Top 50 Records Of 2017 Pt. 6 (40 & 39)

Album No. 40 (Left Lane Cruiser - Claw Machine Wizard)

Ashamed to admit but i'm a little late to the Left Lane Cruiser party, about 10 years late by the looks of it, nevermind, i'm here now and bouncing around like a motherfucker to their blues soaked rocking tunes, vocals remind me a little of Neil Fallon, which is obviously a good thing, your choice between black or try digging out the limited to 200 Starburst vinyl, yes i said starburst, it looks as good as it sounds.

Single / EP No. 40 (Baby Shakes - Turn It Up 7")

A six year break seems to have been just what Baby Shakes needed, returning in 2015 with the excellent 'Starry Eyes' and bettering that furthermore this year with the 'Turn It Up' this 7" is one of the best tracks on the Garagy powerpoppery spectrum and amazing b-side to boot, available in black, red and blue.

Album No. 39 (Bully - Losing)

Bully have upped the ante this time, 2015's 'Feels Like' was a good album that hinted at a band full of promise, Sub Pop obviously felt the same way and snapped them up, not surprising considering that they have a sound that harks back to some of the label's finer moments, 'Losing' definitely is a huge improvement and shows the band developing into a formidable beast, if you like stuff like Hole, Bikini Kill, Babes etc.. you'll love this, as it's on Sub Pop you get a variety of colours to choose from, go with Turquoise.

Single  / EP No. 39 (Shame - Tasteless / Visa Vulture 7")

Spending most of the year on a seemingly never-ending tour must have done wonders for Shame, they are one of the most formidable live acts in the UK at the moment which proves that just playing constantly works. Tasteless and Visa Vulture showcase whats is so good about this intense punkyish band, they're pretty hard to define, just check them out.

Top 50 Records Of 2017 Pt. 5 (42 & 41)

Album No. 42 (Sløtface - Try Not To Freak Out)

I remember hearing 'Shave Your Head' when the band were still called Slutface, right from the word go it was obvious this band were going to put out something special, we had two amazing EP's before they finally got round to dropping an album, and it was worth the wait, Haley Shea's vocals immediately grab you and drag you into Sløtface's world of pure melody, your choice of black and yellow on this one.

Single / EP No. 42 (Baby Strange - Extended Play 10")

Another prolific band, Baby Strange had a steady set of singles out before last years 'Want It Need It' album, then they slam out the aptly titled 'extended play' red 10" this year, with more of the same big chorus rock they are so good at.

Album No. 41 (Wolf Alice - Visions Of A Life)

I like Wolf Alice, they're an exceptional band with great songs that range from quiet melody to venomous attacks like 'Yuk Foo', i also kinda pity them because the whole NME hype machine thing that will likely end in the usual backlash, if that is the case don't let it distract you from how good they actually are, available in a range of colors and some with a bonus 7"

Single / EP No.41 (Eat Fast - Public Display Of Affection 7")

Wow, this is messy rock, reminds me of the early garage energy of Hoggboy but with the melodies of early Sunshine Underground, shouldn't work, should be mental but it does, it's a wall of sound with catchyness swimming around inside, both tracks are amazing, and it's on purple as well.

Top 50 Records Of 2017 Pt. 4 (44 & 43)

Album No. 44 (Unqualified Nurse Band - Trashland)

Two albums in two years and a single on the much loved Too Pure singles club, you'd be forgiven for thinking UNB were stretching themselves a little thin, i prefer to think they just have a really good work ethic cos here we have 6 slabs of trashy rock with an almost glam edge, culminating in the near 12 minute epic 'If You Can't Face the Facts You Don't Stand a Fucking Chance'

Single / EP No. 44 (Pet Crow - How Are You Wired? 7")

Another Too Pure singles club release, they really do put the best bands out, Pet Crow are no exception, garagy rock with strong melodic female vocals and shouty bits.

Album No. 43 (Sheer Mag - Need To Feel Your Love)

When the fuck did Sheer Mag get so fucking good, i remember hearing their early 7" releases and thinking they sounded decent but this album takes it all to a much higher level, shit kicking rock n roll with real attitude, reminds me of when Gossip were rocking and good but with it's own energy, i'm loving this album, very highly recommended.

Single / EP No. 43 (Nine Inch Nails - Add Violence 12")

Realistically a Nine Inch Nails EP should make it much higher on this list and it's not that it's shit as it certainly isn't, i'd have just liked an EP called Add Violence to have been a bit more violent and on opener 'Less Than' you get just that, unfortunately you then get two filler tracks before the last two rescue it somewhat, when it's good it's amazing stuff, just a little more consistency was needed.

Top 50 Records Of 2017 Pt. 3 (46 & 45)

Album No. 46 (White Reaper - The World's Best American Band)

White Reaper's 2015's debut album was a surprise treat coming out of nowhere, so where do White Reaper go from there, well they make an even more melodic album, not quite as raucous as the debut but still amazing huge melodies bringing to mind Cheap Trick and the sorely underrated Barreracudas. You'll want to get one of the original 700 on red vinyl.

Single / EP No.46 (Magic Mountain / Jon Jones And The Beatnik Movement - Zodiac / No Brainer 7")

Jon Jones lay waste sounding like the Jesus Lizard kicking the fuck out of Eighties Matchbox, this is a very special track and one which makes me dying to hear what they do next, Magic Mountain on the flipside have more in common with later era Jane's Addiction, part of the Come Play With Me singles series.

Album No.45 (Buzz Rodeo - Combine)

Sophomore album from German noise rockers Buzz Rodeo, reminds me a lot of ex That Fucking Tank band Kill Yourself, angular rhythms with vocals spat over the top descending into controlled chaos, Big Black fans should enjoy this, available in black or red.

Single / EP No.45 (Carl Barat & The Jackals - Harder They Fall 10")

Have to admit, i wasn't expecting to like this as much as i did, The Libertines last album didn't light my fire like the old material, and Carl released that unbelievably dodgy solo album a while back, but here we have 4 tracks of material that's a bit more Dirty Pretty Thingsesque, and they had some decent tunes, self released through pledge.

Top 50 Records Of 2017 Pt. 2 (48 & 47)

Album No.48 (Torn Sail - This Short Life)

Newest release from Huw Costin (former Earth The Californian Love Dream), more in line with his sparse solo work, and featuring guest vocal from Mark Lanegan, released through a kickstarter campaign, if you're looking for something to chill and absorb, this is highly recommended.

Single / EP No.48 (Black Honey - Somebody Better / Cadillac 7")

Doing things their own way now for around 4 years and still self-releasing their own records, it's about time Black Honey got around to recording a full album, glorious female fronted indie rock, definitely ones to keep and eye on.

Album No. 47 (Black Map - In Droves)

Just straight up alternative rock, no fuss, huge chorus' massive guitar riffs, available on glorious red vinyl, if you like your rock a little more mainstream you'll love this.

Single / EP No. 47 (Thee MVPs - Reciever 10")

US 10" compiling songs from a few releases this is some straight up punky garage rock, they've been putting out a steady stream of awesomeness for the last 5 or 6 years, time they got the attention they deserved, available in 3 different colors.

Top 50 Records Of 2017 Pt. 1 (50 & 49)

A Top 50 Albums list with a difference, to qualify the album had to be released on vinyl, i also decided to accompany each album with a single/EP that came out on vinyl this year also. You may not agree with my choices, doesn't matter, just means i'm much better than you.

Album No.50 (Devil's Witches - Velvet Magic)

Heavy psych stoner rock with a real punch, so far there's been around 5 different pressings and it's still hard to get hold of a copy, well worth it if you can though.

Single / EP No.50 (Blacklisted - Dry Shaving / Please Go Away 7")

Just the one 7" for Blacklisted this year, if you already like this band you won't be disappointed, full on hardcore on picture disc, released on my birthday no less

Album No.49 (Electric Wizard - Wizard Bloody Wizard)

While still heavy as a juggernaut, this album is actually relatively melodic for Electric Wizard, a little more psychy than doom, yet still full of glorious metal, available in a few different colors, my favorite would be the red.

Single / EP No.49 (Blacklisters - Dart 7")

Septembers Too Pure singles club release, and as usual another treat from not just the label but also from Leeds noise rockers Blacklisters or BLKLSTRS as they are often known, 500 hand numbered copies of Jesus Lizardesque greatness

Hey! Hello! – Hey! Hello! Too! (Round Records) (2016)

To say that this album has had its fair share of turmoil is an understatement, but as per the quote below things are all the better for the pain endured and the end result is definitely worth the wait. Now I loved the first H!H! album, in fact it was No.5 in my top 50 albums of 2012, and I can see this version of the album making a similar if not higher place this year. Some may know what I mean about this version, others not, having listened to both I can safely say this version is more in line with the first albums style with amazing (and numerous) melodic female (mostly) vocals and not as shouty as the ‘other’ version and that’s all I’m going to say on the matter considering enough has already been said including by the band on the excellent ‘Loud And Fucking Clear’.

It’s H!H!’s use of female vocals that gives it its individuality that sets it apart from the norm, and from what I can tell nearly every song has a different singer, which in some cases can spell disaster. We’ve all seen those solo albums by a guitarist where they’ve roped in a different singer for each song, yeah some songs are good but it doesn’t feel like an album, more a compilation, H!H!T! feels like an album and that’s where it makes a difference (did we expect anything less from Ginger?). Kicking off with ‘All Around The World’ this is actually in my opinion the weakest track on the record and it’s still a rush of massive harmonies and singalong choruses so if it only gets better from here then you’re in for a treat. ‘This Ain’t Love’ is up next with huge melodies courtesy of Emily Lee and when I say huge melodies I mean one of the best vocal performances I’ve ever heard, in a just world this would be a hit single.

‘Glass Of Champagne’ a re-worked version of Sailors excellent single is a duet treat between Sonic Boom Six’s Laila and drummer Ai, elsewhere we have the almost Motörheadesque guitar on ‘Let’s Get Emotional’ the outstanding previously mentioned ‘Loud And Fucking Clear’ which is probably my favourite track if just for the English weather baiting chorus and a Japanese version of ‘Body Parts’ sung by bassist ‘Toshi’. If this wasn’t enough album closer ‘Perfect’ with vocals provided by guitarist The Rev, which shows that this lad needs a new band or solo album of his own, he’s like a young Ginger and I can see him going on to bigger things based on this performance.

9/10

The quote mentioned above from ‘Body Of Evidence’ starring Madonna:

Madonna “When I was growing up we had a strawberry patch in our backyard. So did this family down the road.  I used to sneak in their yard and steal their strawberries.  It wasn't easy. The stone walls were high and I'd scrape my knees as I climbed over. On the other side were wild rose bushes. The thorns would dig into my legs and cut my thighs as I lowered myself down”
William Dafoe “If you had what you wanted at home why did you sneak into their yard?
Madonna “Because -- somehow the fruit always tasted that much sweeter because of the pain it took to get to it.”

Terrible movie but worth watching with a box of Kleenex (smiley face with a wink/wank)