Tis the season for year-end best-of lists, and The Record Exchange is pleased to bring you our 2017 Staff Picks!
Here’s John O.’s Top 10, followed by an abridged version of his blog post on the year in music as heard through his ears.
SLEAFORD MODS
English Tapas
CURTIS STIGERS
One More for the Road
TYLER CHILDERS
Purgatory
VINCE STAPLES
Big Fish Theory
SUN BLOOD STORIES
It Runs Around the Room with Us
CHICANO BATMAN
Freedom Is Free
SOFT KILL
Choke
OH SEES
Orc
ROLLING BLACKOUTS COASTAL FEVER
The French Press
JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD
Sorry Is Gone
The top 10 list is a cruel taskmaster. It usually dictates the terms of engagement. This year I wanted it to be different. I started my list last December. I made a playlist on Spotify, where I put songs from albums I wanted to remember. I paid attention, and wanted this list to be bulletproof. Fail. No list is bulletproof. It is, however, a reflection of where I was on 17 November 2017. And, immediately, the list regret.
My friends killed it this year. So many great records. Some are on this list, some are not. All were worthy, but we were only allowed 10. I have a particular thing about remakes, and Sinatra, but Curtis Stigers made me proud. Sun Blood Stories continue to amaze me. Ben and Amber’s singing and playing are reaching new heights. Brett Netson released a beautiful reissue of the mighty Caustic Resin’s The Medicine Is All Gone on his Scavenger Cult label, then followed it up with a split release featuring his new band Snakes and Crosss, originally from Nova Scotia. Thanks to Henry Rollins’ constant championing of John Dwyer on his KCRW program, I finally dove in to the OH SEES sound. And now, I can’t get enough.
For more on what I’ve been listening to and enjoying, and HOW I’ve been listening to it, read an unabridged version of this post on my blog: http://snobbingblog.tumblr.com/post/168730195657/the-top-ten-list-is-a-cruel-taskmaster-many-are.
Tags: 2017 staff pickscdgift ideashappy holidaysvinylwhats playing
Tis the season for year-end best-of lists, and The Record Exchange is pleased to bring you our 2017 Staff Picks!
