2017 has been a bad year for a lot of reasons but at least the rock music has been good. We’ve seen returning greats and exciting newcomers enter the broad world of rock and roll. Let’s take a look at some of the best albums of 2017 so far.
- Liam Gallagher – As You Were
After a slightly disappointing spell at the head of Beady Eye, Liam Gallagher finally went solo, releasing his debut album in October. The former-Oasis frontman’s first solo single “Wall of Glass” was released to a favorable reception earlier in the year but it’s part of a strong record. With highlights like “Bold”, “For What it’s Worth” and “Paper Crown”, As You Were is probably the second-best album Liam Gallagher has released in twenty years.
- Tall Ships – Impressions
For the ninth-best album, this list is going to be forced into a slightly different direction. It’s not going to start reviewing the current Manchester United team or giving a Prosperity Palace online review but instead, it’s going to offer something of an obituary. Tall Ships are an English indie rock group who released their excellent second studio album, Impressions earlier this year. It’s a little bit Editors, a little bit Dinosaur Jr. but an excellent record nonetheless. Unfortunately, the band announced they would be disbanding in December 2017.
- Foo Fighters – Concrete & Gold
There was a lot of optimism from Foo Fighters fans upon the release of their upcoming album’s first single, “Run”. It’s hard and heavy and a hell of a lot better than anything from 2014’s disappointing album Sonic Highways. Sadly, this early promise was not realized in Concrete & Gold. The American super-group’s eighth studio album starts strongly with highs like “The Sky is a Neighborhood” and “Dirty Water” but, unfortunately, even a Sir Paul McCartney cameo on “Sunday Rain” can’t save the day. It’s a good album but for Dave Grohl’s standards, good isn’t quite good enough.
- Sheer Mag – Need To Feel Your Love
Sheer Mag are more than a little unique. The five-piece released their debut album in 2017 after a couple of years of being on the brink of fame. Their EPs sold fairly well and they booked a couple of major television gigs but that pales in comparison to their long-awaited debut record. Need To Feel Your Love is the first 1970s rock album released in 38 years. It’s strange to hear new music which sounds like Twisted Sister in 2017 but we’re enjoying every bit of it.
- Robert Plant – Carry Fire
From one set of seventies rockers to one rocker approaching his seventies. Robert Plant’s Led Zeppelin days are long in the past but the 69-year-old is proving that he is still capable of producing some wonderful records. Carry Fire was released in October to critical praise. It’s Plant’s eleventh studio album and while his vocals continue to astound, the most impressive part of his solo career continues to be its eclectic, explorative nature.
- Slowdive – Slowdive
Slowdive’s long-awaited fourth studio albums hit shelves in May, just the 22 years after their third. The self-titled record by the shoegazers feels a lot more current than the experimental, futuristic style of their earlier stages. Slowdive sounds more like a new band’s debut showcase than a group of forty-somethings which certainly plays in its favour.
- Royal Blood – How Did We Get So Dark?
After the smash success of their incredible debut, Royal Blood’s tricky second album finally hit shelves this year. How Did We Get So Dark picks up exactly where the English duo left things with their self-titled debut. The title track opens an excellent rock album which features highlights like “Lights Out” and “I Only Lie When I Love You”. It’s deeper and heavier than a two-piece has any right to sound.
- Brand New – Science Fiction
Brand New’s long-awaited fifth studio album hit shelves in August and marked a new chapter for the American group. Science Fiction shows us that grungy rock is still alive and kicking with tracks like “Lit Me Up” and “137” shining from a very good album. Brand New Science Fiction may be a nightmare to Google but it makes for pretty good listening.
- Queens of the Stone Age – Villains
As with every Queens of the Stone Age album, this one feels very different to the last. This may have something to do with the record’s star name producer, Mark Ronson as much as the band’s ever-changing style. Ronson can be heard in the single “The Way You Used To Do” as much as in anything else he has his hands on. It’s a grower but Villains is definitely worth it.
- King Krule – The Ooz
Archy Ivan Marshall, better known as King Krule has released one of the best albums of 2017, in any genre. The Ooz is the English singer-songwriter’s third studio album might just be his best. It’s rocky, it’s jazzy and utterly brilliant. If you’re unfamiliar, just get out and listen to the man beloved by Frank Ocean and Beyonce alike.
