Year in Review: The Best Albums of 2016

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Mike Fowler 
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Album: For All Kings 
Artist: Anthrax
Label: Nuclear Blast 
Released: February 19

Some bands just produce material without direction or thought. Anthrax’s newest effort, For All Kings, pushed forward with heavy hitting and memorable songs with a purpose.

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Album: Lemonade 
Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Parkwood/Columbia 
Released: April 23

If it wasn’t for the fact I continually heard songs from her daily on the radio, I would have passed on listening to it. But Beyoncé’s latest album, Lemonade, was slick, with catchy melodies and an underlying political nudge.

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Album: A Moon Shaped Pool
Artist: Radiohead
Label: XL 
Released: May 8

If I could say anything about Radiohead’s new album A Moon Shaped Pool, it would have to be comfort rock. Close to their roots with a refreshing twist of difference added to it.

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Album: Blackstar 
Artist: David Bowie
Label: RCA
Released: January 8

As a fan, David Bowie’s final album, Blackstar, was a great body of work. As a casual listener and knowing the fact that he passed away days after it was released adds a strong attachment to his songs and passionate lyrics.

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Album: Revolution Radio 
Artist: Green Day
Label: Reprise 
Released: October 7

I will keep this simple – Exciting, powerful and worth repeated listening.