Staff Picks: Claire’s Top 5 Albums of 2016

I loooooove Janis Joplin and especially this album. Janis suffered a lot in her childhood from bullying and struggled later in life with love and not surprisingly, drugs and alcohol. In this album, she really pours her heart out and opens herself up to her fans about everything that she’s going through and how it effects her. She’s so genuine and straightforward in her music and that’s especially shown in this album.

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4.) The Stranger – Billy Joel – [itunes link=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/stranger-30th-anniversary/id671200650?uo=4″ title=”The_Stranger_(30th_Anniversary_Legacy_Edition)”]

Not only is this my favorite album of Billy Joel’s but I think it is one of his best/most successful albums. This album marks when Billy Joel started to change his sound from ballads about his own life to rock songs about society and other people in his life. This album has my all time favorite Billy Joel song on it (scenes from an italian restaurant-check it out, it’s incredible). Each song on this album has a different dynamic, too, so I never get tired of listening to it.

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3.) Tapestry – Carole King – [itunes link=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/tapestry/id747087657?uo=4″ title=”Tapestry”]

Very good album to listen to on a rainy day, Sunday morning, when you’re feeling homesick, etc. Overall just really good vibes and a good message in this album. This album definitely personifies Carole’s one of a kind folk rock attitude. An album everyone should end their year with or at least listen to before the year it over!

The eleventh studio album from the British rock band! Fleetwood Mac does it again by brining me one of rock’s best albums. I love Fleetwood Mac’s groovy/70s sound that is so naturally them. With songs like, “Go your own way” and “You make loving fun“, Rumours is not only one of rock’s best albums but one of the most timeless albums I have ever heard. Though an oldie, it is definitely an album worth checking out!

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1.) Abbey Road – The Beatles – [itunes link=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/abbey-road/id401186200?uo=4″ title=”Abbey_Road”]

It is such an iconic and influential album and also the second half of the album (the medley) is AMAZING. I think it’s one of the best creations in music history.