2019 Survey Results - Top Albums 27 to 43

27. Alex Lahey - The Best of Luck Club (2 votes)

“Important message to remember. Best live show of the year!”

Favorite song: "Don't Be So Hard on Yourself"

 28. Better Oblivion Community Center - Better Oblivion Community Center (2 votes)

“Phoebe Bridgers singing the phone book would be on this list.”

29. Beyoncé - Homecoming (2 votes)

“This album is worth the price of admission just for the cover of "Before I Let Go".

30. Boy Harsher - Careful (2 votes)

31. Gatecreeper - Deserted (2 votes)

32. Injury Reserve - Injury Reserve (2 votes)

33. Matthew Logan Vasquez - Light'n Up (2 votes)

“Caught an amazing and intimate record store set with my son. Love the mix of gut wrenching and party songs.”

34. Pronoun - I'll Show You Stronger (2 votes)
“I discovered this album from an email that said "it's like if kate bush was influenced by jimmy eat world". I'm not entirely sure if that fully resonates with me but it certainly caught my attention.”

35. Purple Mountains - Purple Mountains (2 votes)

“Was just getting into this album when I heard of Berman's death - haven't been able to revisit yet but I know I'll be coming back.”

“RIP”

36. Rich Brian - The Sailor (2 votes)

“‘Slow Down Turbo’ on repeat! Also his Colors video for ‘Drive Safe’ is incredible.”

37. Sinkane - Depayse (2 votes)

“I've turned to the Sly Stone lovin' ‘Everybody’ to pick me up a lot lately. Love the mix of soul, funk, reggae, and politics.”

38. Slowthai - Nothing Great About Britain (2 votes)

“Discovered Slowthai from an interview with Liam Gallagher of all places. Haven't stopped listening since. Love it all but have definitely have spun ‘Gorgeous’ the most.”

39. Tei Shi - La Linda (2 votes)

“I hadn't been following her career all that closely but I'd been listening to her singles all year and then was pleasantly surprised to find they were all put on an album. Crazy how things work out! ‘Even If It Hurts’ w/ Blood Orange is sooooo goooooood!”

40. The Black Doors - Deviants (2 votes)

“Spooky and sexy. Is this psyh, shoegaze, alt. country? Don't care. My perfect late night music.”

41. The Shivas - Dark Thoughts (2 votes)

“A rip roaring party album.”

“Found this band thanks to the new format!”

“Worth a second, third, and fourth listen. Its got that sound I consistently come back to year-after-year.”

42. Tyler, the Creator - IGOR (2 votes)

“His fingerprints are on everything these days.”

“I'm not sure I understand the entire appeal here, but I'm intrigued and will give it more listens.”

43. Vukari - Aevum (2 votes)

“Harsh and frosty black metal, Vacating Existence is a killer closing track.”

Larson’s Favorite Albums of 2016

1. Beyonce - Lemonade

My wife said “I want to watch Beyonce’s Lemonade” one Friday evening. I was like I don’t know really what that’s all about but I heard it’s potentially about marital drama… and you know. Maybe it is. I watched the video having only previously heard “Formation” months prior. I’m not even going to attempt to write about how fucking good this is. So I’ll do what I do best… talk about me. When I was younger I felt it was important to be anti-MTV because you know… it’s mainstream and I was punk rock. However, that whole time I watched MTV constantly and was in love with the combination of music and video. The Lemonade film is the most amazing example of music and video I have ever seen. I am 100% not afraid to say that I cannot watch/listen to it without tearing up. Hey man… I’m sensitive as fuck. Additionally, I think that it is the women of the world who are going to get us out of some of the terrible bullshit going on these days. I’m with HER.  

    

2. Avalanches - Wild Flower      

I had no idea this was coming. I listened to Since I Left you so much that I was honestly fine if nothing else ever came out of the Avalanches camp. Their ability to create familiarity out of that which is unfamiliar is astonishing.           

3. Kanye West - The Life of Pablo            

So much to say and so little to say. I’m not going to argue with anyone. I will say this though. The first time I listened to it I wasn’t feeling it. It was far from an immediate click. However, I’m a  fan of the long game. I’m a pretty mellow guy for the most part. However, if you try to tell me this isn’t art I hope you’re ready for me to talk at you for an hour.        

       

4. Martha - Blisters In The Pit Of My Heart          

I am in love with the trend of new young bands playing 90s style music with more technique and production. I have never been afraid of production. Lo-Fi is great but when you can see a bands ideas fully realized through production it is magic to me. I’m not usually a fan of comparisons (maybe cuz I’m just not that good at it) but this band reminds me of a mash-up of Hefner and Idlewild. Now I know that might seem like a pretty deep cut bullshit comparison but it’s true. Idlewild lyrics and fury with Hefner complexity and Boy/Girl vocals. I’m probably not helping my case but whatever. I love this album.

5. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Nonagon Infinity 

I saw these Australian weirdos play in an in-town venue that is not known for having good shows. It felt at times like the place was going to explode. The non-stop energy of this band combined with zero fucks given of the crowd made for an incredible experience. They have songs with names like "Gamma Knife" and "Evil Death Roll"!!! Plus the album sequenced to play in a loop. Do it.      

     

6. Sheer Mag - III             

Not an album. I know right?! These guys can do in 4 songs what it takes some bands 4 albums to do. If you aren’t moved by “Worth The Tears” I doubt you and I have much to talk about.

7. Låpsley - Long Way Home      

Another album that came out of nowhere to me via Vinyl Me Please. I had no idea what to expect and was still a bit befuddled when I first started listening. The first time I hit track #5 entitled “Operator" I was super dupes confused. What is this stuff? Why is it all over the place. Why does it seem so familiar yet so new? From there on this album was on regular rotation in our house.        

     

8. Bat For Lashes - The Bride      

I listened to this album while trying to fall asleep on Tuesday November 7th 2016, or what I like to refer to as the worst night of sleep ever. It helped.        

9. Manatee Commune - Manatee Commune     

The song “Second Guess” was a standout track in a late night KEXP listening session. I’m not a big fan of genre’s and a don’t really know what this genre is. I just know that I’m into it. So clean and chilled out and technical without losing the human element. If it sounds like I don’t know what I’m talking about then your right. Listen to it start to finish and I bet you’ll want do it again.   

     

10. DJ Shadow - The Mountain Will Fall

I have routinely listened to "Nobody Speak" really loud while dropping my kids off to school (Kindergarten and First Grade). I suggest you do the same.       

   

11. La Sera - Music For Listening To Music To     

People in love making music for people who love music. Or something like that. I never listened to the Vivian Girls (heard they’re good) and had never heard of Todd Wisenbaker prior to him re-recording 1989 with Ryan Adams. I bet they’re awesome people and they certainly make great music together. It’s quick, it’s tight and it’s delightful.       

Serena's Favorite Albums of 2016

1. Beyonce-Lemonade 

If you have not watched Lemonade, stop what you are doing and do so. You can come to my house and watch it. Be warned that I cry every time I watch. 
     

2. Solange-A Seat at the Table                  

3. Kanye West-Life of Pablo       

Name one genius that ain't crazy, amirite!?  
       

4. The Avalanches-Wildflower 

Worth the wait!! Also the video for Because I'm Me is a joyful celebration of black bodies, I recommend it             

5. Manatee Commune-Manatee Commune   
                    

6. Bat For Lashes-The Bride             
           

7. Common-Black America Again  
           

8. Glass Animals-How to Be a Human Being   
                    

9. A Tribe Called Quest-We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service             
                

10. DJ Shadow-The Mountain Will Fall   

Paul's Favorite Albums from 2016

1. The 1975 - I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it     

     

Of all the albums released in 2016, this was the one that caught me off guard. It's 80s synth-pop-influenced but it combines that sound with an alternating mix of mean-spirited cynicism and beautiful bare sincerity. Whatever it was about this album, it got its hooks in me and stayed on repeat for at least a month... and now I'm listening to it again. I regret nothing. 

2. Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool      

The relentless driving strings on Burn The Witch may make for the best opening to an album in 2016, but get past that and you'll find a quieter album that is content to lurk in the background without overwhelming the listener. The quiet allows the impassioned singing of Thom Yorke to shine in a way that somehow gets lost on more complex Radiohead albums. This is truly one of their best.    

3. Beyonce - Lemonade

All hail Queen Bey! A surprise album drop full of deeply personal but instantly catchy songs? Yeah, that was pretty damn cool, but did you see that video??? That thing is stop-you-in-your-tracks beautiful. Oh, and Jay-Z, you better watch yourself or you're going to end up with a six-inch heel stuck in your back. 

4. Tegan and Sara- Love You To Death   

Check your cynicism at the door for this one. Love You To Death is an album full of songs about the best parts of love, told through synthesizers with a distinctly 80s Madonna vibe. If listening this album doesn't give you that new-relationship feeling, you may be broken inside. 

5. Frank Ocean - Blonde              

It's quiet. It's experimental in the way the best Kanye West albums can be. It's beautiful. I'm not sure anything could have ever topped Channel Orange but this comes damn close. Of everything that came out in 2016, this is the album I feel like I'll get the most out of by listening to it again.    

6. Radiation City - Synesthetica

Oh, Radiation City, you've gone and made an amazing album! Beautifully paced; it holds back just enough to allow those moments when it lets loose with the soaring vocals to truly stand out. How will you ever top this? Oh, you're going to breakup and never make another album together? Yeah, seems reasonable.      

7. Frightened Rabbit - Painting of a Panic Attack   

           

No one sells depression and pain better than Scott Hutchinson. If you need richly toned songs about lives half-lived, crumbling relationships, and regrets, this album should be your first stop.  

           

8. Candace - New Future             

The perfect amount of reverb. Crunchy and droning guitars. Vocals that almost fade into the background. This is shoegaze at its best.      

9. Summer Cannibals - Full Of It

Fast, fierce, and over in 33 minutes.       

10. Tove Lo - Lady Wood             

This is dark pop that hits hard. If I went out to a club and True Disaster or Cool Girl, I'd wonder what the hell was wrong with DJ.

11. Kanye West - The Life of Pablo          

Kanye West, I'm mad at you. You put out an amazing album and then did everything you possibly could do to 1) not let me hear it (I'm not signing up for your streaming service) and 2) make me never want to hear you speak again. You get relegated to the overflow list. Please be a better person next year.                    

QuickCrit's Top 25 Albums of 2016

1. Frightened Rabbit - Painting of a Panic Attack


“No one sells depression and pain better than Scott Hutchinson. If you need richly toned songs about lives half-lived, crumbling relationships, and regrets, this album should be your first stop.”- Paul

“The National's Aaron Dessner's fingerprints are all over this album, and the partnership is a hauntingly beautiful one. Somehow, this album is both deeply sad and uplifting at the same time.” -

Eric

“Their mastery of celebratory self-loathing is peerless.” - Jesse

“On heavy rotation.” - Nesto

2. Beyonce – Lemonade


“The Lemonade film is the most amazing example of music and video I have ever seen. I cannot watch/listen to it without tearing up. I think that it is the women of the world who are going to get us out of some of the terrible bullshit going on these days. I’m with HER.” - Larson

“All hail Queen Bey! A surprise album drop full of deeply personal but instantly catchy songs? Yeah, that was pretty damn cool, but did you see that video??? That thing is stop-you-in-your-tracks beautiful. Oh, and Jay-Z, you better watch yourself or you're going to end up with a six-inch heel stuck in your back.” - Paul

“If you have not watched Lemonade, stop what you are doing and do so. You can come to my house and watch it. Be warned that I cry every time I watch.” - Serena

3. The Avalanches – Wildflower


“I listened to Since I Left you so much that I was honestly fine if nothing else ever came out of the Avalanches camp. Their ability to create familiarity out of that which is unfamiliar is astonishing.” - Eric

“Worth the wait!! Also the video for Because I'm Me is a joyful celebration of black bodies.” - Serena

“I'll be unpacking this album for all of 2017 too.  Dense with carefully curated samples and something like 14 years in the making.” - Tex

4. Kanye West - The Life of Pablo


“I’m a pretty mellow guy for the most part. However, if you try to tell me this isn’t art I hope you’re ready for me to talk at you for an hour.” - Larson

“Kanye West, I'm mad at you. You put out an amazing album and then did everything you possibly could do to 1) not let me hear it and 2) make me never want to hear you speak again.” - Paul

“Name one genius that ain't crazy, amirite!?” - Serena

5. Sturgill Simpson - A Sailor's Guide to Earth


“Driving straight past his Nashville ascendance, this Waylon-loving iconoclast headed west to Memphis for a countrified soul epic.” - Jesse

“A country throwback who can channel the great ones with his own creativity. Clearly, the album is revered in and out of the country music scene and it’s really not surprising why.” - Eric

“Nods to Motown are throughout, but there's really not a single sound to pin down, it's truly an album worth listening to in order, in its entirety. And his Nirvana cover kicks serious ass.” - JT

6. Augustines - This is Your Life


“Even after nearly a decade of Augustines/Pela fandom, I still find the passion and emotion in their songs to be nothing short of addicting. If they are truly calling it quits for good, I will forever miss putting their albums in my top ten lists.” - Eric

“Pull me along on their stumbling late night anthems in a way that U2 and their ilk never could. Take a shot, spread your arms, and soar.” - Jesse

“An appropriate finale scene.” - Nesto

7. DJ Shadow - The Mountain Will Fall

“I have routinely listened to "Nobody Speak" really loud while dropping my kids off to school (Kindergarten and First Grade). I suggest you do the same.” - Larson

“no words diks, right” - Dan

8. Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool


“An album that is content to lurk in the background without overwhelming the listener. The quiet allows the impassioned singing of Thom Yorke to shine in a way that somehow gets lost on more complex Radiohead albums. This is truly one of their best.” - Paul

9. Radiation City – Synesthetica


“‘Fully realizing their breathtaking potential. So many layers of art pop awesomeness.” - Jesse

“Oh, Radiation City, you've gone and made an amazing album! Beautifully paced, it holds back just enough to allow those moments when it lets loose with the soaring vocals to truly stand out. How will you ever top this? Oh, you're going to breakup and never make another album together? Yeah, seems reasonable.” - Paul

10. Sheer Mag – III


“Cranking up this album makes any day feel like Friday night and every beer taste like a High Life.” - Jesse

“Not an album. I know right?! These guys can do in 4 songs what it takes some bands 4 albums to do. If you aren’t moved by “Worth The Tears” I doubt you and I have much to talk about.” - Larson

11. Martha - Blisters In The Pit Of My Heart


“I am in love with the trend of new young bands playing 90s style music with more technique and production. This band reminds me of a mash-up of Idlewild lyrics and fury with Hefner complexity and Boy/Girl vocals. I love this album.” - Larson

“They draw me in with their popping duets, but deceptively clever in their quirkiness.” - Jesse

12. Paul Cauthen - My Gospel


“Great throwback country album; cut from the same cloth as Merle and Waylon. This album probably benefitted the most from being released late in the year, because it’s been front of mind for the last few weeks, and I can't stop listening.” - Eric

“Is most listened to in Houston, Stockholm, Manhattan, and Austin. Win.” - Nesto

13. Candace - New Future


“Just packed with killer dreamy shoegaze. And as you'd hope, it's fantastically noisy live.” - Jesse

“The perfect amount of reverb. Crunchy and droning guitars. Vocals that almost fade into the background. This is shoegaze at its best.” - Paul

14. David Bowie – Blackstar


“I didn't like this album. I loved the man. I listened to this album more times than ANY other album this year and it's the only album that made me cry again and again...” - Rain

15. Kishi Bashi – Sonderlust

“Everybody wants a honeybody someday.” - Nesto

“I am a huge Kishi Bashi fan and love his live show. This album dropped off a little bit for me from his prior releases, but his talent and songwriting are still astounding.” - Eric

16. The Lumineers – Cleopatra


"They're trying really hard to replicate the "Hey Ho" earworm, and after hearing O-O-phe-LIA for a few months over and over I really did wind up liking it. In fact, if I listen to it shuffled with the debut, it all just kind of blends together." - JT

17. Bat For Lashes - The Bride


“I listened to this album while trying to fall asleep on Tuesday November 7th 2016, or what I like to refer to as the worst night of sleep ever. It helped.” - Larson

18. Manatee Commune - Manatee Commune


“The song ‘Second Guess’ was a standout track in a late night KEXP listening session. So clean and chilled out and technical without losing the human element. Listen to it start to finish and I bet you’ll want do it again.” - Larson

19. Photo Ops – Vacation


“I think most people needed a good feel-good album during this rather dark 2016, and Vacation was that album for me. Echoing the harmonies and patience of Pet Sounds, this album washes over you like a warm summer day and lifts the spirits like an ice cold High Life.” - Eric

“I hear some Fleet Foxes in these guys, just smelling less of campfire, which could mean they both just build on sweet Beach Boy indebted harmonies.” - Jesse

20. Summer Cannibals - Full Of It

“Damn, these songs are explosive. Feeling this righteous anger more than ever.” - Jesse

“Fast, fierce, and over in 33 minutes.” - Paul

21. The Record Company - Give It Back To You


“Rock and roll, people, doesn't lie. The Record Company gets down to business with some bluesy, rockin' tracks that come straight at you like some of the best bands from the 70s.” - Eric

“Only knock against this great retro soul/blues album is I started rocking half the songs so long ago that they sound fresh again. Luckily, the new songs are some of the best.” - Jesse

22. Margo Price - Midwest Farmer's Daughter

“It's country because it has to be when the singer lived in a trailer, lived in a tent, went to jail, grew up on her daddy's farm before he lost it, and mentions whiskey in more than half the songs. And if you ever wondered what Loretta Lynn would have sounded like if she recorded a disco funk song with BB King cutting a solo in the middle of it, then check out "Four Years of Chances." - JT

23. The Head and the Heart - Signs of Light


“Major label signing and a major directional shift for Head and the Heart, from moody Northwest folk of the 2010s to sunny SoCal harmonies of the 1970s. It took me about a half dozen listens before it clicked, but once it did, I was hooked.”' - JT

24. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Nonagon Infinity


“I saw these Australian weirdos play and it felt at times like the place was going to explode. The non-stop energy of this band combined with zero fucks given of the crowd made for an incredible experience. They have songs with names like "Gamma Knife" and "Evil Death Roll"!!! Plus the album sequenced to play in a loop. Do it.” - Larson

25. Lucius - Good Grief


“Art pop masters let their identical hairdos down and get noisy.” - Jesse