Albums of the Month November 2025

I had a really fun month of listening. November is a great music listening month, with the world slowing down a bit, the leaves falling, etc. It has truly never been a better time to be a listener for some of us. So let’s get after it…

Nov1: Norah Jones “The Fall”

Last month I mentioned that Bob Dylan’s “Blood On The Tracks” is my second favorite breakup album. Well here is number one. It’s almost worth it to have a terrible breakup just to feel this record in that way. Ever since it came out, I listen to at least five times a year. I’ve always felt like Norah Jones is the Willie Nelson of my generation. All these tunes fit together, but there is a lot of variation in the instrumentation and the overall style of each track. It’ll make you smile and it’ll make you cry. I like going through my feelings, and this record gives my mind an easy path.

Favorite Track: “I Wouldn’t Need You”

Nov2: Yellowcard “Ocean Avenue”

I often am jealous of people who grew up in Florida. I know the state has been the butt of a joke lately that I don’t quite understand. To me, this record has always been my window into that life. It’s such a fun way to spend some time. The songs are fantastic, the energy is palpable, and this has to be one of my top drumming performances of the genre from Longineu Parsons (also easily the best musician name I’ve ever heard). I remember seeing this band perform on Pepsi Smash TV in my basement and I’ve been hooked ever since. I may have grown up in the ATL, but when I put this record on, I’m just a kid in Florida feeling the sunshine and wanting to leave this town.

Favorite Track: Ocean Avenue

Nov3: Beth Bombara “It All Goes Up”

God bless Beth Bombara. I don’t think she could write a bad tune if she tried. All her records are fantastic and full of so much humanity. I love this one so much. I had a serious and pretty much never-ending car trouble saga on this day and this record kept me company the whole time. I almost didn’t mind sitting in a Pep Boys waiting room, Triple A tow truck, and Volvo dealership because this record was with me the whole time. Listening to this music feels like reconnecting with a good friend over a nice cup of coffee with the sunlight pouring in through a window.

Favorite Track: “Lonely Walls”

Nov4: Pat Metheny Group “Still Life (Talking)”

I wrote about Pat Metheny last month and will probably have more albums of his coming in the future. I’m a big fan. You can instantly tell its him when you put his music on, which, to me, is an amazing mark of a truly exceptional musician. This record is a brilliant collection of songs and a perfect example of interplay between musicians leaving their mark while supporting each other. One of my all time vibe records.

Favorite Track: “Last Train Home.”

Nov5: Fred Hersch “Silent, Listening”

I listen to a lot of solo piano records. There is something about the fullness of a piano and the intimate nature of a solo performance that captures something deep. The entire universe exists within a single moment kind of thing. Fred Hersch is a master of this and this collection is truly tremendous. This is an all time listen for when the sun is coming up and the world is quiet.

Favorite Track: “Starlight”

Nov6: Murat Keyder “Rüya”

I love to listen to music as a way to transport myself around the world and learn from other cultures. Murat Keyder is a guitarist/oud player from Turkey and this is such a cool instrumental album. I think sometimes we get stuck in our habits of listening, so its always nice to break the pace and through on something a little bit different. This record is definitely that. Highly recommend it-its cheaper than a flight to Turkey for sure.

Favorite Track: “Flight”

Nov7: Jim Hall & Ron Carter “Alone Together”

I love everything about this guitar/bass duo record. At the end of every track, I’m so jealous of the people clapping. I want to be there! I could live in this record if I could figure out a way how. The conversation between the instruments is beautiful. This is how a duo sounds when they are really listening to each other and trying to be there for each other. If I can make a friend/relationship sound like this record, then I know I’m doing my best.

Favorite Track: “I’ll Remember April”

Nov8: Brand New “The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Of Me”

I love this band and remember how excited I was to buy this CD from Ella Guru record shop in high school. It didn’t disappoint my high expectations on first listen and still sounds so so good all these years later. It’s pretty dark in tone, but the band meets these themes with a wonderful sense of curiosity and acceptance. It’s a heavy listen, but you’ll feel better by the end.

Favorite Track: “Millstone”

Nov9: Brand New “Your Favorite Weapon”

I love when a group or artist is consistent from album to album. But I also love it when they switch it up and keep me guessing. It’s kind of like your friend group; you want the dependables for sure, but you also want the crazy ones trying to get you to go to New Orleans on a last minute trip to the casino. Brand New is one of those. Unlike the album right before this on the list, “Your Favorite Weapon” isn’t dark or moody; it’s really fun, sarcastic, and snarky. This is their debut album and is filled with some of my favorite-to-listen-to songs of the genre.

Favorite Track: “Magazines”

Nov10: Fox and Bones “Long Time Honey”

Sometimes you get put on to a new-to-you band that just rocks you to your core and Fox and Bones are that band! This is a wonderful collection of songs. The production is amazing, the songs are beautiful, and the duo vocals performances are so in there. I listened to this record like 3 times in a row. I imagine this is what people who crazy over Bruce Springsteen feel. Do yourself a favor and check it.

Favorite Track: “Digital Wasteland”

Nov11: Eagles “Eagles”

I’m not too cool to love The Eagles, and anybody who says that they are can go straight to hell. I always feel so good when they hit those big harmonies. This is their debt record which is a little more country-fied than the rest of their catalogue, and I kind of prefer it. Some bands become huge because of big marketing pushes and some because they are just that damn good. I think the Eagles are both types.

Favorite Track: “Peaceful Easy Feeling” (but shoutout to Witch-ay Woman)

Nov12: David Leisner “Charms to Soothe”

David Leisner is an out of this world classical guitarist and I loved listening to this collection. He has such an ease of playing where it sounds like he is both trying his hardest and that the music is totally effortless. Wake up early, put this album on, drink your coffee, and I promise you will feel like a benevolent king.

Favorite Track: Op 31, No. 23 in E Major

Nov13: Foreigner “Four”

Real ones know that I’m a big classic rock head. I have a pretty serious collection of vinyl which includes records that my dad definitely had in high school and I think this is one of those records. “Four” is such a high quality rock album it seems almost impossible that it could exist. All the songs have all the elements; fantastic musicianship, belting vocals, riffs on riffs on riffs, etc. I threw this album on during a run and was smiling the whole time. Warning though; listening to Foreigner does make one want to head bang and crush about 8 beers.

Favorite Track: “Break It Up”

Nov14: Brazilian Girls “Brazilian Girls”

This album is an all timer for me and was the soundtrack to many frat basement nights back in University. It sounds very 2005 in the sense that digital music was coming on, but the focus was on blending it with real instruments. This album is multi-cultural and multi-lingual. Hilariously enough, there are no Brazilian girls in this band. This group certainly had a moment, but I think they are kind of under the radar to music listeners nowadays. So I’ll just say “you’re welcome” for reminding you this album exists.

Favorite Track: “Don’t Stop”

Nov15: Sufjan Stevens “Seven Swans”

This is a breathtakingly beautiful record that I would best describe as emo-banjo music about the Bible. You can read that as many times as you’d like. And if that doesn’t intrigue you, let me just say that this is a wonderful fall listen. It sounds like the muted colors of the leaves on a forrest floor.

Favorite Track: “To Be Alone With You”

Nov16: Radiohead “The Bends”

One of my all time favorite records by one of my all time favorite bands. It’s true that Radiohead really kicks things into another gear with the record after this, but I love “The Bends.” There is a lot of emotion within all these tracks, and it’s never too cool for itself. I probably listen to this record like 15 times a year, and there is always something new in there for my ears and my spirit.

Favorite Track: “Just”

Nov17: Paul Sanchez “Love Always Finds a Way”

New Orleans is the best city in America to be a musician, and, to me, Paul Sanchez is THE sound of that. One of the country’s best songwriters, Paul has really created such a wonderful palette of sounds and songs with “Love Always Finds a Way.” Even a cynical-at-the-moment-about-love person like me couldn’t help but soften with each track. I wish I was in New Orleans right now listening to Paul. I wish I was doing that about every other day.

Favorite Track: “I Never Really Let You Go”

Nov18: Lucinda Williams “World Without Tears”

I definitely didn’t get Lucinda Williams when I was younger but I guess since I am more seasoned, her music is really hitting me deeply lately. This album runs the gamut; parts of it totally rock, and parts will totally break your heart. She has a one of a kind voice that is fully aware of itself. And it doesn’t get any better than that. The lyrics are a little bleak but that hit the spot pretty perfectly for me right now.

Favorite Track: “Those Three Days”

Nov19: perlizbeth “my new favorite color”

I love a record with a big production. But I also love a record as an actual record of a moment. This record by perlizbeth is awesome, and it honestly feels like she is playing it right in front of me, as a friend I know. It takes a lot of courage to make music like this, and I really admire that. It also sounds amazing and the songs are gooood.

Favorite Track: “What If”

Nov20: Noah Kahan “Stick Season”

I was asked recently to learn and record some Noah Kahan’s tunes for a wedding, and I was knocked out. I loved this record, and I’m kind of stuck in my folky ways, so to hear a new voice in a genre that I thought was already full, man oh man. That really gets me going. This is a perfect fall album, so grab your ginger tea and sit on your porch if you’ve got one.

Favorite Track: “Everywhere Everything”

Nov21: Lucinda Williams “Sweet Old World”

Back at it with another Lucinda Williams. Man are her records really giving me some comfort this week. I love music that rocks softly and with a sensitive heart, and this album is perfect for that. The guitar player is insanely expressive and reserved, which is the sweet spot for me. All the songs are great. Just run to this album immediately.

Favorite Track: “Sidewalks Of The City”

Nov22: Daniel Pemberton, Bobby Krlic “Eddington”

So I watched the film “Eddington” last night and really enjoyed it. I kind of loved the Covid pandemic because it forced me to rest (and I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to do so). This was back before I figured out how to rest without being forced haha. So it was fun for me to revisit, and then this morning I threw this album on at the gym like the little psycho that I am. Nothing like hitting the squat rack with strange and foreboding instrumental vibes inspired by the American Southwest.

Favorite Track: “You Need a Mask”

Nov23: Madonna “True Blue”

I really connect pretty deeply with a handful of Madonna tracks for intensely personal reasons, but have not checked out a lot of her records in their entirety. And what a mistake that might have been, because this album is awesome! Very fun energy, interesting production, and some really truly inspired emotional moments. These songs are probably not written for a 36 year old male musician living in 2026, but a few of the tracks really cut deeply. And I think some of Madonna’s silliness actually makes the more emotional stuff hit a lot harder. It’s like when your goofy friend says something really vulnerable.

Favorite Track: “Live To Tell”

Nov24: Arcade Fire “The Suburbs”

As someone who grew up technically in the city, but within an emotionally suburb part of the city, I really get the vibe. I often think about moving to the suburbs (Roswell is the dream. If you know, you know). And then I often think about the Always Sunny episode about the suburbs. It’s a mix of fantasy and reality, and this Arcade Fire seems to explore those themes with a driving beat and a vast array of sounds that always keep you on your toes. Sometimes I get a little turned off by music that sounds like its “yearning.” Not this time; this years the right amount for me.

Favorite Track: “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Moutains)”

Nov25: Pat Metheny and Charlie Haden “Beyond The Missouri Sky”

One of my favorite albums all time, this is a beautiful and breathtaking duet between guitar and bass. I often pretend I embody this album when I perform and I don’t get close. Just put this album on and look at the sky, I promise your life will be fuller for it. Two musical icons operating at the top of their game holding power in reserve. It doesn’t get any better.

Favorite Track: “Cinema Paradiso” (Love Theme)

Nov26: Animal Collective “Merriweather Post Pavilion”

Possibly the coolest album cover of all time, but the music lives up to the cover! This record was on constant rotation in college. I still have the vinyl I bought at Criminal Records in early 2009 and let’s just say ummmm it has some memories on it. This record sounds as fresh today as the day it was released. I still don’t really understand this music, but it asks me to trust it and I listen. I like an experience that I don’t understand, but rather feel it.

Favorite Track: “My Girls”

Nov27: Nelly Furtado “Loose”

Another one of my all time favorites! This record has been legendary since day one and its lore just grows every year. Songs are excellent, performances are inspired, production is both huge and original. Allegedly inspired by “Ray of Light” by Madonna (another album I freak over), this is just a record that always feel so great when I put it on. It is smooth and it is sharp. Words kind of can’t describe music this good. I also think the title is another clue to why the album is so good: pop music is at times incredibly calculated, and this record is Loose. But damn is it tight too.

Favorite Track: “Do It”

Nov28: Chopin performed by Rem Urasin “The Complete Piano Works Waltzes”

Chopin is one of my favorite all time musicians/composers. Nobody’s music is more expansive and intimate. No one is more romantic. I named my dog after Chopin, so obviously I’m in the bag for this dude. I listened to this album drinking tea on the porch watching birds walk a wire. It was probably the highlight of my month.

Favorite Track: “D-flat major, Op. 64, No. 1”

Nov29: Ron Miles, Bill Frisell, Brian Blade, Jason Moran, & Thomas Morgan “I Am a Man”

Bill Frisell is going to come up a lot in these blogs. This album is a tremendous listen; it finds a way to be soft and heavy at the same time, like a down comforter on a rainy day. The empathy of the musicians on this album is immense. This is real listening; me listening to them, them listening to each other, and the universe listening to a perfect combination of senses and feelings.

Favorite Track: “Darken My Door”

Nov30: Quadron “Avalanche”

Kind of a funky end to the month. And here I thought November would bring depressing music only! Clearly I’m doing okay, and I definitely was doing more than okay when I listened to this record. I kind of think of Quadron as hipster Sade. I’ve listened to this record a lot over the years, and I’m always glad and dancing when I put it on.

Favorite Track: “Favorite Star”

So that’s that! A great month for me as a music listener. As always, please please send me recommendations for next month to basseverynight@gmail.com

With open ears,

Benny