A Musician’s Top 10 Albums to Inspire Creative Dads
Singer/songwriter Derek Kinsaul has always been called to music. The front-man of the Americana band, Those Poor Serfs, Kinsaul grew up listening to his dad’s favorite records, many of which have now become his favorites. Drawn to storytellers, the Austin-based musician gave his recommendations of records that stand the test of time, and can be passed on through generations of music lovers. Scroll on for Derek Kinsaul’s 10 favorite albums to inspire creative dads and grab some easy inspo for easy Father’s Day gifts, then listen to Those Poor Serfs new EP “City View” here.
1. City and Colour, The Hurry and the Harm ($9): “A great album that you can put on and listen to all the way through! I’ve driven through the west Texas desert all the way to California with this one on repeat.”
2. Ray LaMontagne, Trouble ($10): “Ray LaMontagne’s first album is still one of his best, in my book. The standout track for me has always been, ‘Jolene.'”
3. Jason Isbell, Southeastern ($9): “A storyteller through and through. Period.”
4. Amos Lee, Live from the Artists Den ($9): “One of the best voices in music. If you like that Motown sound, give Amos Lee a listen. It’s not R&B, but it’s damn sure got soul.”
5. Gary Clark Jr., Gary Clark Jr. Live ($11): “The current blues and R&B champion in my eyes. He’s an unforgettable performer, and everyone should see him live. This is a great album to put on and get something done. Anything.”
6. Father John Misty, Fear Fun ($9): “Father John Misty is sometimes not as easy to get into, but if you ever have time to really sit down with the songs, you’ll realize he’s a wordsmith. He also has a hell of a lot of swagger on stage and is worth catching live.”
7. Shakey Graves, And the War Came ($8): “Shakey Graves stands out for his stripped-down sound that I really enjoy. The single you’ll hear on the radio from this album is ‘Dearly Departed,’ but I’d recommend ‘The Perfect Parts’ for its grittiness.”
8. Lake Street Dive, Bad Self Portraits ($9): “Front-woman Rachael Price is a powerhouse singer backed up by a phenomenal band. I’m still waiting to catch their live show, but they’re at the top of my list for sure.”
9. Lord Huron, Strange Trails ($9): “This was my go-to album last year. Every song just sounds interesting. My favorite track is ‘Love Like Ghosts,’ but the entire album is stellar.”
10. Steely Dan, Royal Scam ($7): This one is a shout-out to my father. He introduced me to Steely Dan as a kid, and I’ve been listening to them ever since. They’re the consummate studio band. Every time I listen to one of their songs, I hear something new.”
Did your favorite album make the list? Tweet us @BritandCo and let us know!
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