Who says rock n' roll is dead? Apart from the fact that we had the so-called 2016 Club which rivaled the infamous 27,rock music is very much alive this year amid the fact that we are in the age of auto tunes, digital cacophonies and other nonsense which defined the cry babies of our present generation.
So without further ado, I present to you 2016's strongest rock albums:
1. BLUE AND LONESOME
The band who christened themselves as the greatest rock stars just yet revealed another prophecy,being a rival to the Beatles who in turn had broken up several decades ago has yet kept themselves busy with the release of a blues album wittily tilted Blue And Lonesome from one of their featured covered tracks.Released December 2 of this year,the Stones perhaps reminded everyone of the first album that they had released fifty years ago which also comprises of covers.With those gnarly guitars and a freshly well rehearsed band of seniors,the album was merely recorded in a three day span,something that Mick Jagger said they couldn't even top had they tried recording it back in 1964. Though the album's highest peak is at number 4, it went to number one across the pond and ten other countries.
2. BLACKSTAR
The death of David Bowie shocked everyone as much as they did on this farewell album that he presented to all of us as a gift.Neatly defined as a typical Bowie album filled with evil and darkness,the album somewhat had a different mood perhaps resulting from his sudden demise.
Like Vincent Van Gogh and other geniuses of the arts,the kudos perhaps came late for the thin white duke, making this LP his first and posthumous US number one.
3. REVOLUTION RADIO
If you grew up in the Bay Area or perhaps just another bloke from the 90s,you probably knew why this album had a breakthrough apart from the typical punk sound Green Day is known for the past 25 years.Advance press releases,touring and ads on AC Transit helped propel the band's twelfth studio album to mainstream commercial success.
The album got a lot of good reviews and was ranked number one on Kerrang's top albums of 2016.
4. ON AIR
Most of the posthumous albums were filled with hidden treasure such as unreleased gems "We Will Rock You" in a faster version which rivaled or perhaps bettering the much underrated punk rock era.
Talk about posthumous releases,Davy Jones and Harry Nilsson were on the top of this new Monkees album. Several tracks went as far back as 1967 and 1968 and remained unheard until today. Other tracks were freshly recorded nonetheless displaying an awesome musicianship of surviving members Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Mike Nesmith,With a little help of course from their friends in the studio.
6.LOUD HAILER
We can all safely agree that 2016 is a great year for good albums from classic rockers.This eleventh studio album of Jeff Beck's certainly show that retirement ain't in my vocabulary for the former Yardbird and known solo virtuoso.
7. I STILL DO
Just like his friend and contemporary Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton ain't turning away despite of rumors of retiring from the music scene.This new album comprises of new material as well as classic and interpretations of traditional songs.Produced by Glyn Johns who worked with Clapton previously on albums Slowhand and Backless, is also known to have worked with bands such as the Beatles and Led Zeppelin.
8 STRANGER TO STRANGER
2016 is yet strong as well when it comes to folk rock with this album by Paul Simon receiving wide critical acclaim. The album is the highest debut so far for Simon,peaking at number three on the charts and thus far going to number one in the UK.
9. BEAUTIFUL BROKEN
2016 is also yet a good year for the Wilson sisters who just finished a tour and releasing their live DVD.The new effort comprises yet of re-recordings of classic songs from older albums as well as new material.Not bad for the aging rock chicks.
10. HARDWIRED..TO SELF DESTRUCT
After guesting as a session musician/vocalist on a Heart album[which was also featured here],James Hetfield's band gave 2016 a fistful force of metal fury with a new album being their sixth to debut at number one.
(c) 2016 Keith Vernon Adagio
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