I'm allowing myself time to get lost in the trivial -- and not so trivial -- matters of music. Because now more than ever, music (and art) matters. So here's the best of 2016, as I heard it.
Preoccupations - "Memory"
They traded a name that offended some and put out a record that should be admired by many. I liked Vietcong -- the band, if not the name -- but the new album as Preoccupations is an improvement from start to finish. And by the time you reach this track -- the fourth of the album -- you realize just how strong a record Preoccupations have made.
DIIV - "Under the Sun"
Brooklyn's DIIV (say "dive") have created the perfect offspring of chillwave and shoegaze. Shimmery guitars, swirling vocals and all over a Krautrock motorik beat.
The Early Years - "Do It (Again)"
This London band combines the hazy sound of Spacemen 3 and the synth flourishes of The Advisory Circle with the motorik beats of Krautrock, and I occasionally hear the triumphant melodies of Julian Cope in the smoke-filled mix. 2016 saw the release of their second album, ten years (to the week) since their 2006 debut.
Wombats - "Give Me A Try"
Pure pop -- and very much a radio staple this year. Still, I challenge you not to sing along. I've liked these guys ever since they wrote a song called "Let's Dance to Joy Division".
Avalanches - "Frankie Sinatra"
The Australian sample masters are back with this rollicking send-up of Ol' Blue Eyes, powered by MF DOOM and Danny Brown.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Go Robot"
This is a bit of a throw-in for me -- it's far from the Chili Peppers at their best. But I thought it was worth noting that Anthony Kiedis clearly takes technology a bit too seriously and has now crossed over into the sexualization of machines. "Robots don't care where I've been" -- certainly good news for Kiedis. Oh, and enjoy the straight-out-of-"Saturday Night Fever" video.
Car Seat Headrest - "Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales"
Will Toledo's project may not have the greatest band name in history, but he's hit the low-fi sweet spot with this track.
Ghosts of Social Networks - "Love Potion"
One of the podcasts I discovered this past year is Mr Peeps Presents, showcasing the best of Manchester's unsigned and indie bands. Mr Peeps featured these guys in one of his recent episodes and I liked it.
Nice to hear the drawl of J Mascis (do folks in Massachusetts really sound like this?") as well as his aggro guitar work (that's a Squier he's playing!). There were several standout tracks from their latest effort Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not.
White Room - "Think Too Much"
Shoe-gaze psychedelica from Brighton's White Room, another offering on Mr Peeps Presents.
Strumbellas - "Spirits"
Another radio hit and a catchy one nonetheless. This Canadian six-piece serves up a country-tinged sing along that's been described as gothic-folk, whatever that means.
Four Lions - "We Are England"
One good thing about 2016 was the European Championship. And while England crashed out in the second round against Iceland (!), Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder gave us incredibly catchy number that was no doubt sung by the nobs and hoodlums drinking lagers through France as they watched the Three Lions come up short in international competition once again.
Super Furry Animals - "Bing Bong"
Another Euro 2016 song, this time for the upstart Wales. Nevermind that the song makes absolutely no sense in a football context (or any other context, for that matter). And nevermind it appears to be named for the clown from the movie "Inside Out". This trippy anthem is the Furry's first single in seven years.
PJ Harvey - "Community of Hope"
Polly Jean turns her acerbic eye to the paradox of Washington DC -- at once a seat of enormous power and abject poverty. I like how she drove around with a reporter from the Washington Post who had no idea who she was and a lot of the things he told her during that drive ended up as lyrics in her Hope Six Demolition Project album. Also worth a listen is "Near the Memorials to Vietnam and Lincoln", which picks up where 2011's Let England Shake let off.
