My Top 10 Albums Of 2016

So the year has come to a close and its been loaded with impressive releases, many of which were hard to cut from the list. Its surprising how some records seem fantastic at first then tire quickly, and others can sneak up on you over time. There has been variety but certainly no classics. As much as we have been spoiled with great music nothing ground breaking or earth shaking has reached my ears but rather a lot of records that make good on whats already known. If you didn't catch my top ten musical discoveries check it out here.

(10) Metallica "Hardwired To Self-Destruct" Link

It was a hard choice to put Hardwired on the list but I think merit has to be given to Metallica for finding a part of themselves that really works and putting it to record after many years of disappointment. Nothing like the good old days but they have churned out some new classics with this one.

(9) Korn "The Serenity Of Suffering" Link

This one wins worst album cover of the year, that's for sure. There has been no doubt in my mind it would make the list, the band somehow found a return to form after fourteen years of garbage. The Nu-Metal teen within me has been having a riot with this record.

(8) Lord Lovidicus "Book Of Lore Volume II - A Vespera Ad Lucem" Link

An initially uneventful record, its character and inspiration slowly emerges with each listen and before you know it the music is transforming your imagination and taking you to exotic sands far away.

(7) Avenged Sevenfold "The Stage" Link

An unexpected source of excellence, "The Stage" has Avenged searching for new ground and finding it on a record that's before solid and experimental where the band expand their horizons.

(6) Savages "Adore Life" Link

Overall, its probably not as good as their debut but the bar is already high and with their second record they established more sublime, charismatic songs and bolstered there live set with more engaging music

 

(5) Moonsorrow "Jumalten Aika" Link

 

I had barely listened to them before, maybe not at all but their 2016 release blew me away. In its immediacy its nothing special but as the songs progress and unfold they seem to have a magical engrossing quality that sucks you into their realm and hitting you with breakout moments and captivating melodies.

(4) Regina Spektor "Remember Us To Life" Link

Regina has such a charming honesty about her with music and I was unsure what to expect. It had been a while since she last caught my attention but this one has the best of her creativity, mirrored with passion, perspective and emotions that blossomed into gems of songs, each with their own charm.

(3) Plini "Handmade Cities" Link

A bright and colorful record that takes Metal music in a creative, luminous direction. The anticipation was certainly there and boy did it deliver! Ive listened to this countless times and its melodies are still as charming each time.

(2) Devin Townsend "Transcendence" Link

You can always rely on Devin to bring the musical inspiration. Initially I didn't quite feel it but as time went by the energy and wonder that radiates from such songs as "Stormbending" just wouldn't get out of my mind! It makes his recent output feel a step behind the feels this record brings.

(1) Death Grips "Bottomless Pit" Link

With the year passing by its proven to not but a perfect record but a large bulk of this one is exactly what I wanted, that sound they create crafted to the bouncy, mosh friendly side of groove they have. As the year goes on a can't stop myself from coming back to it again and again.

My Top 10 Music Discoverys In 2016

Another year rolls by and the musical journey continues in full effect. There could of easily been another ten artists Id like to see on this list but I had dwindle it down. 2016 Has been hectic with moving and full time youtube but Ive managed and caught some great live shows too, seeing the Savages twice, Korn & Deftones twice as well as their Nu Metal buddies Limp Bizkit. Babymetal, Black Sabbath, Periphery, Cypress Hill, Ministry, Enter Shikari, Bring Me The Horizon and most of all, finally got to see Death Grips! What a year. If you didn't catch my top ten albums of the year you can see it here.

(10) The Future Sound Of London

Although I'm yet to get deeper into their discography but their "Lifeforms" record was a fantastic experience in lucid music that could take many forms. A truly impressive feet of music I am glad to of discovered.

(9) Deafehaven

Their debut Sunbather didn't do it for me, I'm yet to give it a try again but "New Bermuda" really cracked it open for me, their genius revealed on a remarkable record. It would of made my top 10 had I listened to it last year.

(8) The Contortionist

Recommended by my buddy Rendog as one to listen to over and over till it hurts, I certainly gave it a good try, it was only later in the year when the dust had settled that I really grew to appreciate them and their new direction.

(7) Babymetal

Initially I dismissed them as a gimmick but how wrong I was, now I realize behind the front trio, who have great voices, are a set of great musicians pushing Metal in strange and new directions which are to be celebrated.

(6) Echo And The Bunnymen

Again I'm guilty of not getting further into a band but with just one record they have won me over as a terrific band and every time a song comes on shuffle I am always engaged. Making this list I know I'll have to put another on next years playlist.

(5) Kate Tempest

I'm guilty of passing up the opportunity to see her perform live, something to correct next year. Kate's mix of poetry, rap and spoken word is unique and expressive, both her albums so far have been fantastic and I hope she keeps progressing as an artist. There will be many good things to come.

(4) Kauan

Not as impressed with their back catalog but "Sorni Nai" maybe the closest thing to a modern masterpiece I can think of in recent memory. It wont be for everyone but the atmospheric doom based around the legend of the Dyatlov Pass incident it is truly engrossing.

(3) Dusty Springfield

 A household name to many, seeing Dusty's record praised in top lists all it took was one listen and I was hooked, "Dusty In Memphis" has since become one of my absolute favorites. Her voice has so much love and compassion it is always a joy to hear her sing.

(2) Savages

One of our brightest new bands, Savages really won me over with their sublime live shows and records to match. The Post-Punkers re-imagine a moment in time, bringing it back to life with new ideas, charisma and musical creativity it buckets. There records however cannot do the energy of their performances justice.

(1) Dead Can Dance

Ive always had a soft spot for music that reflects time and culture of the forgotten, ancient and perished. Dead Can Dance bring other worlds to life not only through music but through the voices of the duo who sing as if from different cultures and eras of history. A truly remarkable band who I need to continue with given their large output of records.

Savages "Silence Yourself" (2013)

Taking a step back to their debut record we check out the UK based Post-Punk revival band Savages critically acclaimed arrival onto the music scene. With three years between it and the brilliant "Adore Life" the bands identity and defined sound remains as firmly in place as its successor with little evolution between the two. Its another riveting collection of brooding songs that shimmer in the darkness as grey, and cloudy aesthetics let a myriad of energy emanate from within through its grisly exterior.

With retrospect I hear a rawer expression at work, bolder, daring and noisy but with less craft for the subtleties and focused song writing on what was to follow. With that comes a few track that delve deeper into atmospheres of struggle and conflict and others that play fearlessly with lively, excessive noise. Beyond its differences a lot of these tracks feel interchangeable with "Adore Life" and stir up many similar feelings, thoughts and emotions.

I do feel that singer Jehnny Beth has more energy and strength in her performances, although singing with the same attitude one can feel more energy and passion for most these songs. Even in her softer moments she sounds more involved. The instrumentation and production is on par and I'm left with not much more to say about what isn't a wildly different record. I do feel the bands songs are a shell to be cracked, the sort that take time to fully appreciate. For the many times ill be enjoy their records in the future, I hope to understand the depths they clearly offer.

Favorite Tracks: Shut Up, She Will, No Face, Dear Marshall

Rating: 8/10

Savages "Adore Life" (2016)

London based group Savages are Post-Punk four piece band who were put on my radar by Henry Rollins. Ive already heard reviews that this record isn't on par with their debut released three years ago but this is where I wanted to start. A fair few songs from this record were played at a concert I watched on youtube. That alone convinced me there was something special about this band who labeled as "Post-Punk revival" have the sound and spirit of that era coursing through all aspects of their music, with exception to the recording quality that makes no attempt to downgrade the fidelity.

This record comes across in tones of grey, deep dark blues and browns, muted colors that reflect the records pale and grim tone. Bleak and distant on the outside much energy, life and charisma rumbles within and flourishes through the dark, drab walls they are contained within. Its a unique chemistry of contrast and subversion, like a limbo or purgatory suspended between two states. This feeling runs through the entire record which is brimming with identity and originality as not a passing moment feel stale or repetitive. Its organic and in a state of perpetual growth.

The group approach their respective instruments like weapons of noise with whaling feedback loops used for atmosphere, crashing thunderous distortions and the sounds of pick sliding down the strings soaked in reverb paint dense atmospheres. A simple riff isn't enough and beside the guitars expanded sound the baselines rock hard with bold, rumbling, burgeoning lines that make there-self known at every moment. To often in music the base mirror guitars but not here where we get the fullest extent of the base holding its own ground and being a crucial part of how the songs come together.

The drums are equally in a creative air, each moment interesting and inventive. The kits sound lacks reverb which works well against the mammoth guitars and the snare compression gives the harder rolls some serious punch and power. In front of it all singer Jehnny Beth brings a subdued attitude through her soft voice with a delivery that doesn't strive for big notes or showoff theatrics but finds a poetic, artistic expression with the occasional scream buried under the other instruments. On "Surrender" she shows her range with a passionate delivery for a memorable hook on the records best song. "Adore Life" is stunning for its variety, consistency and characteristics that demand a full play through from the listener, which each song offering up something you cant pass on.

Favorite Song: Surrender

Rating: 8/10