Welcome to part one of the MisplacedStraws Best of 2023. In this post, we will be counting down positions 20 – 11. As always, I want to know your thoughts! Share your Best Of lists in the comments!
![](https://misplacedstraws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/BO-23-pt-1-1024x1024.jpg)
2023 was a stronger year than I originally expected. Many releases that I thought would be in the Top 20 ended falling just short when I put the final list together. I also included a track from each release that I think best sums up that particular record.
Honorable mentions –
![](https://misplacedstraws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/z-ccd.jpg)
![](https://misplacedstraws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/z-DH.jpg)
![](https://misplacedstraws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/z-LAG.jpg)
![](https://misplacedstraws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/z-metallica.jpg)
![](https://misplacedstraws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/z-stones.jpg)
20 – The Cold Stares – Voices
![](https://misplacedstraws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/TheColdStaresVoicesAlbumCover-1024x1024.jpg)
Song pick – “Sorry I Was Late”
19 – The Church – Hypnogogue
![](https://misplacedstraws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/R-26275238-1688539603-7156.jpg)
Song Pick – “The Hypnogogue”
18 – The Hold Steady – Price of Progress
![](https://misplacedstraws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/a3893215164_65.jpg)
Song Pick – “Distortions of Faith”
17 – Duff McKagen – Lighthouse
![](https://misplacedstraws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/719oLPKf4ML._UF10001000_QL80_.jpg)
Song Pick – “I Saw God on 10th Street”
16 – Pattern-Seeking Animals – Spooky Action At A Distance
![](https://misplacedstraws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/81AxXeV2EdL._UF10001000_QL80_.jpg)
Song Pick – “He Once Was”
15 – Vega – Battlelines
![](https://misplacedstraws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71rb9ru64VL._UF10001000_QL80_.jpg)
Song Pick – “33’s and 45’s”
14 – Eclipse – Magalomanium
![](https://misplacedstraws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ECLIPSE-Megalomanium-September-1-2023.jpg)
Song Pick – “The Hardest Part Is Losing You”
13 – Margo Price – Strays
![](https://misplacedstraws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71XS7hiMfLL._SL1200_-1024x1024.jpg)
Song Pick – “Radio”
12 – Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Dirt On My Diamonds, Vol 1
![](https://misplacedstraws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/71BSy6-cgHL._SL1100_-1024x1024.jpg)
Song Pick – “Best of Times”
11 – Extreme – Six
![](https://misplacedstraws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Extreme-album-cover-Six-1-1024x1024.jpg)
Song Pick – “Rise”