Another Look (and Listen) at 2017

I didn't want to let 2017 fall away from view without celebrating several notable new studio albums and outstanding reissues that arrived on my radar late in the year.

Artist: Phoebe Bridgers
Title: Stranger in the Alps (Dead Oceans)
You might like if you enjoy: Aimee Mann, Julien Baker
Tell me more: Los Angeles singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers' full-length debut Stranger in the Alps is a beautiful album showcasing her expressive soprano offering up introspective songs. The intimate folk-rock soundscape where Bridgers sings artfully of relationships and the mysterious links that bring people together as well as divide them requires good listening skills. The songs occasionally kick it up a notch (the blissfully burgeoning "Scott Street"), but the tone overall is of lush and haunting songs that soar with quiet firepower. "Smoke Signals," "Motion Sickness" and the piano- and cello-anchored "Georgia" are among the the wonderful tracks on an outstanding debut where Bridgers' very intimate forays achieve a universal reach. Information: deadoceans.com. 

Artist: Linda Perhacs
Title: I'm a Harmony (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Hope Sandoval, Kate Bush
Tell me more: Blending folk with '60s psychedelia, singer-songwriter Linda Perhacs' compelling sound equals her unusual career arc. Until 2014 Perhacs had released only one album, 1970's Parallelograms. As fate would have it, her music was discovered by the far-flung likes of French electronica duo Daft Punk, singer-songwriter Devendra Benhart and death metal band Opeth. Fast forward to 2014 and Sufjan Stevens released Perhacs' sophomore The Soul of All Natural Things on his Asthmatic Kitty label. Now comes Perhacs' Omnivore Recordings debut I'm a Harmony, a challenging and beautiful album that evokes a myriad of sonic worlds. The 75-year-old artist is joined by a talented lineup of guests, including singer Julia Holter, Pat Sansone (Wilco, The Autumn Defense), Nels Cline (Wilco) and Chris Price. An inspired and original album, standouts include the luxurious "Winds Of The Sky," otherworldly "We Will Live," Renaissance-meets-flamenco flavored "Eclipse of All Love" and ethereal "Visions." Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Keith Emerson
Title: Emerson Plays Emerson (Emersongs/Cherry Red)
You might like if you enjoy: Geoff Downes, Bill Evans, Rick Wakeman
Tell me more: Widely considered one of the greatest and most technically gifted keyboardists of the rock era, Keith Emerson enjoyed fame as a member of the Nice in the late 1960s before going on to even greater acclaim with the progressive trio Emerson, Lake & Powell in the 1970s. Since his death at the age of 71 in March 2016, there has been interest in his rich legacy. Now, a reissue of his dazzling 2002 album Emerson Plays Emerson has been released. The instrumental album features Emerson playing a diverse mix of original works and compositions by Gershwin (a wonderful arrangement of "Summertime") and Alberto Ginastera. The eclectic material ranges from classical and jazz to genre-blending music written for film soundtracks. This beautiful reissue is bolstered by a fresh transfer of the master tapes by Abbey Road, and a 2017 remaster. The booklet that comes with the audio CD contains the liner notes in English, Italian and German. Early 2018 will see a music transcriptions book of this enduring album released too. Information: KeithEmerson.com.

Artist: America
Title: Heritage: Home Recordings/Demos 1970-1973 (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: America
Tell me more: Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley and Dan Peek were only in their teens when they met in 1967. All sons of U.S. servicemen stationed in England, the trio of friends formed a band and soon began writing original songs. Now, the earliest demos and home recordings tracked by America have been gathered together on a terrific collection titled Heritage: Home Recordings/Demos 1970-1973. The recordings date back to demos cut at Chalk Farm Studios outside of London tracked in 1970 and showcase a trio already skilled as singers, songwriters and musicians; the driving folk rocker "Sea Of Destiny" and wistful acoustic Dan Peek track "Rainy Day" are wonders. Later cuts were tracked at Beckley's Buzz Studios in West Hollywood in '72 and '73. There is also an early take of "Ventura Highway" recorded at Record Plant West in Los Angeles in 1972. Although these are early recordings and show a group in its formative period, the recordings are wonderful and prove to be a great listen for casual and hardcore fans of America. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Robert Kinsler