Favorite Albums from 2016

Randy Newman “Songbook” 4-LP Box Set.
It’s a huge collection of Randy Newmans music recorded with just Randy and a piano, which is also my favorite way to hear him.

Clipping “Wriggle”
Clipping was really smart and active in 2016 and that rules. This EP rules. They came out with a full length this year too that is also great BUT I still don’t own a copy of it so I feel like it would be dishonest to include it on my own personal list.

Shonen Knife “Adventure”
This album is so simple and great and I feel like it should have received a lot more attention then it did. I swear i’ve had this conversation so many time in the last couple months where someone is surprised Shonen Knife came out with a new album this year and had no previous idea of it happening.

Soft Shoulder “Collection Volume One”
It’s so nice to have so much from Soft Shoulder in one place. They’ve released so many tapes and 7"s and they are so friggin good but I don’t usually have the time or mood for that sort of media medium.

The Pooches “The Pooches”
I am so happy I got to put this out last year. This is one of the best pop albums ever! I really hope they tour the USA so I can see them at some point.

Human Behavior “Kedumim”
I feel like this is the album of the year, and it bums me out that people arent freaking out by how great it is.

Jeffrey Lewis “Manhattan”
Honestly I like his “A Lootbeg Bootleg” tour CD more than this, but I can’t find anyway for you to hear it online. Plus the recordings were from 2014 with a completely different band than he’s playing with now. So it seems a little unfair or weird. “Manhattan” was released at the beginning of 2016 though and it is SO GOOD! Everything he does is good.

Freaks of Nature “Freaks of Nature” 7"
The Freaks of Nature toured Europe this year in support of this new 7" and it rips.

Roar “Impossible Animals”
Great first full length from Owen Evans. I’ve been a fan of everything he does and this was a real treat in 2016.

Turqouiz Noiz “Sweat Lodge”
The packaging rules and i’m really happy/proud of the way this came out and proud of these folks for recording it and touring with it the past couple months. They are going to be touring a lot this year and I am psyched for that too. If they come to your town DO NOT MISS THEM!