Bret’s Favorite Albums of 2017
The year 2017 has been a challenging one for me personally. These bands and their music have helped me through it all.
93millionmilesfromthesun, Without You Near EP, Victory is Ours EP, Slowdive EP, The Lonely Sea & The Sky
93MMFTS moved from an ultradense guitar fuzz sound to one more open and airy, and the effects are staggering.
Airiel
Airiel, Molten Young Lovers: Interview link
Airiel‘s latest full-length album is another band effort, this time, rawer, more emotional than ever.
An Autumn For Crippled Children, Morfine EP
This mysterious trio AAFCC can do no wrong with their anguished yet beautiful blackgaze.
Ascendant, Particle Horizon
B12, Electro-Soma 2
While on vacation in San Diego I went to M-Theory Records and picked up the electronic group B12‘s debut and this return to the tapes, both on vinyl. A brilliant find!
Bardspec, Hydrogen
The Enslaved guitarist’s ambient project is an earthy, dubby and enthralling masterpiece.
Black Grape, Pop Voodoo: Album Review
Sounding better than ever, Black Grape blend up funk, rock, hip-hop and pop into a heady and thrilling brew.
Carbon Based Lifeforms, Derelicts
Clustersun, Surfacing to Breathe
On Surfacing to Breathe Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin are just two of the references to this Italian group’s stunning sound.
Dead Leaf Echo, Beyond.Desire
Fourth Dimension, The Perfect Form
Ghost Bath, Starmourner
Ambient passages, screamed voices, metal and more appear in this interesting listen by Ghost Bath.
IIVII, Colony: Interview Link
A soundtrack to a dystopian future full of drama and intensity from composer and visual artist Josh Graham, formerly of Red Sparowes.
Junius
Junius, Eternal Rituals for the Accretion of Light: Interview Link
One of the best composed albums I’ve heard in ages, Junius hit all the targets on their new album.
Laeticia Sadier, Find Me Finding You
Sadier’s music is worldly, enticing and comforting.
Living Phantoms, Memory Palace
Moving Units, Collision with Joy Division
While Moving Units‘ original songs are too caffeinated for my ears, this covers collection does justice to Joy Division in a fun way.
Parallels, Metropolis: Interview Link
Holly Dodson’s music surpasses her love of 80’s pop with songs that hide tears behind sweetness and light.
Ride, Weather Diaries
Ride, Weather Diaries
Rarely do bands well into their 40’s sound this youthful and vital. Ride‘s fantastic Weather Diaries is tough, catchy and smart.
Second Still, S/T: Album Review
SPC ECO, Calm: Interview Link
As SPC ECO, Dean Garcia and daughter Rose on vocals continue to create uplifting yet dark music.
Toadies, The Lower Side of Uptown: Interview Link
Loud, angry, catchy and humorous, Toadies‘ latest album is their best yet.
Until Rain, Inure: Interview Link
Until Rain‘s Inure is progressive, pretty, ugly and is a thought-provoking mix of metal, rock and shoegaze.
Vinyl Williams
Vinyl Williams, Brunei: Interview Link
Lionel Williams is a musician and visual artist living in Los Angeles. His music is from another space and time.
White Willow, Future Hopes: Interview Link
White Willow present a warm hug of an album in Future Hopes, a mood lifting collection of heartbreakingly beautiful female vocals and Pink Floyd guitars, progressive arrangements and modern sensibilities.
(by Bret Miller)