HCTF's best of 2016 (15-11)

Where's ...
David Bowie, Radiohead, Nick Cave? Or that album that you liked so much?

Simple. HCTF picked the 20 best albums that were actually reviewed on this blog.

HCTF lists the 20 albums that will be in regular rotation for many years to come.

2016 was a memorable year for music lovers.

• Vinyl is back.
• The majors are still running around in circles, trying to keep their cashflow alive.
• streaming is now big business (for the artist not so much).
• "Self-released" has become a regular tag. Even big time acts go for crowdfunding to cover the costs of making an album, sometimes aided by a small network of indie labels to carry the load of distribution.
• Software is catching up with the studio as a means of home recording - untrained ears will have a hard time to hear the difference.

One thing will never change: independent music is where it's at when you are on the look out for something interesting to listen to.

Sadly some of the greats are no longer with us - David Bowie, Prince, Leonard Cohen as well two of the finest sidemen - Scotty Moore and Bernie Worrell. As 2016 drew too a close underrated Stus Quo rhythm guitarist Rick Parfitt and singer George Michael also checked out.

Today: countdown from number 15 to 11.

Go here for 5-1 | 10-6 | 20-16.

Oh Halo: Burden Of Light

BEST OF 2016
13
HCTF

NYC dream pop band Oh Halo are mixing dark poetry with accessible sonic tapestries on their new album Burden Of Light. All three band members are multi-instrumentalists, giving them ample opportunity to search for the best vibe for each song. Driven forward by the vocals of lyricist Julie Dicterow, who sounds like a mix of Evagelia Maravelias (Elika) and Laura Burhenn (The Mynabirds), it is a record on which water is the key element, as a soothing and potentially lethal force.

With songs about dealing with medicine dependence (Bring Down Waterfall) and pain (Turn Me Around) this is a serious batch of tracks. Charlie Nieland (bass, guitar) used all his skills as a producer to ensure that the overall sound is open-ended and inviting, carefully balancing the heavy-handed lyrics with the soft-spoken music - another feat of light and shade that has made them an underground favourite in their niche.