JT's Favorite Albums from 2016

1. Margo Price - Midwest Farmer's Daughter     

It's country because it's classified that way, and 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. But it's also country by way of stellar songwriting, a Sun Records recording, and Jack White producing. If any of those are your cup of tea, you may listen to it over and over. 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."    

             

2. The Head and the Heart - Signs of Light           

Major label signing and a major directional shift for Head and the Heart. Some folks didn't dig the transition from moody Northwest folk of the 2010s to sunny SoCal harmonies of the 1970s. (They even walked on stage at the show I saw to The Eagles) It took me about a half dozen listens before it clicked, but once it did, I was hooked.  

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

   

A throwback concept album that's not nearly as _fun_ as Sturgill's "Metamodern Sounds" but probably even better from an artistic standpoint. 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.

4. Shovels & Rope - Little Seeds

I’ve loved everything from Shovels & Rope, but I really like the first half of this album as much as anything they've done. Overall, I think it's a big step forward from their last one ("Swimming Time") which seemed a little rushed to capitalize on their "O' Be Joyful" breakout. There's a lot here that invokes the White Stripes and the Kills.       

        

5. The Lumineers - Cleopatra     

Like every sequel except "Empire Strikes Back," it suffers because it's not as good as what came before. Part of the reason may be that they're trying really hard to replicate the "Hey Ho" earworm. I was skeptical after hearing O-O-phe-LIA for a few months over and over. But 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. Which could be good or bad, depending on your perspective.   

Nesto’s Favorite Albums from 2016

1. Islands - Taste   

                          

2. Frightened Rabbit - Painting of a Panic Attack 

      

On heavy rotation.         

3. Kishi Bashi - Sonderlust          

Everybody wants a honeybody someday.        

     

4. The Dandy Warhols - Distortland     

   

Dandy's still rule, ok?     

5. Miike Snow - iii           

More i's please!

6. Lost Dawn - Fever

     

For those about to rock, we salute you. 

7. Radical Face - The Family Tree: The Leaves    

A second "d" is optional.              

8. Paul Cauthen - My Gospel     

Is most listened to in Houston, Stockholm, Manhattan, and Austin. Win.

9. The Lumineers - Cleopatra                     

10. Augustines - This is Your Life              

An appropriate finale scene.      

11. Peter, Bjorn, and John - Breakin' Point      

    

*umlaut              

12. Blind Pilot - And Then Like Lions        

               

13. Steve Mason - Meet the Humans

QuickCrit's Top 40 from 2012: 1 - 10

1. Beach House - Bloom

Bloom is sonic dream pop perfection that did what I thought would be impossible: it actually topped 2010's brilliant Teen Dream. Meticulous songs, textured, layered, subtle, minimal, enchanting, this album has it all. - Mona 

Didn't think this effort could match their previous one, but I was surprised. This album is almost entirely cold, but it is never bleak. - JC Hackett 

Bloom is every bit as (if not more) breathtaking as Beach House's last effort, Teen Dream. Each song is a perfect little package of dream pop brilliance. - Max D 

Hard to pick a favorite song since every one is solid. It's meant to be experienced as an album, not as singles. - Marina 

The one band that shows listeners that a bit more of the same isn't necessarily a bad thing. - MikeIsTall  

It's true that this album does not seem that different from their last one but I don't care because I listen to both of them a lot. - Ancient Indian Wizard  

They're so good, I thought they were Swedish! - TheCraneWife  

Saccharine sweet enough for me to listen to while shopping on Black Friday at the mall and not throw more than 35 stinkeyes at the writhing throng of crap shambling all around me. - Rain 

2. Twin Shadow - Confess

This album is so sexy it's crazy. - Ancient Indian Wizard

Twin Shadow's 'Confess' sounds like the work of an orphaned child raised by Prince, The Boss & Morrissey.With brash, arena size production & confessional songwriting to back it up 'Confess'  burns with cinematic fire. It's a love letter to the 1980's that stands up to the quality of any pop music made in that era. - Lucas

Twin Shadow's first album, forget, is pretty damn good, but Confess is perfect. It's sexy and weird and uses synth-y guitar in a Prince way. - TheCraneWife

This album's thesis is that love ought to be recognized and experienced... not merely analyzed. Brilliant effort. - JC Hackett

The songs do conjure up nostalgia for the 80's, but in a very fresh and not contrived way. And he's got a lot of passion. Great album. - Joey P

The first time I ever heard "Slow" off of 2010's "Forget," I was instantly hooked on his obvious obsession with 80's downer bands, his brand of new wave revivalism, musical prowess and generally undeniable sexiness. - Mona

3. Grizzly Bear - Shields

The latest offering from these guys nailed it for me.  It was one of those albums that you know you're going to love from the first listen.    - Tex

I thing I love the most about this band is their ability to make complex music without losing feel or accessibility. I'm in awe of the sheer musical brilliance happening in these songs. - Max D

Dark and understated with flourishes of pop brilliance 'Shields' accomplishes the rare combination of challenge & accessibility. Seemingly the heir apparent to Radiohead, Grizzly Bear always seem to make this sound easy. – Lucas

I doubt this shocks anyone, but this album is fucking incredible! Considering I have yet to get over and am still regularly listening to 2009's "Veckatimest," I'm certain I'll still be listening to "Shields" on the regular for the next few years, as well. - Mona

Their sound is impeccable, from the cutting guitar riffs to the slick drum beats. - Joey P 

4. Japandroids - Celebration Rock

Celebration Rock exemplified anthemic rock, raw energy and good vibes. Brian and David taught us that you can rock hard and be a nice guy too, - MikeIsTall

Driving, to-the-point guitar rock that doesn't waste a single note on the entire album. Pure joy coming from your speakers. - CloningMishap

I can practically smell the sour beer, cigarettes & pepperoni as I crank it up again and again. - awmercy

What a killer live act! Melodic noise, exuberant songs, garage rock feel, youthful and hopeful spirit, a hint of Springsteen, and raw energy that never sounds overly produced or watered down. - Mona

The most fun rock album of the last few years. - thebrownshaun 

5. Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams

I don’t think there is a less-than-stellar song on the album -- an album characterized by masterful songwriting, thoughtful harmonies, and catchy choruses and rhythms. - NightraiN 

I'd been excited about a full length from Lord Huron for over a year, after hearing a couple of their early EPs.  Not disappointed!   - Tex 

Inhabiting the space somewhere between Vampire Weekend & My Morning Jacket, Lord Huron's debut album seems to highlight the infinite possibilities of the post indie era. It joins 'Graceland' as inspired world-pop with straight alt-country Americana. – Lucas

A late addition but I've been playing this album nonstop with no sign of ceasing. - Nesto

I just jumped on this bandwagon so other's might say his earlier stuff is cooler but I never listened to it.  I did however listen to this album a whole heck of a lot. - Ancient Indian Wizard

I didn't want to like this album because Jesse said that I would. He was right and I hate being predictable. - ve1cro

Their atmospheric indie folk gives me chills. – awmercy

Beautiful album. - Joey P

6. The Lumineers - The Lumineers

This band wasn't even on my radar when I saw them at Wolf Trap. They opened for Josh Ritter and Brandi Carlisle and the entire crowd was clapping and singing along. I came home a total convert. I am eager to see what they do next. - Ann

This album has a youthful upbeat vibe and the sing songy story telling really grabbed me. Favorite verse? “I made her laugh, I made a pass...she said that’s cool, but classy girls don’t kiss in bars, you fool”. – Brasilliant

This is a feel good album, with super catchy jams and singalong hooks. Stir it into the pot with Mumford & Sons and Of Monsters and Men, and you'll be upbeat indie folk rockin' for a few hours straight. - NightraiN

The Lumineers apparently signed the single best licensing deal in the history of music as half the CD started showing up on car commercials, beer commercials, bad movie trailers, good movie trailers, and maybe even Mitt Romney campaign ads. I don't that for sure, but I wouldn't bet against it. – JT

That Bing commercial really worked on me. - Ashley

I really like this band and whenever the songs come up on shuffle or a playlist, I always enjoy them. They're high on the list of bands I'd like to see live. - Anne

7. Mumford & Sons - Babel

Perfect for when you're in the mood for some melancholic poetry. - Nesto

Yeah, I worship at the church of Mumford. They put Idris Elba in a video and I became a parishioner for life. (Though in all fairness I really loved the last album.) - Ann

The album kinda sounds like one long song, but who really cares when that one long song is excellent. They seem to have come along at the perfect time in musical history, 'cause people love that indie folk rock. I'm with the masses, this shite is excellent. - NightraiN

If you like their first album, Sigh No More, this'll do the trick. It's a little more polished (hence more radio time), and ready for big venues, but somehow they still pull off the street busker vibe. - Brasilliant

The sophomore album did not disappoint, but I found it just a tad too cohesive compared to the surprises on "Sigh No More." Don't worry Marcus Mumford, I still love you and your delicious vest and tie wearing ways. - LVD

I love that some British folk nerds have made banjos and all-dude harmony cool to the hipster (and top 40) crowd. But as much as I like the music and enjoy listening to it, there are so many God-yearning, light-seeking, arm-lifting, sky-reaching lyrics that even Bono might say "too much." But again, badass banjo mojo. - JT

The songs don't feel quite as impactful as the best ones from Sigh No More but still good. - Graham 

8. Of Monsters & Men

Love. – Ashley

If a bunch of music students created a band with the sole purpose of finding the G-Spot between Arcade Fire and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, this would be it. After seeing them live, I'm positive they'll be impressing for years to come. - NightraiN

Good stuff. Especially the first three songs. - Graham

Discovered them toward the end of the year, but I think they have great musical chemistry, and have a good grasp on hooks that fit their voices. I listened to this for about a week straight when I got it. - Ann

9. Miike Snow - Happy to You

Just the right dose of electronic weirdness for my liking. - Nesto

The Swedes really know how to party. - Lydizzle

10. fun. - Some Nights

Probably my most favorite album ever. - Staci

The songs get stuck in your head... these guys have all the makings of a one-album wonder but it's fun (ha) in the meantime. – Ann

I tried really hard to hate this cd but it just kept ending up back in my cd player. Damn you, Fun! I give in. You win. – CloningMishap

Long time fav. - Ashley