Favorite Albums of 2015

I purchased nine albums/extended plays released in 2015, and here’s my ranking.

Veruca Salt - Ghost Notes
Veruca Salt - Ghost Notes

1. Veruca Salt – Ghost Notes
One of my favorite albums from the 1990’s was the Veruca Salt album Eight Arms to Hold You, which sadly preceeded Nina Gordon’s departure from the group. A decade plus later the full original line-up reunited for an excellent combination of hard riffs, melodies, and harmonies. One of my favorite moments was the line from “Empty Bottle” that went “Banging my head against a wall of sound.” That’s Veruca Salt in a nutshell.

2. Metric – Pagans in Vegas
Canadian alternative vets Metric went into a very synth-y direction on their latest album. I really liked some of this material including some instrumental and experimental songs such as “The Face” and “Office Towers Escalate.” Mainstream songs such as “The Governess” and “The Shade” show that Metric is still one of the best groups at producing catchy alternative rock.

3. Editors – In Dream
Another nice post-punk revivial record from Editors, who’s last record I skipped. They too went into a more synth-heavy direction on this album. I also liked the alternative versions on the extended version of the album.

4. FFS – FFS
The most unexpected release was this collaboration from Franz Ferdinand and Sparks. While some songs felt like “Sparks” songs or “Franz Ferdinand” songs that were brought to the project, the epic “Collaborations Don’t Work” was seamless blending of styles. Some very strong material here, and it’s nice when popular “students” do effective and enjoyable projects with their “masters.”

5. Colin Hay – Next Year People
Another effective album of catchy and reflective material from Hay, who’s live show I caught this year as well. While in concert it’s mostly Hay and a guitar, the record features a full band sound. Hay’s voice is as effective as ever and this is one of his best solo efforts. I pre-ordered and received an autographed copy too.

6. Madona – Rebel Heart
There were lots of tracks I really liked, including the title song available on the extended version of the album. But there was a lot of weird and hip-hoppy material that really isn’t my thing (example: “Bitch I’m Madonna”).

7. David Gilmour – Rattle That Lock
The title track is amazing, but the rest of the album isn’t really that catchy. Kind of ironic that I prefer last year’s mostly instrumental Pink Floyd release to this.

8. Foo Fighters – Saint Cecilia EP
Their last album was nearly the top of my list in 2014, and one of my favorites of the last 10 years. But Saint Cecilia is pretty generic stuff. Which is okay since it was released for free as a bonus to their loyal fans.

9. Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Letters from the Labrynith
This came along with a purchase to their live concert and suffice to say that I’d have never bought it on it’s own.

Most Played Songs of 2015

As part of an annual tradition here are my most listened to songs of 2015, based on play data from iTunes. In contrast to 2013 and 2014, the gender representation has basically flipped as the top of my charts feature female artists or female-fronted bands in nearly every top slot.

Charli XCX’s excellent Sucker album was a holdover from late 2014, but her new track “Mow That Lawn” that debuted at Positivus and was a staple of her live shows was my favorite track of the year. I also enjoyed new albums from Metric, Madonna, and a long-awaited comeback from the original lineup of Veruca Salt. And credit for UK post-punk revival band Editors for adding a bit of testosterone this year.

In total I listed to 2829 songs, up from 2669 last year.

Name Artist Album Plays
Mow That Lawn Charli XCX Live At Positivus Festival 2015 59
Nuclear Seasons Charli XCX You’re the One – EP 53
Famous Charli XCX Sucker 49
SuperLove Charli XCX SuperLove – Single 42
Nuclear Seasons (Live) Charli XCX The Blind Club 35
Cool for the Summer Demi Lovato Cool for the Summer – Single 33
Forgiveness Editors In Dream 32
The Museum of Broken Relationships Veruca Salt The Museum of Broken Relationships – Single 32
Breaking Up Charli XCX Sucker 31
Break The Rules Charli XCX Sucker 30
The Shade Metric Pagans in Vegas 30
The Fatal Gift Metric Single 30
Empty Bottle Veruca Salt Ghost Notes 30
Sucker Charli XCX Sucker 29
Gold Coins Charli XCX Sucker 29
Body Of My Own Charli XCX Sucker 29
Alternative: Forgiveness Editors In Dream 28
Rebel Heart Madonna Rebel Heart 28
It’s Holy Veruca Salt It’s Holy – Single 28
London Queen Charli XCX Sucker 27
No Harm Editors In Dream 26
The Face, Pt. I Metric Pagans in Vegas 26
The Gospel According to Saint Me Veruca Salt Ghost Notes 26
I Want Candy (Live) Charli XCX Transmitter 25
Ocean of Night Editors In Dream 25
Alternative: No Harm Editors In Dream 25
Fortunes Metric Pagans in Vegas 25
Cascades Metric Pagans in Vegas 25
Office Towers Escalate Metric Pagans in Vegas 25
Laughing in the Sugar Bowl Veruca Salt Ghost Notes 25
The Museum of Broken Relationships Veruca Salt Ghost Notes 25
Break the Rules (Live) Charli XCX Live At I Heart Radio 24
Hanging Around Charli XCX Sucker 24
Devil Pray Madonna Rebel Heart 24
The Governess Metric Pagans in Vegas 24
Nuclear Seasons (Live) Charli XCX iTunes Festival: London 2012 – EP 23
The Lebanon The Human League The Very Best Of The Human League 23
Love You Less Veruca Salt Ghost Notes 23
Boom Clap (Live) Charli XCX Transmitter 22
Ghosttown Madonna Rebel Heart 22
The Forbidden Zone Oingo Boingo Oingo Boingo Demo EP 22
Lost To Me Veruca Salt Ghost Notes 22
Alternica Veruca Salt Ghost Notes 22