Michael Lane’s Top 10 Films of 2017

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Would it be a cop-out if I were to concede and say that there were simply too many exceptional films this past year? So many, in fact, that even ranking a top 10 is quite near impossible for me? Because in forming this list (which you’re likely eagerly scrolling through to the bottom only to see my number one choice), I’ve had to not only sacrifice a number of extraordinary films, but have also infinitely gone back and forth on where each of these movies fit into the order. Really, in a year with less competition, each of my top six choices could have easily sat atop a year-end list at the number one spot.

As always, I wasn’t able to catch every film that I wanted to — although I did make it out to theaters over 50 times this past year. And it’s because of that that I can safely say that 2017 was the best year for film in recent memory; I was consistently amazed week after week by the incredible work reaching into theaters and beyond. Before we get to the official list, I have included a handful of honorable mentions as well.

Honorable Mentions:

• Logan – Dir. James Mangold
• It Comes At Night – Dir. Trey Edward Shults
• Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – Dir. Martin McDonagh
• The Disaster Artist – Dir. James Franco
• I, Tonya – Dir. Craig Gillespie

Now that those good (but just not good enough) films are out of the way, below you will find what I consider 2017’s absolute greatest output in terms of motion pictures:

Jake and Michael’s Top 10 Albums of 2017

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You didn’t think we’d leave you without a 2017 albums recap, did you? Yes, this entry is a little later this time than previous years, with this posting in early January rather than mid-December. But that just means our lists are better and more refined than ever before, right?

Anyways, yesterday, Jake and I compiled our 50 favorite tracks of the year and actually ranked them together! With this post below, we have our separate top 10 album lists, which are built off of our mid-year lists back from June. And if you’re looking for even more album recommendations, last month, Music Blogger Dan Fiorio updated us with his own albums list that featured 45 of his favorites over three posts (Part 1; Part 2; Part 3). Also, sometime in the near future, I hope to have a list written up chronicling my favorite films of 2017.

Now, with that out of the way, let’s get back to what this post is really about: Jake and Michael’s Top 10 Albums of 2017.

Jet Fuel Jukebox’s Top 50 Songs of 2017!

Here on the Jet Fuel Jukebox, we’re ringing in the New Year with lists! Below you can explore an expansive record of our favorite songs of the year, before coming back tomorrow to read all about our respective Top 10 Albums of 2017, which Jake and I have absolutely pored over.

And while the albums list will be exactly what you expect if you’ve read our previous entries, we’ve actually done things a bit differently for the songs list this year. In year’s past, Jake and I would simply choose our own 25 favorite songs and slap them together into one fine playlist with no rhyme or reason as to where the tracks landed. It worked, but missing from it was a cohesion of both our musical tastes.

Basement Dwelling: The Top 30 Albums of 2017 (15-1)

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This is the fourth year I’ve published a top records of the year list. And honestly, making this one was maybe the hardest. I’ve never had a year where my choices have flip-flopped as much as they have here. Even in years prior, my number one was always a clear choice, but this time around it balanced between a solid five records that I would interchange to potentially be deemed my favorite.

I think that stands as a major testament to how good music really was this year (or perhaps how big of a nerd I am). The best part about making this year’s list was how much of a challenge it was, and I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank everyone who had the audacity to pursue a life in music. From the struggling local act to the stadium fillers, thank you for making life so much sweeter for what you do.

I always say personal taste is like D.N.A., in that it’s all reactionary and a reflection of who you are; mirroring what you believe in. One type is never the same as another’s, and what works for one doesn’t apply to everyone, because it makes you who you are.

These next 15 albums are who I was in 2017. (Click here for my picks from 30-16, as well as here for my honorable mentions.)

Basement Dwelling: The Top 30 Albums of 2017 (30-16)

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THE LIST. The List. Everyone has one, so what’s the point?

This past year, I feel like it’s impossible to not have some kind of ranking for what you’re the biggest nerd about, whether it be films, books, comics, TV, etc. It’s everyone’s chance to sound like a know-it-all critic to your friends who look at you (but will never admit to it) to know what’s the best of the best regarding that specific medium; that whatever that person is gonna say is of the highest caliber regarding something they love and you can tell from that twinkle in their eye as they tell you (I work at a bookstore, so believe me, I can spot that look instantaneously now). This is that list, and I am that nerd.

Without further ado, here is part one of two ranking my favorite records of 2017 (and if you haven’t already, also take a look back at my honorable mentions list featuring another 15 records from this year):

Jake and Michael’s Top 5 Albums of 2017 (So Far)

I love Fridays, and not just because it marks the end of the work week or because with it comes the promise of a relaxing and/or thrilling weekend. Fridays also signify the release of new music, and could you believe we’ve already had 26 Fridays so far this year, each with its own exciting batch of new albums to dig into. Below you will find two separate Top 5 lists from Jake and I (Michael), containing what we believe are the best of the best in music releases this year (so far). As an added bonus, we’ve each featured three honorable mentions below alongside the lists, and have also created a 30-song playlist over on the Jet Fuel Jukebox, highlighting our favorite tracks from the year as well. And as always, feel free to check out our two previous Best Of lists from 2016 and 2015.

Jake: 2017 has been one of the most exhilarating years in music. While there may be garbage plaguing radios across the country, many music fans, such as myself, have been able to discover a lot of gems over these past 6 months. We’ve seen many artists make a return from long hiatuses to deliver what many would consider their best bodies of work, while other artists new to the scene have been able to generate interest in their talents. Making this list was so hard; I could’ve honestly changed my order so that any of my choices landed at #1, but Michael gave me a deadline that I had to follow. BUT, I think I got it…maybe.

Michael: Similar to my mid-year list last time ‘round, much of my Top 5 this year is made up of artists I’d either had no knowledge even existed coming into 2017, or artists I knew about but hadn’t ever really given a real shot listening to. Discovering new artists you love is one of the greatest feelings you can experience as a fan of music. There are plenty of albums I was looking forward to this year from plenty of artists I’ve enjoyed for years that have already come and gone, and there’s more to come later this year from old standbys of mine. But the most exciting prospect is discovering even more artists I’ll love in the future. My hope with this post is that from my list I can introduce you to some new artists you’ll enjoy as I already have this year.

Jet Fuel Jukebox’s Top 30 Songs of 2017 (So Far)

We’ve passed the halfway point in the year, so Jake and I have decided to chronicle the best music of the past six months. Here, you will find our favorite 30 songs (15 picks to each man), and later today we will be unveiling our favorite albums of the year between two Top 5 lists in one post.

Enjoy some great music today with us here at the Jet Fuel Jukebox!

— Michael Lane, Blog Editor

Basement Dwelling: The Top 15 Albums of 2017 (So Far)

It’s been a year in which a week can feel like a year within itself, given the crazy-ass state of our world right now. But we’ve made it to June, and so we are at the midpoint of the year. You know what that means…LISTS! And you’re probably saying to yourself, “But Dan, it’s not the end of the year yet?” Yeah, I know, but why not talk about some of the best album releases so far.

In a year that’s been rife with amazing records, these are my top 15 albums released from January to May. My hope is that a lot of these choices flew under your radar, and that I can do my job properly by presenting you with new music. But if not, then hey, weren’t these records great? I also like the prospect of doing a list like this, simply because it will be interesting to see how drastically this list will change by December. It’s sure to be affected both by upcoming releases and the chance to dive deeper into some albums I previously missed.

Before we get into the nitty gritty, here are a few honorable mentions for y’all: