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The Captain's Collection Top Albums of 2017 2017 was filled with old friends making a comeback, as well as some new faces making an impact. These are the Captain's picks for top albums of 2017... 28. The Flatliners - Inviting Light Evoking some of the vibrance of early 2000s alternative, Inviting Light is a well-rounded course of dynamite hooks, crunchy guitars, and charging rhythm. Captain's Picks: "Hang My Head," "Nicotine Lips," "Human Party Trick" 27. Depeche Mode - Spirit Revitalizing their signature electronic sound, Depeche Mode remain as bold as ever with this politically-charged letter to modern civilization. Captain's Picks: "Where's the Revolution," "You Move," "Cover Me" 26. Steel Panther - Lower the Bar Hair metal lives on with Lower the Bar, a raunchy (yet hilarious) ode to the days of spandex and Aqua Net. Captain's Picks: "That's When You Came In," "Wrong Side of the Tracks (Out in Beverly Hills)," "She's Tight" 25. Dropkick Murphys - 11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory A soundtrack for a booze-filled evening, Dropkick Murphys deliver another round fit for the pubs and singalongs. Captain's Picks: "Blood," "Sandlot," "Until the Next Time" 24. Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie - Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie Rekindling some of Fleetwood Mac's magic from the Mirage era, Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie is a testament to their longevity as solo artists. Captain's Picks: "Sleeping Around the Corner," "Red Sun," "Lay Down for Free" 23. The Shins - Heartworms James Mercer dabbles with the sunny and psychedelic forces that drove the era of peace and love. Captain's Picks: "Name for You," "Half a Million," "So Now What" 22. Ryan Adams - Prisoner Guitar-forward and swimming in a sea of modulation, Prisoner is a quintessential alternative throwback that lingers long after the needle stops. Captain's Picks: "Do You Still Love Me?" "Doomsday," "Anything I Say to You Now" 21. Bleachers - Gone Now Jack Antonoff continues his project of hook-laden synth-pop to deliver an infectious sequel to 2014's Strange Desire. Captain's Picks: "Don't Take the Money," "Let's Get Married," "I Miss Those Days" 20. Weezer - Pacific Daydream Weezer pushes the boundaries of power pop with Pacific Daydream, a respectable follow-up to last year's iconic Weezer (dubbed the "White Album"). Captain's Picks: "Mexican Fender," "Weekend Woman," "Sweet Mary" 19. Beck - Colors If Beck's Morning Phase represents the new dawn, Colors is the glitzy pop-tinged completion to your nightlife. Captain's Picks: "Dreams," "Up All Night," "Fix Me" 18. Rise Against - Wolves Chicagoan hardcore punkers Rise Against deliver a blistering melodic force that ranks among their best output to date. Captain's Picks: "House on Fire," "The Violence," "Far from Perfect" 17. Dan Auerbach - Waiting on a Song A rootsy, soulful offering from the voice of the Black Keys that became one of the year's most unexpectedly satisfying listening experiences. Captain's Picks: "Shine on Me," "King of a One Horse Town," "Waiting on a Song" 16. John Mayer - The Search for Everything Returning home to his bluesy brand of pop rock, The Search for Everything is the guide to the highs and lows of romance. Captain's Picks: "Love on the Weekend," "In the Blood," "Roll It on Home" 15. Living Colour - Shade Funk metal veterans Living Colour churn out an explosive comeback that harkens back to the best of the Vivid days. Captain's Picks: "Come On," "Program," "Pattern in Time" 14. White Reaper - The World's Best American Band If Kiss and Cheap Trick had a love child, White Reaper's latest would be donning face paint and a cardigan. Captain's Picks: "The World's Best American Band," "Judy French," "Little Silver Cross" 13. Walk the Moon - What If Nothing Walk the Moon find new life after "Shut Up and Dance" with a New Romantic-inspired rebirth. Captain's Picks: "One Foot," "Surrender," "In My Mind" 12. Paramore - After Laughter Crashing against your eardrums like splashy waves of technicolor track after track, After Laughter is the next level of maturity for these pop punk pioneers. Captain's Picks: "Hard Times," "Rose-Colored Boy," "Grudges" 11. The Killers - Wonderful Wonderful An indefinite hiatus paid off in spades for The Killers, with Wonderful Wonderful expanding their indie rock palette to paint their best work since Sam's Town. Captain's Picks: "Life to Come," "Run for Cover," "Tyson vs Douglas" 10. Rancid - Trouble Maker Trouble Maker proves that Rancid is still at the top of their game with a healthy dosage of rampant California punk. Captain's Picks: "Telegraph Avenue," "An Intimate Close Up of a Street Punk Trouble Maker," "Farewell Lola Blue" 9. The Darkness - Pinewood Smile Continuing to fly the glam rock flag high and proudly, Pinewood Smile is a detonator for your speakers. Captain's Picks: "Solid Gold," "Japanese Prisoner of Love," "Happiness" 8. Liam Gallagher - As You Were Still waiting anxiously for the brothers Gallagher reunion? Without question, As You Were is the absolute best fix for the Oasis-depraved soul. Captain's Picks: "Wall of Glass," "For What It's Worth," "Come Back to Me" 7. Zac Brown Band - Welcome Home Sweet tea, pecan pie, and the Zac Brown Band: Welcome Home is a cozy fireplace lit to warm your spirits. Captain's Picks: "Roots," "Real Thing," "Your Majesty" 6. Brad Paisley - Love and War Enlisting legends such as Mick Jagger and John Fogerty, Paisley pays tribute to the sweet simplicity of southern life. Captain's Picks: "Heaven South," "Last Time for Everything," "Drive of Shame" 5. Darius Rucker - When Was the Last Time Using his personal bucket list as inspiration for his honest, heartfelt fifth album, Darius Rucker takes the title of country album of the year. Captain's Picks: "Bring It On," "If I Told You," "Don't" 4. Cheap Trick - We're All Alright Two brand new studio albums in two years? It's clear that Cheap Trick is absolutely hellbent on crafting some of the best power pop to date in what would be the twilight for many careers. Captain's Picks: "Long Time Coming," "Floating Down," "Like a Fly" 3. Alice Cooper - Paranormal This is the Alice Cooper album die-hard fans have clamored for for ages, and it's every bit as creepy, anthemic, and theatric as the original Alice Cooper band days. We're not worthy! Captain's Picks: "Paranormal," "Private Public Breakdown," "Genuine American Girl" 2. Foo Fighters - Concrete and Gold After roaming the country in search of the Sonic Highways, Concrete and Gold seeks to build a massive fortress of Foo. It's every bit experimental as it is electric, with Grohl and company showing no signs of releasing the reins of rock just yet. Captain's Picks: "Run," "Sunday Rain," "The Line" 1. The Menzingers - After the Party It's well over a decade since graduating high school. You've set your college degree ablaze. All of your closest friends are getting married and starting families while you're left with a six pack and a stack of headaches. Where do you go from here, and are you the only one that's drowning in the deep end of their 20s? The Menzingers reassure you that you're not alone, and that perhaps your 30s is the life preserver you need to start over again. Nearing 30 myself, this album cut right to my core. It became a motivational coach that pushed me to not fear the future and to start rebuilding. It's why After the Party is, without a doubt, my personal album of 2017. Captain's Picks: "Thick as Thieves," "Lookers," "Midwestern States," "House on Fire," "Bad Catholics," "After the Party" |