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It is that time of the year again, our favorite time actually, as well look back on the year in music and let you know our choices for the 10 best albums of the year.
In the year we lost voices like Chris Cornell, Tom Petty, Chester Benington, Gord Downie, we were still recovering from last year with the losses of Prince and David Bowie.
2017 came on right away with great music as artists like The xx, Joey Bada$$, Loyle Carner, and one of the first of many solid releases from King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, saturated it with great sounds. Some of the heavy hitters and Officially A Yuppie favorites released solid albums that didn't make the cut like U2, Bjork, Noel Gallagher, Depeche Mode, Mastodon, Lorde, Ride, Royal Blood, and Lana Del Rey among others. There were some major disappointments from heavy hitters like Gorillaz, At the Drive-In, Snoop Dogg, and TLC among others.
Yet, then there was Kendrick Lamar, whose album, DAMN., we put in a League of its Own, as it was the most important record of the year.
While looking behind, 10 albums stood out for us and in our third and final list, we present the best of the year. These records not only made an impact to our ears but also have a
welcomed longevity where we will be listening to them for years to
come.
Here are our picks for the 10 Best Albums of the Year:
10. Liam Gallagher - As You Were
9. Logic - Everybody
8. SZA - ctrl
7. JAY-Z - 4:44
6. Ryan Adams - Prisoner
5. Power Trip - Nightmare Logic
4. Thundercat - Drunk
3. St. Vincent - MASSEDUCATION
2. Future Islands - The Far Field
1. The Afghan Whigs - In Spades
Now in Long Form, With Explanations:
10. Liam Gallagher - As You Were
Generally it is Noel Gallagher in one of our Top 10 lists, but 2017 belonged to his younger brother and the voice of Oasis and Beady Eye. The anticipated solo debut from the former Oasis frontman is
finally here and does not disappoint. The underrated Beady Eye released two
solid records but now, on his own, the younger and more caustic Gallagher
brother can bust out and prove his chops. With some of his best ballads, he
brings forth a whole new dimension to a man you thought you knew.
9. Logic - Everybody
Logic has developed a cult following thanks to Millennials
but the Maryland rapper showcases his best work on his third studio album –
Everybody. From the beats to the autobiographical lyrics to the in-your-face
look at society, Logic proves he is just as much of a wordsmith as his
contemporaries and not just some sensation for the young kids. With appearances
by Neil deGrasse Tyson, Killer Mike, No I.D. and more, Logic is showing off he
is for everybody.
8. SZA - ctrl
Our 2017 "Best New Artist" didn't pull any punches. Arriving with one of the best debuts in recent memory,
the rapper blends R&B, soul, funk, into her autobiographical LP. Featuring
Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Isaiah Rashad, among others, she pulls her
influences from Tupac to the Fugees to Odd Future to give the new school a
taste of the old in an artistic manner. If this is her first step towards stardom, we are strapped in for the ride forever.
7. JAY-Z - 4:44
On his 13th studio album, Jay-Z returns with what
his best work since 2003’s The Black Album as well as his most personal record
to date. What has plagued Jay Z for over a decade, including on Watch the
Throne, is that he has nothing to talk about. He has seen and done it all and
has Beyonce to call his wife to prove it. Yet, on 4:44, he opens up about his
mistakes, setbacks, personal problems, and trying to sustain a legacy outside
of being Queen Bey’s husband. 4:44 is easily one of the year’s best and one of
his best records of his illustrious career. The minimal production from No I.D.
is also a gem because HOVA is forcing the listener to pay attention to what he
has to say and what needs to be said. This isn’t a record to blast in the car
but one to indulge in on a good pair of headphones and shut the world away.
6. Ryan Adams - Prisoner
Ryan Adams has always been an artist who wears his heart on
his sleeve and on his latest record, his lets it beat in full force. Taking
inspiration from his recent divorce, his struggle to find himself and the
solace of being alone, Adams creates his best record in years. Touching on
almost all of the different sub genres of rock and roll he has written and
recorded in, Prisoner is him coming undone and back together again.
5. Power Trip - Nightmare Logic
Take the early thrash sound and production of Slayer, mix it
with the technical metal of Megadeath and give it a storyline like early
Protest the Hero and you have Power Trip’s fantastic new album. Nightmare Logic
is a whiplash of force, power, and brutality rolled into one. More than just one of the best albums of the year, it is without a doubt, the best metal album this century.
4. Thundercat - Drunk
If Key and Peele wrote songs for Prince it would sound like Thundercat's Drunk. The jazz, funk, psych bassist's third album is a concept record about getting drunk and figuring out life. While the record takes the listener on a musical journey and trip through some very strange places, it is an experience. The music gives the listener a visual idea of what they can play in their head when listening to it. Thundercat and the rest of the Brainfeeder label are the only artists pushing music in new directions and with the help of the label's master Flying Lotus as well as Kendrick Lamar, Wiz Khalifa, Pharrell, and others, Drunk is a trip and one you want to go back to.
3. St. Vincent - MASSEDUCATION
In 2017, we named St. Vincent an icon simply because of her shape-shifting, never stop, never cease creating attitude. The androgynous singer and songwriter is more than just a musician, she has become a cultural phenom much like David Bowie and Bjork before her. MASSEDUCATION is what you make of it -- a tongue in cheek look at society, a heartbreak record, a recovery album, it raises questions and also makes you want more. It is essential art for this day and age and we should be thrilled we are living in a world where St. Vincent has the paintbrush.
2. Future Islands - The Far Field
On their fifth record, Baltimore experimental outfit Future
Islands delivers their thunderous best. The Far Field is a record about
obsession, love, passion, and captivation. It is a record that also captures
the rawness and intensity of their live shows and even gets applause from heavy
hitters like Debbie Harry from Blondie who appears on the album to led her
voice.
1. The Afghan Whigs - In Spades
In their second record since reuniting in 2012, the Afghan
Whigs prove they are without a doubt America’s most underrated rock and roll
band. On their latest record, In Spades, a contender for Album of the Year, the
Whigs show off their funk, rock, goth rock, R&B, and alternative swagger
like never before. Like a fine wine not only do they get better with age,
singer Greg Dulli is writing some of the best work of his career – and this is
a career that spans over 30 years. As the band tour behind the record and seem
to be in good spirits, be thankful we are living in a time when they are
consistently giving us brilliant music.