Top 40 Albums of 2016 (40-21)

For me, this list is the most important thing I write all year. While I enjoy all the various writing avenues I take, the “Top Albums” list is really the end-all-be-all. I’d be beating a dead horse if I discussed what a disappointing year 2016 has been, but instead, I want to focus on some of the great music released.  Once again, I’ve compiled a list of some incredible albums that hail from a wide range of genres. Give the first 20 a read through and a listen, and I’m sure you’ll find something that strayed beyond your listening peripheral in 2016.

BDWPS Podcast: Episode #48

In this episode we take a look at some of my favorite albums of 2016 so far, including Anohni, Car Seat Headrest, Miles Davis & Robert Glasper, Death Grips, Mutual Benefit, Kaytranada, and Anna Meredith. I also discuss the Carter Family documentary “The Winding Stream”, and we continue our look at Bob Dylan’s “Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan”.

Check it out HERE or better yet, subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher (search: BDWPS).

Tracklist:
Anohni “Why Did You Separate Me From the Earth?”
Car Seat Headrest “(Joe Gets Kicked Out of School For Using) Drugs With Friends (But Says This Isn’t a Problem)”
Miles Davis & Robert Glasper “They Can’t Hold Me Down”
Death Grips “Giving Bad People Good Ideas”
Mutual Benefit “Skipping Stones”
Kaytranada “Got It Good”
James Blake “Love Me In Whatever Way”
Anna Meredith “Taken”
Carter Family “Keep On the Sunny Side”
Bob Dylan “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna-Fall”

The Top 25 Songs of 2014

It’s no secret that I’m an albums guy. One look at my extensive year-end “Top Albums” list, and it’s clear that I’m a purist at heart, almost always listening to an album from start to finish. However, there is the rare occasion where I’ll queue up a specific song to fit the mood or raise my spirits. The list below contains 25 of those songs that I found myself searching out (why 25? Because I couldn’t cut it down to 20). You will not find many songs from albums on my “Top Albums” list simply because if it’s a great album, I’m probably not going to skip tracks. Instead, you will mostly hear songs that were stand-outs on albums that didn’t quite make the grade. If you are expecting a list that is of the same caliber as my “Top Albums” run-down, you are about to be greatly disappointed. But if you’re up for checking out some of those songs that got multiple replays on my iPod in 2014, the following list should provide you with an entertaining mix.

BDWPS Podcast #27

For this month’s episode, I record on the road. Amidst my summer road trip, I take a moment to check out new tracks from The Pains of Being Pure at Heat, Afghan Whigs, Marissa Nadler, Death Grips, and Angel Olsen. I also discuss a documentary about A Tribe Called Quest and continue my look into the life of Bob Dylan. Check it out HERE or subscribe to the podcast at iTunes (search: BDWPS).

TRACK LIST: 

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart “Kelly”
Afghan Whigs “Matamoros”
Marissa Nadler “Drive”
Death Grips “Have a Sad Cum”
Angel Olsen “Forgiveness/Forgotten”
A Tribe Called Quest “Can I Kick It?”
Bob Dylan “A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall”

Top 40 Albums of 2013 (21-40)

Over the years, the “Top 40 Albums” list (once a measly list of 10) has become the apex of BDWPS, a culmination of a year’s worth of obsessive listening and re-listening (and re-listening) to every piece of music I can get my hands on. Even as I compile this final definitive list (which I traditionally question months and years later), I find myself revisiting albums I was quick to write off, or I end up digging for gems that may have slipped through the cracks of my consciousness. I didn’t have as tough of a time leaving albums off the list this year; I don’t know if that means 2013 was a weak year in music or if I just didn’t have as tight of a connection with as much music as usual. Regardless, I can promise you that the following 40 albums are well-crafted collections of music/art worth investing your time in…lord knows I have.

Worst Album Covers of 2012

And the nominees are…