Mike’s Top 10 for 2017

Here it comes folks! My 5th or 6th or possibly 7th ( I’m just guessing) annual top 10 list of my favorite albums of the year. Starting of at #10 Is The Nashville Sound from Jason Isbell and the 400 unit. Brilliant, talented songwriter and performer

#9 The National from the album Sleep Well Beast. Really like this band. last album good . this album great.

#8 Up all night from Becks album Colors. Another left turn for this musical chameleon. Great beats, fun, catchy and impossible to get out of your head.

#7 Concrete and Gold from one of my all-time favs the Foo Fighters. This is “The Line.”

#6 From Philly and Scranton making their first appearance in my top 10, the Menzingers with After the Party. “Lookers” really got me . How can you not like a song that name checks the wonder bar from Asbury park and references Jack Kerouac.

#5 Japandroids album Near to the Wild heart of Life an absolutely great listen top to bottom (played really loud). This song made every hard run a little easier.

#4 Saw Dave Hause when he opened for Frank Turner at a gritty little club in Reading. Fantastic live. This album got played more than any other by me this year. It doesn’t hurt that he’s from Philly The album is “Bury Me in Philly.”

# 3 The War On Drugs latest is amazing. Great music , fantastic guitar. . Listen with headphones, eyes closed, in the dark. (also from Philly!)

#2 Just when I thought U2 was winding down, they blew me away with some of the best music they’ve made in years. Songs of Experience is optimistic, and has all the best stuff I’ve always loved about the band. This song has all of it.

#1 Soulfire by Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul.  I saw him about 30 years ago when he toured behind a solo album and waited a LONG time for him to release another one. This was worth the wait. Of course , seeing him live for an amazing concert with my oldest , best friend pushed this right to number one on my list.