2016 Playlist

Here is a Spotify playlist of every artist on my year end lists.

Enjoy.

Almost, But Not Quite: My Next Five Albums of 2016

Just like for my top 2016 albums these next five don't come from the mainstream.  Before anyone gets upset, they are all number six, just missing the cut for my top five.

In no particular order:

The Struts - Everybody Wants
Glam. In the classic sense like T-Rex and The Sweet. With a touch of grandiose a la Queen. Hey, they're British. Seriously, The Struts' debut album Everybody Wants is good. And a fun listen. Good music, catchy hooks and very much classic glam rock.




The Wild Feathers - Lonely is a Lifetime
The Wild Feathers are... a rock band? Probably, but when I think rock, I think AC/DC. Pop? Pop tendencies, sure, but you can't have an eight minute song and be pop. Americana? Not really, though you could make an argument for that on some songs. But what Lonely is a Lifetime definitely is, is a collection of 11 really good songs. An really, can't we all use more eight minute songs in our life?

The Dead Deads - For Your Obliteration...
Weaving in and out of and around and through punk, metal, pop, rock, bubblegum, grunge, Americana and all things in between, sometimes in the same song, sometimes in the same verse or chorus, The Dead Deads refuse to be pigeonholed into anything. The Dead Deads' latest release, For Your Obliteration... is one of the most interesting albums I've heard this year.



The Temperance Movement - White Bear
Southern psychedelic grunge rock. It took me a while to find the right descriptors for The Temperance Movement's new album White Bear. This is another in my quest to prove that rock is indeed not dead. Living on the harder edge of Southern Rock, White Bear takes you on a psychedelic rock journey that makes a lengthy stop in Seattle for some Soundgarden/Alice in Chains inspired 90s rock that ends with a very Eagles-inspired "Time Won't Leave".



Wynonna and the Big Noise
I didn't really know whether or not to include this because Wynonna Judd is a big name, but since this never had any chance on radio and not many but her hardcore fans even know about, it gets in. Mostly because it's just that damned good. Is it country? Not really, but there are country undertones throughout. Is it rock? Not so much. But it does. Is it blues? Somewhat. If you expand your definition of blues. Is it Americana? I guess. Mostly because that term lends itself to interpretation. Is it good? Most definitely.

Album Spotlight: Wynonna and The Big Noise

Forget everything you know about Wynonna Judd. The Judds. Her subsequent solo albums. This is Wynonna & The Big Noise.

In my opinion this is the best record Wynonna has put out, ever.

Is it country? Not really, but there are country undertones throughout.

Is it rock? Not much. But it does, in the "This rocks" way.

Is it blues? Somewhat. If you expand your definition of blues.

Is it Americana? I guess. Mostly because this term lends itself to interpretation.

Is it good? Most definitely.

Kudos to Wynonna for making this record. I guess knowing that whatever she put out would not make a dent in country radio, given its current state, she put out an unabashedly Wynonna album. Wynonna & The Big Noise is raw, bluesy, country, rockin', and real.

Wynonna has always had a powerful voice. On Wynonna & The Big Noise, the full range of her vocal ability can be heard. And felt.

If you are nostalgic for the Judds, this is no the record for you. It's a new Wynonna, back and better than ever.