It’s that time of year again. The reviews of the best of the past 12 months in music. Here are our staff reviews for albums of the year, groups of the year, concerts of the year and more. How’d we score against your own year’s best?<\/p>\n
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Christopher David<\/strong><\/p>\n Best albums of the 2017: (In no particular order)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beach Fossils – Somersault<\/p>\n The New Pornographers – Whiteout Conditions<\/p>\n U2 – Songs of Experience<\/p>\n St. Vincent – Masseduction<\/p>\n Omni – Multi-task<\/p>\n Aimee Mann – Mental Illness<\/p>\n Cigarettes After Sex – Cigarettes After Sex<\/p>\n The Afghan Whigs – In Spades<\/p>\n Tristen – Sneaker Waves<\/p>\n Corin Ashley – Broken Biscuits<\/p>\n Marilyn Manson – Heaven Upside Down<\/p>\n The Clientele – Music for the Age of Miracles<\/p>\n William Patrick Corgan – Ogilala<\/p>\n Elbow – Little Fictions<\/p>\n Chastity Belt – I Used to Spend So Much Time Alone<\/p>\n Moon Duo – Occult Architecture, Vols. 1 & 2<\/p>\n Ghost – Ceremony and Devotion (Live)<\/p>\n Venom, Inc. – Ave<\/p>\n Real Estate – In Mind<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ================================================================================================<\/p>\n Cesar Gainville<\/strong><\/p>\n Best concert of the year: Riot Fest Day 1 ‘electro industrial bliss’<\/p>\n Riot fest always brings together an interesting collection of old and new, punk to pop … And the stars aligned for 3 bands in a row of what was essentially what could be billed as ‘arena level cold waves’. Imagine, if you would: the pioneers – New Order, the innovators – Ministry, the torchbearers – Nine Inch Nails. A 3 band barrage of electro industrial superstars pounding out some of the most iconic songs in the genre. Ministry sounding as fresh as they have in 10 years pounding through blistering set that chronicled their career, including not often heard gems like ‘Bad Blood’ and classics like ‘Thieves’ …the latter that led to a literal explosion of a mosh pit.<\/p>\n Next up New Order battled some sound issues but fought through and played all the hits including a nice little delve into some Joy Division classics. Closing the night Trent and NIN blasted through a set that seemed like it was programmed knowing they had to follow Ministry… Forgoing some of the pop hits the set ripped into the night leaving a wake of synth sounds cascading over Chicago’s Southwest side.<\/p>\n Perhaps the highlight of the night brought about the reunion of two dead souls: Trent and Al, captured beautifully in these shots by our founder and leader, James Currie…these went more viral than herpes at a nudist colony. They were everywhere online for weeks after the show.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ================================================================================================<\/p>\n Jamie Dull<\/strong><\/p>\n Check Out These 17 Amazing Chicago Bands & Artists<\/p>\n Chicago is an amazing city filled to the brim with musical culture. On any given night of the week you can stumble into just about any bar or music venue in town and find somebody playing something, and it\u2019s usually pretty good. As we bring 2017 to a close I\u2019d like to shed some light on 17 excellent local Chicago bands and artists who deserve a shout out. Each band and artist\u2019s music is listed on The Great Chicago Music Scene Spotify Playlist (click to open)<\/a>, which consists of an additional dozen or so bands and artists for you to discover. Below is a little paragraph about each group (in no particular order) and what, in my opinion, makes each group unique and why they deserve your time. If you discover a band that you like through this list, please consider buying their music!<\/p>\n This group redefines what \u201ctight\u201d means in music. Their explosive on-stage chemistry is outstanding. Watching them perform is a powerful experience on its own. When I listen to their music my mind is constantly playing catch up. Little details, sounds and percussion instruments jump out of nowhere until suddenly we\u2019re transported to the best musical party in town. Their tasteful choice in chord structure and melody partnered with ripping guitar solos makes this band unstoppable.<\/p>\n Website<\/a><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mungion is a group that has been consistently making waves in the Chicago Music Scene. Elements of progressive rock, partnered with insane guitar solos, beautiful vocal and organ melodies, and drums that move smoothly and quickly. Their exceptional talent is displayed through their high energy shows. To finish out the year they\u2019re performing a three night New Year\u2019s Eve run at Chicago\u2019s famous Tonic Room music venue, December 29th, 30th, and 31st.<\/p>\n Website<\/a><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is an all instrumental group consisting of four musicians who have mastered their craft. You may remember their drummer, Mike Del Principie from the Double Kick: Chicago article with Kris Myers (Umphrey\u2019s McGee)<\/a>. They can get heavy. Really heavy. But to balance out their sound they include soulful guitar solos and beautiful bass melodies. Their drummer Mike and bass player Matthew have been playing together for many years in various Chicago groups so you\u2019re guaranteed to move your hips at a Bronson Rock show. You\u2019ll get a taste of southern rock influence mixed with a touch metal and 90\u2019s grunge, but with unique jams that take the audience to new places at every turn.<\/p>\n Website<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I love this band. They\u2019ve been around for a really long time. They just recently put out a brand new album called \u201cTrained When We\u2019re Young\u201d which you can purchase directly from their website. Their music on the above Spotify playlist is relatively older, so make sure you spend some time on their site getting to know all of the great albums they\u2019ve released over the years. If Mr. Bungle, Radiohead, The Beatles, System of a Down and Jeff Beck could all get together and make music, it\u2019d sound somewhat close to Ideamen. But you really have to see them live and listen to their music to get the full picture. Veterans of the Chicago scene (you\u2019ve probably seen their stickers plastered on every wall at Reggie\u2019s Rock Club or The Beat Kitchen), an Ideamen show is worth every cent. High energy performances with excellent songwriting. Please check them out.<\/p>\n Website<\/a><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Packy is someone who I\u2019m told plays every damn instrument possible. You can often find him playing anything and everything around Chicago from the Grateful Dead or The Beatles (often at Martyrs), to working with Chicago artists such as Kara Cavanaugh. He most recently released his debut solo album titled \u201cAmerican Soccer\u201d, and it\u2019s a true masterpiece. The song \u2018Swing Low\u2019 is literally one of the catchiest songs I\u2019ve ever heard (insert Chris Traeger voice). It reminds me of classic Guster with a soulful feel, almost as if Paul McCartney had something to do with it. Packy knows how to make you feel everything.<\/p>\n Bandcamp<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n Soundcloud<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This band has been releasing music for quite a while. They most recently released a new album titled \u201cFight Fair\u201d which has been receiving lots of positive feedback. Their music is fun. Super tight drums, awesome chord changes, and a sense of humor while tugging at the heart strings a little. I can\u2019t help but sing every word when I listen to \u2018I Wanna Be Angry\u2019. Their shows are getting bigger and bigger too, so make sure you catch them when you can!<\/p>\n Website<\/a><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you live in Chicago, you\u2019ve likely heard of Ohmme. Formerly known as Homme, they have grown immensely popular over the last couple of years. They most recently returned from a tour with Iron & Wine. Pinning down the right words to describe the beautiful connection between chaos and order in their music is nearly impossible. You must listen to them to grasp the concept of what they\u2019re doing. Beautiful voices leading the charge through the musical unknown.<\/p>\n Website<\/a><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I have been a fan of this band for quite some time. The music they make is heartbreaking, yet hopeful. Sad, but incredibly charming and pleasant. Seeing them live is like attending a cool psychedelic party where you meet the love of your life, lose them, and then reunite before the end of the night. You can shake your hips or dry your eyes. This dreamy pop music is meant for your ears.<\/p>\n Website<\/a><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bailiff is another veteran Chicago group. They\u2019ve been putting out music for a number of years. They\u2019ve topped themselves with each release, writing songs that draw in the listener with rhythms and melodies that are hypnotic and tense. They\u2019ve been seen headlining 1st Ward Chop Shop in the Wicker Park neighborhood, Chicago\u2019s House of Blues, and many of the city\u2019s yearly street festivals. If you\u2019re about to listen to them for the first time then I personally recommend their song \u2018Everyday Fire\u2019 as your jumping off point. It\u2019s a gnarly tune that will force you to tap your feet.<\/p>\n Website<\/a><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jesse has been working in the Chicago scene for a while with various musical projects. Recently he released the album \u201cAmerican Dumpster\u201d. The title track has a deeply country rooted vibe, with awesome string sections, great lyrics, powerful drums, and slight touch of chaos for good measure. Jesse has been touring around the midwest recently so make sure to see him wherever you can!<\/p>\n Website<\/a><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Katie is, hands down, one of the absolute best vocalists in Chicago. She\u2019s constantly playing live shows around town, writing great songs, recording, and teaching her craft to the next generation of musicians. Her voice is so angelic that you can feel every emotion from every line of every song. She most recently released an EP titled \u201cKatie Kadan Loves Me\u201d, three songs that consist of soul, R&B, blues and straight up bad ass-ness, which is worth every penny. You can also hear her on the recent Doomerang release, another outstanding album worth checking out.<\/p>\n Website<\/a><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The psychedelic nature of Zombie Ma\u00f1ana is only one small aspect of what makes this group so awesome. Listening to their newest release, \u201cS\u2019more R\u2019morse\u201d is like going on a journey through an entire lifetime of love, heartbreak, destruction and glory. Their bass player Matthew also plays in Bronson Rock, so that\u2019s a plus! And the music itself includes a soundscape that is impressive, with underlying melodies that feel great. Vocally I\u2019m reminded of the old Nu-Metal band Taproot, but with smidge of Radiohead. But the music and songwriting is so interesting, complex and beautiful that it creates its own brand new style and genre very different from their predecessors. A very satisfying listen.<\/p>\n Website<\/a><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n These guys recently released a new album titled \u201cPresents\u201d. The songwriting is charming and the vocals are full and soulful. They have a sweetness to their sound that pops in and out when their guitar player adds neat little leads in quick spots in their songs. Their song \u201cNervous Record\u201d is a really fun jam that engages the listener through singable melodies. They play around Chicago often, so make sure to see them soon.<\/p>\n Website<\/a><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This band is one of the most fun bands to ever see live in Chicago. They\u2019ve been playing together for a number of years, but most recently released their debut album called \u201cThe Shell\u201d. The album takes you through many different avenues. Sometimes you might feel like you\u2019re at a raging party and other times you may feel like you\u2019re sneaking up or spying on someone when listening. Their music crosses many avenues but their sound is consistent. They have a great dynamic spectrum and all of their songs are singable. They play around the Chicago region and the surrounding midwest quite a bit and are most definitely worth seeing.<\/p>\n Website<\/a><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n These band is FUNKY. The rhythm section is incredible, the guitar playing is mesmerizing, and the vocals are genuine and gorgeous. This band is an absolute must-see if you\u2019re in or around Chicago. Their song \u2018Jade Lights\u2019 consists of really great bass melodies and a really gnarly, short and sweet synth solo. When I listen to that song I cannot get enough of the vocal track. It\u2019s soft and powerful at the same time.<\/p>\n Website<\/a><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This trio consists of some of the best musicians I\u2019ve ever witnessed in Chicago. They\u2019re a jazz fusion group band that covers so much ground. Listening to them is so pleasant. They are each masters of their instrument. Watching them live is like taking a masterclass in every aspect of music. They\u2019ve been playing in and around Chicago for over 15 years and have recorded multiple albums. I love their fusion-y cover of Led Zeppelin\u2019s \u2018Four Sticks\u2019, which is often performed in their live set. Please see them live whenever you have a chance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This band is full of bad ass energy and explosive guitar riffs. You can hear classic guitar playing with a modern feel. I can easily hop into a good mood after listening to their tune \u2018I Thought I\u2019d Seen a Ghost\u2019. Their songs are anthems for anyone and everyone to sing as loudly as possible. Great lyrics and heavy ass drums and bass. More Punk Pop than Pop Punk. They\u2019re really fun and are sure to show you a great musical time.<\/p>\n\n
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