Monthly Mix: December 2016

The Rolling Stones turn Blue & Lonesome

     December has brought lots of snow, tons of presents, and a bunch of new music. Before the year comes to an end, there is still one more sleigh-full of fresh tunes to be delivered.
     English rockers The Rolling Stones have released a cover album in the form of Blue & Lonesome [December 2nd, via Polydor]. The twelve cover songs span from Willie Dixon to Howlin' Wolf. On the Eddie Taylor track "Ride 'Em On Down", the band finds itself in its sweet spot and features vintage Keith Richards guitar work. The rest of the album is top notch classic rock music.
     The cold of the winter has settled in and it's refreshing to know the iPod is restocked with fresh beats. The December Playlist makes the perfect soundtrack for opening the last presents under the tree.


December 2016 Playlist

1.  Portugal. The Man  -  "Noise Pollution (Version A, Vocal Up Mix 1.3)"

2.  Nine Inch Nails  -  "Burning Bright (Field On Fire)"

3.  The Rolling Stones  -  "Ride 'Em On Down"

4.  Rag'n'Bone Man  -  "Human"

5.  K.I.D  -  "Errors"

6.  J. Cole  -  "False Prophets"

7.  The Heydaze  -  "Hurt Like Hell"

8.  Elohim  -  "Hallucinating"

9.  The Revivalists  -  "Wish I Knew You"

10.  Warbly Jets  -  "Alive"

11.  Alex Da Kid  -  "Not Easy" ft. X Ambassadors/Elle King/Wiz Khalifa

12.  Run The Jewels  -  "Hey Kids (Bumaye)" ft. Danny Brown

IN THE BONUS:

Best Songs Of 2016

15.  The Kills  -  "Heart Of A Dog"

14.  Glass Animals  -  "Life Itself"

13.  Warpaint  -  "New Song"

12.  Hippo Campus  -  "Boyish"

11.  Tegan and Sara  -  "U-turn"

10.  Bruno Mars  -  "24K Magic"

9.  POP ETC  -  "What Am I Becoming?"

8.  The 1975  -  "The Sound"

7.  Knox Hamilton  -  "Washed Up Together"

6.  Bear Hands  -  "Like Me Like That"

5.  Radiohead  -  "Decks Dark"

4.  Bon Iver  -  "33 GOD"

3.  Two Door Cinema Club  -  "Bad Decisions"

2.  Phish  -  "No Men In No Man's Land"

1.  The Strokes  -  "OBLIVIUS"

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Best Albums Of 2016

The 1975 wake from a deep Sleep

     It's hard to believe the year is almost over and it's time to look back on some of the Best Albums of 2016. There were a ton of good records that came out this year, but here are the ones that made the list:


Best Albums Of 2016

25.  Anderson .Paak  -  Malibu

24.  Young The Giant  -  Home of the Strange

23.  Iggy Pop  -  Post Pop Depression

22.  Car Seat Headrest  -  Teens of Denial

21.  The Weeknd  -  Starboy

20.  Green Day  -  Revolution Radio

19.  Schoolboy Q  -  Blank Face LP

18.  Wilco  -   Wilco Schmilco

17.  Drive-By Truckers  -  American Band

16.  Tycho  -  Epoch

15.  White Denim  -  Stiff

14.  DIIV  -  Is The Is Are

13.  Lettuce  -  Mt. Crushmore
   
12.  Red Hot Chili Peppers  -  The Getaway

11.  David Bowie  -  Blackstar

10.  Weezer  -  Weezer (White Album)

9.  Tegan and Sara  -  Love You To Death

8.  Kings of Leon  -  Walls

7.  Phish  -  Big Boat

6.  Radiohead  -  A Moon Shaped Pool

5.  A Tribe Called Quest  -  We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service

4.  Glass Animals  -  How To Be A Human Being

3.  Bear Hands  -  You'll Pay For This

2.  Bon Iver  -  22, A Million

1.  The 1975  -  I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it

Stay tuned for the December 2016 Playlist!

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Monthly Mix: November 2016

A Tribe Called Quest say Thank You 4 Your Service

     November has come and gone, and now it's time to string up the Christmas lights and get ready for the winter. Thanksgiving brought a feast like always, and also a piping hot serving of new music.
     New York hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest are back with their new album We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service. Q-Tip, Jarobi White, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and the late Phife Dawg dropped one last album and it does not disappoint. All sixteen tracks have a vintage Tribe sound and feature numerous guests such as Kanye West and Jack White. On the single "We The People...." Q-Tip reminds all of us that "you must go." The rest of the album is a smooth fusion of jazz and hip-hop. As of now, there are no tour dates scheduled in support of the album.
     The chilly nights of the winter are upon us and it's always refreshing to know the iPod is reloaded with fresh tracks. The November Playlist makes a good soundtrack while enjoying the last of the turkey leftovers.


November 2016 Playlist

1.  Hippo Campus  -  "Boyish"

2.  Cloud Nothings  -  "Modern Act"

3.  A Tribe Called Quest  -  "We The People...."

4.  The xx -  "On Hold"

5.  Milky Chance  -  "Cocoon"

6.  Green Day  -  "Still Breathing"

7.  Mondo Cozmo  -  "Shine"

8.  CRX  -  "Ways To Fake It"

9.  Moose Blood  -  "Knuckles"

10.  AFI  -  "Snow Cats"

11.  Jagwar Ma  -  "Loose Ends"

12.  Common  -  "Home"  ft. Bilal

Check in next month for Orbit Sound's Best Albums of 2016!

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Purchase the November Playlist on Amazon!

Hippo Campus - "Boyish"
Cloud Nothings - "Modern Act"
A Tribe Called Quest - "We The People...."
The xx - "On Hold"
Milky Chance - "Cocoon"
Green Day - "Still Breathing"
Mondo Cozmo - "Shine"
CRX - "Ways To Fake It"
Moose Blood - "Knuckles"
AFI - "Snow Cats"
Jagwar Ma - "Loose Ends"
Common - "Home" ft. Bilal

Monthly Mix: October 2016

Phish sets sail on Big Boat

   
     October has come and gone and the trick-or-treaters are retired until next year. Halloween delivered a healthy dose of candy, and a tombstone-sized helping of new music.

     Vermont jam-rockers Phish are riding high from the release of their new album Big Boat [October 7, via JEMP]. The thirteen tracks weave in and out of classic rock sound, heartfelt ballads, and funk. On the breezy track "Blaze On", frontman Trey Anastasio reminds us to put our nice shades on and enjoy life, while the band lays down a calypso-rock groove. Check them out live on their New Year's Run in New York City at Madison Garden and in Mexico early next year.

     The fall is officially here and it's good to have a fresh batch of new tunes for the brisk nights. The October Playlist makes a good companion with the last Twix in the candy jar.

 October 2016 Playlist

1.  Taking Back Sunday  -  "Death Wolf"

2.  Two Door Cinema Club  -  "Bad Decisions"

3.  Phish  -  "Blaze On"

4.  Mike Doughty  -  "There Is A Way Out"

5.  The Naked And Famous  -  "Laid Low"

6.  The Flaming Lips  -  "The Castle"

7.  Tokyo Police Club  -  "Hang Your Heart"

8.  Third Eye Blind  -  "Company of Strangers"

9.  Bear Hands  -  "Boss"

10.  The Dean Ween Group  -  "Exercise Man"

11.  Capital Cities  -  "Vowels"

12.  Bruno Mars  -  "24K Magic"

Check in every month for fresh new music!

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Purchase the Orbit Sound Playlist on Amazon!

Taking Back Sunday - "Death Wolf"
Two Door Cinema Club - "Bad Decisions"
Phish - "Blaze On"
Mike Doughty - "There Is A Way Out"
The Naked And Famous - "Laid Low"
The Flaming Lips - "The Castle"
Tokyo Police Club - "Hang Your Heart"
Third Eye Blind - "Company of Strangers"
Bear Hands - "Boss"
The Dean Ween Group - "Exercise Man"
Capital Cities - "Vowels"
Bruno Mars - "24K Magic"

Monthly Mix: September 2016

Bon Iver crunches the numbers on 22, A Million

     The signs of the fall have began to surface in the form of red and orange leaves, and brisk evening breezes. Signs of new music have also surfaced, and the first batch of the season does not disappoint.
     Wisconsin's Bon Iver is creating a buzz with their latest album 22, A Million [September 30, via Jagjaguwar]. Frontman Justin Vernon wrote all ten tracks on the album, most of which contain various looped recording techniques. On the eerie track "10 Death/Breast" Vernon has a message as he proclaims 'love, don't fight it'. Check them out on tour as they roll through Germany, the U.S., France, and the U.K.
     Summer is officially behind us and hooded-sweatshirt weather is upon us. As we shift into fall, it's always good to know the iPod is stacked with fresh cuts. The September Playlist makes a good soundtrack for the first bonfire of the season.  


September 2016 Playlist

1.  Jimmy Eat World  -  "Sure And Certain"

2.  Lewis Del Mar  -  "Painting (Masterpiece)"

3.  Bon Iver  -  "10 d E A T h b R E a s T"

4.  Judah & the Lion  -  "Take It All Back"

5.  Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness  -  "Fire Escape"

6.  Kings Of Leon  -  "Waste A Moment"

7.  Phish  -  "Breath And Burning"

8.  Warpaint  -  "New Song"

9.  The Weeknd  -  "Starboy" ft. Daft Punk

10.  Hey Violet  -  "Brand New Moves"

11.  Saint Motel  -  "Move"

12.  Calvin Harris  -  "My Way"

Check in every month for fresh new tracks.

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter:  @SteveFerris7

Purchase the September 2016 Playlist on Amazon!

Jimmy Eat World - "Sure And Certain"
Lewis Del Mar - "Painting (Masterpiece)"
Bon Iver - "10 d E A T h b R E a s T"
Judah & the Lion - "Take It All Back"
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness - "Fire Escape"
Kings Of Leon - "Waste A Moment"
Phish - "Breath And Burning"
Warpaint - "New Song"
The Weeknd - "Starboy" ft. Daft Punk
Hey Violet - "Brand New Moves"
Saint Motel - "Move"
Calvin Harris - "My Way"

Monthly Mix: August 2016

Glass Animals explain How To Be A Human Being

     Even though the summer is coming to an end, the good times keep rolling on. Summer brought lots of sunshine, endless parties, and of course a big serving of new music.

     English indie-rockers Glass Animals are making some waves with their latest album How To Be A Human Being [August 26th, via Caroline Records]. The eleven tracks maintain a quirky uptempo beat that will keep the interest of all the late night guests. On the slinky "Youth", the band finds itself at its best with their familiar tribal rock sound. Check them out this fall as their tour slides through Canada, the U.S., the U.K., and Germany.

     As we look back at all the fun adventures of the summer and get ready for the brisk nights of autumn, it's always nice to know the mp3 is reloaded with fresh tunes. The August Playlist makes a good soundtrack for the last pool party of the season.

August 2016  Playlist

1.  Rubbing Alcohol  -  "Bones To Dust"

2.  Empire Of The Sun  -  "High And Low"

3.  Green Day  -  "Bang Bang"

4.  Knox Hamilton  -  "Washed Up Together"

5.  The Griswolds  -  "Out Of My Head"

6.  Bon Iver  -  "33 "GOD""

7.  Wilco  -  "Someone To Lose"

8.  Night Riots  -  "Nothing Personal"

9.  Glass Animals  -  "Youth"

10.  Dawes  -  "When The Tequila Runs Out"

11.  Prophets Of Rage  -  "Prophets Of Rage"

12.  The Chainsmokers  -  "Closer" ft. Halsey

Check in every month for the latest in alternative music.

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter:  @SteveFerris7

Purchase the Orbit Sound Playlist on Amazon!

Rubbing Alcohol - "Bones To Dust"

Empire Of The Sun - "High And Low"

Green Day - "Bang Bang"

Knox Hamilton - "Washed Up Together"

The Griswolds - "Out Of My Head"

Bon Iver - "33 "GOD""

Wilco - "Someone To Lose"

Night Riots - "Nothing Personal"

Glass Animals - "Youth"

Dawes - "When The Tequila Runs Out"

Prophets Of Rage - "Prophets Of Rage"

The Chainsmokers - "Closer" ft. Halsey

Monthly Mix: July 2016

Schoolboy Q gives a Blank Face

     
     The summer is off to a hot start and the beaches and pools have been radiating with positive vibes.  July came and went, but in its path it left a stockpile of fresh new music.
     California's Schoolboy Q is back making some noise with his latest release Blank Face LP [July 8, via Top Dawg Entertainment]. The seventeen tracks highlight the rapper's aggressive and impressive delivery, and also feature numerous guests, including Kanye West and E-40. On the relaxing cut "Black Thoughts (Pt. 3)", he bobs and weaves over a smooth stoner groove. Check out his tour as it swings through the United States, with a stop in Toronto, and a big slot at Austin City Limits.
     As we get deeper into the summer, it's nice to know the mp3 players are re-charged with a new mix of tunes. The July Playlist makes a good soundtrack for lounging by the pool or jogging down the beach.


July 2016 Playlist

1.  Grouplove  -  "Welcome To Your Life"

2.  Weathers  -  "Happy Pills"

3.  Schoolboy Q  -  "Black Thoughts (Pt. 3)"

4.  Two Door Cinema Club  -  "Are We Ready? (Wreck)"

5.  DREAMERS  -  "Sweet Disaster"  

6.  Brand New  -  "I Am A Nightmare"

7.  Taking Back Sunday  -  "Tidal Wave"

8.  The Wrecks  -  "Favorite Liar"

9.  Tycho  -  "Division"

10.  Kungs Vs. Cookin' On 3 Burners  -  "This Girl"

11.  X Ambassadors  -  "Low Life"

12.  BANKS  -  "Fuck With Myself"

Check in every month for the latest in alternative music.

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Purchase the July Playlist on Amazon!

Grouplove - "Welcome To Your Life"
Weathers - "Happy Pills"
Schoolboy Q - "Black Thoughts"
Two Door Cinema Club - "Are We Ready? (Wreck)"
DREAMERS - "Sweet Disaster"
Brand New - "I Am A Nightmare"
Taking Back Sunday - "Tidal Wave"
The Wrecks - "Favorite Liar"
Tycho - "Division"
Kungs Vs. Cookin' On 3 Burners - "This Girl"
X Ambassadors - "Low Life"
BANKS - "Fuck With Myself"