Best American Staple
"Traveller" is the 2015 debut solo studio album by Kentucky-born singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton, co-produced with Dave Cobb. The album blends traditional country, Southern rock, and blues influences, featuring instrumentation like heavy slide guitars and Stapleton's soulful vocals. It includes th...
Why this score?
Massive breakthrough, Grammy-winning, excellent sales and acclaim, strong consensus despite mainstream polish.
Scoring methodology
The Levi's 501 remains the undisputed icon of denim. While not always the most 'raw' or niche, its cultural significance and enduring fit make it a benchmark. These jeans are built to last generations and represent the quintessential American jean. They are perfect for those who want a universally r...
Starting Over is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton, released in 2020. Produced by Dave Cobb, it continues Stapleton's mixture of country, Southern rock, blues, and soul, with performances centered on his vocals and guitar. The album includes original material alon...
Why this score?
Grammy-winning late Stapleton album, strong performances, reliable craft, less groundbreaking than Traveller.
Scoring methodology
Robert Staples was an American sociologist whose scholarship focused on Black families, gender relations, masculinity, and racial inequality in the United States. He edited The Black Family: Essays and Studies, an anthology bringing together sociological work on the structures and experiences affect...
Why this score?
Contributed to Black family sociology and masculinity studies; specialist reputation, limited canon visibility.
Scoring methodology
Sheryl Staples is an American violinist who joined the New York Philharmonic as principal associate concertmaster in 1998. She was born in Los Angeles and has also served on the faculty of The Juilliard School. Her work centers on orchestral performance, where the principal associate concertmaster h...
Why this score?
Important New York Philharmonic principal player; limited soloist and recording consensus.
Scoring methodology
