Best Songs of 2016

Desperately seeking distraction in 2016, these songs were big league distractions.

Mac Miller, Dang -  With Anderson Paak.  Dang is right!

Young Gun Silver Fox, You Can Feel It - The sounds of Lite FM made new.

Solange, Cranes in the Sky - Break my heart, little sister.

Father John Misty, Real Love Baby - James Taylor, you're done.

Karl Blau, Fallin Rain - This Link Wray cover is spellbinding, even if every note in the melody is cribbed from Jimmy Webb.

exmagician, Place Your Bets - Maybe "ex-", but still working his magic.

Justin Jay, Let Go - Simmers, then boils.

Gabriel Garzon-Montano, The Game - Soul single of the year.

STRFKR, Never Ever - Putting this on the jukebox in my imaginary bar.

Jim James, The World's Smiling Now - This spooky track by MMJ frontman James is wicked good.

Beyonce, Daddy Lessons - C'mon, she kills it.

Cleopold, Not Coming Down - This song is why I listen to KCRW.

Yuck, As I Walk Away - The slow dance at the headbangers' ball.

Boxed In, Jist - Supercharged electropop

Rufus Du Sol, Say A Prayer for Me - I wore the hell out of this deep house keeper.

Drake (with Rhiana), Too Good - You knew I would love this one best of all.

P.S. - This works pretty well as a playlist, folks.