women (Alison)

20/20 Vision by Anti-Flag (Elodie, Emily & Riley)

E.P. by Alkaline Trio (Emily, Shannon & Riley)