Bunch of Nonsense
Music, Books and Life in the SpiritArchive for the seams
Best Music Of 2017
1. Painted Ruins by Grizzly Bear
After something like a five year hiatus, Grizzly Bear returns with a solid effort from top to bottom. Maybe their best all-round album. They rein in a little of their epic-ness and complicated arrangements for a little more straight forward pop songs, but the songs are still top notch. Excellent playing, singing, what’s not to like? If you’re fan, you’ll like this from start to finish. Best Song: “Systole”
2. Beast Epic by Iron & Wine
Sam Beam (Iron & Wine) definitely won a lot of fans back with this, his step back toward his more folksy roots. This doesn’t have the lo-fi of his earliest folk albums, but gone are the jazz elements and large band arrangements. I for one, truly loved his recent albums that were in this direction, but this one is a grower as well. The best song here, Bitter Truth is definitely my favorite song of the year. Best Song: “Bitter Truth”
3. Some Twist by Michael Nau
The former Cotton Jones singer, released his first solo album and is a real treat with 12 great songs that range all over the place. This is a major step up when it comes to production from the CJ albums and the arrangements are tasty with the just right nods to 70s pop and country. For fans of Jimmy Webb, early 70s pop/country. Best Song: “Oh, You Wanna Bet?”
4. Please Kid, Remember by Andrew Morgan
This Kansas-based songwriter delivers a lovely little chamber pop song cycle that really grew on me as the year wore on. Apparently this was seven years in the making and it shows in the details and thoughtfulness. This is unashamedly pop music with several little string interludes between the songs. Note: it’s 17 tracks but only 34 minutes long, so it gets to where its going and doesn’t overstay its welcome. Andrew’s voice takes a little while to get used to, breathy without a lot of range, but he knows his limitations and stays in his lane nicely. Maybe not earth shattering, but the songs are strong enough to bring it through with style. For fans of Badly Drawn Boy, Lawrence Arabia, Colin Blunstone and the softer side of Elliott Smith. Best song: “First Snow of the Year”
5.Life & Love by Skinshape
A nice British import one-man “band” which is a wonderful brew of some cool blue-eyed soul, pop, R&B with an occasional hint of some lite surf mixed in. Think a slightly more funky Jack Johnson with better grooves, more consistent songs, laid back yes, but in all the right places. For fans of Jack Johnson, Khruangbin, and The Californian. Best song: “The Bay”
6. Face Your Fear by Curtis Harding
This former backup singer for CeeLo Green delivers a wonderful 70’s pop-soul throwback album that’s got the goods and then some, eleven tracks, all of the them solid and on-point. You could have told me this was released in 1973 and I would not have doubted it, as if one of the members of the Temptations had released as solo album. The song “Dream Girl” is a little slice of heaven, and the strings on the title track are inspired. For fans of Bill Withers, Al Green, and 70s soul. Best song: “Face Your Fear”
7. The Load EP by Michael Nau
Not sure if these are just leftovers from his release “Some Twist” if so he truly had an embarrassment of riches as this little 7 track ep is just as good as his main release and “Sure It Can” might be the best song off of either of them. Best Song: “Sure It Can”
8. Northern Passage by The Sadies
These guys don’t stray from what they do, but what they do is so great, who cares? Just keep’m coming. Massive Byrds-aficionados with (maybe) any even great lead guitar player with massive guitars ringing out in full glory. Best Song: “Through Strange Eyes”
9.Abide With Me by Sara Groves
A simple idea, present a cycle of great hymns from the past with simple reverent arrangements (without a note out of place) by a wonderful, honest real artist (who sings like an angel). It’s enough to restore your hope of contemporary Christian music, something that Sara Groves has been doing for two decades now. Moving. Wonderful. Worshipful. For fans of Sandra McCracken and Over The Rhine. Best Song: “He’s Always Been Faithful”
10. Snowdonia by Surfer Blood
OK I know these guys get criticized for putting out the same thing year after year. It’s true, but as long as they write songs as good as the best ones here, I say, keep them coming. This is short album, 8 songs and not everything works, but there is enough here to bring it through in pure Surfer Blood style… that is, a solid prom band meets power pop drowning in hooks. For fans of Best Coast, Wavves and La Sera. Best Song: “Instant Doppelgängers”
11.Out Of Body by Mouse on the Keys
OK technically, this is only an EP, but its best songs just have too much good to be denied. This Tokyo-based band (duo?) lay down some pretty serious modern jazz-rock, funk-jive avant-garde electronica. This has a big full production that just lays down some deep fat bass, funky beats and wide and full-sounding piano, which is always upfront and leading the way. For fans of Joe Zawinul and especially early BadBadNotGood. Best Song: “Earache”
12. Oasi by Moodprint
OK also only an EP, but also a very solid one from start to finish. This Belgium based little combo, produces some nice guitar jazz with some modern beats always bubbling up into some cool grooves. For fans of BadBadNotGood and the earlier mentioned Mouse on the Keys. Best Song: “Oasi.”
13. Last Place by Grandaddy
The California slacker indie band reforms (after ten years) and delivers a solid album, with some real classic Granddaddy gold mixed in. Some of these songs over stay their welcome, but the best here hold up to their best moments from the past. For fans of Earlimart, Jason Lytle. Best Song: “Evermore”
14. Lesteoeste by Baoba Stereo Club
OK also an EP, but again… so good. This Brazilian band (recently expanded to a five piece) cooks up some tasty great jazz with lots of good North American and South American flavors. For fans of Hailu Mergia, Mercury Falls and forward thinking modern jazz. Best Song: “Lesteoeste“
15. So Polite by Summer Salt
Still another EP (definitely the year of the EPs!), this is this Austin Texas band’s second release and it’s just as good as their first, which was solid from top to bottom. Fun surf pop with hooks galore. For fans of The Walters, Peach Pit and The Seams. Best Song: “So Polite”
16. Gord’s Horse by Cool Ghouls
A self release EP (of course) from this San Francisco band’s spring tour. This is kind of a hit or miss affair, but the best songs here, “Unionize” and “Fly Fishing” are top notch. “Unionize” would probably be my favorite song of the year (or at least most played). For fans of Quicksilver Messenger Service, people who like garage rock power pop with a Bakersfield twang and a 60’s San Francisco jam bands vibe. Best Song:” Unionize”
17. A Groovy Thing by Flamingosis
This release from New Jersey-based DJ beatboxer Aaron Velasquez is 18 tracks long (not an EP!) with touches of a wide variety of styles, disco, funk, jazz, and even a little bossa nova. Some of this is just too disco easy listening for me, but the best stuff here is addicting, like the title track, Not Like The Others, Soul Crusade and the wonderful Brazilian Guilty Pleasure. For fans of Question, Volume Arcade and Swam. Best Song: “A Groovy Thing.”
18. Moonlight Anthems by Super Doppler
This Norfolk Virginia band is like a hyper 70’s pop-rock band that had a little too much coffee. Lots of energy, lots of blue-eyed soul with a pop rock edge. For fans of 70s bands like Blues Image or Gene Chandler (of Groovy Situation fame). Best Song: “Over and Over”
Single Tracks
1. A Little While Longer by Radcliff
2. Lemonade by The Seams
3. He’s Fine by The Secret Sisters
4. Quarrel by Moses Sumney
5. Totoro Requiem by Serph
6. Jiraya by Swam
7. Somewhere by Sleep Good
8. Fruit Stand by Onyx Collective
9. What Have I Become by The Parson Red Heads
10. Dance Maria by Khruangbin
11. Brasilian Distortion by Automne
12. Caroline by Sono Oto
13. Moonlight Jive by ProleteR
14. Wyrm by Evan Geesman
15. Brown Study by Vansire
16. Turtledoves by Gingerlys
17. The Ends and the Means by Robby Hecht
18. Woken The Wildflowers by Jesse Terry
19. Elvis is in the Freezer by Ratboys
20. Floating By by Washed Out
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