Sunday, February 7, 2016

The 2015 David Music Poll Results


The 2015 David Music Poll Results

1)   Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell  (35 votes)
2)   Adele, 25  (34 votes)            
3)   Original Cast Album, Hamilton (32 votes)
4)   Beach House, Depression Cherry  (15 votes)
      CHVRCHES, Every Open Eye (15 votes)
6)   Grimes, Art Angel (15votes)
7)   Courtney Barnett, Sometimes I Sit… (14 votes)
8)   Carly Rae Jepsen, Emotion (13 votes)
9)   Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly  (12 votes)
10)  Years & Years, Communion  (10 votes)
       Ryan Adams, 1989 (10 votes)

Runners Up:  With 9 votes: Florence + the Machine, How Big How Blue How Beautiful; Sleater-Kinney, No Cities Left to Lose;  With 8 votes:  Jamie xx, In Colour; Lana Del Rey, Honeymoon; The Weekend, Beauty Behind the Madness; Beach House, Thank Your Lucky Stars
           
Notes:  This was the most competitive top three we’ve ever had in the music poll, almost resulting in our first tie in seventeen years. (The tie was broken with the last ballot in.)  It’s also the first time that a cast album has appeared in the top three.  (In a weaker year for Adele or Sufjan Stevens, Hamilton would have walked away with it.)  Both Adele and Stevens are previous winners, as is Ryan Adams, who slips into the tenth spot with his cover album of last year’s number 1. (Is he readying his version of 25 as we speak?)  Other past winners didn’t fare as well – The Decemberists eked out four votes, Coldplay not a single one (although, in fairness, their album came out in December).  And if you’d told me a couple years ago that Carly Rae Jepsen would have one of the most acclaimed albums of the year, I would have been somewhat surprised (great as “Call Me Maybe” was).  CHVRCHES also managed to get only one vote short of their debut album for their second effort, which is no small feat.  And Beach House is, I believe, the first band to have two albums hit the poll in the same year.  This year there were 89 voters in the poll, up from 86 last year.  


Now, the individual Lists:

Sufjan is my beloved (aka my list)

Let me just state for the record that this year I had no trouble whatsoever filling a list of essentials – it was a really good music year, with a great mix of old favorites and new faces.  And my winner was such a winner, hands down.

1)  Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell

So beautiful and so depressing, so depressing and so beautiful at the same time, and as a result it will stand, I think, as one of my favorite albums of all time.  I have listened to it over a hundred times, I’m sure, and I’m still figuring it out. 

2)  CHVRCHES, Every Open Eye

Beating the sophomore slump by amplifying what was great about the first album, and feeling more comfortable in your own creative skin. 

3)  Years & Years, Communion

Beyond the fact that every interview I read with Olly Alexander makes me love him more, this had the best single of the year (“King”) on it, as well as other practically perfect pop songs.  Do all of the album tracks live up to the singles?  Nope.  Does that matter?  Not really.  Here’s hoping they take a page from CHVRCHES with album two, and perfect what they do rather than trying to do something different.

4)  Ryn Weaver, The Fool

A genuine surprise for me, and one that stuck on my headphones far longer than most other albums this year – I’ve probably listened to “Pierre” a hundred times, because it always makes me happy with its escapade.  A fantastic intersection of singer-songwriter and pop. 

5)  Brandi Carlile, The Firewatcher’s Daughter

One of the best live shows I saw all year was Brandi Carlile at Newport.  But even on album, these songs have a fire to them that makes this, I think, her best album to date.  If she isn’t my generation’s Bonnie Raitt, I don’t know who is.


Runners Up:

Courtney Barnett’s Sometimes I Sit Around and Think…; Carly Rae Jepsen’s Emotion (no one-hit wonder, she – this one’s just a wonder);  James Bay, The Chaos and the Calm


Favorite songs:
Years & Years, “King”
Ryn Weaver, “Pierre”
JD McPherson, “Let the Good Times Roll”
Matt Nathanson, “Bill Murray”
The Decemberists, “Make You Better” (an incredible song on an unexceptional album)
Courtney Barnett, “Nobody Cares If You Don’t Go to the Party”
CHVRCHES, “Leave a Trace” and “Clearest Blue”
Justin Bieber, “What Do You Mean?” (daft lyrics, amazing arrangement)
The Bear’s Den, “Above the Clouds of Pompeii”


Chris K Has This Cross to Bear

As always, I'll be tickled if anyone else picks of my choices.

Album of the Year: Tau Cross, s/t

2. Satan's Wrath, Die Evil
3. The Hell, Brutopia
4. Clutch, Psychic Warfare
5. High On Fire, Luminiferous
6. Exgenesis, Aphotic Veil
7. Black Fast, Terms of Surrender
8. Bonehunter, Evil Triumphs Again
9. Vampire, Cimmerian Shade EP
10. Enforcer, From Beyond
11. Frosthelm, The Endless Winter
12. Sigh, Graveward
13. Ensiferum, One Man Army

Best Non-Metal Release of 2015: Fidlar, Too

Guilty Pleasure Pop Song of the Year: Elle King, "Ex's and Ohs"


How Big, Andrew H. How Beautiful!

Most Essential Album (tie):

Hamilton Original Cast Recording
Florence and the Machine; How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

Other Essential Albums:

Sleater-Kinney, No Cities to Love
Troye Sivan, Blue Neighbourhood


Scott D, In Living Colour

1.  Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell
2.  Jamie xx, In Colour


Hello, Anna Q

Adele 25.  Nothing else comes close.  

Actually there's an album called Traveller by Chris Stapleton I really like but I wasn't sure how country would fare on your list, and one called Beautiful Monster by Sky-pony that I thought might be too obscure.  


Hello, Fiona S

David Bowie, Blackstar  (ed. note: This is a 2016 album)
Adele, 25
Lin-Manuel Miranda et al,  Hamilton the Musical


Blake N Goes Hollywood

All I do with albums anymore is very quickly sort through them to glean the best couple songs. 

My favorites:

1)  U2 "Songs of Innocence", yes the one you were trying to remove from your iPhone. It's good!  (if you like U2)   (ed. note: This is a 2014 album)
2)  Lana Del Rey "Hollywood"
3) Courtney Barnett "Sometimes I Sit…" 


It's all about the singles these days.  My favorites: 

1) Cloud Nothings "Hey Cool Kid" 
2) Cage the Elephant "Cigarette Dreams" 
3) Major Lazer "Lean On"
4) Coldplay "Magic" 
5) DNCE "Cake By the Ocean"
6) U2 "Iris" 
7) Lana Del Rey "High by the Beach" 
8) Courtney Barnett "Nobody Really Cares if you go to the party" 
9) Jeremih ft. flo rida "Tonight Belongs to You"  
10) Mark Farina "Dream Machine"  

My best retro-find discovery of 2015, was the band Hospitality.  Their first album "Hospitality" from 2012 was probably my favorite album of 2015.

The National also finally caught up to me this year.  They are hard to get into!  But so worth it.


Jackie D Hears the Lord

Albums of 2015:

1. Lord Huron, Strange Trails (SOOOOO good)
2. Sunflower Bean, Show Me Your Seven Secrets

"The album didn't quite do it for me but I couldn't stop listening to the song" of 2015:

1. The Bright Light Social Hour, Sweet Madelene

As usual, most of the new stuff I added to my collection was not from 2015. Here are some lists that are not exactly in order.

Top albums I discovered in 2015:

1. The Black Keys, El Camino (Ironically I listened to this album the year it came out and it did nothing for me, this year it was an 100% perfect soundtrack to the novel I was writing)
2. The Horrors, Luminous
3. Magazine, Real Life
4. The Cars, The Cars
5. Lord Huron, Lonesome Dreams
6. The Horrors, Skying

Top songs I discovered in 2015:

1. David Bowie, Dodo/1984 (2003 Remastered)
2. Squeeze, Take Me I'm Yours
3. The Chieftains, Shady Grove
4. Vashti Bunyan, Train Song
5. Piero Piccioni, Once and Again-Instrumental (From "La volpe dalla coda di velluto")
6. John Denver, I'd Rather be a Cowboy (Lady's Chains)
7. The Kinks, Superman
8. Wolf Alice, Moaning Lisa Smile
9. The Fall, Psykick Dance Hall
10. Animotion, I Want You


Jen S. is Not Going to Lose Her Shot

Does the cast recording for Hamilton count? If so, that's my vote!

(If not, then: Adele, 25)


Aaron H Gets So Emotional

Carly Rae Jepsen, E•MO•TION


Stephen B’s High Art

Oh man, I listened to so little new music this year, but I think I’d have been happy if Art Angels was the only album released in 2015. 

1. Grimes, Art Angels
2. Sleater-Kinney, No Cities to Love
3. Disasterpiece, It Follows Original Soundtrack
4. Deafheaven, New Bermuda
5. Major Lazer, Peace Is the Mission
6. Florence and the Machine, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
7. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell
8. Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Blossom
9. Titus Andronicus, The Most Lamentable Tragedy
10. Lil’ BUB, Science & Magic / Run the Jewels, Meow the Jewels [cat-related tie]

My biggest letdown was To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar. It topped most year-end lists but I could hardly make it through the overlong track listing once. His first album is still one of the best rap albums of a generation, but all I can think of regarding TPAB is that he needed someone to bring him back down to Earth. The album is overflowing with conflicting ideas and sounds, barely anything makes it above the noise. Kanye can do over-the-top and make it work—Kendrick still seems to be figuring that out.

My best (re)discovery was Hole. Courtney Love has become such a pop-culture punchline in recent years (and who can really blame her after living out a tragedy on the world stage?), but Live Through This has to be one of the best albums of the 90s, hands down. I’m not a big Nirvana guy, but I could listen to the first few Hole albums endlessly, and I’m sad to think of the Courtney we missed out on thanks to drugs and the paparazzi. 

My favorite single of 2015, aside from Grimes’s first two tracks off of Art Angels, is “To Ü” by Jack Ü (the unholy producing duo of Diplo and Skrillex) featuring AlunaGeorge. I’m no EDM expert and Diplo acts like the worst man baby in the world, but it’s a gorgeous love song and the video features a really diverse range of couples. 

I made it through the entire year without hearing “Hello” by Adele, “Hotline Bling” by Drake, or anything off of Carly Rae Jepsen’s E•MO•TION. I wasn’t trying—I just don’t listen to the radio. 


Alex L + Alexander H

Looking at all these albums I have written, I realize what a terribly typical white boy I am...

Most Listened to and Loved (forgive me, David):
Original Broadway Cast, Hamilton

Also loved: 
Florence and The Machine, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful,'
Chvrches, Every Open Eye
Lana Del Rey, Honeymoon
Sleater Kinney, No Cities To Love

Album By a YouTuber I Unexpectedly Liked A Lot:
Troye Sivan, Blue Neighbourhood

Album That Made Me Contemplate Mortality:
Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell


Roberto R’s True Grimes

Grimes, Art Angels – DUHHHHHHHH


Rotem M Feels the Burr

Does Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Soundtrack count? :)


Aimee F’s Got Recycled Bad Blood

In the spirit of TWO SUMMERS, I’m gonna go with just my top TWO picks for all :).

The albums I listened to the most on a loop and provided lots of inspiration:

Ryan Adams, 1989
Various Artists, Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Recording

And my top two singles:

Adele, Hello
Fetty Wap, Trap Queens

And top two older singles I discovered this year:

James Vincent McMorrow, Higher Love
Franz Ferdinand, Fresh Strawberries


Terra M, Rebel Rebel

Easy for me this time:

Madonna, Rebel Heart
Chvrches, Every Open Eye


Dan P’s Deep Dive

Here are my essential picks:

1) Joanna Newsom, Divers
2) Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell
3) Patty Griffin, Servant of Love
4) Belle and Sebastian, Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance
5) Florence and the Machine, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

Favorite New Singles on Repeat:
1) Years & Years, Eyes Shut
2) Madonna, Ghosttown

Favorite Discoveries from the Recent Past:
First Aid Kit, Stay Gold 
Woodkid, The Golden Age


Raina T’s Vitals Statistics

Tough tough tough, David!! Almost all my essential albums were from previous years. Alas:

2015 most essential album of the year
Mutemath, Vitals

2015 other essential albums
The Royal Concept, Smile
Glen Hansard, Didn't He Ramble
Half Moon Run, Sun Leads Me On

2015 best singles
Mutemath, 'Joy Rides' 
Glen Hansard, 'Grace Beneath the Pines' 
The Royal Concept, 'Higher Than Love' 
Great Good Fine OK, 'Take It Or Leave It' 
Half Moon Run, 'Trust'
Windowspeak, 'Narrows'

big discoveries from previous years
Bleachers, Strange Desire, 2014
Young the Giant, Mind Over Matter, 2014
Midnight Faces, The Fire is Gone, 2014
Civil Twilight, Holy Weather, 2012
Two Door Cinema Club, Beacon, 2012
Paper Route, The Peace of Wild Things, 2012
Paper Route, Absence, 2009


For Bryant P, There’s No Holding Back the Years

Most Essential Albums:

1. Years & Years, Communion
2. EL VY, Return to the Moon
3. Troye Sivan, Blue Neighbourhood
4. Lana del Rey, Honeymoon
5. Grimes, Art Angels


Melissa W’s Happy Burr-Day

Music discovery has not been my strength this year, but I will say that my entire household is obsessed with this one:

Various Artists, Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Recording

June, 4, is quite taken with Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr, and keeps asking to see pictures of both the man and the actor. She's been known to be caught in her room saying to her Beanie Boos, "Pardon me, are you Aaron Burr, sir?"


Hello, Paige H

#1 Album*: Adele, 25
Runners Up:
Mumford & Sons, Wilder Mind
Cam, Untamed
*but, the Hamilton Soundtrack is easily my most-played album of the year (do Broadway cast albums count??)

Favorite singles:
James Bay, Hold Back the River
Missy Elliott ft. Pharrell Williams, WTF (Where They From)
Halsey, New Americana
David Guetta ft. Sia, Bang my Head
Rachel Platten, Fight Song


Megan B Shakes it Out

Thanks! I always enjoy participating and seeing what other people post. It's so hard every year, but I think I've got a solid top ten albums.

1. Alabama Shakes, Sound & Color
2. Leon Bridges, Coming Home
3. Courtney Barrett, Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
4. Halsey, Badlands
5. Mumford and Sons, Wilder Mind
6. Lana del Rey, Honeymoon
7. Joanna Newsome, Divers
8. Father John Misty, I Love You Honeybear
9. Bjork, Vulnicara
10. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell
10. Frank Turner, Positive Songs for Negative People

Okay, yeah, that's 11. Oh well. 


Samantha M Awakens the Force of Wilco

1. Wilco, Star Wars
2. Israel Nash, Israel Nash's Silver Season
3. Courtney Barnett, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit


Crissa’s Even with Stevens

Here are my favorites of 2015:

--best album:
Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell

--essential albums:
Father John Misty, I Love You, Honeybear
Kurt Vile, b’lieve I’m goin down
Tame Impala, Currents
Jamie xx, In Colour
Purity Ring, Another Eternity
CHVRCHES, Every Open Eye
Beach House, Depression Cherry

--favorite track: Tame Impala, Let It Happen


Steven M Flies High

Here's my list:

1. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Chasing Yesterday
2. Paul Weller, Saturns Pattern
3. Jason Isbell, Something More Than Free 
4. Courtney Barnett, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I just Sit
5. Pokey LaFarge, Something in the Water
6. Jim O'Rourke, Simple Songs
7. Tame Impala, Currents
8. Royce Wood Junior, The Ashen Tang
9. My Morning Jacket, The Waterfall
10. Torres, Sprinter


Jinny W’s Magnum Opus

First place:

JERUSALEM STRING QUARTET. BEETHOVEN, Opus 18 Quartets.
Harmonia Mundi, 2 disc set.
Including Ori Kam, viola hottie.

Second place:

THE PALANCE/WOLFF PROJECT, PART 1: REFLECTING FORWARD. 
Contemporary jazz, available at www.cdbaby.com
Alluring, jaunty, serious, will jostle your neurons

Third place:

CHRISTIAN TETZLAFF, TANJA TETZLAFF, LARS VOGT.  BRAHMS: THE PIANO TRIOS:
Ondine, 2 disc set.
Includes some of the most passionate music of the 19th century.


Ellen D’s Sweet Home Alabama

I had to think about mine for a few days, but here’s my list:

1. Alabama Shakes, Sound & Color
2. Rubblebucket, Survival Sounds
3. Justin Bieber, Purpose <— I’m not proud of this one…but it is what it is…
4. Father John Misty, I Love You Honeybear
5. Lupe Fiasco- Tetsuo & Youth
    Elle King – Love Stuff <— fun fact: I went to college with Elle (but she dropped out)
    Adele- 25

*I know there are three 5th place albums…but it was hard to choose…all three were played over and over equal amounts of time!


Jonathan V’s Great Depression

Jonathan's Albums of the Year

1   Beach House – DEPRESSION CHERRY
2   Father John Misty – I LOVE YOU, HONEYBEAR
3   Grimes – ART ANGELS
4   Jamie XX – IN COLOUR
5   Editors – IN DREAM
6   Neon Indian – VEGA INTL NIGHT SCHOOL
7   Oneohtrix Point Never – GARDEN OF DELETE
8   Kendrick Lamar – TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY
9   Lower Dens – ESCAPE FROM EVIL
10            Nero – BETWEEN II WORLDS

Jonathan's Tracks of Year
1   Nero, The Thrill
2   Pictureplane, Riot Porn
3   Miike Snow, My Heart is Full
4   A$AP Rocky, Excuse Me
5   Mutemath, Used To
6   Chvrches, Never Ending Circles
7   Grimes, World Princess II
8   Oneohtrix Point Never, No Good
9   Beach House, Space Song
10            The Wombats, Emoticons


Jeff Z Tells Us to Look Into the Abyss

Ohhhh fun!

1. Chelsea Wolfe- Abyss
2. Chvrches- Every Open Eye
3. Sufjan Stevens- Carrie and Lowell
4. Julien Baker- Sprained Ankle
5. Beach House- Depression Cherry
6. Ryan Adams- 1989
7. Grimes- Art Angels
8. Jason Isbell- Something More Than Free

New discovery: Daughter


Hello, Paul G

I am old and listen to old music, so the only new ones I can think of from 2015 are:

Adele, 25
Straight Outta Compton soundtrack
Prokofiev: Symphonies # 4 and 5, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
The Grand Budapest Hotel soundtrack (released 2014 but I listened to it 2,900 times in 2015)

These, charting due to recent deaths, I listen to too:

The Best of Bowie
Eagles Greatest Hits
Please forgive my lameness.  (That’s not an album name.  That’s me apologizing.)


Jessica S’s Badlands Self

1. Original Broadway Cast, Hamilton
2. Halsey, Badlands
3. Florence + the Machine, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful


Elisa L’s Mythologies

Here are some of my 2015 favorites:

Cheatahs, Mythologies
Julia Holter, Have You in My Wilderness
Beach House, Thank Your Lucky Stars AND Depression Cherry
Jessica Pratt, On Your Own Love Again
Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly
Kelley Stoltz, In Triangle Time


Like Everyone, emily d’s Working for the Weeknd

My tie for the top two:

Adele, 25;  The Weeknd, Beauty Behind the Madness

In no particular order, other favorites:

Brandi Carlile, The Firewatcher's Daughter
Halsey, Badlands
Julien Baker, Sprained Ankle
CHVRCHES, Every Open Eye
Ryan Adams, 1989
Ashley Monroe, The Blade
Sleater-Kinney, No Cities to Love
Carly Rae Jepsen, E-MO-TION
Best Coast, California Nights
Courtney Barnett, Something I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
Beach House, Depression Cherry
Justin Bieber, Purpose (I find myself shocked to be including this but it's got some great tracks)
Alabama Shakes, Sound & Color


Marie A’s Honeymoon Period

I'm going to skew this poll terribly, because my specialty is listening to albums only 8 other people have heard. ;-)

Lana Del Rey, Honeymoon

Also obsessed with the Max Richter soundtrack to the HBO series The Leftovers. Holy crap, is that an awesome piece of artistry. Modern classical. An absolute revelation. I'm writing a dystopian I hope will touch on themes similar to The Handmaid's Tale (but, you know, totally unworthy of claiming to), and this album takes me there Every. Damn. Time.  


Sometimes Lena R Sits and Listens to Courtney Barnett

Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I sit and think, and sometimes I just sit
Disclosure - Caracal
Death Cab for Cutie - Kintsugi
Chris Cornell - Higher Truth
Kurt Vile - b'lieve i'm goin down
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Adele - 25
Bowie- Black Star - wait - does that count??? (ed. note: Next year)


Michael B Parties Like It’s 1989

Greatest Records of 2015

1. 1989 - Ryan Adams
2. Sheezus - Lily Allen
3. Zella Day - Kicker
4. Chris Stapleton - Traveller
5. Hamilton
6. Royal Blood - Royal Blood
7. Leon Bridges - Coming Home
8. Carly Rae Jepsen - e.mo.tion
9. The Weekend - Beauty Behind the Madness
10. Adele - 25


Courtney S’s Founding Father Fabulousness

My album of the year is (predictably) Hamilton!

Also love the Adele single, Hello. Haven't listened to the rest of the
album yet because I've been so busy with Hamilton.


Tim F Loves Hamilton Like You Do

1) Lin-Manuel Miranda, HAMILTON 
2) Various artists, 50 SHADES OF GREY soundtrack

Most-listened-to not released in 2015:

Thomas Newman, AMERICAN BEAUTY soundtrack


David A Knows What He Loves

MOST ESSENTIAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell

TEN HONORABLE MENTIONS

1. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell
2. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell
3. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell
4. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell
5. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell
6. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell
7. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell
8. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell
9. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell
10. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell


I Love Your List, Billy M, But You Caint Use My Phone

Top of my list: Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell
(Late contender: Erykah Badu, But You Caint Use My Phone)

Top tier favorites:
Brandi Carlile, The Firewatcher's Daughter
Courtney Barnett, Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Elle King, Love Stuff
Adele, 25

Pop:
Years & Years, Communion
Marina and The Diamonds, FROOT
Carly Rae Jepsen, E•MO•TION


Tiffany S’s Capitol List

Albums

1) Hamilton Original Cast Recording
2) Misterwives - Our Own House
3) Of Monsters and Men, Beneath the Skin
4) Ryan Adams, 1989
5) Halsey, Badlands
6) Mumford and Sons, Wilder Minds
7) Adele, 25


Elizabeth E Takes Me to Chvrch

MOST ESSENTIAL
CHVRCHES, Every Open Eye - it was a close race with Adele, but this album brought me the most joy

OTHER ESSENTIALS
Adele, 25
Misterwives, Our Own House
Halsey, Badlands
Years & Years, Communion
Of Monsters and Men, Beneath the Skin
Florence and the Machine, How Big, How Bold, How Beautiful
Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell


Lance R Spies, with his Every Eye…

CHVRCHES, Every Open Eye

runner-up
First-Aid Kit, Stay Gold  (ed. note:  This is from 2014, albeit still great)
HAMILTON  (ed. note:  You are just jumping on the bandwagon, Lance.)
HAMILTON
HAMILTON
HAMILTON
HAMILTON

(i haven't actually heard the Hamilton soundtrack yet, I JUST KNOW IM GOING TO LOVE IT)


Carol L’s Carrie Diary

How fun! Here are some picks:

Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell (no contest!)
Joanna Newsom, Divers (… but this is a close second)
Bjork, Vulnicura
Beirut, No No No
The Decemberists, What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World

Best song: Fourth of July, Sufjan Stevens; Divers, Joanna Newsom
Best live: Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell tour
Best tour costume: Bjork
Best use of music in TV: Please Like Me
Best use of music in film: Mommy, dir. Xavier Dolan (technically a 2014 movie, but with a 2015 US release date)


Andrea R’s Wild Heart

Miguel, Wildheart
Adele, 25
Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly
FKA Twigs, M3LL155X
Grimes, Art Angels
The Weeknd, Beauty Behind the Madness


Hello, Jill S

Adele, 25
The Weekend, Beauty Behind the Madness
Florence and the Machine, How Big How Blue How Beautiful


Lauren S Hits the Dopamine Hard

Here's my list for 2015:

1. Third Eye Blind, Dopamine
2. Vance Joy, Dream Your Life Away
3. Adele, 25
4. Ryan Adams, 1989
5. Lord Huron, Strange Trails
6. Mumford & Sons, Wilder Mind
7. Of Monsters and Men, Beneath the Skin
8. Joy Williams, VENUS

Favorite Singles:
1. X Ambassadors, Renegades
2. Banners, Shine a Light
3. Cloves, Don't You Wait
4. Vance Joy, Snaggletooth


Nick E Searches High and Finds Lowell

This is the first time in years I’ve had a list of albums I didn’t just like but absolutely loved. It’s difficult to rank them, but I’ll try!

1. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell

This one edges the others out because it feels the most like a cohesive album to me. The whole thing’s great, and I sometimes forget which song is which, but only because they all work so well as a part of the whole. It’s also the most emotionally affecting album I’ve experienced in a while.

2. Chvrches, Every Open Eye

Tons of fun, reminiscent of my favorite 80s music but still fresh, and just when you think you’ve got a handle on the band’s formula, they’ll throw in a track that changes everything up. Also the lyrics are nebulous in a way that I find pretty engaging – I could make a pretty good case that “Playing Dead” is not a love song but is actually about when you’re at a crowded concert and the person in front of you keeps stepping back into your personal space. (This is why I hate ponytails.)

3. Years and Years, Communion

In a less stellar year, this could easily have been my #1. Lots of fun. Diminished somewhat, perhaps, by the fact that so much of the album was released in advance; the album was pretty familiar to me by the time it finally dropped. Of all the groups listed here, I’m most excited to see what these guys do next.

4. Beach House, Thank Your Lucky Stars

I do, Beach House. I do.

5. Beach House, Depression Cherry

Two Beach House albums in a single year was a great treat. Most of the other albums on my list are here in part for their lyrics, but I enjoy Beach House entirely for the sounds, which tend to fade into the background in a way I enjoy. I don’t know what any of these songs are about after dozens of listens, and I really only have a vague sense of liking “Lucky Stars” a little more than “Cherry.” I just like having these albums on whether I’m actively listening or not.


Scott T’s Full Disclosure

Essential Album of 2015
Disclosure - Caracal

I was on a Drum & Bass kick for much of 2015.  Two essential D&B albums I came across (that I doubt anyone in this poll will have interest in)

Nelver - Black & White (2014)
Breakshift - All the Dreams You Never Had (2011)

Some Top Songs of 2015
Artist - Song
Ratatat - Cream on Cone
East India Youth - Turn Away
Amason - Duvan
Icky Blossoms - In Folds
Lower Dens -  To Die in L.A.
RAC - Back of the Car
FFS - Call Girl
Disclosure - Nocturnal
Best Coast - California Nights
Freezepop - Phantoms
Silence Groove - Reflection
Napoleon - Moogie Wonderland


Where it Happens for Caleb H

Top Five Albums:

1. Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton
Best Song: The Room Where it Happens

2. Tobyfox, Undertale OST
Best Song: Megalovania

3. Twenty One Pilots, Blurryface
Best Song: Ride

4. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell
Best Song: The Only Thing

5. Courtney Barnett, Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit
Best Song: Elevator Operator

Best Discovery of Old Album: Django Django, Django Django

Not-A-Real-Album Honorable Mention: Every Song in Steven Universe

Saved-My-Life Single: Janelle Monae, Dance Apocalyptic

Favorite Music Video At This Second: Miike Snow, Genghis Khan


Jon S thinks Grimes is an Angel!

I didn’t have much trouble picking my favorites this year because there weren’t a whole lot of them. But I wouldn’t say it was a disappointing year for music, because the ones I loved, I REALLY loved. Especially my top two, Art Angels by Grimes and Sore by Dilly Dally.

1. Grimes, Art Angels
2. Dilly Dally, Sore
3. Courtney Barnett, Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit
4. Dan Friel, Life
5. CHVRCHES, Every Open Eye
6. Jamie XX, In Colour
7. Saintseneca, Such Things
8. Waxahatchee, Ivy Tripp
9. Pinkshinyultrablast, Everything Else Matters
10. Diet Cig, Over Easy


Will W Hits the Beach

Albums

1. Beach House, Thank Your Lucky Stars and Depression Cherry
2. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell
3. Courtney Barnett, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
4. Grimes, Art Angels 

Songs

Girlpool, "Before the World Was Big" 
Beach House, "Sparks"
Joanna Newsom, "Anecdotes"
Grimes, "Belly of the Beat"
Sufjan Stevens, "The Only Thing"
Courtney Barnett, "Depreston"
Beach House, "All Your Yeahs"
Carly Rae Jepsen, "Your Type"
CHVRCHES, "Leave a Trace" 
Tobias Jesso Jr., "Hollywood" 


John A Cries Foal

1. Foals, What Went Down
2. Tame Impala, Currents
3. Viet Cong, Viet Cong
4. Metz, II
5. Father John Misty, I Love You, Honey Bear
6. Deerhunter: Fading Frontier 
7. The Decemberists, What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World 
8. Torche, Restarter
9. Chvrches, Every Open Eye
10. Wavves & Cloud Nothings, No Life for Me


Brian M Cries Uncle

Well, it was another year of great music. Here's my 2¢

1. Uncle Acid, The Night Creeper
2, Blur, The Magic Whip
3. Ryley Walker, Primrose Green
4. Blood Warrior, Letter Ghost
5. The Decemberists, What A Terrible World...
6. Jose Gonzalez, Vestiges & Claws
7. The Brian Jonestown Masscre, Mini Album Thingy Wingy (aka Pish)
8. Jordaan Mason, Decline of Stupid Fucking Western Civilization
9. Kurt Cobain, Montage of Heck
10. Marilyn Manon, The Pale Emperor
11. Big Blood, Double Days I & II
12. Belle and Sebastian, Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance
13. Death and Valnilla, To Where the Wild Things Are
14. Bjork, Vulnicura

Normally, I'm not a fan of Live albums, but this year there were many great ones. So here's my favorites, as a bonus:

The White Stripes, Under Amazonian Lights
Ryan Adams, Live at Carnegie Hall
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Live in No Particular Order
The Legendary Pink Dots, Come Out From the Shadows 4
Placebo, MTV Unplugged
The Rolling Stones, The Marquee Club Live in 1972
Dr. Dog, Live at a Flamingo Hotel
Belle and Sebastian, Live 2015


Sarah Maria V Whips it Good

1. Blur, The Magic Whip
2. Placebo, MTV Unplugged
3. Bjork, Vulnicura


Brant R Shows Some Style

My Essential Albums of 2015:
Car Seat Headrest/Teens of Style
Destroyer/Poison Season
Mac DeMarco/Another One
Beach House/Depression Cherry
Beach House/Thank Your Lucky  Stars
Elvis Depressedly/New Alhambra
Alabama Shakes/Sound & Color
Jamie xx/In Colour
Mac McCaughan/Non-Believers
Kendrick Lamar/To Pimp a Butterfly
Tame Impala/Currents
Shamir/Ratchet
Sufjan Stevens/Carrie & Lowell
Sheer Mag/II 7" [EP]

Some of My Essential Tracks of 2015:
Yes I'm Changing/Tame Impala
What Do You Mean?/Justin Bieber
Run Away with Me/Carly Rae Jepsen
Natalie Wood/TV Girl
On the Regular/Shamir
REALiTi/Grimes
Pass the Vibes/Donnie Trumpet
Fan the Flames/Sheer Mag
Something Soon/Car Seat Headrest
Only Do/Mac McCaughan
All Your Yeahs/Beach House
Can We Still Be Friends/Tobias Jesso Jr.
Don't Wanna Fight/Alabama Shakes
Young/Frankie Cosmos
Wastes of Time/Elvis Depressedly
Hard 2 Wait/iji
Times Square/Destroyer
Debbie Downer/Courtney Barnett
Ong Ong/Blur
While the Song Remains the Same/Noel Gallagher
Play for Today/Belle and Sebastian
Without Me/Mac DeMarco

Albums It Took Me Until 2015 to Find Essential:
James Carr/You Got My Mind Messed Up [1967]
Neko Case/Fox Confessor Brings the Flood [2006]
Christopher Cross/Christopher Cross [1979]
Donovan/What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid [1965]
Ducktails/The Flower Lane [2013]
Daryl Hall and John Oates/Abandoned Luncheonette [1973]
Hefner/Dead Media [2001]
Hollywood Brats/Hollywood Brats [1973]
Carole King/Music [1971]
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart/Belong [2011]
The Rubinoos/The Rubinoos [1977]
Paul Siebel/Woodsmoke And Oranges [1970]
Starbuck/Moonlight Feels Right [1976]
Supertramp/Breakfast in America [1979]


Maggie S Lists All the Kings

As ever, my list is singles, not albums. And it's songs I found this year, not necessarily songs released this year.

1. Nieves - "Winter"
2. Raury - "God's Whisper"
3. The Chemical Brothers feat Miguel & Lorde - "This is Not a Game"
4. Manicanparty - "You Are My Soul"
5. Inner Oceans - "I Don't Mind"
6. Christine and the Queens - "No Harm is Done" 
7. Cold War Kids - "First"
8. SAFIA - "Counting Sheep"
9. Ra Ra Riot & Rostam - "Water"
10. Editors - "All the Kings"
11. AWOLNATION - "Jailbreak"*
12. Brighton - "Forest Fire"

*This song struck me so hard as I was driving to Kansas that I actually had to pull over by the side of the road because I was not able to listen to it and drive at the same time.


Christopher P Will Always Be the King of Hayne

1. Emile Hayne, We Fall
2. Chvrches, Every Open Eye
3. Ben Folds, So There
4. Marina and the Diamonds, Froot
5. Little Boots, Working Girl
6. Monarchy, Abnocto
7. Rebecca Ferguson, Lady Sings The Blues
8. Hawksley Workman, Old Cheetah
9. Lana Del Rey, Honeymoon
10. Patty Griffin, Servant Of Love


Joe M’s Visions of Joanna

Queens reigned supreme this year. The year saw the heaviest rotation and most moments of musical enlightenment from these two albums. 

Joanna Newsom, Divers
Courtney Barnett, Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit

Top tracks:
Courtney Barnett, Pedestrian at Best
Shamir, On the Regular
Chance the Rapper, Sunday Candy
Kurt Vile, Pretty Pimpin'
Kendrick Lamar, King Kunta

Best music video:
Chance the Rapper, Sunday Candy


Hello, Corey W

1. Adele, 25
2. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie and Lowell ( I know, but I’m going for sing-along-ability this year and Adele nailed that.) 
3. Of Monsters and Men, Beneath the Skin
4. The Weeknd, Beauty Behind the Madness 



Coe B’s Treasury Department

Here is my top album of 2015:

1. Hamilton (Broadway Cast Album)

Runners up (in no particular order)
* Halsey (Badlands) 
I love writing to her music!

* Kendrick Lamar (To Pimp a Butterfly)
Lyrics, lyrics, lyrics! 

* Grimes (Art Angel)
Another nice artist to write to. 

* Grace Acladna (Songs of the Subconscious)
She’s a new artist with just a 4-song EP right now. Glad I “discovered” her in 2015. 

* Alessia Cara (Know-It-All)
Cute, fun, pop music.

* Lianne La Havas (Blood) 
I love her voice and her jazzy vibe!

* The Weekend (Beauty Behind the Madness) 
My niece got me into him, but now I have to admit, he’s my guilty pleasure… and my ringtone! 


Suf’s Up for Joseph H

Here's my list for 2015:

Sufjan Stevens: Carrie & Lowell 
Joanna Newsom: Divers
Jamie XX: In Colour
Grimes: Art Angels
Disclosure: Caracal
Beach House: Depression Cherry
Father John Misty: 'I Love You, Honeybear'


Kevin K Finds Some Cities to Love

The year started off very strong but tailed off about mid-year. I found that lots of albums had some great singles, but not too many great albums.

Top Ten Best Albums

  1.  No Cities to Love – Sleater-Kinney
  2.  Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit – Courtney Barnett
  3.  Ratchet - Shamir
  4.  Poison Season – Destroyer
  5.  Back On Top  - The Front Bottoms
  6.  Glitterbug – The Wombats
  7.  Another Eternity – Purity Ring
  8.  Music Complete – New Order
  9.  Sound & Color – Alabama Shakes
  10. All Your Favorite Bands – Dawes

Best Songs of the Year

  *   A New Wave - Sleater–Kinney
  *   On The Regular - Ratchet
  *   Dream Lover – Destroyer
  *   Don’t Wanna Fight – Alabama Shakes
  *   All Your Favorite Bands – Dawes
  *   Flood on the Floor – Purity Ring
  *   I Remember – Bully
  *   Look At Your Life – Death
  *   Huarache Lights – Hot Chip
  *   Should Have Know Better – Sufjan Stevens
  *   King Kunta – Kendrick Lamar
  *   Make You Better – The Decembrists
  *   Lifted Up (1985) - Passion Pit
  *   Dreams – Beck
  *   The Legend of Che Guerrero – The Mountain Goats
  *   Aqua Profunda! - Courtney Barnett
  *   America – First Aid Kit
  *   Getting Ready to Get Down – Josh Ritter
  *   Shock n Awe – The Go Rounds
  *   This Is Not a Party – The Wombats
  *   Random Name Generator – Wilco
  *   Monday (Overtime I Turn Around) - The Bottle Rockets
  *   Pretty Pimpin – Kurt Vile
  *   Knee Me On The Fire Escape – Rhett Miller
  *   Cough It Out  - The Front Bottoms
  *   Biscuits – Kacey Musgraves
  *   S.O.B. - Nathaniel Ratliff & The Night Sweats
  *   Bad Blood – Ryan Adams
  *   Number One – Tuxedo
·      Singularity – New Order


Andy P Takes Communion

Years & Years, Communion
Florence and the Machine, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
Adele, 25

Not sure how helpful that is. I doubt there’s a place for podcasts or NPR’s Marketplace on the list… :)


Dean B Carries On

I've got a top 6 this year and a link to my Best of 2015 Spotify mix.  Hope that gets me in the door!

2015 mix:


Favorite Albums:

1. Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell
2. Wilco, Star Wars
3. Beach House, Thank Your Lucky Stars / Depression Cherry
4. Ben Folds, So There
5. Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats
6. Ryan Adams, 1989

Favorite TV Shows:
- Detectorists
- Better Call Saul
- Last Man on Earth


Ronnie A’s Sound Tracks

Best soundtracks 2015

Hamilton
Love & Mercy, for its re-creation of “God Only Knows” and “Good Vibrations”
Craig Armstrong, Far from the Madding Crowd
Carter Burwell, Carol
Carter Burwell, Mr. Holmes
Michael Brook, Brooklyn
Amy Winehouse, Amy
Anne Dudley, Poldark
Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow, Ex Machina


David G’s Tame (but Current) List

This isn't how I expected my year to turn out, but it is exactly that. 

Tame Impala, Currents
Troye Sivan, Blue Neighbourhood
Holly Miranda, Holly Miranda
Bjork, Vulnicura
Joanna Newsom, Divers
D'Angelo, Black Messiah
Wolf Alice, My Love is Cool
Kamasi Washington, The Epic
Wilco, Star Wars
FFS, FFS


Joel P Plays Pretend

10 best EPs or LPs to play start to finish

Seinabo Sey, “Pretend”
Purity Ring, “Begin Again”
The Japanese House, “Clean” or “Pools to Bathe In”
Years & Years, “Real”
MNEK, “Small Talk”
Oh Wonder, “Oh Wonder”
Adele, “25”
Carly Rae Jepsen, “Emotion”
CHRVCHES, “Every Open Eye”
Disclosure, “Caracal”





It’s Not Hard Out Here for a Pimp on Giles G’s List

Here's my little list

1.  Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly
2.  Blur - The Magic Whip
3.  Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit And Think
4.  Dr. Dre - Compton
5.  Sufjan Stevens - Carrie + Lowell
6.  Jamie XX - In Colour
7.  The Weeknd - Beauty Behind The Madness
8.  Leon Bridges - Coming Home
9.  Vince Staples - Summertime '06
10. Kamasi Washington - Epic

Special mention for D'Angelo, who is inclusion this year slightly confused by the release of his album at the very end of '14.  It was certainly one of the best albums of last year. 


Phil B Votes for Hamilton

#1 Album of the Year: Hamilton Soundtrack -- a transcendental hip hop album. 

#2 Album of the Year: Kendrick Lamar -- To Pimp a Butterfly


Hello, Cassandra P

Adele, 25
Miguel, Wildheart
Puff Daddy & the Family, MMM
Erykah Badu, But You Cain't Use My Phone
Drake & Future, What Time to Be Alive
Drake, If You're Reading This It's Too Late
Amy Winehouse & Antonio Pinto, Amy: The Original Soundtrack


Zach F’s 10-Dollar Choice

Most Essential Album 2015:

Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Recording

Runners up:

Bjork, Vulnicura
The Arcs, Yours Dreamily
Speedy Ortiz, Foil Deer
Punch Brothers, The Phosphorescent Blues

Singles:
Heartless Bastards, Gates of Dawn
Speedy Ortiz, Raising the Skate
Tame Impala, Let it Happen
Courtney Barnett, Pedestrian at Best
Django Django, First Light
Jose Gonzalez, Leaf Off / The Cave


Hello, Eamon T

Adele, 25
Ryan Adams, 1989
New Order, Music Complete
Beach House, Depression Cherry/Thank Your Lucky Stars
David Bowie, Blackstar
Sleater-Kinney, No Cities To Love
Blur, The Magic Whip
Disclosure, Caracal
Lana del Rey, Honeymoon
Florence and the Machine, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
Carly Rae Jepsen, E•MO•TION


Kari L’s Great Shakes

Honestly I listened to a lot of old soul, but in between that there was also:

Alabama Shakes, Sound and Color
Sleater-Kinney, No Cities To Love
The Decemberists, What a Terrible World What a Beautiful World
Beirut, No, No, No
Holly Golightly, Slowtown Now!
Beach House, Depression Cherry
Leon Bridges, Coming Home
Soundtrack: The Diary of A Teenage Girl

Songs:
Hate Street Dialogue w/Rodriguez, The Wanderings of Avenir
Spectre, Radiohead


Drew L’s Favorite Tragedy

Just going with my top record this year:

Titus Andronicus, The Most Lamentable Tragedy


Teri Y Shows His Emotion

Lot's of fun singles in 2015, but only two whole albums really stuck with me all year.

Carly Rae Jepsen, Emotion
Marina and the Diamonds, Froot


Eugene K’s Up Late Nights Thinking of This List

Jeremih, Late Nights: The Album
If Prince and Drake had a kid, I feel like his name would be Jeremih. Fetty could be a distant cousin.

Drake, If you’re reading this it’s too late
Was it possible to escape Drake in 2015? There is no escape velocity (not that I’m even looking to).

Marian Hill, Sway
From the cello(?) notes and the simple swing HIll lends to the proceedings I was hooked.

Fetty Wap, Fetty Wap
Who knew that the twisting vocal lines Fetty Wap wraps around the sparse productions could support an entire album (and would wrap themselves so tightly around my eardrums)? I want to make an allusion to Joni Mitchell, but Fetty’s melodic lines aren’t really as far out there.

Justin Bieber, Purpose
If everything on this album were as good as the first three singles, it’d top this list; as it is, I don’t actually know what’s on this other than those singles but that's enough for a mention.

Original Broadway Cast, Hamilton
Suddenly Hamilton was everywhere. Early in the year I tried (and failed) and tried (and failed) to get tickets to this at the Public. Then I did the same after the transition to Broadway. As luck would have it, a friend had extra tickets and I didn’t give up my shot. From Lin-Manuel’s assured performance at the White House all those years ago to this must have been an amazing journey. A mix of musical forms, the Broadway tunes work best for me (tho nothing tops that first performance all those years ago in front of the 44th president of the United States.



Jen H. S. Gives Lin a Win

#1 Hamilton Broadway Cast Recording (of course)
Blue Neighborhood: Troye Sivan
1989: Ryan Adams
Paper Gods: Duran Duran
No Place in Heaven: Mika
Kiddo: Tove Stryke
The Desired Effect: Brandon Flowers
Sound & Color: Alabama Shakes
Vamala: Champs
Our Own House: MisterWives


Hello, Danielle P

My list remains unapologetically popular and half the songs may have been discovered from the CW or during Teen Wolf. 

Album: Adele, 25 

Singles:

1)Adele, Hello

2)Drake, Hotline Bling

3)Little Big Town, Girl Crush

4)One Direction, Perfect

5)Iggy Azelia, Rita Ora, 

6)Selena Gomez, Same Old Love

7)Dierks Bentley, Riser 

8)Nikki Minaj, Pills and Potions

9)And The World was Gone, Snow Ghosts

10) Florence and The Machine, Ship to Wreck



Still on Repeat from last year --

Album: Taylor Swift, 1989

Singles: Damien RIce, Colour Me In

Ed Sheeran, I see Fire



Ben L’s a Chelsea Girl

Ranked my top 5; the rest in no particular order (and truly all over the place)

1. Chelsea Wolfe, Abyss
2. Kelela, Hallucinogen
3. Kacey Musgraves, Pageant Material
4. Years & Years, Communion 
5. Carly Rae Jepsen, Emotion


Tinashe, Amethyst 
FKA Twigs, M3LL155X
Grimes, Art Angels
Purity Ring, Another Eternity 
Speedy Ortiz, Foil Deer
Shamir, Ratchet
Shlohmo, Dark Red
The Weeknd, Beauty Behind the Madness
Troye Sivan, Blue Neighborhood
Jazmine Sullivan, Reality Show
Jamie xx, In Colour
Justin Bieber, Purpose
The Soft Moon, Deeper
PWR BTTM, Ugly Cherries


Leila S’s Caught the Glitterbug

 I am terrible at knowing which year albums actually come out in. But I'm pretty sure the Wombats' GLITTERBUG came out in 2015, in which case it was my favorite album of the year. (Also my favorite show of the year.) The other essential albums of the year that's immediately coming to my mind are EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES, by Night Terrors of 1927; and GIRLS IN PEACETIME WANT TO DANCE, by Belle & Sebastian. And my single of the year is either "Give Me a Try," by the Wombats, or "Clearest Blue," by CHVRCHES. There were loads of other songs and albums I loved this year, but for all I know they were from 2014 or even some other, indeterminate year in the past.


Hello, Alicia G

Album of the year:
1. ADELE 25
      (Song of the year: "Hello" - duh!)
2. Kamasi Washington "The Epic"
3. The Weekend - "Beauty Behind the Madness"
4. Kendrick Lamar  "To Pimp a Butterfly"
5. FKA Twigs "M3LL155X"


The Only Thing for Jeffrey W

In no particular order aside from the top two:

1.       Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell
2.       Adele, 25
3.       Grimes, Art Angels
4.       Carly Rae Jepsen, E•MO•TION
5.       Sleater-Kinney, No Cities to Love
6.       Chvrches, Every Open Eye
7.       Hamilton Broadway Cast Recording


Dash G Flies Like a Butterfly…

Looks like I sent the list myself like an idiot. Here's my list. 

1. Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly 
2. Kamasi Washington, The Epic 
3. Homeshake, Midnight Snack 
4. Jamie xx, In Colour
5.  Vince Staples, Summertime '06
6. Tame Impala, Currents
7. Drake, If You're Reading This It's Too Late
8. Adele, 25
9. A$AP Rocky,  At. Long. Last. ASAP
10. FKA twigs, M3LL155X

Honorary Mentions
- Tobias Jesso Jr., Goon 
- Chvrches, Every Open Eye
- Earl Sweatshirt, I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside


Bill C Carries That Load

1.  Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell
2.  Brandi Carlile, Firewatchers Daughter
3. Adele, 25
4.  Oh Wonder, Oh Wonder
5.  Justin Bieber, Purpose


Susan V’s Grateful Playlist

I know I am too late and most of my albums aren’t even from 2015, but I am submitting anyway!

The Grateful Dead, American Beauty (I heard “Ripple” playing over the speakers of Blue Ribbon Bakery while at lunch with Cece Bell in the spring and then who should be playing in SF over the ALA weekend???  The Dead were the soundtrack to a very exciting year for Cece, EL DEAFO, and me.)

Future Islands, Singles (Tamar and I took a road trip to the Osheaga Music Festival in Montreal in August, where we had the best time eating poutine and sitting in beautiful Parc Jean Drapeau. We were totally blown away by Samuel T. Herring’s devil-summoning voice and dance moves.)

Straight Up, Badfinger (Got it on vinyl recently and it just makes me very happy)

Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, same (Music for the honky tonk Mississippi girl I am deep inside)

LP1, FKA Twigs (Cannot get enough of her kooky style)


Lawrence U Doesn’t Keep His Music at Bay

1. Chaos and the Calm - James Bay
2. Dopamine - Børns
3. Our Own House - Misterwives
4. Depression Cherry - Beach House
5. Blue Neighborhood - Troye Sivan
6. 25 - Adele
7. Higher Than Here - James Morrison
8. Time - Mikky Ekko
9. Title - Meghan Trainor
10, VHS - X Ambassadors 


Benjy A’s Got the Ghosts and the Struts

Ghosts in My Head by Andrew Watt and Have You Heard by The Struts.


Lucas K Really Really Really Really Really Likes…

Carly Rae Jepsen, Emotion


Kristin E Ends Our Poll With Another One

Mac DeMarco, Another One
Car Seat Headrest, Teens of Style
Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell
Yo La Tengo, Stuff Like That There
Blur, The Magic Whip
Beach House, Thank Your Lucky Stars
Shamir, The Ratchet
Grimes, Art Angels

And because I don't live alone:
Imagine Dragons, Smoke + Mirrors
Fall Out Boy, American Psycho

And because I don't know the whole album but still have ears:

Carly Rae Jepsen, "Run Away With Me"