The Spy's Ferris O'Brien combs through hundreds of albums every year. Below are his 17 favorite albums of 2017:
17. Erasure - World Be Gone
Vince Clarke has always had a knack for writing catchy tunes. Andy Bell is as flamboyant as ever. Game. Set. Match.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qf8LoHugjk
16. The Amazons - The Amazons
Who said guitar music was dead? Crank It Up LOUD!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnFzK4PVvm8
15. Charly Bliss - Guppy
This may be one of those rarest of rare birds. A flawless debut record. Think Juliana Hatfield fronting Weezer era Blue record.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9DEK9mNVRU
14. Are We Static - Embers
The second coming of Oasis. Guitars. Anthems. Attitude.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kIFXde0XqM
13. St. Vincent - Masseduction
Ms. Clark keeps raising her bar of perfection. Her best record. Buy it NOW!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9TlaYxoOO8
12. Cigarettes After Sex - Cigarettes After Sex
If I had one wish, it would be for this record to be stuffed in everyone's stocking this year. This band should be HUGE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sElE_BfQ67s
11. O.M.D. - Punishment of Luxury
Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys are back with album number 13. It leans more on their industrial roots than pop anthems but their unmistakable signature sound is still in full force.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp_Du6uO9V4
10. Beach Fossils - Somersault
I've never been a huge fan, but WOW this record has that rare ability to create new fans left and right. Count me as one! Warm summer night jams. Yes, please.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdfjCivNxGY
9. LCD Soundsystem - American Dream
If this is what retirement sounds like, everyone should retire. Is there anything James Murphy touches that doesn’t turn to gold?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqq3BtGrpU8
8. Depeche Mode - Spirit
It was first billed as Violator, part two ,but this record will go down as simply great all on its own. Gahan sounds better than ever and Gore still knows exactly how to dissect emotions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsCR05oKROA
7. U2 - Songs of Experience
Bono, Edge, Larry & Adam may never repeat the sheer brilliance of Joshua Tree, Unforgettable Fire or Achtung Baby, but with every release they continue to solidify why they are one of icons of my generation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd_EYo96lmo
6. Slowdive - Slowdive
If you think you know what shoegaze is and have never heard of Slowdive, disregard everything and simply listen to this masterpiece start to finish... and try not to stare at your shoes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxwAPBxc0lU
5. Ride - Weather Diaries
See above^^^ (interchange 'Ride' for 'Slowdive.')
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzSDDrtYpGY
4. Beck - Colors
This record is exactly what we needed. Groovy. Dancy. Tasty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I1B4n_8Cto
3. The War on Drugs - A Deeper Understanding
Possibly the 2017 jack-of-all-emotions record.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-oHBkikDBg
2. Spoon - Hot Thoughts
One of Spoon's best. Hard not to love every song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt0QFoqNlBk
1. Morrissey - Low in High School
Truly a gem for Moz fans. Will go down as one of his best. Sharp. Witty. Political. Divisive. Satirical – in other words, it’s a new Morrissey album. This record won’t create new fans but if you love him, you will love Low. If you hate him, well...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rmAi9XmlIo
