Best New Albums of 2017 *

I agree about the 70s. My original vinyl collection is about 20% 60s and 80% 70s and I bought them back then and have managed to hang onto them.
When I started buying vinyl again I decided to concentrate on new bands rather than continuing my 70s collection.

 

I only want to query your last line here. Is this a debate thread? How many of the participants are wanting to debate which album is the BEST of 2017?
Had this thread or its predecessor commence with ANY invitation to debate or quarrel which album would win the title of BEST NEW ALBUM of the year: BATTLE ROYALE ?
Yes, opinions vary: most people have shown decorum when suggesting they hadn't been pleased with a new album.
That shows a lot of class.

I don't think that this thread deserves any special rules, but if this thread starts becoming a debate; then I am out.
Pants-on-head morons can do whatever, if they really think that's the point of this thread.

 

More like a question of taste, my friend. Still enjoying the new Dylan so that's one of my Best Of's for this year.

 

It's not about whether or not you agree with someone else's opinion of albums but in what manner you choose to do so. Do you simply state your case for your opinion. Super no problem. Or, do you take shots at another person's opinions and taste. Not so cool and that was the issue to me.

 

Kendrick Lamar - DAMN.
Father John Misty - Pure Comedy
Visible Cloaks - Reassemblage
Wooden Wand - Clipper Ship
Arca - Arca
Migos - Culture
The Flaming Lips - Oczy Mlody

can't get on board with the new albums by Spoon, The Shins or Bob Dylan (though he is my favorite artist). they're all okay just not really doing a lot for me.

 

It's been suggested already but I want to reiterate the new Marty Stuart album, Way Out West, is excellent. I'm a fan of Americana so that's my #1 pick so far this year. There are a few more I'll be checking out in the next few days and weeks ahead but, so far, nothing has hit me like this one for the title of "best".

 

Waiting on my order to ship. Looking forward to it.

 

It is exceptional

 

Mostly Autumn, the modern prog band, has a new album out as of April 7. It's called Sight of Day. I've been spinning it, and it is fantastic. Brian Josh (guitarist/singer/songwriter) described it as having "lots of big songs, for those who like that kind of thing!" Well I sure do! The first half has more keyboard than previous Mostly Autumn releases, but the recognizable female vocals from Olivia Sparnenn with the massive Gilmour-ish guitar from Josh kick in in the second half to great effect. The "big songs" are the highlight. The CD is a little expensive however, $21 is the cheapest I could find it anywhere. Here's the title track:


Another favorite from April is John Mayer's new album, The Search for Everything. I didn't expect to like it, but I did! It's very smooth and relaxing with memorable melodies (even if the lyrics are a little trite). This was my introduction to anything by him, so I can't compare it to previous efforts.


Also, the Barock Project album from this year, Detachment, is really growing on me since I got the chance to hear the whole album in good quality. It's on the lighter side of prog as far as arrangements go, but that works to its benefit here. The melodies are fantastic, as is the instrumentation. The vocals are top notch, and so are the lyrics. Basically, brilliant in almost every way. The only problem is it's a little long - 1 hr, 14 min. Maybe the best thing to do is to think of it as a double album even though it hasn't got a vinyl release as of now. The CD is also hard to come by; the best price I've seen is $19 - BEWARE, the Amazon CD is a Russian bootleg. I don't know from experience, but that's what a review said. Highly recommended album though, my #2 from this year.

 

This gets my highest recommendation! Very cool album.

Features Yoko on one of the tracks, btw.

 

For you psych fans i can confirm that the new CFM record Dichotomy Desaturated, is a great listen.
Dig:

 

Future Islands : The Far Field.

Another candidate for modern sinewy post-punk bass-lines. Loses steam a bit 3/4 of the way through but worth a listen if you enjoyed this year's debut from Venn.

 

New Slowdive leaked and it's blowing me away right now. The opening track is a perfect hybrid of Souvlaki and Pygmalion. "Everyone Knows" is killing me.

 

Agreed. I wasn't expecting much after a 22 year layoff but it's really really good. The third song "Don't Know Why" is the one that gets stuck in my head when I'm done listening.

 

Do you know where one can stream the Barock Project?? I thought the first one was okay'ish so I would love to hear it first!

 

For me, the only interesting new album, so far, has been Why Love Now? by Pissed Jeans. I'll probably buy Pwr Bttm's newie, Pageant, when it's released in a few weeks. I've zero interest in new albums by old acts.

 

A little upthread I had the same question! I dug around a lot. The only place you can hear the album short of buying it is Youtube. Search "Barock Project - Topic" and it'll come up. It's missing two tracks though. For a shorter sampler in better quality, their Bandcamp page has five of the songs for streaming. It's also available "elsewhere" (aka Google around a bit).

As far as buying options go, the CD is insanely expensive. Cheapest price anywhere is $19; cheapest price new is more like $24. Beware of the Amazon US version, it's a Russian counterfeit that you can get on Discogs for $10 new and shipped. Don't do it! The cheapest digital download is $15, but I'm a physical media guy, especially since the artwork for the CD looks really good. However, I haven't bought it yet. Waiting for the price to come down.

/\ sorry for the long post!

 

...unfortunately, when you've been around the SHM forums for awhile you'll see the same people making snide comments. It sucks. I just ignore them and move on. Shame they can't do the same without verbally bashing people.

BTW- I super dig this thread and have found a few albums I really like a lot. So thanks!

 

Only heard a couple of tracks, but if the rest of the album holds up the new Perfume Genius will certainly make it to my best of list. The last one certainly did.

 

My favorite thus far is the new one by Cloud Nothings - Life Without Sound

 

This is one that caught me by surprise also.

 

Naomi Keyte - MELALEUCA

Marvelous record released this year by Adelaide local, Naomi Keyte. Beautiful and dense modern folk.

MELALEUCA, by Naomi Keyte

 

Let me add to the people praising The New Pornographers-Whiteout Conditions:
While not immediately as catchy as their previous "Brill Bruisers",upon further listening this album has some real gems. No Dan Bejar this time around, and that's a shame because his songs are usually the most interesting, but that just gives Neko Case more chances for lead vocals. In fact most of the songs employ vocals by committee, and if you are a fan of ELO, amongst other influences, you will love these guys. So glad this album came along because I wasn't hearing anything that interested me for a long time.

 

Though already mentioned a few times in this thread, this is a great album! Every time I play this, people ask who it is! Americana-type fans should be all over this. Heavy play at the better alternative & college stations. They're even better live, check YT for live performances.