So Far So Good 2017

So Far So Good 2017

Summer has risen, its hot sun already pushing us into submission. Spread your proverbial wings and fly. Music is always a good companion. For years now, I have been giving a breakdown of my favorite records. I slice this process in two—So Far So Good drops each June and So Good So Far shows up in November. 

Here are the albums that have won me over thus far in 2017. Consuming more music than the list outlines, I try to keep this running tab at six, sometimes with a couple of honorable mentions. Then, in the second installment, I compile the complete year of music to create a best-of, bakers dozen.

The list below is in order of release date. Enjoy summer with some great tunes, a vacation or road trip, and some cold beverages. Stay cool.

eightychoices.

Nikki Lane | Highway Queen

songwriting, collaboration, good tunes...send the sun & muddy waters

Spoon | Hot Thoughts

Austin's finest is back at it, great melodies, lyricism, very spoon-esque yet new...can I sit next you"

Timothy Seth Avett as Darling | IV

honest songwriting, contemplative, relatable, one of my favorite songs...should we move

Future Islands | The Far Field 

great album, it's thematic and complete, it captivates right away—luring you in... Ran & Cave

Kendrick Lamar | DAMN.

probably my favorite album thus far, it makes you think, gut check, DAMN. be HUMBLE.

SZA | Ctrl 

hip hop/R&B, new to the scene, honest wordplay, there's doubt & empowerment, garden & anything

honorable mention: Benjamin Booker | Witness & Kevin Morby | City Music

HUMBLE.

Kendrick Lamar | "Humble" | DAMN.

eightychoices.

some Grammy's know Best

Daft Punk Get's Lucky with Random Access Memories.

For one, I didn't tune in, or watch the marathon telecast. What I did do, is check out some videos of the performances. The performances I felt most worthy of the new-world-order type impact this broadcasting carries with it, were all collaborations, there was Kendrick Lamar, he was live, with Imagine Dragons (they were eh), Daft Punk with Pharrel Williams, Nile Rodgers and Stevie Wonder. At the end of the ceremony, a collection of talent that included Trent Reznor, Queens of the Stone Age, Dave Grohl and Lindsey Buckingham on guitar, rocked out. Whew.

1. Real rock n roll took the stage at the end of the night. Nothing like leaving the best for last. Trent was joined by Lindsey Buckingham, of Fleetwood Mac, Dave Grohl and Josh Homme.
(The grammy's F'd this one up. Finally an HD video.)



2. A more than cleverly inventive mash-up, as only Daft can do, featuring Nile Rodgers and Stevie Wonder no less. Despite a few little hiccups, it's super cool these visionaries came together.



3.  Kendrick Lamar goes off, never mind Imagine Dragons. Kendrick's deviation from M.A.A.D. City,  post the radioactive BS, is straight legit. This could, and probably should be #1.



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