20 -> 16
25. Luke Winslow-King – I’m Glad Trouble Don’t Last Always
Change Your Mind
I’m Glad Trouble Don’t Last Always
Luke Winslow-King creates a breeze of a record with a blend of blues, jazz, and folk. There are several catchy pop ditties – “Change Your Mind” – and edgier modal blues – such as the title track above. His variety of style and warm vocals make for an easily charming listen.
24. Black Mountain – IV
Florian Saucer Attack
Mothers Of The Sun
I took a chance on Black Mountain’s 2008 album, In The Future, when browsing in a record store back then and dug it immensely. I hadn’t followed anything since, but album number four was on rotation throughout the year. IV is another far-out concept album full of heavy prog-rock riffs, impassioned vocals, and psychedelic guitar freakouts.
23. Dr. Dog – Abandoned Mansion
Ladada
Survive
One of my favorite bands, Dr. Dog, released two albums in 2016. The Psychedelic Swamp re-visited an early career album that was never released and was permeated by all the bells and whistles – literally and figuratively – they have increasingly used in recent albums. It worked for the most part, but it’s the stripped-down, song-based Abandoned Mansion that really engaged me. This indie band is first and foremost artisans of pop songs crafted from early rock periods – but without question of a style all its own. This pleaser gets back to those sensibilities.
22. Local Natives – Sunlit Youth
Coins
Fountain of Youth
Local Natives double down on the electronic sensations of past albums and deliver a decidedly more polished sound – almost too much so for this listener. What still keeps me attached is the songwriting, swirling layers of well-executed tones, and fantastic vocal harmonies. This is chill-dance for the rock fan or song-oriented pop for those into EDM.
21. Lucy Dacus – No Burden
Strange Torpedo
Dream State…
On debut album No Burden, young artist Lucy Dacus grips the listener with both emotional weight and calming ease. While she beguiles the notion of straight forward rock with electric guitar crunch, most of the arrangements are twisted and dreamy. The overall melancholy semblance and mindful lyrics can be heard on the churning grind of “Strange Torpedo” and slowly building layers of “Dream State…” – which particularly imbue sentiment for me.
20 -> 16