One of the most surprising elements of the results of this year’s annual ND Year-End Readers Poll was the number of artists who wouldn’t necessarily fall into the category of roots music. No Depression readers, you lifted Ryan Adams — who hasn’t felt like Americana for years — into the top five. You encouraged The War on Drugs’ hazy rock to float up within the top 20. You voted Beck — a eccentric rock and roller to the core — into the top 40. You put gospel music from Mavis Staples and music rooted in immigrant culture via Hurray for the Riff Raff into the top 50 best albums of the year.

And yet, according to you, No Depression’s loyal supporters, all of this music comprises roots music. All of these different people — the performers and writers and contributors who made these records we unilaterally love — can be united in this one seemingly simple way. What a powerful realization! So while it’s important to simmer in our emotions resultant from 2017’s awfully contentious days, this concept of unity through diversity is one that we ought to carry into 2018.

The precipice of another year offers new opportunities for growth, for compassion, for forgiveness, and as we listen to these songs that brought us so much joy this year, let’s not forget to embrace new sounds, new songwriters, and new perspectives in 2018. With that in mind, here are the Top 50 Albums of 2017, as chosen by ND readers.

1. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – The Nashville Sound

2. Margo Price – All American Made

3. Chris Stapleton – From a Room: Vol. 1

4. Ryan Adams – Prisoner

5. David Rawlings – Poor David’s Almanack

6. Gregg Allman – Southern Blood

7. Ray Wylie Hubbard – Tell the Devil I’m Gettin’ There As Fast As I can

8. Rhiannon Giddens – Freedom Highway

9. John Moreland – Big Bad Luv

10. Steve Earle – So You Wanna Be an Outlaw

11. Alison Krauss – Windy City

12. Son Volt – Notes of Blue

13. Rodney Crowell – Close Ties

14. Neil Young – Hitchhiker

15. Old 97’s – Graveyard Whistling

16. Willie Nelson – God’s Problem Child

17. Chris Stapleton – From a Room: Vol. 2

18. Matthew Ryan – Hustle Up Starlings

19. The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding

20. Allison Moorer & Shelby Lynne – Not Dark Yet

21. Tyler Childers – Purgatory

22. Turnpike Troubadours – A Long Way From Your Heart

23. Aaron Lee Tasjan – Silver Tears

24. Mavis Staples – If All I Was Was Black

25. Chuck Prophet – Bobby Fuller Died for Your Sins

26. Marty Stuart – Way Out West

27. Nikki Lane – Highway Queen

28. Hurray for the Riff Raff – The Navigator

29. Chris Hillman – Bidin’ My Time

30. Father John Misty – Pure Comedy

31. Justin Townes Earle – Kids in the Street

32. JD McPherson – Undivided Heart and Soul

33. Aimee Mann – Mental Illness

34. Eilen Jewell – Downhearted Blues

35. Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ – TajMo

36. Beck – Colors

37. Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real – Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real

38. Billy Strings – Turmoil & Tinfoil

39. Jeff Tweedy – Together At Last

40. The National – Sleep Well Beast

41. Sarah Shook & the Disarmers – Sidelong

42. Lily Hiatt – Trinity Lane

43. Colter Wall – Colter Wall

44. Iron & Wine – Beast Epic

45. Kris Kristofferson – The Austin Sessions

46. Hiss Golden Messenger – Hallelujah Anyhow

47. Robert Plant – Carry Fire

48. The Contenders – Laughing with the Reckless

49. Mavericks – Brand New Day

50. Josh Ritter – Gathering