2016 seemed to be a saddening year in music for me as we had to say goodbye to some of music's greatest popular artists including David Bowie, Prince, Glenn Frey of The Eagles, Phife Dawg, and Leonard Cohen, just to name a few. In addition, 2016 was definitely a mixed year as far as music releases for me as well, some of it incredibly great, some of it devastatingly disappointing. So to acknowledge this year of music in 2016, here is a list of albums that I picked as my favorites of the year, a few honorable mentions on the side, and the albums that I had high hopes and anticipations for, but ended up being disappointing listens for me overall. Also, keep in mind that I randomly organized these albums and they are not in a certain ranking or anything.

Favorites:

1. David Bowie- Blackstar

There were a few albums on this list of mine that I thought were near perfection from the first track to the very last one. However, this final record from the late, great David Bowie was absolute perfection, no questions asked. Even though I sometimes think that most of the albums that come out the month of January tend to be sub-par, the moment I listened to Bowie's final release when it came out the first week of January this year, January 8th to be exact, and also was Bowie's 69th birthday, I knew for a fact that this was going to be one of the best albums of the year, if not the best album of the year. Just to find out that Bowie recorded this masterpiece while dealing with liver cancer just amazes me, and the fact that he died two days after the album's release on January 10th baffles me even more. However, if you listen through every track on this album, it's almost like Bowie knew he was going to pass away after he recorded and released this record. The lyric that really shocked me from this record was in the song "Girl Loves Me" where Bowie says "Where the f**k did Monday go?" which is somewhat ironic considering that he died on a Sunday. It is no surprise to me that this was the album I listened to the most this year because of how both confusing, depressing, yet uplifting it is. While it was sad for us to see a tremendous musician like David Bowie leave this world, he couldn't have left in a better way with this swan song of a release as a final gift for his fans, both young and old. It's dark, disturbing, confusing, and somehow beautiful. R.I.P. David Bowie aka "Ziggy Stardust" (1947-2016). Rating: 10/10

Favorite tracks: Every song on the album, I love the whole thing. It is my album of the year.

Least favorite track(s): None whatsoever. A fantastic final masterpiece by Bowie!

2. A Tribe Called Quest- We Got It From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service

After the tragic death of Phife Dawg on March 22, 2016, I thought that Q-Tip and the rest of A Tribe Called Quest would officially call it quits and never release any new material ever again, especially due to the many conflicts between members. However, I was unaware that the hip-hop group actually began to record a new album in late 2015 and throughout the first few months of 2016. Therefore, of course,I had to give their newest and final release a listen and this album made me remind myself why I have always considered A Tribe Called Quest one of the best hip-hop acts to ever walk this earth. Just same good ol' Tribe Called Quest with an album full of clever and outstanding wordplay and lyrics, thoughtful and creative ways to use samples, including a great sample in the song "Solid Wall of Sound" in which they use a snippet of Elton John's hit song "Bennie and the Jets" as the hook for the song and it fits well, and wise ways to address certain topics and issues in their music. While it is sad to know that this will be the last studio album of original material that A Tribe Called Quest will ever release, it's sure as heck one great final record to leave your legacy on. R.I.P. Phife Dawg (1970-2016). Rating: 10/10

Favorite tracks: All of them!

Least favorite tracks: None of them!

3. Paul Simon- Stranger to Stranger

he great Paul "Rhymin'" Simon was back with a new album this year and it did not disappoint whatsoever. Throughout this record, Simon continued to show off the clever, witty, humorous, and meaningful lyrics that he always has been known for with songs like "The Werewolf," "Cool Papa Bell," and "Proof of Love." Even though this has been rumored to be Simon's last studio album release as he eyes near retirement, I still believe this legendary singer-songwriter has another record or two in him, I mean the guy wrote a song on this album titled "Wristband" which is about how he exited out of a rehearsal of his in a concert venue to go take a smoke break and check his email, tries to get back inside the venue after he was done with his break, but is stopped by the security guards and is not allowed back into the venue to continue his rehearsal with his backing band because he isn't wearing a wristband. As a result, he ends up making the lyrics to this song based on this silly scenario sound like Shakespeare. Rating: 9.5/10

Favorite tracks: I love every track on this album, outstanding release from Simon

Least favorite track(s): If I had to pick one, it would probably be the title track "Stranger to Stranger," but there isn't a track on this record that I truly dislike.

4. Green Day- Revolution Radio

he boys came back this year, and man they come back with a record that was a huge improvement from the mixed ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, and ¡Tré! album trilogy that was released back in 2012. This album saw the band returning with songs like "Bang Bang," the title track "Revolution Radio," and "Say Goodbye" that addressed the many social and political problems facing our world today, as well as tunes such as "Somewhere Now" and "Still Breathing" that were written based on the band member's struggling pasts and the ability to overcome them. All I can say is that this was a terrific comeback and return for my favorite band, and it will continue to be one of my favorites in their discography. Rating: 9.5/10

Favorite tracks: "Bang Bang," "Revolution Radio," Somewhere Now," "Forever Now," Ordinary World," "Bouncing Off the Wall"

Least favorite track: "Outlaws"

5. Jamestown Revival- The Education of a Wandering Man

This duo out of Magnolia, Texas, who has become one of my favorite new acts, came out with a great follow-up to their fantastic debut album Utah which was released back in 2014. While this new record didn't provide any mind-blowing new sounds or ideas from the group, they provided another release with more great blues rock, bluegrass, folk rock, and Americana type songs on living the simple American lifestyle, the traveling and adjustment to new places, and relationships. Since their first two releases have really impressed me, I look forward to hearing what else this band will have to offer in the coming years. Rating: 9/10

Favorite tracks: "Love Is A Burden", "Back To Austin", "Midnight Hour", "Company Man," "Airliner," "Journeyman," "Head On"

Least favorite track: "Always Been Wild"

6. Metallica- Hardwired... to Self-Destruct

Well, while it took them a little over eight years to release any new material, Metallica made a mighty and powerful return with this new album. For one thing, while I do somewhat like their last release from 2008, Death Magnetic, I consider Hardwired... to Self-Destruct as an improvement over the last record based on the fact that they didn't hire Rick Rubin, who produced Death Magnetic and I felt that his production on that album was too loud and not pleasant upon the ears, to produce this new album. Instead, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich had a hand in producing a majority of the tracks themselves with the help of music engineer Greg Fidelman, which I thought helped the sound of the album. The guitars sounded absolutely great and I loved just about every riff in the songs, along with Hetfield's raspy and dark sounding voice which sounded great as always. Despite the sad fact that Kirk Hammett didn't help write a single song on the album, which is the first time that has happened since Hammett became a member of the band in 1983, I thought Hetfield and Ulrich wrote a great batch of tunes. Plus, I absolutely love the song "Murder One" since it is a tribute to the late, great Motörhead lead singer Lemmy. Overall, this album from Metallica was well worth the wait and I consider it to be the best metal album released this year. However, while I love the album, the only gripe I have about this record is the creepy and somewhat ugly album cover. Rating: 9/10

Favorite tracks: "Atlas, Rise!," "Moth Into Flame," "Now That We're Dead," "Here Comes Revenge," "Murder One"

Least favorite track: "Confusion"

7. Bruno Mars- 24K Magic

While I have never been a huge fan of Bruno Mars' music, he certainly came through with one heck of an album this year in 24K Magic. Now, I can understand people calling this just a straight up throwback record that acknowledges the funk, R&B, and new jack swing sounds of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, but Mars does put modern sounds and references in songs like "That's What I Like" and the title track, which was also the lead single. Overall, I feel that this is the best release Mars has put out so far in his career and it was a nice album to groove to. Rating: 9/10

Favorite tracks: "24K Magic", "Chunky", "Perm", "Finesse," "Versace On The Floor"

Least favorite track: "Straight Up And Down"

8. Frank Ocean- Blonde

Well thankfully after a long four year wait, we finally got some new music from Frank Ocean with his sophomore effort, Blonde. While it isn't as great as Channel Orange, which is a hard album to follow-up so it would've been hard for him to make an album better than his outstanding debut record, Blonde definitely was an album worth the wait.This has been the perfect album for me when I've had bad days this year because of its chill, relaxing, and reflection type vibe in the music, along with the sense of poetry in Ocean's lyrics. This is a record I will continue to listen to for a long time, along with Channel Orange and Nostalgia, Ultra of course. Rating: 9/10

Favorite tracks: "Nikes," "Solo," "Pink + White," "Self-Control," "White Ferrari," "Godspeed"

Least favorite track: "Ivy"

9. Danny Brown- Atrocity Exhibition

If you have never heard of Danny Brown, please try to take some time to look him up a little and listen to his music, as he is one of the best up-and-coming hip-hop artists in music right now. I found about this Detroit-based rapper from music critics I watch on YouTube, and I ended up checking out his third studio album titled Old that was released back in 2013. Now with this fourth record, it seems to me that Brown tends to get better and better with each album he makes. This new release is dark, creepy, and downright crazy, in a good way that is. In addition, Brown has one of the most unique flows and voices in rap music right now with many critics and fans comparing his rapping style to the late legendary rapper and former Wu-Tang Clan member Ol' Dirty Bastard or ODB, which I can see how people have made that comparison and I don't disagree since they both have very high pitched and incredibly fast rapping techniques. Overall, I thought this was a great release from Brown as he continues to put his name on the map of modern rap music. Rating: 9.5/10

Favorite tracks: "Downward Spiral," "Tell Me What I Don't Know," "Really Doe" (featuring Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, and Earl Sweatshirt), "Dance In The Water," "Ain't It Funny," "Hell For It"

Least favorite tracks: I don't really have a least favorite but if I had to pick one, it would be "Get Hi" (featuring B-Real).

10. Weezer- Weezer (The White Album)

I thought Weezer's ninth studio effort Everything Will Be Alright In The End released back in 2014 was a BIG return to form for the band with songs like "Back to the Shack" and "Cleopatra." However, The White Album, as it has been commonly called since its release back in April, increased their success and acclaim even more and makes me think that they will be a band that ages like fine wine, especially from this new record. It without a doubt was my summer album of the year with it's heavy influences from the Beach Boys in songs like the appropriately titled "California Kids" and quirky cute lyrics in songs such as "(Girl We Got A) Good Thing." This was a fantastic and fun release from Weezer and it ended up becoming my summer album of the year since I couldn't stop playing it on repeat. Also, for the band to receive their first Grammy nomination ever for this particular album, I'm pretty sure it makes the record seem even better. Rating: 9/10

Favorite tracks: "California Kids," "Wind In Our Sail," "(Girl We Got A) Good Thing," "King of the World," L.A. Girlz"

Least favorite track: "Jacked Up"

11. Jon Bellion- The Human Condition

I had never heard of Jon Bellion before and I had to do some research on him to find out that he is a singer, rapper, songwriter, and producer who is most known for providing vocals on EDM artist Zedd's hit song "Beautiful Now," as well as a co-writer on the Eminem and Rihanna Grammy award-winning and number-one hit song "The Monster," to which he wrote the chorus for. So considering his impressive past and his increasing popularity, I decided to give his debut studio album a listen and OH MY it is brilliant! First of all, the album cover is absolutely stunning, I personally think it's the best album cover I've seen on a record this year, and this guy has great taste for beats and music production. Not to mention that his lyrics are very relatable, at least for me. I'm glad to see that he is seeing success in his solo career with his song "All Time Low" hitting number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, which is his first top 40 single, and his album debuting at number five on the Billboard 200 album chart. Along with Jamestown Revival, Bellion is becoming one of my new favorite artists and I can't wait to see what else he has in store for his solo career. Rating: 9/10

Favorite tracks: "All Time Low," "80's Films," "New York Soul (Part II)," "Fashion," "Overwhelming," "Hand of God"

Least favorite track: "Guillotine" (Featuring Travis Mendes)

Honorable Mentions:

1. Panic! at the Disco- Death of a Bachelor

While I'm still a little upset that lead singer Brendon Urie continues to keep Panic!'s name despite him being the only member of the band now, I will give him credit for his newest release, Death of a Bachelor. Going into this album, I was a little hesitant on what to expect from Urie as far as the sound styles he would bring to the songs. However, I think that Urie's vocals on this album were unbelievable with songs like "Victorious," Emperor's New Clothes," and the Frank Sinatra inspired title track "Death of a Bachelor" really showcased his fantastic range and falsetto. To me, it is by far the best that Urie has sounded on any of Panic! at the Disco's releases. Also, I was able to acknowledge Urie's songwriting abilities a little more now than I used to since he's the only member of the so-called "band" now. I think that the song "LA Devotee" from this album is one of the best songs Panic! has ever made in their entire career. But even though I thought the album had a good amount of positives, I'm still having a hard time adjusting to Panic! not being an actual band anymore. This is honestly just a Brendon Urie solo project every time I listen to it, even though Urie refuses to admit that. In conclusion, I think this was a passable studio effort from Panic!, aka just Brendon Urie, and I look forward to his future solo work. However, unless he intends to bring back original members that include guitarist Ryan Ross, drummer Spencer Smith, bassist Jon Walker, and bassist Dallon Weekes in the near future (which I sadly don't see happening), Urie needs to take away the Panic! at the Disco name and replace it with his own. Sure, using the band name for his own benefit increases album sales, but I feel that it is disrespectful to the former band members. Rating: 8/10

Favorite tracks: "Don't Threaten Me With a Good Time," "Hallelujah," "LA Devotee," "Death of a Bachelor"

Least favorite tracks: "Victorious," "Golden Days"

2. Eric Hutchinson- Easy Street

I was beyond thrilled when Eric Hutchinson released his fourth studio project this year in late August. However, while I was happy with the album as a whole, I still felt that there were a few miscues compared to his previous releases. I actually loved the first half of this album with songs like "Dear Me," which is actually becoming one of my favorite songs by Hutchinson, "Good Rhythm" (featuring G. Love), and "Anyone Who Knows Me" being great songs of reflection that can not only relate to Hutchinson but his listeners as well. However, I am still mixed on songs like "Lost in Paradise," and "Same Old Thing" mostly just based on the instrumentals set to the tunes, but the lyrics are quirky as always with Hutchinson. Hopefully, sometime in the future I can grow to like these two songs but until then they are staying mixed in my brain. Also, I wish that there could've been more than eight new songs since the last two tracks on the album were just different versions of "Dear Me" and "Anyone Who Knows Me," but I am thankful for any new Eric Hutchinson music so I guess I can forgive him. Despite these miscues, I am impressed with Hutchinson's new album as a whole and I will continue giving it a play on my IPod. Rating: 7/10

Favorite tracks: "Dear Me," "Anyone Who Knows Me," "Good Rhythm" (featuring G. Love), "Bored to Death"

Least favorite tracks: "Lost in Paradise," "Same Old Thing"

3. The 1975- I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It

I know that The 1975's debut self-titled album that was released in 2013 was a massively successful record that had many great tunes on it like "Chocolate," "Sex," "Girls," and "M.O.N.E.Y.," but I would argue that this second studio album is a little better than their debut. This album offers funky jams like the infectiously catchy "Love Me," "UGH!," She's American," and "The Sound," as well as lovely slow ballads such as "A Change of Heart," "Somebody Else," and "If I Believe You." Overall, I was incredibly impressed with this follow-up from the band's breakout debut album, and I hope for more great albums to come from The 1975 in future years. Rating: 8/10

Favorite tracks: "Love Me," "UGH!," "Somebody Else," "She's American," "The Sound," "The Ballad of Me and My Brain"

Least favorite tracks: "I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it," "Love Someone"

Disappointments

1. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis- This Unruly Mess I've Made

Based on the duos great debut album The Heist released back in 2012 and the excellent catchy new lead single "Downtown" released in November of 2015, I had very high hopes for this new Macklemore & Ryan Lewis record titled This Unruly Mess I've Made. However, even though I tried and tried as hard as i could to somehow like this album, I was ultimately let down by this hip-hop duo's follow up album. I will be honest that listening to the first part of the album wasn't too bad with tracks like "Light Tunnels," "Downtown," "Growing Up (Sloane's Song)," "Kevin," and "Need to Know." However, once I listened to the song "Dance Off" the album pretty much went downhill from there with "Let's Eat," "The Train," and "White Privilege II" being other disappointing tunes to end the album. I hate to use this term, but I would have to say that Macklemore & Ryan Lewis went through the "sophomore slump" phase with this record, especially since it only peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 album chart despite it's high promotion and anticipation from fans, and it's a shame because both are very talented at what they do and it is incredible they have had this much success as independent artists. I hope that the duo can overcome the struggle they are facing with this new album and can come out with something to wow me again like they did with The Heist.Sadly, to me it seems that the title for this record seems fitting, but not in a good way. Macklemore hit the nail on the head, this album is truly unruly and just straight up out of control.Rating: 6/10

Favorite tracks: "Downtown" (featuring Eric Nally, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee, and Grandmaster Caz), "Light Tunnels" (featuring Mike Slap), "Growing Up (Sloane's Song)" (featuring Ed Sheeran)

Least favorite tracks: "Dance Off" (featuring Idris Elba and Anderson.Paak), "Let's Eat" (featuring Xperience), "The Train" (featuring Carla Morrison), "White Privilege II" (featuring Jamila Woods)

2. Kanye West- The Life of Pablo

Oh Kanye, Kanye, Kanye. 2016 has certainly been an interesting year for Mr. West, especially in recent news with him entering into a hospital with paranoia and sleep deprivation issues last month in November. Clearly, West's life has been a mess this year, and I would have to say that the album he dropped this year, The Life of Pablo, was a mess as well. I did think that were some great and fantastic songs like "Ultralight Beam," "Fade," and "Real Friends" on this new record from Kanye, but at the same time there were some songs like "FML" and "Highlights" that were just complete turn offs for me. Overall, I think that this album could have been a really good album for West if he would have just taken at least 7 or 8 of the songs out so that way it would have been a 12 or 13 track album instead of being an hour long 20-track project with a lot of filler songs in it. Like I said before, there are a number of good individual songs on this record, but as a whole album, It's really a disappointment for me, especially considering how much hype this Kanye West record had on it going into 2016, which of that hype included my anticipation. While some critics have changed their attitudes on this album from not really liking when it first came out in February to loving it by the end of this year, My opinion of this record has not changed since I first heard it when it came out, and it most likely won't change anytime soon. Rating: 6.5/10

Favorite tracks: "Fade," "Real Friends," "Ultralight Beam," "No More Parties in LA"

Least favorite tracks: "Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1," "Highlights," "FML," "Waves"

3. Gavin DeGraw- Something Worth Saving

This was a tough one for me to put in my disappointing list because I did enjoy some parts of Gavin DeGraw's new release. Some of the songs that I did enjoy on his this most recent album of his were songs such as "Annalee," "New Love," and "How Lucky Can a Man Get" that had DeGraw exploring new sounds and genres to explore unlike his typical singer-songwriter pop tunes that he's known for. However, while I do appreciate his efforts to explore new options as far as his song styles, I feel that some of those options didn't sound as good to me and were just a little off-putting. Examples of these types of songs include the lead single "She Sets the City On Fire," "Kite Like Girl," and "Making Love With the Radio On" that while having DeGraw exploring different genres makes it an interesting project, they don't add anything as far as impact to the overall album. I just know that DeGraw can do better than this and he has shown that he can do better than this based on his past works. So, while it wasn't a terrible release, this album simply did not meet my expectations, and I consider it to be the weakest album that he has put out thus far in his career. Rating: 6/10

Favorite tracks: "New Love," "Annalee," "How Lucky Can a Man Get," "Harder to Believe"

Least favorite tracks: "She Sets the City On Fire," "Making Love With the Radio On," "Kite Like Girl," "Say I Am"

4. Megadeth- Dystopia

I think this was an album where I was both disappointed by it and impressed by it at the same time. Now, Megadeth have been the one band of "The Big Four" that I have always gone up and down with as far as their discography. I love pretty much all of their albums from the 80s to about the early 90s and consider all of those classics. However, in the past few years, Megadeth has made albums that really upset me because while they may have one positive on the album that really sticks out, there's always a big negative that stands out too, and sadly that's the same I get with this new release of theirs. First off, I thought that the guitar tones and just the overall sound of the music was incredible on this album, with Dave Mustaine pounding out some of the hardest hitting riffs I've ever heard him play on any album that they have released in the 21st century. Personally, I think the guitars haven't sounded this good on a Megadeth record since Endgame which was released back in 2009. However, while that side has improved compared to their 2013 record titled Super Collider, the one thing that made me disappointed with this new album is both Dave Mustaine's lyrics and his vocals. His voice throughout the record sounds off pitch and he lacks the ability to hit many of the notes he was able to sing back in his "hey days," which is understandable since Mustaine is 55 years old right now and his voice is probably beginning to lose it a bit, especially on the song "Poisonous Shadows," and his lyrics addressing post-American and apocalyptic type worlds are dull and sound a little corny to me to be honest. So, while this album was an improvement for Megadeth musically, it was a big disappointment for me vocally and lyrically. Rating: 5/10

Favorite tracks: "The Threat Is Real," "Dystopia," "Fatal Illusion," "Conquer or Die!," "The Emperor" (all of these favorite tracks are mostly just based on the guitar tones and riffs, not really based on Mustaine's lyrics and vocals).

Least favorite tracks: "Post-American World," "Poisonous Shadows," Death From Within," "Foreign Policy" (Fear cover)

5. Avenged Sevenfold- The Stage

I would have to say that this is the album release of 2016 that I wasn't very disappointed with, but really confused about. I mean it has great guitar riffs on it and M. Shadows vocals on the record sound incredible, but I have felt a great amount of struggle while listening to this and i can't seem to call it a great album from A7X just quite yet. Maybe it's the long length of the record running at one hour and thirteen minutes, I honestly have no idea. I think that this is an album that might take me more than 2 full listens to get a full understanding and feel for this new record from A7X, as it is by far their most progressive sounding rock album that they have ever released in their career. So, for right now, I'm going to call this album a disappointment for me, just because I'm still a little confused by it's overall sound and style. However, by listening through it a certain amount of times again throughout the next year, I might end up gaining a better understanding and perspective on this new record from one of my favorite rock bands in modern music. It's a release I have to grow to love sadly. Rating: 7/10

Favorite tracks: "The Stage," "Creating God," "Paradigm," "Stimulation," "Fermi Paradox," "Exist"

Least favorite tracks (for now, time will tell): "Sunny Disposition," "Higher," "Angels"