Admittedly I've had less of a finger on the pulse of the music scene this year. There have been so many distractions with the political climate and life events. Still, there have been some great releases that I've picked up on and I'm excited to share them. As always, I miss a lot too. It seems like for the past couple of years, after I make this list, I find a few more albums that I wish I'd heard of before the year's end. If you have a favorite album release this, please feel free to share in the comments. Here goes, in no particular order:
1.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Murder of the Universe
What have these guys been up to all year? I'll tell you what, recording and touring. There is no other way possible for a band to have so many releases in one year and have them all be darn good (all told, there will be 5 I've heard!! So far I've heard 3, I think...). Well, this one is great. It feels like a concept album to me. It is more distinct than some of their other releases over the years and is also heavier. They stick true to their roots, though, you'll find the psychedelic and improv sections fans have come to expect. It's also a doomy release, but accessible enough to appeal to rock fans as well.
2.
Sanctifyre - Immortal Champions
I've been waiting a long time to hear a studio release from these epic metal warriors, from Eugene. They've put on killer live shows for a while now, opening for touring acts that come through town, and never disappoint. It seems like the band is on break or broken up now, but that didn't stop them from releasing Immortal Champions. I do hope there's more to come from them, but for now I'll be content to enjoy this shredding metal masterpiece. The song writing and instrumentation is all top notch and you can tell these guys honed their craft before recording. It will remind you of the 80's epic metal the genre is known for.
3.
Elder - Reflections of a Floating World
Do you want to go on a journey right now? Put on Elder's
Reflections of a Floating World. It's psychedelic and weird at times, but memorable, and a complete album. I've been working on a list of top metal albums all time for myself, and this is on there because it is very good. I know little about the band except they've released a few albums so far and are improving with each release. I look forward to seeing what their future holds.
4.
Kadavar - Rough Times
The German stoner retro rock band Kadavar has done it again, with
Rough Times. Their signature perfect guitar tone accompanying a new lineup of songs that are sure to impress, is a great new release for 2017. I would say, it is my second favorite of their albums (behind
Abra Kadavar). My favorite track? "Die Baby Die", which has been getting stuck in my head at least once a week, it's so catchy and fun to sing.
5.
Myrkr - Mareridt
You're probably asking yourself, it this release more like
M or more like
Mausoleum? In my assessment, it's is a blending of the styles present in each of those releases. It has more of the operatic singing present in
Mausoleum, but definitely a metal album, as is
M. So, I find that it appeals to me in ways that both of those albums do. I'm not surprised by the direction Myrkur is going, but I'm pleased. She is so good and continues to bring something new to the metal genre that I find refreshing.
6.
Greyskull - Eighties Kids
Yea, I don't only listen to metal... I listen to all kinds of stuff, including eighties inspired synthwave. This album is one I stumbled across on Bandcamp, probably somehow roundabout because I like The Midnight so much. Anyway,
Eighties Kids has a nostalgic feel, if that isn't obvious, and makes me want to go watch Kung Fury or Turbo Kid, or some episodes of Stranger Things, again.
7.
Queens of the Stone Age - Villains
I'm going to go see QOTSA for the second time in a few weeks and I hope they play a lot from
Villains. When I initially heard the album, I had my doubts. It's different from their other releases and almost has a dance feel to it (although I wouldn't play it at a dance party!). The song writing is similar to what you might expect from them, but the rhythms in the background are different and make you hear the songs in new kind of way. It's really very cool. I think some part of me has been resistant to becoming a full blown QOTSA fan due to how I felt about them years ago, Dave Grohl playing with them so their just another Fu Fighters... or Nirvana wake band... or something that's been done before, or something... I don't really know. It's time to let all that go and just enjoy the fact that they're making really good music worth listening to.
8.
Prophets of Rage - self titled
Yes, they're a super group and super groups are notoriously mediocre. I know, Tom Morello can only play guitar to sound one way... and we've heard it all before with Rage Against the Machine. Yes, B-Real has some sort of bizarre draw to creating rap rock when all we really want him to do is keep doing whatever he did on
Temples of Boom. Now that we got all that out of the way, let's discuss
Prophets of Rage. I think these guys found a recipe that works. I think it's the Chuck D factor, he must be the glue for this group. In the political climate and time of change, and unbelievable injustices, and frustration about the country in general, this was the album I wanted to hear. It encapsulates my feelings about patriotism and some immense disappointment, and frustration, that I've felt this past year. I'm not sure that's what they were going for (part of me thinks they just knew they could stand to make some cash with a release like this). Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised with this release.
9.
Beck - Colors
I've been a Beck fan for many years, ever since I heard
Odelay. I've never been sure what he would come up with next. I think
Colors stands out. It's creative and unique, and immediately accessible to the ear. The dance beats are catchy and nearly perfect, as Beck's songs often are. It's different from any other Beck release, yet will remind you of his past releases. This is an example of a musician who is at the top of his game, it does not get any better than this, folks.
10.
Robert Plant -
Carry Fire
Whenever Robert Plant comes out with a new album I'm reminded of a thought I've had many times over the years... after Led Zeppelin and the eighties happened, Robert Plant had a choice to make... he could have ridden the Led Zeppelin wave forever. He could be playing the Lane County fair every year. And, that would have actually been fine. However, he made the harder choice, the choice of a true artist. He decided to keep being creative and to keep trying to make better and better music. And, that he has done. This album is no exception. His song writing, if anything, has only improved and he has the chops that he's always had, showing the high notes off sparingly, but effectively on this album. And, his words have weight, he's thoughtful and poignant. Not to mention, he still surrounds himself with a darn good band. Check out "Bones of Saints".
Of course, I need a few honorable mentions of other releases from this year that I enjoyed thoroughly...
The Obsessed -
Sacred
Stoner metal headed by Scott Weinrich.
Spaceslug -
Mountains and Reminiscence
Psychedelic stoner music
Amethyst - Oraculo Del Tiempo
Fuzz band from Argentina
Mastodon -
Emperor of Sand
Heavy metal legends return with a great release
Kimberly Freeman -
Secret Lullaby
Dark songwriting that will make your skin crawl
Beastmaker -
Inside the Skull
Up and coming metal warriors continue to do what they do best
Egypt -
Cracks and Lines
One of my favorite bands, stoner doom band
Wintersun - The Forest Seasons
Jari Maenpaa has returned with another technical masterpiece
Freedom Hawk - Sunlight
Stoner rockers
Thanks for reading. Peace, love, and support your local music store.
-Jason
