From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V16 #1885 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Thursday, December 15 2016 Volume 16 : Number 1885 To unsubscribe: e-mail ecto-digest-request@smoe.org and put the word unsubscribe in the message body. Today's Subjects: ----------------- Best of 2016 (so far) [Jeffrey Hanson ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2016 10:14:32 -0700 From: Jeffrey Hanson Subject: Best of 2016 (so far) So havenbt bought as much new music this year as I have in previous, but here a are a few of my favorites: 1. DakhaBrakha - Shlyak (P(P;QQ) - Dakha Brakha returns with a brooding, dark album This really is one of the best bands performing now. Three women who play cello and drums and a guy that sing with a beautiful falsetto and plays a variety of instruments. Think the Bulgarian Womenbs Choir mixed with Sigur Ros and you have an idea of what to expect, but then throw a bit of Ukrainian hip hop in for good measure. 2. Kate Bush - After the Dawn - Three albums worth of Kate Bushbwhatbs not to like? And since I ddinbt get to any of the concerts, at least i get to hear what I missed. 3. Woodkid - The Golden Age - Discovered his music through the largely foregettable movie Desierto. Think Anonhi crossed with Tears for Fears. 4. Jane SIberry - Ulyssesb Purse/Angels Bend Closer - Jane self-released the album as Ulyssesb Purse, then got it picked up by a major distributor who renamed it and tweaked it. Still essential quirky Jane. 5. David Bowie - Blackstar - an impressive final album - creative to the very end 6, Eliot Sumner - Information/Kaya Stewart These two albums by daughterbs of 80bs music legends are very different. Eliot Sumner's voice is a lot like her father Sting giving the music an androgynous edgebbut definitely an artist in her own right. A bit brooding and introspective. Kaya Stewart, Dave Stewartbs daughter, on the other hand is bouncy and fun pop, but her voice is really strong. 7. Diane Birch - Nous - because I love pretty much anything this woman does 8. Kathryn Joseph - weird folky music with a very intriguing Scottish voice 9, The Staves - If I Was / Dead and Born and Grown - two albums released in 2015 and 2012 but I just found heard them this year Beautiful harmonies reminiscent of The Wailinb Jennys. Their singing is definitely better than their songwriting, but some of their covers available through you tube are really transcendent. 10. Alison Moyetbs first 4 albums reissued with bonus tracks - because more Alison Moyet is never a bad thing. Honorable mentions: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - This Unruly Mess Ibve Made - not as good as their first, but rarely has hip hop been this fun with tongue firmly in cheek. Definitely catchy. Erin Hales - The Well-Tempered Clavier, part 1 - classical piano music at its best. Recorded live at a small church in Lake Como Italy. Discovered this through her father who happened to teach a class for work that I attended. Evidently this Phoenix-valley born musician is becoming one of the worldbs top female pianists. The second volume should be out next year. Todrick Hall - Straight Outta Oz This former American Idol contestant and RuPaul Drag Race guest judge released this surprisingly high quality album/music with really impressive videos to accompany it. Artfully inspired by Wizard of Oz, yet also very personal. Tons of guest artists too including Amber Riley (Glee), Nicole Sherzinger, Jordin Sparks and Bob the Drag Queen. Disappointment: Anonhi - really wanted to love this, but just doesnbt have the warmth and heartache of the Antony and the Johnsons albums. This one just sounds harsh and takes itself way too seriously. Still has some beautiful moments, but overall itbs just not that compelling. ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V16 #1885 ****************************