With Them Coulee Boys’ third record Die Happy, the Driftless-born, Eau Claire-raised folk rock band made some big strides within their own sound and produced one of the finest albums to come out of the Chippewa Valley this year. And readers wholeheartedly agree by voting Die Happy into the number one spot this year. On top of that, they rocked a few notable local gigs at the Pablo Center and on the Blue Ox Music Festival main stage as well. Big things yet to come from the Boys as they tour the country and make a name for themselves. In second place comes the debut from Spencer Douglas, a former Kids In Wisconsin performer, for his album Princess Charming. And rounding out the list in the third place is the latest from singer/songwriter Micah Ryan, Change The World. – Eric Christenson