Wednesday, January 23, 2008

End Of The Year List

This is my 4th time writing my spectacular "End Of The Year" list. The first time, the list was wrong. I left off records i forgot all about. The second time, I didn't like the order. The third time, well, I accidently completely wiped it out. Thus, I have to start over from scratch and from memory. I also had an pretty decent introduction going into it. Too bad. Now you got stuck with this crap. Anywho, my list of the top 20 albums (and 5 eps) of 2007. Enjoy.




TOP 20 ALBUMS


20. Against Me! - New Wave


So AM! got signed to a major label. They're still the best band thats pushing the boundaries of whats considered punk to new limits. On this album, they went further from their country roots, having a more new wave type of sound. But you can tell that by the title of the record.




19. 108 - A New Beat From A Dead Heart

I bet you're asking yourself, "Self, how does a hardcore band break up for eleven years, reunite, and put out one of the heaviest sounding records you have ever heard!?" I don't know how they did it, but they did it.








18. Pulling Teeth - Martyr Immortal


One of the angriest sounding records I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. Mixing metal and hardcore has become such a joke in recent years, but these guys know how to do it right. Also, rad name right?







17. High On Fire - Death Is This Communion

Honestly, if there's a former member of Sleep in your band, chances are you're gonna be awesome. I'm not too into metal, but this record is so heavy, I gotta add extra support to my speakers whenever I listen to it. Don't expect crazy solos and insane thrash-age, it's not that kind of metal







16. Jesu - Conqueror


Another metal record? This is some awesome stoner metal. Still, a great record for those days you just want to lay back and look at the sky. Which I do. Alot.







15. Down To Nothing - The Most



The champions of straight edge hardcore at the moment. They've been around since the beginning of the decade, and keep getting better and better. Straight Edge never sounded so good.






14. Maritime - Heresy & The Hotel Choir


This has to be my favorite pop album of the year. So damn catchy and full of happiness that you'll find yourself singing along on your most depressing day.








13. El-P - I'll Sleep When You're Dead



Think Sage Francis is smart? You probably haven't heard of this man. The most powerful hip hop album out.








12. Crime In Stereo - Is Dead


This record took awhile to grow on me. An incredbily progressive melodic hardcore album that doesn't make you get up and jump off your dresser, but rather tap your feet. Definitely a cross-over album for those that are in LOVE with Brand New.







11. Capital - Homefront

Haven't heard of this band? Better get on it. Melodic hardcore, leaning more towards the hardcore side. The melodies are still there, the mosh just moved them over an inch or two. The lyrics are the best part about this record.




10. Big D & The Kid's Table - Strictly Rude



This is the album that will make ska cool again.









9. Cloak/Dagger - We Are




Like hardcore/punk from DC and the west coast in the early 80's? Got bored listening to the same old records? Do yourself a favor and embrace Cloak/Dagger. You won't regret it.





8. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga



Kings of indie rock have done it again. Simple, but isnt that what they do best? Great songwriting.








7. The Weakerthans - Reunion Tour

Who would've thought a member of Propagandhi could write amazing folk/rock songs? Who would've thought he can do it more than once? Catchy, tinged with country, and witty lyrics. Thats what I love most about this record.



6. Dinosaur Jr. - Beyond


I love shitty recordings. It gives the record character and a raw feeling(duh). Thats exactly what this record has. Sounds like you were listening to it live. And don't let the distortion kill it off for you, every instrument rings in crystal clear.







5. The Baroness
- The Red Album

Melodic, intense, and moving. Nothing else to say. Favorite metal album of the year.










4. The Ergs! - Upstairs/Downstairs


True pop punk at its finest. Witty, fast, snotty, and short.




3. Allegiance - Desperation


Mix No Warning with Slayer, shake gently, and this is what you'll end up with. Favorite hardcore release.




2. Lifetime - Lifetime

If you know me, you know that Lifetime is one of my favorite bands. If you listened to punky pop during the late 90's and early part of the decade, you can tell that they also were alot of other peoples favorite as well. Funny that they're regarded as a melodic hardcore band tho. This record is poppier than their other stuff, but it in no way lets me down. Just a great record that always puts a smile on my face.






AND NOW FOR MY #1 RELEASE OF 2007:


SPICE GIRLS - THE GREATEST HITS!!!



nah, just kidding, its really:

1. Chuck Ragan - Los Feliz

Bet you didn't see that one coming. A live record at that. If you don't know, he was one of the main songwriters in a band called Hot Water Music. Find me another album put out this year that had this much heart & soul and you'll have me calling you a liar.



TOP 5 EPS


5. Coalesce - Salt and Passage



You know all those noisy, screamy bands that people go apeshit over? This was the band that started all of that. Except they're good.














4. Fucked Up - Year of the Pig



Couldn't decide if i should put this as an EP or as an LP. Its over 20 minutes long, but its also only 2 songs. Eh fuck it.














3. Cursed - Blackout At Sunrise




Dark and murderous hardcore punk. I love this band.










2. Trash Talk - Walking Plagues
Some of the hardest pissed off hardcore I've heard in awhile.:Looking to get mad? This is your record.




1. Blacklisted - Peace On Earth, War On Stage






The best band in hardcore today. Constantly progressing, this is their best to date.














Please feel free to add your own list! Top 5's only please!

3 comments:

Garrett said...

As for Trash Talk, Walking Disease is their "full length" (even though it clocks in at 9mins) and Plagues is the ep.

Tussey said...

With Trash Talk, i had the same exact problem i had with Fucked Up, except the problem was vice versa. I decided if it was under 20 minutes or less than 7 songs long, it was an EP.

Anonymous said...

this is awesome,dude.
what time!!!what effort!!
no joke.i'm now all curious about these bands,thanx,dude.