FINE TUNES

y any measure, 2021 has been yet another strange year in the 21st century, made more so when there was a new chart-topping but mundane Abba album, something from Elton John, again, and the Beatles. Very last century. But it was nice to have the familiar faces of Adele and Tony Bennett back, though. However, there were still new, challenging, different and interesting albums. Here, we look at 20. Not a “Top 20”, because no one can hear everything and personal tastes reign, but rewarding, repeat-play albums that made the year tolerable. They are in no particular