Favorite Albums of 2016

[Deleted]

Yep, we're starting this now. Figured this could just be the place where people keep a running list of their favorite albums throughout the year. I'll probably edit my list with each passing quarter.

So far....

1st Quarter:
1. Dori Freeman - self-titled (Light 9/10)
2. Randy Rogers Band - "Nothing Shines Like Neon" (Solid to Strong 8/10)
3. Aubrie Sellers - "New City Blues" (Solid 8/10)
4. Wynonna and the Big Noise - self-titled (Solid 8/10)
5. Aoife O' Donovan - "In The Magic Hour" (Strong 7/10 to Light 8/10)
6. Vince Gill - "Down To My Last Bad Habit" (Strong 7/10)
7. The Cactus Blossoms - "You're Dreaming" (Strong 7/10)
8. Charles Kelley - "The Driver" (Light to Solid 7/10)
9. Waco Brothers - "Going Down In History" (Light 7/10)
10. Speedbuggy U.S.A - "South Of Bakersfield" (Light to Solid 7/10)
11. Brothers Osborne - "Pawn Shop" (Strong 6/10 to Light 7/10)
12. Green River Ordinance - "Fifteen" (Solid to Strong 6/10)
13. Hank Williams Jr. - "It's About Time" (Light to Solid 4/10)

Still on the backlog to grade....

Addison Johnson - "I'm Just A Song"
Caleb Caudile - "Carolina Ghost"

Last Update: March 1st

[someguy]

So far, Wynonna & The Big Noise

[thy4568]

Wow! You guys are quick! I haven't got around to listening to all the new albums yet. Only listened to Wy's, Lorrie Morgan, Hank Jr, Charles Kelley.

[George Strait Junkie]

Feb 27, 2016 10:03:51 GMT -5 zack97 said:

Addison Johnson - "I'm Just A Song"

i have been addicted to this album its amazing

[tim]

Although it's early, these would be my few favorites so far:

1. Untamed - Cam (released Dec 2015 but more or less falls into 2016)
2. Pawn Shop - Brothers Osborne
3. Wynonna & The Big Noise - Wynonna & The Big Noise

I was more or less disappointed with Vince Gill's Down to My Last Bad Habit. Save for a couple of songs it just didn't live up to my expectations. I can't wait for the release of Southern Family and am anxiously awaiting Sturgill's next album which I'm expecting to be something very different from his previous two efforts.

[trebor]

For me the contenders are:

Charles Kelley: "The Driver"
Julie Nolen: "Songs Of Dignity & Grit"
Randy Rogers Band: "Nothing Shines Like Neon"
Sam Riggs: "Breathless"
Tyller Gummersall: "Long Ride Home"

Most anticipated:
March: Wade Bowen
April: Gord Bamford & Hayes Carll and probably Eryk Dylan

Carried forward from 2015: Elliot Sedgwick: "Elliot Sedgwick"


George Strait Junkie  Thanks for Addison Johnson: "I'm Just A Song"! Listened to it yesterday! The title track is gigantic! Once I overcame the first track the rest was a pure listening experience! Goes onto my daily playlist.  :)
zack97   Vince Gill: Pretty disappointed with this set. It sounds uninspired, has no real thread (incoherent), outmoded (not in a good way) 90s. I do appreciate the country instrumentation, but still... The Fleetwood Macish "Take Me Down" is the best song by a long shot (and doesn't fit in with the rest of the songs and sound) /rant  ;)

[Deleted]

trebor I can certainly see your point, and I appreciate you voicing your opinion, but why was I tagged? Lol

[trebor]

^^ Sorry, Zack... ! 

[Andy]

As usual I'm way behind on new releases. I do have Dori Freeman, Vince Gill, Randy Rogers Band, Aubrie Sellers, Buddy Miller, Wynonna, Aofie O'Donovan, Addison Johnson, Green River Ordinance, Waco Brothers, The Cactus Blossoms, Infamous Stringdusters and probably a couple others I'm forgetting all in the hopper though.

[maine]

The Driver by: Charles Kelley and Untamed by: Cam (even though it was released in December). 

[someguy]

So far, Jennifer Nettles - Playing With Fire and Martina McBride - Reckless are neck in neck for my favourite album of the year. Keith Urban's Ripcord, Wynonna & The Big Noise and Charles Kelley's The Driver would probably round out my top 5, at this point.

[.indulgecountry]

Right now it's Martina McBride's Reckless. Also love Aubrie Sellers' New City Blues.

[robenglund]

Can I put Jon Pardi's California Sunrise and Frankie Ballard's El Rio even though they aren't out yet? 

[codyj100]

So far...

1. Jennifer Nettles - Playing With Fire
2. Martina McBride - Reckless
3. Chuck Wicks - Turning Point
4. Vince Gill - Down To My Last Bad Habit
5. Aubrie Sellers - New City Blues 

[babybuffalo]

2016 is the year for single tracks because every time I think of an album I bought that I loved in its entirety (or mostly) it was a 2015 release.

So mine for 2016 are

Vince Gill - Down To My Last Habit
Keith Urban - Ripcord

These men could make my Best Of list any year without me hearing a note. So not that impressive for the first half of 2016.

[thy4568]

For those who rate Wynonna's new album highly, can you explain why you like it? I can't get into the album, it's too left field for me. Compared to her first 4 solo albums, this new one is just not good at all. Can people who like it help me understand your view?

[Markus Meyer]

Haven't heard *that* many albums this year, but Sturgill Simpson quite easily tops my list with Randy Rogers Band in 2nd.

[Deleted]

01. Jennifer Nettles - Playing With Fire
02. Vince Gill - Down To My Last Bad Habit
03. Keith Urban - Ripcord
04. Martina McBride - Reckless
05. Charles Kelley - The Driver
06. Brothers Osborne - Pawn Shop
07. Aubrie Sellers - New City Blues

[trebor]

This is solely based on play count. Some recent, huge albums are still climbing up my chart.

Austin Layne - I'm A Runner
Addison Johnson - I'm Just A Song
Brothers Osborne - Pawn Shop
Cameran Nelson - Good Thing Going [Dec 2015]
Charles Kelley - The Driver
Chris King - Animal
Chuck Wicks - Turning Point
Dustin Sonnier - Country
Gord Bamford - Tin Roof
Griffin House - So And So Forth
Jeremy McComb - Fm
Julie Nolen - Songs Of Dignity & Grit
Nestor Andress - Falling In Love
Randy Rogers Band - Nothing Shines Like Neon
Sam Riggs - Breathless
Sturgill Simpson - A Sailor's Guide To Earth
Tyller Gummersall - Long Ride Home
Wheeler Walker Jr. - Redneck Sh*t

[someguy]

May 16, 2016 8:17:41 GMT -5 thy4568 said:

For those who rate Wynonna's new album highly, can you explain why you like it? I can't get into the album, it's too left field for me. Compared to her first 4 solo albums, this new one is just not good at all. Can people who like it help me understand your view?

I like the rootsier, bluesier sound of it. In particular, the songs "Cool Ya" and "Ain't No Thing" really stand out. It's a different sound for Wy, sure, but I think she sounds really comfortable and natural on these types of songs. In terms of more typical Wynonna songs, "Staying In Love" is, to me, just as good as a lot of her earlier uptempos. In terms of ballads, "The Things That I Lean On" and "Jesus And A Jukebox" are easily my two favourites on the album. I don't love all of the songs (I think the first half is much stronger than the second half), but I like this album a lot for what it is.

I would still rank it closer to the bottom in terms of her solo albums...my list would probably look like this:

1. Revelations
2. Tell Me Why
3. Wynonna
4. The Other Side
5. New Day Dawning
6. What The World Needs Now Is Love
7. Wynonna & The Big Noise
8. Sing: Chapter One

OK then, I would put it second last (and I debated on whether or not to place Sing ahead of it). I didn't realize I would rank it so low. I guess I just like Wynonna enough that even one of my least favourites of her albums is still a good album to me.

[trebor]

It's just been released on May 13 and is already entering my Top 20: 
Karl Blau: "Introducing Karl Blau"
Amazing! 

[someguy]

The women of country are absolutely killing it for me so far this year. At close to the half way point in the year, my list looks like this:

1. Jennifer Nettles - Playing With Fire
2. Martina McBride - Reckless
3. Brandy Clark - Big Day In A Small Town
4. Maren Morris - Hero
5. Keith Urban - Ripcord
6. Wynonna - Wynonna & The Big Noise
7. Blake Shelton - If I'm Honest
8. Mary Chapin Carpenter - The Things That We Are Made Of
9. Charles Kelley - The Driver

[Deleted]

Only mainstream, but I think I've managed to keep up.

1. Brandy Clark Big Day In A Smalltown
2. Jennifer Nettles Playing With Fire
3. Jon Pardi California Sunrise
4. Charles Kelley The Driver
5. Brothers Osborne Pawn Shop
6. Maren Morris Hero
7. Frankie Ballard El Rio
8. Dierks Bentley Black
9. Granger Smith Remington
10. Blake Shelton If Im Honest
11. Dan + Shay Obsessed
12. Randy Houser Fired Up
13. Keith Urban Ripcord
14. LoCash The Fighters

[tim]

Updating my list for 2016:

Top:
1. A Sailor's Guide To Earth - Sturgill Simpson
2. The Things That We Are Made Of - Mary Chapin Carpenter
3. Gregory Alan Isakov with the Colorado Symphony - Gregory Alan Isakov
4. Big Day In A Small Town - Brandy Clark
5. Pawn Shop - Brothers Osborne
6. New City Blues - Aubrie Sellers
7. Down To My Last Bad Habit - Vince Gill
8. Wynonna & The Big Noise - Wynonna & The Big Noise
9. The Driver - Charles Kelley

Least Favorite/Most Disappointing:
1. Black - Dierks Bentley
2. Ripcord - Keith Urban
3. If I'm Honest - Blake Shelton

[CoJoFan]

Favorites so far......

Dan & Shay - Obsessed
Dierks Bentley - Black
Jon Pardi - California Sunrise



And we still have Justin Moore, David Nail & Jake Owen coming in the next few weeks!

[Deleted]

Albums I've heard.

10/10
Southern Family Various Artists
9/10
Playing With Fire Jennifer Nettles
Big Day In A Small Town Brandy Clark
Full Circle Loretta Lynn
Pure & Simple Dolly Parton
8/10
California Sunrise Jon Pardi
Fighter David Nail
The Driver Charles Kelley
Down To My Last Bad Habit Vince Gill
7/10
El Rio Frankie Ballard
Love Remains Hillary Scott
Pawn Shop Brothers Osborne
Spark Drake White
6/10
Hero Maren Morris
You Should Be Here Cole Swindell
5/10
Dylan Scott Self Titled
American Love Jake Owen
Reckless Martina McBride
4/10
Bury Me In Boots The Cadillac Three
Black Dierks Bentley
If I'm Honest Blake Shelton
Kinda Don't Care Justin Moore
Obsessed Dan + Shay
3/10
Fired Up Randy Houser
Remington Granger Smith
2/10
Dig Your Roots Florida Georgia Line
1/10
Ripcord Keith Urban
0/10
Chris Lane Girl Problems

[Andy]

Aug 27, 2016 14:20:26 GMT -5 mrck said:

Another update because...why not?

AOTY Contenders:

BJ Barham - Rockingham
Dave Cobb - Southern Family
Robert Ellis - s/t
Al Scorch - Circle Round The Signs
Kelsey Waldon - I've Got A Way
Jim and Lynna Woolsey - Heart and Soul, Blood and Bone

The rest...

7. The Royal Hounds - Poker All Night Long
8. Austin Lucas - Between The Moon and the Midwest
9. Brandy Clark - Big Day In A Small Town
10. Chris King - Animal
11. Sturgill Simpson - A Sailor's Guide To Earth
12. Dori Freeman - s/t
13. Cody Jinks - I'm Not The Devil
14. Robbie Fulks - Upland Stories
15. Lori McKenna - The Bird and the Rifle
16. Michael Martin Murphey - High Stakes: Cowboy Songs VII
17. Margo Price - Midwest Farmer's Daughter
18. Lydia Loveless - Real
19. Luke Bell - s/t
20. Caleb Caudle - Carolina Ghost
21. Mark Chesnutt - Tradition Lives
22. Evan Webb and the Rural Route Ramblers - Dry Up Or Drown
23. Rylie Bourne - s/t
24. Nick Dittmeier and the Sawdusters - Midwest Heart/Southern Blues
25. David Nail - Fighter

Thanks for posting this, of the ones I haven't heard yet, several were already on my "to get to" list but others had escaped my notice.

[trebor]

Time for another update. The albums listed are the ones I enjoy(ed) the most [not necessarily the ones with the most merit]. 

Addison Johnson: "I'm Just A Song" (Alternative Country)
BJ Barham: "Rockingham" (Alternative Country) ** Shooting star as he's already at #11 based on play count!
Brothers Osborne: "Pawn Shop" (Mainstream)
Caleb Caudle: "Carolina Ghost" (Americana)
Charles Kelley: "The Driver" (Mainstream)
Chris King: "Animal" (Americana)
Cody Johnson: "Gotta Be Me" (Texas) ** Shooting star as he's already at #4 based on play count!
Dustin Sonnier: "Country" (Traditional)
George Canyon: "I Got This" (Mainstream)
Gord Bamford: "Tin Roof" (Mainstream/Traditional)
Gregory Alan Isakov: "Gregory Alan Isakov With The Colorado Symphony" (Americana)
Jon Langston: "Jon Langston" (Metro)
Jon Pardi: "California Sunshine" (Mainstream)
Karl Blau: "Introducing Karl Blau" (Alternative Country)
Luke Bulla: "Who Loves You Better" (Alternative Bluegrass)
Nestor Andress: "Falling In Love" (Contemporary Country)
Randy Rogers Band: "Nothing Shines Like Neon" (Texas)
Rob Baird: "Wrong Side Of The River" (Americana)
Rod Melancon: "LA 14" (Alternative Country)
Sam Riggs: "Breathless" (Texas)
Sturgill Simpson: "A Sailor's Guide To Earth" (Americana)
Tyller Gummersall: "Long Ride Home" (Traditional)
Wheeler Walker Jr.: "Redneck Sh*t" (Traditional/Comedy)

Still gaining momentum: 
Austin Layne / Austin Lucas / Cameran Nelson / David Nail / Foy Vance / Griffin House / Jeff Shepherd And The Jailhouse Poets / Justin Moore / Robert Ellis

[someguy]

My list as of now:

1. Jennifer Nettles - Playing With Fire
2. Martina McBride - Reckless
3. Brandy Clark - Big Day In A Small Town
4. Maren Morris - Hero
5. Keith Urban - Ripcord
6. Jake Owen - American Love
7. Wynonna - Wynonna & The Big Noise
8. Jason Aldean - They Don't Know
9. Dierks Bentley - Black
10. Dolly Parton - Pure And Simple
11. Florida Georgia Line - Dig Your Roots
12. Blake Shelton - If I'm Honest
13. Mary Chapin Carpenter - The Things That We Are Made Of
14. Frankie Ballard - El Rio
15. Charles Kelley - The Driver

Top Holiday Album(s):

1. Reba McEntire - My Kind Of Christmas

Still to come that will likely impact my lists:

Miranda Lambert - The Weight Of These Wings
Kenny Chesney - Cosmic Hallelujah
Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood - Christmas Together
Kacey Musgraves - A Very Kacey Christmas
Jennifer Nettles - To Celebrate Christmas

[bjer127]

Thought I would bump this thread since all the major album releases have been released. Below is my list for my 10 Best Albums of 2016, in no particular order (too hard to rank)

Brandy Clark "Big Day In A Small Town" Wow this album was awesome. I love the concept album feel, she really made it work. Almost every song is relatable in some way if you are indeed from a small town dealing with every day life issues. I just really wish she would break out with more sales/radio success. I still believe at bare minimum this will be nominated at Grammys for Best Country Album (and maybe win?)

Jon Pardi "California Sunrise" Definitely one of my personally most anticipated album of the year. The lead single perfectly blended modern with traditional. "Cowboy Hat", "Heartache on the Dance Floor" and "She Ain't In It" all should be singles. The latter is a pure Strait-esque gem. I hope this era goes 5-singles deep and propels Pardi to A-list.

Sturgill Simpson "A Sailor's Guide To Earth" Another fantastic concept album. I loved the imagination of "guiding" your son through life etc etc. The album cover alone was quite stunning (one of the best in recent memory IMHO). "Welcome To Earth" is great, as is "Sea Stories" and "Oh Sarah", heck even the Nirvana cover of "In Bloom" felt at home.

Brent Cobb "Shine On Rainy Day" This album came out of nowhere for me. I decided to listen to it on release day and was pretty impressed. The instrumentation, production and lyrics sounded straight from late 60's - early 70's southern rock/singer-songwriter. It was almost like a time warp of sorts. Nothing on the album sounded 2016 at all, and that's a good thing. Loved, loved "Down In The Gulley". "South of Atlanta", "Country Bound", "Solving Problems" and the title track are all quality listens. Recommended for rainy days

Various Artists "Southern Family ...And yet another concept album, this one works as a whole based on the theme of the project. Favorite tracks were "I Cried", "Mama's Table", "Grandma's Garden " (please ZBB return to this sound!!), and "Sweet By and By". I really wish more albums like this came out, where everyone forgot about record labels and such, and combined good music to fit a general theme of an album.

Brothers Osborne "Pawn Shop" Great debut album from my hometown favorites. Really bummed "21 Summer" didn't chart higher, I believe the label will try for a 3rd single , maybe "Down Home" or "Heart Shaped Locket". All the songs here were great, and something new and fresh. Wouldn't be surprised if they had lead single in summer with sophomore album in late fall. These guys write ALOT.

Cody Jinks "I'm Not The Devil" Fantastic indie album from a rising-star. "The Way I Am" is such a good cover, dare I say maybe better than Merles. "Chase That Song", "The Same", "No Words" and the title track are all great.

Midland EP Yes I put this on the list. I discovered this EP just buy sampling new music on ITunes. Then I started reading about these guys. The EP is 5 songs of solid country gold. "Drinkin Problem" is so good, love the bridge that follows the chorus. I really hope they break out with at least a Top 30 hit and a full length album in 2017.

Randy Rogers Band "Nothing Shines Like Neon" I've had a whole year to pretty much listen to this to extinction, but it holds up nice. I knew from the album cover and album name that it would have some great songs. "Old Moon New" sounds like a hit in 1994, and the whole album is great full of good songwriting and some classic Texas production/instrumentation. Red-Dirt classic.

Miranda Lambert "Weight of These Wings" I struggled to find a tenth album for this list. Even though this one is pretty new and I haven't really digested all the tracks, I applaud Miranda for the double album and the bravery to record songs that were true to her and not necessarily chasing radio singles. Plus I love double albums, even though sometimes they have more filler. Usually artists record anywhere from 20 to 50 songs for an album, why not release all of them or a good portion?? Sounds like good marketing strategy. You never know when a song will stick and make a real connection.


HONORABLE MENTIONS
Jake Owen "American Love" - way better than Days of Gold
Kenny Chesney "Cosmic Hallelujah" - classic Chesney with a twist
William Michael Morgan "Vinyl" - really wished they didn't put every song from the EP, plus covers that we've heard before. But a solid album nonetheless
Cole Swindell "You Should Be Here" - miles better than his debut, applaud the songwriting and themes. Still has a very mediocre voice
David Nail "Fighter" - can't complain, you get what you get with David. Such a good voice.
Mark Chesnutt "Tradition Lives" - his best album since "Saving The Honky Tonks"
The Cadillac Three "Bury me In My Boots" - really like these guys, something different. Just wish EVERY single they've ever released wasn't included on the album. LOL. would have liked some newer material, since Jaren writes so many damn songs.


BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS
Dierks Bentley "Black" - I get the good songwriting. "Can't Be Replaced" is actually amazing. BUT, I really pine for classic Dierks (a la Modern Day Drifter). He's definitely getting way too much singer/songwriter for my tastes (sounds like Starbucks soundtrack sometimes). Bring back the fiddle and steel Dierks!!!
ROnnie Dunn "Tattooed Heart" - I was looking forward to this album since he signed with Nash Icon in late 2015. "Damn Drunk" is good, "She Don't Honky Tonk No More" is amazing. But the rest sounds flat. The Reba Duet was very boring, and I think "Young Buck" could have used the rumored George Strait addition.
Justin Moore "Kinda Don't Care" IMHO his worst album yet. Sounded like a lot of filler, and wayyyyy too much drum loop. I think he'll return with a solid album next.
Blake Shelton "If I'm Honest" : C'mon Blake, this is the best you can come up with? With literally everyone waiting to hear what he would do after the divorce, we get the same old boring Blake songs. I do applaud the gospel number at the end, and I love the Oak Ridge Boys duet (another song written by one of my favorite writers, Paul Overstreet"