EPs:
Promise Land (Joshua Lee)
I would describe this EP as something like a dreamier/darker Half Moon Run. The songs are extremely catchy and masterfully done. I guess I would classify it as alternative rock, although it definitely sounds a bit more twangy than that.
Map & No Direction (Beth Bombara)
This was one of the best EPs that I heard this year. This girl has a classic Americana / classic rock sound that I really like. A bit like a grittier, rockier version of the Honeycutters. Her smooth vocals work extremely well with the electric guitar and drums. It sounds like music from a bygone era, and I really like it.
This Human Heart (Nathan Vincent)
This guy (based in Austin) sounds a lot like Thad Kopec...he's a bit on the emo side, but his music works very well. This 6-song EP is extremely minimalist, but no less powerful for all that. The guitar riffs are simple but solid.
Stories from our Youth (The Harbor)
This was one of my favourite EPs of the year. The music is ambient, although there are lyrics (which happen to be very solid and thought-provoking); the ethereal vocals and amazing riffs are quite compelling. The lead singer can make his voice go really high like Bon Iver does, and it works really well.
LPs:
10. Full Circle (Twin Bandit)
This Canadian girl folk duo has a pretty classic old-school folky sound. The music has some level of twang, but overall the riffs sound more creative than classic Americana. They use some amount of electric guitar, too, which is something you don't hear as much in true Americana. Their voices are reminiscent of First Aid Kit. It's a decent album.
9. Conjure (Elliot Root)
This Nashville band is a new discovery for me, but a really nice alternative rock sound. The tunes and harmonies are excellent; the lead singer has a particularly tuneful voice. Many of the songs have a minor key, and there is a strong blues influence to their work, but it works really well. Perhaps the band would be best described as a slower, more tuneful version of Half Moon Run. Give this a listen.
8. The Greatest Gift (Sufjan Stevens)
I feel a bit weird about including a B-sides album on a top-ten list when the original album was already featured a couple of years ago. But these songs are so well-done, with their new arrangements, that I couldn't resist. There are some particularly good remixes in here, with more upbeat and driving percussion. I've actually only heard it a couple of times, but I remember enough for it to solidly score a spot on this list.
7. Overflow (Your Friendly Neighborhood)
This super chill group from Seattle has a uniquely relaxing style of music. It's almost ambient, but there are lyrics...but the overall musical style is quite similar to ambient bands like Explosions in the Sky or This Will Destroy You. The instrumentation layering and the vocals work extremely well together.
6. Ultralife (Oh Wonder)
I loved this London electropop duo's first release, their self-named LP in 2015. This year they came out with a new album, "Ultralife". It's very consistent in style with their previous work; quite R&B influenced and soulful, but also synth-heavy and somewhat electronic. As before, there are some songs that I don't care for as much; normally it's the super soulful ones. But there are also some really heavy-hitting, beautifully-executed songs with shockingly simple but powerful riffs. The instrumentation layering works really well with their voices. The album is definitely worth a spot on the top ten list for the year.
5. A Deeper Understanding (The War on Drugs)
I have to be honest, I've never listened to any of The War on Drugs until now. I'm not sure how that happened...they are quite good. This album, their most recent, sounds sort of like a more 80s-sounding version of the Arcade Fire, in my opinion. Perhaps a mix between the Arcade Fire and Son of Dov. The net result is quite compelling. I can't really compare it with earlier albums since I hardly know the band, but this album is definitely worthy of being in the top ten for the year. It sounds great for a long night-time road trip.
4. Little Fox Little Bird (David & Deidre Casey)
Evidently this Helena-based husband-wife folk duo has been around for quite a few years; somehow I only came across them this year. This EP release is an excellent introduction to their music. They remind me quite strongly of a folkier, less edgy, version of The Both. The lyricism is really good, and the understated guitar finger-picking works very well. Some songs are quite lighthearted and fun, but others are surprisingly intense.
3. Planetarium (Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner, Nico Muhly, James McAlister)
This release went under the radar for me until my boss mentioned it in passing. It's extremely good though. To me, it seems like a more orchestral version of Sufjan's music, but with plenty of electronic and "sound-effect" type influences, similar to Age of Adz. It sounds very space-like, and there are some really compelling songs in it. Neptune and Mercury, the opening and closing tracks, are particularly excellent. Bryce Dessner of the National was involved in the songwriting.
2. Sleep Well Beast (The National)
It was about time for a new album from the National. This one wasn't as immediately compelling to me as their previous couple of albums, but I've come around in a big way. It has all their classic creative energy and amazing dynamics and harmonies. On the whole I would describe it as less epic, but more brooding and contemplative than Trouble Will Find Me. It's just as eccentric as their other albums, but still undeniably powerful. There are one or two songs that remind me of EL VY. Still, it makes the top ten list.
1. Grey Fidelity (Tow'rs)
Sarah and I had the privilege of seeing this Flagstaff-based band live in an outdoor house show at a close friend's house within a couple of days of the summer solstice this year. We were expecting a stripped-down, acoustic version of their music, typical of what you might expect at a house show. But they had a full electronic setup outside...kudos to my friend Danny Maland for keeping his cool and accommodating the band, making for an unforgettable show! But even prior to their live performance, I was hooked on their unique brand of soulful, alternative folk. There are 5 or 6 people in the band, none of whom can be over 30, on a number of different instruments, and some of the artists are multi-instrumentalists. The songwriting is excellent, and they are all amazing artists...the net result is the top album of 2017, in my opinion.
Sarah and I had the privilege of seeing this Flagstaff-based band live in an outdoor house show at a close friend's house within a couple of days of the summer solstice this year. We were expecting a stripped-down, acoustic version of their music, typical of what you might expect at a house show. But they had a full electronic setup outside...kudos to my friend Danny Maland for keeping his cool and accommodating the band, making for an unforgettable show! But even prior to their live performance, I was hooked on their unique brand of soulful, alternative folk. There are 5 or 6 people in the band, none of whom can be over 30, on a number of different instruments, and some of the artists are multi-instrumentalists. The songwriting is excellent, and they are all amazing artists...the net result is the top album of 2017, in my opinion.
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