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Staff
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Last Active 01-07-23 8:15 pm
Joined 02-17-12
Review Comments 27,943
| Atari's Top 7 of 2017
There was a lot of great music in 2017. So much so, that many of my favorite albums after my top 5 or so feel rather interchangeable. So I figured I'd highlight just over a handful of albums that really made a stronger personal impression on me than the rest. | | 7 |  | Max Richter
Three Worlds: Music from Woolf Works
The beautiful thing about this album is it really does feel like three albums wrapped into one: each section possessing its own unique heartbeat. Based on Virginia Woolf novels, it requires no prior knowledge of the books for interpretation. Across three very different acts, the music does all the talking for us - from the serene opening tracks to a jarring midsection, and an expansive and experimental closer. Whether you're completely unfamiliar with Richter's extensive list of works or you're an avid fan, "Three Worlds" has a little something for everyone. | | 6 |  | Langhorne Slim
Lost At Last, Vol 1
It probably shouldn’t surprise me this placed so high on my list. After all, this has a sound very reminiscent to The Byrds, which are one of my all-time favorite 60s bands. With breezy vocal harmonies, it’s full of variety and feels completely nostalgic without feeling forced. | | 5 |  | The Mountain Goats
Goths
I liked “Beat the Champ”. It was a fun Mountain Goats album, but I surely didn’t love it. When I heard John Darnielle was switching the theme from wrestling to gothic culture for his latest album, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Right off the bat, though, “Goths” blows its predecessor out of the water. With no guitars to speak of on the album, Darnielle’s songwriting is more focused, and the whole thing is gorgeously orchestrated. Upbeat horns and jazzy sections are glittered throughout the surprisingly bright album: probably the exact opposite of what a typical goth would listen to. It’s satirical, full of life, and surprisingly accessible for a Mountain Goats album. | | 4 |  | Nadia Reid
Preservation
It might not have made my AOTY, but “Richard” is still my absolute favorite track of 2017. Everything about it is just stunning; from the lyrics to Reid’s soaring delivery. The entire album is quite minimalistic and gentle at times, and something about it had me returning to it repeatedly throughout the year. Between this and her debut album, she’s cemented her place as one of my favorite artists. | | 3 |  | Charlotte Gainsbourg
Rest
Talk about a last-minute surprise. A few weeks ago, I hadn’t even heard this album, but I honestly considered it for my #1 spot. It’s purely intoxicating: a concoction of indie-pop that consists of a French-English vocal trade-off and is full of variety. “Deadly Valentine” has a dance-inducing, electronic backbone, while the title track feels like an unconventional piano-centric lullaby. Although her sound is quite unique, her ability to remain constantly alluring while mixing these different styles and moods makes “Rest” one of the year’s strongest addictions. | | 2 |  | Falls of Rauros
Vigilance Perennial
Hands down my metal AOTY. I was already in love with Falls of Rauros and this surpassed “The Light That Dwells in Rotten Wood” as not only my favorite FoR, but one of my favorite metal albums in general. I already gushed about this enough in my review, so I’ll keep this brief. “Vigilance Perennial” requires patience – with elegant buildups and gorgeously serene moments – but it’s worth it. For fans of folky, post-rock infused black metal, it doesn’t get much more rewarding than this. | | 1 |  | Phoebe Bridgers
Stranger In The Alps
In a year where indie-folk and pop has really stood out to me, this one takes the cake as the most personally affecting. Although at times it’s rather gloomy (“Funeral”, “Smoke Signals”), songs like the upbeat “Georgia” and the pop-heavy “Motion Sickness” give it a sense of balance and keep it from feeling too depressing. Simply a killer debut with hints of Elliott Smith glittered throughout. | |
Atari
12.13.17 | honorable mentions: Sorority Noise, Aimee Mann, Sampha, Circuit Des Yeux, Free Throw, Julie Byrne, Der Weg Einer Freihet, The Menzingers, Big Thief, Blood Cultures, Neun Welten, Kauan
another lovely year of music with all you unique snowflakes. Special thanks to Dewinged and Lucid who've had my back this year with great music recs | Dewinged
12.13.17 | It's up! Cheers Atari, I could say the same, been a great year for music. You got me to check Nadia and many, many artists with your reviews dude, so keep it up. On your choices, Bridgers is one the best surprises of the year, no doubt, and Gainsbourg just came out of nowhere for me, it was a great find. Love the opener in Goths, really amazing track although couldn't connect with the rest of the album. And Richter's is just pure bliss. Here's to 2018! | Atari
12.13.17 | Cheers my man. Yeah I'll be counting on you for some more solid recs in 2018 :] | luci
12.13.17 | Been a pleasure trading indie folk recs this year. Like the concept of just focusing on albums that left a personal impression instead of forcing a list about everything you liked. Found Rest to be a wonderful late year surprise as well, "Deadly Valentine" is addictive. | Deathconscious
12.13.17 | 1 kills | Conmaniac
12.13.17 | gonna listen to 1 tonight just for u man, great list too. 2 sounds something I may like too damn... | DungeonBoy
12.13.17 | I like your style dude, I'll check out the ones I haven't heard from your list.. which is all but 2 | Atari
12.13.17 | Cheers Lucid, that Circuit Des Yeux and Florist (NY) you rec'd me are two of my favorites from this year for sure :]
@Adolf, I'm really glad you liked it so much man
sach lol you know that's no my kinda thing, but I peep'd it
@Con, I hope you like Falls of Rauros more than you did Phoebe Bridgers ;] !
and cheers to you as well Dungeon. Knowing your taste, I'd say check out Max Richter first | DungeonBoy
12.13.17 | On it! thanks dude. | Atari
12.13.17 | hope you enjoy it man | ianblxdsoe
12.15.17 | simply a KILLER debut hahahah get it get it get it | Sowing
12.15.17 | Had no idea that Phoebe Bridgers album was any good. I've seen it in passing in various electronic departments of Target, Best Buy, i.e. and always assumed it was just another terrible indie pop band. Will have to check it now, based on your ranking. | zakalwe
12.15.17 | Love the rare occasions on sput where people with actual decent taste put up lists.
Need to check out 6. | Atari
12.15.17 | @Ian, I thought the same thing as I typed it out even tho isn't wasn't meant as a pun haha
Sowing I put Carrie and Lowell in the recommended by reviewer section for my review of that album. Some parts are much more upbeat than that album, but at times there's a similar hazy indie-folk aesthetic
@zakalwe definitely check Langhorne Slim if you want something along the lines of a more accessible Bob Dylan meets the Byrds (with subtle Randy Newman/Leonard Cohen-ish vibes ) -- :] |
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