Music is fun to listen to.
If 2016 was my year for the Beatles and the beginnings of my music taste expanding to older music, then 2017 was falling deeper into the hole. Around April, I started buying vinyl (before even purchasing a record player) and I haven’t looked back. So far I’ve collected over 50 records from some of my favourite artists from the past and present. Now, to dive into some of my favourite tracks and albums of the past year.
“Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles
By far one of the standout tracks released this year was “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles. Although I found his album to be nothing too special, his debut single was the real star. Styles embraces his new solo sound with a homage to glam rock’s roots. Whereas the entire album is somewhat expressive and his raspy tone allows his vocals to shine, “Sign of the Times” really touches something in you that you’ve never felt before. It’s by far the most outstanding song off the album that transports you back in time. It almost sounds like a lovechild made from David Bowie and Queen — borrowing their raw emotion and modernizing it.
Who Built The Moon? by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
Who Built The Moon? is a new, unexpected direction for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds third solo record. After first listen the album doesn’t exactly stick, whereas his brother Liam’s album As You Were hits you almost instantly. After a few listens, grasping the album’s conceptual idea becomes more understandable. Although he’s approached creating this album differently, it feels more of a homage to his favourite artists growing up. Psychedelia and glam rock runs ramped throughout the album more than anticipated.
According to Noel himself, this album is just him in “more colourful clothes.” It’s a bright, spacey, vivacious experience from start to finish. Beginning with the very opening track “Fort Knox” sets the tone for the album as different as it may seem. Jumping into the upbeat, first single “Holy Mountain” that’s decorated with tin whistles that don’t feel as out of place as they should be on an NGHFB’s record. That’s thanks to David Holmes, the producer Gallagher welcomed with open arms for a new musical direction.
The one downfall of this album is that the production style used tends to sound muffled. While there are moments where Gallagher’s vocals shine, on multiple occasions they’re hard to understand. Regardless, as a whole, Who Built The Moon? is a joyful and intense journey from start to finish that provides a different view into Gallagher’s songwriting.
Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy by The Who
For someone wanting to get into The Who, Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy is a perfect starter album. This is a collection of The Who’s biggest mod hits of the 1960s and was what made me immediately fall in love with their music.
A Night At The Opera by Queen
Queen has become one of my favourite bands over this past year, so it was a must to include their most critically acclaimed albums. A Night At The Opera stands the test of time by still feeling as fresh as it did when it was released. Queen became pioneers in operatic rock and easily had the ability to flow in and out of genres seamlessly. They challenged what rock music was.
And of course, it doesn’t hurt to have “Bohemian Rhapsody” on it.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles
With the 50th anniversary of this legendary album, there was no way I could leave it off my list. To celebrate the Beatles released a special deluxe edition, which included brand new takes from the recording sessions.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is the most important album of all time. The album that became a musical representation of a generation is an unmatched journey of sound, art and an innovative concept that had never been seen before. Once the Beatles had stopped touring, the media thought the group had dried up due to the length it took to release Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, when they truly weren’t ready for what the hours of recording had become.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band welcomed firsts. The birth of the concept album — despite the theme only being tied together on a few songs. The debut of eight-track recording by using two four-track machines in sync. The very first time lyrics were printed on an album, allowing the general public to analyze the lyrics for themselves.
But more importantly, for the first time, the conventions of popular music were challenged. No other band at that time was incorporating Indian music into a pop song. And certainly, no one had the thought to put two unfinished songs together. Add a 40-piece orchestral build along with a 42-second piano chord that would make a lasting impression on people 50 years later and you’ve got one of the greatest rock songs of all time.
Growth is what the Beatles were experiencing. Developing into a new level of artist no one could possibly reach. Challenging the conventional. Changing the way music is conceived. And now as you listen to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band today, it still sounds as fresh and whimsical as it did in 1967. No other album since has made such an immediate impact and lasting impression. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is the greatest rock band at the pinnacle of inspiration.
“Wall of Glass” by Liam Gallagher
There weren’t many songs this year that I instantly fell in love with, but after hearing “Wall of Glass” by Liam Gallagher at the One Love Manchester benefit concert I couldn’t get enough. This is what Oasis would sound like in their prime. Edgy, in-your-face rock ’n’ roll that this year lacked and sung extremely well by Gallagher despite vocal issues in the past.
“Paint It, Black” by The Rolling Stones
To broaden my musical horizons this year I tried listening to more music by the Rolling Stones. I’ve listened to full albums and nothing was really sticking. Recently I bought the Rolling Stones Hot Rocks 1964-1971 on vinyl and the standout song for me was “Paint It, Black.” It mixes inspiration from the Beatles using a sitar on “Norwegian Wood” from Rubber Soul along with Brian Jones’ love for Indian music.
