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Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (The Nashville Sound), Ryan Adams (Prisoner) & Queens of the Stone Age (Villains) lead the 10 best rock albums of 2017.

After assembling and releasing the list of the 50 Best Albums of 2017, it’s time to roll out the genre-based, year-in-review lists.  In regards to the album-genre year-in-review lists, many of the selected albums also made the 50 Best Albums of 2017.  In some cases, however, the genre-based lists in general add entries that didn’t quite make the cut in the overall, comprehensive lists. In regards to the 10 Best Rock Albums of 2017, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (The Nashville Sound), Ryan Adams (Prisoner), and Queens of the Stone Age (Villains) lead the charge.

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1. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Nashville Sound

Southeastern

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit delivers a gem with The Nashville Sound, blending Americana, country, and rock seamlessly.  The songwriting by Isbell is stunning – creative, relevant, and thoughtful. There are no misses over the span of 10 consistent songs.

Gem of Gems: “Anxiety”

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2. Ryan Adams, Prisoner

Blue Note

Ryan Adams dropped a formidable divorce album with Prisoner.  Better yet, he dropped one of the truly elite albums of 2017. He authentically captures the feelings of uncertainty, regret, and loneliness following a break-up.  The simplicity of the lyrics makes Prisoner relatable to everybody.

Gem of Gems: “Do You Still Love Me?”

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3. Queens of the Stone Age, Villains

Matador

With Villains, rock band Queens of the Stone Age had the unenviable task of following a juggernaut-of-an-album, …Like Clockwork (2013). Despite having ‘big shoes to feel,’ Villains, produced by Mark Ronson, impresses from start to finish.  The effort sounds hellish to the nth degree, led by ferocious standouts like “Feet Don’t Fail Me,” “The Way You Used to Do,” and “The Evil Has Landed.”

Gem of Gems: “The Way You Used to Do”

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4. Foo Fighters, Concrete and Gold

RCA

Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters shine on Concrete and Gold, an album more compelling than their 2014 effort, Sonic Highways.  There are no outright misses, with all songs having redeeming characteristics.  Perhaps not every song is a hit, but there are enough gems to make this satisfactory as a whole. “The Sky is a Neighborhood” is arguably the song to beat.

Gem of Gems: “The Sky is a Neighborhood”

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5. John Mayer, The Search for Everything

Columbia

The Search for Everything is by far the best John Mayer album in years. Consistent to the nth degree, Mayer delivers a return to form worthy of much more buzz than it has received.  Despite its painful underratedness, The Search for Everything rivals the brilliance of Mayer’s tour de force, Continuum (2006).  Many songs could duke it out for must listen.

Gem of Gems: “Still Feel Like Your Man”

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6. Marilyn Manson, Heaven Upside Down

Loma Vista 

Marilyn Manson is charged up to nth degree on Heaven Upside Down. Arriving after a two-year hiatus, the ripest of shock rockers drop an exhilarating tenth studio album. Considering he’s now 48, Brian Hugh Warner, arguably, can only shock so much anymore. Still, on Heaven Upside Down, him and the band do their best to keep controversy alive and well, whether it’s “Tattooed in Reverse,” “WE KNOW WHERE YOU F*CKING LIVE”, or “SAY10.” Heaven Upside Down just missed the 50 Best Albums of 2017, where the album was strongly considered for the list.

Gem of Gems: “WE KNOW WHERE YOU F*CKING LIVE”

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7. Michael McDonald, Wide Open

BMG Rights Management 

Blue-eyed soul, soft-rock veteran Michael McDonald makes an epic return on Wide Open, his first new studio album in nine years.  Furthermore, it marked the first album of originals in 20 years! A well-rounded return-to-form for McDonald, Wide Open just missed the 50 Best Albums of 2017. What the soulful soft-rock singer never does is ‘miss the mark,’ giving particularly strong performances on records such as “Hail Mary,” “Just Strong Enough,” “Half Truth,” and “If You Wanted to Hurt Me.”  

Gem of Gems: “Hail Mary”

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8. The War on Drugs, A Deeper Understanding

Atlantic

All in all, The War on Drugs deliver a solid, enjoyable album with A Deeper Understanding.  The pros – the music, poetic lyrics, and the vocals – far outweigh the cons.  There are cons, mostly overindulgence and sometimes, a lack of innovative spirit beyond the band’s comfort zone.  All said and done, A Deeper Understanding is winning.

Gem of Gems: “Holding On”

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9. Jack Johnson, All the Light Above It Too

Republic 

Jack Johnson delivers a well-rounded affair with All the Light Above It Too. He’s a minimalist artist, but for the most part, he does a great job of balancing stripped and more ‘electric’ moments.  No, Johnson is not an artist known for loud dynamics – he’s one chill bro – but contextually, he gets ‘into it’ at times.

Gem of Gems: “My Mind Is for Sale”

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10. Chuck Berry, Chuck

Dualtone

Chuck Berry left the world something wonderful – one final album, Chuck. Surprisingly, Chuck is a respectable final effort from the legend. A surprising posthumous release, it’s a much better album than expected.  Comeback albums tend to be all over the place – some capture the magic and some don’t. Furthermore, posthumous releases fall into the same category.  In this case, Chuck Berry left the world quality material.

Gem of Gems: “3/4 Time (Enchiladas)”

Photo Credits: Southeastern, Blue Note, Matador, RCA, Columbia, Loma Vista, BMG Rights Management, Atlantic, Republic, Dualtone

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