There was a lot of amazing music released this year.
A lot.
Last year I had a hard time compiling this list. This year I had a hard time whittling it down. Whittle is a funny word.
You’ll notice a lot of Canadian content on this list. Music from our country has never been better.
Here we go!
Jay’s list:
1. The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding
No artist was under more pressure to deliver in 2017 - not even Taylor Swift. After the success and acclaim of Lost in a Dream, WOD signed with Atlantic and then had to show the world why they were worth the (relatively) big bucks. Boy did they deliver. Everything is a step up from their previous work, most importantly the songwriting. “Thinking of a Place” is the track of 2017 for me. And just like Dave, I was lucky enough to make it to one of their Massey Hall shows and they killed it. It’s the easy choice for the top spot.
2. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - French Press EP/Middle Kids - Edge of Town EP
I realize I’m cheating again putting two EPs in one slot, but what if they’re both Australian? And what if you could imagine both bands dominating rock music for the next decade? RBCF as the indie rock standard bearers and Middle Kids with stadium ready anthems aplenty in their back pocket? Still not convinced? One listen to the title track on the RBCF EP will convince you.
3. Kurt Vile/Courtney Barnett - Lotta Sea Lice
Not sure why I was surprised this collaboration worked as well as it did. After all, it’s two of my favourite artists of the past decade with easily blended musical styles together on one sensational LP.
4. Kevin Morby - City Music
Last year’s Singing Saw was great, but this is even better. Atmospheric guitar rock that switches from Ramones tribute rockers to Lou Reed Transformer era head nodders. Wouldn’t be upset at an album every year from this guy.
5. The New Pornographers - Whiteout Conditions
Carl Newman and The Greatest Indie Rock Supergroup to come out of Vancouver just keep making great album after great album. I thought I would miss Dan Bejar’s presence on this one (who was busy making the excellent new Destroyer record “Ken”) but this collection of songs is as strong as some of their early stuff.
6. Alvvays – Antisocialites
No sophomore slump here. “Plimsoil Punks” is the sweetest kiss off I’ve ever heard. I think I passed lead singer Molly Rankin on the street in front of my house last month. Pretty sure I just stared at her like an idiot. Sorry Molly!
7. LCD Soundsystem - American Dream
The only artist with more pressure to deliver than Adam Granduciel of The War on Drugs was James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. He retired the band with a concert and documentary in 2012 that put such a nice bow on the project that even hard-core fans were a bit confused at the return (My guess? Owning a wine bar in Brooklyn, which Murphy does, isn’t as lucrative as headlining Coachella, which he did last year brilliantly). Bottom line: Murphy delivered and this record is as good as the three before it - just could’ve used more Nancy Whang.
8. Hoops - Routines
“You like Real Estate, right? You should check this out,” said a very nice person to me over Twitter one day this summer. I pretty much listened to this one for a month straight. I can’t remember who the person was who recommended it, but you should listen to his recommendation. This one isn’t getting enough attention.
9. Charly Bliss - Guppy
It’s not like Veruca Salt was the coolest, most popular, most successful band to come out of the nineties, and so why would I want to listen to a band that basically cops their style? Oh my word the songs are awesome and I can’t stop listening and this is better than Veruca Salt! Sorry Veruca Salt!
10. Colter Wall - Colter Wall
Did you know Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall’s son is the next big thing in country music? Did you know Dave Cobb (Star Nashville Producer du jour responsible for your favourite Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell records) was at the helm of THIS record? Did you know that Colter is not yet 23 and sounds like a grizzled 53-year-old veteran of a million honky-tonks? Or do you just like Waylon Jennings? Buy this.
11. Feist – Pleasure
12. Japandroids - Near To The Wild Heart of Life
13. Rural Alberta Advantage - The Wild
14. Sandy (Alex G) - Rocket
15. Spoon - Hot Thoughts
16. Japanese Breakfast - Soft Sounds From Another Planet
17. Slowdive - Slowdive
18. Perfume Genius - No Shape
19. TOPS - Sugar At The Gate
20. Daniel Romano - Modern Pressure
21. Fleet Foxes - Crack-Up
22. Broken Social Scene - Hug of Thunder
23. Mac DeMarco - This Old Dog
24. Waxahatchee - Out In The Storm
25. Big Thief - Capacity
26. Thundercat - Drunk
27. Real Estate - In Mind
28. Destroyer - Ken
29. Kamasi Washington - Harmony of Difference
30. Forced Witness - Alex Cameron
31. Jay Som - Everybody Works
32. King Krule - The Ooz
Dave’s list:
1. The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding
My "deeper understanding" of this band's greatness came at my No. 1 Toronto show of the year at Massey Hall. Play this album loud… and then louder.
2. Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit
He gets better and better. And, not to be repetitive, but his appearance at Massey Hall was my No. 2 show of the year. Rob Baker (Tragically Hip) called it one of the best shows he has ever seen. That’s good enough for me.
3. Kurt Vile/Courtney Barnett - Lotta Sea Lice
Yes. You're onto me. My No. 3 show of the year… at Massey Hall again. As for the record, "Continental Breakfast" is the standout cut.
4. Hiss Golden Messenger – Hallelujah Anyhow
Since there wasn't an Arkells release to vote for this year, I'll use this spot to list what Max Kerman calls his "go-to morning record." Again, its good enough for me. Especially, since my recommendation was good enough for him.
5. Willie Nile – Positively Bob
I automatically vote for any Willie Nile record, and for just about any collection of Bob Dylan covers. This is easy, then. Willie Nile doing Bob Dylan…
6. Craig Finn – We All Want the Same Things
The next best thing to a Hold Steady record, which brings me to my best show of the year not in Toronto. The Hold Steady plus Frank Turner at Brooklyn Bowl has been widely praised by me already, but there can't be enough said about that "Massive Night." Craig's (somewhat) solo project did stop at the Horseshoe Tavern and offered proof of the man's versatility. This record does the same, especially "God in Chicago.”
7. Terra Lightfoot – New Mistakes
Terra Lightfoot has made this list once before, and will continue to do so as one of Canada's fastest-rising stars. What a pleasure to listen to such a powerful voice, and songs that get the strong production they deserve.
8. Alvvays – Antisocialites
The first time was no fluke. As far as I can tell, no other Canadian record has rated as highly internationally in 2017.
9. Chris Hillman – ‘Bidin’ My Time
My folk/alt-country/roots roots are showing here. His re-working of "The Bells of Rhymney" takes me back to my youth, and I have sung that Pete Seeger song more than any other since this record came out in September.
10. The National – Sleep Well Beast
Not my favourite record by The National, but it's growing on me, especially after seeing them perform recently in Hamilton.
11. The New Pornographers - Whiteout Conditions
12. Daniel Romano - Modern Pressure
13. Ian Felice - In The Kingdom of Dreams
14. The Sadies - Northern Passages
15. Little Steven - Soulfire
16. Rancid - Trouble Maker
17. Bill and Joel Plaskett - Solidarity
18. Timothy Seth Avett As Darling - IV
19. Ryan Adams - Prisoner
20. Royal Blood - How Did We Get So Dark
21. Alan Doyle - A Week at the Warehouse
22. Rural Alberta Advantage - The Wild
23. Danko Jones - Wild Cat
24. White Reaper - The World's Best American Band
25. Jen Cloher - S/T
Honourable mention goes to the latest releases by the following artists: THE RAILS; STEVE EARLE; JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE; MARGO PRICE, LORDE; JOHN MORELAND; JULY TALK; WAXAHATCHEE; RONNIE FAUSS; LYDIA PERSAUD: RON SEXSMITH; JAPANDROIDS; FILTHY FRIENDS; BASH AND POP; LITTLE HURRICANE; AIMEE MANN; THE SHINS; NICOLE ATKINS; SHANNON MCNALLY; ELLIOTT BROOD; FRONT BOTTOMS; CHUCK PROPHET; MOUNTAIN GOATS.
