William Eguizabal’s Top 5 Mid-Year Albums

1. Deftones – GORE

HOLY CRAP! That was my reaction after I finish listening to what I think is 2016’s first masterwork. After the lose of friend Chi Cheng these Sacramento metalhead took tragedy and made poetry. There’s been a bubbling cauldron of great songs for over twenty years and it is that 2 decade plus legacy that led me to hope the Deftness hadn’t lost it. This record is the opposite of what a band that started in 1988 should sound like. This is not a band whose 90’s contemporaries were P.O.D. and Limp Bizkit. This is beauty put on vinyl, a cornucopia of emotion that pulls full throttle at every string and plays it like a violin.

2. Tegan and Sara – Love You to Death

These two seem to be progressing towards pop stardom. Gone, for the most part, is the tweeism and indie quiet of their earlier discography. This years album really just says “we are woman, hear us roar!” Right from the opener, which is an absolute banger you know these Canadian minx’ are about to party, break some hearts, and exit.  

3. Chance the Rapper – Coloring Book

This is by far the best hip-hop cut of the year (though Kendrick gets real close). Chance mixes creative lyricism and killer beats to craft a hip-hop dagger that is far better than the trap music permeating the genre. Chance knows what is popular though, he understands this as he has Bieber, Kanye and Future all guesting on the tracks.

4. Letlive – If I’m the Devil

Known for their blitzkrieg of a live show and manic lead man Jason Alon Butler letlive are back and funkier than ever! Not only does this perhaps feature some of the bands deepest cuts lyrically but there’s a pain and a hope behind ever turn of phrase Butler utters. It crafts a beautiful violence that I think no other band can emulate no matter how hard they try.

5. Saosin – Along the Shadow

Anthony Green returns and brings glory back to the band that got him his start. Hitting blistering highs and crashing lows there’s a certain like spark in Green’s eyes as he hits the high notes. Formulating perhaps the scenes most beautiful soliloquy Along the Shadow really put the gravitas on this meaty sammich.