I’ll finish this year up with my favorite songs from 2017 and a link to my overall 2017 playlist.
Here’s to a great 2018. My New Year’s wish for everyone is to find new music that excites you – whether it’s something in these lists or better yet something you find doing your own exploring. There’s so much great music out there, the worst thing you can do is get complacent and stop looking.
FAVORITE SONGS OF 2017
#1) “If We Were Vampires,” Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Although Isbell’s album, The Nashville Sound, wasn’t as strong overall as his previous work, this track stood out to me at the first listen. It’s a bittersweet song with heartbreaking imagery about love, commitment and the futility of relationships when up against time. This is the kind of sadness that we can only hope to feel and Isbell delivers it gently.
#2) “God in Chicago,” Craig Finn – Dylan’s Nobel prize rekindled the debate about whether music lyrics constitute poetry. In my mind, they aren’t necessarily the same, but in some cases – and maybe in the best cases – they are. In this track, Craig Finn’s lyrics create an amazingly layered and powerful story using a combination of very specific, yet simple images. In the process he’s able to convey far more then the words themselves can say.
#3) “Pa’lante,” Hurray For the Riff Raff – A track that inspires me, and humbles me. Structured in three movements, Alynda Segarra carries me through a rollercoaster of emotion with this song. Belting out a call to arms, she creates an anthem for love, life, and revolution that every person should find inspiration from.
#4) “Seashore,” The Regrettes – My niece Lucia is only four, so I’m holding off introducing her to The Regrettes, but it’s independent, self-empowered, riot grrrl rock like this that I hope I can someday share with her.
#5) “Believe,” Benjamin Booker – I was a big fan of the gritty, blues-rock troubadour sound in Booker’s debut album. This year he came back with something far more serious – using that sound to create a modern interpretation of a Marvin Gaye like protest album.
#6) “Young Lady, You’re Scaring Me,” Ron Gallo – Coming on strong like 60’s psychedelia that’s run smack dab into 70’s glam and 90’s garage rock, Ron Gallo takes us on a trippy ride that I’m sure even Jim Morrison could get into.
#7) “Still Summer,” Matt Pond PA – My summer “pop” song for driving with the windows down and enjoying the moment.
#8) “Hunker Down,” Corbin – The perfect prescription for those frustrating nights on the singles scene: get in the car, start driving out of town, put this track on the stereo, turn the volume up until the speakers are just about to distort, repeat as necessary.
#9) “Sunsetz,” Cigarettes After Sex – The band’s name pretty much says it all. This is mood music for those nights that don’t end with playing the previous Corbin track.
#10) “Everybody Knows,” Partner – I may be turning 44 this year, but it seems I still have a soft spot for simple guitar shredding stoner rock.
Not More Music Crap? 