End of the Year Lists (2010)

I wanted to get around to writing this and posting it sooner but 2010 was the year of change.  Not only did I turn 25, but so did Alternative Press, Dairy Queen’s Blizzard, and classic movies like The Goonies and Back To The Future.  In 2010, I took some huge steps in life: I got married to the love of my life.  Every day gets better and better.  I also finally found a real job after two years of post-college searching.  Needless to say, when you work a full time job, it gets considerably harder to indulge your desire to be a music journalist.  I know I write a lot of stuff.  If you want to read it, feel free.  You may get bored enough to do so.  Or maybe you’re actually interested.  I don’t assume that anybody reading this will actually care about what I have to say about the bands.  I just enjoy the process.  Any references to “next year” mean 2011 and “this year” is 2010 – that’s when I began writing and intended on posting this.

In looking back at my Top 10 Albums of 2009, I am still struck by my own decision to make Say Anything’s self titled album my #1 while Kevin Devine’s Brother Blood came in at #2.  This is still a hard one for me to this day. Brother’s Blood is infinitely more well-written.  It ranks up there among the best albums ever created.  The talent that went into making that record such a diverse and beautiful piece of music is breathtaking.  On the other hand, Say Anything’s self titled album was so damn catchy it didn’t leave my CD player for weeks on end.  It wasn’t the most profoundly deep music but it was good in its own way.  This is still a debate that will rage on for quite some time.    

2010 was an interesting year musically.  2009 was the year in which most of my favorite artists released an album so 2010 became the “lame duck” year in the two year album cycle.  Thankfully, we got some amazing releases this year.   Even though we didn’t get a new Kevin Devine album, we got a Bad Books album.  We may not have had a Cursive or The Good Life album, but we were still treated to Tim Kasher’s throaty yelps via his solo album.  We heard Envy On The Coast’s beautiful swan song before they bowed out.  There is one good thing about an off year in music though: it means that 2011 is going to be one hell of a year for music.

Top Ten Albums

 

10. Terrible Things - Terrible Things

This is a supergroup formed by Fred Mascherino (formerly of Taking Back Sunday, Breaking Pangaea, and The Color Fred), Andy Jackson (Hot Rod Circuit) and Josh Eppard (Coheed and Cambria).  I’ll be the first to admit that I was not a huge Fred fan during his days in Taking Back Sunday.  His voice never sounded like it matched the music and it sounded like he was trying way too hard to be John Nolan.  I found the music he created with his other bands to be much more enjoyable and that holds true with Terrible Things.  I’d never listened to Hot Rod Circuit before but just hearing Andy Jackson’s vocals on this record made me want to go pick up a Hot Rod Circuit album.  

The production is excellent, the songs are well-written and the songwriting shines.  The theme of the album revolves around a series of arsons committed in the town in PA where Fred hails from.  Even though arson is the prevalent theme (as you can see on the artwork), several of these songs are from Fred’s prior projects.  In general, even though it is kind of a concept album, it doesn’t feel all that much like a concept album.  For example, even though the song “Up At Night” is on its surface about not being able to sleep at night and leaving the lights on, there are very clearly lyrics in the song that refer to Fred’s departure from Taking Back Sunday.  The music transitions nicely from track to track, bouncing from hard hitting rock to pop punk.  It’s great to finally hear a musical endeavor where Fred’s voice sounds right at home.

Recommended Tracks: “Revolution” and “Wrap Me Up”

09. Punchline – Delightfully Pleased

Yeah, this album puts the emphasis on POP in the pop punk formula.  But god damn Punchline does it effortlessly.   The lyrics aren’t nearly as bad as one would expect – they are littered with clever couplets, infectious choruses, and memorable themes.  This is a carefree record - frontman Steve Soboslai is quick to make that clear as he sings on the first track, ”You won’t find songs of hopelessness on this record / You find songs that leave you at a loss / Just press play and feel your problems melt away.”  The party attitude prevails as you jump from upbeat song to upbeat song.  Although the songs are almost all upbeat, they don’t begin to blend together as you would expect with similar artists.  It’s a charming record in a happy kind of way. 

Honestly, this would have made my Top 10 based on the song “Roller Coaster Smoke” alone.  I miss LOST in a way that is probably unnatural.   Though I thought the ending was ridiculous and meaningless, the show will still stand the test of time as one of the greatest ever.  So for Punchline to encapsulate the whole series into a catchy three minute song makes me, well, delightfully pleased (*groan*).  If you want an album requiring very little intensive thought and a lot of fun vibes, go find this album.  If you’re a LOST fan, go download “Roller Coaster Smoke” – you won’t regret it.

Recommended Tracks: “Roller Coaster Smoke” and “Into The Mouth”

 

08. Weezer - Hurley

Since 2008, Weezer has put out an album every year.  This year, we even got two albums.  Sadly, their prolific nature is also to their detriment.  Their last few albums as a whole have suffered from a serious lack of cohesion.  They put out so many songs that statistically quite a few are bound to suck.  With Hurley, we get another musical LOST reference, depending on whether you buy into the band’s explanation about the title and artwork.  Like most Weezer things, their explanation is unnecessarily convoluted and cryptic.   From what I can gather, the band failed to tell guitarist Brian Bell that the album was named after the LOST character and not the clothing company that funded the record.  I’m not sure why this album received a tepid reaction from fans as compared to previous albums.  It’s obviously no Pinkerton but in the scheme of latter Weezer albums, I found it to be quite enjoyable.   The “raw rock energy” that Rivers was talking about prior to the record’s release is palpable – Hurley is a more rock oriented record than Raditude by leaps and bounds.  

Even though the band has fully embraced their widespread appeal by covering Coldplay and Lady Gaga, featuring Lil Wayne on a song and having Michael Cera sing backup vocals and play mandolin on the song “Hang On”, they still find new ways to do things.  To promote the album, Weezer used YouTube and handed the songs out to 15 amateur video producers.  These producers were told to do whatever they’d like in half an hour – a promotion that Weezer dubbed “The YouTube Invasion”.

The band just needs to slow down a bit.  Two year album cycles are just fine by most music fans.  It should be about quality, not quantity.  Maybe then we wouldn’t get terrible songs like “Where’s My Sex?”

Recommended Tracks: “Memories” and “Hang On”

 07. Far - At Night We Live

After calling it quits in 1999, the various members of Far went their separate ways and had a multitude of musical projects including frontman Jonah Matranga’s onlinedrawing, New End Original and Gratitude.  I know what you’re thinking – you’ve probably never heard of Far.  Here are a few reasons why you should care: 1) Their alternative rock sound has influenced modern day bands such as Jimmy Eat World, Blink 182 and Thursday; 2) Jonah Matranga did a split record with the amazing Frank Turner; 3) The influence they've had on music is far and varied and ranges from being seen as one of the precursors to original emo to being “underground legends in certain metal circles”.  I don’t really understand the post-hardcore label so much considering in the 90’s Far released split records with bands like Incubus and Korn.

Even though the band has returned after a decade, the music they pioneered is no longer a brand new genre.  This puts Far in an interesting place musically.  I would say it sounds more like alternative rock than punk rock but Jonah’s attitude has always been very punk rock.  We had the pleasure of seeing Far play live at Bamboozle Left last year.  It was a great set with a ton of energy and an overwhelmingly positive vibe.

At Night We Live is a rock album, pure and simple.  It is at times cathartic and at other times mellow.  There are lyrical stabs at society and touching existential moments.   It’s a modern day rock album for people sick to death of modern rock.

Recommended Tracks: “At Night We Live” and “Give Me A Reason“ 

06. The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang 

I didn’t actually start listening to The Gaslight Anthem until this year, despite widespread praise and buzz.  They were recommended for fans of Against Me!, Jawbreaker and The Replacements.  After giving them a good listening, it’s become obvious that you can’t write a review of The Gaslight Anthem without mentioning Bruce Springsteen at least once.  Whether you call the band “blue collar punk”, “soul-drunk punk” or straight up arena rock, it just doesn’t matter.  The Gaslight Anthem are the new working class heroes.

Lead singer and songwriter Brian Fallon borrows heavily from the past and leans on the crutch of nostalgia as if his life depended on it.  This is where I should write something witty like, “There’s a new Boss in town.”  And I would if this band weren’t so damn genuine.  The prevailing theme of the album is the past and letting go and Fallon’s lyrics never falter.  The band have tightened their sound and stretched their legs musically.  Fallon’s vocals are smooth like sandpaper and soulful like Aretha Franklin.  You don't ever doubt him as he sings phrases like "and here's where the angels and devils meet / and you can dance with the queen if you need / and she will always keep your cards close to her heart / before they tear you apart". 

Recommended Tracks: “American Slang” and “We Did It When We Were Young“ 

05. Against Me! - White Crosses 

Back in the day when Against Me! left No Idea Records and signed to Fat Wreck Chords, fans cried foul.  There was a huge backlash for the band that used to have an anarchist as a lead singer.  The words "sell out" rang out as dumb punks had the gall to vandalize the band's van with those same words.  After releasing two albums on Fat Wreck Chords, the band made an even more controversial move and signed with Sire Records, a major label.  When asked about this, the band made hilarious videos (using a parody format from Wayne's World) featuring a ton of product placement.  While I would like to side with the band on that debate, the difference in their music is undeniable.  Their first record for Sire, New Wave, was unlike any Against Me! record that preceded it – and that’s not necessarily a good thing.  It was slick and polished.  If there was ever a rock record that could be described as “radio friendly”, New Wave was it.  Gone was the gritty recording and producing.  Even Tom Gabel’s distinctive howling was somehow less coarse.  Sure, it had similar themes in some of the songs.  But most of the choruses were clunky and songs like “Stop!”, while catchy and dancy, are not what fans of Against Me!’s older music wanted.

The album that came out this year, White Crosses, is exactly what the doctor ordered.  I don’t know where the musical change of heart came from.  The band’s timekeeping backbone (see: the drummer) did change as the band saw the departure of longtime member Warren Oakes and welcomed into their arms former Hot Water Music drummer George Rebelo.  Either way, the result is something that fans from all over Against Me!’s discography will appreciate.  White Crosses is less refined than New Wave.   There are still songs that sound like they should be surfing the airwaves of a radio station near you (“I Was A Teenage Anarchist”) but there are also songs that embody the spirit of punk rock: short, sweet, and sloppy (“Rapid Decompression”).   “I Was A Teenage Anarchist” is one of hell of a statement – it is Tom Gabel’s new manifesto.  It makes it quite clear that songs like “Baby, I’m An Anarchist” (off of Reinventing Axl Rose) belong in the past.  It is Gabel’s response to years of criticism from punk rockers and purists angry over the band’s transition to arena rock.  All in all, White Crosses is a brash and beautiful blending of interpersonal themes and political statements. 

 

While you may think of claiming that Against Me! has lost their edge by signing with a major label and having their record produced by Butch Vig (who also produced Green Day’s latest crapfest), don’t count the band out yet.  They may not be anarchists anymore but the music still has enough bite to keep it interesting. 

Recommended Tracks: “I Was A Teenage Anarchist” and "Ache With Me“

04. Envy On The Coast – Lowcountry 

Even though I thoroughly enjoyed Envy On The Coast's 2007 release Lucy Gray, I didn't keep up with the band in the years that followed so it was a total surprise to me when we saw them at Bamboozle California and they had new merch and were gearing up for the release of their new album, Lowcountry.  This is a hard band, and an even harder release, to describe.  The influences are all over the place ranging from bands like Taking Back Sunday and GlassJaw to more mainstream acts like Incubus.  The music itself is an indescribable blend of driving beats, pedal effects and hard-hitting instrumentation.  It will stick in your head but not because of poppy repetition but more because it will be pounded in there with a hammer.

Lead singer Ryan Hunter took over as the drummer in the studio during the recording of Lowcountry due to the band's many issues hanging onto drummers.  He also delivers an amazing live show as he thrashes around on stage backed by the rest of the band and a touring drummer.  The energy is electric and seemingly infinite.  Sadly, 2010 also saw the break-up of Envy On The Coast.  In the middle of July, the band called it quits citing that they were no longer happy being together in a band.  One has to wonder what went on during the writing of this album and the subsequent touring that might have contributed to their break-up.

What we're left with is an album of post-hardcore/alternative rock that is as memorable as it is unforgiving.  The band flexes their muscles on every single song though sometimes the lyrics fall a bit short (See: "The Great American T-Shirt Racket").  It's really the variety that will keep you coming back for more while it also widens the band's appeal to several different genres.  It’s a shame that by the time more people discover this band, they will have already gone the way of the buffalo.

Recommended Tracks: “Death March On Two, Ready?” and “Head First In The River“

 

03. Look Mexico - To Bed To Battle 

I've been a fan of Look Mexico since 2005's So Byzantine EP.  Upon seeing them in Alternative Press recommended for fans of American Football, I checked them out.  I was thrilled at what I found.  They were a talented young band that DID sound a lot like American Football.  In the years that followed, they release their debut full length, This Is Animal Music.  The band was still sliding under the radar and making the same kind of indie math rock with Matt Agrella's smooth vocals layered over the top.

And then in 2008, something happened.  The band finally realized that they had become a real band.  Sure, there were still the goofy referential things like the fact that every song is named after a Vin Diesel quote from his movies.  But they had broken some threshold.  They gathered up a couple more band mates and released the Gasp Asp EP, a brilliant and refreshing chunk of indie rock.  They refined their sound and perfected their melodies.

All of their evolution culminated on this year’s To Bed To Battle.  When it was announced that the first single, “You Stay. I Go.  No Following” was going to feature the amazing Frank Turner, I was beyond excited.  Two of my favorite new artists collaborating – what more could I want?  It still pisses me of that Alternative Press wrongly identified the guest vocalist in their review of the album.  But I guess that is veering off topic.  Appropriately enough, the song is about a record label screwing over the band and them saying “thank you for absolutely nothing.”

The early comparisons to American Football are still accurate.  The band features the same kind of intricate melodies and similar vocals.  They even feature horns and strings on several tracks.  Yet at the same time, they don’t sound as dated as listening to an American Football album would.  It is the Midwestern emo sound filtered into a modern light.  It’s also given a Southern makeover just by the sheer nature of where the boys in Look Mexico hail from.  The album starts out strong and barely misses a beat.  The music picks you up and carries you towards the crescendo, climaxing at the very end (“Just Like Old Times”) with moments of joy and sorrow in between all of that. 

I had a chance to speak to the band when they came through town several months ago.  They are some of the nicest and sincerest musicians I’ve ever met.  They were bummed about the whole Alternative Press review debacle but they are still trucking along.  They didn’t get to play their set at a nearly empty taco shop until 1 AM because their van’s transmission had broken in Colorado earlier in the day.  It had cost them something like $800 and they had driven all night just to get to the venue (the aforementioned taco shop, Yayo Taco) to play a free show for myself, my wife, and a couple of other kids.  If that isn’t punk rock, I don’t know what is.  They are just an honest band trying to make it in a brutal industry.

Recommended Tracks: “You Stay. I Go.  No Following” and “Just Like Old Times“

 

02. Tim Kasher - The Game Of Monogamy

You would think after several albums of musical discourse on the natural of interpersonal relationships and marital issues, both as Cursive and The Good Life, that Tim Kasher would be spent.  But here, with his first solo effort, we get another intimate cross section of his love life.  This album feels like a voyeuristic peek into the infatuation, love and subsequent collapse of a relationship.

When I first heard that Tim Kasher was releasing a solo album, I thought what most people probably think about solo albums: it’ll be an acoustic affair filled with heartfelt lyrics and gently strummed guitars.  Nothing could be further than the truth when it comes to The Game of Monogamy.  Sure, it’s filled to the brim with Kasher’s trademark lyrics which are about as heartfelt and earnest as you can possibly get.  But this ain’t no acoustic affair.

Tim Kasher holed up in the “frosty valley of Whitefish, Montana, nestled next to Big Mountain and Glacier National Park” to begin writing The Game of Monogamy, an album which provides Kasher’s narration of a standard relationship accompanied by Glacier National Symphony and various members of Cursive and Minus The Bear.  Kasher doesn’t lean on an acoustic guitar to provide his accompaniment; he’s brought everything from a string section to an oboe.  The orchestral arrangements serve as a perfect backdrop to a concept album that plays out like a screenplay.  Fans of Cursive’s more recent work will also be glad to hear the horns that flow throughout the record.  The themes that Kasher plays with are pretty damn obvious to anybody who has ever heard a Cursive or The Good Life record.  And that might be the greatest weakness of the album: if you are tired of hearing about how screwed up his relationships are, this could be a tedious exercise in rehashing the past.  He doesn’t break any new ground but the way in which he experiments with new sounds and musical variety is more intriguing than your average Good Life record. 

The theme of failing love reminds me of a joke I read on the AbsolutePunk boards a long while ago.  Somebody posted a thread asking “If you could ask a musician anything, what would it be and why?” and somebody replied that they’d ask Tim Kasher for relationship advice “because the dude seems to know a thing or two about keeping a marriage together.”

The record begins with an orchestral overture that reoccurs as the albums progresses.  From there, the songs range from the sparse, acoustic fare that you’d expect (“The Prodigal Husband”) to catchy songs that make you want to dance (“Cold Love”) to the seductive and pressing (“Bad, Bad Dreams”) to the climactic and cathartic (“Monogamy”).  Kasher’s lyrics shine as always, from heart-on-your-sleeve honesty (“I've become obsessed with my high school yearbook / Teenagers peering with wondrous eyes / Through the lens of what they'll become / Their unfulfilled lives of marriages, mortgages / Maybe I am becoming too marginalized”) to sweet sincerity (“We're a family of strays / but together we've been found).  He rarely misses his mark.  By the end of the album, you feel almost embarrassed, as if you’d just walked in on a couple in the middle of a fight, airing their dirty laundry.  That’s when you excuse yourself quietly and go somewhere to think about the last hour of your life.  It gives you an appreciation for your own personal relationship, if it is functioning, and at worst, it gives you something to relate to. 

My only complaint with this album is that all three b-sides were left off of the album.  The first was put on the flip side of the “Cold Love” single.  The second two b-sides were released on a bonus 7” that was available only if you pre-ordered a huge special edition bundle.  Unfortunately, that bonus 7” contains one of the best songs from the entire session: “Delirium Tantrums”.  Even if you check out the album, make sure you find this song.  It’s available on our B-Sides R Us blog.

After hearing Tim Kasher’s relationship fall to pieces (again), I just want to give him a hug.  The poor guy just can’t keep a relationship going to save his life.  Thankfully, music will always be there to be his whore.

Recommended Tracks: “Cold Love” and “There Must Be Something I've Lost”

 

01. Bad Books - Bad Books

Like Two Tongues before them, Bad Books is another alliteratively named supergroup.  A joining of two of your favorite musicians; a melding of minds.  In this case, it is the insanely brilliant Kevin Devine joining forces with Manchester Orchestra frontman Andy Hull.  The rest of the guys from Manchester Orchestra fill out the Bad Books lineup.  Having been a huge Kevin Devine fan for a good time now, I was kind of worried about the partnership.  I’d seen Manchester Orchestra live and had tried to listen to them on multiple occasions, only to be let down.  It seemed like boring music to me.  Thankfully, the two of them complement each other wonderfully.

With that said, this album suffers from the same problem that the Two Tongues record suffered from: the songs that each frontman contributes are quite distinct (ie. you can tell when it is a Kevin Devine song and you can tell when it is an Andy Hull song).  Very rarely do they seamlessly blend together but when they do, it results in an indie pop gem like the bubonic-plague-level catchy "You Wouldn't Have To Ask".  Even though the song began life as an acoustic Kevin Devine song, the Bad Books spin carves it into a short and simple slice of perfection.  Despite the fact that it is as close to a pop song as this record gets, its tone belies its content.  It’s actually a song about the “self-destructive impulses in all of us, …the toll those impulses take and by the idea of acceptance and forgiveness”, straight from Devine’s lips.

I tend to prefer the songs penned by Kevin Devine but that is probably due to my built in bias.  The Andy Hull songs aren't throw-away tracks by any means, however.  "Baby Shoes" is one of the best tracks on the record.  When asked by Alternative Press what “Baby Shoes” is actually about, Andy Hull said, “It's about a 2-year-old who dies, and then I give her to the devil, who brings her back to life.  She then tries to kill me, and I end up in prison because I try to kill her.  I wrote it in 20 minutes and said, "This is the weirdest thing I've ever done.” [Laughs.]”  It’s that kind of abstractness that marks Hull’s lyrics.  Lines like “I am the widow / The spidered king / There's web in your teeth / And there's holes in the ceiling /And I wanted more, I left with nothing / Who's really lost and who's really winning?” are delivered sincerely despite their odd slant.  That’s not to say that Kevin doesn’t contribute his fair share of mysterious lyrics (See: “Holding Down The Laughter”).

Kevin Devine’s lyrics are a little more accessible though he still has not lowered the personal bar he sets for himself.  He croons with his standard heart-on-his-sleeve honesty with lyrics like “But you’re a mirror I cannot avoid / Strung out and jittery and paranoid / A leaky battery that can’t keep charged / Get in the car and say what you mean.”  Ultimately, Kevin’s poetic lyrics mesh with Hull’s thought-provoking and obscure contributions to form an aurally pleasing masterpiece. 

If you check out this album hoping to hear a duet between the two frontman (as on “You Wouldn’t Have To Ask”), you are going to be sorely disappointed.  The power of this supergroup lies in the subtle details of every song.  Their strengths aren’t in your face and they aren’t obvious.  It’s how the songs are filled out with vocal harmonies and twinkly guitar parts.  Kevin Devine puts it best, “To me, this is what differentiates a Bad Books song from a Kevin Devine or Manchester Orchestra song: what the rest of us to do the foundation. This song sounds like a lot of what I do, but those Beach Boys-ish “Aaahs” and “Ooohs,” Andy's verse harmonies and Paul Simon-y ending falsettos the guys pushed me to do are things that probably would not have been there had I just recorded it for one of my records. They're some of my favorite things on the album.”

It’s that strong foundation that will keep you coming back for repeat listens.  It’s the collaboration that will have you singing along even if there’s no discernible chorus to be found.  It’s the experimentation that will surprise you every time you listen to this album and hear something new come out of your speakers.  In the end, (are you ready?), this was a book that I just couldn’t put down.  You may now commence groaning.

Recommended Tracks: “You Wouldn’t Have To Ask” and “Baby Shoes"

Honorable Mentions

Jimmy Eat World – Invented

You can always rely on Jimmy Eat World to put out a solid album.  They change their sound every album just enough to mix it up while still being able to tell that it is Jimmy Eat World.  There was something about Invented that didn’t hook me as much as their previous efforts did.  The lead single, “My Best Theory”, sounded to me like something I have already heard a hundred times before.  It wasn’t bad but it was bland.  This album may grow on me with time but I’d have to sit down and truly give it several more listens.

Taking Back Sunday – Live from Orensanz

I thought this was an amazing release this year.  It really couldn’t end up in my Top Ten because there’s no new music on it.  It’s simply a live, somewhat-acoustic show by Taking Back Sunday.  The orchestra, Judgment Day, shines throughout the recording adding their own touch to each of the songs with string arrangements.  Matt Fazzi's vocals are also top notch and this album really makes it clear how immensely he contributed to Taking Back Sunday.  If the person replacing him wasn't John Nolan, I might be just a little bit upset about the loss of Matt Fazzi.  As it is, I hope he goes on to better things.  Adam's vocals are every bit as spotty as they are live.  That isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's part of what makes Taking Back Sunday a fun band to see live.  The track-listing is stellar, ranging from the obvious ("MakeDamnSure", "Cute Without The E") to the obscure ("Didn't See That Coming" - an excellent bonus track from the New Again sessions).   If you had to download one song off of this album, I would recommend "One-Eighty By Summer".  It was one of my favorite tracks off of my least favorite TBS album and it sounds amazing rendered in an acoustic format.  Though it does not showcase Judgment Day and the orchestra at all – so if you’re in it for the strings, download a different song.

Streetlight Manifesto – 99 Songs of Revolution, Vol. 1

You really have to hand it to Streetlight Manifesto and Co - this is one incredibly ambitious project.  It started out as a vague musical side-project and was revealed to be a collection of 99 cover songs comprising 8 full length albums and featuring four different bands: Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution, Streetlight Manifesto, and two unknown artists related to Streetlight Manifesto.  Talk of releasing the project began back in 2008 and it wasn’t until this year that Volume 1 finally saw the light of day.  Volume 1 features a variety of cover songs ranging from Radiohead to NOFX to Paul Simon to The Postal Service, all performed with a ska twist.  It’s a fun and interesting listen – I can’t wait to see what they choose to cover for the remaining 88 songs.

Belle & Sebastian – Write About Love

These indie darlings always put on a good show.  This album is another strong effort by the Glasgow natives.  It just didn’t get a lot of airplay in my life this year.

Motion City Soundtrack – My Dinosaur Life

Motion City Soundtrack returns to the glory of their high pitched pop punk with My Dinosaur Life.   Fans and critics alike agree that the new sound is wonderful.

Plain White T’s – Wonders of the Younger

Well, there’s nothing on this album as disturbingly sweet as “Hey There Delilah”.  I knew the Plain White T’s were going to get big back when I bought their official debut album, Stop.  I just never knew it would take them re-writing the same album over and over again.  Thankfully, Wonders of the Younger breaks from the mold, if ever so slightly, to indulge a carnival theme that brings to mind Panic At The Disco’s first album and various other childhood dreams.

Max Bemis and the Painful Splits – Max Bemis and the Painful Splits

This album is in a very gray area regarding how legitimately it can be considered an album.  It wasn’t put out through a record label and the widest release it saw was being sold exclusively on Max Bemis’ solo tour.  The production value is non-existent and it sounds like it could have been recorded in a dumpster outside of a studio.  Nonetheless, this still ends up on my best of the year list.  I may not care for the man but there’s no denying that he writes some enjoyable music.  Admittedly, the songs on this album suffer from the same problem that started to plague his Song Shop songs – the guitar varies very little.  The tempo is the same, the strum pattern barely changes, etc.  It makes you get the feeling that Max isn’t the one who writes the instrumentation for Say Anything songs.  Aside from the sometimes grating guitar and the often inaudible vocals, there are some pop gems to be found.   The first song, “Chlorine Bath”, repetitive as it may be, is extremely catchy and will have you singing along before it is through.  If you like the band Eisley, you’ll be happy to hear Sherri Dupree’s vocals throughout several songs (she is Max’s wife, if you missed all that fun scene drama).  Also check out the song “Do The Dohnk” as it is among the best takes.  This album is recommended for all Say Anything fans.  It’ll tidy us over until the new Say Anything album comes out.

Worst Albums of the Year

My Chemical Romance – Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys

Oh boy.  It’s no secret that my wife loves My Chemical Romance, or should I say LOVED in the past tense.  This album, for lack of a better word, was atrocious.  Awful, terrible, horrible, lackluster, mediocre, etc.  In the words of my better half, it sounds like a “lite version of Mindless Self Indulgence.”  My Chemical Romance has always tried to reinvent themselves so it is no surprise that they have become the Fabulous Killjoys.  But I have to ask: what happened to the pure rock record?  That’s right, it was almost entirely scrapped and then Bob was kicked out of the band.  Undoubtedly, he did not agree with the direction they were taking.   

To take four years to make a record and then release this garbage is just embarrassing.  There is a song where Gerard Way literally rhymes the word “again” with itself three lines in a row.  He always goes for the most obvious lyric – did you know that dancer and cancer rhyme!?  The resulting lyrics sound like they were written by a middle schooler who just discovered poetry.  The band was smart to release “Na Na Na” as the lead single (though stupid to include 10+ Na’s in the title) because it is easily the best song on the record.  The rest is just unlistenable radio schlock.  Songs like “SING” just seem unnecessary and ineffective.  The band tried to shoot high and make it sound like an arena rock, U2-esque song but it just sounds forced and repetitive like the rest of the drivel on the radio.

I find it increasingly ironic that My Chemical Romance refused to write a song for the Twilight soundtracks because they thought their music was better than that.  The irony is that they have now licensed songs from Danger Days for at least four different products including a commercial for The Sims 3 Late Night Expansion Pack, Rhapsody, and, yes, American Idol.

Rufio – Anybody Out There

RU-FI-O, RU-FI-O, RU-FI-OOOOO.  What the hell happened, guys?  When Perhaps, I Suppose was released back in 2001, it was refreshing.  Yeah, it was pop punk/emo punk/emo/whatever but lead vocalist Scott Sellers’ voice was unique enough to make the music distinctive.  I always thought that the timbre of his voice was inherently sad.  It had a tone color to it that made it so well suited to the songs that Rufio crafted.  In the albums that followed, the band had marginal successes and failures.  Nothing was ever as outstanding as Perhaps, I Suppose.  But nothing was ever as bad as this year’s Anybody Out There.  After breaking up back in 2007, I was excited to see the band reunite and actually record a new full length.  Unfortunately, the result is bland and flavorless.  You can tell it’s Rufio but it just doesn’t seem to matter.  What was once refreshing  is now as stale as a crouton.  The just seem to be rehashing the same content now.  Perhaps a reunion wasn’t such a great idea.

Katy Perry – Teenage Dream

I know what you’re thinking – it’s not like Katy Perry albums are usually priceless works of art.  I completely agree.  But at least 2008’s One of the Boys was just this uber-infectious mess of pop that would dig its way into your skull and burrow there for a while.  It was blatantly simple and catered to the pop crowd but it never got overly grating or annoying.  It had its moments, of course.  But as a whole, it was a fun album.  Teenage Dream, on the other hand, is irritating beyond belief.  It’s an album without any redeeming characteristics.  It is poorly written, badly executed, and even more terribly produced.  There’s such a thick layer of lacquer and polish that if a human voice ever existed on the album, you wouldn’t be able to tell anymore.  The lyrics, despite being written by professional songwriters, are laughably bad with such gems as “Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed / So you could open one / That leads you to a perfect road / Like a lightning bolt / Your heart will blow”.  If you’re one of those crazy people who doesn’t know how a lightning bolt blows, then I’ll bet she can make you go “oh oh oh!”

Best EP's and Singles

01. The Get Up Kids – Simple Science

The Get Up Kids returned this year with their first studio recording since 2004’s Guilt Show.  When the band called it quits back in 2005, I didn’t think we would ever hear from them again.  Frontman Matt Pryor not only had a side project in The New Amsterdams, he also began releasing music under his own name.  Various other members went on to other bands with success (Blackpool Lights) and failure (White Whale).  The band reunited last year and recorded a session for the music website Daytrotter.  That session featured the first new song, “Your Petty Pretty Things”.  That song still shines in all of its glory on Simple Science.  It’s a song that simultaneously hearkens back to the pop sensibilities of Something To Write Home About while indulging the darker tones of some of their later albums.  “Keith Case” is also quite an intriguing song with its driving bass line and filtered vocals.  It is something that we haven’t quite heard out of The Get Up Kids yet and it’s a tempting sample of what’s to come.
 
Recommended Track: “Your Petty Pretty Things”

02. Forgetters – Forgetters

When Jets To Brazil dissolved into nothingness in 2003, one of the greatest lyricists that has ever existed disappeared off of the face of the planet.  Eventually Blake Schwarzenbach, also the genius behind the genre defining band Jawbreaker, was tracked down to Hunter College in New York.  The man who had produced such amazing aural efforts was teaching English (an obvious choice for a talented lyricist) and pursuing a Ph.D. in English literature.

Thankfully in the fall of 2008, Schwarzenbach found his way back to the music scene.  He started over again – clips of him playing at open mic nights in coffee shops popped up on the internet.  It wasn’t long until he had formed Thorns of Life.  He described it as “loud and tender” and said “it sounds like a storehouse of fond hatred from the last few years and in the now.”  As for what any of that means, I’m not quite sure.  He has a blog filled with similar (and even more obscure) musings that you can peruse if you so desire.  Thorns of Life played a string of live shows, including a sold out show at 924 Gilman (Blake’s former stomping grounds).  And then the band was gone before they’d even recorded material.  The best we got was a bootleg with fairly good quality.

Shortly thereafter, Blake joined forces with former Against Me! drummer Kevin Mahon and bassist Caroline Paquita from the band Bitchin'.  The result is the band forgetters.  Before long, the band had formed their own label, Too Small To Fail Records, and had recorded their debut self-titled EP.

The result is a breed of indie rock that sounds closer to Jawbreaker than Jets to Brazil and it has the most subtle rockabilly flavor.  I’m extremely glad that Blake is making music once again and I hope that forgetters sticks around for a while.

Recommended Track: “Vampire Lessons”

03. Cursive – Discovering America

This single is Cursive’s first new song since 2009’s Mama, I’m Swollen and it’s a damn good one.  Let me start off by pointing out that all profits from the sale of this digital single are donated to the American Indian College Fund.  For a mere $1, you get a scathing indictment of this country’s treatment of Native Americans.  The racism that is all too prevalent even today is captured perfectly in Cursive’s trademark songwriting style.  Discordant guitars plow through the song accompanied by a moving piano riff that dances along to the sounds of the horns sounding off in the background.  Tim Kasher’s lyrics are as astounding as always – my favorite line is also one of the most caustic: “Driving in my Cherokee / to see the Redskins scalp the Chiefs”.  These boys don’t pull punches – I can only hope that they eventually get around to the political album they were discussing and thinking about a couple of years ago.

Recommended Track: It’s a single – there is only one track.

 

04. Frank Turner - Rock & Roll

When Frank Turner wrote on his blog that this EP was "a taster for the new album", he barely hinted at the salivating that would follow.  We got a good taste and now we want to devour the whole buffet.  Rock & Roll gives a brief look into what his upcoming full length might sound like.

The opening song, “I Still Believe”, is a gunshot right off the bat.  It is a galloping wallop of a song packed with reaffirming punch after rock and roll punch.  It will also be featured on his upcoming full length, due out in 2011.  It's a great song to sing-a-long to while keeping it's cathartic message about the messiah that is rock music.  The next song is "Pass It Along", a folk-punk ballad of sorts that namedrops everyone from Jonah Matranga (of Onelinedrawing/Far fame) to Bob Dylan to Chuck Ragan (Turner's Revival Tour-mate).  It follows the same theme as "I Still Believe" which is the life of a rock & roll musician.  It's a catchy and poetic song and it is easily one of the best on the EP.  

The EP is split down the middle by "Rock & Roll Romance", a song first featured on the Take Action Volume 9 compilation.  This is the slowest song on the EP and it's also one of the most straight-forward love songs that he's ever written, even if it doesn't have a happy ending.  As he croons, "You and I could have a rock n' roll romance / we could fuck in our clothes / we could sleep in our pants / I will crash at yours and you will crash at mine / and we would stay in bed 99% of the given time", you have to wonder what woman on the face of the planet would just sit there and not take him up on his offer. 

From there, the tempo picks up with "To Absent Friends", which is the worst song on the record.  The lyrics are way too esoteric and there is nothing about the song that I find remotely intriguing.  Rock & Roll finishes on a dour note, "The Next Round", a confessional song about drinking.  All in all, this is another impressive release from Frank Turner.  It may have one misfire but the rest of the songs make up for it.  Let's only hope that the full length is more in the vein of "I Still Believe" and not "The Next Round".  I have no doubt it will be because I have faith in Frank Turner's ability to craft albums that are more perfect as time goes on.

Recommended Track: "Pass It Along"

05. The Dear Hunter – Branches EP

The Dear Hunter is still one of my favorite new bands.  Their complex instrumentation and epic lyrics/storyline keep me hanging on for more.  This year, they put up a very limited number of lifetime fan club packages for sale.  It was a bit pricy but it included this bonus EP plus the first two Acts on clear vinyl.  I would have picked it up in a heartbeat but by the time I went to buy it the next morning, it was sold out.  I’m still extremely bitter about that but I digress.

The Branches EP was a bonus EP of three songs that are not related to the first three Acts of their concept/storyline, which is a rarity since everything else they release IS related.  The band is now splitting out and working on their Color concept albums (ie white songs, green songs) and they won’t be returning to the story of the boy born of a prostitute only to fall in love with another prostitute any time soon.  But again, I digress.  These songs are solid Dear Hunter songs featuring the same complexities and lyrics that that mark the rest of their albums.  You get another LOST reference with the title of the song “B. Linus”.  God, I miss LOST.  Wikipedia also says that the song “Isabella” references LOST but I don’t see that one.  “Isabella” is the least memorable track on the album and “Owls” gets a little repetitive.  With that in mind, I would say the opening track “B. Linus” is the strongest.  It is interesting to get The Dear Hunter songs that have no lyrical ties to the existing story so I would recommend that any fan of TDH should check out this EP.

Recommended Track: “B. Linus”

06. The Paper Melody – Conducting The Motion EP

This was a band that I checked out on a recommendation from Alternative Press.  The best introduction that I can give you to the band is the same introduction I got: go to YouTube and watch the video they made for the song “Incandescent”.  It’s visually striking and the song is by far the best on the entire EP.

I had the, eh, interesting experience of booking a show for The Paper Melody this year.  The previous show they had booked fell through so I tried and was able to secure them a spot at another venue.  I make it sound fancy but they ultimately ended up playing to an almost empty taco shop, which is kind of sad considering I think they are quite talented.  If you like the kind of post-hardcore that bands like The Receiving End of Sirens play(ed) so well, you will probably enjoy The Paper Melody.  They have the screamed hardcore vocals in conjunction with female vocals and layers of instrumentation.  For a debut EP, Conducting The Motion is an impressive effort.  The EP doesn't have any noticeable flaws or slow spots.  It's just a strong exercise in mixing things up a bit.  I think this band has great things in their future

Recommended Track: “Incandescent”

07. Kevin Devine – She Stayed As Steam

Kevin Devine is seriously one of the nicest and most talented guys in the business.  If you ever get a chance to just talk to him, you will be better off for doing so.  His music is poignant and powerful.  It's well-written and his lyrics never cease to amaze.

She Stayed As Steam begins with the title track, which was also a bonus track on 2009's Brother Blood, which is absolutely one of the best albums ever written.  I have to say that I enjoy the demo version of "She Stayed As Steam" more than the full band version featured on this EP.  The acoustic demo version sounds more earnest and direct though the rest of the band does feature nicely on this version.  The second track, "Big Bad Man", began life in much the same way that "She Stayed As Steam" did.  It was an acoustic demo written during the Brother's Blood sessions.  The full band version of "Big Bad Man" is far superior to its overwhelmingly under-produced acoustic demo (which drags just slightly).  The two tracks that follow are remixes - I don't particularly care for these kind of remixes, they don't seem to fit the style of music and they don't do the original song justice.  The EP finishes strong with a cover of a Leonard Cohen song ("Chelsea Hotel No. 2") that Kevin has been playing live for quite a while and a live version of "Ballgame", which is not only one of the greatest songs that Kevin has ever written, it's one of the greatest songs ever written.  I consider it to be one of the few flawless songs in the world.  This live version features alternate lyrics and an extra verse that sheds even more light into the heart of this true artist. 

Recommended Track: “Big Bad Man”

08. Owen – Abandoned Bridges

I'm always up for new Owen songs.  This 7"/Digital Release features one new song, recorded in March with Mike's cousin Nate Kinsella, backed with a cover of the Wilco track "I'm Always In Love".  The title track follows 2009's New Leaves perfectly.  Mike uses the same esoteric writing style where he namedrops his friends and talks about very specific situations while at the same time making it so that most people can actually relate to what he's singing.  Lyrics like "I've lived, loathed, and learned / Set fire to abandoned bridges and watched them burn / Here I am, I'm all yours" are so sincerely sweet and genuine in their delivery that you can't help but fall in love with the music.  For some reason, this song reminds me a lot of the Owen song "May First Brings Lots of Laughs", off of Near and Far Vol. 1.  Regarding the b-side, I've never heard the original Wilco track so I can only assume that Mike does it justice. 

Recommended Track: "Abandoned Bridges”

 

09. New Found Glory/Dashboard Confessional – Swiss Army Bro-mance

When I found out that two of the most important bands to my musical development were going to be touring together this year, I was beyond excited.  Not only that, but it was going to be an acoustic tour!  Alas, living in the confines of a small town like Las Vegas means that the tour didn't even think about stopping by.  Thankfully, The Swiss Army Bro-mance 7" was born of the musical friendship between these two tour partners.

I remember being just a young boy in high school when I discovered New Found Glory.  My friend and I would sit in Spanish class listening to Nothing Gold Can Stay.  That record, as well as the self-titled one that followed, were huge in pushing me towards this kind of music.  My very first concert was New Found Glory, Thrice, H20, and the Rx Bandits.  It wasn't long after that when I discovered Dashboard Confessional.  I played The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most until the CD would not play anymore.

This 7" features each band covering two of the other band's songs.  New Found Glory takes on the title track from 2000's The Swiss Army Romance as well as "Saints and Sailors", off of 2001's Places.  Dashboard Confessional takes on "All About Her" and "Better Off Dead", both off of 2000's New Found Glory.  New Found Glory's side on this split is by far the strong side.  They take songs that began as acoustic anthems and they spun them into fast-paced pop punk songs that you can bounce to.  Their interpretation is amazing - Jordan handles the vocals perfectly and there's even a bit of Chad's screaming thrown in for good measure.  I daresay that the end of their cover of "The Swiss Army Romance" builds to a higher point than even the original. 


Unfortunately, the Dashboard Confessional side of this record just sputters along slowly.  Whereas New Found Glory made the cover songs sound like their own, Chris Carrabba decided to interpret the NFG songs with more of an electronica vibe, drum machine and all.  I would have rather heard Chris perform the songs on an acoustic guitar - you can't tell me they wouldn't have translated.  Unfortunately, his side of this split is so boring that it is skip-worthy every single time.

Recommended Track: New Found Glory - "The Swiss Army Romance”

10. NOFX/The Spits – Split 7”

The cover art of this split should really tell you all you need to know: it's the names of both bands spelled out in cocaine on a mirror.  We get two new tracks from NOFX and two new tracks from The Spits, a Seattle based punk band.  These songs are punk rock at its most distilled with the longest clocking in at 2:24.  NOFX's contributions sound a lot like their older material - it's not very complicated or well-written.  It is snotty and snarling punk rock wrapped up in a neat little package.  The Spits are band I'd never heard of before.  They aren't terrible though.  The vocals sound a little smoother (maybe more on the pop punk side of things) but the music still tears through all of it like a buzzsaw.  If you want an adrenaline filled punk rock adventure in just under seven minutes, here you go. 
 
Recommended Track: NOFX - "Teenage Existentialist"

11. Further Seems Forever – Acoustic 7”

Pompadoured heartthrob reunites with his original band to provide acoustic renditions of two of the most amazing songs on their debut album – can you say “emogasm”?  The band delivers brand new acoustic recordings on this 7".  They don't sound anemic or weak in any way.  The band fills out the songs nicely with two guitar parts.  If you were a fan of The Moon Is Down, you will love these versions.  My only gripe about this release is not including a download code.  I like my music mobile.  Thankfully, one of the other guys at the b-sides blog that I contribute to put up an amazing rip of this release. 
 
Recommended Track: "The Moon Is Down (Acoustic)"

Most Anticipated of 2011

01.  Taking Back Sunday - possibly self titled

Of all the surprises to come out of 2010, I expected this one the least.  It had always been a deeply buried fantasy of mine to become rich enough to start a record label and release an EP featuring the original members of Taking Back Sunday.  The EP would have consisted of a properly recorded version of “The Ballad of Sal Villanueva” as well as songs that got scrapped when they went their separate ways (songs like “The Metal Song” and “Baby Your Beard Hurts”).  As it turns out, the founding members are making my dreams come true.  After an abrupt reconciliation, we are getting new material, including a reworked version of “Baby Your Beard Hurts” as well as live gems like the guys taking on “Existentialism on Prom Night”, inarguably the best song to come out of guitar/co-vocalist John Nolan’s side project, Straylight Run.  Adam and John now seem to be having a beard growing/Jesus look-a-like contest and, aside from a lack of John’s vocals, a great new song tentatively titled “Best Places To Be A Mom”.  In an interview with Spin, Adam talks about the variety of the new songs including the “heaviest rock song [they’ve] ever written”, some mellow tracks, a 50’s style Buddy Holly-esque song, and a James Bond-like spy/surf song.  Here’s to hoping that they keep the raw, earnest emotion of their youth and combine it with the maturity they’ve gained since last rocking the world together. 
 
02.  Frank Turner

Frank Turner is one of the most punk rock motherfuckers on the face of the planet.  He is genuine in a way that is so rare in today’s music scene.  His spin on punk rock is a modern day take on folk songs with plenty of rebellion thrown in.  2008’s Love Ire & Song was brilliant and 2009’s Poetry of the Deed was a well rounded slab of country-tinged folk punk.  The Rock & Roll EP, released this year to tidy us over until 2011’s full length, rockets out of the gate with the single “I Still Believe”.  It’s the only song on the EP that will also be on the upcoming full length and it’s easy to hear why.  It’s an enjoyable romp with an affirming message about how something as simple as rock and roll can save us all. 
 
03.  The Get Up Kids – There Are Rules (Quality Hill Records)

The title of the new Get Up Kids album is quite contradictory – there are rules but as a seminal emo band, they’ve decided not to follow them.  After parting amicably with Vagrant Records, the band formed their own record label, Quality Hill Records.  Judging by the new material on the Simple Science EP, the new songs take on a darker, more mature vibe.  Recorded entirely on analog, There Are Rules looks to be a triumphant return to form for the band.  Produced by longtime friend of the band, Ed Rose, the album will be mixed by Shellac bassist Bob Weston, who produced The Get Up Kids’ incredible debut album, Four Minute Mile.  Back in the late 90’s, coming off of the building excitement around Four Minute Mile, the record label asked the band to re-record the all-too-infectious track “Don’t Hate Me” so that it could be put on their sophomore album.  Instead, the band said “absolutely not” and released one of the greatest albums of all time – Something To Write Home About.  Much in the same way, The Get Up Kids still seem to be playing by their own rules. 
 
04.  Say Anything

In an interview with Alternative Press, Max Bemis recently confirmed that he has 8 songs already written for Say Anything’s next album.  The band is planning to begin recording early next year for an undetermined release date on an undetermined label.  I loved the band’s last album, Say Anything.  So much so that it ended up being #1 on my list last year – a decision that is still contentious within the depths of my soul (Kevin Devine’s Brother Blood probably should have been #1 but Say Anything was just so catchy).   There’s not much else I can say about how excited I am about this upcoming Say Anything album so I’ll just quote the interview that Max Bemis’ did with Alternative Press.  “The material is going to be a lot more sinister and angry-sounding than on the last record, but not ‘heavy’ or ‘hardcore’ in a redundant, ‘I'm going to write about being miserable over metal riffs’ way.”  “I would say it's an offspring of progressive, danceable punk and post-punk bands—such as Fugazi and the Clash—but orchestrated originally, approached in the way the Beatles or Wilco would.”  “That doesn't mean it isn't super-melodic, it's just not bouncy or cartoonish.”  It’s also looking like this will be the first Say Anything album that isn’t entirely introspective in nature.   “It's the first record I've written that has nothing to with my love life and is a complete encapsulation of my beliefs.  I don't want to give away too much, but it's pretty much a blazingly angry collection of anthemic songs about tearing down the system and starting again.”  If “Hate Everyone” (off of 2009’s self titled album) is LESS angry-sounding than the new stuff, then it’s going to be very interesting to see what comes out.  As long as Max doesn’t pull a Brand New (See: Daisy) and scream through all of the songs, I think angry anthemic songs sound awesome. 
 
05.  The Ataris – The Graveyard of the Atlantic 

Another year of putting The Ataris on the Most Anticipated list.  Personally, I still have my doubts about whether the album will finally see release in 2011.  The good news is that there’s finally a title and there’s talk about releasing it in Japan very soon.  I know they’ve been saying this since December of last year and I have no idea why Japan is so important to them that the album would come out there first.  Hopefully Kris Roe can fully (and finally) recover from his PCP laced, Jesus finding, Killers-imitating musical adventure and actually find a record label to release the new album stateside.  Kung Fu Records served The Ataris really well back in the day, why not go with them again?  Paper + Plastick recently released their 7”, why not go with them for the full length?  There are options.  Another good sign is that 2010 saw the release of the aforementioned new 7”, featuring “All Souls Day” (which was also on last year’s Warped Tour compilation in a rough demo version) backed with the title track of the new album.  Both songs sound a lot more like classic Ataris than anything else Kris Roe has done in the last five years.  Sadly, he still hasn’t learned the dangers of re-recording old songs (See: the horrible bastardized version of “I Won’t Spend Another Night Alone” that appeared on So Long Astoria) as they will be re-recording “Fast Times at Drop-Out High” (which originally appeared on End Is Forever) for the new album.  On the plus side, Graveyard of the Atlantic can’t possibly be any worse than Welcome The Night. 
 
06.  Death Cab For Cutie – Codes and Keys (Spring 2011)

The little indie band that could not be stopped.  From seeing them play to a crowd of 20 kids at The Huntridge many years ago to seeing them finally hit #1 on the Billboard charts with 2008’s Narrow Stairs, Ben Gibbard and Co have never failed to impress.  The band took some major risks when crafting Narrow Stairs, including its darker tone and the sprawling epic that was their first single (“I Will Possess Your Heart”), and they seem to be moving forward with their upcoming record, Codes and Keys.  The title track will be the first Death Cab song to include a string section in 12 years.  Another track, titled “Unobstructed View”, is described by Gibbard as a “sprawling, seven minute track that’s mostly instrumental.”  The album as a whole is not going to be guitar-based as the band has been playing around with vintage keyboards and has chosen to go with that “palette”.  Guitarist and producer Chris Walla also contributes more to Codes and Keys, writing all of the music for several of the 12 or 13 tracks that will comprise the album.

A lot has changed for the band recently – Ben Gibbard married a famous actress, moved to Hollywood and lost a good amount of weight.  All of the band members are either married or engaged.  How the music will be affected by such changes remains to be seen but it should be interesting.  Ben Gibbard said that, in looking back, he is a bit embarrassed by Narrow Stairs and he also said he is “so proud” of the new album.  I loved Narrow Stairs so if that’s what Gibbard considers embarrassing, I can’t wait to hear him at his proudest. 
 
07. Owen – Weiner-dogs and Plastic Fork Sets (1/3/11)

The wealth of knowledge about this upcoming album is limited to the rumored title of “Weiner-dogs and Plastic Fork Sets” and that it is set for a 1/3/11 release.  Take from that what you will.  At least Mike Kinsella is still making music.  After songs like “One of these Days” and “Curtain Call”, I didn’t think we were going to get another album. 
 
08. New Found Glory
Details on this upcoming album are sparse.  Most of what we know came from the Most Anticipated albums article in Alternative Press.  Frontman Jordan Pundik has said of the new album, “I’m drawing from bands like Descendents and old, old Green Day… I just think tight, crunchy, catchy-as-fuck pop-punk songs would be really fun to do.”  I’m liking that he’s talking about the Descendents and I love that the band is going with engineer/producer Neal Avron (the mastermind behind Coming Home and Jordan’s new found vocal confidence) again.  It’s no secret that I hated 2009’s Not Without A Fight.  There’s still only one song on that record that I occasionally listen to.  I hope that this upcoming crunchy, catchy-as-fuck pop punk is everything I want it to be.  New Found Glory was a huge part of my musical development back in the day so I NEED another good album from them. 
 
09. Thrice

Lead singer Dustin Kensrue has said, “this time around, I really don’t know what to expect” and that the album will be “influenced by what is physically fun to play.”  One thing seems certain – the new album is going to sound heavier than its recent predecessors.  Kensrue says that they are “bringing back some more mathy elements” and are taking more influence from heavier bands like Botch.  Drummer Riley Breckenridge also hints at a harder and more complex album, “We’re trying to do stuff with odd time signatures and make it sound unconventional without feeling unconventional.”  This album will certainly be a departure from 2007 and 2008’s varied Alchemy Index volumes and 2009’s brooding Beggars.  Fans of Thrice’s older music, rejoice!  There isn’t a doubt in my mind that the band can breathe live back into the harder sound they started out with while retaining the melodic hooks that flow throughout their recent material. 
 
10.  Moving Mountains

I remember when I first discovered Moving Mountain’s surprising debut album, Pneuma.  I had heard of the band before.  Their name had flashed in front of my eyes countless times as I perused the Deep Elm Records web-site and newsletter.  It was until I took the time to sit down and actually listen that I was shocked and awed.
 
It is truly poetic and epic music.  It’s impossible to describe because it is so many different things blended together.  There is post-hardcore and indie rock.  It sounds like the kind of band that Casey Cresenzo would have been in between The Receiving End of Sirens and The Dear Hunter.  After Pneuma, the band released the Foreword EP, which followed as a natural progression.  As they’re getting older, they just keep honing their skills and perfecting their sound.  It’s going to be awesome to hear the next step in their evolution. 
 
11. Yellowcard – When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes (Spring, on Hopeless Records)

Typically when you hear the phrase “take a break”, it means terrible things (as in “this isn’t working, we need to take a break”).  Fortunately, when Yellowcard decided to take a break in the wake of 2009’s enjoyable Paper Walls, it didn’t spell trouble.  The band is back together and it sounds like they found a new lease on life.  In interviews, Ryan Key talks about optimism, hope, positivity, gratitude and doing what they love to do.  I can only guess what that kind of abundant optimism is going to sound like but Key has mentioned that the new album may share some traits with their breakout (and band defining) album, Ocean Avenue.  The band is once again teaming up with longtime producer Neal Avron.  The result should be an album that we can, *groan*, “say yes” to 
 
12. Further Seems Forever?

Recently, former Further Seems Forever (and now Dashboard Confessional) frontman Chris Carrabba reunited with his former band.  Not a lot is known about this reunion.  On their web-site, we saw rehearsal footage of the band (with all of its original members) practicing their awe-inspiring title track “The Moon Is Down”.  At the end of the video, it simply said “Spring”.  They just recently released a 7” with recently recorded acoustic versions of two of the songs off of The Moon Is Down.  The 7” alone is worthy of celebration.  Chris has been sporadically performing an acoustic version of “The Moon Is Down” at Dashboard Confessional shows for a good while now.  The song sounds every bit as amazing acoustic as it does on the album.  The other song to get the acoustic treatment is “New Year’s Project”, another standout track from The Moon Is Down – though definitely more of a tearjerker.
 
Considering how strangely everything surrounding the release of The Moon Is Down in 2001 went down, it is amazing that the band is back together.  The story is as follows: Chris Carrabba had already recorded the Dashboard Confessional album The Swiss Army Romance before Further Seems Forever had even recorded their full length.  Chris had already made the decision to leave Further Seems Forever due to the band’s touring difficulties and he chose to return a month later to record The Moon Is Down with a band he had already parted ways with.  After Carrabba had left the band, Further Seems Forever recruited vocalist Jason Gleason.  They recorded several cover songs together and released a full length, How To Start A Fire, before they split on very tumultuous terms.  After Jason, the band found Jon Bunch, lead singer of the band Sense Field.  They played together and recorded plenty of music before breaking up entirely in 2006.

And now here we are, left with the word “Spring”.  What could it possibly mean?  Are we just getting one reunion show (both Further Seems Forever and Dashboard Confessional are scheduled to perform at Belgium's Groezrock festival in April 2011)?  Or are we getting a reunion tour?  Or, possibly, hopefully, wonderfully, could we actually get new music?  I don’t know what the case is.  But I am crossing my fingers that we could get a new album with all of the original members involved. 
 
13.  Sunny Day Real Estate?

When they reunited in 2009, Sunny Day Real Estate surprised everyone.  The band hadn’t exactly been on great terms given everything that happened (Jeremy Enigk’s fanaticism about Jesus, the multiple break ups between albums, etc), as well as the fact that two of the band’s members, Nate Mendel and William Goldsmith, found great success with the Foo Fighters.  But in 2009, they made the rounds on their reunion tour, even debuting a new song that they had written during rehearsals, simply titled “10”.  In September of 2009, the band was already strongly hinting that new music would be on its way.  In February of this year, guitarist Dan Hoerner confirmed in an interview that the band was currently writing a new album.  Many months have passed and we have not gotten so much as a word from the band on the status of their new material.  I really hope that the band is still working on the album and that it will be released in the coming year.