20 -> 16
25. White Reaper – The World’s Best American Band
Judy French
Eagle Beach
There’s a swagger to the sophomore album from Louisville’s White Reaper not found on their debut. There are big rock arena riffs, plenty of vocal strutting, and a playfully arrogant title to complement the garage punk sound. The title track interlaces a cheering crowd track with a driving bass line, and “Judy French” takes a cue from ’80s album rock with cutting, chimey guitar leads and indulgent yelps from lead singer Tony Esposito. “Eagle Beach” contains compelling hooks that will rattle around your brain for days. Songs like “Party Next Door” sound like a mesh of AC/DC and Ramones. At times I think this whole formula doesn’t work for me – but its tight playing somehow does and is so much fun.
24. Vagabon – Infinite Worlds
The Embers
Cold Apartment
Vagabon is the working name of Laetitia Tamko, a New York City immigrant artist from Cameroon. If the dynamic song structures don’t grasp your attention, surely her smoky voice will. She brings poetic songwriting and multi-cultural influences to a fuzzed-out indie rock aesthetic. Songs like “The Embers” and “Cold Apartment” begin delicately but contain waves of distortion and pounding percussion. A promising debut from an obvious talent.
23. The Orwells – Terrible Human Beings
They Put a Body in the Bayou
Vacation
Chicago-born The Orwells have a raucous sound while maintaining a fine sense of melody. This is garage rock if there ever was a definition needed, and the influence of ’80s post-punk and ’90s alternative is apparent. There’s even a track titled “Black Francis” after all complete with shouting multi-tracked vocals. “They Put a Body in the Bayou” dives in and out of noisy breakdowns and tunes like “Vacation” provide rock club sing-along vocals. Hope to catch these guys live sometime – I could imagine it being a riot.
22. Weaves – Wide Open
Law and Panda
Gasoline
Led by charismatic frontwoman Jasmyn Burke, Weaves are a Canadian pop-punk group that combine witty lyrics with an adventurous rock style. I found this release late in 2017 and just kept going back to it for its fun and upbeat hooks, like the infectious “Law and Panda” and ultra-catchy “Walkaway”. Some tracks such as “Gasoline” are slow burners with an underlying intensity that threatens to explode and are ultimately satisfying due to the suggested detours.
21. Big Thief – Capacity
Shark Smile
Watering
Capacity is the second album by the dark and beautiful Big Thief. They create haunting atmospherics to tell these deep and brooding stories. “Shark Smile” commences with barely held together electric guitar and drum noise before embarking on a churning pop tune that holds together despite itself. “Watering” is about a woman being stalked, matching the mood of the music and some ethereal vocal sections. This album is more about the sum of its parts and – as a complete experience – is a welcome departure from most music I listen to.