Mac Demarco landed at #2 on the !earshot Top 200 of 2017
Best of 2017: Tyler Wilson
KenMODE, Jesse Matthewson
Follow our look back at 2017
The Top 200 of 2017
The definitive list of the best records of 2017 - including electronic, hip hop, international, jazz, loud and folk roots & blues.
Best of 2017
Best Releases of 2017
As chosen by Music Directors and some of our contributers.
When you get paid to listen to music all the time, you have an advantage finding the best and the over-looked.
Best Local Releases
If home is where the heart is, local is where the music starts. Picks from !earshot contributors and programmers from across the country
Full Best of 2017 lists from Programmers and Contributors
Catherine Fisher, CJLY-Nelson, BC
Glen Ingram, CICK-Smithers, BC
Kyle MyTruk, UNFM-Manitoba, BC
Jason Shields, UMFM-Winnipeg, MB
Myles Gregory, CFBX-Kamloops, BC
dj peanut butter, CHCR-Killaloe, ON
Troy Lemberg, CFUC-Victoria, BC
Tyler Wilson, CIVL-Abbotsford, BC
!earshot National Top 200 of 2017For January to December 2017 |
|||
| TW | Artist - Title - (Label) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alvvays 
Antisocialites - (Polyvinyl) |
||
| 2 | Mac DeMarco
This Old Dog - (Royal Mountain) |
||
| 3 | Austra
Future Politics - (Pink Fizz) |
||
| 4 | Timber Timbre
Sincerely, Future Pollution - (Arts & Crafts) |
||
| 5 | Faith Healer
Try ;-) - (Mint) |
||
| 6 | Broken Social Scene
Hug of Thunder - (Arts & Crafts) |
||
| 7 | Homeshake
Fresh Air - (Royal Mountain) |
||
| 8 | Daniel Romano
Modern Pressure - (You've Changed) |
||
| 9 | Whitehorse
Panther In The Dollhouse - (Six Shooter) |
||
| 10 | Do Make Say Think
Stubborn Persistent Illusions - (Constellation) |
||
|
View the full !earshot Top 200 of 2017 |
|||
| Specialty Charts #1s | |||
| Electronic: | Austra - Future Politics - (Pink Fizz) | ||
| Hip Hop: | Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels 3 - (Run the Jewels, Inc.) | ||
| International: | The Souljazz Orchestra - Under Burning Skies - (Do Right! Music) | ||
| Jazz: | Ugly Beauties - Strange Attractors - (Self-Released) | ||
| Loud: | Mastodon - Emperor Of Sand - (Reprise) | ||
| Folk/Roots/Blues: | Rose Cousins - Natural Conclusion - (Outside Music) | ||
Share your choices in the comments...
Tyler Wilson, Neon Brown on CIVL FM in Abbotsford
My name is Tyler Wilson, I host Neon Brown on CIVL 101.7 FM, based out of Abbotsford, BC. My show, which runs every Sunday night from 8:00 until late (at least midnight). I play mostly new releases with a focus on Canadian music. I love having an extended, late night timeslot for my show; it allows me to branch out into every genre, and gives me the opportunity to play those longer album cuts that you might not normally hear on the radio. You can find a site for my show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/neonbrownradio
My Top 3 records of the year
Mac DeMarco – This Old Dog – (Royal Mountain)
Who’d of thought that Mac could write a serious song? I’ve always loved the tongue-in-cheekness in other Mac Demarco releases, but I feel like this album really shows what a great song writer he really is. Apart from the lyrics, the music is the same smooth as hell slacker rock that you’ve seen on his other albums. This album was my summer jam.
Listen and purchase his music here: https://macdemarco.bandcamp.com/
Broken Social Scene – Hug of Thunder – (Arts & Crafts)
It felt like 2017 was the year somebody tried to resurrect 2006; we saw new music from Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, Emily Haines, Feist, Do Make Say Think, and Broken Social Scene (I’m sure I’m forgetting about some here too). While many of these release are quite enjoyable, Hug of Thunder sticks out as a highlight of the year. Some songs on the album, such as Hug of Thunder or Mouth Guards for the Apocalypse tug on those nostalgia heartstrings, and sound like classic Broken Social Scene. Other tracks, such as Skyline, feel right at home alongside all the dreampop that’s been coming out this year.
More info here: http://brokensocialscene.ca/
Partner – In Search Of Lost Time – (You’ve Changed Records)
It is very possible that Josee Caron and Lucy Niles, the two best bud’s that make up the band Partner, are time travelers from the 1990’s sent to the present to save guitar rock. There’s songs about being too high, watching TV, and being gay; what else do you need? The answer is, of course, recordings of phone calls scattered thought the album. This album is a very fun listen, and if Canada actually legalizes pot on July 1st, the lead off track “Everybody Knows” should be pumped into every grocery store muzak system across the country.Buy their music here: https://partnerband.bandcamp.com/
Best local release
Blessed – Blessed II – (Coin-Toss Records)
Blessed is a post-punk band based out of Abbotsford, BC. The four members; Drew Riekman, Jake Holmes, Reuben Houweling, and Mitchell Trainor formed Blessed to create something that has been lacking in their previous projects; an uncompromising work ethic and a dedication from all members of the band. Blessed II, the second release from the band, technically an EP, stretches to about 25 minutes in length, shows just how good these guys are at playing their instruments, and crafting a great song. Each song on this four song EP stand out as a great stand-alone song, yet the album as a whole shows the sum is even better than its parts. The end of the album comes quick and leaves you wanting more. The band has been touring extensively this year, let’s hope they’ve also been jamming something out 2018 as well.
https://blessedband.bandcamp.com/
Best live show you saw this year
B.A Johnston at Aaron Levy’s Murder Basement (Carpark Manor)
It’s pretty hard to describe the brilliance of a B.A. Johnston show to somebody that’s never seen one. I’m hesitant to use the term “Religious Experience,” but experiencing a BA Johnston show in a hot basement is like nothing else. You’re gonna see a grown man sing along with a discman about having a shitty job in East Hamilton, while occasionally stripping off a sweatshirt, only to reveal he’s wearing another identical sweatshirt underneath. Not sold yet? He just might force-feed an audience member beer while singing about the greatest days of the year; GST cheque days, then perform a Homer Simpson style “wagon wheel” dance in the middle of the floor as people frantically try to get out of his way. B.A. Johnston is the hardest working person in showbusiness and you haven’t lived until you’ve seen one of his shows.
https://bajohnston.bandcamp.com/
Most under-rated record of the year
Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs – Sam Coffey and the Iron Lungs – (Dine Alone)
Part Silver Bullet Band, part Thin Lizzy, these guys are like nothing else that came out this year. It’s been years since power chord driven riff-rock has been considered anything but a thing of the past, but based on how refreshing this album sounds, perhaps it’s due for a resurgence. This album is full of tow-taping, fun songs that make you want to get to the beer store and get another 15 pack of Pabst.
http://dinealonerecords.com/artists/sam-coffey-the-iron-lungs/
Best personal campus/community radio moment or experience of the year
As a founding member of CIVL, it was super cool to have CIVL host the NCRC conference this year. A little over ten years ago, we were holding weekly meetings, and working evening and weekends, getting an application together and hoping that we’d be approved to build the Fraser Valley’s first campus/community radio station. Since then, there is a whole new group of dedicated community and student members that are helping that station grow, and I feel like having the station host this year’s conference was a symbol of all the hard work that so many people poured into the station over the last decade and a half.
Record I Am Most Anticipating for 2018
As a founding member of CIVL, it was super cool to have CIVL host the NCRC conference this year. A little over ten years ago, we were holding weekly meetings, and working evening and weekends, getting an application together and hoping that we’d be approved to build the Fraser Valley’s first campus/community radio station. Since then, there is a whole new group of dedicated community and student members that are helping that station grow, and I feel like having the station host this year’s conference was a symbol of all the hard work that so many people poured into the station over the last decade and a half.
