We've widened our acoustic lens this year and are pleased to present top five to 10 albums of the year from 16 disc jockeys spinning tunes at two independently owned radio stations and three prolific local musicians/artists. The styles range from country to death metal, from indie pop to jam bands, from blues to roots and everything in between and around the edges. There are legends such as Buddy Guy and Elvis Costello. There are bands with such names as Fat Earthers and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizards. The lists include live concert recordings from mega-stars including the Rolling Stones and Tom Petty, both from 1977. Who knew iconic artists Jimmy Cliff and the Dropkick Murphys were still making music?!

On January 15, no fewer than 17 gifted Midwestern musicians will perform at Bettendorf's Rivermont Collegiate as featured guests in Polyrhythms' Third Sunday Jazz Series, with Mike Conrad & the Iowa Jazz Composers Orchestra proving that jazz lovers don’t need to look to New York City or Chicago for beautiful, creative, high-quality music.

With Pitchfork deeming the artist a "Nashville spitfire [who] flits easily between country, bluegrass, and rock," singer/songwriter Lillie Mae headlines a January 13 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, her most recent recording Other Girls lauded by Pop Matters as "the album that will garner Americana/alt-country artist Lillie Mae the attention she richly deserves."

Lauded by Americana-UK as a talent who boasts "a soulful wail, a quieter, world-weary growl, and expressive country yawp," country singer/songwriter Kiely Connell headlines a January 8 concert at Davenport's Raccoon Motel, her 2021 recording Calumet Queen deemed by the United Kingdom's Folk Radio "an outstanding debut ... written and sung with wisdom, insights and experience of a life-seasoned artist."