2016 - The Albums.

[Fretless]

2016 - what sort of a year for music was it for you ?

Were there any worthwhile albums released or has Rock & Roll just faded away and died ?
Bowie (dead), Radiohead (resurrected), Prince (dead), The Rolling Stones (on life-support).
What were the highpoints and what were the clunkers ?

[Classicrock]

I don't buy clunkers but talking of departed musicians Blackstar (Bowie) and You Want it Darker (Cohen) are highly recommended. Also Paul Simon's 'Stranger To Stranger' And Regina Spektor's 'Remember Us To Life' are excellent albums.
Others worth a listen-
Courting The Squall, Guy Garvey.
Hope Six Demolition Project, PJ Harvey.
Ghosts Of highway 20, Lucinda Williams.
Skeleton Tree, Nick Cave.
Before the Dawn, Kate Bush.

[SteveTheShadow]

I'll second the Leonard Cohen album.

Excellent!

[slinger]

I'm enjoying the new Stones album, but then again I was enjoying them playing that sort of thing first time around.
There's also "I Still Do" from Clapton, "Loud Hailer" by Jeff Beck, and new ones from Neil Young, Elton John, and my favourite, "Good Times, by The Monkees.

New (as in haven't been around for decades) artists - Sturgill Simpson, Parquet Courts, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, The Coral, and Drive By Truckers all had albums out that were worth a listen.

All in all though, I think 2016 has been a lot more about who we've lost rather than what we've gained.

[jammy395]

Album of 2016........

Clutch - Psychic Warfare.

[Fretless]

So, what has 2016 given us?

Bowie’s ‘Blackstar’ proved that he never stopped searching and always ran ahead of the Fashion.
A Swan Song, A final bow. A parting gift.

Opeth’s ‘Sorceress’ and Dream Theater’s ‘The Astonishing’ left Rock fans scratching their heads and wondering what does it all mean?

Complicated and challenging were also the new discs from Bon Iver (22 a Million) and Explosions in the Sky (The Wilderness).

From the Classical side we got two intriguing recordings of fresh, modern Harp music: Lavinia Meijer ‘The Glass Effect’ and Remy van Kesteren ‘Tomorrow Eyes’. Rachel Podger won prizes with her gloriously emotive rendering of Biber’s ‘Rosary Sonatas’ and the Ragazze Quartet produced a magnificently atmospheric version of Terry Riley’s ’In C’.

Electronic maestros Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre came out with solid, enjoyable new work that recalled past glories. JMJ was also collaborating with today’s generation and proving that he is still out there in the forefront.

My favourites: Riverside came out with a double-CD of brilliant instrumental work ‘Eye of the Soundscape’. Marillion’s F.E.A.R proved they are still on form and maintaining high quality. And ‘Friends’ from White Lies if you need some stirring power-pop to shake the cobwebs away.

[antonio66]

I'm usually a few years behind the most recent releases. but a couple of new ones for me are,
Van Morrison - Keep me Singing
Jon Anderson + Stolt - Invention of Knowledge
Sarah Jarosz - Undercurrent

[CN211276]

Bowie’s ‘Blackstar’ proved that he never stopped searching and always ran ahead of the Fashion. A Swan Song, A final bow. A parting gift.Opeth’s ‘Sorceress’ and Dream Theater’s ‘The Astonishing’ left Rock fans scratching their heads and wondering what does it all mean?

I go along with this. I think all of Bowie's albums since "Earthling" are of a good standard, though not reaching his heights of the 70s. I have a ticket to see Dream Theatre in April and would not want them to play "The Astonishing" in its entirety.

Not much stands out in 2016 and everything has been overshadowed by those we have lost, starting with Lemmy at the end of 2015. The latest Metallica album has been a pleasant surprise and shows they have not lost the plot. I'm finding the new Neil Young album a grower.

[TheMadMick]

ClasicRock wrote: Also Paul Simon's 'Stranger To Stranger'

It wouldn't be my choice. The production is the usual Paul Simon immaculately presented but have you tried to follow the words. He does seem to be getting more eccentric as he gets older. Maybe that's a good thing?

Just my ha'pworth.

[kimangelis]

I'll go along with BlackStar and Eye of the Soundscape. Odd one about Bowie as he's been there all my life. One of his was the first album I bought when I was 14. Riverside and their kind show that it needn't all be re-vamped old bands nor Beyonce (is that spelled right?)

One of my faves from 2016 is Airbag's Disconnected.... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQV38RG_gIw)