Honorable Mentions:
Slowdive – Slowdive
Demon Hunter – Outlive
The Movielife – Cities In Search Of A Heart
Frail Hands – Frail Hands
Golden Streets Of Paradise – World War (Re-release)
Cayetana – New Kind Of Normal
Heat – Overnight
Ratboys – GN
SNST – Turn Out The Lights
Sollunar – I & II
Smidley – Smidley
Sinai Vessel – Brokenlegged
Shallov – Concrete & Glass
Hundred Suns – The Prestaliis
Circa Survive – The Amulet
Rozwell Kids – Precious Art
How Water Music – Light It Up
Godspeed You! Black Emperor – Luciferian Towers
Brand New – Science Fiction
30.Benjamin Gibbard – Bandwagonesque
We have to wait until 2018 for the new Death Cab For Cutie record, but 2017 gave us frontman Ben Gibbard covering Teenage Fanclub’s Bandwagonesque. And it’s glorious!
29. People Like You – Verse
One of many excellent releases from Topshelf Records this year. Emo/Indie/Jazz/Classical fusion that just works! https://peoplelikeyoumusic.bandcamp.com/
28. Comeback Kid – Outsider
One of the few heavy records that caught my attention this year. Comeback Kid has always been in a league of their own. Outsider sees the band take a slight metal turn. https://comebackkid-hc.bandcamp.com/album/outsider
27. Del Paxton – All Day, Every Day, All Night
New wave emo revival at it’s finest! https://delpaxton.bandcamp.com/album/all-day-every-day-all-night
26. Football, Etc. – Corner
In its simplicity Corner is full of catchy melodies and hooks. Reminds me of the mid-90’s emo scene without sounding like a knock-off. https://footballetc.bandcamp.com/album/corner
25. Land Of Talk – Life After Youth
I saw Land Of Talk open for American Football and was blown away.I picked up Life After You that night. https://landoftalk.bandcamp.com/
24. Minus The Bear – Voids
My favorite Minus the Bear record since their debut, Highly Refined Pirates. Worth a buy for Call the Cops alone! https://minusthebear.bandcamp.com/album/voids
23. Racquet Club – Racquet Club
The new project from Blair Shehan picks up right where The Jealous Sound left off, injecting a little bit of Knapsack’s punk attitude.
22. Jeremy Enigk – Ghosts
We waited 8 years for Ghosts and it was worth it! Jeremy Enigk never disappoints. https://jeremyenigk.bandcamp.com/album/ghosts
21. Julien Baker – Turn Out The Lights
On her sophomore record, Julien Baker adds a richness to her sad songs. It’s still simple and heartfelt but the added lushness to the soundscape provides a warmth that you didn’t know Baker’s music was missing.
20. Prawn – Run
Prawn’s third full-length is an epic masterpiece. The band continues to expand and build on their brand of emo. One of the best bands to come out of the emo revival! https://prawnnj.bandcamp.com/album/run
19. Echo Lad – Echo Lad
The best record you didn’t know existed this year! Philadelphia’s Echo Lad delivered pure gold on their math rock infused debut LP. https://echolad.bandcamp.com/album/echo-lad
18. Mastodon – Emperor Of Sand
Having finally gotten over wanting to hear Crack the Skye part 2, I was finally able to enjoy a new Mastodon record.
17. Quicksand – Interiors
Quicksand’s first new record in 22 years did not disappoint. https://quicksandnyc.bandcamp.com/album/interiors
16. Lights – Skin & Earth
Lights is a pop powerhouse. Skin & Earth didn’t get the recognition it deserves, as Lights never does, but this is what pop music should be!
15. Oso Oso – The Yunahon Mixtape
Reindeer Games has been my favorite song of the year ever since the Yunahon Mixtape released in January. https://osoosoband.bandcamp.com/album/the-yunahon-mixtape
14. Gingerlys – Gingerlys
Power pop at it’s finest. A late year release that deserves your attention! https://gingerlys.bandcamp.com/album/gingerlys-2
13. Eisley – I’m Only Dreaming
I’ve been a huge Eisley fan since the band was originally Moss Eisley. Even with some restructuring and member changes, Sherri Bemis’ voice shines and keeps the band moving forward. https://eisley.bandcamp.com/releases
12. Diet Cig- Swear I’m Good At This
Diet Cig’s Alex Luciano is what a ball of energy in human form looks like. Power pop meets punk rock. https://dietcig.bandcamp.com/
11. Sorority Noise – You’re Not As ___ As You Think
The emotion and heartache that comes through on every single song makes Sorority Noise’s third full-length an absolute gem. https://sororitynoise.bandcamp.com/album/youre-not-as-as-you-think
10. The Menzingers – After The Party
After The Party is a record for all of us aging punks! “Where are we gonna go now that our 20’s are over?” https://themenzingers.bandcamp.com/album/after-the-party
9. Tigers Jaw – Spin
Admittedly, this is my first time giving a Tigers Jaw record a spin (no pun intended) and I love it!
8. At The Drive-In – Inter Alia
Tons of great reunion records this year. At The Drive-In’s return was the one I was most concerned about but the band delivered a return to form! No Mars Volta hangover here!
7. Lo Tom – Lo Tom
David Bazan making a rock record with Jason Martin sounded in good in real life as it did on paper. Great to hear Bazan’s voice over guitars again! https://lotomlotom.bandcamp.com/
6. Able Baker Fox – Visions
Able Baker Fox deliver a dose of post hardcore nostalgia. https://ablebakerfox.bandcamp.com/album/visions-2
5. Pet Symmetry – Vision
Evan Weiss does not release bad records. Vision is fun. I saw Pet Symmetry live and they were having more fun then any band I’ve seen recently. Catchy catchy rock and roll! https://petsymmetryband.bandcamp.com/album/vision
4. Charly Bliss – Guppy
Charly Bliss took everything good about post grunge alternative and infused it with upbeat pop hooks and the result is an sugary infectious record that’s love at first listen. https://charlybliss.bandcamp.com/
3. Rainer Maria – Rainer Maria
Rainer Maria’s first new record in 11 years is full of blistering riffs from Kaia Fischer, carried by William Kuehn holding it down on the drums, and of course Caithlin De Marrais’ soaring vocals. They sound refreshed and like they have a lot of life left! https://rainermaria.bandcamp.com/album/s-t
2. Wild Ones – Mirror Touch
I picked up a Topshelf Records subscription this year and while the label released great music all year, the gem of their 2017 catalog is electro pop act Wild One’s Mirror Touch. The record is catchy as hell and each song has a unique element that keeps you on your toes. https://wildones.bandcamp.com/
1. Paramore – After Laughter
Paramore just straight up makes good records. Everything since Riot has been a solid album of the year contender. Change of sound and style doesn’t matter. The songs are all hits!
