There is absolutely no way to overstate what a vital role music has had for me throughout 2017. As many of you know, the year began with my left forearm broken in half, banded back together with titanium only to rebrake mid-February, forcing a second surgery and prolonged rehab and physical therapy. Combine this with a frustrating year of politics and policy, uncertainty with my job (since abated, thank goodness!) and actually seeing a person die, the need for that "thing" to transport me away from the moment was essential.
In past years, my bike was my solace, taking me outside and allowing me to push my endurance and spiritual limits that would allow me to recenter. With that outlet removed due to recovery (at least through May), I found my peace with my turntable and the warmth of vinyl turning. My new happy place moved from my bike saddle to stretching out on my couch, listening to lots and lots of music. And, fortunately, there was lots of great music to hear this year. And with every great new release, there usually was a corresponding concert nearby, taking me from the personal confines of my living room to Phoenix's newest concert gem or Hollywood's most fabled cemetery to boogie and sway.
My greatest musical discovery this year was my reawakening to the beautiful age of bebop, hard bop and post bop jazz. I could not stop consuming artists like Cannonball Adderley, Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Art Blakey, Lee Morgan, Horace Silver, Milt Jackson, Grant Green and many others beyond the usuals like Miles, Trane and Brubeck, brought to life on the thick black platters from Blue Note, Verve, Impulse, Columbia and Riverside. Unfortunately for you, this means another list will descend upon you shortly.
For now, here are my favorite records of 2017.
1. Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner, Nico Muhly & James McAlister, Planetarium
I'm convinced that nobody is pushing creativity right now quite like Sufjan Stevens. And he here collaborates with one of modern classical's greatest composers and one of rock's greatest guitarists to create a musical trip through our galaxy that never ceases to be rooted right here in the humanity of Earth, warts, flaws and all. This album is big, exploratory, wandering, lost, found, strange and brilliant.
2. The National, Sleep Well Beast
This album not only is the most straight guitar rock by The National in nearly 10 years, it also manages to wrap itself around you like a warm, electric blanket and let you peer into the personal relationships of Matt and the brothers Dessners and Devendorfs.
3. Spoon, Hot Thoughts
Like most every other record by Spoon, this one flat cooks. The difference this time is more keyboards. But the ability by this band to rule a stage was on full display when they split a bill with The Shins and they made The Shins feel like the warm-up act even though they closed. I've yet to hear a bad record by these guys.
4. Ron Miles, I Am a Man
Ron Miles: I Am A Man from Derek O. Hanley on Vimeo.
This album gets its title from the sign carried by striking sanitation workers in Memphis in 1968. This set is jazz as its finest workings, with a collection of today's very top: Jason Moran, Bill Frissell, Brian Blade and Tom Morgan. This is grace.
5. Grizzly Bear, Painted Ruins
The continued evolution of this group of Brooklynites, here with more pronounced drums, has more bounce and quirk than their previous sound.
6. San Fermin, Belong
I'm astonished how few know about this outfit. And that one of their lead singers, Charlene Kaye, comes from here in Phoenix.
7. LCD Soundsystem, American Dream
As far as comebacks go, this is as good as they come.
8. Sylvan Esso, What Now
You have to be crafty to write a song that skewers pop and radio and then become a hit on pop radio and far beyond. It's incredible to see two people put on the show that they do, too.
9. Beck, Colors
A step back for Beck is still so much better than most others. Can't see why he should be penalized when his songs are still so dang good.
10. Kamasi Washington, Harmony of Difference
It seems Kamasi Washington is most known for making the music on Kendrick Lamar's albums so good. Others go to his really long album from a couple of years ago, The Epic. This is Washington finding his real sound and making it tight while still exploratory. Good things look to be on the horizon for this still very young sax master.
And nine more because this year's sounds were just so good:
11. Portugal. The Man, Woodstock
12. Japanese Breakfast, Soft Sounds From Another Planet
13. Sharon Jones & the DapKings, Soul of a Woman
14. Mac Demarco, This Old Dog
15. The XX, I See You
16. Phoenix, Ti Amo
17. St. Vincent, Masseduction
18. Tennis, Yours Conditionally
19. Temples, Volcano
As for concerts, I have to call out the tremendous show by Iron & Wine at the Van Buren in October. It was simple and beautiful and funny and perfect. Sam's new album is one I have not had a chance to dive into yet, but I do love this track:
I hope you find a few new things in this list that move you as much as they have carried me this past year. Here's to a great 2018!
