Top 20 Albums Of 2016
- Davey_MXP
- Jan 17, 2017
- 10 min read
2016 started out with a bang that included some great early releases! 'Wildfire' from Rachel Platten came out on January 1st of 2016 and our #1 album (we can't say who just yet, that'd spoil the fun) was released on January 15th of 2016 and immediately went to #1 on our list and never gave up their spot. We saw some new releases from some of our favorites (even if they didn't make the final Top 20 list) and we also opened our ears to some talented new artists that bring hope for future great music.
We spent painstaking hours compiling our Top 20 list, listening and re-listening to albums all so that we could finalize the proper order. It wasn't easy. It certainly isn't perfect. However, we feel very confident these are the right twenty albums and that the album at the #1 spot is right where it belongs. Without further ado, here are the 20 albums that were released between January 1st and December 31st of 2016 that either made us sing along, play air guitar, cry, reminisce about the old days, pretend our steering wheel was a drum set, ponder the meaning of life, drive way too fast, or some combination thereof.
We hope you enjoy the list and take the time to search out & listen to albums you aren't familiar with. You may just find your next favorite artist! Once you've looked over the list, stop by our Facebook page to leave us your thoughts. Let us know what album was your favorite from 2016 and if we left off any releases that would make your Top 20 list.
20.
Artist: Against The Current
Album: In Our Bones
Standout Tracks: Runaway, Demons, Forget Me Not, Blood Like Gasoline, Wasteland, Young & Relentless...
RIYL: Paramore, Crystalyne, STATES, Tonight Alive, Hey Violet, We Are The In Crowd
Comments: This NY based band has been gaining momentum and buzz with each release. The band's humble beginnings started with covering current hits that they posted videos for on YouTube and led to their self-funded EP's Infinity & Gravity, World tours, and ultimately the band being signed to Fueled By Ramen, home to other artists like Paramore, Panic! At The Disco, Young The Giant, and Fun. just to name a few. With more touring in 2017, we're expecting big things to come!
19.
Artist: Tove Lo
Album: Lady Wood
Standout Tracks: True Disaster, Cool Girl, Don't Talk About It, Vibes, Imaginary Friend, WTF Love Is, Keep It Simple...
RIYL: Charli XCX, Ellie Goulding, Zara Larsson, Bebe Rexha, Halsey, Dua Lipa, Icona Pop, Lorde
Comments: Building off the success of her debut full-length album 'Queen Of The Clouds' and EP 'Truth Serum', this Swedish singer-songwriter continues to push the boundaries of alternative pop/dance music. Back in 2014 she made our Top 5, even though at that time she was only beginning to make her mark. Now, although 'Lady Wood' clocks in at only #19, it's a solid release with songs that will stay with you long after they've finished playing. Check her out on her World Tour starting in February and if you haven't already watched her mini-movie "Fairy Dust", set aside 30 minutes to take in all it's glory. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/abZ0PXadpB0
18.
Artist: Travis
Album: Everything At Once
Standout Tracks: Magnificent Time, 3 Miles High, What Will Come, Radio Song, Idlewild...
RIYL: Coldplay, A Silent Film, Starsailor, Athlete, Keane, Embrace, Ash, Feeder, Stereophonics
Comments: 'Good Feeling', the debut album from Travis, came out way back in 1997...and with 'Everything At Once', Fran Healy and the boys prove they're just as good as they ever were. In fact, we'll go on record stating that this is easily their best album since 2001's masterpiece 'The Invisible Band'.
17.
Artist: Sia
Album: This Is Acting
Standout Tracks: Bird Set Free, Cheap Thrills, Footprints, Unstoppable, House On Fire, Reaper, Alive...
RIYL: Adele, Rihanna, Halsey, Florence + The Machine, Ellie Goulding, LP
Comments: Having written or co-written hit songs for the likes of David Guetta, Adele, Rihanna, Beyonce, Flo Rida, and Kylie Minogue just to name a few, 'This Is Acting' builds off of the success of '1000 Forms Of Fear' and her hit single "Chandelier" and continues to display her immense talent and voice.
16.
Artist: Andy Black
Album: The Shadow Side
Standout Tracks: We Don't Have To Dance, Ribcage, Louder Than Your Love, Stay Alive, Love Was Made To Break...
RIYL: Black Veil Brides, Depeche Mode, Pierce The Veil, Panic! At The Disco, Blaqk Audio
Comments: Andy Biersack, frontman for heavy metal rock band Black Veil Brides, created the Andy Black persona as a side project that would allow him to delve into other music styles such as punk, goth, 80's synth, and even a bit of dance pop...and he does it all well.
15.
Artist: Phantogram
Album: Three
Standout Tracks: You Don't Get Me High Anymore, Same Old Blues, Cruel World, You're Mine, Destroyer, Answer...
RIYL: Hooverphonic, Sleigh Bells, Banks, The Ting Tings, Cults, Tennis, a little electronica with your alternative rock
Comments: This NY based electronica dream pop duo will be wowing the crowd at Coachella this year. Needless to say, if you're planning to attend the three day festival, don't miss their set on Friday. You can thank us later.
14.
Artist: Green Day
Album: Revolution Radio
Standout Tracks: Say Goodbye, Outlaws, Revolution Radio, Bang Bang, Youngblood, Bouncing Off The Wall...
RIYL: Blink 182, Bad Religion, Sum 41, Yellowcard, Weezer, Foo Fighters, Less Than Jake
Comments: Their first official release since the band released their trio of albums 'Uno!', 'Dos!', and 'Tre!' in 2012 proves that the band hasn't lost a step. Many may say they're not true punk rock due to their major label success and Broadway Rock Opera American Idiot...but in our minds, the facts are 2004's 'American Idiot' was an amazing album and 'Revolution Radio' picks up right where that one left off. Punk or not, their music remains engaging, catchy, political, and fun.
13.
Artist: Rachel Platten
Album: Wildfire
Standout Tracks: Fight Song, Stand By You, Hey Hey Hallelujah, Better Place, Lone Ranger, Speechless, Astronauts...
RIYL: Christina Perri, Colbie Caillat, Andy Grammer, Sara Bareilles, Kelly Clarkson, Bea Miller, sunshine and lollipops
Comments: It's hard not to root for Rachel Platten's continued success. In every interview we've seen or read, she sounds truly humble and thankful for everything that has come her way since Fight Song blew up all over the radio way back in 2015. Having personally seen her perform live, we can say her charm and voice are as powerful and amazing live as they are on record.
12.
Artist: Palaye Royale
Album: Boom Boom Room (Side A)
Standout Tracks: Don't Feel Quite Right, How Do You Do?, Mr. Doctor Man, Ma Cherie, All My Friends, Clockwork...
RIYL: Sex Pistols, My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, early Rolling Stones, 80's glam rock overindulgence
Comments: Easily one of the highlights of the 2016 Vans Warped Tour, the self-proclaimed fashion-art rock band from Las Vegas put on an energetic show that blew us away and left us wanting more.
11.
Artist: The Virginmarys
Album: Divides
Standout Tracks: For You My Love, I Wanna Take You Home, Moths To A Flame, Into Dust, Motherless Land...
RIYL: Royal Blood, Rival Sons, Middle Class Rut, The Cult, some punk with your rock n' roll
Comments: After their 2013 album 'King Of Conflict' captured the #2 spot on our Top Albums Of 2013 list, we've been highly anticipating the follow-up and 'Divides' did not disappoint. Full of hard charging politically charged punk rock goodness, 'Divides' makes you want to drive fast while screaming along with frontman Ally Dickaty and air drumming up a frenzy along with Danny Dolan.
10.
Artist: The Interrupters
Album: Say It Out Loud
Standout Tracks: By My Side, On A Turntable, The Valley, She Got Arrested, Control, Good Things, Divide Us...
RIYL: ska-pop, Rancid, Save Ferris, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Operation Ivy, Less Than Jake, Distillers
Comments: We dare you to listen to 'Say It Out Loud' or their self-titled debut album and try to resist the urge to tap your foot and/or jump around. We think it might actually be scientifically impossible. The Interrupters were another highlight on this year's Vans Warped Tour with their energetic ska-punk. The first single from 'Say It Out Loud', "By My Side", continues to build on the success from their hit single "Take The Power Back" off their debut album which ESPN used non-stop to advertise the MLB Home Run Derby.
9.
Artist: Maren Morris
Album: Hero (Target Exclusive)
Standout Tracks: My Church, Once, I Could Use A Love Song, Space, Drunk Girls Don't Cry, Rich, Just Another Thing...
RIYL: some pop with your country, Taylor Swift, Kelsea Ballerini, Jana Kramer, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert
Comments: "My Church" blew up all over radio in 2016 and Maren Morris hasn't looked back or slowed down yet. Having made her name in Nashville as a songwriter for others, like so many other country artists who get their start that way, she decided to step behind the mic and release an album herself. Best decision ever! We actually heard a rumor that she was an American Idol reject (along with Tori Kelly)...shame on them! If you can pick up the Target version, do it, as it includes 3 excellent bonus tracks, one of which happens to be our second favorite song (after "Once") on the album, titled "Space".
8.
Artist: BROODS
Album: Conscious
Standout Tracks: Free, Heartlines, Freak Of Nature, Recovery, All Of Your Glory, Full Blown Love, Bedroom Door...
RIYL: Banks, Phantogram, Zella Day, Tove Lo, Wet, CHVRCHES, London Grammar, Allie X, Halsey, Ellie Goulding
Comments: The brother & sister duo out of New Zealand have won 10 New Zealand music awards and have toured with the likes of Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith, and Two Door Cinema Club to name just a few, while 2017 will bring tour dates with Tove Lo. To say "up & coming" would be a bit of an understatement...they're already here and waiting for more people to discover their amazing music.
7.
Artist: Bastille
Album: Wild World
Standout Tracks: Good Grief, Send Them Off!, Way Beyond, Power, Blame, The Currents, An Act Of Kindness...
RIYL: The Killers, Kodaline, Atlas Genius, Young The Giant, Bad Suns, Saint Motel
Comments: Bastille's debut album 'Bad Blood' impressed us, clocking in at #3 on our Top 20 list in 2013., and 'Wild World' is an excellent follow-up that is just as good, if not better.
6.
Artist: Lissie
Album: My Wild West
Standout Tracks: Ojai, Sun Keeps Risin', Together Or Apart, Don't You Give Up On Me, Hero, Stay...
RIYL: Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, Brandi Carlile, Birdy, KT Tunstall, Amy Macdonald, The Wind And The Wave
Comments: Leaving the LA music scene behind, moving to a farm in middle America Iowa, and doing things on her own terms are the experiences that helped make the music on 'My Wild West', and it might have been the best thing Lissie could have done for her music career yet as the honesty and emotion ooze out of the songs that make up her 3rd proper full-length album.
5.
Artist: Escondido
Album: Walking With A Stranger
Standout Tracks: Heart Is Black, Footprints, Apartment, Leaving Brooklyn, Gambling Man, Idiot, Uh Huh...
RIYL: The Lone Bellow, Nikki Lane, Lindi Ortega, Fleetwood Mac, spaghetti westerns, Ennio Morricone
Comments: Combining elements of Nashville, spaghetti westerns, country, 60's & 70's pop...the duo of Jessica Maros and Tyler James craft western desert music with mystery and nostalgia. The two have built on the critical acclaim and praise their excellent debut 'The Ghost Of Escondido' and killer live shows have garnered and deserve to find a wider audience and continued success in 2017 and beyond.
4.
Artist: Wild Belle
Album: Dreamland
Standout Tracks: Giving Up On You, Cannonball, Our Love Will Survive, Throw Down Your Guns, Losing You...
RIYL: Phantogram, a little island music with your modern rock, BROODS, Beth Orton, PJ Harvey, Zella Day
Comments: Brother & Sister duo from Chicago meld 70's rock, reggae, psychedelic pop, and jazz into an amazing sound that's perfect on a summer day blasting from the stereo in your car with the windows down and the wind ripping through your hair. After impressing us with their debut album 'Isles' (#8 on our Top 20 list in 2013) the follow-up to that album didn't disappoint. We were lucky enough to catch their live performance in Boston back in April of 2016 and they blew us away. If you don't believe us, there's video proof here:
3.
Artist: Brian Fallon
Album: Painkillers
Standout Tracks: A Wonderful Life, Long Drives, Nobody Wins, Red Lights, Mojo Hand, Painkillers, Smoke...
RIYL: The Gaslight Anthem, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, The Horrible Crowes, Dave Hause, Kings Of Leon
Comments: We admit, when we heard The Gaslight Anthem were going on hiatus, we shed a tear. Ok, maybe even more than one. Luckily, lead singer Brian Fallon didn't waste any time putting out a solo album...and boy did it not disappoint. A contender for #1 on this list, 'Painkillers' combines rock, Americana, country, and pop to form songs that stick in your head, incite sing-alongs, and cause repeat listens.
2.
Artist: Night Riots
Album: Love Gloom
Standout Tracks: Pull Me Down, Tear Me Apart, Nothing Personal, Fangs, Contagious, End Of The World...
RIYL: The Killers, Depeche Mode, Night Terrors Of 1927, The Cure, Saint Motel, Vinyl Theatre, A Silent Film...
Comments: After ranking their 'Howl' EP high on last year's list, we had high hopes for their full length follow-up debut, and 'Love Gloom' did not disappoint, even making a push for #1 on this list before settling in at #2.
1.
Artist: Panic! At The Disco
Album: Death Of A Bachelor
Standout Tracks: Don't Threaten Me With A Good Time, Hallelujah, Victorious, Crazy=Genius, The Good The Bad And The Dirty, Emperor's New Clothes, Golden Days, House Of Memories...oh hell, pick any one, they're all awesome!
RIYL: Fall Out Boy, Bastille, Frank Sinatra, The Academy Is, My Chemical Romance
Comments: Basically a one man band, P!ATD is all Brendon Urie...and that's not a bad thing. We'll be the first to admit, early P!ATD didn't do it for us, and honestly, at one point we thought that if we never heard "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" ever again, we wouldn't have been upset. We know, blasphemy! However, since 2013's 'Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!' (one of our favorite releases from that year) we've been converted. To quote Brendon, Hallelujah! Released on January 15th, 2016...we had high hopes for DOAB because of TWTLTRTD (but also apprehension, as that was the first Panic! release we ever really loved) and the album did not disappoint, logging many repeat listens throughout the year and only being challenged by two or three releases for the #1 spot on our list. Even as we listen to the album now as we write this, we can't help but sing along and nod our head.
Honorable Mention:
'Midnight Machines' by LIGHTS, 'Echoes' by Young Guns, 'Tightrope Walker' by Rachael Yamagata, 'Magazines Or Novels' by Andy Grammer, 'Integrity Blues' by Jimmy Eat World, 'Candy Cigarettes' by The Bangups, 'Back To Nebraska' by Letters To Cleo
Disappointments:
Sure, there were some releases from some of our favorite bands that didn't make our Top 20 ( we won't name names) but overall there weren't any releases that really left us cold after high expectations. Were there any albums you would pass on if given a do-over? Let us know!
2017:
The new year looks promising. Artists we hope to hear new music from in 2017 (some have already teased us, announced singles, or set up pre-sales) include Ed Sheeran, The Airborne Toxic Event, Gin Wigmore, Beril Guceri, Bishop Briggs, PVRIS, Royal Blood, Matt Nathanson, Aimee Mann, Halsey, Zella Day, Gabrielle Aplin, Christina Perri, AFI, The Killers, Less Than Jake, Haerts, Annie Stela, and Michelle Branch...just to name a few.
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