Top 20 Blues, Rock and Roots Albums of 2021

2021 brought many outstanding blues, rock and roots albums despite nearly two years of the pandemic. Fans turned to music to get through some challenging times and we were blown away by the many thousands of people who voted for their top 20 albums of the year.

Some still say that rock and blues music is dead. We disagree and have to assume they aren’t listening to the current crop of rock, blues and roots artists that graced our 2021. This year, we’ve covered living legends who are still on the job and young upstarts who are creating the next generation of the music we love.

The Top 20 Albums of 2021 are in no particular order. We don’t believe in placing any of these outstanding albums ahead of the other.

Here are our Top 20 Albums of 2021 as voted on by our readers and staff. Each one spoke to us in its own way and is worth checking out if you haven’t already. Odds are you’ve been spinning these records all year because RBM readers are the coolest. Crank them up and throw a party!

Greta Van Fleet, The Battle At Garden’s Gate

Greta Van Fleet continues to carry the torch and tradition of genuine rock and roll on the group’s much-anticipated new album The Battle at Garden’s Gate released April 16, 2021 on Lava/Republic Records. Produced by Greg Kurstin, The Battle at Garden’s Gate contains complex, intelligent new songs that feel authentic and wise. It’s a record that documents the Grammy-winning band’s extensive evolution while still remaining 100% true to the classic rock spirit that has driven it from the beginning.

Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, 662

22-year-old blues phenomenon Christone “Kingfish” Ingram blows past all expectations on his Alligator Records release 662 out July 23, 2021, produced by Grammy winner Tom Hambridge. Grammy nominee and Blues Music Award winner, Christone’s wailing guitar style, soulful vocals and songwriting chops are in peak form. He is considered by many to be a generational talent who is on the vanguard of American guitar music. Ingram’s skills and impact rival any blues master you’d care to name and he’s literally just getting started.

Carolyn Wonderland, Tempting Fate

Texas beloved guitar hero, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter Carolyn Wonderland released Tempting Fate on October 8, 2021 on Alligator Records, produced by Dave Alvin. As the first female guitar player chosen by John Mayall for his Bluesbreakers, Wonderland is also the first female six-string wizard on the Alligator Records label. Tempting Fate is a swaggering blast of Texas Roadhouse, blues, blues-rock, country-blues, and plenty of fire and spice to the mix of originals and covers.

Gov’t Mule, Heavy Load Blues

Iconic jam band Gov’t Mule is a national treasure and deliver every bit of their considerable power on their all-blues album, Heavy Load Blues. Released November 12, 2021 on Fantasy Records, Gov’t Mule is led by Grammy-winning bandleader, guitar legend, vocalist, songwriter Warren Haynes. Produced by Haynes, the album is a profound, soulful experience from start to finish.

Joe Bonamassa, Time Clocks

Blues/rock guitar legend Joe Bonamassa is regarded as one of the greatest blues/rock guitar players and one of the most prolific. Released October 29, 2021 via Provogue and produced by Kevin Shirley, Time Clocks is a thrilling, expansive and moody record featuring top tier musicianship. The record reflects Bonamassa’s undeniable brilliance and mastery of craft. With several co-writers including Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke) and James House, the record is a musical feast of raw and vital songs.

Dirty Honey, Dirty Honey

Los Angeles-based rock band Dirty Honey released their self-titled debut on April 23, 2021, produced by Nick DiDia. Dirty Honey hit it big in 2019, striking it hot with their brand of melodic rock, sexy rock and roll with the soul of 70’s blues/rock. With top-tier musicianship and a lead vocalist who ramps it up with style and dirty grooves. They are much more than the sum total of their influences and we expect this band to continue their upward trajectory with great modern rock songs and a nod to the past.

Joanna Connor, 4801 South Indiana Avenue

Virtuoso slide guitarist, singer, and songwriter Joanna Connor lets her blues take flight on her album 4801 South Indiana Avenue out on Keeping The Blues Alive Records, produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. The album shows Connor to be at the top of her game as a high-energy player with a slashing, fierce guitar style, and a huge, emotive voice and non-derivative songs that are fresh and interesting. Connor has toured the world, spent years playing with the Dion Payton and the Who’s Who of the Windy City including Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Otis Rush, James Cotton, and more. She’s released 14 albums, but it isn’t until 4801 South Indiana Avenue that she received her due.

Carlos Santana, Blessings & Miracles

Multiple Grammy Award winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and all-around guitar all-star, Carlos Santana proves he’s as fired-up and spiritually connected as he’s ever been on his ferocious new album Blessings and Miracles out October 15, 2021 on the BMG imprint. The album features Carlos making incredible music with a supporting cast of world-class players including Rob Thomas, Diane Warren, G-Eazy, Chris Stapleton, Steve Winwood, Chick Corea, Rick Rubin, Corey Glover, Kirk Hammett, Ally Brooke, Narada Michael Walden and Cindy Blackman Santana. The set is one of the most inspired releases of Santana’s long career and is one long, genre-smashing party.

Blackberry Smoke, You Hear Georgia

Chart-topping American rockers, Blackberry Smoke released You Hear Georgia on May 28, 2021 via Thirty Tigers, produced by Dave Cobb. The band with all their Southern flavor, add another chapter to their impressive body of work and put down their indelible stamp on an homage to their roots. Led by vocalist and guitarist Charlie Starr, the album embodies Georgia’s rich musical legacy. With meaningful songwriting, the band is known for strong vocals, beautiful harmonies and a cracking rhythm section.

Adrian Smith & Richie Kotzen, Smith/Kotzen

Monster guitarists Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) and Richie Kotzen (Winery Dogs) released Smith/Kotzen on March 26, 2021 on BMG, co-produced by Smith and Kotzen. The record is rooted in the free-spirited vibe of 70s rock and influenced by the blues, hard rock, traditional R&B, and more. The result is a blast of modern rock music. A beast of an EP, it has an organic feel with brilliant guitar and vocal chops. Two musicians of such high caliber certainly came together to produce a vital and fluid release.

Samantha Fish, Faster

Genre bending guitar phenom, singer and songwriter Samantha Fish released Faster on September 10, 2021 on Rounder Records, produced by Martin Kierszenbaum. Fish turns all of her powers loose on this bold album, digging deeper into rock and roll while still showing love for the blues and roots at her core. The award-winning Fish is a fearless artist, expanding her style and moving into previously uncharted territory. A creative breakthrough, Faster showcases Fish’s stronger-than-ever vocals and guitar and fresh, modern songs with cool beats and hooks.

Selwyn Birchwood, Living In A Burning House

Young blues mastermind Selwyn Birchwood displays a high degree of relevant greatness on guitar, vocals, and lap steel as well as a talent for writing innovative and insightful original music that speaks to the modern world on his album, Living In A Burning House out January 29, 2021 on Alligator Records. Produced by Grammy winner Tom Hambridge, Living In A Burning House is a career-making record that hurls Birchwood into the blues limelight with fresh sounds and ideas with a dose of respect for the past. Birchwood puts a fiery spin on blues/roots with infectious grooves and inventive style.

The Georgia Thunderbolts, Can We Get A Witness

New era Southern rockers The Georgia Thunderbolts deliver a well-conceived and brilliantly-performed take on their genre on their debut full-length set Can We Get A Witness out October 15, 2021 via Mascot Records. They have the soul of Skynyrd and the ABB and apply it to the ins and out of modern life to end up with the kind of anthemic tracks that are pushing rock music back towards the mainstream as we speak. Powerful stuff.

Blacktop Mojo, Blacktop Mojo

Blacktop Mojo vortexes Texas groove metal, grunge and classic rock into a perfect storm of rock and roll on the band’s self-titled fourth album Blacktop Mojo out August 13, 2021. They sling big riffs, arena-sized grooves, and smart lyrics throughout the songs here and tap into a lot of what people everywhere have been feeling. This is top-shelf modern rock full of expression and energy that will get you up and moving.

The Kentucky Headhunters, That’s A Fact, Jack!

90s Southern rock superstars The Kentucky Headhunters sound better than ever on their latest release That’s A Fact, Jack out October 22, 2021 on Practice House Records. The group still goes as hard as a new band with a reputation to build and spent their lockdown time tracking this fine new set that definitely has the right kind of attitude. The songs are cool and the guitar work is sublime. Crank this up and start the party!

Billy F Gibbons, Hardware

ZZ Top guitar maestro Billy F Gibbons rocks his sound all the way down to the desert floor on his new solo album Hardware out June 4, 2021 via Concord Records. Recorded at Escape Studio in California’s high desert, the set reflects its place of creation and gives off an unmistakable aura of sand and rattlesnakes. His tones are mystically dirty, his performances are fanatical, and the material is almost entirely original. After all the years gone by, Gibbons remains a true American treasure.

Altered Five Blues Band, Holler If You Hear Me

Milwaukee’s own Altered Five Blues Band ranks among the mightiest outfits out there working today and their latest effort Holler If You Hear Me proves it beyond measure. Released September 3, 2021 on Blind Pig Records, the album was done with Grammy-winning producer Tom Hambridge behind the desk. It’s the group’s sixth and best album to date, romping and stomping from beginning to end. Altered Five is nothing but cool, so buy a record and see them live when they hit your town. You’ll feel left out if you don’t.

Southern Avenue, Be The Love You Want

Grammy-nominated, BMA-winning soul crew Southern Avenue throw down a genre-bending mindblower with their new record Be The Love You Want out August 27, 2021 on Renew Records/BMG. The band puts funk, soul, gospel, R&B, and blues together in an exciting, masterful way that demands to be experienced. Israeli-born guitarist Ori Naftaly comes up with the tunes and lets lead vocalist Tierinii Jackson and the rest of the band help launch them into orbit. This record represents the future of soul music in a way few others have been able to match and needs to be heard by everyone who thinks that matters.

Tommy Castro, A Bluesman Came To Town: A Blues Odyssey

Renowned blues/soul/rock guitarist and vocalist Tommy Castro brings home a big winner with his recent set A Bluesman Came to Town: A Blues Odyssey out September 17, 2021 on Alligator Records. Written and produced with Grammy-winner Tom Hambridge, the record is a concept album about a youthful farmhand who learns to play guitar and falls hard for the blues. Through it all, Castro wields a hot guitar and pumps out vocals that are authentic and engaging. Castro is widely known as one of the best; records like this are one of the reasons why.

JD Simo, Mind Control

Blues/rock/psychedelic guitarist and singer JD Simo takes us down a soulful and subversive rabbit hole on his latest album Mind Control out November 5, 2021 on Crows Feet Records. Simo combines hill country blues, Afrobeat, Hendrix, Beefheart, and Nirvana into something entirely new that reflects his deeply personal inspirations. Simo is a groundbreaking iconoclast who is bringing fresh ideas into the roots music universe and sounds like no one you’ve ever heard. Mind Control signals the beginning of a new day in guitar music. Don’t sleep on it.

Eric Johanson, Covered Tracks Vol. 1

Big Easy guitarist, vocalist, songwriter Eric Johanson blew us away with his pandemic retellings of songs by other artists on Covered Tracks Vol. 1. Released independently April 23rd, 2021, the set features Johanson having his way with songs by Nine Inch Nails, Skip James, The Cardigans, Chicago, The Allman Brothers Band, and Taj Mahal. The record was inspired by Johanson’s weekly live-streams he did to stay in touch with fans during the lockdown. Eric shows great vision and skill on each of these covers and remains impressive in all that he does.