As mentioned in last year's post....this year was quite hard to collect music, go to concerts, find new music. Time....is what I'm referring to. I was in short supply mostly due to work....booooo. I hope 2018 doesn't make the same mistake.
Strung together but in no particular order, here are my 102 favorite songs from 2017.
Spotify List is below:
Here are some of my concert photos from the year as well. (Some repetition of bands since I couldn't get out as much due to the fact that my camera was stolen...radical)
Alright, if you follow other music blogs you've probably seen dozens and dozens of list for top albums or top songs or top rock songs or top shoe gaze songs or whatever it is, tis' the season for lists.
From reading other Top album lists, it really seems like everyone just copied and pasted each others lists and changed a few around, which is a little bothersome to me. I put this list together based on how much I enjoyed the album, how long it stayed in my I-pod, if I could listen to it from start to finish, how quick I got tired of it, etc.
So here is my list:
Top 25 albums of 2014
25.The Mary Onettes - Portico Portico isn't really a full length album (its only 7 songs), but its not really an EP either, its kind of in the middle ground. I was able to see these guys at SXSW this year and it was great to finally see them live.
Shot I took of The Mary Onettes at SXSW 2014
I've loved their previous albums and I was anxious to see what this "LEP" (Lee-Pee, the middle ground between an LP and EP... I just made that up) had to offer. I wasn't disappointed with this one but it didn't have a good stand out like the previous albums. It follows the same format as the previous albums but seemed a little darker with strong comparisons to The Cure which you can rarely go wrong with. All in all a solid effort from this Swedish four piece band. Song Recommendations:Your Place, Naive Dream and Everything Everything.
24.Painted Palms -- Forever
I first heard about these guys while I was preparing to go to SXSW. I saw their name at several venues but was never able to see them while I was there. I listened to the album once I got back and loved it. The first three songs you feel like you were shot out of a canon into sunshine,60's psychedelia land. From the party like "Hypnotic" to the calmer "Carousel", I was very pleasantly surprised to stumble upon this album. Song Recommendations: Hypnotic and Too High.
23.Haunted Hearts - Initiation
This duo, who is more famous individually than together, ( Dee Dee Penny of Dum Dum Girls and Brandon Welchez of Crocodiles) have formed a side project called Haunted Hearts. Since they are married, it makes sense that they would put something out together as a power couple. This was very anticipated by me ever since they released their single 'House of Lords' at the end of 2013. The songs seemed to head in the direction of the grit and fuzz of the band Crocodiles, but it seems Brandon let Dee Dee take over on the album because all of the songs now have the more lush, dream rock akin to the new Dum Dum Girls album. Although I love the new DDG's album, I was hoping for a more rough around the edges album, but what you get you certainly can't complain about. Song Recommendations: House of Lords and Up is Up (But so is down)
22.St. Paul & The Broken Bones - Half the City
I found this album late in the year and was a little skeptical at first but found myself really enjoying it. The similarities to the Alabama Shakes are undeniable. Apparently they are both from Alabama, share the same producer, both have energetic lead singers and both sing the same style of music, which is a kind of gospel soul music. Also an interesting note is that they actually recorded the album live which helps bring in more of the chemistry and energy of a live performance. As I'm writing this I'm regretting not ranking this album higher I think they are underrated for sure -- heck Pitchfork didn't even review their album and they have almost 20k followers on Spotify. This is a band that will be on my list to see live in the near future. Song Recommendations: I'm Torn Up and Call Me
21.The New Pornographers - Brill Bruisers
This was a late in the year release so I didn't get a ton of exposure to this album, but my few runs through it has been fun. I can't say I've been a huge Pornographers fan over the years, but this album for some reason has drawn me in more so than previous ones. This album seems more synthy and upbeat and maybe that's why I like it more. I plan on delving into the album more and more in the upcoming months, but I like it this much right off the bat then I know it'll hit even more later on. Song Recommendations: Brill Bruisers and Dancehall Domine
20.Ex-Hex - Rips
Ex-Hex performing at SXSW 2014
SXSW 2014
Another band that I stumbled upon at SXSW. I had just seen Hospitality and was waiting to see who was playing next. Ex-Hex came out firing with their fast paced Riot Grrl styled pop rock. I definitely think they upstaged Hospitality.
I've loved past Riot Grrl bands like Juliana Hatfield, Belly, The Breeders, etc., but this was the first time seeing a Riot Grrl band live. They have a lot of energy and fun infused in their music. The new album brings that energy and has a more summer sound for those carefree fun times. Song Recommendations: Don't Wanna Lose and Beast
19.Vinyl Williams - Into
Vinyl Williams may not claim Utah, but I remember him starting out here before he left for the big city of LA LA land. I didn't really see him as a mature artist then, but he's sure surprised me ever since. His previous albums were very garage, lofi psychadelic pop affairs that I loved. This new album is a little more smoother around the edges and is a tad more mellow with some added 70's soul beats and clean syth. But still encompasses the same airy vocals that sometimes blend into the background and thumping bass lines as the previous efforts had. This is an album to be listened to while drifting off to sleep and that is very much a compliment. Its so warm and fluffy in parts that I just want to stop what I'm doing and just sort of drift into my own thoughts. Song Recommendations: Zero Wonder, Iguana City and Space Age Utopia
18.War on Drugs - Lost In The Dream
I'm generally not into bands like The War on Drugs. Their alt-country, Wilco-esque songs are all seven minutes long and it seems like you'd get bored with it. But this album seems to hit it just about right. For one, each song goes in a different direction. Some have only guitars and bass, some have piano, others keys, some all of the above. But they all have one thing in common, which is they all seem to build up something good in the middle of them. "Under the Pressure" has its piano hook within the first 40 seconds and rides that throughout the whole 9 minutes.
I couldn't quite get into their previous album, I think I gave it one listen or so but this album had/has lasting power within my Ipod. Song Recommendations: Under the Pressure, Red Eyes and Suffering.
17.Peaking Lights - Cosmic Logic
Its interesting, the band Churches was such a big hit in the indie scene and was acclaimed by most everyone. But I couldn't get into them as much as I tried. I remember thinking that there are too many of these types of bands around, they are all starting to sound the same to me. Then I hear Peaking Lights new album which is another synth pop band and I really like it. Churches and Peaking Lights definitely sound different so I can't say they are the same band. I think Peaking Lights uses more interesting synth beats and sounds, some sounding similar to 16 bit video game music....her voice isn't cookie cutter perfect like Churches either. Churches synth beats and voice have a very main stream sound in my opinion, which means kind of bland and boring and cookie cutter. I'm not proclaiming P.L. is doing anything ground breaking or super different, but what they are doing is more catchy and fun. Peaking Lights previous albums were filled with seven or eight minute dub dance songs. For their new album, they have definitely honed their sound into more workable three to four minutes. Song Recommendations: Breakdown, Bad With the Good and Hypnotic Hustle.
16.Gardens & Villa - Dunes
Gardens & Villa at SXSW 2014
Yet another band at SXSW that I was impressed with that had a solid album. You wouldn't think an album that has a flute in it could sound really cool and not have a heavy 60's or 70's sound, but this rock-syth band makes it work. Their live show sounded exactly like their album which was great. Sometimes that can hurt the album if you loved the band's live performance first. The album is full of catchy synth pop (I know I know, another synth pop band). Two of their songs have stayed in my I-Pod rotation a majority of the year. Song Recommendations: Domino, Bullet Train and Echosassy.
15.Fear of Men - Loom
This british four piece has the sounds of The Cranberries, especially on the track 'Waterfall' and also Camera Obscura. The lyrics are a bit of a downer but that's not a knock on the band itself or this album. This album is great to listen to on a rain/snowy day even though the lyrics can be a little bleak at times, the melodies can also be rich and sunny. Song Recommendations: Waterfall, Luna and Tephra.
14.tUnEyArDs- nikki nack
tune-yards performing at the Urban Lounge in SLC
This is an album that was very excited for it to come out based on my love her previous album "WhoKill". Although it doesn't live up to its predecessor, it still brings plenty of glitter and paint to the table. This is a great album, with great songs like the playful "Water Fountain" and the synthy "Hey Life". The sounds are a little bit more clear and full and the beats a little bit more deep but its still got the same tUnE-yArDs flair minus the ukulele. I really loved seeing her live earlier in the summer, she's a major talent and this album proves she can expand her sound and still sound catchy and different. Song Recommendations: Hey Life, Water Fountain and Sink-O.
13.Dum Dum Girls- Too True
Dum Dum Girls perform at SXSW
Naturally I saw the Dum Dum Girls at SXSW but I couldn't get that close cause you had to have a special badge, but I still able to snap a few photos.The Dum Dum Girls kind of jumped from their lofi 60's pop to a more dreamy, lush rock sound similar to former band mate Frankie Rose. Either direction is fine with me. Too True is light and keeps its hands clean for the most part until the song "Lost Boys and Girls Club" where the dirty distorted guitars come back, but by and large she has cleaned up and refined her sound. I'm curious and excited to see what her next album will evolve to next. Song Recommendations: Lost Boys and Girls Club, Evil Blooms
12.Parquet Courts - Content Nausea & Sunbathing Animal Putting out one album a year would be tough, but putting out two albums in a year would be really hard, but the band Parquet Courts have pulled it off and done an excellent job. From the description of the band (which is kind of like a straight talking rock similar to Pavement, Television and Velvet Underground) its not a band that I'd leap to go see or check out their album, however; there is something about the awkward voice of Andrew Savage and the sometimes slow and sometimes fast jangly tunes they have put together that is amusing to listen to. To pull this off on two albums in one year is pretty remarkable. Song Recommendations: Black and White and Content Nausea
11.Eyes Lips Eyes - Place to Be I already did a big write up on them a few posts ago on their last show and also a big album review so there isn't anything new to add, however; this album has not left my I-Pod since its release and I still listen to it quite often. Amazing album if you want to get pumped up for something. The songs "Old", "Getting Late" and "Language Lessons" have yet to loose their luster.
Another weekend fades into the mist; another work week looms on the horizon. Yes, it's another melancholy Monday. And today's featured song is the one that turned me onto the band Real Estate — "It's Real." This masterful tune creates an almost ineffable sense of wistfulness, melancholy, romanticism, and nostalgia. Its ethereal tone and unfaltering melodicism make it the perfect tune to get you through what's left of this Monday.
2014 will feature no shortage of high-profile releases. Here are the ten I'm most looking forward to.
Spoon — (TBD) (tbd release)
Britt Daniels has been on a hot streak for as long as I can remember. His tenure as Spoon's frontman has been virtually flawless as has been his stint with his side project The Divine Fits. It's been nearly four years since Spoon's last release. So we are long overdue for a healthy dose of Spoon's patented angular, ultra cool, taut-as-piano-wire rock.
Beck — Morning Phase (February 14 release)
Beck's output has been relatively sparse in recent years (reportedly because of a serious back injury). So Beck-o-philes the world over have reason to rejoice at the prospect of his first album since 2008's Modern Guilt. Early word is that it will be more akin to the acoustic SeaChange than the genre-bending Odelay or Midnite Vultures.
Little Dragon — (TBD)(Spring release)
Little Dragon's brand of icy cool nocturnal indie dance music — replete with pulsating rhythms, subtly mesmerizing melodies, and sultry vocals — has been impeccable on its last two albums. There's no reason to think that the third time won't be a charm as well.
The New Pornographers — (TBD) (tbd release)
The Canadian super group headlined by Carl Newman and Neko Case is back to unleash another deluge of ear-pleasing indie pop this spring. Can their winning streak of stellar albums remain intact? We'll soon find out.
Lykke Li — (TBD)(tbd release)
This Swedish indie pop chanteuse is set to release her follow-up to the the magnificent Wounded Rhymes. Expect another collection of rip-roaring show stoppers and spare confessionals sung with hushed intimacy.
Belle & Sebastian — (TBD) (tbd release)
The longtime titans of twee pop are back with their first release in four years. It's safe to predict that its songs (like virtually all B & S offerings) will mix skilled melodicism, precious vocals, and clever lyrics. I realize I'm going out on a limb here ....
Modest Mouse — (TBD) (tbd release)
The unique vision and off-kilter approach of this indie-rock outfit from the Pacific Northwest has generated a remarkably consistent slate of highly listenable albums. The next chapter in their oeuvre promises to expand upon that legacy.
Phantogram — Voices (February 18 release)
Phantogram describes its sound as "street beat, psych pop." However you wish to define it, the dreamy trip-hop on the New York duo's 2009 Eyelid Movies was a revelation. The much-anticipated Voices should further cement Phantogram's status as electro-rockers of the highest order.
Real Estate — Atlas (March 4 release)
Real Estate's last album Days was a masterpiece of wistful, romantic, melancholy pop. It definitely set a high bar, but I'm sure their newest release will clear it with ease.
Interpol — (TBD) (April release)
Following the release of Interpol's self-titled 2010 album, some wondered if it was the Gotham City indie rockers' swan song, especially considering the departure of bassist Carlos Dengler. However, Interpol has recorded a fresh batch of songs, which they're planning to debut on their upcoming tour in advance of their new album's release. Expect another exquisite set of moody post punk from this quintessentially NYC band.
