Its that time of year again. I saw various music sites doing it, so its time for my annual top 20 albums of the year.
20.) ZAYN - Mind of Mine
In his debut solo album, the former One Direction takes a much different direction than 1D ever did. What came out is a very weird pop album. He was able to truly show off his vocal talent in songs like Pillowtalk and It's You. He has done very limited touring for the record, but if I'm honest, I wouldn't mind checking his live show out sometime.
19.) Lecrae - Church Clothes 3
In what he called "the album before the album," Christian rapper Lecrae released, in my opinion one of the best Rap mixtapes of all time. CC3 deals with racism, inequality, among others. I don't know what Lecrae has coming out of the studio next but after 2 and a half years between full length albums, I cannot wait to see.
18.) Pierce The Veil - Misadventures
The fourth LP from San Diego natives Pierce The Veil comes after almost 4 years without a studio album. The album is all over the place. In a good way. One minute, you're listening to screaming from various band members in The Divine Zero and the next you hear some soft pop-rock such as in Floral & Fading. This, in my opinion is the quartet's best album to date.
17.) A Day To Remember - Bad Vibrations
After releasing their best record, Common Courtesy, in 2013, A Day To Remember had to step it up. Although it didn't beat CC, what ADTR did on Bad Vibrations shows what they can do as a band. As they were writing this album, they were battling for their right to be released from Victory Records. They recently won the case, but doesn't mean it didn't stop them from releasing a pissed off, mostly metalcore record.
16.) Anchor & Braille - Songs For the Late Night Drive Home
Sadly, in November 2014, Modern Hard Rock outfit Anberlin came to an end. That left many fans, like me sad, wondering when we would ever be able to hear lead singer Stephen Christian's unique voice ever again. Well that chance came in February of 2016, when he released his third solo album (A&B is the name of it). The record is aptly named and this, to me, is a perfect record to listen to at ungodly hours with friends turned up LOUD, even though its electronic indie pop, unlike Anberlin's music.
15.) Memphis May Fire - This Light I Hold
This Light I Hold is honestly the first MMF record that I have ever listened to front to back and even though it's their latest, I think it was a good place to start. I love their songs The Rose and Miles Away and I feel like this record totally combined those songs and somehow made one of the best hard rock/metal records that I have ever heard.
14.) DNCE - DNCE
It's not easy to follow up such a smash hit such as DNCE's Cake By the Ocean. But did the Joe Jonas-led band do it well. The Funky R&B Pop of their debut self-titled immediately sees you dancing, even if you're not very good at it. So not that Nick and Joe have rediscovered fame, where is Kevin musically?
13.) Thrice - To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere
2016 sure seemed to be the year to reunite or comeback for my generation's middle school angst bands. There was Underoath, blink-182, and Further Seems Forever to name a few. But among all of those, Thrice was perhaps the best (although I didn't get to see them live, but Underoath was freakin incredible. The band's comeback album is perhaps their best yet and I'm glad they are back.
12.) NF - Therapy Session
To follow up his 2013 debut album, Mansion, NF knew he had to do something that not many rappers, Christian or Mainstream, have done. In all the albums that I have listened to in my lifetime, this is honestly the most personal. You could hear the pain of him talking about losing his mom to drugs and when he cried in a couple of the songs, I found myself doing the same.
11.) Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - This Unruly Mess I've Made
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis had a big task ahead of them to follow up 2012's monster album The Heist. An album that won a GRAMMY. Which is fitting why they open up This Unruly Mess I've Made with their GRAMMYs experience and trying to figure out how to get nominated again. Although it wasn't nominated for any, this album sure deserves it.
10.) The Summer Set - Stories For Monday
What does a band do after nearly breaking up? Make the best album of their career of course! Arizona's The Summer Set have made Pop Punk, Alternative Rock, and now have the best pop album since Taylor Swift's 1989. (I was able to get my copy of this cd autographed and tell them that and they loved it. Especially Brian.) This album basically follows the band through what seems to be the best party ever. And I'm glad they took us along.
9.) Bridgit Mendler - Nemesis EP
First you leave your label, then your computer crashes and you lose your entire album, then you and your long time boyfriend break up. What a crazy couple of years it has been for the former Disney Channel star. But that didn't stop her. Instead, she releases 4 song EP which seem like was her way with coping with the breakup. Although way far different from her 2012 debut, Hello, My Name Is..., she still seems to have a lot of talent. It's not as good as the album, to me, but it is still a gem and is a good way to get her foot in the Mainstream Pop door.
8.) Good Charlotte - Youth Authority
Like I said, 2016 was the year for comebacks and boy did it ever do well for early 2000s Pop Punk band, Good Charlotte. Their hiatus was a good thing. They made the best record of their career (but who am I to say? This is the only record that I have listened to by them. Which isn't really a bad thing, either.
7.) Bethel Music - Have It All
The past few years have seemed like a perfect time to make a modern worship album. Ever since Hillsong UNITED released Oceans in 2013, it's like every church worship band is getting played on radio. Bethel Music became big because of their 2015 hit No Longer Slaves, which still just gets to me. They expanded on their horizons and made an excellent worship album that I still love listening to, almost a year later.
6.) Leeland - Invisible
It's been quite awhile since the world has heard anything from Leeland. But I'm so glad their back. In their first studio album in over 4 years, the band made a record that sounds like nothing you have ever heard in modern worship. This album honestly sounds like if The 1975 all became Christians and made a worship album. I hope to keep hearing more from these guys and also hope that worship begins to sound more like chill, laid back Indie Pop.
5.) Relient K - Air For Free
Relient K has certainly had a rocky history. But that doesn't stop high school best friends Matt Theissen and Matt Hoopes from making music. For Air For Free, original drummer Dave Douglas returns for half the album. Air For Free is an amazing combination of Pop Punk, Indie Rock, Surf Rock and even a little bit of worship in my personal favorite on the album, God. We never know what the boys from OH-IO will cook up next but I'm so glad they have remained true to their art and faith through all of it.
4.) Yellowcard - Yellowcard
Saying goodbye is hard. Especially when it's a band that you love. Saying goodbye is a lot easier when a band releases possibly the best album of their career to end it all. Yellowcard's final, self-titled, and 10th record is going to stand the test of time. This record is nothing like the pop punk of their first 9 records. Instead, its just a good rock and roll album that I can't stop listening to.
3.) Real Friends - The Home Inside My Head
Before this album came out, Real Friends was predicted to be the break out Pop Punk band of 2016. After this album came out and two national tours, that proved to be true. It's a sad record with an even sadder ending, but singer Dan Lambton didn't show that at all when I accidentally wandered backstage at their San Diego show with The Wonder Years. In fact, I couldn't believe this was the same guy that was singing these songs.
2.) Switchfoot - Where The Light Shines Through
My favorite band Switchfoot's 10th album came really as a surprise. No, they didn't release it overnight like Beyonce or Drake. They brought their guitars back. They broughy John Feldmann back for the first time since The Beautiful Letdown to produce the album. I feel like this album is as if they put their first 9 records in a bowl with some (Holy) water and out came some amazing soup that has a kick. I hope Switchfoot stays rock, although 2014's Fading West is an amazing Pop album.
1.) The 1975 - I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It
In February 2016, The 1975 returned with their second album. Now this wasn't a typical 1975 record. In fact, there is a song talking to God on the album, which lead singer Matty doesn't like doing. But in all, the album is a Pop record that makes fun of pop. Underoath drummer Aaron Gillespie couldn't have said it better. "It's sugar made into music." And I agree. With rumors of their 3rd album coming out in 2017, I cannot wait to see what is next for the British Indie Rockers.
Well there you have it! Did any of your favorites make the list? If not, post a comment and tell me what I'm missing.
Until Next Time, Alex
Top 5 Honorable Mentions:
5.) Rachel Platten - Wildfire
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4.) Lacey Sturm - Life Screams
3.) Thirdstory - Searching EP
2.) Panic! At The Disco - Death of a Bachelor
1.) HAWAI - Working All Night EP
20.) ZAYN - Mind of Mine
In his debut solo album, the former One Direction takes a much different direction than 1D ever did. What came out is a very weird pop album. He was able to truly show off his vocal talent in songs like Pillowtalk and It's You. He has done very limited touring for the record, but if I'm honest, I wouldn't mind checking his live show out sometime.
19.) Lecrae - Church Clothes 3
In what he called "the album before the album," Christian rapper Lecrae released, in my opinion one of the best Rap mixtapes of all time. CC3 deals with racism, inequality, among others. I don't know what Lecrae has coming out of the studio next but after 2 and a half years between full length albums, I cannot wait to see.
18.) Pierce The Veil - Misadventures
The fourth LP from San Diego natives Pierce The Veil comes after almost 4 years without a studio album. The album is all over the place. In a good way. One minute, you're listening to screaming from various band members in The Divine Zero and the next you hear some soft pop-rock such as in Floral & Fading. This, in my opinion is the quartet's best album to date.
17.) A Day To Remember - Bad Vibrations
After releasing their best record, Common Courtesy, in 2013, A Day To Remember had to step it up. Although it didn't beat CC, what ADTR did on Bad Vibrations shows what they can do as a band. As they were writing this album, they were battling for their right to be released from Victory Records. They recently won the case, but doesn't mean it didn't stop them from releasing a pissed off, mostly metalcore record.
16.) Anchor & Braille - Songs For the Late Night Drive Home
Sadly, in November 2014, Modern Hard Rock outfit Anberlin came to an end. That left many fans, like me sad, wondering when we would ever be able to hear lead singer Stephen Christian's unique voice ever again. Well that chance came in February of 2016, when he released his third solo album (A&B is the name of it). The record is aptly named and this, to me, is a perfect record to listen to at ungodly hours with friends turned up LOUD, even though its electronic indie pop, unlike Anberlin's music.
15.) Memphis May Fire - This Light I Hold
This Light I Hold is honestly the first MMF record that I have ever listened to front to back and even though it's their latest, I think it was a good place to start. I love their songs The Rose and Miles Away and I feel like this record totally combined those songs and somehow made one of the best hard rock/metal records that I have ever heard.
14.) DNCE - DNCE
It's not easy to follow up such a smash hit such as DNCE's Cake By the Ocean. But did the Joe Jonas-led band do it well. The Funky R&B Pop of their debut self-titled immediately sees you dancing, even if you're not very good at it. So not that Nick and Joe have rediscovered fame, where is Kevin musically?
13.) Thrice - To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere
2016 sure seemed to be the year to reunite or comeback for my generation's middle school angst bands. There was Underoath, blink-182, and Further Seems Forever to name a few. But among all of those, Thrice was perhaps the best (although I didn't get to see them live, but Underoath was freakin incredible. The band's comeback album is perhaps their best yet and I'm glad they are back.
12.) NF - Therapy Session
To follow up his 2013 debut album, Mansion, NF knew he had to do something that not many rappers, Christian or Mainstream, have done. In all the albums that I have listened to in my lifetime, this is honestly the most personal. You could hear the pain of him talking about losing his mom to drugs and when he cried in a couple of the songs, I found myself doing the same.
11.) Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - This Unruly Mess I've Made
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis had a big task ahead of them to follow up 2012's monster album The Heist. An album that won a GRAMMY. Which is fitting why they open up This Unruly Mess I've Made with their GRAMMYs experience and trying to figure out how to get nominated again. Although it wasn't nominated for any, this album sure deserves it.
10.) The Summer Set - Stories For Monday
What does a band do after nearly breaking up? Make the best album of their career of course! Arizona's The Summer Set have made Pop Punk, Alternative Rock, and now have the best pop album since Taylor Swift's 1989. (I was able to get my copy of this cd autographed and tell them that and they loved it. Especially Brian.) This album basically follows the band through what seems to be the best party ever. And I'm glad they took us along.
9.) Bridgit Mendler - Nemesis EP
First you leave your label, then your computer crashes and you lose your entire album, then you and your long time boyfriend break up. What a crazy couple of years it has been for the former Disney Channel star. But that didn't stop her. Instead, she releases 4 song EP which seem like was her way with coping with the breakup. Although way far different from her 2012 debut, Hello, My Name Is..., she still seems to have a lot of talent. It's not as good as the album, to me, but it is still a gem and is a good way to get her foot in the Mainstream Pop door.
8.) Good Charlotte - Youth Authority
Like I said, 2016 was the year for comebacks and boy did it ever do well for early 2000s Pop Punk band, Good Charlotte. Their hiatus was a good thing. They made the best record of their career (but who am I to say? This is the only record that I have listened to by them. Which isn't really a bad thing, either.
7.) Bethel Music - Have It All
The past few years have seemed like a perfect time to make a modern worship album. Ever since Hillsong UNITED released Oceans in 2013, it's like every church worship band is getting played on radio. Bethel Music became big because of their 2015 hit No Longer Slaves, which still just gets to me. They expanded on their horizons and made an excellent worship album that I still love listening to, almost a year later.
6.) Leeland - Invisible
It's been quite awhile since the world has heard anything from Leeland. But I'm so glad their back. In their first studio album in over 4 years, the band made a record that sounds like nothing you have ever heard in modern worship. This album honestly sounds like if The 1975 all became Christians and made a worship album. I hope to keep hearing more from these guys and also hope that worship begins to sound more like chill, laid back Indie Pop.
5.) Relient K - Air For Free
Relient K has certainly had a rocky history. But that doesn't stop high school best friends Matt Theissen and Matt Hoopes from making music. For Air For Free, original drummer Dave Douglas returns for half the album. Air For Free is an amazing combination of Pop Punk, Indie Rock, Surf Rock and even a little bit of worship in my personal favorite on the album, God. We never know what the boys from OH-IO will cook up next but I'm so glad they have remained true to their art and faith through all of it.
4.) Yellowcard - Yellowcard
Saying goodbye is hard. Especially when it's a band that you love. Saying goodbye is a lot easier when a band releases possibly the best album of their career to end it all. Yellowcard's final, self-titled, and 10th record is going to stand the test of time. This record is nothing like the pop punk of their first 9 records. Instead, its just a good rock and roll album that I can't stop listening to.
3.) Real Friends - The Home Inside My Head
Before this album came out, Real Friends was predicted to be the break out Pop Punk band of 2016. After this album came out and two national tours, that proved to be true. It's a sad record with an even sadder ending, but singer Dan Lambton didn't show that at all when I accidentally wandered backstage at their San Diego show with The Wonder Years. In fact, I couldn't believe this was the same guy that was singing these songs.
2.) Switchfoot - Where The Light Shines Through
My favorite band Switchfoot's 10th album came really as a surprise. No, they didn't release it overnight like Beyonce or Drake. They brought their guitars back. They broughy John Feldmann back for the first time since The Beautiful Letdown to produce the album. I feel like this album is as if they put their first 9 records in a bowl with some (Holy) water and out came some amazing soup that has a kick. I hope Switchfoot stays rock, although 2014's Fading West is an amazing Pop album.
1.) The 1975 - I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It
In February 2016, The 1975 returned with their second album. Now this wasn't a typical 1975 record. In fact, there is a song talking to God on the album, which lead singer Matty doesn't like doing. But in all, the album is a Pop record that makes fun of pop. Underoath drummer Aaron Gillespie couldn't have said it better. "It's sugar made into music." And I agree. With rumors of their 3rd album coming out in 2017, I cannot wait to see what is next for the British Indie Rockers.
Well there you have it! Did any of your favorites make the list? If not, post a comment and tell me what I'm missing.
Until Next Time, Alex
Top 5 Honorable Mentions:
5.) Rachel Platten - Wildfire
4.) Lacey Sturm - Life Screams
3.) Thirdstory - Searching EP
2.) Panic! At The Disco - Death of a Bachelor
1.) HAWAI - Working All Night EP
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