Tiff Spearman · @Tiff_Spearman
18th Dec 2016 from TwitLonger
TIFF'S TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2016
10. The Avalanches - Wildflower
Wildflower isn't quite as immersive an experience as Since I Left You was (and boy was that album an experience), but I still really love listening to it for its much more vibrant, punchy tracks—especially thanks to the likes of Danny Brown and Biz Markie. The Avalanches may not take me to a whole other world with this one, but I still enjoyed the ride.
FAVOURITE TRACK: "If I Was a Folkstar"
9. David Bowie - ★
The main reason this album is only #9 on the list is because it can be very intimidating to return to. From the context to the concept to the execution, Blackstar is hauntingly fascinating. I can't listen to it without having to re-evaluate my place in the Universe several times over—or Bowie's, for that matter. It may sound contrived, but it almost makes me believe that he truly was a Starman, and he truly did blow my mind.
FAVOURITE TRACK: "Blackstar"
8. Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool
This one isn't even in my top half of Radiohead albums and it's still one of my favourite releases this year. Some of my favourite songs from these guys include their more emotionally potent tracks ("Reckoner," "How to Disappear Completely," etc.), and this album was a barrage of sadness and introspection. I loved it.
FAVOURITE TRACK: "Identikit"
7. Childish Gambino - "Awaken, My Love!"
As far as anticipated releases go, this one came out of left field like no other with the new soul direction, and lead singles that absolutely blow me away every time I hear them. This is easily Donald Glover's most consistently enjoyable album yet, and I hope he continues down this path with the new sound.
FAVOURITE TRACK: "Me and Your Mama"
6. They Might Be Giants - Phone Power
It seems like this one slipped by a lot of people—probably because it was an online PWYW release—but it has become one of my favourite TMBG albums. Even three decades into their career the Johns are as quirky and fun (and dismal) as ever.
FAVOURITE TRACK: "Trouble Awful Devil Evil"
5. Kero Kero Bonito - Bonito Generation
This is definitely the silliest album in the list (in spite of its very straightforward, literal lyrics) and one I wasn't expecting to love as much as I do. It's a wonderful bubblegum blend of Britpop and J-pop that I didn't even know I required in my life until I listened to KKB about 20 times.
FAVOURITE TRACK: "Try Me"
4. Injury Reserve - Floss
A very late addition to the list (as in, I first heard it yesterday), but this album is an incredible ride from start to finish, either in terms of pure adrenaline or just raw feeling. If I hadn't already planned the rest of this list beforehand, I would have struggled to step away from this one.
FAVOURITE TRACK: "Oh Shit!!!"
3. Regina Spektor - Remember Us to Life
Speaking of albums I can't stop coming back to, I love Regina's singing on this album, as well as her storytelling. It makes for a really colourful, vicarious listen that can be both fun and touching in equal measure. Plus the piano is really beautiful when it's not creating a looming sense of impending doom (and even then they're still pretty great).
FAVOURITE TRACK: ALL OF THEM
2. clipping. - Splendor & Misery
Considering how dense this album is, I keep returning to it time after time. I love the story it creates, with its really pressing, urgent atmosphere (an ironic term given the space theme) that makes for quite the cathartic experience even all these listens later. I wouldn't even say it's one of the more "fun" listens in this top 10, but it's got so much more going for it, it really doesn't need to be.
FAVOURITE TRACK: ALL OF THEM (BUT ESPECIALLY "Air 'Em Out")
1. Jeff Rosenstock - WORRY.
Boy oh boy. In spite of all the nice things I've said about the previous nine artists, it really was no contest here. I love this album's raw, juvenile personality. It's a Perfect Soundtrack (Whatever) no matter what I'm feeling at the time—whether I'm happy, sad, angry, lovelorn, hungry, or if I just want to rock the hell out to something, Jeff always knows how to express exactly what I'm thinking. WORRY. isn't just my album of the year, it's the album of my life.
FAVOURITE TRACK: ALL OF THEM
TIFF'S HONOURABLE MENTIONS OF 2016:
Danny Brown - Atrocity Exhibition
EpicLLOYD - Here
Glass Animals - How to be a Human Being
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Skeleton Tree
Solange Knowles - A Seat at the Table
Wild Beasts - Boy King