Music Action Blog: December 2016

2016 is coming to a close and that has got me thinking about my favorite albums from the past year. It has been a crazy year for politics and musicians we've lost, and celebrities lost in general. With all that in mind, music for me has been a reflection of a lot of things. What I'm into listening has often been influenced by my mood, sometimes finding the right band or album to express how I'm feeling. Other times it is a way to lift me up out of a tough time. So, that roller coaster seemed to have more ups and downs in 2016 than some past years and I think it is reflected in my picks.

Also, it should always be considered that I inevitably miss great albums. That happened in 2015. I listen to whatever I run across, which still tends to be a considerable amount because I'm always listening to music and trying to find new stuff. The roots that were set when I was music director at WSKB have run deep and I have become a lifelong seeker of out of the way, obscure, and sometimes overlooked albums. Also, I like the mainstream stuff, too.

Anybody who hangs out with me lately knows I've been on a kick for heavier tunes, but you'll still find other stuff here. My music collection (some 2000+ CDs, 6 or 8 or 10 boxes of vinyl, and more digital) is about 1/3 metal and heavy stuff, and 2/3 a mix of other genres. Even when I don't particularly care for a genre, I can guarantee I have something in the category I like. So, without further ado... In no particular order...

1. The Midnight - Endless Summer: This band was my summer jam. It's 80's influenced synth pop summer music at its finest. It helped that they have a song called "Jason" that is freaking addictive. Once you know what you're in for, feeling like you just transformed into Miami Vice, this music is really fun to listen to. After I got into it more I realized some of the subtleties that really make it stand out. I had friends walk in and say "is this the same band?" when the album would go from one song to the next. I'm saying, Yes! This band is super talented! They go into some long instrumental prog/jazz montages and back into the pop. It's hot.

2. Joel Grind - Equinox: Joel Grind, punk/metal mastermind behind Toxic Holocaust, impressed me with this release. It's instrumental and a complete departure from the heavy stuff I've known him for. If I remember correctly, it's all inspired by horror and sci-fi movies from the 70s and 80s, this album can put the listener in a zone. It's imaginative music and would be fitting as a campy horror soundtrack, itself. My only complaint is that it is too short, clocking in at a little over 30 minutes.

3. Gygax - Critical Hits: When Gypsyhawk disbanded, Eric Harris formed Gygax. They came through Eugene not long after that and what an impressive show. They maintained the southern rock/metal groove that Gypsyhawk was known for, but added a nerd game, Dungeons and Dragons, feel that I found fit the style of music perfectly. These songs, along with being musically interesting and tight, are entertaining even just to listen to the lyrics. This album rocks and their live show was one of the best I saw in 2016.

4. Screaming J's -Got Boogie: At the Oregon Country Fair this year some friends and I decided to go for a late night walk and discover where we could hear music coming from. What we found was an old school bus parked in the middle of a field, a bonfire, lasers in the night sky making shapes in the trees, and lots of people dancing. There was a makeshift stage set up with a piano taking center of it. Screaming J's was rocking hard that night. The tunes are dominated by the piano playing and raspy vocals, this music would have been perfect as an opening act for Leon Russell 40 years ago. It was perfect for that night at the OCF and when I got home after that weekend, I found Got Boogie! online and made the purchase. It has been well worth it.

5. Myrkur - Mausoleum: Myrkur was on my list last year with her impressive super heavy debut album. This album, Mausoleum, was so different and mind blowing from last year's release. It was recorded in a mausoleum and is mostly voices. The natural reverb present makes the album so haunting it can give you shivers. Still, I think it's music that a lot of people could get into. It's the kind of thing that people not into metal might say "That's not metal... it's too good." And, people into metal and who might already know of Myrkur might say, "hell yea, that's metal. That's what makes it good!". Haunting, choral, doomy, perfect.

6. Horseback - Dead Ringers: I have been an appreciator of Horseback for a couple years now, but the band has always fallen into the category of music I-like-but-nobody-else-I-know-likes, except the couple friends I have that are into deep dark doomy noisy stuff. I could never discount their huge musical talent, the music just never felt accessible to a broad audience. Well, now.... that all changed with Dead Ringers. This is an album I think many many many many people would enjoy if they gave it a chance. There's so many twists and turns, with beats and songwriting, guitar, and some metal, and clean vocals. I cannot sum it up appropriately in words. This is the album this year that people will look back on and say, dang, how was I not into that back in 2016? How did I miss that? It's incredible!

7. Holy Grail - Times of Pride and Peril: I got to see Holy Grail years ago when all they had out was a demo, open for 3 Inches of Blood and I got to see them again this year (great show with Exmortus, Spellcaster, and Sanctifyre). These guys have matured and it seems like they do nothing but practice their chops. Alex Lee on guitar is an excellent addition and he adds a lighthearted element to the band and the sound that works well. These guys are at the top of their game. Nobody is making better straight up heavy metal in the world today. This album delivers from all angles.

8. Zakk Wylde - Book of Shadows II: Zakk continues to be a triple threat in the universe of music... songwriter/singer/shredder. He is master at all these crafts. Book of Shadows II, the follow up to the first Book of Shadows album, is better and more refined and doesn't try to do too much. It's solid songwriting backed up by Zakk's other talents. It's a mellow and reserved album (like the first Book of Shadows) and is a welcome alternative to the Black Label Society and Ozzy heavy stuff that Zakk is most known for. It shows off his versatility, but still pretty much rocks.

9. Red Fang - Only Ghosts: Red Fang continues to create music that is exactly what I want them to make. Only Ghosts reminds me of their past releases, yet it's new all the same. It has a feel that reminds me of Mastondon's The Hunter or Queens of the Stone Age, but it has a fresh sound as well. It sounds a little more produced than some of their older stuff and a little more reserved in some ways, qualities I wouldn't think I'd like, but I found myself playing it often and getting into it. It's a rock solid release by a really good band and good bands tend to do that.

10. Lord Sword - Tombstoned: This is the album that I can hear friends contest, but I put it on here because this is my list and, dang it, I get to put on it what I want. This is the album that resonated due to all the crap we all went through as a country (and me in my personal life, too) in 2016. It has been a hard year and thank you Lord Sword for helping me get through it with a little bit more sanity. This album is heavy and doomy, the vocals could unearth skeletons, the tone is ready to crack rocks. The album is beautiful in its simplicity and musically sound, by my estimates, and well crafted songwriting carries it through despite not being the most shredding album. These guys are good at what they do because of an abundance of talent, nothing else.

There was so much good music that came out this year, I was blown away. I have to place here some honorable mentions. If you liked my list, check these out, as well. Honest and truly, any of these albums listed easily belongs on the list above.

Zaum - Eidolon