Oh, 2017…a year of shit. Like someone punching you in the dick, that is how this year can be described, both personally (fuck strokes and fuck the medical profession for not being open) and professionally (don’t start, as I have a bootheel and a rock to through that certain group back under.). But music, while not totally free and innocent, is still kicking ass and trying something. Here are my top albums, in no order, but totally worth any listen if you got a chance.
Amenra “Mass VI”
Amenra have always been a great band, and this album grabs you and kicks you for the long haul, continuously ebbing and flowing. Less of a marathon but more of a long walk, this album sees the band evolve, and with it, bring a new, dare I say, accessibility with them. Beautiful and dark, hurting yet full of life at the same time, this monster is awe-inspiring.
Sannhedrin– “Funeral For The World”
Old school rock doom from the city of NYC, this band revels in its swagger of kick-ass riffage and song writing. With great vocals and awesome song craft, this album is catchy and heavy as fuck. Hell, my non metal friends like it, and so doesn’t my 80’s loving aunt. Pretty fucking sweet.
Mutoid Man– “War Moans”
Holy shit. This album caught me off guard with its urgency, and ultimately, with its awesomeness. Great singing, great playing, and totally worth the price of admission, This album take everyone on a fun ride. An album to cause maximum chaos to. Get it and love it, but don’t do anything to it as you will end up finishing quickly, possibly too quick.
Phoebe Bridgers ” Stranger In The Alps”
The odd one on my list, as this indie folk lovely woman came across my interest through another website I follow. Haunting lyrics, prose like song writing, sadness, desperation, and being human all come out of this 23 year old’s mouth like she has lived more life than any of us could. Beautiful. Just astonishing. Also, her website URL is phoebefuckingbridgers.com and the album title alludes to the TV version of the Coen Brothers cult classic “The Big Lebowski, ” so there is some metal in there. Check out her NPR Tiny Desk concert on YouTube because it shows how great she is. (While your at it, check out Sturgill Simpson’s Tiny Desk concert as well. Great music.)
Black Anvil “As Was”
Reviewed this album back at the beginning of the year, saw them with Mayhem at the end of January, still listen to this album once a week. Great black metal that adds a spice of arena rock in to it, adding to it’s catchiness and sticks to your ribs like a good piece of meat. Not only is it a great album, they are great live and great people. Truly a great album and was hard to top.
Oxbow “The Thin Black Duke”
Oxbow is in a class of its own, and worth it to take if you have the time I must say. This band shows people how it is done and continue to do so with every album. This album is catchy with a dark edge to it. Plus, Eugene Robinson can kick your ass, and isn’t afraid to let that be known.
There you have it, my top albums of 2017. If you have the chance, my other top albums are “Fantastic Planet” by Failure, “You Prefer An Astronaut” by HUM, and “Ours Was Chrome” by Superheaven, as I rock these albums constantly, but alas, they are not new. Check out all these albums, as I use them for the gym and when I do paperwork and what not.
Don’t like my choices: Fight Me.
