The Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 10 of 2017 So Far

Welcome to the Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 10 of 2017 So Far. The featured artists are the top 10 on the blog for the first 6 months this year. As always, our lists are based on our readers page views.

#10 The Pinkerton Raid



#9 Orations



#8 Scotch Hollow



#7 Black Fjords



#6 Phil Reynolds and the Uncertain Future



#5 The Bordellos



#4 The Masonics



#3 Olive & The Pitz



#2 The Variety Hour


#1 Wes John Cichosz 

Vs.: Reality?

Reality? is the debut EP from Leeds, UK grunge band Vs. With a slow, dark groan, the three tracks recall the original Seattle sounds. Heavy, dense and foreboding, with a feel of melancholy, this album is the real deal and could be the most authentic grunge sound since the 90's. While the album is strong, the production is disappointing, with a sound that is muddled and lacks punch. That aside, this is a band to take notice of and hopefully they will re-emerge with a professionally produced full length, so we can really hear what they can achieve. Stream and buy Reality? at the link below.

Old City Revival: In Waves

In Waves is the new EP from New Jersey band, Old City Revival. The six tracks are pretty straight formulaic alt-rock. Radio ready and familiar, the band deliver solid performances on a polished and well produced record. If alt-rock is your thing you'll love it. This is mainstream music that neither innovates nor challenges. Everything here has been done before, ad infinatum. If you like the rut, stream and buy In Waves at the link below.

Evacuate The Earth: Evacuate The Earth

Milwaukee/Chicago trio Evacuate The Earth are back with their S/T sophomore album. The eight tracks are a terse blend of styles ranging through jazz, electronic and post-rock. What emerges is most aptly defined as free jazz with some experimental glitchyness. The album challenges the listener as its stylistic diversity requires contemplation and immersion. Not an album for everyone; it will appeal to those who like their music avant garde and edgy. Stream and buy Evacuate The Earth at the link below.

Secret Shine: There Is Only Now

Bristol, UK band Secret Shine are back with a new album, There Is Only Now, on Texas indie label Saint Marie Records. Formed in 1991 as one of the first wave of shoegaze bands, Secret Shine delivers an album with ten tracks of atmospheric dreampop anthems. Deep, dense and haunting, the album is an intimate listening experience and shows a band that is still at the top of their game after a quarter century. Stream and buy There Is Only Now at the link below.

Pattern Language: Total Squaresville

Total Squaresville is the new album from artist producer Pattern Language, aka Chris Frain. Released on UK label Happy Robot Records, the six tracks are a melodic journey through a true synthesizer album. Unlike most electronic music, where the synths are used for cliche genre sounds, this album is an exploration of the synthesizer as a bonafide orchestral instrument. The album marries sweeping melodic passages, with adventurous synth pads to deliver a sonic experience of depth and beauty. Watch the video for album track, By Time We Get There, then stream and buy Total Squaresville at the link below.

Sluka: Colorful Radiation

Colorful Radiation is the eleventh studio album from San Diego experimental rocker Sluka. The ten tracks are adventurous affairs, with a Bowiesque sheen that sees a stylistic blend of everything from The Flaming Lips to Keane. With that pop pedigree, one also gets plenty of edge, swagger and depth. This album is a must have. Watch the video for album track Number one, then stream and buy Colorful Radiation at the link below.

Broken Muse: Broken Muse

Montreal based Broken Muse, have just released their S/T debut album. Largely the work of singer/songwriter Mark Goodwin, the ten tracks are a slick take on Americana and alt-country, with superlative vocals from Mariana Gianelli. Upbeat, rock driven country, pulses with excitement, as the band takes itself through an essentially live recorded studio album. The performances are inspired and the resulting record is tight and totally compelling. This is an absolute must have. Stream and buy Broken Muse at the link below.

Moodring: Cottage Mess

North Carolina's Silber Records brings us Cottage Mess, the new album from Moodring. The eight tracks are atmospheric experimental music that pushes song structure boundaries where melodic and dissonant passages interplay with unique textures. This is an album about musical exploration  with a near classical feel. A must have. Stream and buy Cottage Mess at the link below.

Dark Continent: Songs About Love and Depression

Songs About Love and Depression is the new album from Swedish band Dark Continent. After releasing two albums from 1989 - 1993, the band reunited in 2013. The 10 tracks here showcase a band that is in touch with current music, with a sound that incorporates elements of post-punk and altrock. The songs have a radio ready feel, a familiar vibe, strong hooks and lyrics that deliver a message. Watch the video for album track Love Hate ADHD, then stream and buy Songs About Love and Depression at the link below.

Das Mortal: Always Loved

Lisbon Lux Records have released Always Loved, the debut full length from Montreal artist/producer Das Mortal, aka Cristobal Cortes. The ten tracks are an imaginative interpretation of 80's synthpop. Featuring dark vocals, deep synthpads and catchy rhythms, this album is a perfect blend of old and new. Staying true to the sound developed by bands like Depeche Mode, Human League and Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, the album glistens with sterling production and songs that are intimate with the listener. A definite must have. Watch the video for album track, Risking My Life, then stream and buy Always Loved at the link below.

Institute: Subordination

Austin punks, Institute, are back with a new album Subordination; their fifth release and sophomore full length album, Released on Sorry State Records, the nine tracks see the band expanding out of the punk genre, with sounds that remind of classic Black Sabbath, glam rock and other influences, all the while staying true to the punk ethos. Flawless production, exceptional performances and great songs are the hallmark of this album. This is an must have that should be in everyone's collection. Stream and buy Subordination at the link below.

Eric Anders: Eleven Nine

Eric Anders has released, Eleven Nine," a ten track anti-Trump masterpiece that sees all album proceeds donated to Lambda Legal. The album is an eloquent, considered response to the horrific election of a racist, elitist moron to the presidency. With a classic singer/songwriter sonic vibe, compelling lyrics and tasty instrumental performances, this is an album that speaks to the despair the election caused, while delivering a strong musical experience. This is a definite must have. Stream and buy Eleven Nine at the link below.

Grape Juice Plus: The Simian Syndrome

The Simian Syndrome is the debut album from Chicago duo Grape Juice Plus. Featuring Barry Bennett on drums, keys and vocals, and Eric Klotz on guitar, these guys are not the usual guitar drum rock duo like Black Keys or Japandroids. What you get is a highly original, experimental band that pushes the limits everywhere. This is an album of edgy, discordant, improvisational music, with plenty of depth, ranging from rock cliches to African tribal rhythms. This is one of the most creative albums so far this year and will challenge listeners at all levels. A definite must have. Stream and buy The Simian Syndrome at the link below.

Ippu Mitsui: L + R

Scottish label Bearsuit Records have released L + R, the new album from artist/producer Ippu Mitsui. The eleven tracks deliver an experimental based electro pop experience that is large with unique synth pads and interesting melodies, embedded in a package of recognizable genre sounds and cliches. With an adventurous bent and a glitchy finish, this is an electronic journey of depth and interesting sonic twists. Stream and buy L + R at the link below.

Zigtebra: Sparkle Tip

Sparkle Tip is the new EP from Chicago brother/sister duo Zigtebra, on indie label FPE Records. The five tracks are edgy, rock leaning synthpop, with a bit more depth than is usual for this genre. Originality in the songs and arrangements highlight a strong and varied album, that will appeal to a wide swath of the indie community. This is a definite must have. Stream and buy Sparkle Tip at the link below.

Ruby Cikada: EP II

The rather anonymously titled EP II, is the new release from Toronto band Ruby Cikada. The six tracks roam a wide range, with sounds drawn from folk, psychedelic and indie rock, and touches of blues and jazz thrown in. What this yields is a bit of an uneven album that, while enjoyable, is also difficult to feel connected with. The production is understated and could use some real energy in the tracks. Overall a good album, but also one that will not stand out from the crowd. Stream and buy EP II at the link below.

Midnight Vesta: Seconds

Seconds is the debut full length from Toronto's Midnight Vesta. The nine tracks wind their way through harmony driven folk rock, exuberant indie rock and wonderful troubadour stories. One of the most compelling features of this band is they have their own musical identity, rather than being yet another Mumford clone. Crisp production and tight harmonies cap off an strong album that should be in everyone's collection. Watch the video for album track Second Chances, then stream and buy Seconds at the link below.

Dead Sea Flowers: Cult of Sargasso

Cult of Sargasso is the new album from Birmingham, AL band, Dead Sea Flowers. The eight tracks are deep psychedelic experiences, but not in the way that phrase is typically used now. This album showcases a band that could be playing the Fillmore West, with an audience tripping and falling through the music and lights. This is psychedelic music in all its San Francisco, LSD noise induced glory. Just a cool record from start to finish and a definite must have. Stream and buy Cult of Sargasso at the link below.

The Thin Cherries: The Thin Cherries

Chicago indie band The Thin Cherries have released their S/T debut album. The ten tracks embrace a deep psychedelic vibe, paired with a shoegaze foundation, to bring us an album with a retro feel, but modern sound. Melodic instrumental passages and a tight rhythm section take the foreground shoring up somewhat weaker vocals. An enjoyable album, with a unique perspective on delivering a retro theme. Stream and buy The Thin Cherries

Mythical Motors: Running The Shine

Running The Shine is the new album from Chattanooga indie band Mythical Motors. . Many albums have a retro feel, but these sixteen tracks mark a work that feels lost in time, a refuge from the past. The production is lo-fi, the sonic vibe is 60's and the whole album sort of falls out before the listener in a derivative cascade, like cereal from a box. There are no grand musical statements, either in the songwriting or the performances. This is an album that fails to excite. Stream and buy Running The Shine at the link below.