2010: A Musical Summary (of Sorts)

Yup. Did it again. Gotta keep with tradition (I guess). I didn’t write anything to go along with each album last year (for whatever reason) and this year I felt like writing even more. So I extended the list to 20, all while still keeping the sections for favorite Singles and EPs of 2010, least favorite releases of 2010, and five albums from 2009 that I didn’t really listen to until 2010. I got rid of that section for re-issues though, because I didn’t really listen to any reissued albums this year. Not even Pinkerton. I also got rid of runner-up albums, because I didn’t fucking feel like it.

Also: if you’re expecting to see Kanye and Sufjan to be at the top this list or something, wrong place for that. I’m aware that everyone else loves those albums, but I don’t listen to either artist. It’s not some snobby statement about the talent of either artist; I just thought I was a better judge of going with albums that I actually listened to.


Here we go:


20. The Hold Steady – Heaven Is Whenever

I have to admit something… Heaven Is Whenever is the first album by The Hold Steady that I’ve actually listened to, so I’m a little late to the game. I’ve heard this one isn’t as good as previous efforts, but that’s generally the consensus for whenever any artist releases a new album. It may not be their strongest release, but I still hold (pun?) it in regard as being the album that got me into this band. Plus I listened to this album a lot while recovering from my wisdom tooth removal, so I associate it with overcoming stuff.

The Hold Steady - Rock Problems


19. Against Me! – White Crosses

I have a lot of problems with putting this album on my list. But as much as I want to dislike it, I can’t help but enjoy it. It’s almost painful to admit liking it. Maybe I’m just an Against Me! fanboy at heart, or maybe I just need to be more secure in my music tastes, but there are some God-awful tracks on this album and I feel badly for liking it. That said, take away tracks like “Because of the Shame,” “Ache With Me” and the ever-so-boring and generic “We’re Breaking Up” and you’ve got a decent mainstream punk album. I actually prefer some of these tracks to those on New Wave and Searching for a Former Clarity.

Against Me! - High Pressure Low (acoustic)
(I think it’s funny that Franz Nicolay performs in this video, right after I list it underneath the first Hold Steady album that he didn’t perform on)


18. Toh Kay and Dan P. – You By Me Vol. 1

Another album full of covers, although this time it’s more like the BYO Split Series Vol. 3 than it is Acid Eaters. Tomas Kalnoky (Streetlight Manifesto) and Dan Potthast (MU330, solo work) cover each other’s songs. I dig it Cyrus, I dig it.

Toh Kay – I’ve Set Sail
Dan P. – A Moment of Silence


17. Sage Francis – Li(f)e

I like Sage Francis. Even if he doesn’t have the illest beats or the dopest rhymes. What I like is his ability to craft characters and tell their stories, which I think is an important aspect of hip hop. I don’t think he brings a whole lot of new ideas to the table; if anything he’s just made his music more accessible to a broader audience (sorta… you know, to those who enjoy their rhymes backed by strings). He still hates on God too, more so than on previous works.

Sage Francis - Three Sheets to the Wind


16. The Queers – Back to the Basement

The Queers have managed to succeed where blink-182 has failed: writing catchy, short songs about farts and girls while still being accepted by the punk community. They even aren’t afraid to tackle issues that blink-182 never did, like writing a song about a girl he’d like to tit-fuck. Joe Queer does his best to show that he listens to more than just the Beach Boys and Ramones (several Black Flag references, including a pretty faithful rendition of White Minority), but the best tracks are still the goofy surf influenced love songs.

The Queers - Back to the Basement


15. Flobots – Survival Story

When “Handlebars” came out, I think a lot of people dismissed Flobots as some gimmicky group that wrote a catchy pop tune. And it did become a runaway hit, but in spite of that the Flobots have a lot to say, being the most outspoken political hip hop group that I can think of since Public Enemy. But I don’t just like them for the message (some of the songs are actually a little too preachy); I also think that they can write a pretty good tune.

Flobots - If I


14. Mixtapes – Maps

This is as close to a cutesy indie pop band that you’ll see on this list, but even that’s not really an accurate description of their sound. Dual guy/girl vocals, average a minute and a half song length and lyrics about the hardships of life. In spite of that description, they are not a Plan-It-X band. Just check them out; their album is available on their label’s website.

Mixtapes - Nothing Can Kill the Grimace


13. The Slackers – The Great Rocksteady Swindle

When I shaved my head this summer, the first thing I did was begin listening to ska again. And not the ska I listened to in high school; but a lot of classic two-tone stuff. And more of the traditional sounding third-wave bands like the Toasters and the Slackers. What I really like about this album is the diversity in song writing, as each band member contributed lyrics. It’s a nice summer album to kick back and relax to, which is all I could've really asked for at the time.

The Slackers - Sabina


12. Streetlight Manifesto – 99 Songs of Revolution Part 1

I’m just a sucker for this band. Yeah, it’s just a long-overdue covers album, but it’s a long-overdue covers album that I really like. Yes, even the Radiohead cover.

Streetlight Manifesto - Skyscraper (Bad Religion cover)


11. Alkaline Trio – This Addiction

So it’s not the “return to form” album that they had promised. Big deal. Agony and Irony was really torn in several directions and despite having some solid songs, it was just a really big mess. This Addiction is definitely a more consistent release and less flashy than the last few albums (which is probably as close to “return to form” as we’ll get from them).

Alkaline Trio - Fine


10. Devo – Something for Everybody

While everyone else is slobbering over Superchunk’s first album in 9 years* I think it’s more impressive that Devo unleashed this upon the world after 20. Sometimes when a band doesn’t change their sound, they’re heavily criticized for it. Other times, they can find a way to make it work. Devo falls into the latter; all they did was update the technology that they sing about.

*I listened to Majesty Shredding in part while writing this list. It was a fine album, I'm just saying that a 20 year comeback is more impressive than a 9 year one.

Devo - Don't Shoot (I'm a Man)


09. The Gamits – Parts

I began listening to the Gamits right before starting college, so it’s only fitting that they reunite and release an album during my final semester. Chris’ voice has changed a lot in the last four years (think Jack from One Man Army meets Matt Skiba circa-Good Mourning) but the songs all still have the same catchy hooks are before.

The Gamits - No One Cares, Why Should I?


08. AM Taxi – We Don’t Stand a Chance

I won’t lie: I only checked out these guys because I heard they sounded like The Gaslight Anthem. That’s essentially what I got and I was pleasantly surprised. This is the type of music you can grab a beer to while throwing your arms around the shoulders of your buddies. Recommended to those who were let down by American Slang (even though I don’t think you should’ve been).

AM Taxi - Champagne Toast


07. OFF! – First Four EPs

I will admit that a lot of the music I listen to isn’t really “punk” despite of how I may have it categorized in my iTunes. That said, OFF! is punk as fuck. There may not be a “proper” way that punk was meant to be done, but it sounds so good when done like this.

OFF! - Upside Down
(if this is the only video that has an ad load before it, I'll laugh)


06. The Dopamines – Expect the Worst

If OFF! is any indication of how punk sounds better when done a certain way, then I believe that the Dopamines sophomore effort is a perfect example of how traditional pop punk (you know, in the vein of the Ramones and all those 90’s Lookout bands) should be done.

The Dopamines - You'd Make a Good Horsecop


05. Stephen Egerton – The Seven Degrees of Stephen Egerton

A modern power pop classic. This man is one of the best guitarists associated with punk rock and his song writing is really strong too. There are 16 vocalists (including two ALL vocalists and Milo) on the album, with each singer bringing their own spark to his (sorry ladies, no female vocalists on this one) specific track. The one with Chris from Less Than Jake, even features co-writing credits by Vinnie, almost making it a brand new LTJ song! And since ALL is always getting new vocalists, this album fits in nicely with the Descendents/ALL library (maybe even better than some previous outputs).

Stephen Egerton - She’s Got Everything (feat. Milo Aukerman)


04. Motion City Soundtrack – My Dinosaur Life

Leave it to a shift to a major label to help released this monster of a comeback album. This album is pure pop, but it’s so well done that I never feel guilty for liking it. Also, how often does one hear kazoos in a radio single?

Motion City Soundtrack - Her Words Destroyed My Planet


03. The Gaslight Anthem – American Slang

Unlike the first two Gaslight Anthem albums, this one needed to grow on me. It’s strange, it’s not even that different from The ’59 Sound, but at the same time, it’s completely different. This is definitely an arena album (at least a medium-sized stadium) album instead of a small club or bar album. The song writing and playing is still really tight though and at the core, they’re still the same band. So what if they’re headed in a more mainstream friendly direction? At least they’re taking it one step at a time, slowly testing the waters with each album instead of just completely jumping the shark.

The Gaslight Anthem - The Diamond Church Street Choir


02. Off With Their Heads – In Desolation

Off With Their Heads is a great band. They like to get drunk. They write songs to sing-along with. You can sing-along to them drunk. You can also sing-along to them sober. Some songs are about getting drunk. Others are about girls. Sometimes they’re about losing a girl. Sometimes they’re about the terrible self realizations one can come to. Sometimes they’re about getting drunk. Sometimes they combine the three subjects. They also probably don’t like you (or me for that matter). You’ll have a fun time either way.

Off With Their Heads - Trying to Breathe


01. Fake Problems – Real Ghost Caught on Tape

Fake Problems have written three of my most listened to songs of the year, Soulless, ADT and Songs for Teenagers. I just wanted to say that first, so this album gets bonus points for that. Their song, Grand Finale, was also playing while Steve and I said “farewell” to Crispell 304, so it’s also got sentimental value. But the album itself is also just really good. With their previous releases, there have always been comparisons to other bands (namely Against Me!), but not once while I was listening to Real Ghosts Caught on Tape did I hear any comparisons. They’ve embraced their poppier side, losing a lot of the experimental instrumentation that they used on It’s Great to Be Alive (which was also great) and making a much more stripped down record. And it’s good. Really good.

Fake Problems - Soulless
Fake Problems - ADT
Fake Problems - Songs for Teenagers





Top 10 EPs/Singles

A lot of these singles or EPs are pretty much just teasers for full lengths coming out next year. Just thought I’d make mention of that.

10. Lemuria – Chautauqua County

I’m really looking forward to their next album. That’s all I have to say.


09. House Boat – Processing Complaints

I like really like Grath’s song writing. He’s very blunt in what he wants and doesn’t waste any time at all. He’s self deprecating, but also self aware. He’s like Ben Weasel if Ben Weasel was more humorous while hating everything. My only complaint is that I also really like Ace’s songs, but they’re lacking on this one.


08. forgetters – forgetters

Truth be told: I’m probably not as big of a Jawbreaker fan as I make myself out to be. But considering how much I enjoy 24 Hour Revenge Therapy and Dear You, I still make it a point to at least give a single listen to more or less anything involving Blake. The Thorns of Life were okay, but without any proper recordings it was hard to pass a final judgment. It’s a little different with forgetters. I’m pretty sure this is what The Thorns of Life would’ve sounded like had they recorded (more or less). It also reminds me of the better parts of Dear You and Orange Rhyming Dictionary; a nice balance of mid-tempo tracks with more upbeat stuff.


07. Dear You – The Night a Forest Grew

Speaking of Jawbreaker… Dear You doesn’t actually remind me of Jawbreaker actually. To me they sound more reminiscent of Hot Water Music and Latterman (and maybe even a hint of Brand New? I don’t know, maybe it’s just that album artwork). Melodic punk rock type stuff. It was available on their bandcamp page, but I think they recently took it down.


06. Saves the Day – 1984

I’m really looking forward to Daybreak. I think this EP is a good indicator of what to maybe expect from the new album. The two new songs are a little cheerier in tone. I’m not sure if “cheerier” is really the right word to use, but they seem to reflect a sense of coming to peace with things instead of the anger and moodiness that were scattered throughout the previous two albums.


05. The Ataris – All Souls Day

I don’t know if this is a well known fact, but I love the Ataris. Blue Skies, Broken Hearts… Next 12 Exits and End Is Forever are both great albums and even So Long, Astoria has its moments. These new tracks sound almost as if Welcome the Night never happened; having Kris Roe write about one of the things he’s best at: reminiscing. Whether the events he sings about actually happened are of little importance, he’s going to fondly remember it and worry about how the future is going to turn out.


04. Direct Hit! – #5

Direct Hit! is my new favorite band. Their songs are full of energy and easy to sing along with. They’re putting out a full length next year. If you like them, maybe help donate to the cause:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/736538139/buy-direct-hits-dignity-for-charity


03. Junior Battles – Junior Battles

Junior Battles are a Canadian pop punk band. They sing songs about basement shows, music industry disillusion and being on the road. It doesn’t sound like anything special, but these boys are doing something right.


02. The Get Up Kids – Simple Science

A few years ago, I wrote something along the lines of being a casual Get Up Kids fan. While I am no means a large fan of them, I like to think that my appreciation of them has grown a bit. While I enjoy each of their albums in their own right, I’m glad to hear a shift in sound from where they had headed with Guilt Show while still keeping the infectious choruses. I can only hope that Jim Suptic gets his fair share of songs on the new album.


01. Direct Hit! – #4

As previously mentioned, I love Direct Hit! I think they’re fantastic and anyone who likes DIY punk rock in the vein of Bomb the Music Industry! should listen to them. This release has all my favorite tracks and I can only hope that at least two of them make it on to the full length in a new form.



Disappointments:

Usually I'm more disappointed at the end of the year. Good job everyone.

05. Defiance, Ohio – Midwestern Minutes

I feel bad putting this on here. I really do. I just didn’t find it as moving as I’ve found their previous releases. Maybe it’s just because I already had heard half the songs and that took away from the “first listen” experience.


04. Against Me! – White Crosses

Is it fair to include this on both my favorite and least favorite lists? Probably not, but I just really dislike the songs “We’re Breaking Up” and “Ache with Me” and, to a lesser extent, “Because of the Shame.” Those are enough to warrant it here.


03. Matt Skiba – Demos

I thought it was just called Demos. I didn’t realize they were demos until after I began listening to it. Maybe that was my fault, but then why was this even released as a full length album in the first place?


02. Weezer – Death to False Metal

I was kind of surprised by Hurley, but I thought this would be the Weezer album of the year (minus that Pinkerton reissue). It’s made up of b-sides and whatnot, and Weezer b-sides are usually something to get excited for, but I just really did not like this album. Maybe it was the production?


01. Less Than Jake – TV/EP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP_9zH9Q44o


Also worthy of noting: Ben Fold and Nick Hornby’s Lonely Avenue. So much potential, but it just did not deliver.




Albums From 2009 That Didn’t Hit Me Until 2010:

05. Team Teamwork – The Ocarina of Rhyme

Should this one even count? I don’t know, but it takes the soundtrack from my favorite video game ever and mashes it up with hip hop. I’m not going to lie and say that this is the only way I can enjoy rap and hip hop, but I’m also not going to lie about how white I feel while listening to this album (the answer is “a lot”).


04. Eyedea and Abilities – By the Throat

More “indie hip hop,” apparently this album is a little more accessible for the “rock” crowd than previous releases. Maybe that’s true, but I still really enjoyed this album. Eyedea’s flow got me hooked, although Abilities’ beats (despite holding back on this disc) got me to stay. It’s just unfortunate this is their final album. RIP Eyedea.


03. Dead to Me – African Elephants

I’d listened to the Little Brother EP before, but never really too intensely, so I was pretty unfamiliar with Dead to Me until this year when I saw them open for Against Me!. I enjoyed their set a whole lot more than the headliners to be honest. They were a fun set, interacting with the crowd and making jokes instead of song after song. So naturally I checked out their recorded work. This one might not be as good as Cuban Ballerina, but with a shift in the lineup, it kind of makes sense that the sound would also change. Just go with it.


02. AC4 – AC4

Leave it to the Swedes to show Americans how American Hardcore should sound. Denis takes a break from the alterna-rock sounds of The (International) Noise Conspiracy and writes a record that would sound right at home in the early 80s. If it wasn’t for OFF!, this album probably would’ve been the best hardcore album of 2010 too.


01. Attica! Attica! – Napalm and Nitrogen

So technically I did discover this album in 2009, but it was so late into the game that it never had a fair shot at making it to the final list. It gets a little preachy at times, but Aaron Scott is a really good story teller. I guess most artists that consist of little more than vocals and an acoustic guitar are like that though.



Okay. And that's that. If you want to tell me I'm wrong for any of this stuff, I guess you can just let me know.

Life After College

I love being home and all, but I need to get a job before I go crazy.

This is supposed to be my vacation time too, and I'm already feeling that way. I've gotten too used to being busy while I was at school that I now relax by being busy. Is that a sign of a workaholic? I don't think so. It's more that I would always really enjoy the social interactions than the actual work and while I'm at home (snowed in, nonetheless), I just don't see anyone outside of my family. It's not that I don't love my family, because I do love them. I just like being around lots of different people all the time.

Is that pathetic? I don't know.

Maybe New Year's Day, if I'm not hungover or something, I'll go out and search for a job while everyone else in NYC is hungover.

The End of an Era.

So I've pretty much finished college. Two finals tomorrow and I'm done. It's a weird thought.


It's been a nice run. Crispell 304B has been my home for four years now and on Wednesday after I move out it will be no more. There's something nice in knowing that I'll be the last person to ever occupy this room as it is.


I spent the other day reflecting at Hasbrouck at all the things I've done here at New Paltz. I saw people sitting with their friends even though they had finished eating twenty minutes prior and I thought of my freshman year when I could afford to do the same thing. I saw people running in, grabbing a slice of pizza and then running back out like I used to do when I was late for class. I saw other people swiping their friends in and it brought me back to when I'd have to feed my friends. Hell, I even saw some kids working out ways to sneak food out like I used to do for when I'd get hungry at the later hours of the night.


I can remember watching High Fidelity almost every single day. I can remember spending almost every waking hour trying to collect every single star in Super Mario Galaxy. I remember that I had to work when Obama got elected and how I spent my night with Jess O'Mara complaining about how we had to stay in the building on duty instead of joining the rest of campus. I remember that first basement show that NO played and the very first girl I had a crush on in college. The first time I got drunk and the times being drunk got me into trouble; the first time I had to go to court and the overall sense of happiness after I got out of there; the first time I felt comfortable enough writing and recording my own songs and then hating how they all came out in the end; the first time I learned how to torrent and then realizing how stupid it was; the first time going to White Castle at 3am with friends and the after-effects it had on my stomach. My first tour. My first radio show. My first news broadcast and my first real enemy. There are a lot of firsts I've experienced since getting here. It's definitely been the highlight of my life so far and I fear that it will only go downhill from here.


If there's anything I've learned about leaving school though, it's that I have way too much shit. I've got a desk full of things I just don't need. A bag of unused hacky-sacks, really? That shit has got to go.