Saturday Deluxe / 7 January 2017
First Saturday Deluxe of the year! I know this is a reissue blog but I thought I’d start the year by listing SDE’s favourite NEW albums of 2016.
They are, in order:
- 1. David Bowie / ★ (Blackstar)
Superb and moving. A triumphant farewell. - 2. Christine and the Queens / Chaleur Humaine
Not a weak track on this stunning mix of pop, beats and believe-in-yourself attitude. - 3. Suede / Night Thoughts
Suede remind the world how to do ‘an album’. This near career-high overshadowed slightly by the global shock of Bowie’s death. - 4. Paul Simon / Stranger to Stranger
Beautiful record. Simon’s lyrics, rhythms and pop nous unmatched by his peers (or anyone else). - 5. Stranger Things / Soundtrack to the Netflix TV series
Anyone who watched the series, will know how good Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein’s synth soundscapes are. Stunning. - 6. Norah Jones / Day Breaks
Norah is the real deal. An album full of highlights including Flipside, the title track and her cover of Neil Young’s Don’t Be Denied. - 7. Radiohead / A Moon Shaped Pool
Not as good as In Rainbows, but Radiohead continue to do whatever they want and in this case casually deliver a stunning ninth album. - 8. The Getaway / Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Was expecting this to be a bit average, but the Danger Mouse produced album has been in regular rotation on the SDE stereo all year long. - 9. Barry Gibb / In The Now
Barry Gibb now stands alone but his brothers would be proud of some of the work on this record, including the achingly sweet and melodic Star Crossed Lovers - 10. Luke Haines / Smash The System
These days you pop out to buy a pint of milk and buy the time you return the inimitable Haines has put out a new album. Pop culture references abound on Smash The System including Hong Kong Phooey and Ulrike Meinhof.
[socialpug_share]
Wedding anniversary?
In other news, the band denied it last year when I put it to them, but is Duran Duran‘s 1993 self-titled album, better known as The Wedding Album, being prepped for a 2LP vinyl reissue in February? Amazon USA have it listed for a 10 Feb release and US book retailer Barnes and Noble concur, with a pre-order listing for the same date. I should stress it still may not happen but you’d have to say that it’s looking good…
SuperDeluxeEdition.com helps fans around the world discover physical music and discuss releases. To keep the site free, SDE participates in various affiliate programs, including Amazon and earns from qualifying purchases.
Related Content
94 Comments
94 thoughts on “Saturday Deluxe / 7 January 2017”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
In no particular order (although quite possibly Syd Arthur and Suede were my fav’s):
White Lies – Friends
Underworld – Barbara Barabara, we face a shining future
Tycho – Epoch
A Tribe Called Quest – We got it from Here…Thank you 4 your service
Trashcan Sinatras – Wild Pendulum
Tim Burgess & Peter Gordon – Same Language, Different Worlds
Syd Arthur – Apricity
Robbie Williams – The Heavy Entertainment Show
Richard Ashcroft – These People
Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Skeleton Tree
Lux – Random Drive
Suede – Night Thoughts
The Last of the Shadow Puppets – Everything You’ve Come To Expect
Kings of Leon – Walls
Empire of the Sun – Two Vines
De La Soul – and the Anonymous Nobody
David Bowie – Black Star
Usually don’t respond to such posts but could not resist this cold early morning…NB: haven’t yet heard Stones–
Felice Bros/Life in the Dark
Davy Knowles/Three Miles From Avalon
Bob Weir/Blue Mountain
Marcus King Band/eponymous
Marc Ford/Neptune Blues Club
Rich Robinson/Flux
Paul Kelly/7 Sonnets & A Song; Death’s Dateless Night
Jeff Beck/Loud Hailer
Seth Walker/Gotta Get Back
Doyle Bramhall II/Rich Man
“……that it didn’t win EVERY end of the year poll is shameful……”
Paul pointed out that his list was a personal Top 10 of the music he had been regularly listening to – his favourites – & personally Luke Haines’s ‘Smash the System’ is a brilliant shout
(& as always this pop outsider provided some of the best low key intimate gigs of the year blah blah etc)
Variety – eclecticism – catholic taste – from straight up pop to the left field – vive la difference !
DB epitomised this in his life and work – not narrow consensus.
Well I do my lists every year and it’s a top 100 with 25 runner-ups…seeing some of these lists I STILL missed some…but I am not changing anything…as for Christine and the Queens, it’s a killer record and it received a French release in 2014 and international this year…but it had a US release in 2015 and called a self titled album and made my #3 slot then…as for my lists I do a top albums (100 + 25 runner-ups), plus a top EPs because there were plenty (top 20), top reissues/boxsets (top 50)…and a worst of (top 10)…in this post I will only show my top 10…
10…Against Me!!…”Shape Shift With Me”
9…Car Seat Headrest…”Teens Of Denial”
8…Maren Morris…”Hero”
7…Miranda Lambert…”The Weight Of These Wings”
6…Peter Garrett…”A Version Of Now”
5…Madness…”Can’t Stop Us Now”
4… Roxette…”Good Karma”
3…Beyonce…”Lemonade”
2…Leonard Cohen…”You Want It Darker”
1…David Bowie…”Blackstar/Lazarus”
Heard the Suede…frikkin incredible but not in my top 10…same with Barry Gibb…side note Paul…you are prob aware of the new Bee Gees Capitol reissue deal starting this year…50th anniversary of Bee Gees 1st…does that deal include their solo work aside from Barry’s current Columbia deal?? Any info would be great. As for my whole list…which was really hard to compile…reduce and rank…if anyone wants it or if I should post it in full, let me know…cheers and happy 2017!!
Been giving a few of the suggestions here a listen:
Richard Ashcroft – a bit meh, sounds like everything he’s ever done.
Norah Jones – turned off after a few tracks. Dinner party jazz…
The Monkees – OK, I suppose, but definitely nowhere neary as catchy as the sixties stuff.
Shakin’ Stevens – good compared to his usual output, but nothing special.
Michael Kiwanuka – already had this, but forgot as I bought it as a download for 99p. Couple of weak tracks, Black Man In A White World is a bit annoying, but some great tracks to balance them out.
Case/Lang/Veirs – not too bad. Probably the best so far apart from MK, but not my usual cuppa musically.
Also listened to the new(ish) St Paul & the Broken Bones one. Liked it a lot. Maybe slightly over-produced, but I didn’t mind that. Definitely better than nearly everything mentioned above. In my humble opinion, of course!
Another new one I forgot buying was the Seasick Steve one. It came with a second disc of acoustic stuff that I preferred to the album proper, but it’s pretty solid overall.
PJ Harvey – possibly the dullest thing she’s ever done. Ye gods, that was a dronefest and it took one of the earlier works to wash it from my brain. I used Stories…
Rolling Stones – also really dull. Nothing much more to say other than the word retirement.
Bought the Suede one again, this time with the DVD. £7.99 from base.com who I’ve not used before, but that was the best price from the very few sellers I could find still listing it.
Replying to myself again! Another 2016 release I forgotten buying, as it came out in January, was Lost Property by Turin Brakes. I’d found their last couple of albums rather weak, but Lost Property was a real return to form. Well worth a listen and they were excellent live when I saw them touring the album, too.
My Top 3 albums of 2016 are:
1. David Bowie – Blackstar
2. Leonard Cohen – You Want It Darker
3. Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds – Skeleton Tree
Nice list, Paul! But could you do the SDE preview for 2017 like you did for 2015 and 2016, please?
…ummm…need to add Hey Marseilles’ self titled release to my Top “Ten” for 2016.
In no particular order, here’s my Top…errr…”Ten” new albums of 2016:
Diiv – Is The Is Are
Wild Nothing – Pause
Richard Ashcroft – These People
David Bowie – ★
Tycho – Epoch
Lloyd Cole – Live at The Union Chapel
Old Fire – Songs From the Haunted South
Suede – Night Thoughts
Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop – Love Letter For Fire
New Order – Complete Music
Mitski – Puberty 2
Beth Orton – Kidsticks
Top 20 SDE / DE / Reissues in 2016, in no order:
King Crimson, On (And Off) The Road, 19-disc Japan “Assemble” box set
Jean-Michel Jarre – Oxygene Trilogy, 3xLP+3xCD+Book box set
The Alan Parsons Project – Tales Of Mystery & Imagination, 3xCD+2xLP+Bluray box set
Erasure – From Moscow To Mars, 12xCD+DVD box set
Simple Minds – New Gold Dream, 5xCD+DVD box set
Grace Jones – Warm Leatherette, both 4xLP box set and BlurayAudio
Marc Almond – Trials Of Eyeliner, 10xCD box set
Falco – Falco, 4xLP box set
Pink Floyd – Japanese editions of the vinyl reissue program (all titles)
Bob Marley – Live!, 3xLP set + UMe exclusive 7inch
Visage – The Wild Life, 6xCD+1xCDR bundle
Queen – On Air, both Japan 6xSHM-CD box set and 3xLP set
Paul Hardcastle – The History of Paul Hardcastle, 4xCD digibook
Dead Or Alive – Sophisticated Boom Box, both 17xCD+2xDVD and 10xLP+1×10” box sets
Chemical Brothers – Born In The Echoes, 2xCD Japan Special Edition
Blank & Jones – So80s, 30xCD box set
Girl One & The Grease Guns – The Strange Little Lines That Humans Draw In The Dust, CD
Clint Mansell featuring Kronos Quartet – Requiem For A Dream, RSD 2xLP set
Mike Oldfield – The 1984 Suite, LP
David Bowie – Who Can I Be Now?, Japan 13xCD+exclusive booklets box set
Top 15 new recordings from 2016, in no order:
Cassius – Ibifornia
Vangelis – Rosetta
Nouvelle Vague – I Could Be Happy
Enigma – The Fall Of A Waiting Angel
Blank & Jones – Dom
David Bowie – Blackstar
Pet Shop Boys – Super
Marsheaux – Ath.Lon
King Crimson – Radical Action (To Unseat The Hold Of Monkey Mind)
Deep Forest – Evo Devo
Jean-Michel Jarre – Electronica 2
Underworld – Barbara Barbara, We Face A Shining Future
Brian Eno – The Ship
Phoebe Killdeer & The Shift with Maria De Medeiros – The Piano’s Playing The Devils Tune
Moby & The Void Pacific Choir – These Systems Are Failing
Should we talk about what we are looking forward to in 2017 for new releases?
I know I’m looking forward to new:
Paul Weller – A Kind Revolution
Paul McCartney
Tears For Fears (could it take any longer)
Depeche Mode – Spirit
Arcade Fire
Fleetwood Mac
wonderful to see so much Suede love on these lists – being from the US, i can tell you sadly not that many people know them over here… but the ones that do, love them!
1 – suede night thoughts
2 – travis everything at once
3 – green day – revolution radio
4 – empire of the sun – two vines
5 – pet shop boys – super
6 – garbage – strange little birds
7 – roxette – good karma
8 – abc – lexicon of love ii
9 – heart – beautiful broken
10 – cheap trick – bang zoom crazy hello
Great lists all… mine include reissues as well.
10- Paul Simon – Stranger to Stranger
9- Bon Iver – 22, A Million
8- Simple Minds – New Gold Dream 1981-1984 box set
7- The Band – The Last Waltz (reissue)
6- Jethro Tull – Stand Up (Elevated Edition)
5- Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool
4- Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression
3- Leonard Cohen – You want it Darker
2- Marillion – FEAR
1 – Bowie – BlackStar
Happy New Year everyone at SDE… Paul and all the readers…
(PS – Hard to have to start the year off already with BOWIE’s one year anniversary of his death upon us… a reminder how much he affected us all..)
God Bless
Tino
How incredible to finally see Luke Haines on a list! Probably in my top ten favorite artists of all time I’ve been stunned to see his solo output over the last 10 years completely ignored. The Oliver Twist Manifesto is one of my favorite albums of all time and Smash the System continues in that vein.
Nice list Paul – we have two crossovers.
Here’s my top 10 of 2016.
01 Suede – Night Thoughts
02 David Bowie – Blackstar
03 Shura – Nothing’s Real
04 Frank Ocean – Blonde
05 ABC – The Lexicon Of Love II
06 The 1975 – I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It
07 Pet Shop Boys – Super
08 Avalanches – Wildflower
09 Beyoncé – Lemonade
10 Carly Rae Jepsen – Emotion Side B
Top Top 20 Albums of 2016:
1. David Bowie – ★
2. Parquet Courts – Human Performance
3. Beyoncé – Lemonade
4. Angel Olsen – My Woman
5. PJ Harvey – The Hope Six Demolition Project
6. Bat For Lashes – The Bride
7. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Skeleton Tree
8. Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool
9. Bon Iver – 22, A Million
10. Sturgill Simpson – A Sailor’s Guide To Earth
11. Mitski – Puberty 2
12. The Last Shadow Puppets – Everything You’ve Come To Expect
13. Whitney – Light Upon The Lake
14. The Coral – Distance Inbetween
15. Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression
16. Cate Le Bon – Crab Day
17. Ben Watt – Fever Dream
18. Margo Price – Midwest Farmer’s Daughter
19. Eleanor Friedberger – New View
20. Car Seat Headrest – Teens Of Denial
Very interesting to see these lists! Lots of different tastes on here. I agree with Michael D. on about 70%. Glad to see Suede on so many lists (great record) and James (great year for them on record and live). I’d add Paul Dempsey “Strange Loop” and Nada Surf “You Know Who You Are”. Nada Surf also put out an excellent live record with an orchestra this year. Their live show in Atlanta was maybe my gig highlight, along with Slowdive at Shaky Knees Fest.
Great, that so many musical tastes are represented here. Heres some (almost) very different stuff:
1. Naked Truth: Aviant Thug
2. Swans: Glowing Man
3. Bon Iver: 22, A Million
4. Ryley Walker: Golden Sings That Have Been Sung
5. Mono: Requiem For Hell
6. North Sea Radio Orchestra: Dronne
7. Neurosis: Fires within Fires
8. Kate Tempest: Let them eat Chaos
9. King Creosote: Astronaut Meets Appleman
10. Gemma Ray: The Exodus Suite
SDE Box of the yeas was imho Steve Hillage: Searching for the Spark. That’s the way a box has to be made.
The ‘free’ Luke Haines album released with Electronic Sound magazine was, frankly, awful – 30mins of a man on autopilot. ‘Smash the System’ was 100 times better though! In a way I’d trade his productivity for a better end product – his last few albums have been a bit disappointing. ’21st Century Man’ was his last truly great solo album IMO. Hurrah for the ‘Stranger Things’ soundtrack though, the whole atmosphere created by that album is incredible – I got into the group Survive from hearing that, which is more immersive synth work. For comedy track of the year, I think you’d do worse than David Brent & Foregone Conclusion’s “Lady Gypsy”, which was epic.
The last one I thought was amazing was “Nine and a Half Psychedelic Meditations on British Wrestling of the 1970s and early ’80s”, although “Rock N Roll Animals” was pretty good as well. I agree about trading productivity for better end product, although you’ve got to smile and admire people like Haines that don’t care about ‘the rules’
The North Sea Scrolls album although not a collaboration of sorts (although the concept was) is one of the best things Luke Haines has been involved in. The CD without the rubbish talking between tracks is stunning. But yes, the freebie CD with Electronic Sound was rubbish but if you’re a collector just want these type of things!
Hi, I would also definitely add PJ Harvey’s latest album, The Hope Six Demolition Project, to the best albums list. It continues in the social reportage vein of her previous album, Let England Shake. The music sounds gospel-tinged and has that world-music feeling that the scope of her commentary warrants (inspired by her trips to Afghanistan, Kosovo and Washington). I saw her play the entire album in concert and her perfomance was spectacular – great music and stage antics and a superb backing band.
And another entry for me is Van der Graaf Generator’s latest album, Do Not Disturb. It looks like it might carry the band’s farewell message. A reflection on the past, it conveys a sense of resignation and acceptance of the fact that what’s done is done, the past cannot be changed and it is time to say goodbye.
I haven’t heard Leonard Cohen’s album yet but will buy it at some point. The title track is extraordinary.
I bought Marillion’s FEAR on vinyl having read a 5-star Guardian review and am bitterly disappointed for all kinds of reasons I won’t mention here.
BTW it seems a 4-track digital EP of Bowie’s last 3 songs plus Lazarus is out today to mark his 70th. There is a video for No Plan. I expect there may be a limited edition vinyl version for RSD in April. Here’s hoping…
My top 10 were something like this:
1. The Lemon Twigs – Do Hollywood
2. Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression
3. PJ Harvey – The Hope Six Demolition Project
4. Nick Cave – Skeleton Tree
5. The Coral – Distance Inbetween
6. Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool
7. Goat – Requium
8. Last Shadow Puppets – Everything You’ve Come To Expect
9. Suede – Night Thoughts
10. Richard Ashcroft: These People
Paul, just so you know and can report on it… David Bowie – No Plan EP out now!
Cheers. JPH
1. Anti – Rihanna
2. Post Pop Depression – Iggy Pop
3. Black star – Bowie
4.The Ship – Eno
5. FLOTUS – Lambchop
A Tribe Called Quest’s “We got it from here” and the Blind Spot EP by Lush were really good, but the Suede one was my favourite 2016 album.
Glad Dexys in someone’s list.
I’d be quite interested in a best of 2016 reissues list. Any chance, Paul?
Off the top of my head, these would all make mine, equally fighting to be at the top…
Yes’s Topo Oceans
Tull’s Stand Up
XTC’s Skylarking
KC’s Perfect Pair and Beat
Alan Parsons’s Tales (getting the blu-ray released separately thanks to the quadraphonicquad forum guys was a nice surprise end to the year).
(…Actually, I think Topographic Oceans quite comfortably sits at the top of my reissues list.)
Another list could be longed-for 2017 reissues…
*English Settlement.
*Heavy Horses and Songs from the Wood.
*And those first two Roxy albums with SW’s remixes at last for crying out loud!
My top 12 2016 albums:
1. Charles Bradley – Changes
2. Dan Stuart – Marlowe’s Revenge
3. Lambchop – FLOTUS
4. Dinosaur Jr. – Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not
5. Jack Oblivian & The Sheiks – Lone Ranger Of Love
6. Teenage Fanclub – Here
7. Leonard Cohen – You Want It Darker
8. Rolling Stones – Blue & Lonesome
9. Howe Gelb – Future Standards
10. Nick Cave – Skeleton Tree
11. Wilco – Schmilco
12. Tindersticks – The Waiting Room
I’ll pitch in Winter, by New Model Army. They continue to operate at the highest level!
case/lang/veirs is a bloody fantastic album! Definitely in my top 3 along with Bowie and Suede.
I did buy that on vinyl but haven’t listened to it yet, so thanks for the encouragement. Will be digging it out.
Here’s mine
1A Moon Shaped Pool-Radiohead
2Jet Plane And Oxbow-Shearwater
3Blackstar-David Bowie
4You Can’t Go Back If There’s Nothing To Go Back To-Richmond Fontaine
5It’s Too Late To Stop Now Vols2-4-Van Morrison
6American Band-Drive By Truckers
7The Real Royal Albert Hall 1966 Concert-Bob Dylan
822 A Million-Bon Iver
9Away-Okkervil River
10Love Letter For Fire-Sam Beam/Jesca Hoop
Comes from a pool of 51 titles bought during year
2016 Top 10…
1. David Bowie. “Blackstar”
2. Leonard Cohen. “You Want It Darker”
3. School Of Seven Bells. “SVIIB”
4. Nick Cave. “Skeleton Tree”
5. Radiohead. “A Moon Shaped Pool”
6. Julia Jacklin. “Don’t Let The Kids Win”
7. Ed Kuepper. “Lost Cities”
8. Suede. “Night Thoughts”
9. PJ Harvey. “The Hope Six Demolition Project”
10. The Rolling Stones. “Blue & Lonesome”
Best Music Book: “David Bowie: The Golden Years”. Simply the book the Artist deserves. Stunning!
1. Anthrax – For All Kings
2. Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions – Until The Hunter
3. Bowie – Blackstar
4. Wedding Present – Going, Going…
5. Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression
Anthrax seem to have missed out on the plaudits in the end of year polls. Truly a superb album. Hope Sandoval too. My reintroduction to Wedding Present after nearly 25 years. But Anthrax wins my poll for 2016.
Loving reading the range of choices above.
Mine for 2016: order not necessarily strict:
A theme of Album atmospheres / vibes pervades most of these. [ A bit like Pet Sounds ]
1. Frank Ocean : Blonde
2. The Avalanches : Wildflower
3. Bowie: Blackstar
4. Paul Simon : Stranger To Stranger [ really like the feel of this one ]
5. Van Morrison : It’s too Late To Stop Now..Volumes II,III and IV [ superb ]
6. Passenger : Young As The Morning Old As The Sea
My top 5 for 2016:
#1 for sure was Blackstar, just an incredible record and my perspective not fueled by David’s passing however it definitely made some of the lyrics more meaningful and powerful. As good any of the best Bowie albums or might even be his best.
#2 Marillion FEAR, by far not my favorite Marillion record but grows on you with every listen
#3 Monkees – Good Times, I like the Monkees but would never think I would buy a new album buy them and really enjoy it. Some great songs by some great song writers and a great feel to the album.
#3 (again) Blue Rodeo – 1000 Arms, Nice to hear a great rocky pop song from Jim and all of the songs feature the great vocal harmonies of Greg and Jim. Not as good as The Things We Left Behind from a few years ago but proving that Blue Rodeo are still making great albums.
#4 Paul Simon – Stranger to Stranger, it’s Paul Simon always great songs, great production and this was no exception to his excellent standards.
#5 ABC – Lexicon of Love II, the original was a fantastic 80’s album and II reflects it well in a mature retrospective way that pays tribute to the original without trying to be it.
It’s hard to say , but it was hard for me to find 10 great albums for 2016 !
– Swedish band Kent with their Lastest “Då Som Nu För Alltid”
– Pet Shop Boys “Super” (Even if the awful production by Stuart Price is still a problem for me)
– Bright Light Bright Light “Choreography”
– Delta Goodrem “Wings”
– Kaiser Chiefs “Stay Together”
– French band Paradis “Recto Verso” (Well, yeah, i’m french after all !!!)
– Obviously the last year album and 2016 reissue of Chvrches “Every Open eye” is still played often !!
– NEw order’s “Music Complete” is also part of this list, with their “extended version” released this year…
I did not hear too much new artists or albums that caught my attention I have to say. Mostly was catching up with bac catalogue. Undoubtedly though Blackstar ( the song and album ) was the one thing that stopped me in my tracks. I genuinely believe the title track combined with it’s video is a spine chilling experience.
I’ll join this particular bandwagon (based on what I’ve heard) :
1) Metallica – Hardwired…To Self Destruct
2) Primal Scream – Chaosmosis
3) The Anchoress – Confessions Of A Romance Novelist
4) Rumer – This Girl’s In Love
5) Ariana Grande – Dangerous Woman
6) PJ Harvey – The Hope Six Demolition Project
7) Foxes – All I Have
8) Garbage – Strange Little Birds
9) The Cult – Hidden City
10) Katy B – Honey
…and in 2017, it will either be the Manic’s new one, or maybe the (rumoured? hinted?) KLF ‘comeback’….
I’d also like to give a shout out to Margo Price with “Midwest Farmers Daughter”
Some fantastic choices here to check out. My two cents worth are
1. David Bowie – Blackstar
2. The Pretenders – All Gone
3. Deacon Blue – The Believers
4. The Jayhawks – Paging Mr Proust
5. Suede – Night Thoughts
6. The Cult – Choice Of Weapon
7. Michael Kiwanuka – Love and Hate
8. Dr Robert – Out There
9. Bernard Fanning – Civil Dusk
10. Beth Hart – Fire In The Floor
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sophisticated-Boom-MMXVI-Dead-Alive/dp/B01LQKNATA/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1483818224&sr=1-1&keywords=dead+or+alive
Sorry don’t know where to post this but there is a deal limited time on Dead or Alive Box Set on Amazon UK. Was £102 now £77.
Paul I have emailed you about this
Thanks for email Graham… and from others.
1. SUEDE “Night Thoughts”
2. DAVID BOWIE “Blackstar”
3. CAR SEAT HEADREST “Teens of Denial”
4. Radiohead “A Mooon Shaped Pool” (super deluxe with “Ill Wind”)
5. Nick Cave and Bad Seeds “Skeleton Key”
6. Teenage Fanclub “Here”
7. A Tribe Called Quest “We Got It From Here…”
8. Frank Ocean “Blond”
Can’t disagree with any of the selections on this list that I’ve heard. My list would probably include a few missed here:
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds – Skeleton Key
Leonard Cohen – You Want It Darker
Mudcrutch – Mudcrutch 2
Great list though, nice picks Paul, I will check out the ones I hadn’t heard yet.
Paul, maybe a good idea to also post your top 10 or 20 reissues? Most of this blog is about reissues anyway and I’m curious what your and everyone else’s thoughts are about the best reissues of 2016. Thanks again for the blog. Read it several times each day. LOVE IT.
Luke Haines released two albums last year. One was a freebie CD giveaway – ‘Freqs’ – with Electronic Sound Magazine:
https://www.discogs.com/Luke-Haines-Freqs/release/9334372
I buy an awful lot of re-releases, compilations and albums from the past that I don’t already own so my Top Five NEW albums of 2016 in no particular order are:
Unloved – Guilty of Love
Adrian Younge – Something About April II
David Bowie – Blackstar
The Avalanches – Wildflower
Luke Haines – Smash the System
Unloved is a studio band formed by David Holmes and their ‘Guilty of Love’ is a superb album of late sixties-esque baroque pop that didn’t seem to do nearly as well as it should have.
Happy new year, Paul. Here are my top five (new and reissue) of 2017: can’t recommend White Denim and The Honeydews enough if you’re unfamiliar with them. I’ll check out the Suede record.
New:
White Denim— Stiff
The Honeydogs— Love & Cannibalism
Bob Mould— Patch The Sky
Reissues:
Bob Dylan— The Real Royal Albert Hall 1966 Concert!
The Allman Brothers Band— Live From A&R Studios
My top 10 for 2016:
1. case/lang/veirs – “case/lang/veirs”
2. Radiohead – “A Moon Shaped Pool”
3. Black Mountain – “Black Mountain IV”
4. Bat for Lashes – “The Bride”
5. Michael Kiwanuka – “Love and Hate”
6. Trashcan Sinatras – “Wild Pendulum”
7. David Bowie – “Blackstar”
8. The Goon Sax – “Up To Anything”
9. The Junipers – “Red Bouquet Fair”
10. Bob Lind – “Magellan Was Wrong”
As a Radiohead fanatic, I would have to say the “A Moon Shaped Pool”, is a work of genius. It’s so much better than “In Rainbows”, in my opinion.
the Norah Jones album is indeed great ; but its called ” Day Breaks ”
.
And Chaleur Humaine came put in 2014…
…or out even!
The French version did but the International edition was this year.
I thought the Franglais version was called Christine and the Queens, but having checked, I stand corrected. It seems to have been released in various versions in 2014, 2015 and 2016!
She/they were on Jools’ Hootenanny show and there was another French group called Caravan Palace who were also really good. Didn’t have an album out in 2016, though…
2. Lou Rhodes – Theyesandeye
3. Richard Walters – A.M.
4. Agnes Obelisk – Citizen of Glass.
5. PJ Harvey – Hope Six Demolition Project.
6. Nick Cave & Bad Seeds – Skeleton Tree.
7. Underworld – Barbara, Barbara we face a shining future.
Forgot to add; I really liked The Narrows by Grant Lee Phillips, too, but haven’t actually gpt around to buying it yet! *redface emoji inserted here*
Really like the Suede one, too, but I was a bit disappointed after finding about the version with the DVD after buying just the CD. Lots of people say it’s an even better way to listen to it, so I’ll have to track down a copy. I gave the RHCP one a few goes on Spotify and did find it a bit average. Not the same without Frusciante methinks. Not really enjoying Radiohead anymore either. In Rainbows was their last great album. Will give the Norah Jones one a go sometime, I reckon…
I’ve barely bought any 2016 stuff. Apart from Suede I think the only other was the James album. Not revolutionary, but a pretty strong effort all the same.
Loads of Bowie programmes on BBC2 tonight I see
Yes, and I’m out unfortunately, so iPlayer to catch up on The Last Five Years. The good news is I’m going to the Brixton Academy ‘Remembering David Bowie’ gig tomorrow night :)
Jealous much enjoy Paul
I’ll post some pics on twitter and/or facebook
I suppose you could argue that it is not “new” , as it is consists of 2015 live recordings of old songs, but Radical Action To Unseat The Hold Of Monkey Mind by King Crimson is top of my list. Awesome.
My top 10….in no order:
David Bowie – Blackstar
Ian Hunter & The Rant Band- Fingers Crossed
Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression
Minus 5 – Of Monkees and Men
Dinosaur Jr. – Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not
I Don’t Cares (Paul Westerberg & Juliana Hatfield) – Wild Stab
Cheap Trick – Bang, Zoom, Crazy, Hello
Melvins – Basses Loaded
Fleshtones – The Band Drinks For Free
Datura 4 – Hairy Mountain
Paul:
Agreed on a number of albums on your list, especially Bowie, Radiohead, Barry Gibb and Norah Jones.
I echo Galley’s comment on the new Monkees album. I thought Good Times! was a great, fun album and worthy of a “top for 2016” release.
A couple of other albums on my “top for 2016” list include the Jayhawks new and album – Paging Mr. Proust, along with the new Needtobreathe album – Hard Love. Great listens.
Heres mine:
1. Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression
2. Okkervil River – Away
3. Leonard Cohen – You want it Darker
4. Steve Gunn – Eyes on the Lines
5. Empire of the Sun – Two Vines
6. Shearwater – Jet Plane and Oxbow
7. Paul Simon – Stranger to Stranger
8. Bon Iver – 22 a Million
9. Mark Kozelek – Sings Favourites
10. Rolling Stones – Blue and Lonesome
OK, then, I’ll bite! In the spirit of “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours”, here’s my top 10 of 2016…
1. David Bowie – “★”
2. Marillion – “Fuck Everyone And Run”
3. The Monkees – “Good Times”
4. Metallica – “Hardwired… To Self-Destruct”
5. Babymetal – “Metal Resistance”
6. Radiohead – “A Moon Shaped Pool”
7. Shakin’ Stevens – “Echoes Of Our Times”
8. Dexys – “Let The Record Show: Dexys Do Irish And Country Soul”
9. Justice – “Woman”
10. Giraffe Tongue Orchestra – “Broken Lines”
…and, for anyone questioning the inclusion of #7 in my list, it’s not a joke! Shaky’s “Echoes Of Our Times” is a revelation. A stunning and poignant collection of songs inspired by his Welsh upbringing and mining family. I urge you all to try it!
Although I’ve not heard Shaky’s album, I remember it got a great review in Record Collector.
I’ll go with Suede for my album of the year. Blackstar is probably the best thing I’ve heard but being so linked to Bowie’s death, makes it even now, an emotionally hard listen.
Nice to see Suede so often. I’ve been a fan since ’93, and quite liked Bloodsports, but never imagined their reunion would lead to the second best album of their career.
01 – Suede – Night Thoughts
02 – Warpaint – Heads Up
03 – David Bowie – Blackstar
04 – Marissa Nadler – Strangers
05 – Nick Cave – Skeleton Tree
06 – Heron Oblivion – Heron Oblivion
07 – Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool
08 – Julia Jacklin – Don’t Let The Kids Win
09 – Shura – Nothing’s Real
10 – Margo Price – Midwest Farmer’s Daughter
Leonard Cohen’s You Want It Darker is my contender for the best of the year. Glad to see Marillion’s FEAR get a mention too.
Finally suede makes a list! That’s my favorite album
Of the year hands down.. another great one is Car seat Headrest “Teens of Denial”. Strange title but it’s not for teenagers and he’s not a teenager.. very American but a very good indie records…
Suède is my top album. Had the Same fascination when the Smiths came with Strangeways.
Beautiful sound. With the DVD it brings to tears everytime i hear it.
2. Early years – II
3. Bear’s Den – Red Earth & Pouring Rain
4. Kronos Quartet – The Sea Ranch Songs (soundtracks with DVD)
5. Wedding present – going going
6. Swans- Glowing man
7. ABC – Lexicon 0f love II
8. Wintersleep – the Great Detachment
9. Laura Gibson – Empire Building
10. Decemberists – Crane Wife (10th Aniversary edition)
Let the next year come and give everyone their loveable music.
Totally agree with you Paul. ★ is without doubt album of the year and that it didn’t win every end of year poll is shameful. Norah Jones’ Lp is just wonderful, can’t get enough of it. I recommend it to anyone and everyone. I would’ve added the Lazarus soundtrack, just for the new David songs. No Plan is beyond beautiful. As always, thank you for all that you do Paul.
Dean – How do you know it’s not your thing if you haven’t heard of the others?
A better statement would be I can’t comment on the others as I haven’t heard of them!
Three of my favs this year has been:
Blossoms – Blossoms. Throwback to melodic 60’s Byrds type music.
Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression. Josh Homme produced garage rock.
Bon Iver – 22, A Million. A bit left field but some chill out music to relax to.
Deano: Because I know the artists, and they’re not my thing. Simples.
I mean seriously, who doesn’t know Barry Gibb, Suede, Norah Jones etc.?
I won’t be trying them either. LOL
Agree on Bon Iver a real gem to sit alongside his last couple of Lps which have been mint. Sounds great on vinyl too.
Here are mine if I may:
1-David Bowie : Blackstar
2-Savages: Adore Life
3-Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds: Skeleton Tree
4-Marillion: Fuck Everyone And Run – F.E.A.R
5-Richard Ashcroft: These People
6-Blossoms: Blossoms
7-Suede: Night Thoughts
8-Minor Victories: Minor Victories
9-The Coral: Distance Inbetween
10-The Wedding Present: Going Going
Its nice to see Suede release such a good album.
I gotta give the Paul Simon one a try .
Please do, Paul’s newest is absolutely incredible. Stranger and his last release equal his greatest albums from the the past imo, cheers!
Polar opposites in taste (when it comes to the new stuff)
KT Tunstall’s Kin was the best new thing I heard in 2o16. She’s always been great, but this was her strongest set since the debut (and possibly even better in places). Shame it was only acknowledged by her fanbase (#7 debut, then gone from the Top 100 two weeks later).
I thought her best album was Invisible Empire/Crescent Moon – I liked the laid back sound and think she should have gone off in that direction instead.
Yes, I loved the vibe of that album too, but it was quite downbeat at times. KT has this ability to (musically) bottle so much energy, and I’m glad she didn’t turn her back on that completely.
Some recomendatios:
Angel Olsen ‘MY WOMAN’
Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam ‘i had a dream that you were mine’
Cass McCombs ‘Mangy Love’
The Radio Dept. ‘Running out of Love’
What, no Monkees?
Our tastes only merge on two of those – Bowie and Radiohead. Not heard the others, just not my thing at all.
Radiohead would probably be my pick of the year. I’m actually listening to it while typing this – it’s a fantastic album, a must on headphones. Bowie was, of course, BOWIE!
Should probably point out that this list is a personal top 10 out of the stuff I listened to regularly. Never managed to listen to Iggy or Leonard (for example) although from what I’ve read they are very good records.
Agree on the Bowie, but I was very disappointed with the new Radio Head album
Played it several times and just don’t enjoy it compared to nearly everything else they have done this is the worst.
Heard that Bowie from diagnosis of terminal cancer to death 3 months. A fortune awaits the company that develops a device/app that can self-diagnose. My own father was diagnosed with the very same in July last year – he died on November 1st. Too short a time… Poignant for me was George M’s death, as his song You And I was the last song playing on my car stereo as I rushed in to the hospice car park to catch the last moments of his life. Sadly I did not get there in time….. George’s beautiful song will forever be associated with his death in my mind now.
Sorry to hear about your father, Daran.
Cheers Paul. I did not mean to post off-topic, sorry. I let a Bowie related point drift off course!
My heart goes out to you, I’m sorry for your loss.
I wouldn’t’ve posted but for your second sentence, because I had just signed a Change.org petition to the U.S. FDA about this subject a few days ago. Apparently there’s a simple blood test called ONCOBlot that is 96% accurate for early identification of a dozen or two different cancers in a single test. It does require someone to draw your blood and send it to their lab and is $850 in the U.S. (I guess you guys don’t have to pay for medical tests, though?)
But given that cancer affects someone in virtually everyone’s family, I would imagine that if everybody with access to Western medicine could get a test like this with a routine yearly preventive medicine visit, the price could drop precipitously (except the U.S. where we pay more for everything) and most importantly we would catch these things early and save a lot of suffering. (I have no association with the petitioner or the company.)
I don’t know this site’s policy for links, I apologize in advance if that’s not allowed, but here is the petition:
https://www.change.org/p/food-and-drug-administration-approve-the-oncoblot-test-for-cancer-diagnosis
Best wishes to you and your family and everyone touched by this issue.
Thanks JT. Well we have the free at source NHS in the UK, but I can assure you with the country’s population growing the idea of millions of people sending in blood samples at a significant cost many times a year would never get off the ground – the NHS budget is too strained already. The UK has one of the worst cancer detection rates in the developed world. This is not a good place to be if you want to be diagnosed early enough to survive.