Year In Review 2017- Top Ten Albums Part 3

Another great year is finishing up for @RockBodElec and we wouldn't be a proper music site if we didn't end the year with a "Best Of" list, so RtBE Presents the Best of 2017 Top Ten Albums numbers 5-1:

In the instance that RtBE has reviewed the album either on the site or somewhere else we will link to that review and just give a quick summation; click on the name and title and you can read our full opinion. RtBE worked with the Glide Team to give input on their Top 20 so you can expect some overlap if you already have seen that list.

Again the focus here is on full albums, not singles, but full releases you can slap on and listen all the way through. We know these are a dying breed, but it still is the way we consume music, no shuffle or singles for us.

Today we start our top ten, in retrospect it was a year with a lot of good albums but few great ones, sorta like 2011 or last year. Don't believe me? Google "Best Music of 2017" and see the dreck that shows up. Click that Read More button to see what albums we liked the best in 2017.

5. Valerie June- The Order of Time

RtBE loved June's debut album that was produced by Dan Auerbach, but this one feels more organic from the rising star of a singer. Acoustic based with a back porch feel, June lets her voice soar and in the end produces another excellent album.


4. Chicano Batman- Freedom Is Free

We need to thank our friend Lopez for turning us onto this disk earlier in the year. It is an excellent mix of funky pop, soul and grooving rhythms. Not only does it have great cover art, but the messages of love, hope, and peace combined with the positive vibes (even in the face of "mass killings and mass graves") was needed in this rough and tumble year.


3. Margo Price- All American Made

Now we get to the top three, any of these albums could have topped the list, but (like most times) simple personal preference decided things. RtBE lean towards adventurous rock music and country is lower down on the list of our personal loves. That stated, Price's second album is great. It tops her first and proves that she will have longevity in the true country/Americana scene. If this was your favorite record of the year, you obviously have great taste as well and we would not argue one bit.


2. Dan Auerbach- Waiting On A Song

While we were hesitant to fully embrace this when it was first released, in the end we just could not deny the infectiousness of this album. Sure, it rips off lots of our favorite songwriters, or at least comes dangerously close to doing so, and at times feels like a Traveling Wilburys outtake cover album...but is that a bad thing?  Hell, RtBE would love to hear that...and Auerbach came close. The title track is our favorite single of the year as it just flows out with ease (Just beating out Chicano Batman's song we posted above). The production, playing, writing, singing all are top notch for the excellent Waiting On A Song.


1. Thurston Moore- Rock N Roll Consciousness 

Just from the artist and the title we knew this one would be right up RtBE's alley and it surely delivered. When one of the most experimental rock guitarists really looks into his own Rock N Roll Consciousness what he finds is the best music he has produced in decades. Now comfortable with his supporting players the group takes long and winding songs with pretty/positive lyrics and never once falters. Granted these long songs may not be for everyone, but if you have liked Moore or Sonic Youth in the past, this one scratches a major itch for melodic yet still adventurous rock and roll. Again this comes down to personal taste, if you go more towards country, check out Price, more pop rock, Auerbach, for RtBE though we will go with Moore an his confident, engaging, winding, loud experimentation's that hit the mark on each song. 




That wraps up 2017 for us. Below is the list recap with links to the complete reviews:
1. Thurston Moore- Rock N Roll Consciousness 
2. Dan Auerbach- Waiting On A Song
3. Margo Price- All American Made
4. Chicano Batman- Freedom Is Free
5. Valerie June- The Order of Time
6. Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah- The Centennial Trilogy: Ruler Rebel, Diaspora, The Emancipation Procrastination
7. The War On Drugs- A Deeper Understanding
8. Bloodclot- Up In Arms
9. Run The Jewels- RTJ3
10. Willie Nelson- God's Problem Child

Agree? Disagree? Did we miss anything? Feel free to let us know in the comments.