Turn of the Century host Rob Vera shares his 15 favorite albums of 2016:
15. Thee Oh Sees - A Weird Exits
Frantic and psychedelic rock talent with few peers deliver another album full of pace and passion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nOMKIo_sH0
14. Solange - A Seat At the Table
Testimonial work on pain, prejudice, and ultimate triumph. Moves/grooves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0qrinhNnOM
13. BLOWN OUT - New Cruiser
The cool, slow-burn instrumental metal soundtrack to a one-way journey into deep space.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUFVt_sUK6o
12. HÆLOS - Full Circle
Trip hop of a bygone era mixed with the nocturnal dance beat electronics of today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXTFP4wcjdA
11. Beyoncé - Lemonade
Saw it live. Was beyond music--it was high art. I was initially skeptical, but she truly is on another level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDZJPJV__bQ
10. Drake - Views
There was a lot more "important" rap in 2016, but this is the one I kept returning to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcer12OFU2g
9. Camp Cope - s/t
My second favorite 90s rock album released in 2016. Lyrically insightful Aussie fist-poundery. Oozes with conviction and rugged wisdom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ehcknhatX4
8. Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool
Took a long time to grow on me, but it has as the temperatures have gone down. Head music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hgVihWjK2c
7. Car Seat Headrest - Teens of Denial
My FAVORITE 90s rock album released in 2016. Adolescent guitar ecstasy.
6. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Nonagon Infinity
Jay Reatard reborn + Arctic Monkeys, but more psychedelic. A blast to listen to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p_Si21ig7c
5. Russian Circles - Guidance
From gentle to muscular guitar/drum thrash and back. Hard to classify. Touched me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKJVYQtkPnc&spfreload=5
4. Late Night Tales Presents Sasha: Scene Delete
A pitch perfect soundtrack to your evening chill-out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rviXy-7zMgQ
3. A Tribe Called Quest - We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service
Up there with Low End and Marauders. Doesn’t trade on mere nostalgia and instead stands on its own as a powerful statement of intent. If it is indeed their farewell, it’s a fitting one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO2Su3erRIA
2. David Bowie - Blackstar
Guess what? It's otherworldly. Imagine that. More magic revealed with each listen. The ghost of him lingers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-JqH1M4Ya8
1. Heron Oblivion - s/t
The gentle, haunted vocals combine with a whirling dervish of guitars to create a gorgeous explosion of sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8AskJpLs9A
