[baystateoftheart]

Seed #10:

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Untitled (Black Is) by Sault

Nominated by: RoundTheBend
Genres [RYM]: Neo-Soul

Seed #11:

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Elisabeth by Zach Bryan

Nominated by: travelful
Genres [RYM]: Singer/Songwriter, Americana

Instructions:

If you have not already, please listen to both albums in full before voting. Share your thoughts and/or your vote in this thread. This poll will be tallied in no fewer than twenty-eight days. See Tournament Spreadsheet for the full bracket.
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[Fischman]

One of my easiest choices of the tourney. Really liked the Sault. Can definitely pass on Zach.

[EyeKanFly]

This will be a tough climb for Zach Bryan. The Sault album was just so incredible, and features one of the best songs of last year as well: "Wildfires"
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51 Washington, D.C. albums!

[kokkinos]

Elisabeth is a nice album, inoffensive, pleasant enough for background music.
Untitled (Black Is) is much more than that. The obvious objection would be that it's unnecessarily long, but its irresistible energy and its iron will to make a statement more than make up for any lack of concentration or slightly loose structure. One of the few 2020 albums I would consider essential.
Untitled (Black Is) gets my vote.
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[baystateoftheart]

Untitled (Black Is) is a little more than half great music, and the rest is quite nice, but half-baked. The full-fledged songs are generally the highlights. Sometimes the message is beautifully delivered, and other times it feels very on the nose. Overall, Sault make high-quality r&b, and this listen upgrades it to a low 4/5. Elisabeth is mostly quite good, but far too long. At times, it seems like he's writing the same song about the same topic over the same instrumental over and over. The vocals can be a bit hit and miss too. Definitely gets points for being raw and emotional country, but in real need of trimming. 3.5/5.
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[LedZep]

I guess this is a better Sault album from 2020, but it’s half-baked and sounds better in theory than in reality. Several fantastic songs, several good ones and a whole lot of whatever. Gave it 7/10 just like Rise, not sure if either deserve it but they’re at least unique. That being said, Elisabeth is 1 hour and 4 minutes of exactly the same song. It’s a good song, nice execution and sound, but it does get boring quite fast and Zach doesn’t have enough charisma to keep things interesting. That’s just a personal preference I guess, no offense Travelful.

I’ll probably vote Sault or abstain, depending on possible relistens.
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2020s

[RoundTheBend]

Surprised with the lukewarm take on Sault. One of my favorite finds in 2020.

[baystateoftheart]

Untitled (Black Is) defeats Elisabeth 10-6 to advance to the sweet sixteen.
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