Since O came into the world, I have not posted very often on individual albums, but I have remained diligent in keeping track of what albums I have been listening to and with what frequency. As a result, 2017’s roundups serve as a pretty complete document of my listening this year. There is a small gap, however, that began in September and ends now, in mid-November, that I still need to document. These final albums are the last contenders for my 2017 favorites.
Grizzly Bear - Painted Ruins: From a songwriting standpoint, Painted Ruins is perhaps a bit less memorable than Grizzly Bear’s previous albums. In the end, however, its sonic characteristics push their sound to its most theatrical and refined iteration, making for a consistently engaging listening experience.
Steven Wilson - To the Bone: Wilson’s most recent effort is an intentional break from the progressive masterworks that have defined his solo work. It is, instead, a somewhat inconsistent but successful move towards a more concise and accessible sound.
Twin Peaks: The Return OST: The soundtrack to the recent Twin Peaks series is as effective in representing the show as its predecessor. That doesn’t mean, however, that it is necessarily an easy or accessible listen as much as it is an intriguing one.
Twin Peaks: Songs from The Return: I am usually ambivalent about curated soundtracks, but my quest for answers to the myriad questions posed by the new Twin Peaks piqued my interest. Of course, it doesn't provide any obvious answers, but it does reveal the subtle influence that Lynch’s work has exerted on popular music.
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith - The Kid: Smith’s last album immediately grabbed my attention and blew my mind, and I was concerned about her capacity to follow it up. With its linear narrative and streamlined song structures, The Kid is a worthy successor.
Geinoh Yamashirogumi - Akira Symphonic Suite: My current interest in soundtracks landed the rerelease of the Akira OST in rotation on an impulse. Although I have seen the movie several times, I did not remember it being so “world-fusion” in execution, and I certainly did not realize that it was written and conceived by such a fascinating collective of musicians.
Lunatic Soul - Fractured: Lunatic Soul has been on my wishlist since the KScope Sampler a couple of years ago. Positive reviews on this most recent release forced my hand, and it has not disappointed.
King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black: I was fortunate enough to see King Crimson on their most recent tour, and in the process of preparing myself I spent a little time reviewing their back catalog. This is a gem from the John Wetton era that I have often overlooked but that has taken on new life in the wake of the concert.
Mark Mothersbaugh - Thor: Ragnarok OST: Mothersbaugh’s (of Devo fame) name caught my attention, but a cursory listen really got me excited. Thor: Ragnarok is a compelling blend of orchestral grandeur and retro-synth mayhem that really hit me where I live.
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