3rd Quarter Of 2016 In Music - Wrap-Up

Perhaps a bit overdue, but better late than never. Here's a summary of what we listened to in the third quarter of 2016 (July - September) and links to albums we've reviewed.

5-Star Albums (85 - 100)

• Sin Fang - Spaceland: 92
• Emily Jane White - They Moved In Shadow All Together: 89
• Harakiri For The Sky: III: Trauma: 88
• Passenger - Young As The Morning Old As The Sea: 88
• Biffy Clyro - Ellipsis: 87
• Glass Animals - How To Be A Human Being: 87
• July Talk - Touch: 86
• Russian Circles - Guidance: 86
• Angel Olsen - My Woman: 85

4-Star Albums (65 - 84)

• Bon Iver - 22, A Million: 84
• Message To Bears - Carved From Tides: 84
• Opeth - Sorceress: 84
• Warpaint - Heads Up: 84
• BANKS - The Altar: 81
• Jóhann Jóhannsson - Orphée: 80
• A Day To Remember - Bad Vibrations: 79
• Bastille - Wild World: 79
• Blink-182 - California: 79
• Myrkur - Mausoleum: 79
• Twin Atlantic - GLA: 79
• Frank Ocean - Blonde: 78
• Periphery - Periphery III: Select Difficulty: 78
• Various Artists - Suicide Squad: The Album: 78
• Drapht - Seven Mirrors: 77
• Nicolas Jaar - Sirens: 77
• Touché Amoré - Stage Four: 77
• Francis and The Lights - Farewell, Starlite!: 76
• Epica - The Holographic Principle: 75
• Pascal Pinon - Sundur: 75
• Racing Glaciers - Caught In The Strange: 75
• Skylar Grey - Natural Causes: 75
• Young Guns - Echoes: 75
• Grouplove - Big Mess: 74
• Various Artists - Rock Sound Presents: The Black Parade: 74
• Bat For Lashes - The Bride: 73
• Carly Rae Jepsen - E•MO•TION Side B: 73
• The Avalanches - Wildflower: 73
• Young Thug - JEFFERY: 72
• Cymbals Eat Guitars - Pretty Years: 71
• Dreamers - This Album Does Not Exist: 71
• Crystal Castles - AMNESTY (I): 70
• Eluvium - False Readings On: 70
• Moose Blood - Blush: 70
• My Chemical Romance - Living With Ghosts: 70
• Young The Giant - Home Of The Strange: 70
• Bad Omens - Bad Omens: 68
• Savoir Adore - The Love That Remains: 68
• Yellowcard - Yellowcard: 68
• Ka - Honour Killed The Samurai: 67
• Bright Light Bright Light - Choreography: 67
• Gone Is Gone - Gone Is Gone: 66
• Britney Spears - Glory: 65

3-Star Albums (45 - 64)

• The Warlocks - Songs From The Pale Eclipse: 64
• Fire From The Gods - Narrative: 62
• La Femme - Mystère: 61
• Frank Ocean - Endless: 60
• Die Antwoord - Mount Ninja and The Nice Time Kid: 59
• DJ Khaled - Major Key: 59
• Noisia - Outer Edges: 59
• Skillet - Unleashed: 59
• Chevelle - The North Corridor: 56
• Clams Casino - 32 Levels: 56
• Taking Back Sunday - Tidal Wave: 56
• Kidneythieves - The Mend: 53
• Psychic Twin - Strange Diary: 53
• Idina Menzel - Idina Menzel: 52
• Of Mice & Men - Cold World: 52
• Ryu - Tanks For The Memories: 52
• Prophets Of Rage - The Party's Over: 50
• Martha - Blisters In The Pit Of My Heart: 48

2-Star Albums (25 - 44)

• Shawn Mendes - Illuminate: 42
• Usher - Hard II Love: 42
• araabMUZIK - Dream World: 30
• clipping. - Splendor & Misery: 30

1-Star Albums (0 - 24)

• None!

Throwback Reviews

• Radiohead - OK Computer: 96
• Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory: 95
• Weezer - Pinkerton: 87

Top Albums Of 2016 (so far)

1. Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool
2. AURORA - All My Demons Greeting Me As A Friend
3. Panic! At The Disco - Death Of A Bachelor
4. Deftones - Gore
5. Dream Theater - The Astonishing
6. Foxes - All I Need
7. Sin Fang - Spaceland
8. Daughter - Not To Disappear
9. Gojira - Magma
10. Thrice - To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere

Top Songs Of 2016 (so far)

1. AURORA - 'Murder Song (5, 4, 3, 2, 1) (Acoustic)'
2. Radiohead - 'True Love Waits'
3. Deftones - 'Hearts/Wires'
4. Radiohead - 'Daydreaming' *
5. Panic! At The Disco - 'Emperor's New Clothes'
6. Foxes - 'Better Love'
7. Lacey Sturm - 'Rot'
8. AURORA - 'Through The Eyes Of A Child'
9. Deftones - 'Phantom Bride'
10. Thrice - 'Black Honey'

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Passenger - Young As The Morning Old As The Sea

Folk music is characterized by its lyrics. There's always a lot of mystery and searching found within the words. Passenger has shown to have a mastery of the ability to tell stories with his words. Eight albums have taught him a lot; his eighth record Young As The Morning Old As The Sea is a testament to that.

Known for big hits like 'Let Her Go' and the country-tinged 'Shape Of Love', the singer has seen mild success throughout his career. That never seems to get to him, though. The English singer is forever humble, singing about fulfilling his own dreams and facing his memories throughout Young As The Morning.

The album begins in a less thought provoking manner, and more in a feel-good way. Intro track 'Everything' sees him singing the story of his own success: the first verse ends with "Then you get something / Something that you've always dreamed about / When you got something you've got something to lose," referencing 'Let Her Go' - the song he wished he could always write and have it resonate with so many people. The chorus goes on to condemn humanity, saying that people will take everything from you - but you should give them your best. A peppier number follows up with 'If You Go', a song about the mysteries of the simplistic things of life, the cheerful attitude accented by punchy trumpets, sweet guitar arpeggios and bright acoustics. 

The indie vibes are strong on this one. The riff for 'Anywhere' screams indie, and the gospel organ helps take that a step further. The great vocals from Passenger also resonate a nostalgic vibe above the sweet harmonics, creating a hopeful atmosphere. The third song 'When We Were Young' is a chilled back track with sweet strings backing the clean guitar. Beautiful melodies paired with a sweet sentiment about young love bring about a very peaceful track. The warm guitar solo provides more dreamy substance to the song's slow moving body.

The true folk element kicks in during the second half of the record. The title track 'Young As The Morning Old As The Sea' has a urgency in the sweet arpeggiating guitar and pounding drums. The great guitars follow wanderlust lyrics, as Passenger sings about exploring the world to discover his roots and everywhere he's dreamed of going - he wants to be free, as "I wanna be free as the winds that blow past me / Clear as the air that I breathe / Young as the morning / And old as the sea." Acoustic goodness continues in tracks like 'The Long Road', which has a sweet vibe and is punctuated by reverberating slide guitar. 'Fool's Gold' is much the same, orchestras and a more upbeat drum beat replacing other elements along with the acoustic guitar. Passenger's message of finding happiness in the little details of life are supported by subtle background vocals, making the track resonate that much more. The atmospheric guitar intro of 'Somebody's Love' lead into a similar structure as 'Fool's Gold', but the highlights of the song are its fantastic instrumental moments and sweet melodies.

The acoustic guitar dances with piano in 'Beautiful Birds' featuring Birdy (perfect). The harmonies between Passenger are Birdy are as intertwined as the grace of the acoustic guitar and piano - pure bliss put under a somber light. It's almost heartbreaking - the two moving lines trapped in a tragic but beautiful dance as the lyrics hauntingly chant "You said you loved all the songs that I'd sing / Nothing that you'd ever heard / And I said I loved you with all of my heart when / We were two beautiful birds" in a stunning duet. Piano makes a return in 'Home', the album's closing track, but in a more upbeat fashion. The piano leads the song as acoustic guitar strums brightly, being carried by a light drum beat. The song is a sweet and cute ending to an even more sweet record, the beautiful reverberations of piano and strings closing the album as they fade out blissfully, like the final flakes of snow on a winter morning falling from the sky as the sun begins to peak through.

Passenger is a master of storytelling. It's hard to believe he isn't more renowned - his abilities certainly deserve it. Young As The Morning Old As The Sea is like a life story: it's about the dreams and wishes of wanderlust and hope Passenger has experienced throughout his life. It leaves you wanting something; not necessarily more music, but just something you can feel and hold onto. This album taps into your own wishes and more peaceful times, providing for an emotional and peaceful journey. When you step out into the world to find those dreams you want to follow, take this album with you.

Favorite Tracks: Beautiful Birds, Young As The Morning Old As The Sea, When We Were Young, Home

Least Favorite Track: Anywhere

Rating: 88 / 100