The 10 best albums of 2017

In recent years, rock musicians have been increasingly influenced by various fashion trends and currents. And it can not but be happy! After all, if music undergoes changes - it lives. Below we present a selection of the ten most successful and interesting rock albums of 2017.

Genres: Indie and Alternative:

10. Queens Of The Stone Age - "Villains"

The villainous title of the new album can hardly be called unexpected. QOTSA's creativity has always been imbued with a certain mysticism and aggressiveness, and at the same time total truthfulness. The thing is that the evil seeping into the band's tracks has never had a deliberate and pathos character.

Despite the general gloomy atmosphere of the album, it is characterised by rhythm and melody, stands out against the background of the rest of the band's work. This is explained by the fact that the participants tried to get away from their usual genre, to make something more danceable.

"Villains" is characterised by enchanting demonic appeal, exquisite charm and, of course, villainous glamour. The album is imbued with a classic rock'n'roll sound, which can't help but please.

9. Paul Weller - "A Kind Revolution"

Surprisingly, American listeners have a more than neutral attitude to Paul Weller's work, while for the British he is an artist of the first magnitude. It is in the UK that his tracks are soaring to the top of the charts and are wildly popular. At the same time, Weller's latest songs are imbued with an American atmosphere, with a clear funk-soul influence.

Despite all the Americanisms "A Kind Revolution" is kept in purely English style: there are melody-rich passages and rich, sprawling arrangements. By the way, the album is full of groove, drive and very refined expression.

8. The National "Sleep Well Beast"

Subdued minor chords, restrained vocals full of tragedy, post-punk beat - these are the three pillars on which the whole career of The National is based. The new album of the band, in fact, does not offer anything new, it is in the usual style. The only thing you can grab hold of are the trendy electronic tricks.

On first listen, Sleep Well Beast evokes little or no emotion, but a longer acquaintance reveals an enchanting electric evenness, a hypnotic appeal.

7. Liam Gallagher - "As You Were"

Liam Gallagher's new rock album is what might have happened to his brother Noel's band, Oasis, had it survived until now. Bright and melodic compositions, cleansed of sonic mush and confusion, filled with a healthy pessimism and boundless love for the Liverpool Four. It's certainly very branded. Branded, but at the same time boring and banal.

6. The Horrors - "V"

"The Horrors" is rightly considered one of the most extravagant and original "new" bands. It is rapidly developing, sweeping away any competitors in the modern music world. Starting with gothic-punk, it has managed to experiment with various styles and directions: shoegazing, kraut, etc. The accumulated experience allowed the band members to appear in the new album "V" as real masters - established and having their own vision.
"V" is a harmonious blend of grunge, Dream-pop and Neworder-assisted dance. It's a perfect album, instantly grabbing your attention.

5. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - "Polygondwanaland"

These Aussies will definitely go down in history as absolute record-breakers for the number of records. For example, they have five albums planned for 2017! "Polygondwanaland" is the fourth of them. Its distinctive feature is the distribution format - all records and compositions are freely available, you can listen or download them for free and directly from the official website of the band.

Surprisingly, the crazy activity does not affect the quality of the material. "Polygondwanaland" is a bright and diverse music, filled with deep meaning, kept in the same style. It is built on authentic melodies, incorporating abstract psychedelic, powerful grunge, folk and electronic elements.

4. Steven Wilson - "To The Bone"

Steven Wilson is undoubtedly one of the most promising, diverse and interesting artists of our time. Having accumulated rich musical experience as the leader of the alternative project "Porcupine Tree", he managed to form his own taste and style. It seems that the musician will be equally good in progressive metal, hard alternative rock'n'roll and melancholic indie. He works organically in different styles and directions, combining them competently.

The new solo album 'To The Bone' is the first bold step towards a radio-ready pop sound. From time to time it features female vocal inserts, popular electronic beats, but the most striking and memorable detail is Wilson's skilful balancing on the edge of completely different musical genres.
Musical experiments were appreciated on merit - the new record of the rock singer soared to the top of the British charts, took the first lines in prestigious ratings.

3. Elbow - "Little Fictions"

It would seem that Elbow have long ago defined their own formula for success, recording rock albums filled with spirit-lifting sadness and healthy pessimism for more than a decade. "Little Fictions", of course, doesn't offer anything radically new and revolutionary, but there are very clearly and distinctly fresh notes in it. They are the ones that catch your attention and make you listen to the album till the end.
Perhaps, such changes in the sound are caused by the departure of drummer Richard Japp from the band. Alex Reeves, who took his place, brought in more actual fresh beats and harmonies, and slightly complicated the musical structure. The band's creativity became more transparent, and the new piano sketches and orchestral notes emphasised the ability to work with the inner content of the songs.

"Little Fictions" is an obvious breakthrough, a definite step forward. It feels reminiscent of the debut album "Asleep in the Back" recorded back in 2001.

2. Noel Gallagher's High-Flying Birds - "Who Built the Moon?"

The main musical intrigue of 2017 is "Who will be more successful - Liam or Noel?". While the younger brother was betting on cooperation with famous labels and production centres, the older brother was making bold and sometimes very controversial and ambiguous experiments with psychedelic rock and disco elements. I must say that on all fronts the last one - Noel - won. His solo album "Who Built the Moon?" listens in one breath, literally turning your whole world upside down from the inside out. From the instrumentally strong "Fort Knox" to the quite sweet and cheerful "Dead in the Water" he grabs all the listeners' attention, touching the most delicate soul strings.

Paul Weller and Johnny Marra, who took part in the recording of the album, only enrich the musical material, making it more complete and multifaceted. Thus, "Who Built the Moon?" - is a logically completed work.

1. Slowdive - "Slowdive"

For the past three years, former Creation leader, Alan McGee, has been doing the near impossible. After taking a short break from music making, he has returned to the industry with a new logically structured and very high quality album. Slowdive can rightfully be considered the epitome of 2017's finest kambak. They stand out brightly from fellow hype-makers (the same My Bloody Valentine, Ride and Lush), offering stylish and interesting compositions.

In fact, "Slowdive" is the missing link between "Souvlaki" and "Pygmalion". It is characterised by enchanting melodicism, as well as atypical compositions and light experimental flair.

Slightly rough sound, tantalising enveloping atmosphere instantly transport the listener to another dimension, allowing him to distract from the daily routine. Not interested in releasing only hits, the band creates in its own pleasure, not afraid to deviate from fashion trends. "Slowdive" is a classic album that will look equally appropriate and harmonious in the 1990s and 2000s.