MCCh 2016 (02) February 15

[Otisredding]

The best albums of 2016 (update February 15)

The numbers presented next to each album title are the weighted average rating and the number of reviews (out of 30 included sources). The weighted average is based on a formula that includes a) the average of ratings and b) the number of sources that have rated the album.

The magazines I used for the ratings were:
EUR + Australia: Gaffa-dk; Gaffa-sw; Humo; Indiestyle; Jenesaispop; Laut; LesInrocks; Mondosonoro; Musikexpress; Nojesguiden; Ondarock; Plattentests; Sentire Ascoltare; The Music
UK: DIY; Drowned In Sound; The Guardian; Music OMH; NME; The Line Of Best Fit; The Skinny; The 405
USA + Canada: Allmusic; AV Club; Consequence Of Sound; Exclaim!; Paste; Pitchfork; Popmatters; Rolling Stone; Spin; Tinymixtapes

Highlights: These are the top three songs from the album according to Allmusic, Consequence of Sound, Jenesaispop, Plattentests, Gaffa.dk, Gaffa.se, Beardfood, BostonGlobe, Nowtoronto, etc…

New entry or Re-entry
Albums that have obtained new reviews and improved the score
Albums that have obtained new reviews but worsened the score

15 - Animal Collective: Painting With - 71,3 (8)
Highlights: Floridada - The Burglars - Golden Gal
[imgsize 260x260]http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_50 ... 007043.jpg[/imgsize]

14 - Shearwater: Jet Plane and Oxbow – 72,0 (17)
Highlights: Quiet Americans - A Long Time Away - Pale Kings
[imgsize 260x260]http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_50 ... 992252.jpg[/imgsize]

13 - Chairlift: Moth - 72,1 (18)
Highlights: Moth to the Flame - Ch-Ching - Polymorphing
[imgsize 260x260]http://cdn.pitchfork.com/albums/22784/h ... 3020fe.jpg[/imgsize]

12 - Roly Porter: Third Law - 73,2 (8)
Highlights: Mass - 4101 - In Flight
[imgsize 260x260]http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_40 ... 001384.jpg[/imgsize]

11 - Basia Bulat: Good Advice - 73,7 (11)
Highlights: Infamous - Fool - La La Lie
[imgsize 260x260]http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_50 ... 012306.jpg[/imgsize]

10 - Money: Suicide Songs – 74,5 (20)
Highlights: I'll Be The Night - I Am the Lord - Suicide Song
[imgsize 280x280]http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_50 ... 007753.jpg[/imgsize]

09 - Ty Segall: Emotional Mugger – 75,3 (23)
Highlights: Candy Sam - Diversion - Squealer
[imgsize 280x280]http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_50 ... 985058.jpg[/imgsize]

08 - Suede: Night Thoughts – 75,8 (26)
Highlights: Outsiders - Like Kids - What I'm Trying To Tell You
[imgsize 280x280]http://cdn.pitchfork.com/albums/22612/h ... 6f21d2.jpg[/imgsize]

07 - Hinds: Leave Me Alone – 76,1 (30)
Highlights: Chili Town - Fat Calmed Kiddos - Garden
[imgsize 280x280]http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_50 ... 991800.jpg[/imgsize]

06 - Anderson .Paak: Malibu – 77,2 (15)
Highlights: The Waters - The Season / Carry Me - Am I Wrong
[imgsize 280x280]http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_50 ... 002034.jpg[/imgsize]

05 - Daughter: Not To Disappear – 77,6 (30)
Highlights: Alone/With You - Doing The Right Thing - Numbers
[imgsize 300x300]http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_50 ... 996017.jpg[/imgsize]

04 - Tindersticks: The Waiting Room – 77,7 (21)
Highlights: We Are Dreamers! - Hey Lucinda - Help Yourself
[imgsize 300x300]http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_50 ... 004059.jpg[/imgsize]

03 - Lucinda Williams: The Ghosts of Highway 20 - 78,1 (16)
Highlights: Ghosts Of Highway 20 - Bitter Memory - Dust
[imgsize 300x300]http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_50 ... 991846.jpg[/imgsize]

02 - Savages: Adore Life – 80,0 (28)
Highlights: Adore - The Answer - I Need Something New
[imgsize 300x300]http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_50 ... 985028.jpg[/imgsize]

01 - David Bowie: Blackstar – 86,3 (30)
Highlights: Lazarus - Blackstar - Dollar Days
[imgsize 300x300]http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_50 ... 984264.jpg[/imgsize]

[BleuPanda]

What happened to you, Animal Collective?

Also, I wonder where Big Black Coat is.

[Otisredding]

Ok, I'll be that guy...perhaps scores above 70 like last year?

16 - Sunflower Bean: Human Ceremony - 71,1 (13)
17 - Emma Pollock: In Search Of Harperfield - 71,1 (7)
18 - Diiv: Is The Is Are - 70,8 (21)
19 - Junior Boys: Big Black Coat - 70,1 (13)

[Setherex]

What happened to you, Animal Collective?

Also, I wonder where Big Black Coat is.

Having listened to the album a couple times, I can definitely say that those are premature reactions (though in a sense, I suppose mine is too, haha). This is easily one of the infectiously happy albums I have heard in years, and it seems to be getting great reception from fans of the group. The rating will rise - or at the very least, they'll have a solid EOY showing.

EDIT: "Having" listened. I have listened to it, haha.

[Nick]

Re: Animal Collective

I listened to the two songs they released, "Floridada" and "Lying in the Grass". I disliked them both, for opposite reasons. "Floridada" was grating, an annoyingly bouncy chorus that sounds more at home in a children's TV show than an indie rock album. "Lying in the Grass" on the other hand, was just a total non-song, in one ear and out the other as soon as it ended.

I love "Merriweather Post Pavilion" and "Strawberry Jam", but I have next to no hope for "Painting With". I'm only checking it out due to a sense of loyalty to the band.

[phil]

I really liked Strawberry Jam and Merriweather Post Pavillion and even Centipede Hz.

I've only heard FloriDaDa from Painting With, but it puts me off a bit. To me it sounds like Animal Collective doing a parody of themselves - all their standard elements, but done in an over the top way.

[spiritualized]

I find Animal Collective particularly grating/annoying with a whiff of self-importance which doesn't help.
This album doesn't change my mind, on the contrary.

Big Black Coat is OK, but just that...

However, I wonder if the new Cult album will make an appearance ? Their new album still has the energy of their earlier releases.
Another highlight of this February is the new Dressy Bessy. Great hooks, simple indie rock songs. Should be in the top 50 of 2016 at this stage, although there is very little chance the critics will agree

[Otisredding]

MCCh 2016 (03) February 29