Best of 2010 - Dan Auerbach to Dierks Bentley

I'm sharing my favorite songs discovered in 2010 - 6 songs a day - I'll post the entire set in a YouTube playlist on December 31.

Dan Auerbach - When the Night Comes
"You don't have to be afraid
Of any choice you made
When the night comes"

I wasn't half-way through the first listen of this song before I downloaded the entire album.  Dan Auerbach is 1/2 of The Black Keys that made the list yesterday.  His voice is amazing and so full of emotion.  The lyrics to this one are so simple and profound, listening to this each night might actually be a very good idea.

Dan Mangan - The Indie Queens are Waiting
"Buy something to make you like me more"

Not completely sure why I like this song so much, I think it is the simple arrangement that lets the voices shine through.

Darrell Scott - A Crooked Road
"And a lonesome song will be my true companion
When all else has abandon me for singing of their own."

What a beautiful voice and song.  From the opening riff I can't wait to hear what is next.  The song is beautifully written and performed.

David Nail - Red Light
"This is what 'I don't love you' feels like"

I love that the songwriter of this one took a single moment - stopping at a red light, something we all do multiple times a day, and turned it into an incredible life changing moment.

Dawes - Peace in the Valley
"I want you to know why you hold me close."

The steady beat that runs through this one keeps me typing, but the lyrics keep pulling my attention way from work and I end up letting my mind wander into the song.  This one is stripped down, raw and powerful.

Dierks Bentley - Draw Me a Map
"Searching for answers to questions I can't find."

Dierks Bentley went against the grain this year and made an album of bluegrass music - for him it was a labor of love.  I know it didn't sell as well as his mainstream music, but the entire album was full of amazing songs and musicians.  I loved several of the songs, but this sweet one was the one that will stick with me for years.  Don't we all wish the person we loved would draw us a map and explain exactly what we need to do to show them how much we love them? Pin It