Listing To Starboard...Fifty Favorite LP's 2017

FIFTY FAVORITE LP's: 2017

If nothing else, The Year That Was certainly reflected the world at large, ranging from systemic unease to pure distress, and everything in between. These were the LP's that saw us through, that said something about where we're at, if not how we got there, and what the hell do we do next... For the so inclined, here's a playlist with a cut off of each LP, otherwise, check the links below... Happy listening, and we'll see you out on the trail next year!

50) ANGEL OLSEN: Phases

49) KING WOMAN: Created In The Image Of Suffering

48) BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE: Hug Of Thunder

47) MARK LANEGAN: Gargoyle

46) THE NATIONAL: Sleep Well Beast

45) HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF: The Navigator

44) METZ: Strange Peace

43) SHANNON LAY: Living Water

42) SLEAFORD MODS: English Tapas

41) LAS ROBERTAS: Waves Of The New

40) COURTNEY BARNETT/KURT VILE: Lotta Sea Lice

39) MEKLIT: When The People Move The Music Moves Too

38) HAUNTED SUMMER: Spirit Guides

37) WOODS: Love Is Love

36) CHELSEA WOLFE: Hiss Spun

35) COURTNEYS: II

34) BOSS HOG: Brood X

33) LOMELDA: Thx

32) MAKTHAVERSKAN: III

31) SAY SUE ME: Say Sue Me

30) BJORK: Utopia

29) BIG THIEF: Capacity

28) DOWNTOWN BOYS: Cost Of Living

27) PRIESTS: Nothing Feels Natural

26) JAY SOM: Everybody Works

25) ZOLA JESUS: Okovi

24) VAGABON: Infinite Worlds

23) ALEX G: Rocket

22) GOLD CLASS: Drum

21) GREAT GRANDPA: Plastic Cough

20) JEN CLOHER: Jen Cloher

19) DIET CIG: Swear I'm Good At This

18) SPOON: Hot Thoughts

17) JAPANESE BREAKFAST: Soft Sounds From Another Planet

16) DREAM SYNDICATE: How Did I Find Myself Here

15) PROTOMARTYR: Relatives In Descent

14) GIRLPOOL: Powerplant

13) GRANDADDY: The Last Place

12) AFGHAN WHIGS: In Spades

11) JENS LEKMAN: Life Will See You Now

10) CAYETANA: New Kind Of Normal

9) TWO INCH ASTRONAUT: Can You Please Not Help?

8) STEF CHURA: Messes

7) LOS CAMPESINOS!: Sick Scenes

6) PALEHOUND: A Place I'll Always Go

5) WAXAHATCHEE: Out In The Storm

4) CLOUD NOTHINGS: Life Without Sound

3) PEAKING LIGHTS: Fifth State Of Consciousness

2) CHASTITY BELT: I Used To Spend So Much Time Alone

1) RADIATOR HOSPITAL: Play The Songs You Like

Palehound: Welcome To LA...

PALEHOUND

MIYA FOLICK

RAMONDA HAMMER

THE ECHO, LA

25 FEBRUARY, 2016

Palehound

Miya Folick

Ramonda Hammer

Boston's Palehound made the trip out west for an appearance at the Noise Pop Festival, then tacked on an LA date before flying out to commence their first European touring adventure. Running through the bulk of their full-length debut, Dry Food, it was a balance of the sardonic and intimate. Palehound is Ellen Kempner, and, aided by a tight rhythm section, keeps the songs in the forefront. And what songs they are: "Molly", "Healthier Folk", and "Cinnamon" set the tone, showing off her chops, and even found room for "Pet Carrot" from her Bent Nail EP. She made her strongest impact when dialing it back and cutting to the bone with "Easy" and the title track. A rousing "Cushioned Cages" threatened the venue's structural integrity, and the only low point was the self-absorbed person up front who wouldn't shut up during a hushed "See Konk". Kempner's coming to grips with between-song patter found it's high mark on the geography of drug chains and the outrageous cost of tampons, which is far more insightful than "Hellllo Cleveland..."

Kicking off the night was Ramonda Hammer, whose set kicked into overdrive about halfway through, and finished strongly. In the middle slot was Miya Folick, the big eye opener of the night, who held court with an abrasive and dark set that had echoes of Scout Niblett and Anna Calvi in both the songs and the intense presentation.

PALEHOUND

MIYA FOLICK

RAMONDA HAMMER