Cosby's Choice Awards 2016
What a strong year for music. It's been... two or three years since I've joined this site and each year I've seen more exploration and variety as my music tastes have expanded.The following list is the albums this year that made an impact on me. The first 15 are albums that I have raved about for one reason for another, although appearing in no particular order. The rest are albums that I really enjoyed, but might not have gotten as much replay as those first 15. They are all noteworthy in my book though and deserve a check if they are your cup of tea. |
| 1 |  | David Bowie
Blackstar
An incredibly emotional album that shows David Bowie at his most experimental and honest.
Favorite Songs: “Blackstar” “Dollar Days” |
| 2 |  | Periphery
Periphery III: Select Difficulty
Periphery, even after a string of great albums, release a product that feels more energetic and truly emotional.
Favorite Songs: “Absolomb” “Lune” |
| 3 |  | Thank You Scientist
Stranger Heads Prevail
The band leaves their mark on the prog-genre with another fun, horn-filled, prog album.
Favorite Songs: “Psychopomp” “The Sonambulist” |
| 4 |  | Three Trapped Tigers
Silent Earthling
A release that caught me completely off guard. The perfect blend of frantic energy and mellow atmosphere. A great skiing album.
Favorite Songs: “Rainbow Road” “Silent Earthling” |
| 5 |  | Aesop Rock
The Impossible Kid
A wonderful album filled with self-reflection and masterful storytelling.
Favorite Songs: “Mystery Fish” “Blood Sandwich” |
| 6 |  | The Dillinger Escape Plan
Dissociation
The final album from a band that pioneered a genre. Aggressive and somber, it is the perfect Swansong. (Mathcore)
Favorite Songs: “Limerent Death” “Honeysuckle” |
| 7 |  | Hypno5e
Shores of the Abstract Line
This album really blew me away. The atmosphere and heaviness really make this a special album.
Favorite Songs: “East Shore: In Our Deaf Lands” “North Shore: Sea Made of Crosses” |
| 8 |  | Death Grips
Bottomless Pit
Didn’t expect to like this album seeing as I haven’t enjoyed their previous releases. Obnoxious and raw, it’s definitely a fun listen.
Favorite Songs: “Hothead” “Ring a Bell” |
| 9 |  | Every Time I Die
Low Teens
Another solid release from this band. ETID can do no wrong.
Favorite Songs: “Every Coin Has a Say” “Map Changes” “Petal” |
| 10 |  | Destrage
A Means To No End
This band never disappoints, and this album incorporates all the strengths of the previous two albums to concoct a release that is matured… but not too much.
Favorite Songs: “Don’t Stare at the Edge” “Not Everything Is Said” |
| 11 |  | Deftones
Gore
Some really great experimentation, even if it is clearly another Deftones album.
Favorite Songs: “Phantom Bride” “Hears/Wires” |
| 12 |  | Plini
Handmade Cities
Great instrumental metal.
Favorite Songs: “Inhale” “Electric Sunrise” |
| 13 |  | Car Bomb
Meta
Has everything that Meshuggah’s new album lacks. Definitely one of the more tastefully heavy albums to come out this year in my book.
Favorite Song:”Secrets Within” |
| 14 |  | Weezer
The White Album
Weezer finally put out an album that sounds like they’re having fun.
Favorite Songs: “California Kids” “Do You Wanna Get High” |
| 15 |  | Cult of Luna and Julie Christmas
Mariner
Dark and epic. Julie Christmas’ vocal performance shines from the shadows in a haunting, creepy way.
Favorite Song: “The Wreckage of S.S. Needle” |
| 16 |  | The Fall of Troy
OK
It’s good to have them back and making music that feels as raw as their debut.
Favorite Songs: “Inside Out” “Your Loss” |
| 17 |  | Haken
Affinity
Not as strong as “The Mountain” but still a solid album.
Favorite Songs: “Bound by Gravity” “Endless Knot” |
| 18 |  | Steven Wilson
4 1/2
A nice taste of B-sides from “Hand. Cannot. Erase”.
Favorite Songs: “My Book of Regrets” “Happiness III” |
| 19 |  | Russian Circles
Guidance
A lighter affair than “Memorials”, but still heavy with emotion.
Plays well as a whole album. |
| 20 |  | Protest the Hero
Pacific Myth
Not as strong as their albums but this EP is still filled with classic Protest the Hero moments.
Favorite Song: “Harbinger” |
| 21 |  | Oathbreaker
Rheia
Bleak and aggressive, definitely a stark winter’s day album. (Black Metal) |
| 22 |  | The Dear Hunter
Act V: Hymns with the Devil in Confessional
Came to me a little late in the game but a really well composed, theatrical album. |
| 23 |  | Animals As Leaders
The Madness of Many
Another solid outing from Animals as Leaders. It feels more technical and jazz influences; less open than their previous outing. Take that for what it is. |
| 24 |  | A Tribe Called Quest
We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service
Great hip hop album straight from the group who helped pioneer the genre. |
| 25 |  | Danny Brown
Atrocity Exhibition
I still haven’t made up my mind about this album but I have talked about it quite a bit this year. |
| 26 |  | Chevelle
The North Corridor
Another solid Chevelle album, although it does seem to hint at the heaviness they exhibited on “Wonder What’s Next”. |
| 27 |  | Hail Spirit Noir
Mayhem In Blue
Scooby Doo meets Doom Metal. I laughed a bit while listening to this album. |
| 28 |  | Snarky Puppy
Culcha Vulcha
Chill funk outing. It doesn’t have the same energy as “We Like it Here” but it’s still a good time. |
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