There are some dark undertones to this month's playlist. Probably because these were the songs that resonated the most with me. It's not all doom and gloom and dead musicians covering The Smiths - only mostly. The mood lifts in the second half to ridiculous levels. The music from 2016 has been fantastic. Those who doubt the abundance of quality modern music are obviously listening to the wrong sets. I am here to be your guide to the best tunes that I stumbled over in the last month.
1) Troubled Times by Green Day
Welcome to the post-truth world - it's a small comfort that Green Day have returned to their best form since American Idiot. I wasn't planning on mentioning him!
2) You Want It Darker by Leonard Cohen
"If you are the dealer -I'm out of the game" R.I.P Leonard Cohen (1934-2016)
3) Let Me Get There by Hope Sandoval And The Warm Inventions featuring Kurt Vile
A lush and well stoned duet between two great artists.
4) Hold On by The XX
Highly anticipated third album released mid January
5) The Boy With The Thorn In His Side by Jeff Buckley
A cover of The Smiths song originally released on The Queen Is Dead 30 years ago.
"At the record company meeting, on their hands a dead star at last..."
6) Beautiful People by Mark Pritchard featuring Thom Yorke
Thom Yorke makes an appearance mumbling undecipherable words over a downbeat trip hop track.
7) Sandy Lane by The Magnetic North
Beautiful orchestration from a very Northern band.
8) No. 28 by Methyl Ethel
Fremantle's trippy trio return with a taster of goodies for 2017
9) Come On Mess Me Up by Cub Sport
Brisbane indie pop band with a massive hit on their hands.
10) Sad Songs by Sticky Fingers
Sydney Indie Reggae with a joyous tune ready for Summer.
11) Follow The Leader by Foxygen
Third album called Hang released in January from these West Coast Hippies.
12) Make The World by Lee Fields And The Expressions
Uplifting funky and a positive message - desperately needed in 2016.
13) Garden Of Love by The Liminanas featuring Peter Hook
French band with the distinctive bass guitar of Joy Division
14) All I Want From You Is Everything (Alternative Version) by The School
Indie dream pop originally released a couple of years ago and now given the festive makeover.
15) What Are We Fighting For? by Dodgy
Never thought the 90's Scouse indie band Dodgy would ever bother my ear drums again but they
have some damn infectious anthems. (Cheesy as - but it is Christmas)
16) C-h-e-m-I-c-a-l (Edit) by The Chemical Brothers
Back with another one of those block rocking beats!
17) Rattlesnake by King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard
The prolific Aussie psychadelic rock band return with home made instruments tuned to unusual
notes that I don't understand but totally adore.
18) Roll Back The Years by Dorsal Fins
Melbourne band worth investigating if anyone needs a homework assignment.
19) Born Disco; Died Heavy Metal by Cornershop and The Mike Flowers Pops
This is the 90 revival supergroup you would never have imagined.
20) Better Be Home Soon by Crowded House
The greatest New Zealand band Australia ever produced. Their Sydney Opera House reunion gig was televised and became the singalong that stopped a nation.
That's all from me - I'll be back with my end of year roundup in a few weeks.
