1. Future Islands -
The Far Field
At my core I’m still a
scared little boy in a grown man’s body. I’m not sure how I’ve made it this far
and I am bewildered when people are either interested in what I say or
god-forbid seek my advice. I’m not going to claim to know what Sam Herring is
trying to say lyrically on The Far Field. However, I can say that his lyrics
have helped me examine my own feelings and emotions. Also the band just seem
like the nicest group of guys ever. I have a very short list of people who are
allowed to spend the night at our house. Future Islands are on that list. –
Larson
The appeal of this band, for me, is
almost entirely wrapped up in the visual. Do me a favour. Google any live
performance and watch it. Now listen to this album. It's like trying to
describe a Constantin Brâncuși sculpture or a painting by Odd Nerdrum using
just sound and words. You'd be like "huh?" But, once you see them you
can't unsee them and then it RULES listening to them... – Rain
Emotional synth-pop, this album gave me a
lot of feelings. – Julia
Sometimes the album feels like you are
listening to one long song, but sheeeet, when it hits it really hits! –
NightraiN
It's fortunate I like similar sounding
songs. – Nesto!
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2. The National -
Sleep Well Beast
No album that features
“Carin at the Liquor Store” will be left off this list, but I’m fairly certain
this is the first time in my history that a new National album didn’t land in
the #1 spot. I’ll spare you the hand-wringing about my favorite band … for now,
but I am curious to see how the songs develop in the live show. – Jeremy
Dark & brooding
(with a few exceptions). Just how I like my The National albums. – NightraiN
3. Kendrick Lamar –
DAMN
In a world dominated by liars,
Kung-Fu Kenny is honest. – Ben
There’s a popular book
these days about not giving a fuck. The concept of reading a book in order to
not give a fuck seems a bit odd to me though. Whatever… Whenever I need a
refresher on whether or not to give a fuck I listen to “Element” and then
“Feel". Then I listen to the whole album from the beginning. – Larson
4. Ryan Adams –
Prisoner
I really love this album but it's
kinda of a shame that I associate it with Trump's inauguration... Also,
Outbound Train sounds like a Whiskeytown b-side and I'm not complaining. –
Sharon
This is a relatively tame Ryan Adams, but
the songs are extremely well-crafted like his other content and I think
reflects a new tone for the long-time rocker. Perhaps he gets some extra points
for releasing a "B-Sides" version that has as many or more good songs
as the "A-Sides" album. – NightraiN
Love this dude.
Amazing live show!! – Larson
5. Alvvays –
Antisocalites
Another band on the list who I
thought was decent prior to this year's offering turning out a great, great
record. – Tex
This alvvays gets me in a good mood. It's
pure magic! – Sharon
Plimsoll Punks’ dreamy pop slays me - such sweet disdain. – Jesse
Watch their Overrated / Underrated
Pitchfork thing. It rules. – Larson
6. Run the Jewels -
RTJ 3
I used to have a Sonic Youth poster in my
room that had the band standing around a phone pole with a sign that said
“Angry. Very Angry.” That was me for a lot of 2017. It’s disheartening to see
so many mean people allowed airtime. Thank you EL P and Killer Mike for
reminding us to be angry, stay gold and make change. – Larson
Saw them live twice this year, on top of
countless, countless dance sessions in the kitchen after happy hour listening
to this album. – Tex
7. Matthew Logan
Vasquez - Does What He Wants
Delta Spirit's frontman is a funny,
talented dude and this album spans the full spectrum from playful electric to
touching acoustic. Do yourself a favor and absorb it all now. – NightraiN
Plays like a cohesive mix tape, shifting
from disco to folk, soul to indie rock, all held together by poignant lyrics
delivered with a mischievous smile. – Jesse
Matthew Logan Vasquez does what he wants.
– Nesto!
8. Phoenix - Ti Amo
These guys are so good at writing
insane pop songs with incredible precision and depth. I’m not sure that
entirely sounds like a compliment but I swear I mean it as one. – Larson
There is something comforting and familiar about the album and I welcomed it
with open arms. – Sharon
9. Portugal. The Man –
Woodstock
I liked Portugal. The Man before they
sold out... but I still like this album. – NightraiN
Consistently at the
top of my year end lists. Still grappling with their rise to fame, but can’t
deny those are some catchy ass singles. – Jesse
Hit or miss...but mostly hit! – Nesto!
10. Wolf Parade - Cry
Cry Cry
Spencer Krug 4 EVA – Julia
Very happy that these
guys got back together. Yep, still good. – NightraiN
I waiting for Wolf
Parade to write their magnum opus for theater. – Nesto!
11. Rostam - Half
Light
I have liked everything Rostam has
done ever so no surprise I also loved his first solo album. It's beautifully layered and catching in a
surprising way. I danced, I swooned, I
told my Dad to listen to it. – Julia
Gwan's opening strings
gives me goose bumps. I love how layered and thoughtful the albums feels. –
Sharon
12. Tei Shi - Crawl
Space
I saw Tei Shi open for
Grimes in 2016. I half watched her set until she started play “Keep Running”
and all of the sudden 100% of my attention was focused on the song. When the album came out it was an incredibly
cohesive album that hopped around genres and emotions while constantly
maintaining an incredible level of vulnerability and confidence. – Larson
13. Japandroids -
Near To The Wild Heart Of Life
Epic, noisy, and their easiest songs
to sing along to live. – Jesse
I was already a fan,
but this album accentuated my fondness. Fuzzy rock-punk perfect for (mostly)
uptempo runs and impassioned sing-a-longs. A recipe for awesomeness! –
NightraiN
14. Waxahatchee - Out
in the Storm
I have been loving watching Katie
Crutchfield develop from a talented young songwriter to a confident and
powerful artist. Crutchfield twin 1 of 2
in my top 10 this year. – Tex
Defiant, electrifying,
“Eff You” of a breakup album. I like the “Demo” versions of the songs even better,
a little more rough around the edges, if you can get them on your spotifys or
your pandoras. – Jeremy
15. Father John Misty
- Pure Comedy
Would be higher on my list, but it's
not really on the lighter side. - Nesto!
16. Perfume Genius -
No Shape
This record makes me see another
reality in which I'm not a content man, married for 20+ years to my
"soulmate". In that other reality, I'd have a heart/soul rending
crush that clearly would never pan out and I'd pine and cry while listening to
this album. – Rain
And to think "I
kissed a girl" was a big deal. – Ben
17. Petite League -
Rips One Into The Night
Everything I could want in an indie
pop album - ridiculously catchy hooks, passionate strumming, kick flips, bite
marks… – Jesse
Jesse was all
"listen to this, it's awesome" and I was all "no, I hate
you." Then I did and I never stopped. I also love their older stuff too.
– Sharon
18. Jay Z - 4:44
Those that know me, know that I am a
huge Jay Z fan. Huge! If you don’t know me, you now know this fact. Super-fan status
aside I’m not (always) one to automatically champion whatever my heroes put
out. I was a bit skeptical of Jay Z’s 4:44… I think I was worried that perhaps
I was no longer interested in what Jay Z had to say or perhaps I was concerned
about a clunky response to Lemonade. Both thoughts gave me anxiety… am I a
fake? A snob? What I can say, 4:44 is the Jay-Z album I wanted in 2017. – Larson
19. Algiers - The
Underside Of Power
A much needed kick to the heart,
psyche and ass! You know how cool you used to feel listening to the Verve's
Bittersweet Symphony on your headphones while you walked down the street? Well,
take that feeling and cube it and you've got the idea of what it's like to
listen to this album. This sinner's believing what that preacher is delivering.
You will too... – Rain
T
he first three tracks
are pure fire - soul punk politik. It gets weird, skronky, and desolate on Side
2, but staring into the void might be where we are at these days. – Jesse
20. Ha Ha Tonka -
Heart-Shaped Mountain
I have no idea how these guys
continue to fly under the radar. They write fantastic songs and are extremely
accessible. All-American backyard barbecue music at its best! – NightraiN
21. Craig Finn - We
All Want the Same Things
The album’s cover art and the video
for “God in Chicago” alone are worth the price of admission, but the rest of
the album is extremely solid too. This is the first time since Boys and Girls
in America that I feel like Finn is firing on all cylinders lyrically. Glad to
have him back. – Jeremy
Finn looks like
someone you would be more likely to trust with your taxes than trust with
writing kick-ass rock songs, but The Hold Steady front man does just that with
this album. A solid collection Finn's unique storytelling and sound. – NightraiN
22. Sheer Mag - Need
to Feel your Love
Oh hell yeah! It’s the power ballads
that set this album apart, demonstrating the depths of their chops go well
beyond killer riffs cranked up to 11. – Jesse
This was an eagerly
awaited album for me. While I loved the really gritty sound on their early 7”s,
it was nice to hear the production a bit cleaner on this full length. 70’s rock
but with punk influence and an actual conscience. Or in other words, 70s rock
but better… way better. – Larson
23. Battleme - Cult
Psychotica
Seasoning serves them well. Wry
observations delivered with a smokers rasp, huge crunchy alt. rock riffs mixed
with barroom boogie. – Jesse
Get into it! – Nesto!
24. Heat – Overnight
Oddly familiar while 100% original.
There’s a deep pool of influence on this album but it’s never heavy handed.
These guys shred. – Larson
First album of the
year on constant rotation. Perfect follow up to their awesome EP. – Jesse
25. The White Buffalo
- Darkest Darks, Lightest Lights
This album came out late in the year,
so I don't feel like I have given it a fair shake yet and committed to the
songs in the way I usually do. But, as always, this is a fun collection of
Americana. – NightraiN
It’s embarrassing, but this was just the first of three
Party Damage Records on my list that year. No label ever dominated my record player like
this since I first discovered STAX. Rough and passionate, Divers mix heartland punk and slow burning indie rock.
Sheer Mag – I, II, III EPs (2015/2016)
