Wednesday, December 20, 2017

A Festive 50: Favorite Songs/EPs of 2017

It has been a stellar year, my friends, at least for music. Here are a couple of guidelines to think about when reading this list. There are a couple of songs you may have heard in late 2016, but they qualified because they showed up on albums that popped up in 2017. Likewise, there are some brand-spankin' new tunes that will show up on albums in early 2018. Also, if there was a spectacular 7" with a B-side at least as good as the A-side, I may have listed both songs in one slot because I thought they deserved a listen. When it comes to EPs, sometimes an entire one is named while occasionally only a song gets mentioned. Some of you may get bugged by David Bowie showing up since the song was available as a bonus track on the 'Lazurus' soundtrack in 2016 before the "No Plan EP" in 2017. Tough. This is probably the last time my hero will show up here, and this one is a keeper. If you can spare a moment, I would love to know your favorites too.

50. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - When I Dance With You
49. Marble Gods - Songs EP
48. The Proper Ornaments - Memories
47. Desperate Journalist - Be Kind
46. Slowdive - Star Roving
45. Ride - Charm Assault
44. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - French Press
43. Frankie Rose - Dyson Sphere
42. Saint Etienne - Dive
41. TeenCanteen - Millions
40. Jens Lekman - Evening Prayer
39. Secret Shine - Dirty Game
38. The Regrettes - Seashore
37. Girl Ray - Stupid Things
36. Real Estate - Darling
35. Robyn Hitchcock - I Want To Tell You About What I Want
34. Star Tropics - Another Sunny Day
33. A Certain Smile - Aberdeen
32. Jane Weaver - Slow Motion
31. The Just Joans - No Longer Young Enough
30. Math and Physics Club - All the Mains Are Down
29. Pale Lights - Jean, Bring the Flowers EP
28. Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band - Rumer
27. Pete Astor - Water Tower
26. Elva - Tailwind
25. Zebra Hunt - Fill Me With Ease
24. Grandaddy - Way We Won't
23. The Feelies - Gone, Gone, Gone
22. The Occasional Flickers - A Sparrow
21. Primitives - New Thrills EP
20. Nick Heyward- Perfect Sunday Sun
19. Molly Burch - Downhearted
18. Cattle - Twisterella
17. Destroyer - Tinseltown Swimming in Blood
16. Pugwash - What Are You Like
15. Alvvays - Dreams Tonite
14. Rat Fancy - Suck a Lemon EP
13. The Granite Shore - Where Does the Sadness Come From
12. The Fireworks - Dream About You
11. BMX Bandits - How Not to Care
10. Last Leaves - The Hinterland
9. Even As We Speak - The Black Forest EP
8. The Darling Buds - Evergreen EP
7. Jetstream Pony - Like You Less b/w Had Enough
6. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - The Punishment of Luxury
5. Ray Davies - Americana
4. The Perfect English Weather - English Winter EP
3. David Bowie - No Plan
2. The Popguns - So Long
1. The Luxembourg Signal - Laura Palmer b/w Let's Make Some Plans

16 comments:

drew said...

Good list Brian some familiar names and some more for me Tom check out. I would like to thank you for bringing Molly Burch to my attention this year.

Dirk said...

Looks great, mate! Really looking forward to listen to all these links between Christmas and New Year when I'll have a few days off. Must say that your list always is the highlight of all those lists ... your efforts are highly appreciated, as far as I'm concerned!

Anonymous said...

the certain smile link is missing

McPop said...

Thanks for compiling this list, Brian. I see some favorites of mine from this year including Pugwash, Nick Heyward, Feelies, Zebra Hunt, Michael Head, Robyn Hitchcock, Real Estate, and Rolling Blackouts.

I will definitely checkout the links to hear the many other songs I’m not yet familiar with.

Brian said...

Thanks Anonymous. One little > out of place and the whole thing disappeared. That's what I get for doing this into the wee hours of the night.

Anonymous said...



some cross over , some i know but loads to explore . posted a link to my top 30 lps in comments section on your post for fav eps - let me know what you think

Echorich said...

Great list Brian! A good bit of crossover, songs and bands. Some of your picks were on the cusp of my list and will be addressed!
It was a great year for Pop of all kinds and some welcome returns.

Charity Chic said...

Top list Brian

Pop Judge said...

I really liked Last Leaves, the whole album is great. Also I'm a sucker for Alvvays and they had 3 really big radio tunes over here in the UK (Dreams Tonite, Not My Baby, In Undertow). As for tunes not on the list I enjoyed Soothing by Laura Marling - one where the album was 2017.

Charity Chic said...

Molly Burch has now been added to my wants list as well Brian!

dphnbscs said...

Awesome playlist, Brian! I enjoy listening to it! Thanks a lot! Have a great day. Miccoli

Miccoli Music

Miccoli band

Dirk said...

Hmmmh ... apparently not only The Vinyl Villain seems to be frequently visited by bright young ladies in their teens ...

Brian said...

That was a real head scratcher, Dirk. I actually said “what!” out loud. Then I saw we were all bombed.

Andrew said...

I can't subscribe. :/ I just get a page of gibberish code.

Julian said...

Thanks Brian. We're totally honoured! Number 9... Number 9... Number 9..

Brian said...

Andrew, Thanks for letting me know the subscribe button wasn't working. Should be functioning now.