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.

CMM Spotlight : An Interview with News From Neptune

News From Neptune is the brainchild of British musician David Miller. His debut E.P. “The Cold Open” offers up a variety of tones that are futuristic and inspiring. We sat down with David to talk about his earliest musical influences,how News From Neptune came about,the making of the E.P. and some of his favorite bands in the current Wirral/Liverpool scene.

CMM-What music made the biggest impact on you as a child and what artists have stuck with you most over the years?

DM-I started out in my teens obsessed with people like The Stone Roses and The Smiths - my early bands were mainly just trying to mimic their guitar sounds. While that was happening though I was branching out into psychedelic pop like The Flaming Lips, The Teardrop Explodes, Super Furry Animals and The Beach Boys. I was also heavily into Scott Walker's early solo work. Hearing 'Hallogallo' from the first Neu! album was a real mindblower. I feel like it's this stuff which has stuck with me more, though you can probably still hear my inner Johnny Marr or John Squire fanboy showing through in my guitar playing!

CMM-When did you start making music as News From Neptune and what were the main influences that went into forming your sound?

DM-'News from Neptune' was really just the name I adopted back in about 2015 for my solo work once I started playing proper gigs and looking to release material online. Around that time I was listening to a lot of Robert Wyatt - I loved his free-flowing, almost aquatic sound on the 'Rock Bottom' album and I think I tried to bring elements of that into my music. I was also getting to know more about post-rock. Not so much the heavy, crescendo-based stuff - more the jazzy ambience of people like Tortoise and Bark Psychosis. Also lesser-known bands like Disco Inferno and Butterfly Child - there were some brilliant, unique artists around in the mid-90's who kind of fell through the cracks between dream pop and shoegaze. Listening back to the EP I feel like elements of those sounds are in there. Hopefully the influences aren't too blatant though and the music has its own personality.

CMM-What was the writing and recording process for "The Cold Open" E.P. like? Any particular gear that you used?

DM-A couple of the songs (the title track and 'Viewfinder') actually originate from demos recorded about 7 or 8 years ago which I expanded upon - the arrangements are very different too. The other two came together more recently. 'Head On Backwards' is built around a percussion-based track by the German band Faust called 'Party 1' - effectively a sample, which was a new way of working for me. It's interesting that you'd ask what they're about. The whole aviation theme of the artwork, video etc. came up when I realised that the bassy drone at the start of the title track sort of resembled an aircraft engine. I liked the metaphor and kind of ran with it! It sort of fitted in with the airy, free-flowing, slightly dizzying sound (I had some of Disco Inferno's artwork in mind). My bedroom setup is pretty basic actually, just my guitar going into a Line 6 USB interface and a MIDI keyboard (with which I programmed pretty much everything else - bass, drums etc). I'm a Cubase guy though I probably don't use it exactly as it's meant to be! I've made use of various free plugins off the web, most notably a fake Mellotron called 'Meltron' which I use loads. The basic tracks were then mixed and mastered by Matthew Freeman (from a great local band called Pure Joy whose debut album 'Bang Flower' I played extensively on). Some tracks changed more than others when I passed them over to Matty - some he just tidied up and enhanced with his studio magic, while 'The Man in the Microlight' is basically a full-on remix of my original demo.

CMM-What do you find the most rewarding part about making music and art? Has there been a moment were you felt like everything came together all at once?

DM-I wasn't very well in my late teens/early twenties due to mental health problems. Around that time music was all I had going on really, both listening and making my own. Even when everything else was looking kind of bleak, I could still have these little musical epiphanies which helped to make it worth getting through the day.I'm personally in a better place now but the wider world seems to be going to hell in a handcart, geo-politically speaking. Like a lot of people I find escapism in music (and the other creative arts) to be extremely helpful.

CMM-If you were able to do a soundtrack for a film director of your choice who would it be and what would the film be about?

DM-Tricky question! I'm far from an expert when it comes to film but I love a good soundtrack. 'Paris, Texas' is a favourite of mine so maybe Wim Wenders? Terry Gilliam? David Lynch? All pretty pie-in-the-sky of course! I could also imagine working for TV or maybe even animation would be good fun. As for a plot/theme... what about underwater dystopian sci-fi with surreal and existential undercurrents? In Claymation.

CMM-Any other bands/musicians in your neck of England that you recommend these days?

DM-If you're talking specifically Liverpool/the Wirral, I'd pick out Ex-Easter Island Head and their side project The Aleph for special mention. Forest Swords too - who I think is a bit better known on your side of the Atlantic. He was actually in my brother's class at school! Then there's a group called By The Sea. As for further afield, I really like Daniel Patrick Quinn, Hamilton Yarns, Field Music, Richard Youngs, The High Llamas... and so on. As pretentious as it might sound, I've actually been intentionally trying to listen to new music from different countries recently so it's very likely that some good, more local stuff has gone under my radar!

CMM-Any future plans for the project? Any upcoming tours or recordings?

DM-I think a tour would be a bit ambitious at this stage (probably need to get the word out there a bit more first!) but I'm definitely looking to play more live shows. I've got loads of new material that I've be working on so I'd definitely like to get at least another release out there this year. I've also been working with a band called Cartwheels on Glass which features members of renowned local acts Lovecraft and Organ Freeman. It's probably more conventional guitar-band music than my solo work but they're fantastic, inventive musicians so hopefully the songs and arrangements will stand out. Our leader Craig Sinclair has referred to the music as 'woozy Valium pop', which works for me! We've been playing a few live shows and are looking to launch some of our recorded material very soon too. There's no web presence yet but keep an ear to the ground...!

CMM-Any finals thoughts/comments?

DM-Thanks for taking an interest in my music - it means a lot!

News From Neptune "The Cold Open" E.P. is available now as a limited cassette at www.custommademusicva.com and at www.newsfromneptune.bandcamp.com

CMM : News And Notes For 5/11/17

NEWS FROM NEPTUNE "THE COLD OPEN" CASSETTE OUT NOW!!!

News from Neptune is the solo alias of Wirral-based musician David Miller, a multi-instrumentalist who has gathered a considerable stash of home-recorded material over the past decade, as well as writing and recording for a number of local projects. CMM are so excited to announce the release of his debut E.P. "The Cold Open" as a limited cassette. Miller has really carved out his own musical style that perfectly merges elements of more traditional compositions with experimental madness. The E.P. is a truly delightful and inspiring work of art and you can pick one up now at www.custommademusicva.com

WEINF RELEASE VIDEO FOR "CAREFULNESS AND OTHER BAD ADVICE"

Barcelona based indie unit Weinf have released a video for their latest single "Carefulness And Other Bad Advice" from the bands latest album “Purple Bird and Other Strange Songs” which is out now on CMM. Drawing influence from the likes of Morphine, and The Velvet Underground Weinf create the perfect eclectic mix of jazz and psychedelia. The band are playing a round of shows all over Spain throughout the month of May. Find out more at facebook.com/iamweinf

SAM ELLIOT STARS IN "THE HERO".

Here at CMM we love all things Sam Elliot. From his role as legendary bouncer Wade Garret in Roadhouse to playing "The Stranger" in The Big Lebowski it's always inspiring to hear Sam's trademark voice and see his "salty" smile. In "The Hero" Elliot plays Lee Hayden,an aging Western icon with a golden voice who's best performances are decades behind him. The film also stars Laura Prepon (That 70's Show/Oranage Is The New Black), Krysten Ritter (Breaking Bad/Veronica Mars), Nick Offerman (Parks And Recreation), and Katharine Ross (The Stepford Wives). The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival back on January 21st and will open in theaters on June 9th.

KYLE CRAFT COVERS LEONARD COHEN

Last year I fell in love with Kyle Craft's debut album "Dolls Of Highland". This week Craft released this impressive rendition of the late great Leonard Cohen's classic "Chelsea Hotel #2". Reflecting on the track Craft stated. “Chelsea Hotel #2, the way Cohen delivers it, it’s through a window into another time and the further we get into this thing, the future, the more I feel like a stranger. When he died, I felt very alone…as I’m sure many people did. The song is for him, for Patti Smith, for Dylan…for everyone who inspired me to write and for a time and place that seems so foreign now.” Craft plays the Mercury Lounge in NYC on May 15th and continues to work on his next full length due out in 2018.

Six Records CMM Wants You To Know

Fullback "The Go North" E.P. (fullback.bandcamp.com)

Loving this debut E.P. from Brooklyn based band Fullback. "The 25" kicks everything of quickly with it's captivating vocals, bouncy beat and glistening guitars that give it somewhat of a brit-pop feel. "12 - 2 (by the hearth)" has a bright, uplifting vibe that meshes well with it's optimistic lyrics while "Go North" is more soothing and intricate. Things wind down with "Go North 2" and it's lush, calming presence that moves like a setting sun on a warm Spring day. Highly recommended.

Lunar Kin "Escaping Velocity" E.P. (lunarkin.bandcamp.com)

Lunar Kin are a really impressive new indie pop band out of Myrtle Beach South Carolina. Their debut 4 song E.P. is full of intricate, clean guitars and stellar musicianship that bring to mind the likes of The Connells and The Ocean Blue. The jangling feel of "W Broadway St." opens things up with a breezy looseness and catchy hook while the hazy flavored "Speeding Down Memory Lane" has an uplifting energy and undeniable appeal. Closing number "Last Night On Planet Earth" offers an epic dynamic to everything and sends things off in grand fashion. A captivating debut that sets a solid foundation for what's to come.

Modern English "You're Corrupt" Single (www.modernenglish.me)

Modern English are back with a new album titled "Take Me to the Trees". Lead single "You're Corrupt" is an eerie anthem full of dark undertones that loom over top of a matter of fact style vocal delivery that works together very well. It's shuffling beat and cold presence is down right haunting and I must say I love it. The band hit the road in March of 2017 for a full U.S. tour.

News From Neptune "The Cold Open" E.P. (newsfromneptunemusic.bandcamp.com)

News From Neptune is the brainchild of British musician David Miller and he delivers big on his debut E.P. "The Cold Open". All four songs offer up a variety of tones that are futuristic and inspiring. From the opening notes of the title track you know you are in for something special as the colorful wash of atmospheric sounds flow through your ears with never ending beauty. "Viewfinder" is more melodic and catchy as it's psychedelic flair and infectious riffs make it second to none while the pulsating spirit of "The Man In The Microllight" offers a blend of highly textured tones that are incredible refreshing. Closing piece "Head On Backwards" is a stunning composition that comes off like the theme to a futuristic t.v. sitcom. I really can't say enough good things about this release. Miller has really carved out his own musical style here that perfectly merges elements of more traditional compositions with experimental madness. A truly delightful and inspiring work of art.

Strange Lights "...In The Dawn Sky" 10" E.P. (strangelightsband.bandcamp.com)

Such a breathtakingly beautiful release from Strange Lights out of London. Part one is very colorful and lulling and evokes a sense of elegance and grace throughout. I love the multiple layers of sound that continue to evolve as the track feels like a living breathing entity all it's own. Part two is also atmospheric but incorporates more distinct synth sounds into the mix that move over top of a deep soothing hypnotic bass line and lush effect driven guitars. Copies of the 10" vinyl version of this are already sold out but you can purchase the digital version for just £3 via the bands bandcamp page. A brilliant release sure to satisfy your need for ambient psychedelic beauty.

The Clouded Lights "Stranded On The Path" E.P. (thecloudedlights.bandcamp.com)

The Clouded Lights offer up an excellent balance of post punk and power pop that blends the primal vibes of early Psychedelic Furs with the clever hooks of Squeeze. The Flange driven guitar riff of "Borrowed Hearts" gets everything rolling with it's climbing chords and freight train like beat. "Barter With The World" is more in the pocket and melodic and features a brilliant vocal cadence that puts it over the top while the quick pace of "Could Someone Switch A Light On" features some truly amazing guitar work throughout. Overall "Stranded On The Path" is a well put together E.P. that takes me back to everything that was great about the early days of college radio but with a fresh, welcoming twist.