Top 40 Albums of 2017 (20-1)

The most alarming development in the world of music in 2017 (beside the lack of protest music in a time of uncertainty) is the rise of the playlist. In the past few months, publications like The Ringer, LongReads.com, Pitchfork, and The Guardian have posted articles that explored the popularity of pre-made playlists by streaming services and the impact they may have on indie artists and the album as an art form. Sadly, many listeners today would rather go to the one stop shop of a vanilla playlist that rarely strays outside the lines, and as a result, many may never experience the fulfilling experience of hearing a well-crafted album from start to finish.

Fortunately, there are artists still striving to release great albums that require focus and reflection to truly appreciate. On this year’s list you will find many albums that were overlooked by major music websites, and you will also see many of the most prominent names absent. If you’re looking for a list that ignores hype and focuses solely on innovation and art within the form of an album, then this compilation of the best that 2017 had to offer might be just what you’re looking for.

Top 20 Albums of 2017 (so far)

In the past, I’ve posted this mid-year list at the beginning of June, but I decided that to truly be a mid-year list, I needed to post it in July. This is list is comprised of some of my favorite albums released between January 1^st and June 15^th (there is a two week window in June because I didn’t want to put anything on the list that didn’t have time to marinate). 2017 started slowly in terms of great releases, but the past three months have been chock full of great work by both up-and-coming artists and veterans who have returned with outstanding offerings.

BDWPS Podcast: Episode 58 (Cinco De Metal)

In this year’s edition of Cinco De Metal, we check out new metal from Forming the Void, Power Trip, Pallbearer, Uniform, King Woman, and Mastodon. We also revisit the Metallica documentary “Some Kind of Monster” and check out Bob Dylan’s riveting “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll”.

You can check it out HERE, or better yet, subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher (search: BDWPS). 

Tracklist:

Forming the Void “After Earth”

Power Trip “Executioner’s Tax”

Pallbearer “I Saw the End”

Uniform “The Killing of America”

King Woman “Hierophant”

Mastodon “Precious Stones”

Metallica “Creeping Death”

Bob Dylan “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll”

BDWPS Podcast: Episode 51

In this episode of BDWPS Podcast we check out some of the best metal albums to come out in 2016, including Russian Circles, Kvelertak, Pallbearer, Cough, and Subrosa. We also take a look at the documentary “I Am Thor” and listen to another track from Bob Dylan’s “Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan”.

Check it out HERE or subscribe on iTunes and Stitcher (search: BDWPS).

Tracklist:
Russian Circles “Mota”
Kvelertak “1985”
Pallbearer “Over & Over”
Cough “Haunter of the Dark”
Subrosa “Trouble Cells”
Thor “Lightning Strikes Again”
Bob Dylan “Talkin’ WWIII Blues”

Top 10 Metal Albums of 2014

Over the holidays, a good friend of mine suggested I create a “Top Metal Albums” list to go along with my plethora of other year-end lists. I at first scoffed at the idea. I’m far from an expert in metal, and when I do listen to it, my interests almost exclusively lie within the genre of doom. I completely ignored some of the most lauded metal albums of the year (Thou, Old Man Gloom, Godflesh) due simply to my inability to get past the grating vocals. Calling me a metal aficionado is like calling a guy who orders ShockTop a beer snob. Despite my limited metal knowledge, I do take pride in the fact that there were five metal albums on my “Top 40 Albums of 2014” list. In fact, my year end list featured more metal albums than all of the following publications’ year-end lists combined: All Music Guide, Alternative Press, A.V. Club, CMJ, Consequence of Sound, Drowned in Sound, Entertainment Weekly, Magnet Magazine, MOJO, NME, NPR, Paste, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Spin, and Under the Radar (Rolling Stone put YOB at #50, NPR featured Pallbearer, and Spin had Earth – yes, I spent time scouring every single list). Now, more than any other genre, metal is mutating and evolving in fascinating ways, yet major music media outlets don’t give these innovative musicians the credit they deserve. I stand by the following “Top 10 Metal Albums” list, but please keep in mind this small caveat: I’m still just a metal-neophyte. However, if you have also found yourself intrigued by the allure of the dangerous world of heavy metal, follow me as I introduce you to some of the fiercer beasts of 2014.

The Top 40 Albums of 2014 (40-21)

For me, this list is the most important thing I write all year. While I enjoy all the various writing avenues I take, the “Top Albums” list is really the end-all-be-all. I’m not blind to the list of other music websites, and as I peruse them, I always find myself scoffing or shaking my head in frustration. Sometimes it’s because of the thinly veiled politics behind picks; other times it’s the unwarranted hype given to an artist who still needs time to grow. I like to believe that I’m so outside the industry and that I can give you a list that is based solely on my passion for music that lurks outside the mainstream. Once again, I’ve compiled a list of some incredible albums that hail from a wide range of genres. Give the first 20 a read through and a listen, and I’m sure you’ll find something that strayed beyond your listening peripheral in 2014.