Larson's Top 15 Albums from 2017

Tei Shi - Crawl Space         

I saw Tei Shi open for Grimes in 2016. I’m not really one to pay close attention to openers and often attempt to time my entrance to shows around potentially missing openers (I’m an old man). I half watched her set while spending more time surveying what a crowd looks like at a Grimes show (again, I’m an old man). At some point in her set she played what I now know to be “Keep Running” and all of the sudden 100% of my attention was focused on the song. When the album came out I didn’t know what to expect. I hoped to hear “that song that I liked at the show” and maybe other similar stuff. What I heard was an incredibly cohesive album that hopped around genres and emotions while constantly maintaining an incredible level of vulnerability and confidence. Perhaps this album isn’t for everyone, but I do feel that there is something for everyone on this album. And that is one hell of a feat to pull off.

Run The Jewels - RTJ3      

(I do recognize that this album technically came out on Christmas Eve of 2016 but c'mon it’s a 2017 album.) 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.

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.

Kendrick Lamar - DAMN  

Theres a popular book these days about not giving a fuck. I’ve not read that book (I’m sure it’s great). The concept of reading a book in order to not give a fuck seems a bit odd to me though. I mean you give enough of a fuck to read the book right?     Whatever… that’s neither here nor there. Whenever I need a refresher on wether or not to give a fuck I listen to “Element” and then “Feel". Then I listen to the whole album from the beginning.

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.

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. Ryan Adams put and album out this year and while I love it, it is not in my top 10. To those that know me you probably recognize that this was a difficult decision for me. I was a bit skeptical of Jay Z’s 4:44… I believe I put his wife’s album in the number 1 slot on my list last year. A decision that I still 100% back. What does this have to do with Jay? 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? I dunno probably a little column A and B.     I’m not going to be able to expand upon what I love about this album without aping another far more sophisticated music critic. What I can say, 4:44 is the Jay-Z album I wanted in 2017.

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.

The Drums - Abysmall Thoughts           

"Blood Under My Belt" can incite an indie dance party (think David Byrne) in my house in 3 seconds flat. My sons are intrigued/confused by the visuals. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Dent May - Across The Multiverse         

Pet Sounds, Soft Rock, Synths, Introspection… this is a very layered album while remaining very airy. Thank you Bandcamp for randomly inviting me to listen to this album. It’s on rotation constantly.

Sheer Mag - Need To Feel Your Love

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.

Ryan Adams - Prisioner   

Love this dude. Amazing live show!!

Alvvays - Antisocialites    

Watch their Overrated / Underrated Pitchfork thing. It rules.

Gingerlys - Gingerlys        

Another random Bandcamp find... so good!

Shout Out Louds - Ease My Mind 

These Swedes still got it!

Howler - America Give Up (2012)

This is rock and roll... This is Howler. Their debut album, America Give Up, is vigorous and catchy much like one of my favorite bands of 2011, The Vaccines. The Drums, Surfer Blood and The Soft Pack (plug in other surf-rock influenced band name here) also come to mind, because the surf-rock trend is so hot right now. The 11 track album comes in at just over 32 minutes, which leaves each riff-laden, power pop track to come and go at a '70s punk pace. It is truly structured as an album from a different era. I suppose we shouldn't be surprised anymore due to all the musical virtuosos currently on the prowl, but I am still amazed by the fact that Howler is made up of mere kids. They pull together an amazingly mature and musically-educated sound, while keeping the songs and song-titles playful and carefree. This album is packed with singles, so take a half-hour out of your day, especially while the sun is shining here in California, and have a listen to some youthful summer jammy-jams. 

The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? (2011)

Sad-sack mopers beware, The Vaccines' new album, What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? is relentlessly upbeat and fun, so you might as well just slip on your shorts, grab a six pack, and head for the water. Released just in time for the warm weather, the album is packed with summer indie rock jammy jams. The surf rock vibe driven by the reverb-soaked guitar riffs and pounding toms recalls Surfer Blood's Astro Coast, which kicked off last year's summer, but with a touch more pop punk a la The Drums or The Soft Pack. Most of the songs are short, catchy and laden with enough surf and beach references to actually convince the listener that the band has spent a few summers away from London. The hook-filled "Westsuit" is the most obvious example. The album feels young and free-spirited, like on the opener "Wreckin' Bar," which mixes a propulsive beat with a bad ass high school fight song. Overall, they keep it simple and relatable on songs like "Post Break-Up Sex" and "If You Wanna," the later a playfully open offer to an ex-lover to reconsider her decision, creating a refreshingly laid-back and enjoyable album.

The Vaccines will be on tour with Artic Monkeys in May.

The Drums - The Drums (2010)

If Phoenix's "Lisztomania" was the soundtrack to a manic dance scene in a long lost John Hughes film, the Drums' "Book of Stories" should play in the part where Anthony Michael Hall quietly reflects in his bedroom. Propelled by a light snare and synthesizers, songs like "Best Friend" and "I'll Never Drop My Sword"perfectly pair upbeat melodies and breezy vocals with melancholy lyrics. As a result, the songs consistently sound somewhere in a muted and liminal space between dancing, reflecting, and yearning. Although it's been used many time before, I like the way "Let's Go Surfing" lifts a few choice lyrics from Little Anthony & the Imperials. Oddly, the album does not have two of my other favorite songs: "Saddest Summer" and "I Felt Stupid".

The Drums play this Sunday with Surfer Blood at the Wonder Ballroom. It's a fantastic pairing, so grab your board shorts and your flip flops and let's pretend it's still summer.

The Drums - “Down By The Water” video

I don't ever seem to tire of the Drums breezy and retro pop. Instead, I find myself humming "Let's Go Surfing". Here's another one from bother their EP and album. It's sort of a lullaby, but it has just a touch of slow burning soul to it.

I can't believe they are going to be at the Wonder Ballroom October 3rd with Surfer Blood. How perfectly paired are those bands?

The Drums - "I Felt Stupid" Video

Speaking of songs not on the EP, here's the Drums' new video for "I Felt Stupid", which reveals these guys' Phoenix-like love of 80's pop.

The Drums - Summertime! (2009)

I'm not sure how this got overlooked on our QuickCrit lists. The Drum's Summertime! EP is fantastically catchy and a perfect remedy to the gray winter blues. It's just six songs of casually melancholy retro pop with plenty of hand claps. What's not to like? The two standouts, "Saddest Summer" and "Let's Go Surfing" (mp3) set the tone somewhere between between foggy groggy Girls and the poppier Surfer Blood. They have a couple other great songs floating around, so I imagine we can expect an album in 2010. I can't wait.

Surf City - "Dickshakers Union" Video

Ok, I know Surf City's EP came out ages ago, but they are finally coming stateside for CMJ and with bands like the Drums and Girls creating similarly lo-fi yet cheery shoegaze pop maybe they'll catch on. But more importantly, maybe they will tour through Portland. Hey, the flight is shorter from the West Coast and fellow New Zealander's the Mint Chicks have made a home here.

The Drums - "Let's Go Surfing" Video

Here's a fun summer video that, like Nelly and Tom Hanks, lifts a few choice lyrics from Little Anthony & the Imperials.