Rock royalty deaths easily earned the "least favorite musical moments of 2016" award. Despite the loss of talented artists, the music that came into being in 2016 had quite a few highlights. Here are ten enjoyable, rock-oriented albums, arranged chronologically, ranging from contemporary radio pop to underground hardcore thrash.

David Bowie - Blackstar

Jan. 8, 2016: The year's first entry is David Bowie's immaculate and stunning finale, "Blackstar". An eclectic mix of art rock, modern jazz, and honest pop, the seven songs (five new, two re-recorded) provide a solemn glimpse into the perspective of someone facing their final days on Earth. "Blackstar" may have been Bowie's final recording before his death, but his estate has fortunately planned that it will not be the last for this immortal, genre defining artist.

The Hanging Stars, Iggy Pop, Sweethead

Mar. 11, 2016: British psych-folk-rockers The Hanging Stars entertain with "Over The Silvery Lake", 13 folky, inspired songs recorded across the world. "Over the Silvery Lake" recalls emotions drifting by on a warm spring day: a laid-back, calm appreciation of beauty in both light and shadow. Decidedly psychedelic country-pop, The Hanging Stars scratch that elusive itch a listener accustomed to heavier fare might not even realize exists. Simultaneously timeless and revivalist, the album draws from a colorful, Byrds-y and Americana influenced past as artfully as it looks to a transcendent future.

Mar. 18, 2016: Iggy Pop's "Post Pop Depression" is sensual, dark, and above all, alive. The nine tracks on the once-secret, now Grammy-nominated platter reach out to a diverse group stylistically, musically, and through lyrical prose. "Gardenia'"s decadent allure, "In The Lobby"'s and "American Valhalla"'s mortality, and "Sunday"'s holiday romp are all touchstones in Pop and collaborator Joshua Homme's lives. "Sunday" and "Paraguay" share sharp turns for codas; "Sunday" boasts a soothing, orchestral finale, while "Paraguay" spews a potent, venomous rant. For those who seek subtle, mature sophistication without giving up the raw, rough-hewn power of rock (in many flavors), "Post Pop Depression" is a stunning hit.

Apr. 8, 2016: Los Angeles's Sweethead brings its latest, "Descent to the Surface", to the table next. "Descent to the Surface" is slightly eccentric alt-rock with ambient, electronic, dance, pop, and even quasi-country influences showing. This 12 track disc may fly under the radar of many, due to its lack of promotion. Sweethead seems to have shed limitations imposed by a static, strict four peice band and hard rock mindset, in favor of a greatly expanded sonic palette. With creative duo Serrina Sims and Troy Van Leeuwen's raw energy and pure hunger mostly satisfied, "Descent to the Surface", is served like an aural main course.

The Dandy Warhols, Paul Gilbert and The Kills

Apr. 8, 2016: The Dandy Warhols' latest, Distortland, is alchemical in it's influences, from neo-surf ("Pope Reverend Jim"), to "Search Party"'s art rock, to the undercurrent of knifelike guitar a la thrash metal ("Semper Fidelis"). The band doesn't forego or forget its roots with power pop ("You Are Killing Me"). "Distortland" is a subtle, perfect blend, pleasant and cosmopolitan. For someone seeking music with just the right amount of quirk and rock mojo, this fits the bill nicely.

May 27, 2016: Unleashed upon the world outside of Japan mid-year, guitar virtuoso Paul Gilbert's "I Can Destroy" marks a joyous return to form. The 12 track album offers characteristic variety, exploring classic 1970s era rock, blues, and classic heavy metal. Gilbert's all-star studio band brings layered three and four part vocal harmonies, as well as three part guitar harmonies, into sharp focus. Upbeat and uptempo, "I Can Destroy" meshes flurries and flourishes of melodies and notes into ageless rock.

June 3, 2016: The Kills offers a more mellow electronica-meets-pop platter with "Ash & Ice". Dynamic creative duo Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince mesh well, and the band's latest release presents a sophisticated, more relaxed, and minimalist facet to its oeuvre. Tunes on "Ash & Ice" are inextricably contemporary, fully embracing living in, and being present for, the present.

The Wans, Gone Is Gone and Trash Talk

June 24, 2016: The year begins to pick up speed with Nashville's The Wans and its release, "Run Baby Run". This is a hook-laden, six song EP of uptempo, engaging hard rock, with overt nods to power pop, grunge, and classic rock. The kinetic music, mated with some sex-soaked lyrics, captures rarer carefree moments of younger adulthood, where the world is this power trio's oyster. The (enthused, energized) Wans still like to party, and want everyone to join them.

July 8, 2016: At first, heavy music fans seem to unsuccessfully attempt to will heavy metal into the fibrous mat of Gone Is Gone's being, proving that music which pushes against the grain of what "the masses" expect of it can be really enjoyable. Gone Is Gone's eponymous debut output is art-rockier, more atmospheric, and more ambient then straight up metal would have been. Each song on the darkened, fresh debut is a well-contained composition, ambitious and expansive.

Oct. 21, 2016: Listeners drawn to harder fare will enjoy the 2016 list's grand finale, Trash Talk's free "Tangle" EP. "Tangle" is traditional hardcore thrash punk done right: analog, angry, and aggressive. The band took this professionally-recorded, heavy-hitting disc a step further by distributing it digitally, completely free of charge, with no email sign-up lists or other hindrances. In a time where professional musicians rightfully complain about creators not being paid for their work, this is a noble gesture and a great nod to the underground DIY scene from which punk, hardcore, and more extreme metal still sprout. For fans who need their tunes somewhere between 'bloody knuckles' and 'skull crushing', "Tangle" will definitely induce that much sought 'concert bangover'.