Hello!
We’ve reached the final installment of our 2011 music round up, ending of course with our very own staff list. Hope you’ve enjoyed reading them as much, discovered new music as we always love doing and sharing. Have a fantastic new year and here’s to another one for great music!
(and for no reason here is a vinyl wave.)
Amelia’s list
Favourite albums (in no order of preference)
Blink-182 – Neighborhoods
This album may not be favored by most critics, and you may be asking why I’ve selected what may be deemed as the weakest recent Blink-182 album to date as a fav of 2011? The reason is simple – I’m just thankful that the band who accompanied me through the teenage years, reunite to make another album. Bias? Perhaps. BUT there are true gems in this album – the ‘punkier’ jams such as ‘Heart’s All Gone‘ (i love the honesty in the lyrics), ‘MH 4.18.2011‘ and ‘Natives‘ (bass-lines, bass-lines baby!) kept the 17 year old in me happy.
The Horrible Crowes – Elsie
Do not be mistaken – This is not an album of Gaslight Anthem B-sides; but rather, an album of Brian Fallon’s soulful and heartbreaking stories over beautiful and hopeful melodies spun with great instrumentation with Ian Perkins. The lyrics do not alienate anyone either. I do not listen to Bruce Springsteen nor Tom Waits and am unable to give/or comprehend the comparison, but what I do know, is that this is the rock n roll album of the year. ‘Crush‘, ‘Black Betty & the Moon‘, and ‘Behold The Hurricane‘ are unmissable tracks.
Eisley – The Valley
Gone are the colors and fairy-tale romances present in past records. The Valley is a creation of melancholy – broken optimism, pain and despair, which is not surprising, given what the band has gone through. This makes the album one of the year’s most brutally honest piece, even if it was not a conscious intention. What I treasure too, is the beautiful vocals of Stacy and Sherri at play. It makes the album more convincing, accessible and emotional. The album may be dark, but at the same time, it gives reason to look for the breaking dawn. Don’t miss ‘The Valley‘, ‘Watch It Die‘, ‘Better Love‘, ‘Oxygen Mask‘.
Chevelle – Hats Off To The Bull
Perhaps I’m blinded by my love for Chevelle, but the band has done no wrong in album six. If anything, this well-produced album brings back the early days of Chevelle – solid, hard hitting tracks. The opening track ‘Face To The Floor‘ is an angry statement to the Ponzi scheme, and this continues to track numero dos: ‘Same Old Trip‘, with equally heavy riffs. Pete Loeffler shines with his intelligent lyrics, and stakes his claim as one of the best frontman in this genre today with his blend of mesmerizing vocals – loud or soft. It’s Chevelle, and you cannot expect the band to change much, but they do try to be different, with vocal effects in ‘Hats Off To The Bull‘.
Farewell Continental – ¡Hey, Hey Pioneers!
Yes, Justin Pierre is part of Farewell Continental, and there are the same depressing lyrics over catchy melodies in this album. But NO, this is not an album full of B-sides from Justin’s day band, Motion City Soundtrack. If anything, FC’s debut album is a masterpiece of 90′s sounding indie-emo rock over its blend of lo-fi and fuzzy guitar hooks. What I love is Justin’s vocal interplay with the band’s female vocalist: Kari Gray. Their vocals mesh beautifully in each of the tracks, which showcases the band’s quirkiness and individuality. One of the best listens of the year. Fav tracks: ‘New Tile Floor‘, ‘Radio, Radio: Are You Getting This?‘, ‘Seasoned Veterans‘
The Joy Formidable – The Big Roar
The long waited debut was finally released this year. It doesn’t matter if it contained re-recorded versions of old favourites like ‘Cradle‘, ‘Whirring‘ [my absolute fav] and ‘The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade‘. They sound as striking and fresh as they were on the first listen. Vocalist Ritzy Bryan’s wave of lifting and breathy vocals, accompanied by big guitar moments, packs a punch like no other in this genre today. This is certainly the band’s Big Roar to the world. You should check them out live too – they give earnest performances, which is always a huge welcome.
We Were Promised Jetpacks – In The Pit of The Stomach
I discovered WWPJ through an ‘unlikely’ music source – Marisa Miller (let’s not go there). ‘Medicine‘, ‘Boy In The Backseat‘ and ‘Through The Dirt and Gravel‘ are still reliant on the driving rhythms and are built on crescendos in the debut album, but with more structures. At times, the band toy with expectations too – ‘Act on Impulse‘ grows patiently, but restrained at the moment of its peak. It’s interesting, and the album did not once feel repetitive to me, given the formula that the band sticks to. But hey, if it ain’t broken, why attempt to fix it?
The Wonder Years – Suburbia I’ve Given You All And Now I’m Nothing
The Wonder Years have the ability to craft stories that touch on the everyday battles of everyone’s moments in life (aging, leaving, growing up – don’t they all sound familiar?) over huge choruses, catchy melodies and well-placed gang-vocals. The band sounds more mature than ‘The Upsides’, without alienating their existing fan-base. This makes the pop-punk album more accessible, instead of the usual lyrics on girl-chasing, which is hugely popular in the genre. Even if you do not agree with the band’s views on ‘I Won’t Say The Lord’s Prayer‘, this album liner is something that everyone can agree with, and take inspiration from: “If You Want to Leave, Leave. Just Make Sure You Know Where You’re Going“.
Run Kid Run – Patterns
In my head and my mind, this is the best pop-rock album of the year. Run Kid Run has outdone themselves again, while balancing the ideas and believes of a Christian band with radio-friendly hits. The album is filled with catchy hooks and choruses that makes you want to sing along (‘Back To Basics‘, ‘Sunburns‘); though the use piano and bells on ‘White Noise‘ may slow things down just a little, it does not feel out of place. Even if you may not have the same faith as the band, you shouldn’t shun this album as there is not an instance where it feels like frontman David Josiah Curtis is trying to preach or sell you his faith.
Honorable Mentions:
and I would like to thank god for the existence of Spotify in my life
I still can’t get enough of:
Bombay Bicycle Club – ‘How can You Swallow So Much Sleep‘
All Get Out – ‘Church Doors And Skeptics‘, ‘Lucky Bastard‘
The Sounds – ‘Better Off Dead‘, ‘The No No Song‘ [go see them live if you can. Frontwoman Maja Ivarsson knows how to work a crowd, and she CAN sing live]
The Horrible Crowes – ‘Teenage Dream‘ [Katy perry, who?]
Foster The People – ‘Helena Beat‘ (not a fan of the whole album tho)
Kelly Clarkson – ‘Mr Know It All‘, ‘Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)‘ (she makes the best pop songs)
I’m pretty sure there are lots of albums/songs that didn’t make it cos I’ve forgotten, and simply too many to be included.
Things to look forward to in 2012
Soundwave Festival (if anyone wants to buy us a beer or two, we’re here)
Reading Festival (announce the headliners already!)
new albums from Lacuna Coil, Garbage, Eve 6, Shiny Toy Guns
more of Parks and Recreation [@JokeDiva (Retta), Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman are the best comedians, and of course Rashida Jones!]
Homeland Season 2
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Jingying’s list
this is the list i would bring if a “YOUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE” scenario were to happen
My undisputed #1 album goes to
Andrew Jackson Jihad – Knife Man
They won me over with their sharp lyrical wit and self-deprecation with “Can’t Maintain” (my ’09 album of the year), boy am I glad to hear Sean Bonnette’s voice again. 16 tracks, what a treat! AJJ redefines folk-punk with their dark humour and takes on one’s highs and lows and everything in between, somewhere inside of me there will always be a fascination and strange connection with their quirky cynicism. With lyrics like “You can hope it gets better, you can follow your dreams. But hope is for presidents, and dreams are for people who are sleeping”, this is without a doubt their best work so far.
Favourite songs: “Zombie by The Cranberries by Andrew Jackson Jihad” / “Sad Songs (Intermission)”
Polar Bear Club – Clash Battle Guilt Pride
Charismatic frontman, insanely catchy melodies, intense live shows all make up the reasons why PBC is one of my favourite bands to watch. I get chills listening to tracks like “Screams In Caves” and “Religion On The Radio”, making their previous album “Chasing Hamburg” somewhat a distant memory. The whole album is filled with heartfelt, honest punk rock without missing a beat. My favourite song changes every time.
Banner Pilot – Heart Beats Pacific
This album reminds me a lot of Dillinger Four and the type of music I easily overdose on. With their third studio album, Banner Pilot sticks to formulaic, catchy melodies and choruses, which isn’t to say predictable isn’t good, at least with this band there’s always a consistency, and I have a weakness for chugging riffs and fast-paced, punchy melodies. You know how sometimes you have that irrational love for a band and can’t quite explain it? This is my band.
Nothington – Borrowed Time
Ever since they released “Roads Bridges and Ruins” in 2009, I’ve been longing for new material. 2 years is a really long time for a band I like. They are basically my go-to band whenever I feel lousy, or generally low energy (which is most of the time), or if I just feel like putting on some sad bastard music. They are pretty underrated still. I love this band and the vocals so much and I sincerely hope they will continue touring as long as they can.
Favourite songs: “Far To Go” / “Where I Can’t Be Found”
Red City Radio – The Dangers of Standing Still
This band caught my attention early this year with this release and it’s still on regular rotation. The Oklahoma City boys waste no time launching full throttle into their gruff, action-packed, fist-pumping punk rock mode from start to end. “This system, it wasn’t designed for us” rings true for so many of us. Also, it’s hard not to like a band whose interests include “drinking hundreds of beers”. Together, they can indeed burn the fucking city to the ground.
Favourite songs: “Two For Flinching” / “Drinking Ourselves Into the Future”
Chuck Ragan – Covering Ground
I loved his first solo release “Gold Country”, but with this album I’m beginning to appreciate the much-revered Hot Water Music frontman a little bit more. Immediately with “Nothing Left To Prove”, I found myself really liking the whole fiddle and upright bass accompaniment to Chuck’s irresistable whiskey voice. In this love letter to those he had to leave behind for the demanding touring lifestyle of a punk rock band, this is his most honest work to-date. You can feel his earnest sincerity and passion in every note. When he’s got my dream Revival Tour line-up (pretty much everyone who’s ever been on the tour, at once), I will be going to there, wherever it may be.
Favourite songs: “Nothing Left To Prove” / “Nomad By Fate”
Dave Hause – Resolutions
The Loved Ones are a band close to my heart ever since the first time I heard their songs (“Keep Your Heart” is perfect). Joining the ranks of punk rock frontmen going solo with slightly country/folksy/stripped-down side projects, “Resolutions” is one fine record by vocalist Dave Hause, who has never sounded better. Some of the songs definitely fit right in with a Loved Ones album (“C’mon Kid”, “Heavy Heart”) while others don’t sound like anything on the record (“Prague (Revive Me)”), this sort of departure is exactly what I enjoy about solo projects. In any case, I am perfectly ok if The Loved Ones take a little longer for the next album while I hang on to this.
Favourite songs: “Meet Me At The Lanes” / “C’mon Kid”
Fucked Up – David Comes To Life
I would definitely rate these endearing Toronto rockers high on the list of best live bands I’ve seen all year. There’s no bigger (I mean this literally too) frontman with that sort of power over the crowd. With this “rock opera” comes their most accessible material to-date, they can consider themselves having crossed over to the mainstream even if they don’t want to, considering their not-fit-for-print band name. I’m glad they’re finally getting the attention they deserve. You don’t necessarily have to decipher the complicated tragic love story between David and Veronica, as most concept albums are, to appreciate this band’s effort, originality and ambition. Probably the best thing to come out of Canada, ever.
Favourite song: “Queen Of Hearts”
The Black Keys – El Camino
I wouldn’t say I’m a big fan of “blues rock”, but each time I listen to The Black Keys I lose myself. “Lonely Boy” is undoubtedly the Best First Single and readies you for the next 37 minutes of a wild ride doing what they do best – pure, unadulterated reverb-drenched rock n’ roll. I’m pretty happy they’ve blown up in epic proportions in the past couple of years and still stay grounded and unpretentious about it. This album’s the jam.
Favourite songs: “Lonely Boy” / “Gold On The Ceiling”
Sharks – The Joys Of Living 2008-2010
This collection of tracks from their previous EPs had to happen sooner or later. It gave the UK band a proper, cohesive introduction of their thoughtful, blue-collar rock to the rest of the world, resulting in tours with Social Distortion, several major festival appearances and the highlighted AP tour with pophardcore heavyweights Four Year Strong. All of this and the band has not even released a debut full length yet. Imagine what that future looks like.
Favourite songs: “Sweet Harness” / “It All Relates”
Living With Lions – Holy Shit
Did you know the Canadian government supports artists by funding their album recordings? Seems cool, unfortunately not for Living With Lions, who unwittingly got themselves in hot soup after unveiling one “controversial” album art depicting a certain religious figure as a turd, and subsequently decided to return the funds without debate. That bothered me because the songs do not even mention religion in the slightest. All bullshit aside, this album was an early frontrunner for this list. Introducing ex-Misery Signals’ Stu Ross on vocals, once the gruff, anthemic choruses, heavy guitars and catchy melodies latch on, good luck shaking it off.
Favourite songs: “Maple Drive Is Still Alive” / “Honestly, Honestly”
Banquets – Top Button, Bottom Shelf
We’ve done promo for this band before and since their debut dropped in August, but only recently did I have time to properly sit down and spend quality time with this record from start to finish. Repeatedly. When you really listen in its entirety without any distraction, it is unbelievably great. Totally made me think “What have I been missing?!” The powerful, catchy pop punk melodies just grab you and you never want it to stop, ever. I’m happy to have found my perfect feel-good record. I’ll definitely be paying attention to this band in future.
Great Cynics – Don’t Need Much
My favourite break out band of the year! Formerly a solo acoustic project by Giles Bidder, the UK trio make fun folksy singalongs and Frank Turner-lite (is it a British thing? haha) jams perfect for the summer – drinking cider, getting high and skateboarding. If you don’t start nodding and bopping along with these songs, there is something wrong with you.
Favourite songs: “Twenty Five” / “Dave and Angela”
Bright Eyes – The People’s Key
This is one album I never thought I’d end up liking. It’s so beautifully crafted, I forgot how bizarre it was back when Conor Oberst was a pin-up for emo kids in the early 00s. I will pretend that never happened. It’s likely that Oberst is retiring with this album, which is a pity, but at least it cements his position as one of the most prolific musicians in the indie rock scene of my time. The track arrangement is pure perfection – have you heard the opening track? It just kills me.
Favourite songs: “Shell Games” / “Ladder Song”
Laura Stevenson & the Cans – Sit Resist
I dare anyone not to fall in love with Laura Stevenson’s sweet, sweet crooning. This talented singer-songwriter/tour member of Bomb The Music Industry! needs to be heard by more people, if only for her ability to craft genius pop gems without needing to hold back lyrically. When backed by her band whom she affectionately calls The Cans, this makes for a feel-good happy day soundtrack.
Favourite song: “The Healthy One”
OTHERS!
Samiam – Trips (They’ve been away for too long.)
Look Mexico – Real Americans Spear It EP (I did NOT know they had a new release this year! loved their last album)
Elway – Delusions
Nightlights – So It Goes (They remind me of The Menzingers.)
Maritime – Human Hearts (It’s easy to miss this one..don’t! It’s a great rock record to kick back, relax and enjoy)
Here’s my haphazard, all-over-the-place playlist! That’s how I listen to music haha.
Austin Lucas “Keys” / “Thunder Rail”
Austin is my favourite country singer.
A fun tune from an otherwise disappointing album. I really liked the last album and was hoping for some consistency. This was a weird deviation.
The Wonder Years “Local Man Ruins Everything”
This video is really sad and funny at the same time.
Noah and The Whale “Tonight’s The Kind Of Night”
My guilty pleasure band.
The Horrible Crowes “Ladykiller”
This is Brian Fallon channeling his inner Bruce Springsteen without restraint. I want to love this record, it truly is some of his best work ever, but I’ll just have to let this sink further in time.
Social Distortion “Bakersfield”
Mike Ness has a shitty day in this place in Cali and writes a song about it.
Frank Turner “Peggy Sang The Blues” / “If Ever I Stray”
He’s one of the best folk songwriters I know, but “England Keep My Bones” just does not match up to the last two albums.
Direct Hit! “Monster In The Closet”
My sides hurt from watching this video.
I’ve only listened to Pulley in recent years, and “Mandarin” remains my favourite track ever. This comes really close to beating it. What a killer riff.
No care just get pumped.
Florence And The Machine “Shake It Out”
no words for this. <3 The fact that this song is about trying to get rid of a hangover RULES SO HARD.
Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr cover Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love”
I’m always such a sucker for pop covers. Also, I have been dying to get this out of my system: Daniel Zott and Judah Friedlander ARE THE SAME PERSON
2012 I’m looking forward to…
Lucero new album in March
The Gaslight Anthem
anything to do with The Menzingers
SHARKS
New Craig Finn/Hold Steady stuff hopefully soon
Phantom Planet reunion
John K Samson solo album
Fake Problems had better release something!
