Best Of: 2017

It's already the end of the year, and not a moment too soon some would say. And while 2017 has been a difficult one in many respects, when it comes to music it has been a great year. We have seen the return of many musical heavyweights including Future Islands, Bodycount, Kendrick Lamar, and Run The Jewels (our #1 LP pick),  as well as indie favorites Scott H. Biram, Bully, and Angel Olsen (our #1 compilation pick), and of course Louisville favorites like Second Story Man, 1200, RMLLW2LLZ, Quiet Hollers, and Jaye Jayle (our #1 EP pick)! 

Disclaimer: A few years ago we heard a convincing argument by a good friend and music producer about why he declined a 'Best Of' award; the argument being that while you can quantify a 'tallest building', you can't mathematically conclude a 'Best' when it comes to personal taste; be it music, film, or any other art. But keeping with 10 years of tradition here at 37FLOOD, we have kept the title 'Best Of' but would like to express that these are only lists of our 'Favorites' and hope you enjoy them as well.   Click here to read past 37FLOOD 'Best Of' lists.

Share your Favorites  list of 2017 with us for a chance to win a Cassette & Download of the Louisville Is For Lovers Duets EP 'Little Darlin' featuring Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, The Winger Brothers, and more! Send your lists by email here. 

Favorite Albums:
20. Planetary Overdrive Self-Titled LP
19. 1200 'Séance & Spirit'
18. Quiet Hollers 'Amen Breaks' LP
17. Escape-ism (Ian Svenonius) ‘Introduction To Escape-ism’ LP
16. Bully ‘Losing’ LP
15. Watter 'History Of The Future' LP
14. Zola Jesus ‘Okovi’ LP
13. Public Service Broadcasting ‘Every Valley’ LP
12. Future Islands ‘The Far field’ LP
11. Bodycount ‘Bloodlust’LP
10. Kendrick Lamar ‘Damn’ LP
9. Wax Fang 'Victory Laps' LP
8. White Reaper 'The World's Best American Band' LP
7. L.A. Witch - S/T LP
6. RMLLW2LLZ 'Concerto No​.​9 Movement II' LP
5. Curtis Harding ‘Face Your Fear’ LP
4. Black Angels ‘Death Song’ LP
3. Scott H. Biram 'Bad Testament' LP
2. Second Story Man S/T LP
1. Run The Jewels 'Run The Jewels 3' (37FLOOD Approved!)



Favorite Cover Albums, Compilations, & Live Albums:
10. Jason Molina "The Black Sabbath Covers" 7"
9. Jim James 'Tribute To 2' LP
8. Bonnie "prince" Billy "Wolf of the Cosmos" LP
7. Silicon Valley Soundtrack LP
6. Jackie Shane 'Any Other Way' Numero Collection LP
5. The Replacements "For Sale: Live At Maxwell's 1986' LP
4. Babymetal "Legend Metal Resistance: Black Night" Live
3. John Carpenter 'Anthology: Movie Themes 1974-1998'
2. Louisville Is For Lovers Vol. 12
1. Angel Olsen 'Phases' LP (37FLOOD Approved!)



Favorite EPs & Singles:



5. Alan Poe & Beatnik Dee 'Composure' EP
4. Kendall Elijah Dynamite & House Ghost 'Sistersingles'  EP
3. The Gallery Singers "POWER TO THE POOR"
2. MC Hijack 'TRUTH CHURCH' EP
1. Jaye Jayle & Emma Ruth Rundle 'The Time Between Us' EP (37FLOOD Approved)


Favorite Reissues:
5. Louisville Is For Lovers Vol.4 Reissue
4. Louisville Is For Lovers Vol.5 Reissue
3. Saredren Wells 'Memories Are Hunting Horns' 5th Anniversary Reissue
2. Wu-Tang Clan ‎"Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" Deluxe 7" Casebook
1. Louisville Is For Lovers Vol.3 Reissue (37FLOOD Approved)


Favorite Books/Media/Videos:
5. Clownvis Presley 'Don't Be a Bitch (Or You Won't Get Stuff for Christmas)'


4. Quiet Hollers 'Pressure'

3. Babymetal 'Legend Metal Resistance: Red Night'


2.  Hip Hop Evolution (Netflix Documentary)


 1. Erin Osmon 'Riding With The Ghost' the biography of Jason Molina (37FLOOD Approved)

Favorite Live Events:

Jesus And Mary Chain at Headliners. Photo by Kevin Ratterman

10. Forecastle
9. Cindy Wilson at Zanzabar 
8. Jesus And Mary Chain at Headliners
7. Mother Runaway at Kaiju
6. Second Story Man at Zanzabar
5. Louisville Free Public Library After Dark Music Series
(RMLLW2LLZ, Brooks Ritter, Billy Nelson, Jonathan Glenn Wood)
4. Future Islands at Mercury Ballroom
3. Jonathan Richman at Zanzabar
2. Frankie Cosmos at Zanzabar
1. Neil Diamond At Yum!

Neil Diamond at Yum! Bucket

Samuel T. Herring of Future Isands

Cindy Wilson at Zanzabar

Mother Runaway at Kaiju

Jaye Jayle with Emma Ruth Rundle at Forecastle

P.J. Harvey at Forecastle

Charles Bradley at Forecastle

Jesus and Mary Chain at Headliners

Frankie Cosmos at Zanzabar

Second Story Man Album Release Show at Zbar

8/6 biographer Erin Osmon speaks about Jason Molina at Guestroom

Music writer Erin Osmon, biographer of musician Jason Molina, will be reading from her new book "Riding With The Ghost" at Guestroom Records (1806 Frankfort Ave) this Sunday August 6th at 1pm. There will also be DJs playing Molina's work from Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co. and other guests as well.
Read our review of Osmon's Riding With The Ghost here.

Event information here.

Book Review: Riding With The Ghost the biography of Jason Molina by Erin Osmon

For those well acquainted with the work of Jason Molina, who died in 2013 at the age of 39 from organ failure as a result of alcohol abuse, it could be expected that his actual life could not be as magical, mysterious, and fascinating as his dark and metaphysical journeys through song. But, as it turns out from the research of music writer Erin Osmon's new biographical work on his life, Molina the man was just as fascinating as his large body of work.

Even at an early age, Molina showed a tendency toward a fantastical approach to life, including at the age of 8 successfully seceding from the state of Michigan (where he was born) to the Appalachian state of West Virginia (where his parents are from and where he spent his summers) and even received official documents from the Secretary of State of West Virginia  commissioning Molina as the honorary 'Captain on the ship of State.'

It was also at this time that Molina began his life long conversation with spirits and specters as a young boy growing up on the long deserted shores of Lake Erie in Loraine Ohio. Too young to orchestrate such an elaborate hoax, Molina became known as the boy who spoke to ghosts after coming home on several occasions with descriptions and details (and on 2 occasions with antique coins and trinkets as proof) of town residents that he had just spoken to but who had long past.

Osmon takes on the daunting task of outlining 40 years of a life (that no doubt ultra-fans of Molina would pick apart with a fine tooth comb) with a straight forward and often a neutral approach, only occasionally falling outside the purview of journalist to speculate on the motives and unspoken thoughts of her subject. Although, at times, Osmon relies on her audience to be intimately familiar with the last half century of rock n' roll subculture, such as explaining the nuances of a Contract Rider, but neglecting to explain why members of Magnolia Electric Co were excited to use 'the Rapeman Guitar' in a recording (The guitar belonged to Steve Albini, founder of the unfortunately named band). That said, Osmon's biography is a must read for anyone who has more than a casual relationship with Molina's work; which, in my guess, would be anyone who has heard Molina's work.

For those of us who have been searching for answers over the last half decade of what exactly happened that caused the tragic end for one of the greatest songwriters of the 21st century, Osman gives us the heartbreaking answers in a respectful and yet unfiltered voice.
For the other questions that has plagued Molina fans, such as are there more unreleased recordings? Osmon answers those too and in great detail (which is yes, and in spades) as well as answering questions we didn't know to ask, such as is John Cougar Mellencamp a rich bastard? (which is also yes).

In the end Osmon pulls back the curtain and shows us Molina the man; a man who could be the cruelest of men but who could also be the man who wrote 'In a life built out of only goodbyes, is there even room for you to try? While you was waiting for me not to call, I sent my love.'
After all, a true craftsmen doesn't need to tell us who he or she really is in their daily lives, but who we all can be in our own lives.

Jason Molina: Riding With The Ghost by Erin Osmon was published on May 15th by Rowman & Littlefield and is available here.