45 Favorite Album Releases Of 2016 - Part 2: 1 through 20

This is in no way a Best Of List, since I was only able to listen to a fraction of the music that came out last year. The albums are arranged in order of preference. I’d like to extend my gratitude to all the artists, press agents, and labels that sent CDs and downloads. I sincerely apologize that due to time constraints, I wasn’t always able to respond to the messages I received. Note: Some of these albums were actually released in 2015. So, here is the Top 20 of this year’s list. The numbers in parenthesis are the date the review was posted on Broken Hearted Toy.

(Numbers 21 through 45 were posted here yesterday.)

1. Cheap Trick - Bang, Zoom, Crazy . . . Hello Released at the same time the band was inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, this guitar-driven collection offered the energetic, highly melodic rock Cheap Trick is known for, along with some more experimental material. (4/11)

2. The Shelters - The Shelters The Los Angeles-based band drew inspiration from The Beatles, glam rock, and Led Zeppelin to create their own unique sound on this impressive debut. (8/30)

3. The Smithereens - ESP3PECIALLY F0R For You Two-CD set celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the band’s debut with live and acoustic tracks, demo versions, and rarities. (10/25 and 10/27)

4. Trolley - Caught In The Darkness All three members of the Milwaukee-based band can sing lead, and the power pop arrangements they create together are consistently inventive. (2/1)

5. Ex-Norwegians - Glazer Hazerr The Miami-based band once again featured Roger Houdaille and Michele Grand’s dynamic vocals on off-kilter but infectious power pop songs.(11/15)

6. Graham Nash - This Path Tonight His first solo album in several years found him striking a balance between exploring romantic relationships and exposing society’s ills. (5/9 and 5/10)

7. The Chills - Silver Bullets Frontman Martin Phillipps combined gorgeous arrangements with caustic lyrics about economic inequality and environmental disasters. (3/10)

8. Wolf Alice - My Love Is Cool English quartet’s adventurous debut was fueled by vocalist-guitarist Ellie Rowsell breathing fire into various genres and personas (4/13)

9. The Monkees - Good Times Micky Dolenz, Mike Nesmith, and Peter Tork made good on the inspired concept of having modern rock stars compose songs for their new album. (6/29)

10. The Pretenders - Alone Chrissie Hynde retained her status as one of rock’s premier vocalists, even if some of the material was a little soft at times. (12/31)

11. Dot Dash - Searchlights Another engaging effort from the Washington, D.C. band, with added nuances to its guitar-driven, 1980s alt rock approach. (8/9)

12. The Zombies - Still Got That Hunger Founding members Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent tapped into the American blues and soul music that has inspired them since the 1960s. (6/10)

13.The Flat Five - It’s A World Of Love And Hope Band of veteran Chicago musicians created catchy songs with vintage vocal interplay and arrangements. (1-7/17)

14. The Weeklings - Studio 2 Second effort from these music veterans once again seamlessly blended original tunes with vintage rarities composed but never released by The Beatles (1/1/17)

15. Arvidson And Butterflies - Arvidson And Butterflies Swedish singer Roger Arvidson explored broken relationships via guitar-driven songs and impeccable harmony vocals (6/23)

16. The Vulgar Boatmen - You And Your Sister - Remastered 25th Anniversary Edition celebrated songs that were never hits but are still highly regarded by critics and fans. (11/10)

17. The Forty Nineteens - Rebooted Another fun collection of energetic songs with catchy melodies and the exuberant vocals of lead singer-bassist John Pozza. (5/30)

18. Sidewalk Society - Sidewalk Society The California-based trio did a great job of covering David Bowie and the lesser-known 1960s Brit act The Action on this four-song EP. (7/28)

19. The Lash Outs - State Of Excess Third album from the Dallas-based quartet mixed quick-rhyming put-downs and aggressive arrangements in equal measures. (8/11)

20. whitewolfsonicprincess - Shadow Of The Marigold Spinoff of Chicago theatre group Black Forest established its own identity with an enchanting mix of rock, jazz, and blues. (2/23)

45 Favorite Releases Of 2016: Part One - 21 through 45

This is in no way a Best Of List, since I was only able to listen to a fraction of the music that came out last year. The albums are shown in order of preference. I’d like to thank all the artists, press agents, and labels that sent me music to review. I sincerely apologize that due to time constraints, I wasn’t always able to respond to messages I received. I wish everyone the best of luck in their creative endeavors. Note: Some of these albums were actually released in 2015.
So, here is the second half of this year’s list. The numbers in parenthesis are the date the review was posted on Broken Hearted Toy.

21. Various - Friends And Frenemies: An Artist Compilation The first collection from the Mystery Lawn Music label featured songs by The Orange Peels and similar California acts. (12/28)

22. Jonny Weathers - Jonny Weathers And The Cosmic Stream Lots of 1970s genre-hopping fueled by consistently inventive guitar playing and evocative vocals. (1/25/17)

23. Mimi Betinis - Music Sounds The first of two 2016 albums from the Pezband founder found him exploring different types of music while keeping the emphasis on strong melodies.(8/16)

24. Javier Escovedo - Kicked Out Of Eden (1/12) Second solo effort from the leader of 1970s punk band The Zeros had loads of energy and he was backed by a first-rate band.

25. The Jangle Band - Edge Of A Dream The prolific Joe Algeri joined fellow Aussies Jeff Baker, Dave Wallace, and Mark “Sid” Eaton on a Byrds-inspired collection of power pop. (5/25)

26. Edward Rogers - Glass Marbles English/New York singer-songwriter mixed theatrical tunes delivered a voice reminiscent of David Bowie, as well as full-throttle rock songs.(5/4)

27. Tommy And The Rockets - Beer, Fun, and Rock ’n’ Roll Danish singer Thomas Stubgaard evokes an American style sock hop while emulating his heroes The Ramones. (6/21)

28. Rob Clarke And The Wooltones - Are You Wooltoned? New album gathered fun psych-rock and 1960-inspired songs from previous releases by the Liverpool-based trio. (11/30)

29. Mimi Betinis - Basement Tapes Vo. 1 The Pezband vocalist didn’t use much more than an acoustic guitar on these catchy songs, and opted for a lush arrangement on others. (9/15)

30. The Monos - Live ’78 Performance at the North East London Polytechnic club was a low-fi but worthwhile trip back to the dawn of the punk and power pop genres. (11/24)

31. Jeremy Porter And The Tucos - Above The Sweet Tea Jeremy Porter’s tales of dive bars and the bands and lonely people who frequent them were set to catchy melodies. (6/28)

32. Slow Buildings - Weapons Against Me New Jersey-based quartet continued to set darker sentiments with biting lyrics to catchy melodies. (1/25)

33. Colman Gota - Tape Vocalist-bassist from the Madrid created edgy pop tunes reminiscent of Elvis Costello and Graham Parker on his second solo effort (7/5)

34. The Unswept - Fake It England-to-Chicago transplants Charlie, Ryan, and Liz O’Brien crafted another collection of songs reminiscent of Carnaby Street circa 1965. (1/4/17)

35. Ken Sharp - New Mourning Noted rock journalist took a cosmopolitan approach to his original songs, choosing genres that included power pop, rock, soul, and even Broadway. (9/1)

36. Allyson Seconds - Little World The Sacramento-based singer took naturally to noted composer Anton Barbeau’s adventurous tales of interesting characters. (12/21)

37. Paul Carrack - Soul Shadows The voice on Squeeze’s “Tempted” and singer for Mike And The Mechanics was still at the top of his game as he explored a variety of genres. (3/2)

38. Karen Haglof Perseverance And Grace The veteran of New York’s 1990s alt rock club scene aligned clever and often biting lyrics with alluring melodies (6/16)

39. Erin Pellnat Dream In Color Brooklyn-based singer’s collaboration with composer Christopher Pellnat on this EP incorporated indie rock, torch songs and folk. (1/14/17)

40. Roxy Swain - Beneath A Full Moonlight Third album from the Chicago band showcased lead vocalist-rhythm guitarist Roxy Swain’s evocative vocals on rock, soul, and country music. (7/11)

41. The Neverly Brothers - Magical History Tour Double CD followed the format of the band’s live show, with covers of songs by rock and roll pioneers from the 1950s and ‘60s. (3/17)

42. Girls On Grass - Girls On Grass Brooklyn-based band led by singer-guitarist Barbara Endes mixed old school country and western with down-to-earth rock on its self-titled debut. (9/22)

43. Christopher David - The Houdini Tapes Mostly acoustic and low-key solo from Magatha Trysty singer-guitarist was far afield from his work with that band but still engaging. (2/10)

44. Gary Ritchie - pop-ti-mis-tic The latest CD from the former member of Loose Lips was filled with catchy 1960s style arrangements, clever wordplay, and ringing guitars (7-19)

45. Christopher David - Stereopsis Second 2016 solo effort Magatha Trysty singer-guitarist features acoustic-based arrangements and his cryptic imagery. (1/9/17)

Slumgullion

Ray Davies’ new album Americana, his first release in 10 years, is due out April 21 and is available for preorder on Amazon. The single “Poetry,” a catchy tune with jangling guitars, can already be downloaded for $1.29. According to the official Ray Davies Facebook page, the new issue of MOJO magazine will have an in-depth interview with him, along with a free Kinks tribute CD.

Hard-hitting Chicago power pop act Go Time! has a record release show for its new 18-track album VI tomorrow night at The Uptown Lounge. Mama YaYa is the scheduled opening act.

It was touching to see the numerous tributes to Mary Tyler Moore in the daily papers and across social media following the news of her death at age 80. Moore not only gave television two of its most endearing characters in Laura Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show and Mary Richards on The Mary Tyler Moore show, she was actively involved in raising funds to fight diabetes and also supported the humane treatment of animals.

Chicago-based alt-rock band whitewolfsonicprincess is hosting its first Rock ’N' Roll Circus event this Sunday, January 29 at The Red Line Tap. Other acts on this eclectic showcase include The Dark Room Men, KC Cronis, and The Hens. Carla Hayden and James Moeller of whitewolfsonicprincess plan to stage The Rock ’N’ Roll Circus (which takes its name from a famous happening led by The Rolling Stones in 1968) on a semi-regular basis.

Steep Theatre Company’s production of the Mike Bartlett play Earthquakes In London opened yesterday at its location on Berwyn Avenue. Directed by Jonathan Berry and featuring a cast of 15 actors, Earthquakes In London concerns a climate scientist and his three daughters coping with global destruction.

Genesis Publications, an English company whose rock and roll books are best described as magnificent (and expensive), has a new release that celebrates the iconic cover of The Beatles’ Revolver album. This is a signed, commemorative edition of the REVOLVER 50: Birth of an Icon book that artist and Beatles confidante Klaus Voorman released last year, with additional features like foiled buckram binding and a pencil drawing Genesis describes as “a unique, one-of-kind artwork.” A limited number of copies are being offered to the public, at the price of £325. I purchased the much less costly version from Voorman himself at last year’s Fest For Beatles Fans - Chicago, and it was an honor to meet him and have him sign it.

WXRT’s Lin Brehmer will mark 25 years of serving as the station’s early morning DJ with a live broadcast from Kings Bowl at MB Financial Park in Rosemont on February 3. The special guests scheduled to appear are being kept under wraps, but it’s a safe bet our current chief executive won’t be among them. Brehmer continues to be, to use his catchphrase, our best friend in the whole world, and his philosophy “It’s great to be alive!” sounds both ironic and genuine. He goes high while so many other a.m. jocks go low; with funny but introspective reflection of Lin’s Bin, and has an enjoyable rapport with news anchor Mary Dixon. Starting next week, Brehmer and Dixon will give listeners a chance to win tickets to the special broadcast.

Been there, shoveled that. Yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of the blizzard that dumped 23 inches of snow on Chicago in little over a single day. I remember earning $3 for shoveling our neighbor’s sidewalk, which I used to buy my very first album—Stop Stop Stop by The Hollies. Playwright Jon Steinhagen taps into other memories for his play Blizzard ’67, which is currently running at the 16th Street Theater in Berwyn through mid-February. Steinhagen and director Ann Filmer were recently interviewed by Rick Kogan for an article in the Chicago Tribune, and they described the play as being about four office workers who make an ill-fated decision to carpool home in the teeth of inclement weather.

Maybe Jughead did it. Back when I was in eighth grade, I would often chill out with a bottle of RC cola while listening to Ron Riley on WLS and reading Archie comic books. Archie and his his friends have already been reimagined in a series of graphic novels, and now they’ll have a series called Riverdale on the CW channel. The ambience is a bit darker now, with the gang trying to solve a murder.

Jonny Weathers - Jonny Weathers And Cosmic Scream

This is the third release from Jonny Weathers, the alter ego of London-based singer/multi-instrumentalist Gareth Proctor. There’s a lot of genre-hopping—much of it rooted in the 1970s—throughout these 10 tracks, and Weathers fuels it with consistently inventive guitar playing. He delivers poetic lyrics laced with arresting imagery in a vocal style that’s both streetwise and emotional.

“She woke me up and asked me for my angel dust,” Weathers sings at the start of the funk rock number “Babirusa,” while the acoustic “Indian Rope Tricks,” has lines like, “Feel like I’m picking up the pieces of a broken man.” “Hendrix At The Hacienda,” which doesn’t mention the iconic guitarist at all, sounds like one of those rampaging prog rock songs the indie UK label Fruits de Mer loves to put on its records. “Mongo Shaker” also finds Weathers paying homage to Hendrix.

“You’ll Always Be A Planet To Me,” besides having one of the best song titles I’ve heard in a while, combines guitar and keyboards in an off-kilter love song with a classic rock setting. Weathers switches to singer-songwriter mode for “Toxic Pop Soldier,” which features him alone on piano. “The Bullet And The Breeze And The Killing Floor” is another gritty highlight, with Weathers cutting loose an guitar and adding a touch of Rolling Stones with some “hoo hoo” background vocals.

Sunday Papers

Congratulations to The Bangles on being chosen for the cover of Power Pop Heroes Vol. No. 4, the latest edition in noted rock critic Ken Sharp’s impressive series of books on the genre. This time out, Sharp casts a spotlight on The dB’s, Tommy Keene, Let’s Active, The Go-Go’s, The Three O’Clock, The Smithereens, Matthew Sweet, The Hoodoo Gurus, and others. Power Pop Heroes Volume No. 4 is available for pre-order from the Pop Geek Heaven website.

U2 has added a second Chicago date for The Joshua Tree Tour 2017. The iconic Irish band will play June 3 and 4 at Soldier Field and on the following weekend, will be one of the headliners at the Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival in Manchester, TN. Other acts coming to Bonnaroo include Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Weekend, Tegan and Sara, Lorde, and Cage The Elephant.

The Chicago International Puppet Festival has returned to Chicago and will run at various venues around town through next Sunday, January 29. The Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, Looking Glass Theatre, Links Hall, The Neo-Futurists, and The Center for Community Arts Partnerships at Columbia College are among the local organizations involved. I can’t see the word puppets without immediately thinking of Desiree Burcum of the Famous In The Future comedy group. During the years I was with FIF, and since I left, she’s created a number of imaginative puppets for skits and songs.

The Gene Siskel Film Center is presenting an Oscar viewing party titled Hollywood On State: Where You’re The Star! on Sunday, February 26. A live Academy Awards telecast at 7:30 will be preceded by an hour-long session of Red Carpet, Food and Libations. General Admission is $100, and there’s also a $200 VIP Lounge option.

Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Victoria. Ray Davies and The Kinks paid tribute to her in song, and now a one-time companion of The Doctor is portraying Queen Victoria in the early days of her reign. Jenna Coleman, who exuded charm and determination as Clara Oswald on Doctor Who, takes on the lead role in the current PBS Masterpiece series Victoria.

The citizens of Aurora, IL will be having a schwinging time when Party On! 25 Years Of Wayne’s World kicks off on February 3 with a poster contest at the If These Walls Could Talk gallery. According to reporter David Sharos in The Beacon News (and picked up by the Chicago Tribune), the month-long celebration honoring the Mike Myers and Dana Carvey flick will also include a major event in Aurora on the 4th of July involving a quest to set a world record for the largest crowd headbanging to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Which hopefully won’t result in numerous cases of whiplash. Way!

Ronnie Spector from The Ronettes; solo artist and former member of The Runaways Lita Ford; Garbage vocalist Shirley Manson; and jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding were among the honorees at the fifth annual She Rocks Awards held at the Anaheim Hilton this past Friday night. According to Kelli Skye Fadroski in The Orange County Register, the event was co-hosted by Daisy Rock Girl Guitars founder Tish Ciravolo and Fox 11 news anchor Christine Devine, and featured a rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Lemon Song” performed by the all-female tribute band Lez Zeppelin.

Slumgullion

Tickets went on sale today for Aimee Mann’s 18 and over concert on April 29 at Park West. Jonathan Coulton will be her opening act. Mann’s latest album Mental Illness is due out March 31.

Other concerts that went on sale today include Green Day and Catfish and The Bottlemen at Wrigley Field on August 24; Jayhawks at Thalia Hall on April 29; and New Pornographers and Waxahatchee at Metro on April 19 and 21.

John Cleese of Monty Python's Flying Circus and Fawlty Towers fame, will be on hand at the Chicago Theatre this Sunday afternoon for a screening of Monty Python And The Holy Grail.

You can go your own way but you’ll sell more records if you join forces with a former bandmate. The Chicago Tribune recently picked up an article from the L.A. Times by Randall Roberts about the new collaboration from Christine McVie and Lindsey Buckingham. It will be released later this year.

Go Time! has a record release show for its new 18-track album VI coming up next Saturday, January 28 at The Uptown Lounge. Mama YaYa is the scheduled opened act.

Chicago-based alt-rock band whitewolfsonicprincess is hosting its first Rock ’N' Roll Circus event next Sunday, January 29 at The Red Line Tap. Other acts on this eclectic showcase include The Dark Room Men, KC Cronis, and The Hens.

Red Eye, the Chicago free paper I’ve often used as a source for entertainment news here on BHT, will stop its daily editions and switch to a Thursday-only issue that will concentrate on dining and entertainment. If that schedule sounds familiar, it’s because it’s the one two of Chicago’s other free papers, The Reader and New City, have used for decades.

The Graham Cracker Comics location at 77 E. Madison in downtown Chicago has copies of Resist!, a Brooklyn, NY free newspaper published by Gabe Fowler that features art and comics by numerous women artists, expressing their views on current events. Fowler owns the Brooklyn comic store Desert Island.

Artist/critic Robin Dluzen’s solo exhibition Wreath of Roses runs January 23 through February 23 at Harper College in Palatine. Her sculpted and drawing-based pieces comprise industrial and recycled materials and follow the theme of “home.” There will a reception for the artist 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8.

Superior Donuts, the new TV series based on Tracy Letts’ play of the same name, premieres on CBS on February 2. Many Chicagoans still remember the productions staged here featuring Rich Cotovsky of Mary-Arrchie Theatre.

Erin Pellnat - Dream In Color

Brooklyn-based singer Erin Pellnat has been involved in a variety of projects, including the indie rock band Caretaker. Dream In Color, released late last year, is her collaboration with Christopher Pellnat. He composed the songs, and she successfully chooses a different vocal approach for each of them.

“Blue Skies And Happiness” draws from the Irving Berlin classic “Blue Skies” but heads in a more somber direction. After discovering she’ll never find the happiness her lover promised, a woman decides to say farewell. Erin Pellnat creates a torch song ambience with her vocals, and also underscores the humor in lines like, “Everyone told me you’re a prince/The thought of you now just make me wince.”

The Pellnats (not sure how they’re related) give “Stay” the feel of a traditional folk song that’s been spooking people for centuries. On the surface, it’s a simple invitation from a lonely woman to come in out of the cold, but Christopher’s lines—and Erin’s delivery of them—suggest something more sinister is going on. “I’m the daughter of my mother and at her behest I’ll kiss your tears away,” she explains, and adds that the guest can remain with her in the house until the end of time.

The more optimistic “Dream In Color” is an acoustic-based call to enjoy the world in all its splendor, and suggests, “Love true, truer than you’re used to.” “Forever Kisses,” set to a chic European arrangement, is another tribute to the staying power of love, even when things don’t work as planned.