Music For Listening To Music To: 2016 In Review
Another year has come and passed, so here’s another list of what I think was the best music of 2016.
15. God’s Ex-Wife – Cheap Girls
I couldn’t exclude this album, though a collection of B-sides and demos, every song is solid. Cheap Girls are simply one of my favorite bands and always a go to listen. To add more music to their canon is a-ok. Included on the album are acoustic demos, rocking alternatives, and unreleased tracks. It’s a great listen and even sounds like a cohesive album.
14. The Getaway – Red Hot Chili Peppers
After six straight albums with Rick Rubin behind the glass, the Chili Peppers needed a breath of fresh air. In comes Danger Mouse, and thus a perfect pairing was developed. The Getaway doesn’t feel as if a recipe was altered, instead it highlights the strengths of the RHCP. Anthony Keidis, the slick poet, a strong rhythm laid by Flea and Chad Smith, and Josh Klinghoffer cementing his role on his second album with the group. There aren’t many big, stadium sized moments on this album, and there doesn’t need to be, instead the playing is melodic, more intimate. All of this equates to their best offering in a decade.
Key tracks: Dark Necessities, The Getaway
13. The Heart Watches While The Brain Burns
Mike Doughty has always been a prolific artist. His style is undefined other than singer/songwriter, and that does not do his work justice. On his ninth studio album, Doughty paired with producer, DJ Good Goose, which heavily influenced an electronic, experimental sound. Doughty’s relocation from NYC to Nashville also inspired an alternative country flavor, allowing this album to feel fresh.
12. All These Dotted Lines – Beverly Stokes
The Ithaca, NY native’s debut album bridges the gap between beauty and bark. Stokes transitions between picturesque ballads and biting numbers, such as the aptly titled, “Bite Back.” The young singer/songwriter has a great sense of quaint storytelling and has a bright career ahead of her.
Key tracks: In The Morning, Sault Ste Marie
11. Weezer (The White Album) – Weezer
The White Album is Weezer’s most enjoyable colorfully titled album since their debut. It contains all the quirkiness that defines them (see “Thank God For Girls”) and catchy hooks. It’s hard to argue why the 90s troupe has survived and remained relevant for so long.
Key tracks: Jacked Up, King Of The World
10. Revolution Radio – Green Day
After the lackluster, 21st Century Breakdown, and the overambitious underwhelming trilogy, ¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tré!, Green Day returned to form with their latest, Revolution Radio. In their strongest collection of music since American Idiot, the trio is focused and oh so tight musically, and Billie Joe Armstrong’s lyrics have never been so poignant. The title track is like The Clash’s “Police On My Back” shot out of a cannon, and lead single, “Bang Bang,” in the point of view of a mass shooter, is cryptic in its blunt intensity.
Key tracks: Bang Bang, Revolution Radio
9. Shape Shift With Me – Against Me!
Laura Jane Grace stayed busy in 2016, writing both her memoir and recording another fantastic album for the Against Me! arsenal. Previous album, Transgender Dysphoria Blues, was a tormented account of her bouts with transgender dysphoria, and earned her the praise of #1 album of 2014 from yours truly. So why not follow that up with a “love” album. Well, it’s not that cut and dry with Grace and Against Me!. A number of these songs are in fact tortured, with a hint of hopeful, and fans of this band wouldn’t have it any other way.
Key Tracks: 12:03, Delicate, Petite & Other Things I’ll Never Be
8. Music For Listening To Music To - La Sera
La Sera tapped Ryan Adams to produce their fourth album, and produced a sound more in tune with his former band, Whiskeytown rooted in alt-country flavor. The result was an album full of twangy guitar and heartbreaking lyrics. La Sera is just getting hotter; as they went right back to the studio recording a new EP with new tracks and alternate versions where Wisenbaker really lets loose on guitar (see “Shadow of You Love”).
Key tracks: High Notes, Begins To Rain
7. Turn To Gold – Diarrhea Planet
The Nashville six piece with a four guitar ensemble is known for their rousing live shows, and though they polished things up a bit in the studio, the results are still in tune with that exuberance they are notorious for. Doubters, listen to the 8 minute closer, “Headband,” which is dynamic in vocal changes and its instrumental acts. Any questions?
Key tracks: Life Pass, Headband
6. A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings - Beach Slang
The face of Beach Slang, James Alex, has sure found his niche musically. Expanding on the themes of desperate souls just looking for some solace in this unforgiving world explored in Beach Slang’s debut. With “A Loud Batch of Teenage Feelings,” we’re punched in the gut with 30 minutes of adrenaline from Alex. It’s much more cohesive than his first offering, more mature, and determined. It doesn’t follow a lot of the typical troupes explored in their debut album, though maintains that edge. James Alex also continues to be the most genuine guy in rock ‘n’ roll.
Key Tracks: The whole album, c’mon it’s only a half hour.
5. Integrity Blues – Jimmy Eat World
On Integrity Blues, Jimmy Eat World expanded its palate releasing their best effort since 2010′s, Chase This Light. It was a necessary jump for the group, as their music began to feel stale. With Integrity Blues, they reinvented themselves and expanded their sound, going to dream-like places sonically. They drive a knife through the lightness, with many acoustic and piano flourishes in tracks, “You With Me,” and “Sure And Certain,” while staring darkness in the face in darker, grungy/industrial numbers like “Pass The Baby,” or “Get Right.” It’s that multiplicity and range that Jimmy Eat World achieved on this album that makes it one of their best, and one of the best of
Key tracks: Pass The Baby, You With Me
4. Midnight Room – Springtime Carnivore
“I built my world around you” Greta Morgan proclaims on the title track to kick off her sophomore album. It’s a beautiful introduction to her personal journey through the forest of heartbreak. It’s her Blood On The Tracks. The album is rich in its lush arrangements and incredible sonic palette, while Morgan bares her tattered soul for the listener. A spellbinding and dreamy listen each time, makes this album good for the 4 slot on my list.
Key tracks: Midnight Room, Under Your Spell
3. Blackstar – David Bowie
In the first of the many tragedies of 2016, David Bowie released arguably one of the most artistic productions in the history of music, though ultimately (beautifully) morbid. It transcends music, as Bowie often did throughout his career. Riddled in clues about his imminent demise, he passed two days after its release, as if he staged the whole production. At its core, it is a jazz album musically, as Bowie worked with New York City jazz musicians and longtime producer Tony Visconti surreptitiously. An extraordinary and ambitious record upon its release, Blackstar revealed itself as his elegy with ghastly lyrics such as “Look up here, I'm in heaven
I've got scars that can't be seen,” on “Lazarus.” He went out the only way David Bowie could, concluding with the aptly titled swansong, “I Can’t Give Everything Away,” closing the book on this album and his magnificent career.
Key tracks: Lazarus, I Can’t Give Everything Away
2. California – blink-182
What a triumphant return for the pop-punk godfathers. Ousting founding member, Tom Delonge, and replacing him with Alkaline Trio member, Matt Skiba, gave the group a tightness they hadn’t had in over a decade. Dropping perfectly in the middle of summer, it livened the atmosphere for those die-hard kids who have hung on through the tribulations of this rollercoaster that is blink-182. The songs were coherent and reminiscent of albums past, while also feeling fresh. Skiba proved to be a perfect complement to Mark Hoppus, as their voices blended together in impeccable harmony and proved to be capable writing partners. Hopefully this incarnation of the band continues to move forward. Long live blink-182. #blink182life4life
Key tracks: San Diego, Sober
1. Painkillers – Brian Fallon
Brian Fallon is in good company. Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty have, during multiple points in their careers, branched out from their durable and loyal bands to take their music in a different direction. Other artists have successful careers following the demise of their bands. Brian Fallon is somewhere in the in between. The Gaslight Anthem began their hiatus in mid-2015, and shortly thereafter Fallon followed the trajectory of his idols and released his solo debut, Painkillers. Working with Butch Walker, Fallon’s music ascended to new heights, being more swanky than scrappy. He is emotive as ever, as the album glows with the yearning and romanticism that Fallon is known for. Painkillers gets better with every listen and makes the blow of Gaslight Anthem’s hiatus hurt a little less.
Key tracks: Honey Magnolia, Smoke
I challenged myself this year a bit more than in years past with my top 25 songs. In past lists, artists could have more than one entry, whereas this year, I narrowed it down to my favorite song for each artist and then ranked from there.
25. Ways To Fake It – CRX
Sidemen can do it too! Strokes guitarist, Nick Valensi, came on strong with this extremely catchy Cars-esque rocker.
24. Goes Around – Western Medication
The young Nashville foursome can be a real tour de force. This barn-burner pummels on all end, from the pounding drums and aggressive bass that carry this one.
23. The Color of a Cloudy Day – Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires
Their voices subtle, almost a whisper at times, the husband and wife duo have such great chemistry on this beauty of longing.
22. Born Again Teen – Lucius
Driven by a thumping and relentless drum beat and building to a fuzzy, cosmic, awesome mess, this is the best song the group has produced in their young career.
21. Sault Ste Marie – Beverly Stokes
The most elegant track on her debut album, is one of introspection and vivid imagery behind a guitar so wistfully finger picked. It also features the best vocal performance from the young singer/songwriter, who bares the question, “what was it I wanted here?”
20. Something Wild – Lindsey Stirling Feat Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
The violinist’s second single was co-written and sung by Andrew McMahon. The song glides through the air due to Stirling’s beautiful violin and McMahon’s knack for soaring choruses.
19. Revolution Radio – Green Day
Coming out of the gate like a bat out of hell, the title track kills. It’s fast and furious, and a little bit melodic, as every great Green Day song is.
18. Let’s Get Lost – The Pretenders
The Pretenders came back this year with a little help from Black Key, Dan Auerbach. The gentle, “Let’s Get Lost,” is elegant and wistful, incorporating that Nashville inspired slide guitar to glide the music through the ether.
17. Queen of Daydreams – Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind released a 7 song EP that better than their last album as a whole. Standout track, “Queen of Daydreams,” encompasses everything attractive about Third Eye Blind. It’s driven by a poppy, electronic feel, and complimented by the unconventionally descriptive romanticism that only Stephan Jenkins can produce. It’ll be an instant classic in the Third Eye Blind universe.
16. Twice As Much – Cheap Girls
This one rocks. Well. all Cheap Girls’ songs rock, but “Twice As Much,” off their collection of unreleased music weaves between the jangly and the raucous, and rocks twice as much as any song on this list.
A throwaway from the Southern Accents sessions, Tom Petty blew the dust off of it for Mudcrutch’s sophomore album and gave it the life it deserved. A straightforward, laidback rocker that feels like
14. Spin The Dial – Beach Slang
Although Beach Slang’s album works best as a whole, it would be a sin not to include a song of theirs on this list. “Spin The Dial” encompasses the Beach Slang ethos of blurred nights among misfits who love the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll, and concludes with the mantra, “I got a halo on my heart.”
13. Pass The Baby – Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World’s most experimental track they’ve ever made gets the nod at #13 for me. Sure, there are catchier, accessible tracks, but this one shreds. Beginning soft, with Jim Adkins voice at almost a whisper in front of a drum machines, it meanders to an electronic field of sonic bliss before finally exploding into a grungy breakdown that would give Eddie Vedder and company a run for their money.
12. I Can’t Believe I Found You In That Town – Mike Doughty
The most country flavored song Doughty has ever done is a great lead in to his latest album. It’s a delightful tune from the linguistically intellectual troubadour.
11. You Want It Darker – Leonard Cohen
David Bowie wasn’t the only prolific artist to leave us with their own eulogy this year, unfortunately. In the face of the darkness, Cohen challenges death with his haunting title track, “You Want It Darker.” Translated as, “Here I am. Send me,” in Hebrew, Cohen proclaims “Hineni, hineni/I'm ready, my lord,” knowing this haunting record was his swan song.
10. Delicate, Petite & Other Things I’ll Never Be – Against Me!
“The skin on your neck looks a little thin/Don’t go sticking it out for me,” lead singer Laura Jane Grace scowls on this cutting track. Though always a very personal writer, this one dives into the murkiest depths of Grace’s mind and the music compliments that lurking darkness.
My new favorite Weezer song. Rivers Cuomos stretches to a near falsetto in this desperate unrequited love song.
The best track off La Sera’s new album features a jangly, infectious riff and capping off the performance with a soaring harmonica outro.
7. Midnight Room – Springtime Carnivore
The dreamy lead single off her sophomore album sets the tempo for Greta Morgan’s reflective and brilliant album. Her beautifully chilling voice weaves through the cracks in her heart.
6. Dark Necessities – Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Chili Peppers best song in a decade was enthralling from the first listen. Flea’s funky bass line carries the song and whirling guitar accelerates this instant classic.
5. Life Pass – Diarrhea Planet
The four guitar ensemble shreds in their melodically ragged way through their lead single. In another world this song could dominate mainstream rock radio, with its catchy chorus and soaring guitar solos, but for now, it’ll be us Planeteers little secret.
4. Warning Call – CHVRCHES
Who would have thought a song released for a video game (that I don’t play) would be so incredible. It is definitive CHVRCHES though with a booming chorus and Lauren Mayberry’s uncompromising lyrics.
blink-182’s heritage lies in the streets of San Diego, and the homage track is the centerpiece of their latest album. It’s reflective in that it dredges up the past with ousted member, Tom Delonge, and how their legacy, no matter how great, is irreconcilable. It is a solid way to usher in the new era of blink-182.
2. Honey Magnolia – Brian Fallon
Rousing numbers from this album would have been more accessible, but, Brian Fallon is often at his finest when he is most tender. Nothing else on the album resembles the beauty of this somber tune of longing.
Bowie’s swan song is the most ethereal of his career. Driven by a morose, melancholy score, it captures both his acceptance and fear of the finite unknown. With each listen, Bowie takes the listener on a cryptic journey through his final months. It’s the perfect song to stroll through the darkness with.
That’s all folks. Hope you enjoyed and maybe discovered something here you enjoyed. Let me know.
It felt as though 2016 hit the music hardest as far as casualties go in the entertainment world. It’s not going to get any better. The founding fathers, the mammoths of the music industry aren’t getting any younger. All I ask is please don’t take Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen from the world until I’m long gone. And with that, good riddance 2016.
Be sure to follow me on Twitter @MichaelDroel and as always stay tuned for more from your music doctor!
