Onto more important things and the real reason for this blogpost. This is the list of the awesome musical albums I've added to my personal collection through 2016 and why they're so awesome (or not...):
| You are an artist, And your heart is your masterpiece, And I’ll keep it safe |
#1. Atlas by Sleeping at Last
This has to be my favorite of all my CDs of 2016, and it is fighting its way up to being number one of all-time. I discovered Sleeping at Last late 2014 but hadn't bought any of his work until this year (possibly because if you buy a 32- song CD, it can be expensive). Ryan O'Neal is, in my opinion, one of the most brilliant lyricists of our time. When I've read how he writes each song, I'm mind-blown at his intricate and creative process. He truly paints pictures with his words, and they are the most magical, hopeful, and beautiful pictures. I don't know. I pretty much love every single song on this CD (if, IF I had to pick, it would be 'I'll Keep You Safe'), and I could probably write about his music for a lot longer than this, but I should stop now...all the other CDs are going to pale in comparison.
| In the best way, you’ll be the death of me. |
#4. Lights Out by Ingrid Michaelson
I had heard some of Ingrid's music way back when I first began blogging (the first round when I was fourteen years-old or so) and a blogger I followed recommended her. At that time the music wasn't really my style, but in late 2014, I discovered her again (her music was featured on the Moms' Night Out soundtrack), and so when she released her Lights Out album, I gave it a listen and have liked her since. I don't have so many specific reasons for liking her. I guess I like the feel of her music and the different viewpoint that I get to see through on more familiar subjects, and then there are definite times when her word use really...well...makes my soul sing. My favorite song might be 'Wonderful Unknown' (if I had to choose). It was one of those where I thought the lyrics were interesting and vague and kinda perfect in a way. Quick fact: I'd totally use this in the picture slideshow if I got married.
No one's gonna wait for you
So do it now
Do it right now Don't waste a minute on the darkness and the pity sitting in your mind And do it right now |
Strangely, after liking her newest album so much, I didn't go and listen to her older albums (and I still haven't, besides this one), but in September of this year, I listened through this one and bought it with some Birthday money. I probably haven't listened through it enough since I don't know all the songs by heart yet, but again, I love the feel. Since there are quite a few songs I like on it, though (and none that I particularly dislike), I'll just pick "Do It Now".
| So if You can hear me, I could use You right about now. If You can hear me, could You send some peace? Because the devils walking in my soul, And all I really wanna know Is that You can hear me? |
#6. The Walking in Between by Ben Rector
It's really a shame having to rank these albums because if I spent money on them, they have to be pretty good, and this one is no exception. I've liked pretty much loved all of Ben Rector's music since I discovered him on Noisetrade back in 2011. Again it's not so much the profoundness of his lyrics that caught me, but it's the feel and his voice and the tunes. He was one of the first artists where I realized a Christian could make good and awesome music without it being worship anthems (although there's nothing wrong with worship anthems). My favorite on this album is probably 'If You Can Hear Me' (or 'Sailboat' or 'I Like You') because it has more of the realistic lyrics. Worship anthems are great, but lots of the time, I'm having the thoughts echoed in 'If You Can Hear Me' or 'Sailboat'.
What will it look like?
What will it be like? When my world turns out like you planned. When will I get there? Feels like I'm nowhere. My dreams are like dust in my hair. But I, I know.
That this is the waiting.
I anxiously wait. 'Cause I hold on to love that will never let go. And in these times that my patience is tested, Won't you remind me that I'm not home?
Here in the waiting.
The waiting. The waiting. |
With most other people, I first heard Jamie Grace on the radio, and I bought this album on a whim because of three songs - 'The Waiting' (which is my favorite on the album because, again, I can relate to it the most. It echoes the wonderings of my heart), 'Do Life Big', and 'To Love You Back' (argh, maybe this is my favorite), and because of those three songs, I don't regret buying it. The other songs on this album are upbeat and good, but emotionally, they get a pass over from me.
| And I hold my favorite thing - I hold the love that you bring, But it feels like I've opened my eyes again, And the colors are golden and bright again. There's a song in my heart. I feel like I belong. It's a better place since you came along |
#2. Wildfire by Rachel Platten
My bro showed me her EP with a few songs which I thought were catchy earlier last year. Then my brother brought this album for me out of the blue as a late Christmas present; so I went in not really sure what it was going to be like, but I ended up really loving it. The album is really upbeat (even when the songs aren't exactly upbeat) and catchy. I started taking it with me in the car all the time which probably made me like it even more (nothing beats turning up the bass on songs like these). There's one song on it that has some really suggestive stuff, but other than that, she has a lot of very emotional and raw songs on it. Her lyrics might be more on the simple/typical side, but I felt as though she spoke my language on some of the songs, and I also love the story behind the 'Fight Song'. My favorite song is on the whole CD is probably 'Better Place' because it's so happy and it's one of those things I grasp onto - the idea that your presence makes such a difference in someone's life. That you're not an 'extra' but an important and essential part. My second favorite is 'You Don't Know My Heart'. There's nothing I hate more than being misunderstood, and I'm not very good at communicating through speech.
| So keep your eyes set on the horizon, On the line where blue meets blue, And I bet that silver lining, Well I know it'd find you soon 'Cause I have sailed a 1000 ships to you, But my messages don't seem to make it through |
Last year, I heard '1000 Ships' (which was the very beginning of knowing who Rachel Platten is) on Spotify's Discover Weekly playlist, and it continues to be my favorite on this CD (not for any reason in particular...just because it's catchy and happy sounding) with '53 Steps' a close second (though, I'm always singing, 'Nothing Ever Happens'). This isn't as polished (she released it independently) as her second album. Some of the songs seem a little forced, but it still carries the catchiness of the second. Oh, and I actually went to see her in concert in September. She was performing at the fair for free. I should have paid extra to get in the 'ticket section' because let me tell you, the free section's enthusiasm was just sad...And, of course, out of all the songs she could have played, she had to play the most objectionable one, and I had persuaded the pastor's daughter to go with me. Kinda embarrassing...
| Everybody's gon' die. Don't everybody live though. Sometimes I look up to the sky And wonder do You see us down here?
Oh Lord, oh Lord, do You see us down here?
Oh Lord, oh Lord |
Because of how much I loved NF's last album, I bought this one instantly. At first I didn't like it as much as Mansion and was a bit disappointed. It seemed like he sang a lot more about the music industry/the challenges of being an artist/the fakeness of most rappers than subjects/feelings I can relate to, and there's a lot more straight rap, I think, on this one than the first, and I like an even mixture of singing and rap, but after a good amount of listens, I do like it (still maybe not to the extent of Mansion). It has his very raw, at times, heart wrenching lyrics. I think what I search for a lot in musical artists nowadays is realness/rawness, and he is the consistently rawest lyricist I have heard. You can tell he writes from his soul. 'How Could You Leave Us?' just kills me every time. My favorite song on this one is probably 'Oh Lord' because 'How Could You Leave Us?' is way too sad to be a favorite.
So what new albums have you added to your collection this past year? Have you listened to any of these? Did you listen to any of these after I brought their awesomeness to your attention, and if so, what did you think? Are you guys turning into ice cubes like me?
If you see a downgrade in my writing, it's because the time is now far past my bedtime, but I wanted to get this done because we're off to Virginia early, early next Wednesday, and we'll be back just before the new year. I don't know how much time I'll have while we're there. If I'm not around before Christmas, I hope all your Christmases are lovely!
Afterthought: Yes, I do realize my numbering is not in order. I'm awesome like that :) (And I'm kinda lazy...honestly...I was fighting too much up with format as it is...) .
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