The Real Concert King: The Real Concert King's Top Albums of 2016 Part 1: 25-11

It's that time of year again! It's time to take a look at what I think are the top albums of the year! These lists are always really difficult to put together and this year was no exception. There was a lot of great music released this year, including new albums from a few of my favorite bands. I try to base my list on which albums made the biggest impact on me and felt the desire to listen to over and over.

Obviously I didn't get a chance to listen to everything out there, or even everything I might like, this is just out of what I came across. If you feel I missed a great album, please let me know and maybe I'll discover a new favorite band! There are plenty of albums that I loved that didn't even make this list, so every single one of these albums has something special about them to warrant their place.

I like to write a little bit about some of the top albums to give you a little more background and perspective, but I am not nearly a good enough writer or critic to give full blown album reviews. I'm kind of a "gut feeling" or "general impression" kind of guy, but I'll do my best to elaborate upon some of the albums that had the biggest effect on me.

If you're curious to see what my top albums of 2014 and 2015 were (although, if I did the lists now, they would be a little different), you can check them out here.

I've included links to stream the albums in their entirety, I did my best to find official streams whenever possible. I highly encourage you to check out the highlighted songs if you're unfamiliar with the artist/album and if you like what you hear, then listen to the full album and support the artists if you can. So without further ado, here is what I feel right now are the best albums of 2016!!!

Honorable Mentions (In no particular order)

Silver Snakes - "Saboteur" Stream on YouTube

Eric Hutchinson - "Easy Street" (Only a HM due to short length) Stream on Youtube

The New Addiction - "Filters" Stream on Spotify

From Indian Lakes - "Everything Feels Better Now" Stream on YouTube

JoJo - "Mad Love" Stream on YouTube

Set It Off - "Upside Down" Stream on YouTube

Animals As Leaders - "The Madness of Many" Stream on YouTube

Buckethead - Collective works Check out on Bandcamp
Partybaby - "The Golden Age of Bullshit" (HM due to short length) Stream on Spotify

Springtime Carnivore - "Midnight Room" Buy/Stream on Bandcamp

Metallica - "Hardwired...to Self-Destruct" Stream on YouTube

THE TOP 25 ALBUMS OF 2016
Part 1: 25-11

Click here for part 2

25. Blink-182 - "California"

Check out: "San Diego"

Stream on YouTube

24. Sum 41 - "13 Voices"

Check Out: "Fake My Own Death"

Stream on Spotify

23. Amaranthe - "Maximalism"

Check Out: "Fireball"

Stream on YouTube

22. Fallujah - "Dreamless"

Check Out: "The Void Alone"

Stream on Spotify

21. Amon Amarth - "Jomsviking"

Check Out: "At Dawns First Light"

Stream on YouTube

20. Emma Ruth Rundle - "Marked For Death"

Check Out: "Marked For Death"

Stream/Buy on Bandcamp

19. The Pretty Reckless - "Who You Selling For"

Check Out: "Take Me Down"

Stream on YouTube

18. Anarbor - "Anarbor"

Anarbor are finally back with new music! This was their first album in over 3 years, and a lot has happened. The band has changed and grown a lot since their earlier albums. This album has a little bit different vibe from the past work, but that's not always a bad thing. The new album shares a lot in common with bassist/vocalist Slade Echeverria's other project WLFPCK. There are still echoes of the heavier, harder Anarbor, but overall the new album is a little bit more mellow and chill. The two opening tracks, Freaking Out! and Dopamine are my favorites, maybe because they remind me most of old Anarbor, but that doesn't mean there aren't other great tracks. Can't Help It, Paint This Town and Who Cares frequently get stuck in my head. If you liked Anarbor back in the day and lost track of them, or if you haven't heard of them until now, give this album a listen, I don't think you'll be disappointed. It's also worth mentioning that they completely produced and funded this album themselves. So if you like what you hear, please support them.