The 2026 3 Albums A Week Challenge; APRIL

April

2026 Album Challenge (Home Link)

Johnny Blue Skies (aka Sturgill Simpson) - Passage du Desir

Format: CD

Stereo

Notes: An easy listening album. A definite departure from "Sound & Fury" with a laid back vibe that sort of reminisces on past love and embracing the present. A lot of Gordon Lightfoot and Jimmy Buffett weaved in. 

The Beatles - Get Back

Format: CD

Stereo

Notes: This is the album that "Let It Be" originated. The band wanted to find a stripped down sound with no overdubbing. Just them playing live. Glyn Johns gave them that with this record, but they eventually agreed that it wasn't worthy of their catalog and I can't disagree. It's fun in places and a very loose atmosphere permeates the listen. It would have felt more at home as a post punk early 80's college rock album. Overall, I will revisit it from time to time, but it's not really for passive fans. 

Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown

Format: Apple Streaming

AirPods 2

Notes: Lightfoot's best record. Start to finish a pleasure. The songwriting is as good as it gets for a folk/rock writer with a direction towards the pain and paranoia he was feeling in his relationships. 

Led Zeppelin - IV

Format: CD

Stereo

Notes: Not a lot to be said about this album that hasn't been covered a thousand times. Epic rock record and probably the pinnacle of John Bonham's drumming. "Four Sticks" is the only song I am not in tune with, but even at that, I rarely skip it when listening to this record. Iconic and an all-time great. 

Charley Crockett - Lonesome Drifter

Format: Streaming

Stereo

Notes: The first of a three album trilogy produced by Shooter Jennings. A nice starting point and the first time I started getting into Crockett's records beyond just a few singles I had heard on recommendation from Chris. "Jamestown Ferry" is a favorite.

Charley Crockett - Dollar A Day

Format: Streaming

Stereo

Notes: The second album in the trilogy. Yes, I listened to them back to back to back! I think this album exceeds the first in overall quality start to finish. 

Charley Crockett - Age of the Ram

Format: Streaming

Stereo

Notes: This one ends the trilogy and does so on a high note. The music is increasingly melodic from album to album and you can definitely feel the Shooter Jennings touch as the album leans into Marty Robbins type storytelling in a style not far from Hank Williams Jr, early-mid 80's sound. He covers Jimmy Buffett and Billie Joe Shaver and you gotta respect that!  

Wilco- A.M.

Format: CD

Stereo

Notes: The first effort for Jeff Tweedy after the breakup of Uncle Tupelo. It's not far off from the Uncle Tupelo sound, but it very much drifts off into REM/Replacements territory at times. Not their best record, but a solid debut that set the stage for them developing musically and being a band that never hits you with the same sound twice. 

Willie Nelson - Stardust

Format: Apple Music

Fiio FT1 Headphones

Notes: A suggestion from Chuck and a good one. I have heard a few songs over the years from this record, but had yet to listen to it completely. Glad I did. I enjoy "standards" and Willie may not exactly make each song the definitive version, he wouldn't be far off. If someone only heard these songs through Willie and then heard the originals, I'm betting on at least half the songs, the preference would be towards Nelson's version. He pays proper respect to the tone of the songs, but puts his own flair to it in a way that makes the tunes totally Willie!  Favorites are "Blue Skies", "September Song", and "Georgia On My Mind". 

Queen - A Night at the Opera

Format: Apple Music

Fiio FT1 Headphones

Notes: Another I had never heard straight through. A good rock n roll album. I think sometimes the Freddy Mercury persona does them a bit of a disservice as it's easy to think of them as some sort of "glam rock" act when the reality is they are a combo pop/hard rock band. "You're My Best Friend" is one of my favorite pop songs ever. 

The Hold Steady - Boys & Girls in America

Format: Apple Music

Fiio FT1 Headphones

Notes: An album night selection from Chris and a very good one! I had only dabbled into the Hold Steady's music previously. This was a top notch introduction. I can't really express their sound by pinning it down to one artist, but if you like The Replacements, Big Star, Counting Crows, and/or Springsteen, there is a lot for you to dig on this record. Several great narrative driven songs. Fun and pushy.....I recommend this if you are not familiar and like power pop. 

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

Format: Apple Music

Bose 700 Headphones

Notes: An interesting album suggested by my buddy Tanner. Really gave off Beach Boys/Brian Wilson vibes in a more sonic, wall of sound way. "My Girls" and "Guys Eyes" were standouts for me after one listen. I can definitely see myself revisiting this. 

Hank Williams, Jr - Whiskey Bent & Hell Bound

Format: Apple Music

Airpods 2

Notes: A "standard" Hank Jr album if there ever was one. I have mostly listened to his singles over the years, as I have found quite a bit of his music either really good.....or very much filler. It is what it's supposed to be. "The Conversation" and the title track are favorites. 

Prince - Sign O' The Times

Format: Apple Music

Airpods 2

Notes: I have heard some songs off this record, but never the entire set. I've listened to Purple Rain, Diamonds & Pearls, and 1999 quite a few times over the years, but never managed to get all the way into this one for some reason. Well, I enjoyed it so much I bought the CD set, just in case my streaming ever went away, I would have access to it. Terrific album. Many say it's his best....maybe, but I am still partial to Purple Rain as it was the soundtrack to some of my high school days. Good record....I recommend it. Some soul, some funk, some rock, some politics, some culture, some lust. He packs it all in there!