2017 Music Round Up

Here is my jwz inspired list of music. He’s not a stickler for the year it was released, but so much of what ended up in my collection this year was not from 2017, I decided to be the stickler. With few exceptions, music has been coming into my library through Apple Music. Yes, I know that I don’t own anything on this list and that it could all be taken away from me with the flip of a switch. I’m 44 now and I don’t have time for your discussion of ownership and copyright law. I’m quite content being wrong.

With that out of the way, here’s 2017:

  • The xx - I See You

    Maybe it’s just me, but I’m having a tough time telling one The xx album from another. Still good though.

  • Japandroids - Near to the Wild Heart of Life

    Just pure rock ‘n’ roll. Anthemic, if you will. I guess they broke up and then got back together. Either way there’s some great tracks on this album.

  • The Orwells - Terrible Human Beings

    Just some crazy kids from Chicago (roughly) that want to play loud music.

  • Depeche Mode - Spirit

    Wait, they’re still around? Yup. Still around.

  • Goldfrapp - Silver Eye

    iTunes lists this as “alternative”, which…you know, sure. Synth heavy tunes with sultry vocals. You already know if you like it or not.

  • Future Islands - The Far Field

    This was their breakout year, with tons of press, but they’ve been around for a while and I’m glad to see them getting the attention. I kind of envision them as Joe Cocker doing New Order covers, which I hope you find quite awesome.

  • The New Pornagraphers - Whiteout Conditions

    Hooray! Canadian rock banks!

  • Cold War Kids - LA DIVINE

    They have their catchy songs and their not so catchy songs…

  • Gorillaz - Humanz

    I honestly haven’t listened to this since it came out. This is basically a collection of Gorillaz instrumentals with other people doing the vocals. I think…

  • K.Flay - Every Where Is Some Where

    If you haven’t gotten into K.Flay, do it. Do it now.

  • Kasabian - For Crying Out Loud

    This is probably my favorite album of 2017. I continually come back to it. It’s got tons of strongs tracks (and hilarious videos). You’re In Love With A Psycho is probably my top track.

  • Bleachers - Gone Now

    Don’t take the money.

  • Marnie - Strange Words and Weird Wars

    You like Ladytron, rite? This is Helen Marnie from Ladytron.

  • Portugal. The Man - Woodstock

    Maybe not as strong from start to finish as Evil Friends, but still great stuff.

  • Lorde - Melodrama

    Other than the few tracks getting play, I haven’t really come back to this.

  • Moby & The Void Pacific Choir - More Fast Songs About the Apocalypse

    In This Cold Place.

  • Rancid - Trouble Maker

    Wait, they’re still around? Yup. Still around.

  • Public Enemy - Nothing Is Quick In The Desert

    Wait, they’re still around? Yup. Still around.

  • Nine Inch Nails - Add Violence

    Wait, they’re still around? Yup. Still around.

  • Various Artists - Atomic Blonde Soundtrack

    I heart the 80’s.

  • Broken Social Scene - Hug of Thunder

    Wait, they’re still around? Yup. Still around.

  • Arcade Fire - Everything Now

    Strong tracks, but sometimes I think they’re coming up with excuses to wear suits with sequins.

  • Passion Pit - Tremendous Sea of Love

    A pretty chill album, good for Sunday morning.

  • KMFDM - HELL YEAH

    Wait, they’re still around? Yup. Still around.

  • Grizzly Bear - Painted Ruins

    Straight up ndie rock.

  • Matt Pond PA - Still Summer

    I don’t really have a pity description, but it’s pleasant.

  • LCD Soundsystem - american dream

    Wait, they’re still around? Yup. Still around.

  • RAC - EGO

    I have an electronic music problem.

  • Ted Leo - The Hanged Man

    I saw Ted play on the JoCo 2017 Cruise. I helped fund this album.

  • The National - Sleep Well Beast

    A little more mellow than I was hoping for.

  • Grouplove - Big Mess

    Infectious alt-pop.

  • Prophets of Rage - Prophets of Rage

    Chuck D, Cypress Hill, and Rage Against the Machine in a blender.

  • The Regrettes Feel Your Feelings Fool!

    I first saw them do a covery of Fox on the Run for The AV Club and was hooked.

  • New Politics - Lost in Translation

    Maybe a euro-pop version of Blink-182?

  • Dan Auerbach - Waiting on a Song

    Black Keys dude going solo.

  • The Killers - Wonderful Wonderful

    I’m so torn. I really wanted to like this, and after they released Run For Cover I thought this was going to be what I’ve been waiting for since the release of Sam’s Town. Well, at least Run For Cover is awesome.

  • Cut Copy - Haiku From Zero

    Down under electro-pop.

  • Wolf Parade - Cry Cry Cry

    Hoorary for Canadian rock bands!

  • Wolf Alice - Visions of a Life

    Kinda dark brit pop.

  • Erasure - World Be Gone

    Wait, they’re still around? Yup. Still around.

  • Sleigh Bells - Kid Kruschev

    I can’t stop listening to this.

  • Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds - Who Built the Moon?

    Holy Mountain was on heavy repeat for a while.

Capturing Cold in a Photo

You can do what good photographers do, which is use good equipment and skills that you've honed over many thousands of photos or you can do what I do, which is cheat. I typically try running my photos through the Camera+ "Clarity" filter. That usually does the trick.

Cloudless sunrise. Also cold AF

A post shared by Patrick Berry (@pberry) on

The Start of a Photo Series

I believe this to be the first instance of what has become quite a collection of photographs taken from approximately the same spot. Looks like it's been going on for almost two years now. The frequency in the first year was very erratic and I'm looking at how to best collect these. And by "erratic" I mean the next one wasn't until January 29, 2017. As the kids say these days, lol.

But for now, you get to see the genesis.

Chilly Christmas morning in the channel.

A post shared by Patrick Berry (@pberry) on