10 Best Albums of 2017.
“Slowdive” from Slowdive
I would describe this one as “Comeback of the Year”. The dream pop and shoegaze group from Reading broke 22 years of absence releasing a brand new full-length with eight songs. I would like to emphasize the great performance from Neil Halstead producing as well sharing the vocal with Rachel Goswell. “Sugar for the Pill” is definitely the highlight, but there are some equivalents like “Star Roving”, “Don’t Know Why” and “No Longer Making Time”. Shut your door, plug your earphones and enjoy Slowdive live at Pitchfork Live.
“The World We Built” from The Wild Reeds
I fell in love when I saw these three country girls from L.A live in KEXP touring with “The World We Built”. I spent some weeks addicted to their sophomore album and then I notice some differences between the debut “Blind and Brave” which it was folk and bluegrass, instead of the latest is a more electric sound. It is hard to choose which is the best, but I can see a bright light for the country and folk music future. Lovely sound from Kinsey Lee, Mackenzie Howe, Sharon Silva, the bassist Nick Phakpiseth and the drummer Nick Jones.
“You’re Welcome” from Wavves
I would rate this one as a “Redemption of the Year”. After the “failure” of the V (not in my opinion), the sixth album from the San Diego garage punk Wavves came with a new purpose musically explicit in “Million Enemies”, “Hollowed Out” led by Pope and Hill and of course “No Shade” and “Animal” with straight lyrics and fast tempo riffs. I could not forget “You’re Welcome”, “Stupid In Love” and “Exercise” as impressive tracks. The magic of “Dreams of Grandeur” and “Come to The Valley” surprised me. Then, a classic doo-wop “I Love You” ending another good piece from Wavves.
“Mr. Finish Line” from Vulfpeck
Another exciting material from the quartet formed by Jack Stratton, Joe Dart, Theo Katzman and Woody Goos. The third album of Vulfpeck featured some legends from R&B music like the long-term partner Antwaun Stanley singing with “Birds of a Feather, We Rock Together”, the eloquent Charles Jones leading “Baby I Don’t Know Oh Oh” as well the marvelous performance from Joey Dosik on “Running Away” with David T. Walker and James Gadson contributions. “Tee Time” and “Vulf Pack” reminds the Vulfpeck from the old days of “MIT Peck” and “Vollmich”. Finally, one of my favorite hit “Hero Town” with Michael Bland rocking with the sticks. Unfortunately, I still don’t know how it is Rango III and It Gets Funkier IV and certainly, I don’t miss it.
“The OOZ” from King Krule
The obscurity of Archy Marshall came back after four years of his debut with nineteen tracks of pure jazz, spoken words into the noir ambient that made one of the most interesting records of this year. The goosebumps presented on “Czech One” defined the dark side with “The Locomotive” and “The Cadet Leaps”. The open title “Biscuit Town” with frustrations references of low feeling, the astonishing jazz instrumental led by the guitarist Jack Towell and saxophonist Ignacio Czornogas and shouts from Archy and the bassist James Wilson on “Dum Surfer” about a story of a date in a bar that ends to a car wreck. The horror psychobilly fragments on “Vidual” and the “Half Man Half Shark”. Archy Marshall proved that he is getting accurate as a producer and writer so young age.
“How Did We Get So Dark?” from Royal Blood
The duo-rock band from Brighton formed by Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher continues to grow with their new album called “How Did We Get So Dark?” which has the same ambient as the debut self-entitled, however, with some pop adjustments evident on “Lights Out”, “She’s Creeping” and “Don’t Tell” and the piano and a keyboard usage on “Look Like You Know” and “Hole In Your Heart”. When I listened the first time, quickly I get addicted to the riffs and so the lyrics of “She’s Creeping” as well “Hook, Line & Sinker” became my favorite track, which both Kerr talks about a weird girl. Nonetheless, it still rates 10/10.
“From A Room: Volume 2” from Chris Stapleton
After the success of “Traveller” that gave Chris Stapleton many awards and the first position on US Billboard 200, “From A Room” split into two volumes with nine songs each is a complete material from the enshrined composer Stapleton in the company of the same producer Dave Cobb. However, the second one brought me more attention. The bluesy voice on “Nobody’s Lonely Tonight”, the drink regrets “Tryin’ To Untangle My Mind” and “Drunkard’s Prayer” and the wonderful message on “Millionaire” and “A Simple Song” defines the soulful touches of Stapleton with the beautiful backing vocal of Morgane Stapleton. Then, the best track is “Midnight Train to Memphis” about a fictional experience in jail. When I think that country music became a pop money maker nowadays I remember that Chris Stapleton is one of a few artists in the mainstream that is still faithful to the real and original American music.
“Somersault” from Beach Fossils
Inspiring, dynamic and sophisticated “Somersault” is completely different than everything recorded by Beach Fossils. The dream pop band gave up the bedroom lo-fi sound to something more robust with flute solo and strings presented on “Saint Ivy”. The elegance of “May 1st” linked with “Rise” signed by the rapper Cities Aviv and the bass line impact on “Sugar”, “Closer Everywhere”, “Down The Line” and the extraordinary “Be Nothing” giving a peaceful state of mind. That’s All for Now, incredible work from the trio Dustin Payseur, Jack Doyle Smith, Tommy Davidson and the support members.
“Terrible Human Being” from The Orwells
The quintet punk band from Illinois spent the whole 2016 recording the third album released in February. They didn’t change radically since the previous “Disgraceland”, the tracks “Vacation” and “Hippie Soldier” follows their biggest hit “Who Needs You”. The war cries “Viva Loma Rica” on “Black Francis” and the trio “Fry”, “Buddy” and “Heavy Head” outstanding energetic until the relaxing “Body Reprise” that refresh your mind to welcome “Ring Pop” and “Last Call (Go Home)” introducing the seven minutes journey “Double Feature”. All I can say is that “Terrible Human Being” is a hits machine produced by Jim Abbiss.
“Jersey Devil” from Ducktails
Despite the issues that Matthew Mondanile are facing, his sixth album “Jersey Devil” is definitely the best album from the former Real Estate guitarist so far. After his exit from Real Estate, Mondanile came back to his parents home in New Jersey to dedicate producing the latest with an amazing 80s’ experience with magical synths and touching drums led by his voice and delightful guitar lines. The first single released “Map to the Star” present the new concept of the total loose from the lo-fi and a more mature sound. The great pop hit “Lover” that describes his personal character as a “lover” since he was a child. The obsessed lover frustration showed on “Mannequin” in an ambient of pleasant guitar riffs and synth solos. The dancing synth drums on “Shattered Mirror Travel” and the acoustic guitar perfectly adapted on the ending track “The Rising Sun” with simple lyrics. Musically, it is perceptive the growth of Mondanile that gave up some characteristics from the previous records but without lose his essence.
Bonus: Tribute to Chuck Berry
“Chuck” from Chuck Berry
The “Goodbye of the Year”. Chuck Berry surprised everyone when he announced a new album after 38 years of “Rock It” and after 60 years of his debut “After School Sessions”. However, most shocking it was the death of the rock legend aged 90 years-old three months before the release of “Chuck”. One of the best guitarist and certainly the most influencer of all the time, he showed in the final work the magic through his fingers the ability to play and the energy to sing like the old days. Also, he proved a formidable storyteller in “Lady B. Goode” and “Dutchman”. Rest in Peace, Mr. Berry.
