Records of the Year: 2016

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ONE.   Michael Kiwanuka.   Love & Hate. I was looking forward to this release for a long while, and it did not disappoint. Michael says a lot of hard and important things on this record.

[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TYlcVNI2AM&w=854&h=480]

TWO.   Chance the Rapper.   Coloring Book.  Really special, and bringing new meaning to "Gospel record." And I really enjoyed David Dark's commentary on Chance.

[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVkkYlQNmbc&w=854&h=480]

THREE.   Local Natives.   Sunlit Youth.   Hooks and production on this record were so solid.

[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqO6zpUPZOs&w=854&h=480]

FOUR.   Bon Iver.   22, A Million.   Solid effort for those of us who have been waiting a while for this record. 

[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISCEilPMNak&w=854&h=480]

FIVE.   John Legend.   Darkness & Light.   I really enjoy these songs and love that Blake Mills produced this record. 

[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmCFY1oYDeM&w=854&h=480]

And in no particular order:

  • Joseph.   I'm Alone, No You're Not.   The songs are exceptional and the harmonies on this record are so solid and definitely a household favorite in the Dodd home.
  • Radiohead.   A Moon Shaped Pool.   Standard greatness. Thankful they make music.
  • Anderson Paak.   Malibu.   Total groove. I love the tone that "The Bird" sets up top.
  • St. Lucia.   Matter.   A wall of sound in the best way.
  • Sturgill Simpson.   A Sailor's Guide to Earth.   He is pumping out solid effort after solid effort.
  • Frank Ocean.   Blonde.   Lots of scrutiny and secrecy around this release, and I did it.
  • Dawes.   We're All Gonna Die.   Class in songwriting, and another solid Blake Mills produced record.
  • Paper Route.   Real Emotion.   Solid.
  • Switchfoot.   Where the Light Shines Through.   Really love how this record turned out.
  • Crowder.   American Prodigal.   The Grammys agree with me, and this is such a phenomenal record. Crowder's version of Thad Cockrell's "Great Rejoicing" is one of my highlights of the year.
  • Phil Wickham.   Children of God.   Sonically always getting better, incredibly heartfelt songs, I love what Phil is doing (especially when collaborating with Pete)!
  • The Last Royals. Never Be Alone.   Consistently putting out great songs.
  • Tyson Motsenbocker.   Letters to Lost Loves.   This really is one of my favorites because of the way these songs ring in your soul.

Honorable mention: Stranger Things Soundtrack, Matt Corby, Travis, Sandra McCracken, Foy Vance, Matt Wertz, Lael, Trent Dabbs, Cass McCombs, One Republic, David Bazan, Macklemore

Check out the Spotify playlist  of some of my highlights from these records, and a few more songs I enjoyed from the year. (Big props to Spotify for automating a great collection  of my favorites from 2016 as well.)

And I want to hear about your favorite records! Tweet them at me here: @p_dodd

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