By Anita Papsmear
Top 2017 CDs:
My rating system:
5 Smears = the best, most perfect offering a band/artist can
do—it’s downright malignant
4 Smears = almost perfect, pretty sure it’s malignant
3 Smears = middle of the road—not bad, not awesome—it’s a
biopsy moment
2 Smears = you best change your diet and exercise right
quick
1 Smear = benign—no good
My top 20 have all received a rating of at least 4 smears or
more!
1. The
Horrors, V (Caroline International).
I love these guys, and it has
been 3 years since their last release. I was over the moon to listen to V, and I went straight to Venus, as per
all Horrors CDs. It is gorgeous, soaring, and swirling. It has amazing vocals.
(Hello Faris—I heart you)—I can’t stop listening! Favorite tracks: 1, 2, 6, 7.
2. Mark
Lanegan, Gargoyle (Pias American).
What can I say about this man? He
is one of my “go-to” artists. He always fits, his songwriting is eloquent and
dark (my favorite combo), and his voice is unsettled yet smooth. Gargoyle is one amazing song after
another. It is simply up there with most Lanegan CDs—and that’s saying
something. Favorite tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6, 10.
3. Black
Angels, Death Song (PTKF).
This band, hailing from Austin,
always makes my top lists any year they release a CD. Death Song is among my favorites, and it completes their namesake
taken from the Velvet Underground’s “Black Angels Death Song.” The songwriting
is immaculate, and Alex Mass sings with a desperate urgency that is pretty much
ear sex—purrrr. Favorite tracks: 2, 3, 5, 8.
4. Afghan
Whigs, In Spades (Sub Pop).
I saw these guys live this year—great
show. Greg has a powerful stage presence, and his vocals are still something to
behold in a live venue. His songwriting is stronger than ever. In Spades is fucking amazing. Favorite
tracks: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8.
5. Black
Lips, Satan’s Graffiti or God’s Art (Vice
Music).
How this band isn’t huge, I don’t know. Not only are they
great musicians, but the songwriting artfully blends humor and truth into a
socially and politically relevant stew. Every CD is great. Their 2017 effort is
a triumph. Seventeen tracks, along with some short interludes, take you on a
super fun trip. Put this on uninterrupted and there is no telling where you
will go, but I guarantee, you will thoroughly enjoy the ride. Favorite tracks: 2
(with Yoko), 3, 4, 5, 7, 13.
6. Slowdive,
Slowdive (Dead Oceans).
This is just a beautiful release
all the way through. I have been a fan for a long time. I cite “Just For A Day”
as the soundtrack to my 1991
depression. Their self-titled 2017 release conjures less sadness, but it is still
haunting with beautiful melodies. They are now a light in the dark—Star Roving.
Favorite tracks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6.
7. LCD
Soundsystem, American Dream (Columbia).
I guess it was my year for going
to see live shows because I had the lucky fortune to see LCD this year too. Wow—my
senses were tantalized. Great stuff. Track 8, “American Dream,” was way up
there for my song of the year (see below). Other strong tracks: 3, 6, 7.
8. The
Dig, Bloodshot Tokyo (Roll Call).
These guys are out of New York.
When I heard their track, “Jet Black Hair,” I was hooked. The rest of the disc
is really good too. Check out: 4, 5, 6, 7.
9. Unkle,
The Road (Cooking Vinyl).
I was elated to see another Unkle
come my way this year. I must not have been all naughty! This record gets extra
bonus points for the addition of Mark Lanegan on one of the tracks! Favorite
tracks: 2, 3, 6, 9, 15.
10. Milky
Chance, Blossom (Republic).
This German band has been around
for a few years. Their 2013 release, Sadnecessary
was good. Fast forward to 2017, Blossom
is even better, with some catchy, lovely tunes: Favorite tracks: 2, 4, 6, 9,
10.
11. Queens
of the Stone Age, Villains (Matador).
No further information is needed.
12. Kasabian,
For Crying Out Loud (Import).
This is a great release. There
are so many strong songs. This band knows how to put it all together. Favorite
tracks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
13. Daniele
Luppi, Parquet Courts & Karen O, Milano
(Columbia).
How can you miss here? I mean,
you had me at Karen O. A delightful collaboration.
14. The
Pack A.D., Dollhouse (Cadence
Music-Fontana North).
I love this band and they have
been quite prolific, putting out at least an EPs worth of quality material
every year for the past 5 years. So rarely can you say that about a band. Favorite
tracks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8.
15. Ride,
Weather Diaries (Wichita).
Wow, what a great disc. Favorite
tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7.
16. Blond
Ambition, Slow All Over (Swoon City).
I liked Ex Cops and was curious
to see what member Brian Harding decided to do next. I am pleasantly surprised
with the warm melodies and luscious vocals. I am looking forward to hearing
more from him. Favorite tracks: 2, 3, 4, 7, 11.
17. Cigarettes
After Sex, Cigarettes After Sex (PTKF).
This is a beautiful release.
Nothing else needs to be said.
18. Noel
Gallagher & His High Flying Birds, Who
Built The Moon (Caroline International).
While not my favorite release
from them, it’s a solid one. Noel is one of the best songwriters of our time.
19. The
Anix, Ephemeral (Import).
This is a cool darkwave offering
from brothers Brandon & Logan Smith and Chris Dinger. Favorite tracks: 2,
3, 5, 6, 9.
20. Cults,
Offering (Omnian).
I really loved 2011’s self-titled
release by Cults. I had less love for 2013’s Static. Uber happy with Offering—more
of those luscious warm waves of music to wash over an unsettled soul. Favorite
tracks: 1, 2, 3, 10, 11.
Honorable Mentions:
Beth Ditto, Fake Sugar
(Capitol).
Joywave, Content (Cultco).
Depeche Mode, Spirit
(Columbia).
Other Business:
Favorite Cover Song:
Rogue Wave, “Cover Me” (Easy Sound).
Band to Watch:
Kellermensch, Goliath
(Import).
Natives of Denmark, Kellermensch have a different take on
what music should be. Their fellow Danes have a penchant for Dark Metal. Goliath features great songwriting
(check out “Mediocore Man”) and only one song with that “cookie monster”
singing.
Glad to Hear From:
T.S.O.L., The Trigger
Complex (Rise).
Favorite Eps:
Lunar Twin, Night
Tides (Lunar Industries).
Marsheaux, Get The
Balance Right (Undo).
Favorite Song:
Ron Gallo, “Why Did You Have Kids?” from Heavy Meta (New West).
“Accidents having accidents, like mother like daughter, like
father like son.” Fucking brilliant. He is great live too!
Best Soundtrack:
American Gods by
Brian Reitzell.
This includes super collaborations with Mark Lanegan (who
else?), Shirley Manson, and Debbie Harry. He has worked extensively with Sophia
Coppola (favorite director), the band Air, and was the drummer for Redd Kross—so,
fuck yeah!
Best Debut:
Dhani Harrison, In//Parallel
(BMG).
His dad is George Harrison, so Dhani has music in his DNA.
He does have song credits for some film work and has performed with numerous
big names, including his late father. In//Parallel
marks his true solo effort. His love of more complex melodies and sounds makes
way for a very interesting debut.
CD that escaped my list last year and I feel like an ass
because it is fucking amazing and I love it:
Bleached, Welcome the
Worms” (Dead Oceans).
How did this CD escape my list? It came out in April of 2016,
and I fucking love it—every song. It
also has one of my favorite songs ever, “Sleepwalking.” I will use that song as
my excuse…. I was sleepwalking (“my whole life”) in a world made by Bleached.
It’s a good world and I didn’t want to wake up. Did I mention I saw them live
and they kicked ass! Bleached is a
never miss!
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