1. Frightened Rabbit - Painting of a Panic Attack
Love me some Frightened Rabbit. 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. Seeing this album performed live flawlessly was also an
amazing experience.
2. 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 its been front of mind for the last few weeks, and I
can't stop listening.
3. Augustines - This
is Your Life
Of course, by now I'm super predictable with my Augustines
love, but 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.
4. Sturgill Simpson -
A Sailor’s Guide to Earth
Another 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 its really not surprising why.
5. 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.
6. Michael Kiwanuka -
Love & Hate
One of the more thought-provoking and emotional albums of
the year for me. Kiwanuka gives his powerful tracks time to develop, which may
turn some people off, but damn does he do a good job of capturing the mood.
This is a brilliant album.
7. Lake Jons -
Explore EP
I don't usually put EPs on my top ten albums list, but this
one did an exception job of winning me over with just six stellar tracks. Watch
out world, Finland's coming!
8. 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.
9. Kings of Leon -
WALLS
KoL bounces back from the mailed-in Mechanical Bull album
with WALLS. Do I love WALLS beginning to end? No. However, the 7 or 8 tracks
that I do like are good enough to carry this album into the Top 10 for me. What
can I say, I just like Kings of Leon.
10. The Bones of J.R.
Jones - Spirit’s Furnace
Folksy, bluesy, and catchy... you put this on, and people
will want to know who it is, how you found him, and when he's coming to town.
11. Pete Yorn -
ArrangingTime
"She Was Weird" was my favorite track, but there
are a lot of memorable songs packed into this album. A very pleasant collection
of organized, multifaceted tracks.
12. The Cave Signers
- Banchee
One of favorite "acquired taste" bands. I kept
forgetting about and then remembering this album, and listened to it a ton at
work. The Cave Signers are certainly not for everyone, but this album works for
me.
13. Daniel Ellsworth
& The Great Lakes - Bemidji
Another EP! "Always/Never" is the track that drew
me end, but the rest of the album makes you want to stay. I definitely
over-listened to this album.
14. Kishi Bashi -
Sonderlust
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.
15. Kaleo - A/B
The best tracks off this album have been out as singles for
quite some time, so I didn't feel as excited by the full album when it dropped.
With a little more polish, this band should be able to do amazing things in the
upcoming years.
