Albums
of the year
2016
It's been quite a year, this 2016. Americans "elected" a 70-year old, tangerine-sprayed, KKK-endorsed, pussy-grabbing, fascist, thin-skinned, daughter-lusting, draft-dodging, roly-poly, banana republic third-world man-baby dictator dropped off from the Planet Idiocracy for president, but that didn't keep my spirits down! I kept on trucking, listening to more new albums than ever, resulting, interestingly enough, in my smallest Albums of the Year post yet. But it's that classic total of 10 that everyone seems to love so much for some odd reason. "THERE CAN ONLY BE AN EVEN 10 GREAT ALBUMS PER YEAR" said the Lord. And so it shall be. At least for this year. 2017 does appear to be shaping up as a potentially great year for the long player, but in the meantime, there were 10 great LPs this year, including one fantastic "Album of the Year".
This presentation is in no particular order. They're all viewed as equally great here at the offices of Ghostlife, Ltd.
9
Solano + Profettes
Solano + Profettes EP


This review is as short as this Finnish band's career. Well, at least in terms of recorded output, I guess. They recorded this one EP and not too long after it was released, they called it quits, which is a damn shame as I found their sound to be quite unique amongst a lot of like-minded bands that have failed to differentiate themselves. Obviously their inspiration is rooted much in the 80's, and as a result, much of today's synth-pop revival that has been going on with bands like Chrvches, Diana, and others. This ensemble stood out though for me, a lot. Even within the four songs here there are a range of moods that all covered, all of which feel quintessentially Scandinavian. Something soft, post-modern, icy smooth. Like Lush, it's unfortunate this is all we get, but it's so good and hits the spot so perfectly on every listen, I'm just happy it exists. Have you seen 'Poltergeist III'? Have you seen it lately? Yeah, didn't think so. Well, there's a scene where Nancy Allen is sitting in the lobby/art gallery in the building her and Tom Skerritt live in, and there is this music playing as we watch her wait - and that's what this EP sounds like to me. Random as always, me.
Label
Solina Records
Released
15 April 2016
Running time
18:00
Tracklist
Don't You Cry for Giving Up
Sakura
Spanish Class
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