[baystateoftheart]

Play-In 4A:


Reflections Of A Floating World by Elder

Nominated By: Space-Dementia
Genres [RYM]: Heavy Psych, Stoner Rock

Play-In 4B:


How Did I Find Myself Here? by The Dream Syndicate

Nominated By: dihansse
Genre [RYM]: Paisley Underground

Instructions:

Please listen to both albums in full before voting. Share your thoughts and/or your vote in this thread. This poll will be tallied in no less than twelve days. See Tournament Spreadsheet for the full bracket.
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[Luigii]

Oh boy. It continues!

[dihansse]

Here is some context and reasons why to me this is the best album of 2017:

How Did I Find Myself Here? by The Dream Syndicate
This band is all about one of my personal favorite artists: Steve Wynn. He started with the Dream Syndicate in 1982 with a bang with one of the quintessential albums of the early eighties in the LA Paisley Underground scene: The Days Of Wine And Roses and this album made it clear that this was one of the most talented guitar bands around at that time. Both in the Dream Syndicate until 1989 (which ended with one of the best live albums ever: Live At Rajis) and during his solo career after that (with some intermediary bands like Gutterball inbetween), Steve Wynn proved to be a very prolific artist with a knack for great songs. Unfortunately this didn't result in the big success he deserved although he built up a good live reputation.
And then all of a sudden the Dream Syndicate was back in 2017 with the best album of the band and all his solo efforts together. I've already been fairly vocal on this site about my view that adventurous guitar music is back which is proven over and over again by new music issued by young artists but helped by old geezers like this and I can't argue enough that this album is worth at least a listen. The best tracks here are Glide and The Circle but every single track is no less than engaging in the best possible way. The basis of every tracks is a very good song which is then further enhanced by some great guitar soloing (a bit similar the the expansive guitar sound of Neil Young and Crazy Horse): pure bliss. And for example on the long title track the music gets this kind of jazzy groove which just makes you want this track to go on forever.
I also saw the band live last year and this only confirmed my very positive vibe.
Many people like the old guitar classics but are of the opinion that this genre has grown old and new and inventive albums are not possible anymore: this album proves to be the opposite in my humble opinion.

I haven't listened to the Elder album yet but I have the impression this might be an interesting competition...

[dihansse]

Of course I like my pick better but that Elder album is really good: really good mix between great stoner riffing and prog like elaborated song structures. This is the first album yet in this tournament which will make it to my personal 2017 chart.

[mickilennial]

Great insight from Dihansse. Unfortunately I like the progressive stoner doom record a bit more. Though I was impressed enough by the Dream Syndicate record to be digesting it some more before thinking if it charts on my 2017.

[Repo]

The Dream syndicate album is like hanging out with an old friend after twenty years and still finding why you were such great friends to begin with.

My fave so far in the tournament. Just great, classic 80s American Underground rock - probably my favorite genre.

Looking for to checking out the Elder album tomorrow.

[Skinny]

Elder are one of my favourite bands currently working - knotty, majestic, soaring stoner rock, technical without being showy, every layered riff servicing the song above all else. That Dream Syndicate album is also excellent, however, so will give it a few more listens before voting, but leaning strongly towards Elder at the moment.
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[Repo]

Totally dig that elder album unsurprisingly - just great, epic metal and will totally be sth I return to often.


BUT, that Dream Syndicate album is something else. One of the best indie rock comeback albums I've ever heard. It's hard to believe the last album they put out was in the 80s. Pure Craziness. Will have to check out some his solo stuff as well as delve back in The Dream Syndicate discog.

[Purplepash]

Wow! Two great albums that I should have heard before now and will definitely listen to again. Just, and only just, giving it to The Dream Syndicate. Best two album for my tastes so far and they were against each other.

[babyBlueSedan]

I discovered Elder through this album last year, and since then I've been listening to them a lot. Some of the best stoner rock I've heard - consistently interesting and varied throughout. If you like this one I highly recommend Dead Roots Stirring which is my personal favorite from the band.

I enjoyed the Dream Syndicate album as well, the songwriting and guitar work are both great. If I have one complaint it's that the songs tend to go on for a bit longer than necessary without doing anything new, but I wasn't bored while listening to it so it's not a huge complaint. In the end I have to give it to Elder though because I think it will stick with me longer.
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