TOP TENSDAY PRESENTS: REESE'S TOP TEN RELEASES OF 2016!!!
WHOA! Holy shit! Reese runs a blog? Imagine that wacky ass reality. But know and understand you live in the reality where Reese is a giant procrastinator and manages a poorly run and sadly very seldom updated blog. Cause that is the world we live in, so learn to deal.
This week (errr...month) I have come to bring you kiddies another TOP TENSDAY!!! This go round I bring to you my top ten albums of 2016!!! I sadly rarely listen to new music, so before you have some preconditioned unpopular opinions about my unpopular opinion, just know, NO ONE CARES about your nor my opinion. I'm yelling into the void once again, so if you took time away from your DVRs of The Walking Snoozefest and are actually reading this, I owe you much gratitude. On to the list!!!
(In no particular order mind you)
Honorable Mentions:
Sia - This is Acting
The Weeknd - Starboy
Tove Lo - Lady Wood
- Knocked Loose - Laugh Tracks
Now I am the worst listener of newer metal/hardcore. I'm stuck in a perpetual loop of 2007 metalcore and deathcore bands and am very proud of this. I'm not into the bandwagon riding of these nu-metal infused metal bands that have popped up over the last couple of years. This release is a nice reminder that heavy ass hardcore influenced music is still coming out these days. And honestly, any motherfucker that can bark on the track not named DMX deserves a nod
- Frank Ocean - Blond
Now we were forced to wait a very prolonged period of time for the velvety voiced crooner's third album, and let me say, it's not as good as previous releases. Not what you expected me to say, huh? Even with that said, this is a very solid outing. High marks like the spacey White Ferrari, solid single Ivy, almost hip hop like Solo, and Andre 3000 feature showing these piss poor mumble rappers how to actually use the triplet flow they so highly covet on the track Solo (Reprise), made me want to include this album on the list. For fans of Frank, go peep, if you're new to his sound, go back to Channel Orange or nostalgia/ULTRA for his more classic work.
- Beyoncé - Lemonade
We can't talk R&B if we don't talk about the mainstream unanimously decided queen of R&B. Of course I'm talking about Bey. I was skeptical at first, but after hearing the funk inspired Don't Hurt Yourself featuring Jack White, the dance anthem of the year in Formation, the tongue in cheek Sorry, Kendrick's awesome verse on Freedom, and other hits like her pair up with The Weeknd on 6 Inch, and reggae influenced Hold Up, I realized this album truly had a lot to offer, so an inclusion to the list is a must.
- Chance the Rapper - Coloring Book
Is it as good as Acid Rap or #10DAY? No. Is it a little too gospel and auto tuned? Yes. Are there still some bangers and catchy sing songy parts to keep a Chance fan listening? Of course there are. To the single No Problem and opener featuring everyone's favorite asshole Kanye, this album was a solid release. Now only if his boy Gambino could drop some hot fire...
- Childish Gambino - Awaken, My Love!
SOME NEW HOT FIRE FROM OUR BOY GAMBINO.... oh wait. No hot fire? No bars at all actually? A very well produced album that is a shout out to funk/soul music of old? Oh, so that's what we got. Damn, I was hoping for more Sweatpants/Bonfire/Freaks and Geeks style metaphors, but only received this, WHICH IS A GREAT ALBUM, just not what the fans were truly expecting. Drop a mixtape in 2017 CG, please for the love of God.
- Regina Spektor - Remember Us To Life
For my next choice I turn to my hands down favorite singer in the form of Russian born, NYC transplanted classically trained pianist, Ms. Spektor. This album is a breath of fresh air, a slight return to her more esoteric style than the straight forward What We Saw From the Cheap Seats and Far (her previous two releases) outings. She will always hold a special place in my heart and this album has been on repeat for the last two weeks. Go pick up Soviet Kitsch or Begin to Hope if you want to hear the amazement that is Regina's older style.
- Wade Wilson/Base Bronson - Eating Ice Cream With Molly Ringwald
As far as underground hip hop goes, this and another not yet mentioned album topped my list of that genre this year. This is a well produced concept album where we see our two artist take up the personalities of Anthony Michael Hall and Judd Nelson to deliver an amazing piece of music you have to hear for your own to be the judge of. Don't sleep on Trenton, Jersey, or Wade and Base in general, their fire burns bright and isn't dying out anytime soon.
- Sleigh Bells - Jessica Rabbit
Metal guitar shredding, driving beats and sublime vocals round out the electronica pop duo, Sleigh Bells. They bring an originality and power with their fourth studio album that boasts infectious riffs, catchy and dark lyrics and a well polished production that has kept this album in heavy rotation on my Spotify playlist. The powerful delivery of opening track It's Just Us Now, awesomely crafted chorus in Crucible to the amazing lyrics and production of Rule Number One all are shining elements that stick out on this album. Of all their previous work, I enjoy this album the most, but venture back to their debut, Treats, if the spirit moves you.
- RayRayBeats/Raymond Strife - Gretchen On Acid Telling Her Mom to Shut the Fuck Up
Numero dos of awesome underground unsigned hip hop goes to this beast of an EP. As previous with Base and Wade's release, Capital City (that's Trenton for all you non Jersey folk) is proving once again that when it comes to raw talented music, no city nor state is doing it better. With amazing production highlighting every Trentonians favorite Guatemalan telling a bunch of "maricons" how much he loves them, the amazing Our Name is Ray, and the track whose music video made Reddit lose their minds titled Drum Life, this EP is fire from front to back. Don't sleep on Trenton's music scene, DKFG is on top and not letting up anytime soon.
- Every Time I Die - Low Teens
The southern rock metalcore maestros that left the muggy FL weather for the chilly Northeast of Buffalo, NY have done it again. After, IMHO, the lackluster From Parts Unknown and Ex-Lives put a little bit of a sour taste in my mouth, this. Is. A. Return. To. Fucking. FORM! From the pace setting opener of Fear and Trembling all the way to the powerhouse single The Coin Has A Say, ETID has proven they aren't done throwing the fuck down and melting faces, and this 32 year old metal head is as happy as a pig in shit they have decided to come back with a vengeance.
That's it! My top ten list. Please leave comments about how you didn't like my choices and what you think I should've put on here so I can tell you how much I don't care.
This is the Darth Guerrilla, Reese, signing off. Muah!
