Where the hell is the rock and roll? Or the folk? Or the blues? Or even country for that matter?

Spin used to have the most diverse selections, now it's just like every other publication. Too much pop, hip hop and electronic, not enough music that's created live. Sturgill Simpson is #50, but Solange is #1. I find that to be bullshit, personally.

Not trying to say Solange isn't talented, or that pop/rap/edm are without value, they were the genres I favored as I first got deep into music. Then I got a subscription to Spin magazine and it opened my eyes to artists like Cass McCombs (who had TWO great albums this year, neither of which made the list, which blows my mind), and Simpson among many many others.

It is because of this period in my life that I became an actual musician and not a "producer". I put down the midi pad and picked up a guitar, cuz it's more fun, more expressive, for my tastes. We don't have to choose between poptimists or "rockists", we can just analyze music based on merit.

Not trying to go all Ted Gioia here, but come on.

The lack of good rock albums throughout this list (other than the rare few) displays that the Spin staff probably doesn't know much about music itself, just the experience of listening to and writing about it. But why would I trust the opinion of a critic who doesn't have a fundamental understanding of the thing they are reviewing?

Hey, at LEAST Spin didn't give the #1 nod to Kanye this year...(THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!!)

I previously said no 2016 recording reachs the heights of Cohen's "You Want It Darker" but I must note Bowie's "Black Star" comes close. These 2 recordings both are in a class of their own. Two masterpieces by two of the greatest music geniuses of all time, and that includes Dylan, Beethoven, Bach, Coltrane, Miles Davis, the Beatles and you can name all the rest. Number 15 for "You Want It Darker,"
Spin Magazine where was your head when you gave that ranking? Anthony Mastrandrea

There sued to be a time when I would have recognized most of the albums on the Spin top albums of the year, either I got old or they changed covering what music I like.

Sorry, Van Halen, The Who and Def Leppard didn't release albums this year. :)

A bunch of Yesteryears did make a differance in 2016 music. Their names are Leonard Cohen and David Bowie. They both made 2016 recordings that transcended time, the Past, the Present, and the Future. Unfortunately the Time we live in now praises celebrity over intelligence and genius and its only going to get "Darker" for those who are intelligent and possess genius. Anthony Mastrandrea

The word "desired"in my last message was meant to be "deserved". Sorry for the mistake. Anthony
On Dec 31, 2016 12:13 PM, "Anthony Mastrandrea" <

You have excellent music taste. Unfortunately if you go by the Grammy Nominations there are not too many like us who know and appreciate musical genius but then again many of the other truly great music geniuses never got the respect they desired either. Unforunately thats the way of the world today anyway. Anyway I am happy to hear from you and find out I am not the only one who feels like I do. Regards, Anthony

I think PK was being sarcastic.

But his mock was stupid. Subvert69 never said he wanted that kind of music, and posing this shit in opposition to that shit is... well stupid. I agree with Mr 69, where is the coverage of good music? Seriously.

There's just a lot more of it and there are more avenues for bands to get it out there. The stuff on the radio is but a small fraction and it's usually not indicative of the best of what's available.

Then why is most of this stuff ridiculously radio friendly? The only things that aren't are the "avant garde" or "rock" picks that "legitimize" this "list" (okay fine one pair of quotes too many). I agree with you Halloweenhead, but your reasoning means you should agree with Subvert69.

My 10 for 2016: 1. Blackstar....David Bowie ...pure art even in death 2. A moon shaped pool...Radiohead...gets better with every listen...music for the mind...3. Skeleton Tree....Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.... His Tears in Saturn.. this album is perhaps his most personal work in the vast riches of his catalogue..4. You want it darker...Leonard Cohen ..Death was a common theme in 2016 and LC's own Blackstar delivered in his signature tone...5. Everything You've Come to Expect....Last Shadow Puppets....underrated sophomore album by Artic Monkeys side project 6. Freetown Sound ....Blood Orange....in the age of the EDM this should have been much bigger commercially....what if the 80s dance scene were reimagined to contempraneous times.....7. Puberty 2...Mitski...much Fiona Apple esque with a tinge of Liz Phair and Bjork influences...8. The Hope 6 Demolition Project....PJ Harvey....she now is in the throne of queen of social and political commentary....she let England shake before and now tackles the US...an artist undefined by rules and convention....9. Hopelessness....Anohni ...a rose by any name is just as sweet...artist formerly Antony of Antony & the Jonsons addresses the state of the world from the shoes of the ordinary global citizen.....10. Day of the Dead....Various Artists.....part of the long standing Red Hot series ..this time its an Indie tribute to the Grateful Dead....yes some duds but there are some pearls buried within this massive 5 cd opus.....Grizzly Bear core with the National on Terrapin Station is a 17 min joy....

Solange yeah right Radiohead had the best album by far. Spin Sucks balls ..

Many great 2016 recordings but none reach the heights of Cohen's "You Want It Darker" . A masterpiece for the ages. Anthony in LA

Maren Morris over Sturgill Simpson...and no mention of "And the Anonymous Nobody."

Is this a parody list?

Great call on Solange. But no love for "American Band" by Drive-by Truckers? It was one of the best rock protest records in years -- far more literate, honest and biting than any commentary Billy Joe Armstrong has written. And if there ever was a year in which America needed a protest album, 2016 was it.

Trendy hipster douchbags...

shit list, radiohead should be N° 1 or at least top 5 and btw frank ocean is too way overrated

F your opinion

F you ass

Im so hurt by that lol