Happy NYE! There was a time I used to create a long-form album breakdown of all the things I've listened to over the year. I think, although without looking, I did it in 2013 and 2014. I fell away from that in 2015, but I'm brining in back for 2016...somewhat. It's not everything I listened to, or as long as previous reviews, and I'm only including 5 albums to my previous list of 10, but it's back! ...somewhat...
The Album Review
I like only having 5 albums, it's bit of simplicity, and I also tend to find a very select few of albums on constant rotation via iTunes/Spotify over and over again. So that means I listed to these tunes a lot... I couldn't tell you why, It's just my style apparently. Anyway...
One of those albums I listed to a lot was - Moby's Long Ambients1: Clam. Sleep.
This is an amazing album (I hate the word "amazing" but there's no chance avoiding it here). I love ambient music. If you know me you know how much I appreciate (and listen to) the music of BVDUB. So seeing this was probably no surprise. Moby's 2016 release is really wonderful. In it's immediate appearance it's really mellow, but it's complexity is revealed in the length of the compositions and the evolution of the songs as they grow. He also released the whole album for free in 2016 and that is simply unheard of. I'm thankful he gave it away and this is an important album of 2016 for me. Thanks @thelittleidiot #thelittleidiot
Another one, Bon Iver - 22, A Million
I really like this album. It's maybe somewhat different than his other work, but feels like another step for Bon Iver. For good or bad it was hyped like mad. I probably didn't play it as much as some of his earlier work, but it hit the "now playing" fairly often in the tale end of 2016.
Sia - This Is Acting
I don't think Sia can do any wrong at this point. Her work is strong and the shear power in her vocals is unmistakable. I discovered her long ago with Breath Me on Colour The Small One. Now it's undeniable, her presence in music has been made. A Tour De Force for sure. Maybe smaller at the point of Breath Me, but she is a force now. I cannot help but be moved when listening to her music. I don't think anyone cannot.
Don't Let Me Down - Illenium Remix (and yes, specifically that one) The Chainsmokers, Daya, Illenium
Yes, I'm well aware it's a single, and yes, it's super pop culture-ish, and yes, I might be too old to listen to it, but yes, it's an really fun mix of that song. I do like a lot of electronica. It makes me want to bounce and dance. Or pedal faster on the bike. Or just plane go biking. So deal with this choice. Or put it on tonight because it's perfect to bounce and dance along with.
Christopher Bakriges Quartet - Clear and Present
I like jazz quite a bit. For those of you who saw LaLa Land and when John Legend asks, "Where are all the young people?" I'm here! It's me! Kinda...as noted earlier, I might not be THAT young anymore but I still dig the classic sound of jazz. And this album hit my radar in 2016. I dig it. Curious Birds is a great track. Go listen.
This is a bit of bonus...obviously I couldn't have listened that much as it just came out but I wanted to throw it out there. Again, not much of an album, but it's Ryan Adams, and yes, I'm bias, I dig his music no matter the context.
Ryan Adams - To Be Without You
And this is a bonus, bonus. I've been working on this list for awhile, I thought I should share it. I don't know why I didn't think of making this mix earlier but it was made in 2016. This is a playlist of "only first tracks" from Soundtracks. With the exception of one, which is too beautiful to not be on there. You can find it if you want and call foul, but it's my list, so I can bend the rules a bit. And I did. I think including it is nice and I think you'd agree. If you even notice : )
So there you go.
That's a bit of my sound in 2016. I hope you have a great 2017. Go have a drink and hug one another because it's a bit scary out there. We need some more good tunes and happy times. Do good things and I'll see you on the flip side.
Happy New Year!