2016 has been an interesting year, to say the least. The popular term "garbage fire" is one of the many ways to describe a year full of death and unexplainable moments such as this one. Despite this description, though, we have had some of the best movies, television, and music in many years. With all of the choices present, it was difficult listing my top four albums of 2016. Also, I had to include my most disappointing album of this year.
1. "Blackstar" by David Bowie
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David Bowie has, and will be, an important influence on popular music. "Blackstar" is definitely a love letter and an obituary to the late rock star. The smooth jazz sound combined the experimental nature that made Bowie famous and cements the status that he left. It is a truly poetic album, musing on death and life itself. No other album this year affected me in the way that "Blackstar" did.
2. "The Hamilton Mixtape" by Various Artists
I am a huge fan of "Hamilton." The wide nature of the soundtrack combined with Lin-Manuel Miranda's lyrics made me think this would be the last to hear of this orphan rising to the top in history. Thankfully, I was wrong. "The Hamilton Mixtape" enhances the ideology surrounding the musical, representing modern day America with some of the best artists giving their own spins to the beloved beats. It's not an easy task to choose a favorite song from this amazing playlist.
3. "A Moon Shaped Pool" by Radiohead
I always get excited whenever Radiohead announces a new album, and this one did not disappoint! Tom York's smooth vocals across a variety of musical styles demonstrate the power of Radiohead as a band. You become fully engrossed with the col legno playing of the strings within the first song, "Burn the Witch."
4. "Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping" by The Lonely Island
The Lonely Island holds a special place in my heart ever since I heard The Lonely Island rap "Lazy Sunday" with Chris Parnell. Their satire is as sharp as ever with the braggadocious rap "I'm So Humble" featuring Adam Levine to the ballad sung by Seal before the wolves get loose at the wedding, makes this a truly unique album.
Most Disappointing Album of 2016: "Blue & Lonesome" by The Rolling Stones
To be clear, The Rolling Stones are one of my favorite rock bands. I love their outlaw and stick-it-to-the-man image they represented in the '60s and 70'. They did not waiver when singing suggestive lyrics and did not falter when they released "Their Satanic Majesties Request", despite the great outcry from parents and authority figures. However, this is not present with "Blue and Lonesome". Gone is the experimentation that is present with rock and roll or the dangerous attitude they carried. Here is one of the greatest bands in history going through the motions: Mick does not have any soul in his voice, Keith's guitar feels restrained, Charlie's drums are not prominent, and Ronnie on the second guitar does not offer anything. With this album, they do not fight conformity, but accept it. The best way to describe it is that the album can just say their name and not offer anything new--yet sell just as well.
