Here is the best music we heard in the past year. Most, but not all, was also released in 2016.
Top 20 (in random order)
Carly Rae Jepsen, “Emotion: Side B” (2016) – Usually, there’s a reason b-sides are b-sides. In this case, Carly Rae just recorded a butt-ton of songs and had a big batch of real good ones leftover from the sessions. “The One” and “Cry” are as good as anything on Emotion. Embrace it! -C
Inter Arma, “Paradise Gallows” (2016) – Raw, boundless, cavernous, sub-genre-defying, unrestrained epic heaviness. It took me a few spins to get into; looking back I realize it’s because “Paradise Gallows” is the first sui generis metal record I’ve heard in years. -h
Autolux, “Pussy’s Dead” (2016) – Out of left field, my album of the year; stunning musicianship and craft, and just as satisfying as a casual listen. -h
Wode, “Wode” (2016) – Perfect, elemental hi-fi crossover black metal; a workhorse of a record, it always delivers. If you like anything loud, give it a spin, like I have a couple times a week all year. -h
A Tribe Called Quest, “We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service” (2016) – This album is so big, both in scope and emotion, and I’m still breaking it down. It’s hard not to feel so heartbroken whenever Phife Dawg has a verse, because he died, and because he’s rapping about a lot of really sad stuff. But it’s also a funny and BANGING record, thanks to Q-Tip’s productions. They managed to make a reunion record with wall-to-wall cameos without sounding forced or inconsistent at all. That’s amazing. Jack White, Elton John, Kendrick, André 3000, and it all makes sense. Despite the fact that it slays, this is a very meaningful record. -C
Quilt, “Plaza” (2016) – There’s a kind of warm cozy spacey alt-rock that was perfected in the mid/late-90s, and I thought it was gone for good. They do it on this record and it’s perfect. It sounds like drinking tea in winter and listening to warm crackling records while restringing your guitar. -C
Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein, “Stranger Things Vol. 1” (2016) – The whole soundtrack is amazing, but I could easily listen to the theme song over and over and over and over and over for a thousand-billion-brazilian years. It’s so creepy and awesome and 80s. -C
Deru, “1979” (2014) – Warm, meditative synth/tape sketches sound like rose-colored memories feel. The level of ambience is juuuuust right, baby bear. -h
Radiohead, “A Moon Shaped Pool” (2016) – Fans loved it, but I hear AMSP as a deck-clearing before whatever zig the band zags next, and that has me more excited than most of what’s here. Still a top 10 record though. -h
Young Bull, “Demo” (2015) – Lawrence’s finest channel Lemmy through modern stoner/desert thrash. These dudes deserve to be huge; their live sets are among the best I’ve seen ever, at any level. -h
Phases, “For Life” (2015) – Z Berg from The Like, Alex Greenwald from Phantom Planet, Jason Boesel from Rilo Kiley, and… Mike Runion, from my high school in Ventura. This is a super-group that put out a BANGER of a synth-pop, party-time, feel-good record. I hope they come to Denver before they vanish or whatever the eff! -C
Tame Impala, “Currents” (2015) – Saw this on Howie’s honorable mention list from last year; filed it under “I’m resisting this band because everyone loves them and they sound like a band that’s too weird for radio but not good enough for my rotation.” Well, I’m an asshole; this record’s great. Psychadelic bass-line heavy jams with echoey falsettos and tight playing. Someone somewhere has likely done drugs to this record. -C
Sheer Mag, “III 7″” (2016) – More hooks, more riffs, more heft to the lyrics than you might get on first listen; Sheer Mag continues an incredible hot streak. -h
Susanne Sundfør, “Ten Love Songs” (2015) – This was a random discovery from my pal Melanie’s Spotify “Drive Home” playlist. I cannot believe how good this record is. “Fade Away” is my favorite song of the year, hands down: I can listen to it several times in a row like I’m 12 with a “Basket Case” cassingle. -C
Kurt Vile, “B’lieve I’m Goin Down” (2015) – I’ve been reading his name on year-end lists for years, and finally heard “Pretty Pimpin'” somewhere – Target, probably – and was like “Damn, I gotta do that.” Aside from the fact that it’s a great record, it’s a perfect little time capsule for my summer of 2016. -C
Type O Negative, “The Complete Roadrunner Collection” (1991-2003) – I came to this via Pallbearer’s cover of “Love You To Death,” and was not disappointed. The Cure, sex, Sabbath, and humor blacker than a winter solstice’s midnight create a singular artistic voice. -h
Klaus Schulze, “Timewind” (1975) – Wunderkid on a cosmic synth journey, and you’re invited to co-pilot. Bonus track “Echoes of Time” is my fav. -h
Run The Jewels, “3” (2016) – I doubt that they could put out a record I disliked, but even bands I love tend to drop off over time. When RTJ dropped their third record on Christmas with no warning, I was excited and wary for a record that did the same sort of thing they’d already done. But it’s different and it’s awesome and the production keeps evolving. El-P’s beats are astounding. “Call Ticketron” made me become a man in my very own car LAST NIGHT. -C
Aleph Null, “Endtime Sisters” (2016) – This EP stands in for the band’s entire discography, which I devoured this year. Crushing melodic heaviness in odd time signatures; too cool. -h
Numero Group / Various artists, “Titan: It’s All Pop!” (2009) – This archive of Kansas City power-pop from the late 70s and early 80s is for fans of Big Star and Thin Lizzy; an auditory Camaro ride to the burger stand. -h
Honorable Mention:
Aesop Rock, “The Impossible Kid” (2016)
Bon Iver, “22, A Million”, “” (2016)
David Bowie, “Blackstar” (2016)
Deftones, “Gore” (2016)
Hammers of Misfortune, “Dead Revolution” (2016)
Lincoln Marshall, “Water” (2016)
Maxwell, “blackSUMMERS’night” (2016)
Operators, “Blue Wave” (2016)
The Powder Room, “Lucky” (2016)
