2017 in Music

[Leestu]

My condolences to you and your family Surfer. That's awful news, hope you are doing okay.

[Leestu]

Hey at least you listened and gave them a shot John. I'd rather someone check it out and say it's shit than not even try. Interesting what you say about music taste when younger. I've thought before that I have a musical age of about 20. The sort of music I love now is still the sort of music I would have liked back then. Although I am no longer a musical snob and have broadened my taste. I will now listen to anything (even bad or boring music is preferable to silence) whereas before I would never have given any time to jazz, country, or classical etc.
Oh and I've listened to the New Pornographers album. You're not missing anything. It's decent enough but nothing special. It's the first album of theirs I've heard though so I can't compare it to previous efforts.

[Geezer]

I'm kinda in the same boat as Surfer, sadly.

[silversurfer19]

Trying to get back on board with the forum a little, this seems like a good place to start. Its been a very good start to the year with fantastic records from Screaming Females, Ty Segall, Ezra Furman, The Breeders, Shame, Superchunk and Dream Wife to name a few, many of which will likely be pushing my end of year countdown. Will try and listen to a few of the records I hadnt checked out over the past year that you guys have already mentioned, but I will start my top 10 records of 2017 today.

Album no.10
Big Thief, Capacity

Following up a record which you have titled Masterpiece must be quite daunting, yet the care and warmth instilled within Capacity builds on such ambition from Big Thiefs debut and takes you on a moving, musical journey. Similarly to Masterpiece, its an intimate record tinged with a kind of bittersweet sadness, but Adrienne Lenker and the rest of the band seem to have really touched on something quite special with this sophmore record, and the maturity reached is embracing.

[silversurfer19]

Album no.9
LCD Soundsystem, American Dream

Just when you think you’ve heard the last of James Murphy as LCD Soundsystem, this record came out of nowhere and not only could it match up to the earlier releases, but in some ways exceeds those lofty expectations. While Sound Of Silver feels like the band’s party record, this is its brooding older brother, tinged with sadness throughout. I heard lots of nods to both Joy Division and Talking Heads, as the band oscillate between various moods, but it all builds up to a quite stunning, if exhaustive record.

[numbersix]

Ah, good to see you back with some music suggestions!

[silversurfer19]

Album no.8
Cloud Nothings, Life Without Sound

Cloud Nothings have been creating record after record of brutal sonic explosions that last few years, marrying Dylan Baldis songwriting which seemed to gravitate towards catchy hooks and melody with the caustic punk aesthetic that has made them such an exhilarating act to witness. It has resulted in some truly fascinating songs such as Pattern Walks, Stay Useless and Psychic Trauma, all of which excite and exhilarate. However, while there has been an element of progression over their first three records, nothing has seen them take the leap that Life Without Sound has done. This record is a little slower, it takes moments for breath. To be honest though, when playing songs at such a tempo that the band had previously, in order to mature their sound this seems the natural next step. Removing some of the urgency of their previous records hasnt made Cloud Nothings anything less gripping, its the sound of a band who seem to have found the perfect balance between that aggression and Baldis natural pop sensibilities.

[Leestu]

I wanted to see Cloud Nothings a couple of weeks ago but annoyingly they were playing on the same night as Car Seat Headrest.

[silversurfer19]

I wanted to see Cloud Nothings a couple of weeks ago but annoyingly they were playing on the same night as Car Seat Headrest.

I saw them this time last year, they were absolutely fantastic, and dare I say a better live band than Car Seat Headrest. Psychic Trauma live is an experience I will not forget.

Album No.7
Vagabon, Infinite Worlds

The debut record of Laetitia Tamko is nothing short of a startling listen. Taking the quiet/loud dynamic and weaving it into her sophisticated storytelling, Infinite Worlds is a record that brims with emotion and echoes Tamkos feelings, as a NY dwelling native of Cameroon, of both alienation and finding ones place. Its a record that spoons you, drawing you in, before crushing guitar licks and her strained vocals arrest you with its urgency. As a record that continually searches for identity as a theme, it is a challenging and thrilling listen that continues to inspire on multiple listens and hints at a very bright future for Vagabon.

[Ron Burgundy]

wow, didn't even know this thread existed!