Albums of 2017

There was so much great music in 2017 that it was hard to select my top 10. My runners up list is quite long this year.

1.  A Deeper Understanding, The War On Drugs

This band came onto my radar in 2014, and though their album Lost in the Dream didn’t make it into my top 10 that year, it was among my runners up. This is another solid offering from the band.

2.  Tell the Devil I'm Getting There As Fast As I Can, Ray Wylie Hubbard

Ray Wylie Hubbard isn’t a great vocalist, but he communicates more than most singers though the scruff and twang of his voice.

3.  Offering, Cults

I’m not surprised to find Offering among my favorite albums of 2017. The band’s album Static was my number 3 album of 2013. Madeline Follin’s vocals perfectly compliment the band’s rock sound.

4. Love Mirage, Fancey

This would’ve been the best album of 1977, except it was released 30 years later. 70s sunshine pop. Think Air Supply,  The Partridge Family, Air Supply with a strong disco element.

5. City Music, Kevin Morby

City Music is a simple and sparse album. There’s not much going on here, either musically or lyrically, but what Kevin does is austere and brilliant. If you like Beck or even Bob Dylan you owe it to yourself to check out Kevin’s albums.

6. Slowdive, Slowdive

English band Slowdive offers up a chill collection of dream pop, shoegazey music with this self-titled album. My fiancee said they remind her of Flock of Seagulls.

7. Death Song, The Black Angels

A big, fuzzy progressive rock experience.

8. Harry Styles, by Harry Styles

Yes, that Harry Styles, the one from One Direction. He’s all grown up now and following his own path rather than one created for him by a bunch of white men in suits. It’s hard to label the album; Harry explores a variety of styles and finds success with each track.

9. Wilderness of Love, Shadow Band

Super chill psychedelic music at its best. Put the album on repeat and smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.

10. Young Mopes, Louise Burns

Not only does Louise Burns sound like Belinda Carlise, but the music harkens back to the 80s as well. Young Mopes is a light, fun ride.

Runners Up

Puxico, Natalie Hemby

Babe Rainbow, The Babe Rainbow
Kendrick Lamar, DAMN

Trophy, Sunny Sweeney

Hang, Foxygen

Tenderheart, Sam Outlaw

The Siren’s Song, Kacy & Clayton

The Assassination of Julius Caesar, Ulver

Gingerlys, the Gingerlys

Wrangled, Angeleena Presely

Highway Queen, Nikki Lane

Foxhole, The Proper Ornaments

Undivided Heart & Soul, JD McPherson

Forever and Then Some, Lillie Mae

Lost + Found, Hugh Masterson

Felony Blues, Jaime Wyatt

Vaquero, Aaron Watson

Visions of a Life, Wolf Alice

The Devil Don’t Sleep, Brantley Gilbert

Under Blue Skies, Calico the Band

Avalon, The Huntress and Holder of Hands

Going Grey, The Front Bottoms

Molten Young Lovers, Airiel

Rest, Charlotte Gainsbourg


Overlooked in 2016

Every year I seem to miss a few albums that might have made it onto my top 10 list. 2016 was no exception.

Dear Me, Owel

Why Are You OK, Band of Horses

A/B, by Kaleo

Ship of Fools, Elephant Stone

Stoned in Love, The Orange Drop

Dead of Night, The Saint Johns

Furnaces, Ed Harcourt