17 Favorite Songs Of 2017 So Far

So 2017 is nearly half over and it's been a phenomenal year for music so far. So many amazing new albums and songs. Here's a rundown on 17 of my favorite songs that have come out so far.

1. The Psychotic Monks "It's Gone"

"It's Gone" the opening piece from The Psychotic Monks latest album "Silence Slowly and Madly Shines" is one of the most menacing songs you will hear all year. It's dark, mysterious, psychedelic vibe draws you in and never lets you go. Absolutely crushing.

2. Mayflower Madame "Drown"

Released just before their first U.S. tour "Drown" is one of Mayflower Madame's darkest and most impressive tracks to date. Look for a new album from this Norwegian psych rock outfit later this year.

3. A Deer A Horse "Backswimmer"

A Deer A Horse have been one of my favorite bands over the last few years and "Backswimmer" the title track from their latest E.P. ushers in a new direction and even more sense of power and determination to the bands sound. The trio will be out on the road touring all summer and fall.

4. Mariana Rivals "Take"

This California/Connecticut based synth pop unit deliver big on their latest single "Take" It's pumping bass line, passionate vocals and layers of shimmering synths are sure to get you singing along in no time.

5. News From Neptune "The Cold Open"

One of the most incredibly intricate and breathtakingly beautiful pieces you will hear anywhere. David Miller aka News From Neptune balances an array of sonic textures throughout this absolutely brilliant track.

6. Waxahatchee "Silver"

I can't get enough of this new track from Katie Crutchfield's Waxahatchee. It's one of the most infectious songs I've heard in a long time as the rich, melodic guitars and Crutchfield's voice are truly delightful.

7. Potential Red "Broken"

Canadian post punk/new wave outfit Potenial Red strike big on this brand new 4 song E.P. Lead off track "Broken" is an energetic piece full of swirling soundscapes and chiming guitars that fans of The Smiths and The Cure are sure to enjoy as it gets things started in grand fashion.

8. Telespace "A Click Away"

Swiss indie/psych unit Telespace quickly create an ethereal world through the cinematic sounds of "A Click Away" as it's calming dose of mind numbing guitars are soon followed by an intriguing left of center style vocal delivery.

9. Boss Hog "Shh Shh Shh"

This no frills groove filled rocker is one of the stand out tracks from the bands brand new album "Brood X".

10. Meatbodies "Creature Feature"

"Creature Feature" has an intensely odd slant to it all that's backed by a swaggering groove that reeks with undeniable appeal. It also includes some of the best guitar manipulation and fuzz driven leads you will hear anywhere that are equally matched by the deranged vocal cadence that sends the track into psychedelic overdrive.

11. Wanweird "Green Jelly"

Another fabulous track from Wanweird. This is the type of track that has just enough bounce to it that it's fun to sing along to but backs it up with a solid dose of 90's inspired rock n roll angst that pulls no punches.

12. The Red Shift "No One Else"

My favoriute track from this Ohio based power pop/punk rock bands debut album. Get into it

13. Guided By Voices "5 Degrees On The Inside"

One o the stand out tracks from the bands latest offering "August By Cake" which happens to be the 100th LP of founding member Robert Pollards career. Here's to 100 more.

14. Thurston Moore "Smoke Of Dreams"

"Smoke Of Dreams" from the new Thurston Moore album "Rock N Roll Consciousness" is a hazy, laid back number that reflects on his times in New York City and the underlying mystic of the past that surrounds it. There's a bit of a cathartic element to the song as if Moore is giving you a tour of his old haunts and allowing a bit of insight into a lost world.

15. Mathew Sweet "Trick"

"Trick" has all the key ingredients that make up an amazing Matthew Sweet song. Catchy hooks, melodic guitars and Sweet's signature vocal delivery.

16. faUSt "Lights Flickr"

From their brand new album "Fresh Air", "Lights Flickr" features the lyrics "Lights Flickr as I blink my eyes to the beat to the beat to the beat" as a frantic saxophone and sea of feedback blast over top of a thunderous beat. What more could you ask for???

17. Beach House "Chariot"

From the bands new "Rarities and B Sides" album, "Chariot" sounds like it could have been part of the soundtrack to a lost David Lynch film. Truly beautiful from beginning to end.

Six Records CMM Wants You To Know

Chris Shiflett "West Coast Town" LP (Side One Dummy)

"West Coast Town" the third solo album from Foo Fighters/Me First & The Gimme Gimmes guitarist Chris Shiflett is made up of ten straight forward country punk numbers that blend the stellar production of Nashville mastermind Dave Cobb with a roots rock rawness. Big twanging guitars ring throughout opening number "Sticks & Stones" as Shiflett's honest vocal delivery is backed by the flourishing melodies of a comforting pedal steel. The shuffling beat of the title track sets the pace for a lively mood while "Goodnight Little Rock" tells rough tales of life playing music on the road. It's also got an incredibly nasty fuzzed out guitar solo that takes the track to the next level. Things slow down a bit with the love sick sounds of "Room 102" before the energetic "The Girls Already Gone" kick things back into high gear. The album is capped off by the outlaw country stance of "Still Better Days" which serves as a fitting send off to this highly enjoyable release that channels as much of Buck Owens and Waylon Jennings as it does Social Distortion and X.

Dun Robin S/T E.P. (facebook.com/dunrobinband/)

Dun Robin deliver a heavy dose of high energy punk/surf/rock n roll on this self titled E.P. All of the songs have a "Turbo Charged" feel to them that blends raging guitars with well crafted melodies and powerful hooks. From the buzzsaw attack of "Dental Plan" to the driving beat of "Sea Monsters" the band simply never let up. The bluesy swing of "Getaway" adds a nice touch to the mix and makes it one of the standout tracks of the record as it comes off like a blend of "Disraeli Gears" period Cream and mid 90's California pop punk.This is a very fun record that's perfect for hot summer afternoons and cross country road trips. Get into it.

Grandaddy "That's What You Get for Gettin' Outta Bed" Single (grandaddymusic.com)

This new "Video" for Grandaddy's latest single "That's What You Get for Gettin' Outta Bed" is actually a 360-degree VR visual created by Andrew Deutsch and it's absolutely amazing. The track is from the bands new album "Last Place", their fifth overall and first since reforming in 2012. Lyrically inspired by frontman Jason Lytle's divorce, the track like much of the groups material has a somber yet cathartic feel. It's gentle, gloomy and intense and it emits more emotion in three minutes and thirty five seconds than most artists produce over the coarse of an entire album. Highly recommended.

Purple Calice "Vauclair & Tourtel" E.P. (purplecalice.bandcamp.com)

There's an inviting uniqueness to this debut E.P. from Paris based indie rock unit Purple Calice. The airy almost mystical vibe that flows through these jangling indie pop songs brings to mind classic Stiff Records artists like Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds. The uplifting choruses of "On Our Way" and "Before It Burns" give the band a clever, fun and inspiring energy that plays off more swagger filled tracks like "It Came To Me". The band would also have fit in perfectly during the early days of CBGB and Max's Kansas City as their quirky, guitar sound and art rock tendencies would have made them the perfect match on a bill alongside Talking Heads and Pere Ubu. "Vauclair & Tourtel" is a highly original record full of catchy and memorable riffs that really give off the feeling of a band "being a band".

Spoon "Hot Thoughts" Single (spoontheband.com)

Backed by a pulsating beat and a striking guitar melody Spoon hit big on this new single from their brand new album of the same name. The spacey almost futuristic vocals are complimented by a subtle piece of background percussion that reminds me of one of the sounds from RUN DMC's "Peter Piper"/Bob James "Take Me To The Mardi Gras". It really shows how the band continues to expand their sound with each release and keep things fresh. "Hot Thoughts" is out now courtesy of Matador Records and the band are on a world wide tour that continues throughout the rest of the year.

Waxahatchee "Silver" Single (Merge)

I can't get enough of this new track from Katie Crutchfield's Waxahatchee. It's one of the most infectious songs I've heard in a long time as the rich, melodic guitars and Crutchfield's voice are truly delightful. Reflecting on the song Katie says “It’s about self-examination and the different shapes that takes, good and bad. I wanted it to be abstract and poetic, but I also wanted to align it with the other songs on the album, since they’re all so connected lyrically.” The track is from Waxahatchee's upcoming album "Out in the Storm", which will be available July 14 via Merge Records.