Dig In Deep by Bonnie Raitt
2016 saw the release of American singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt’s seventeenth studio album
For my taste, this is Bonnie Raitt’s best album for more than two decades. It is not a coincidence that it is the first for some time to feature some original Raitt compositions. But she also shines when performing the material of others. The album peaked at #11 on the US charts and also reached the top 40 in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands and the UK.
Favourite track: The slinky, bluesy cover of the INXS hit, “Need You Tonight”
The Lexicon Of Love II by ABC
ABC chose to release a sequel to their 1982 debut studio album The Lexicon Of Love in 2016
Deciding to revisit a classic time in a band’s career is fraught with all sorts of pitfalls. Thankfully ABC didn’t fall into any of those and have instead created a worthwhile successor to their very successful debut. Although lead singer Martin Fry is now the sole member of ABC, this album’s lush orchestrations hark back to the original The Lexicon Of Love as they were created once again by Anne Dudley. I heard one song off this and thought it good enough to warrant investing in the whole album and I was not disappointed.
Favourite track: “The Flames Of Desire”
Santana IV by Santana
Santana chose to call their twenty-fourth studio album, Santana IV
Santana IV picks up where Santana III left off back in 1971 (hence the title) as it features the majority of the line-up from that album in a reunion of sorts. The album was an astounding success, debuting at number 5 in the US as well as reaching the top ten in Germany, the UK, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. The album peaked at number 11 here in Australia and I really enjoyed it right from the first listen.
Favourite track: “Shake It”
Post Pop Depression by Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop’s 17th studio album was recorded Rancho De La Luna in Joshua Tree, California
Post Pop Depression is largely co-written by Iggy Pop and Josh Homme, of Queens Of The Stone Age. Homme also produced the album as well as playing on it in a band that featured fellow bandmate from Queens, Dean Fertita and the drummer from Arctic Monkeys, Matt Helder. A sympatico group of musicians that supported Pop in the best possible way which, well, let Iggy be Iggy. The result was a resounding success that made the top ten in album charts around the world.
Favourite track: “Sunday”
Blackstar (stylised as ★) by Iggy Pop
Blackstar is the 26th and final studio album released by the late David Bowie
Blackstar was Bowie’s most experimental album for some time containing art rock combined with avant-garde jazz. Bowie was suffering from liver cancer during its recording and in fact died only two days after the album’s release. The lyrics do appear to feature his impending death and I believe he left us with one last masterpiece before his departure from this mortal coil. Unsurprisingly, it was a number one album all around the world.
Favourite track: The hauntingly beautiful “Lazarus”
The Slabthrower 