AM I TOO LATE to take one last look back before it all goes completely to shit?
Whether this is the year’s end or the world’s, here are 16 from 2016 — a mixtape of songs that I discovered or listened to a lot this year, not necessarily stuff that was released in 2016. Every pick also has a B-side, so it’s actually 32 songs altogether, a double disc thing. And a few are really long (six break the 9-minute mark, one is almost 20 minutes), so it’s about three hours of music in total. There’s a lot of Bowie running throughout.
I have no idea if this is digestible to anyone else. Anyway, it’s been a year.
1.
Johnny Flynn, “Detectorists” (2014)
Theme song to a British TV series that only made it over here this year, via Netflix. There are only 13 episodes, but I’m on my fourth time through. Watching it has been one of the few things that can calm my anxieties after November 8, as I swaddle myself every night in its low-key (but truly brilliant) humor and warmth.
B-side:
Paul Simon, “Horace and Pete” (2016)
Another theme song to a favorite episodic series. But unlike the Detectorists, which I could watch over and over again (“Shut the fuck up, Paul!”), Horace and Pete is a total bummer and not recommended for bingeing or solace.
2.
Ann Peebles, “Trouble, Heartaches & Sadness” (1972)
“Have you heard Ann Peebles? Yeah, well Lennon’s right, ain’t he, best record in years.” — Bowie in 1974, talking about a different Peebles’ record, the follow-up to the one this is on. Man, I love this song, though. (Also, the three-note horn phrase reminds me of the saxophone in “Lazarus”.)
B-side:
Robert Wyatt, “Shipbuilding” (1982)
“A well-thought-through and relentlessly affecting song co-written by Elvis Costello, and Wyatt’s interpretation is the definitive. Heartbreaking — reduces strong men to blubbering girlies.” — Bowie in 2003 on his favorite records (which he probably played on this little Italian number). Though, I still think of the Suede version of this song first.
3.
David Bowie, “Win” (1975/2016)
For whatever reason, Young Americans became my go-to Bowie album this year. The parts that never clicked for me before finally clicked, and I love it as much as any of his other great ones.
B-side:
David Bowie, “Right” (1975/1997)
Something from the Leon suites deserves to be on here. After hearing stories about it (or something like it) ever since Outside first came out in 1995, it was a mind-blowing surprise to discover this year that it actually exists. But even I have limits on what’s appropriate for a mixtape. So instead of an excerpt from a leaked demo of an avant-garde, improvisational concept album, here’s another Young Americans track that I gained a new level of appreciation for.
4.
John Cale, “Dying on the Vine” (1992/2016)
The 2016 remastered version of one of my favorite songs, from one of my favorite albums.
B-side:
John Cale, “Hey Ray” (2011)
While filling in the gaps in my Cale collection this year, I came across an EP with some hidden gems on it. Pitchfork liked the EP, but hated this song (“cringe-inducing silliness”). I disagree!
5.
Neu!, “Hallogallo“ (1972)
Of the “Germans who influenced Low” crowd, I like Kraftwerk and Can well enough, but Neu! is motorik-fic. Amazed it took me till now to get around to them.
B-side:
Can, “Vitamin C” (1972)
This song jumped out for me in Inherent Vice, another thing I watched over and over again in 2016.
6.
Chris Lightcap’s Bigmouth, “White Horse” (2015)
I think this came from a list of 2015’s best jazz albums. Its goodness did not expire in 2016.
B-side:
Mark Guiliana Jazz Quartet, “The Importance of Brothers” (2015)
The amazing drummer from Bowie’s Blackstar, playing in a more traditional jazz combo.
7.
Now vs Now, “Ancient Alien“ (2013)
Trio led by Blackstar keyboardist Jason Lindner, also includes Guiliana. Following the Blackstar band all over NYC, in their various configurations, was definitely a highlight of my year.
B-side:
Maria Schneider Orchestra, “El Viento” (1996)
Probably shares obvious connections to Gil Evans and Sketches of Spain (I’m still not totally familiar with that one, even though I’ve owned it for a while). It’s the brass chorus suddenly appearing under the trumpet solo (starting at the 7:15 mark) that really does it for me.
8.
Kate Bush, “Pull Out the Pin” (1982)
Over-the-top and full of crazy singing and shrieking, like the rest of The Dreaming, her self-professed “She’s gone mad” album. I was always apprehensive of the album, but then I listened to it, and now I love it.
B-side:
Kate Bush, “Leave It Open” (1982)
Picking another track from The Dreaming, it was either gonna be this one or the one where she hee-haws like a donkey.
9.
Roy Harper, “One of Those Days in England” (1977)
I still haven’t made it all the way through this massive, 324-track mixtape of songs from 1977 (or this slightly less massive, 170-track mixtape of songs from 1950), but Roy Harper seemed like a real find from the former. Now, of course, I see him everywhere. Johnny Marr called Harper’s Stormcock album Hunky Dory’s “big, badder brother”. It’s a Harper tune that Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush lip sync over tea in this wonderfully wacky BBC Christmas special. And Bowie’s Astronettes covered Harper’s “Highway Blues” in 1974. Anyway, catchy song.
B-side:
Roy Harper, “One of Those Days in England (Parts 2–10)” (1977)
Part 1 is nifty, but Parts 2–10 are where the real action’s at. I didn’t even know angry prog-folk rock was a thing, and here’s a solid 19 minutes of it. The first minute starts off imagining the two weirdest government-sanctioned jobs ever, and then it goes on (and on) from there.
10.
Shearwater, “Fantastic Voyage” (2016)
John Cale’s “Sorrow” was another cool Bowie tribute from this year. And something from Shearwater’s Rook almost made it on. But instead, here’s the opener to their Lodger cover album, and, as a friend noted, a strong contender for theme song of the Trump era.
B-side:
Girl in a Coma, “As the World Falls Down” (2010)
Another Bowie cover (via Chris O’Leary’s article on Bowie covers), this one recorded during Bowie’s fallow period.
11.
Thin Lizzy, “Sweet Marie” (1976)
Downloaded this on election night, and ended up playing it over and over again. Just a solid rock ballad that’s got nothing to do with nothing. I think the simplicity — and Phil Lynott’s sweet-ass, soothing tones — helped me keep my mind off things. Try listening to this one on repeat half a dozen times and see if you don’t feel better.
B-side:
Thin Lizzy, “Massacre” (1976)
Besides their Tony Visconti connection with Bowie, Thin Lizzy also has an Iron Maiden link — a strong influence on Steve and the band, with their harmonized twin guitars, rollicking bass, etc. Maiden released a cover of this song as the B-side to “Can I Play With Madness”.
12.
Iron Maiden, “Death or Glory” (2015)
Overall, I’d rate The Book of Souls Maiden’s least interesting “post-reunion” album. And the “climb like a monkey” pantomime at the concerts is a little embarrassing. But this is still a solid Smith/Dickinson tune.
B-side:
Iron Maiden, “The Red and the Black” (2015)
On the flip side, the live show in support of the album was one of Maiden’s best, and the guitar solos during this song were a highlight of the set.
13.
Megadeth, “Dystopia” (2016)
I’d say this is their best album since Youthanasia. Plus, I finally saw them live this year, and it rocked. And I read at least one interview where Mustaine didn’t sound like a complete jackass. So, maybe things are finally looking up again for Dave and co.
B-side:
Mötörhead, “Victory or Die” (2015)
I feel like Lemmy dying at the end of 2015 was just the warm-up act to all the terrible things in 2016. Here’s the opener to his final album, recorded 10 months before his death. He was a little ragged, but still giving it his all.
14.
Leonard Cohen, “You Want It Darker” (2016)
More death and darkness, and another swan song.
B-side:
Brian Eno, “Fickle Sun: (iii) I’m Set Free” (2016)
But Eno’s still kicking — if kicking means making obscure, multi-part, semi-ambient conceptual pieces that incorporate Velvet Underground covers.
15.
Iggy Pop, “American Valhalla” (2016)
Iggy’s still kicking, too. Though, this wouldn’t make a bad swan song, either.
B-side:
Iggy Pop, “Break Into Your Heart” (2016)
The opener to Post Pop Depression, my second favorite album of 2016. I also really enjoyed listening to him on a couple of live recordings — an old Stooges show in Georgia and a new bootleg from Paris — demonstrating he’s as full of piss and vinegar in 2016 as he was in 1973.
16.
David Bowie, “Blackstar” (2016)
This time last year, this was on repeat, pretty much nonstop. Can’t remember the last time I was so excited for an album, staying up late just so I could download it and listen to it as soon as it was available. I was stoked that Bowie was back in top form.
B-side:
David Bowie, “No Plan” (2016)
Wouldn’t it be great if all the other outtakes from the Blackstar sessions were unofficially officially “leaked” — like what happened with Toy — instead of the record company packaging them up as Bowie’s “last songs” or his “lost album” or whatever it is they’re gonna do? Yeah, I know. Not gonna happen. And 2017 isn’t gonna be any better than 2016, is it? Ah, well, Happy New Year, just the same.
A-side cover art:
Tiffany Bozic, “Altruism” (2015)