Time flies like the wind.
Fruit flies like bananas.
Another year gone. More than a month into 2013 already, and another late entry for my 2nd Best Of list. (Happy Anniversary to me!) I do like coming up with these lists, but it gets exceptionally harder with the huge influx of music nowadays. And is a year or less really enough time to truly absorb an album? What about the 2012 albums I'm just learning about now, or will so in 10 years? Was 2012 really that great when the 2 albums I'm listening to the most these days are from 2003 and 1998?
But really, it was another good year for music. There were a few disappointments (NOFX, Jaill, the Darkness) which really weren't that disappointing, some last minute favorites and a plethora of really good EPs.
* Albums *
ARMS ALOFT - SAWDUST CITY
Tenement, Direct Hit! and now Arms Aloft: the trifecta of great Wisconsin pop punk. These Eau Claire natives might be closer in distance and kinship with Dillinger 4 and Banner Pilot though, with rough, melodic punk and whiskey soaked vocals. Lyrics like those in "Skinny Love" make me heart and homesick: "Here's to waking up shaking, balled up on the floor, of an iced-over, winter Lake Superior. Raise a flag at half-mast and a half empty glass in a toast to remembering what it's like to not have to know she's sleeping somewhere else tonight." They're not reinventing the wheel, but they're whipping some shitties in a snow covered parking lot somewhere.
BOB MOULD - SILVER AGE
Somehow after years spent on electronica and pro wresting script writing (???), Bob has returned with basically the 3rd Sugar album. Not as depressing and ambient as some of his other solo work, this album is a return to Sugar's big guitars and bigger hooks. So many bands owe their existence to Mould's legacy and he's still showing them how it's done.
CALL OF THE WILD - LEAVE YOUR LEATHER ON
If the first track "Autobahn" doesn't reel you in, then I don't know what to tell you. This album is an infectious blend of punk, 70's psyche and dirty New York rock and roll. Listening to them just conjures up the image of a dirty bar full of smoke, beer, hair and leather. Yeah, maybe a horrible image to fellow almost 40 year olds, but after a couple beers you don't mind the coked up dude with his arm around you spilling half his beer on the crowd. If you miss (and remember) Tight Bros From Way Back When, this might satiate you.
CLASSICS OF LOVE - S/T
I can't say I've followed Jesse Michael's bands since Operation Ivy. But when I heard the Classics Of Love, something connected immediately. I think I miss when hardcore bands actually had singers who occasionally sang. Jesse's delivery is a combination of urgency and an almost playful singing style, throwing in cool inflections every now and then. It doesn't hurt that the music is awesome as well, reminding me a little of Minor Threat mixed with classic Gilman punk.
CLOUD NOTHINGS - ATTACK ON MEMORY
There were a lot of strikes going into this album. 1) Their last album was kind of forgettable pop punk (even coming from a lover of plenty of pop punk). 2) My gf interviewed the singer once and apparently he was a bit of an asshole. 3) The album starts out with a really slow song and then an 8 minute song. But, once you get past your A.D.D., this is a great album. Maybe my favorite of the year. They mix the best aspects of the 90's, from indie to garage rock to noise. But it's all just so catchy and that's all that matters to me.
JEALOUS SOUND, THE - A GENTLE REMINDER
Not the most prolific band in the world, but I'll forgive these veterans of melodic heartache. Blair Shehan's voice seems to have gotten a little lower (more weary?) to my ears and gone are the shouts of the Knapsack days, but the man knows how to write a song. Thoughtful lyrics and plenty of the quiet/loud dynamics of emo's yesteryear. They don't make them like this anymore.
JAPANDROIDS - CELEBRATION ROCK
It seems like everyone can agree on this one. The album title says it all. Spunky, anthemic tunes from this 2 man juggernaut. My favorite song would have to be "Evil's Sway," which reminds sounds like a mix of "American Girl" and "These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things." The sound of music, indeed.
NADA SURF - THE STARS ARE INDIFFERENT TO ASTRONOMY
Nada Surf may still be remembered for their uncharacteristic "hit" back in the 90's, but they've actually been churning out pop gold throughout their career. This album is right up there with their best stuff. Classic indie rock sound with big guitars and great melodies. It's hard to find new bands that carry that 90's emo/punk/indie torch, but luckily bands like Nada Surf and the Jealous Sound are still around.
SHARKS - NO GODS
After a number of eps (collected on last year's The Joys Of Living), Sharks finally release a full length that doesn't disappoint. Plenty of big hooks and punk pop classics. Like a British counterpart to the Gaslight Anthem (substitute Rudy for Peggy Sue or Mary Jane or whatever), their sound seems to embody a romanticized version of the past. I can't say I'm a big fan of the Clash, but I'll take this updated version.
RIVERBOAT GAMBLERS, THE - THE WOLF YOU FEED
Nothing will probably top To The Confusion Of Our Enemies, my introduction to the band, but I enjoy their maturing sound. They seem to be tackling slightly more serious themes on their recent albums, perhaps the cause of punk rock mixing with growing up or maybe due to the guitarist's serious bike accident a few years ago. Regardless, it's opened up their lyrics to interesting subject matter, while retaining the anthemic quality of their music.
WHITE LUNG - SORRY
My favorite hardcore album of the year. Tight as a gnat's asshole. The songs are fast and catchy and the noodley guitar parts put them over the top.
XAXAXA - SIROMASNI I BOGATI
This was a random bandcamp find, but these guys deserve to be heard by more people. Imagine a mix of Manifesto Jukebox, Leatherface, the Wipers, Rites Of Spring and later Articles Of Faith (the singer sounds a lot like In This Life era Vic Bondi). Got your attention? Yeah, they definitely got mine. The lyrics are in Macedonian, but they also deserve your attention. The translations are available on their bandcamp page.
* Eps *
CASANOVAS IN HEAT - RUINS
I only got this EP a few days before the end of the year, but it became an instant favorite. I can't say this sounds like anyone in particular, but they remind me of classic melodic punk bands like Naked Raygun, old Snuff or Visions Of Change. They do possess a unique sound though. Hopefully a full length is in store soon.
CHESTNUT RD. - DEMO
Awesome English inspired melodic punk from France. For fans of Leatherface, Hooton 3 Car and Mega City 4. Apparently this demo along with a bunch of new songs will be released on Waterslide Records out of Japan sometime this year.
CITY DWELLER - I WILL BECOME UNIQUE
Another band heavily influenced by DC Revolution Summer era bands, most prominently Rites Of Spring and Gray Matter. But there's more than enough talent and character to make these guys...unique. Unfortunately they just broke up recently.
MURMURS - FLY WITH THE UNKINDNESS
I've never listened to a record on bandcamp all the way through as many times as I have with this EP. And at 29 minutes, this is a pretty hefty EP, but they have a full length coming out in 2013 that I'm sure I'll be adding to 2013's list. Awesome melodic punk with touches of Rumspringer, Snuggle! (whose singer shares vocal duties here) and maybe Seaweed. These songs hearken back to the East Bay days where bands like Samiam and Jawbreaker were taking pop punk to a more grown up level. Really bummed that I missed them in SF last fall.
WARSONG - THE CARAVAN
Insomnio put out one of my favorite punk albums in recent years. Of course they broke up too soon and Warsong formed in their wake. I can't say their album debut knocked my socks off, but this 5 song ep is the cat's pajamas! There's a great mix of Wipers style gloom with classic SoCal punk guitars and melodies. The Observers were probably my favorite newer band doing a similar style, and this EP is right up there with them.
WHITE LUNG - S/T
It's hard to remember a time when a 2 song 7" wasn't a letdown, musically and/or financially. Their album is one of my faves of the year, but the first song on this is my favorite song of theirs. Definitely looking forward to whatever they have next.
* Reissues *
FIREHOSE - LOWFLOWS: THE COLUMBIA ANTHOLOGY ('91-'93)
I can't imagine many younger people getting into the Minutemen these days, much less Firehose. Hopefully I'm wrong, but they seemed like a time and place type band. It did take me a few tries to like the Minutemen, but with that and skateboarding, Firehose just fell into place. I've only recently realized how much they actually sound like old REM as well (who I dislike). I still throw on their SST albums every now and then, but this compilation reminded me of great songs like "Can't Believe," "Rocket Sled/Fuel Tank" and their entire Live Totem Pole EP. A band that definitely needs to be heard by a new generation, and revisited by their old fans.
FLAG OF DEMOCRACY - SHATTER YOUR DAY
The first album by these spazzy punk legends is finally reissued. Just having songs like "Houses Made For Mannequins" and "The Family Knows" available again would be enough, but this reissue includes a ton of cool bonus stuff, like their first EP, a completely different recording of the Love Songs 7", compilation songs and some live stuff. Completely manic hardcore, but with a good sense of melody to keep these songs in your head, even 30 years later. These guys are still going to this day and I still listen to everything throughout their entire discography.
HOUR OF THE WOLF - DECOMPOSITIONS VOL. 2
My first introduction to these guys was seeing them at The Fest a few years ago and it was the punkest show I've seen in a long time. The band was menacing and the crowd was a little scary. But as the garbage bins went flying, I could tell there was something more to the music than just aggression. They were like a modernized version of early Black Flag with more emphasis on melody. The second volume of their discography contains my favorite EP of theirs, Obsolete, along with 2 other EPs and some previously unreleased songs and covers. Hopefully a proper full length is on the horizon.
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