The (Almost) Best Of 2017

I'm not even sure why I try to pull together these year end lists because, for one, I'm generally listening to Rod Stewart over anything else (that is not a lie), and secondly, it's a lot of dang work for someone who has the memory of a Tsetse Fly. I honestly couldn't tell you either of my parent's birthdays, and yet here I am trying to recall that split 7" I really liked for a week or so back in February (actually, my mom's birthday is in February...something).
But I do it. For you. For me. For us.
If nothing else, it's an excuse to go back and dig into bands that made an impact this year, and best case scenario, maybe you check out one of these records and end up buying it. Or catching them next time they are opening a five band bill near you. Or, it will help to remind me in some way what day to call my dad and wish him happy birthday.

So, without further ado (doo), here are 30 records that I really liked this year, but due to the intricacies of my very accurate and sophisticated mathematical judging format, I guess I didn't quite like them as much as the actual top 30 records of 2017. Although, I'm sure that if you asked me tomorrow, I could swap them all around.

These are in particular order. And for no particular reason, they are haikus.

1. BUMMER / PINKO - Split 12"



Good heavens this rips!
Total annihilation
Rarely feels this good

DL

2. GRIZZLOR - Destructoid



Well, there goes your job
Physique has devolved to shit
Life gave you lemons

DL

3. DRUNK DAD - Feelings Party



I think he wants in
He's been pounding at the door
Something isn't right

DL

4. SUPER THIEF - Stuck



Austin lineage
Deep in the heart of my ass
Push and pull and pound

DL

5. MEATWOUND -Largo




Wall of animus
Full bore maxed out everything
Humid hammering

DL

6. OUT - Swim Buddies




NC style indie
Ramshackle amped up pop songs
Just works and feels right

DL

7. BAXTER STOCKMAN -Haul



Da fuq a Baxter?
Not what the name would suggest
Noise rock Finnish style?

DL

8. OXBOW - Thin Black Duke



The grown up Oxbow?
Less abrasive it would seem
Until you dig in

DL

9. BUZZ RODEO - Combine




Could be Chicago
But Germany is their home
Studied the classics

DL 

10. THEE OH SEAS - Orc




When they on, I'm good
When they damage the boogie
When it's garage sludge

DL

11. LOWER SLAUGHTER - What Big Eyes



Big riff bulldozer
Grungy noise comes out roaring
Cherish the release

DL


12. JESUS PIECE / MALICE AT THE PALACE - split EP



Two bands means we get
Twice the pummeling power
And I support that.

DL

13. CHRISTIAN FITNESS - Slap Bass Hunks



Hyper literate
Tongue in cheek fuck you's and them
Rumbling lurch and punch

DL

14. BATPISS - Rest In Piss



I mean, come on dude
They are CLEARLY called Batpiss
What do you expect?!

DL

15. YARDS - Excitation Thresholds



This will leave a mark
You will lose your deposit
Friends will stop calling

DL


16. STNNNG - Veterans Of Pleasure



You got Hammerhead
In my The Jesus Lizard
Not complaining tho

DL

17. LARDO - Sinking



Tightly coiled, dark, tense
Smells of Chicago days past
Fucking you smartly.

DL

18. DAVID BARBE - 10th Of Seas



A master craftsman
Songs that are timeless and true
Weird enough to care

DL

19. HYENA - Demo



Old punks never die
They get gnarlier and crazed
Exhilarating!

DL

20. WITH THE DEAD - Love From With The Dead



Electric Wizard
Not bringing the heat this year?
With The Dead got you

DL

21. ABUSE OF POWER - When Then Becomes Now



Never thought I'd see
An Outspoken tribute band
and Act Of Faith font!

DL

22. LESS ART - Strangled Light



Dudes from bands you like
Maybe not what you expect
Bleak but somehow warm

DL 

23. THE DUKE SPIRIT - Sky Is Mine



Hazy Sunday morn
Warm embrace in lover's arms
English to the bone

DL

24. BATAILLE - Bataille



Slash and burn attack
Density as a weapon
Blackened filth fury

DL

25. DEATH STUFF - Death Stuff



Post punk art damage
Doesn't hold back on the bile
You should punch your dad

DL

26. BLACKLISTERS - Dart



They just need three songs
All power, nothing wasted
Max volume, go deaf

DL

27. DRUNK IN HELL - Drunk In Hell



Do you like your ears?
This band thinks your ears are dumb
They want to hurt them

DL

28. NORSKA - Too Many Winters



Fuck you, and fuck you
And fuck you, and fuck you too
You are an asshole

DL

29. HEAVY HAND - Prerapture Era



Punchy, fun even?
Who revved up Les Savy Fav?
Why you no smile more?

DL

30. IDYLLS - The Barn



What if I cut you
Straight down the very middle
Of your sagging gut?

DL