We are here once again at The Deli Philly’s final post of the year. It’s been an honor getting a chance to share new music with all of you this past year (and nearly a decade), and I look forward to continuing to discover the best of Philly’s underground music community with you. And without any further ado, here is my “Best of” year-end list for my favorite Philly albums of 2017. I look forward to seeing you on the other side.
Much love – cheers!
Q.D. Tran
1. Raw Rock Fury (Relapse) – Ecstatic Vision
Ecstatic Vision weren’t joking when they decided to name their latest album, Raw Rock Fury. There are few, if not any Philly releases that can match the pure intensity and glorious shredding found on my favorite local release of 2017. And it also provides you a glimpse into the awesomeness of their live performances.
2. Rocket (Domino) – (Sandy) Alex G
With Rocket, Alex Giannascoli proves that all the adoration from the media for the young songwriter is certainly not unfounded. Using the guise of an Americana framework, he is able to craft wonderfully intimate campfire songs that make left turns at all the right places.
3. Veblen Death Mask (Kill Rock Stars) – Taiwan Housing Project
Veblen Death Mask is music without boundaries – so chaotically beautiful!
4. Need to Feel Your Love (Wilsuns RC) – Sheer Mag
All riffs and vocals – garage-punks Sheer Mag make their retro-fit sound oh so good. Rock ‘n’ roll is not dead.
5. Out in the Storm (Merge) – Waxahatchee
Waxahatchee’s earnest songwriting speaks right to the heart, and it’s hard to ignore.
6. My Idols Are Dead + My Enemies Are In Power (Self-released) – Lushlife
7. Messy (Self-released) – Curtis Cooper
8. Play “The Songs You Like” (Salinas) – Radiator Hospital
9. Oh, My Heart (Lame-O) – Shannen Moser
10. Soft Sound From Another Planet (Dead Oceans) – Japanese Breakfast
11. Movie Was Bad (Self-released) – Sixteen Jackies
12. Spirits (Creep) – Julia Rainer
13. Slacker Paint (Self-released) – The Mary Veils
14. Everything Is Always in the Past (@Self-released) – Blood Sound
15. A Deeper Understanding (Atlantic) – The War on Drugs
16. We Were Babies & We Were Dirtbags (Polyvinyl) – Quiet Slang
17. Tourist in This Town (Merge) – Allison Crutchfield
18. Why Love Now (Sub Pop) – Pissed Jeans
19. Shadow Expert (Carpark) – Palm
20. Let’s Be Nice – b-sides, covers & demos (Self-released) – Pill Friends
21. Birdie (Lame-O) – Slaughter Beach, Dog
22. Wilt (Self-released) – Line Leader
23. You’re So Smart (Self-released) – Joy Riding
24. Pleasure Suck (Tiny Engines) – The Spirit and The Beehive
25. Nothing Special (Honest Face) – Harmony Woods
26. Amuse-oreille, Vol. 1 (Self-released) – American Trappist
27. Grow (Self-released) – Them Jones
28. The Vernes (Self-released) – The Vernes
29. Cool and Fun – Madalean Gauze
30. White Reindeer – Lithuania
31. Tunnels (Self-released) – Vita and the Woolf
32. S/T (Self-released) – Teen Spaceship
33. Good Wind Pt. 1 (Human Kindness Overflowing) – Power Animal
34. Popular Manipulations (Fat Possum) – The Districts
35. Crime Waves – Moor Mother x Mental Jewelry
36. Jumpship (Lame-O) – No Thank You
37. Palisades (Egghunt) – Eric Slick
38. Dark Web (Suicide Bong Tapes) – Dark Web
39. Sadness is a Gesture (Inherent Sounds) – Aphra
40. Motel City Honey (Self-released) – Levee Drivers