So far, I've listened to only five 2016 albums. I like them all, and each of them is special for diverse reasons:
1. David Bowie's BlackstarThis was a late Christmas present from a friend. He gave it to me late January. It's special because earlier that month (a few days before Bowie died) I was considering buying the
Nothing has changed 3CD edition - I had never listened to a Bowie album, and I was turned on by the fact that it features recordings from throughout 50 years. (The only other compilation I know that does the same thing is the Rolling Stones'
GRRR!, but on Christmas I got
Exile on Main St., so I didn't want a Stones' overdose
).
Anyway,
Blackstar is my first Bowie album, and it took a few listens but I like it a lot. I was surprised with the title track - it reminded me of "El Ciervo Vulnerado" by The Mars Volta (one of my favourite bands).
Favourite song: "Dollar Days"
Most ignored song: "Lazarus". I read a lot of praise for it, but to me it's a boring slow ballad. That said, I know he was dying when he recorded the album, so maybe that has to do with the song.
2. Dream Theater's The AstonishingI had been waiting for this album for a year, since I learned in early 2015 that they would be recording something different - I remember all the discussion in this forum about what the album would be like. Many forum members were expecting a double album, a concept album, shorter songs, different styles/genres in the music, etc. I also imagined it would be cool if they did a movie together with the music. So, I was very happy when it turned out the album featured all those things, more or less
I was also surprised that I found copies of the album in a local record store the day after the release - since new albums usually take 1 to 2 weeks to come around my area. I bought a copy for my best friend that Saturday, and a copy for myself on Monday.
Favourite song: "A New Beginning", although there are many other great songs, obviously.
Most ignored song: Besides the NOMAC tracks, "Chosen".
3. Lautaro Ríos' UmbelaThis is the debut solo album by Lautaro, a young (19 year old) guy from around my area, who used to have a pop/rock band a few years ago. Despite being so young and having a short career, he is very talented, and his music features elements from many genres - there is 70s prog, funk, some jazz, some Argentinean folk, pop á la Coldplay.
I saw Lautaro play the album in its entirety last December, right before he went into the studio, and I was amazed by his music. I remember he was playing a song whose intro is in 11/8, and I was obsessed with it, trying to figure out the time signature as he went along. Anyway, for those of you who are interested:
lautarorios.bandcamp.com. So far, only the albums' title track has been uploaded, but apparently the whole thing will be there soon.
Favourite song: "Lucha Afín". It starts as a dark post-punk song, driven by the bassist. Then, it progressively gets to a "And You And I" vibe. It's a highlight of the record.
Most ignored song: "Soy Hoy", a dark ballad similar to Coldplay's "What If". Compared to the rest of the album's songs, this one is pretty monotonous.
4. Blink-182's CaliforniaThis one came out exactly 2 weeks ago. I listened to it on the band's YouTube page that day, and today I'll get to buy my copy
I've been a huge Blink fan at different moments in my life - when I was a pre-teen, when I was 14 and they released their self-titled masterpiece in 2003, a few years ago during their reunion tours/music, and now. I know their discography inside out, and I've bought every new thing they've released since their 2000 live album - which was the first time I entered a record store.
With further listens, I've liked this more and more. Many catchy songs, and the vocals are evenly divided between the 2 singers, which is great because Mark (whose voice I like a lot) was not present as much in their last album/EP. Plus, it has Travis on drums so it's a mandatory listen for me (since he is my favourite drummer. He plays great creative parts on what are otherwise simple pop songs. To me, the lead instrument in Blink is the drums. The rest comes 2nd).
Favourite song: Many fans have been praising "Left Alone". I think I agree as well.
Most ignored song: "Built This Pool". Its effect wears off pretty quickly after a few listens.
5. Esperanza Spalding's Emily's D+EvolutionI saw a copy of this CD at a local store. I didn't know a single thing by Esperanza or this album, but I wanted to buy a 2016 album by a female artist this month, so I checked out her Wikipedia page and a few interviews. I was gladly surprised by her career and story, so eventually I bought her album, not having heard a single note.
I like this, although I have to listen to it a bit more. It's jazz mixed with pop, funk, prog/math rock. (The album was co-produced with Tony Visconti, so fans of
Blackstar might enjoy this music as well.)
Favourite song: "Good Lava", the opener. It's one of the rockier, proggier songs on the album. A few jazzy ballads are great too.
Most ignored song: "I Want It Now", the closer. It's a cover, and I almost always ignore covers*
*The only cover I care about is "Always On My Mind" by the Pet Shop Boys - one of my favourite things to listen to.