2020 Summa Cum Laude Albums part II (Top Ten)

10. In This Moment Mother

I have enjoyed this LA based band for years and have seem them live at least four times. This album is very good. And my assessment went up with every listen.









9. Amy Maacdonald The Human Demands

A Scottish singer I have followed a while. Very different style than many of the others on this list, but her music always hits a nerve in my soul - in a good way.









8. Ad Infintum Chapter I: Monarchy

With albums from big time hitters of this genre such at Nightwish and Delain on this list, it says a lot about this Swiss band that this album comes in ahead of both of them. This is truly a wonderful band.









7. Snow White Blood Hope Springs Eternal

What I just said about Ad Infintum. Ditto for this German Band. A marvelous discovery for me this year.









6. Smackbound 20/20

One of the only good things about 2020 is that I discovered so many great new (to me) bands. This Finnish band reminds me a bit of Halestorm, a bit of Anouk, and maybe a bit of The Pretty Reckless. I really enjoyed this Album.









5. Flamingo Komorebi

A duo from Milan, Italy. This album just kept growing on me. And I intstantly had loved it to begin with.









4. MisterWives SUPERBLOOM

This is a pop music band from NY. I love this album top to bottom. I saw them live at First Avenue a few years back.









3. Nine Year Sister A World is Waiting

Sister acts seem to find their way to my list every year. This Australian duo's album touched me.









2. JJ Wilde Ruthless

This Canadian singer-songwriter brings us a powerhouse album.









1. Caitlyn Smith Supernova

First, I had this album a clear Cum Laude. Then I decided after the sorting listen that is was actully going to be Summa. Then, after the latest listen, it's my number one. Just fantastic. Bonus: she's from Minnesota.

2020 Summa Cum Laude Albums Part I

11- 20. These are rank ordered.

20. Null Positiv Independenz

German and in your face. I love it.







19. Fiona Apple Fetch The Bolt Cutters

Remember her? I have a bunch of her albums from back in the day. Is this a "come back" album? IDK, but it's damn good.







18. Delain Apocalypse & Chill

Very sorry to hear this Dutch band is (more or less) breaking up. I had the priviledge of seeing them live at the Cabooze in 2019 and they were tremendous. Anyway, this album is terrific AND was already on my Summa list when I heard the news.







17. Pvris Use Me

Another band I had the priveledge of seeing live in 2019. One of my favorites. From Lowell, MA.







16. Nightwish HUMAN. :II: NATURE

Not sure what I can say about this Finnish Super Band that would do them justice. They are from Finland. And they are super. There.







15. HALFLIVES Resilience

This is more like an EP than an album. But, it's really good. From Paris.







14. Rews Warriors

A band that is new to me, but I immediately loved. From Northern Ireland.







13. Paloma Faith Infinite Things

I've been enjoying this London, Singer-Songwriter for years. She's still producing primo stuff.







12. Meg Myers Thank U 4 Taking Me 2 The Disco & I'd Like 2 Go Home Now

This is really 2 EPs, but I am bundling them and treating like one really good album. Meg Myers is an LA based singer that I have liked for some time.







11. Halestorm Vicious (Stripped)

This is an accoustic version of their previous album. Normally, I wouldn't qualify it for my list. But, 1) I really like and 2) It's fucking Halestorm.