ILM's Top 77 Albums of 2017

Paradiso isn't really my thing but it sure stands out on this list

three of mine placed today, all from my top 10.

so...good day

Nice little run at the end with Chino Amobi, Sacred Paws and J Hus.

Common Sense is hits from start to finish, was really surprised that it's nearly all one producer with the diversity in the beats. a perfect summer album

Didn't listen to Paradiso as much as I had Airport Music For Black Folk in 2016, but glad a NON artist is crossing over!

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Any metal in the top 20? :D

Still hoping for Chelsea Wolfe to make it

But I'd be amazed now if it did.

Unless the goth vote got out

Chino Amobi maybe the most viscerally thrilling album I hear this year. It sticks out like a sore thumb in the ballot I sent but it's genuinely exciting, had it top 5 maybe top 3 I'm not sure

Now you're making feel guilty for not having voted.

xp

PARADISO scratched an itch I've had for that type of record that's persisted for a while now.

did djp vote this year?

40 BLANCK MASS "World Eater"
In my top 10. Love this record so much

39 GAUSSIAN CURVE "The Distance"
Pretty, bucolic, agree it could use vocals or something else to make it "whole"

38 FOUR TET "New Energy"
I love this record unabashedly, probably more for the nostalgia (as it harkens back to his Rounds/Pause era style in a way)

36 JAMES HOLDEN & THE ANIMAL SPIRITS "The Animal Spirits"
Kicking myself for not having this on my ballot. Listened to it too late, but it's excellent and glad it's here.

33 ALICE COLTRANE "World Spirituality Classics 1: The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda"
Surprised to see this here. Also very good. Not enough room on my ballot sadly

28 LCD SOUNDSYSTEM "American Dream"
Wow, surprised this is so high! I liked it, but don't hate it like a many of you. Kinda wish it wasn't here to make room for something new though.

27 MOSES SUMNEY "Aromanticism"
In love with this record, not just the singles. In my top 5

26 BIG THIEF "Capacity"
Just missed my ballot, lovely record. Title track is my fav

24 CHINO AMOBI "PARADISO"
YESSSSSS

Three of my votes placing in a row, including my #1 (J Hus). That and Sacred Paws I blasted all summer.

Oh wait four in a row including Chino Amobi. Blimey.

Liking the Chino Amobi so far

Dan didn't vote.

NB that I was definitely not looking for a vocalist when I said I wanted more going on on the Gaussian Curve. That could mean a cross-rhythm (you might find very sophisticated ones in Reich or Glass, but even just a more interesting beat like you could find on a Boards of Canada album might help); improvised melodic development (e.g. the Fripp/Eno albums); or just a denser, more engrossing texture (like I get from Fennesz or SAW II or BoC again ftm). The tracks I liked most on first listen were the ones without drums, with E-bowed guitar. The rest might click more with more listens.

Have you heard the Pep Lloris reissue from last year? That might be to your taste if you're looking for a Reich or Glass variation on that sound.

Llopis not Lloris.

No, I'll look for it!

Julie Byrne is sounding lovely btw.

yes, The poll gave me a chance to revisit Julie Byrne, Big Thief, and Julien Baker, which on initial cursory listens all got jumbled in my mind. “Not Even Happiness” is the most placid and traditional sounding of the three, but I think I like it the best

I love the first track of the Pep Llopis.

Too much of the Gaussian Curve record sounded like unabashed muzak to my ears. Unless that's the whole point?

It's very good for listening to late night while reading a book. Not sure it would capture my interest in isolation though.

Too much of the Gaussian Curve record sounded like unabashed muzak to my ears. Unless that's the whole point?

no, i think there's a level of emotional communication to it that you might be missing

I found it kinda muzak-y too tbh. Maybe further listens would be revealing, idk. Async by comparison struck me as a much stronger record

It's fine to hear it as muzak but there are some depths there if you feel in the mood to pay more attention, as Nick says.

the way the synth and the guitar curl around each other on the title track is just magical to me. that song actually reminds me quite a bit of small hours by john martyn, so I think I'm semi-primed to go into some sort of trance state when I hear it anyway

Nick, was it you that recommended Small Hours to me on that Music in the next room thread? so awesome.

I don't remember doing that but yes it is basically the best music ever :)

btw, I have very little idea what's going to be in the top 20 tomorrow besides, like, Kendrick, Paramore and (maybe?) Jay-Z? In this respect, tracks was easier to predict even if it seemed like it wasn't, because I've got noooooo clue what weird albums y'all were listening to in secret.

I imagine we'll likely get:

Susanne Sundfør
Kelly Lee Owens
Jay Som
Charly Bliss

I hope we get:

Rapsody (my #1)
Jamila Woods (but lots of people might just always consider this a 2016 record)

I woulda voted for jamila but i voted for her last year!

SZA probably?

Kelela too.

Oh yeah, definitely hers.

Kehlani as well?

how about Sunny Sweeney? I would've expected her to show up already

I would expect Lorde, Fever Ray, and Bicep to all show up. Jane Weaver also feels like a very ILX pick.

I'm hoping for Chelsea Wolfe, Zola Jesus and Bicep

i got 6 in the top 77 and 4 in the top 20

Lorde, Fever Ray, and Bicep

Yeah, all of those sound right, so...

Lorde
Fever Ray
Bicep
Kelela
Kehlani (?)
SZA (?)
Susanne Sundfør
Kelly Lee Owens
Jay Som
Charly Bliss
Jay-Z
Paramore
Kendrick

That still leaves seven slots

Destroyer? ILM will ILM.

six slots (Migos)

xp

Mig:(s