Top 20 Albums Of 2017

Unlike previous years, our 2017 list was a bit harder to compile, and at one point, we even considered limiting the list to a Top 15 instead of 20. Sure, there were some great albums released this past year, but we had to make sure there were 20 truly worthy of our list.

After many hours of listening and re-listening to albums, we feel very confident that we have selected the right twenty albums and that the album at the #1 spot is right where it belongs. So, without further ado, here are the 20 albums that were released between January 1st and December 31st of 2017 that we felt deserved some added attention and the recognition of being one of the 20 best of the year. We hope you enjoy the list and take the time to search out & listen to albums you aren't familiar with. You may just find your next favorite artist! Let us know what album was your favorite from 2017 and if we left off any releases that would make your Top 20 list.

20. 'Utopia' by Serena Ryder

19. 'Jupiter Calling' by The Corrs

18. 'Graveyard Whistling' by Old 97's

17. 'This Life Vol. 1' by Coasts

16. 'Crooked Teeth' by Papa Roach

15. 'One More Light' by Linkin Park

14. 'Colliding By Design' by Acceptance

13. 'Jump On Board' by Texas

12. 'Hopeless Fountain Kingdom' by Halsey

11. 'Waves' by Rachel Platten

10. 'Hopeless Romantic' by Michelle Branch

9. 'Flicker' by Niall Horan

8. 'Broken Machine' by Nothing But Thieves

7. 'Words I Never Said' by Ella Vos

6. 'Somewhere In Between' by Verite

5. 'How Did We Get So Dark?' by Royal Blood

4. 'Mosaic' by 311

3. 'Skin & Earth' by LIGHTS

2. 'All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell' by PVRIS

1.

Artist: Ed Sheeran

Album: Divide (Deluxe)

Standout Tracks: Perfect, Shape Of You, Happier, Galway Girl, New Man, Dive, Castle On The Hill, Hearts Don't Break Around Here, Supermarket Flowers, Nancy Mulligan...

RIYL: wearing your heart on your sleeve, Sam Smith, Niall Horan

Comments: Released in March of 2017 to huge anticipation after mega hit album 'X', this one does not disappoint.

Honorable Mention:

We have a hard time putting Greatest Hits or "collection" albums on our list, it's kind of not fair. But we had to recognize 'Songbook' by Frank Turner. An amazing collection of amazing songs with lyrics that will make you shout along or shed some tears. Epic.

Disappointments:

Sure, there were some releases from some of our favorite bands that didn't make our Top 20 ( we won't name names) but overall there weren't any releases that really left us cold after high expectations. Were there any albums you would pass on if given a do-over? Let us know!

2018:

We're super excited for the new year. Some of our favorite artists have already announced new albums and there are a bunch of others who are definitely due to release new music. Check out this list and tell us you're not excited...Brian Fallon ('Sleepwalkers' is set for release February 9th), Gin Wigmore ('Ivory' has a March 23rd release date), Lissie ('Castles' is also due March 23rd), Haerts, Matt Nathanson, Zella Day, Escondido, Wild Belle, Caitlyn Smith ('Starfire' will be released January 19th), BORNS ('Blue Madonna' was released January 12th), Our Lady Peace, The Dangerous Summer (their self-titled album set for a January 26th release date will be the band's first in almost five years), The Airborne Toxic Event, Bishop Briggs, Gabrielle Aplin, Christina Perri, Annie Stela, Nina Nesbitt, Cassadee Pope, and The Heirs...just to name a few. WOW! 2018 should be an awesome year for music!