Ultra5280's Best Albums of 2016

Each year we have the honor of narrowing down some of the best albums of the year. This year we got a chance to listen to some amazing albums from some amazing artist. We also reached out to some of the most influential music listeners in our fair city for their picks. While lists like these have become cliche it does give us a chance to recognize amazing music. Without further adieu we present The Best Albums of 2016. Big thanks to our friends from AEG, Live Nation, Two Parts, Soda Jerk Presents and musicians who participated.

Robert Castro - Editor In Chief - Ultra5280

1. Malibu-vAnderson .Paak

2. A Moon Shaped Pool- Radiohead

3. Coloring Book- Chance The Rapper

4. Teens Of Denial- Carseat Headrest

5. We Got It From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service- A Tribe Called Quest

Mcclain Morris - Managing Editor - Ultra5280

1. Emotions and Math- Margaret Glaspy

2. Are You Serious?- Andrew Bird

3. My Woman- Angel Olsen

4. Freetown Sound- Blood Orange

5. Next Thing- Frankie Cosmos

Matt Smith - Photographer - Ultra5280

1. A Sailor's Guide To The Earth- Sturgill Simpson

2. A Moon Shaped Pool- Radiohead

3. American Band- Drive By Truckers

4. Schmilco- Wilco

5. The Wilderness- Explosions In The Sky

Theresa Dixon - Event Coordinator - Ultra5280

1. A Seat at The Table- Solange

2. We Got It From Here, Thank You For Your Service- A Tribe Called Quest

3. Coloring Book- Chance The Rapper

4. 99.9%- Kaytranada

5. 22, A Million- Bon Iver

Rikki Aston - Talent Buyer - Live Nation

1. Post Pop Depression- Iggy Pop & Josh Homme

2. Malibu- Anderson .Paak

3. A Sailor's Guide To The Earth- Sturgill Simpson

4. American Nightmare- Bad Rabbits

5. The Peace & Truce of The Future of The Left- Futures of The Left

Honorable Mention: Starboy- The Weeknd

Danny Sax - Talent Buyer - AEG

1. Magma- Gojira

2. Simplicity- The Bouncing Souls

3. The Boy Who Died Wolf- Highly Suspect

4. Signs Of The Light- The Head & The Heart

5. Emotional Mugger- Ty Segall

Zoe Lanterman - Marketing Director - Soda Jerk Presents

1. Malibu- Anderson .Paak

2. Woman- Justice

3. Human Performance- Parquet Courts

4. Schmilco- Wilco

5. Atrocity Exhibition- Danny Brown

Geoff Brent - Talent Buyer - Soda Jerk Presents

1. Malibu- Anderson .Paak

2. Cody- Joyce Manor

3. Worry,- Jeff Rosenstock

4. There's A Lot Going On- Vic Mensa

5. Culture Abuse- Peach

Rob Drabkin - Denver Musician

1. Remember Us To Life- Regina Spektor

2. Stranger To Stranger- Paul Simon

3. 22, A Million- Bon Iver

4. Gregory Alan Isakov with the Colorado Symphony- Gregory Alan Isakov

5. This Is Acting- SIA

Tobias Krause - Events Manager - Two Parts

1. A Moon Shaped Pool- Radiohead

2. Untitled- Kendrick Lamar

3. Eternally Even- Jim James

4. Wildflower- The Avalanches

5. Purposely left out to stand out from the rest of the participants. Bruh.

Music | My Morning Jacket Prove Why They Were Born to Play At Red Rocks

Playing Red Rocks is one of the highest accomplishments many bands achieve throughout their careers. For many they usually tend to amp up their production for the specific day they land in Morrison, Colorado. In the case of My Morning Jacket, they have managed to book back to back nights for the last few years now. They hail it as one of the best places to play in the world, and rightfully so. We have been lucky enough to cover the band the last three years at Red Rocks and each year they seem to set the bar higher and higher not only for themselves, but for other artist playing the venue. This year was no different as the band managed to play two sold out shows with each covering 3 hour sets. We had a chance to check out the first night which featured the usual hits that band has been putting out since 1998.

The band opened things strong with "Victory Dance", as lead singer Jim James danced around the stage making sure his presence was felt amongst the 9,000+ revelers in the crowd. The band even managed to bring out original MMJ guitarist Johnny Quaid to perform a few numbers including "Steam Engine", and a cover of Bob Dylan's "Knocking On Heavens Door". The covers didn't stop there as they also managed to seduce the crowd with a folk version of Erykah Badu's "Tyrone". We have all bared witness to the huge amounts of outpouring many bands have been performing as an ode to the late Prince. James and company performed one of the best tributes as they tore through a beautiful version of "Purple Rain", that had the crowd singing in unison. The bands encore was pretty impressive as they played a four song set including "Highly Suspicious", both versions of "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream", "Cobra", and fan favorite "Mahgeetah". Overall it was an amazing show that contiunues to impress as the band is reaching the cult like status of bands such as Phish, and The Dead with their carefully orchestrated long sets. Until next year Jim James.

Music | My Morning Jacket | Red Rocks Amphitheatre | August 14 | Review and Photos

Red Rocks has always played host to some of the most epic performances we have ever seen. It seems customary that when a band plays here it saves its best effort for the world renowned venue. Most tours either start at Red Rocks or end there. My Morning Jacket has always played some of their most iconic sets here and Friday night was no different. With an almost three hour set the band ripped through some of their best hits that has come from the Kentucky band. With a few notable songs from their new album, Jim James and company captured the crowd from their opening number all the way through their final encore. You can almost sense a cult like following from the band similar to those who follow Phish and The Grateful Dead. With a southern alt-rock appeal to them the band conjures up a classical sound that distinguishes James's voice from any other. The band ripped through almost 30 songs on a perfect end of Summer night including hits such as "I'm Amazed," "Evil Urges," and "Mahgeetah". The concert itself was being streamed live to a world audience. Few bands have the swagger and confidence that MMJ brings to the table. It has been a staple of theirs for quite sometime. The band even brought out Brandi Carlile (who happened to be headlining her own solo show the next night) for "Wonderful(The Way I Fell)". James came out dressed in a colorful cap and customary sunglasses as he ripped through what seemed endless jam sessions that we are only accustomed to hearing as three minute album cuts. You can tell the band always feels at home when they play the majestic venue as James himself said that it is the most amazing place to be, we would have to agree.

Opening the festivities was one of our favorites Sylvan Esso. Although the pairing of them with MMJ was a bit unusual you can tell the duo from North Carolina made a few new fans. With their infectious dance numbers, you can't help yourself to dance and mimic the moves that you perform while in front of a mirror at home as you get ready to go out with your squad.

Setlist:

1. Wordless Chorus
2. Compound Fracture
3. Off the Record
4. Circuital
5. Believe (Nobody Knows)
6. Bermuda Highway
7. I’m Amazed
8. Evil Urges
9. Dondante / Lay Low
10. At Dawn
11. In Its Infancy (The Waterfall)
12. Gideon
13. Tropics (Erase Traces)
14. I think I’m Going to Hell
15. Spring (Among the Living)
16. Anytime
17. Steam Engine / Only Memories Remain / Steam Engine
18. Phone Went West
19. Mahgeetah

Encore:
20. Wonderful (The Way I Feel)
21. Victory Dance
22. Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 1
23. Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 2
24. Highly Suspicious
25. Run Thru
26. One Big Holiday

Check out our slideshow: Robert Castro

Telluride Blues & Brews Festival | September 12 - 15 | Telluride, CO

Although it took us driving through an apocalyptic storm, the trip to the 20th Annual Telluride Blues and Brews Festival was well worth the anxiety. Nothing a little Xanax couldn’t cure; my nerves were at ease. We made it bright and early on Friday and had the sunshine tease us while we set up our campsite. For a second, I may have broken a sweat. We learned from last year’s adventure to plan for every season and so I packed: Hunter boots, a zero degree jacket and sleeping bag, skirts to twirl in, and a rain jacket. It rained just about every other hour while we were there. It would rain, never too hard, and then the sun would peak it’s rays out and dry our skin just enough to forget.

20th Annual Telluride Blues and Brews FestivalPhoto Credit: Amanda Spilos

20th Annual Telluride Blues and Brews Festival

Photo Credit: Amanda Spilos

I was excited to see the raspy gypsy queen, ZZ Ward. She was the first act that I caught and I was, of course, impressed. She had great energy and presence and man, that girl has style. She was channeling a young Stevie Nicks in her over-sized coat and floppy hat. There were definitely festy-trends throughout the weekend which caught my eye. Denim pearl snap shirts, various boot styles, layers, ponchos, and aztec patterns. You definitely knew you were in southern Colorado at a festival. Even Allen Stone really honed in on the trend in his fringe vest. He was vibrant and a great compliment to ZZ Ward and though he experienced some technical snafus halfway through his set, his band backed him up and I would never have known had I not been in the photo pit.

ZZ WardPhoto Credit: Amanda Spilos

ZZ Ward

Photo Credit: Amanda Spilos

Allen StonePhoto Credit: Amanda Spilos

Allen Stone

Photo Credit: Amanda Spilos

Friday's music continued with Gary Clark Jr. who was soulful with smooth vocals. The weather was beginning to change and Gary's bluesy tunes carried us into the night as the temperature began to drop - just a bit. He played his well-known songs like, "Right Now" and "I Don't Owe You a Thang" which had the mountain folks dancing.

Gary Clark Jr.Photo Credit: Amanda Spilos

Gary Clark Jr.

Photo Credit: Amanda Spilos

There's something about being in Telluride surrounded by green, lush mountains with massive spires jutting out while listening to live music. The San Juan Mountains are breath-taking; from the streets of Telluride you can see a massive waterfall nestled between two peaks. It's as if it makes the music sound that much sweeter.

20th Annual Telluride Blues and Brews Festival

20th Annual Telluride Blues and Brews Festival

The Black Crowes closed out Friday night and while it rained a bit during Gary Clark Jr.'s set, the sky cleared up just in time. Chris Robinson was able to light up the stage for all in attendance. His unusual dance moves added an entertaining element to the night with all of his twirling and Jagger-esque moves.

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesPhoto Credit: Amanda Spilos

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Photo Credit: Amanda Spilos

If it weren't for the Grand Beer Tasting on Saturday afternoon, the crowd's spirits may have been a bit down considering the amount of rain we received that afternoon. We weren't phased, though. With over 50 microbreweries and over 200 beer selections, the festy-goers had beer in their belly's and music on their mind. I discovered a coconut Porter from Horsefly that I can't stop dreaming about. The New Mastersounds were great drinking music for the beer tasting. Their quick, upbeat tunes kept the chugging pace at an all time high. Guitarist Eddie Roberts took a seat through the set due to a broken foot but he didn't let that slow him down one bit.

Rebirth Brass Band closed out the Grand Beer Tasting followed by a later afternoon set from the Mickey Hart Band, drummer for the Grateful Dead. Playing a solid mix of both Mickey Hart material and classic Grateful Dead, they had us twirling in the rain with songs like "Bertha", "China Cat Sunflower", "I Know You Rider" and "Fire on the Mountain".

And then, Jim James. I overheard someone say that perhaps they hadn't done enough mild-altering drugs to get it. The set was dark and mysterious and while it rained quite a bit, it added a special element to the evening. He opened the set with "State of the Art (A.E.I.OU.)" and swiveled around the stage with his crazy hair in his purple suit. Things would slow down at times and then he'd pick up a guitar and just rip shit. There was a time and a place and a rainy Saturday night in Telluride, was the time and the place.

Jim James of My Morning JacketPhoto Credit: Amanda Spilos

Jim James of My Morning Jacket

Photo Credit: Amanda Spilos

The Denver weather and the potential to return home to a flooded basement, caused us to leave on Sunday. It rained early Sunday morning and cleared up for a fantastic last day. Anders Osborne and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe gave folks something to look forward to on their last day. I've seen both in the past, though I was still bummed I missed them.

Telluride Blues and Brews Festival is something I will continue to attend. The scenery, the people, the music, the food, and the beer will keep me coming back