21. Hookworms

21. Hookworms - Microshift

Leeds based band, Hookworms, have ditched their pop-punk grunged out sound for a new dancey, electronic one. It's shiny and wonderful and full of up tempo beats. Mind you, it's still a serious album with depth and complexity that some disco synthed bands lack. This is the quintet's third album. The band has had a bout of bad luck with flooding and their breakup this year following the allegations of mental and sexual abuse by a former partner of the lead singer.



Facebook
Twitter
Website

22. The Dead Tongues

22. The Dead Tongues - Unsung Passage

Ryan Gustafson is The Dead Tongues and this is his third album. The melodically dense folk of this album is reminiscent of Bob Dylan and while that might seem trite, the album is not. It's lyrically dense and one of the best folk albums of the year. This is a headphones album that must be taken in slowly and intensely.



Facebook
Twitter
Website

23. Remember Sports

23. Remember Sports - Slow Buzz

Remember Sports was previously just a college band in Ohio called simply, Sports. Regrouping in Philadelphia, the band changed its moniker and continues to put out delightful power pop punk (power punk pop?). The band is comprised of Carmen Perry, vocals and guitar; Jack Washburn, guitar; Catherine Dwyer, bass; and Conner Perry on drums.



Facebook
Twitter
Website

24. Leon Bridges

24. Leon Bridges - Good Thing

Todd Michael 'Leon' Bridges was born in Fort Worth, Texas and is the ripe old age of 29. This is his sophomore album and is a great album to leave on repeat. Leon Bridges leaves behind the soul of the past and infuses his own style into this album. The writing is genuine and artful and it's nice to see him stretch his wings out on this album.



Facebook
Twitter
Website

25. Superorganism

25. Superorganism - Superorganism

I've been keeping my eyes on this band since they put out a couple songs in 2017 and made a big splash at SXSW. This is the London based eight piece's debut album. At first, it took a minute to get into this album, but it is definitely one of those albums that after you listen to it a few times, it grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go. The multi-international band are producing a truly unique sound and I simply love it. Check out the video below. Check out the band. I can't wait to see where these guys go next. Also, if you do watch the video, you can play that actual game here.



Facebook
Twitter
Website

26. King Tuff

26. King Tuff - The Other

Kyle Thomas is King Tuff and on his fifth outing, produces his most serious album to date. The psych rocker, after touring an exhaustive four years, sat down with an acoustic guitar and a bunch of new equipment and created something different for him. More of an existential jaunt than about the party lifestyle, which propagated his prior works. He hit #28 on this list back in 2012, read about that here.



Facebook
Twitter
Website

27. John Prine

27. John Prine - The Tree Of Forgiveness

John Prine has been around a long time and influenced countless artists. The 71 year old has been producing albums since 1971. This was a welcome addition to his vast catalogue. Several helpers on the album, including Jason Isbell and Brandi Carlisle, help round out his masterful down home sound. Check out the video below for an album teaser.



Facebook
Twitter
Website

28. Roo Panes

28. Roo Panes - Quiet Man

Andrew 'Roo' Panes released his third album this year. I discovered Roo through a super fan after he released his last album and couldn't stop listening. Think Bon Iver or The National with a baritone changing to falsetto over majestic orchestration. On several tracks he brings a female vocalist to counter his darkness.



Facebook
Twitter
Website

29. Neko Case

29. Neko Case - Hell-On

Neko Case can pretty much do no wrong as far as I'm concerned. There is something about her voice and music that immediately draws me in. Every time. I'm sad I couldn't see her live show at Cain's earlier this year. She's not breaking new ground on this record, but the same beautiful, wanting lyrics and ghostly orchestration. k.d. Lang, Laura Viers, Mark Lanegan and Bjorn Yttling all make guest appearances as do many others.



Facebook
Twitter
Website

30. Shopping

30. Shopping - The Official Body

This is the third album from the London based post punk trio, Shopping. The band consists of Rachel Aggs (guitar and vocals), Billy Easter (bass guitar and vocals), and Andrew Milk (drums and vocals). Racing bass riffs with punchy guitars split with Rachel and Billy sharing vocals. My first time with this band and it was a bright spot for the year.



Facebook
Twitter
Website

31. ISLAND

31. ISLAND - Feels Like Air

This is the debut album from UK band ISLAND. The band is comprised of Rollo Doherty on lead vocals, Jack Raeder on guitars, James Wolfe on bass, and Toby Richards on drums. This band reminds me of Future Islands, dark, morose, anthemic rock that makes it easy to put on repeat.



Facebook
Twitter
Website

32. Agar Agar

32. Agar Agar - The Dog And The Future

French electro-pop duo from Paris, this is their debut album. Agar agar is a jelly like substance that synth man, Armand Bultheel fed his pet ants as a child. Clara Cappagli, frontwoman of Agar Agar prefers singing in English over French because she was raised in the US. A refreshing addition to the electro pop genre.



Facebook
Twitter
Website

33. Frankie Cosmos

33. Frankie Cosmos - Vessel

Remember Rilo Kiley in the early days? That's what the stripped down voice of Greta Kline of Frankie Cosmos sounds like. This 24 year old New Yorker has just put out her third album here and there's plenty to unpack. Since I missed the boat until now, I found discovering this artist this year quite enjoyable.





Facebook
Twitter
Website

34. Lucy Dacus

34. Lucy Dacus - Historian

Lucy Dacus hit #30 on the blog back in 2016. She is from Richmond, Virginia and you will see her name come up later in this blog. Lucy Dacus has a voice that is deep and introspective, so, it's no wonder her music is so, but her songwriting is layered and entwined in a tapestry of heartbreak and loss. You can see her live at Opolis on February 11th, tickets are on sale now.



Facebook
Twitter
Website

35. Dead Horses

35. Dead Horses - My Mother The Moon

Sarah Vos is the impetus behind Dead Horses. Raised in a religious family, she had her foundation shaken when her church fired her father who was the pastor because her older brother had schizophrenia and her twin had mental problems as well. They ended up being homeless and it took them three years to get back on their feet. By that time, she was able to go to college but eventually dropped out. Helped by her friend and bassist, Daniel Wolff, they write haunting folk songs with a clarity that someone that young shouldn't have.

Dead Horses - "Swinger in the Trees" - Sixthman Sessions at Sugarlands Mountainfest 2017 from Sixthman TV on Vimeo.

Facebook
Twitter
Website