1. Thursday – No Devolucion
My favorite band and what should be considered their most complete work. It feels as though Producer Dave Fridmann and the band finally found the perfect combination of aggression and art that Thursday have always been about. This is what Thursday sounds like in a nutshell; heavy and passionate (Fast to the End, Past and Future Ruins) and beautiful and melodic (No Answers and A Gun In The First Act). It is somewhat fitting that their final release is also their finest!
2. Saves The Day- Daybreak
The band has a new lineup to support Chris Conley and it definitely sounds like a revitalized band. They also stay true to their roots with short punk songs while branching out to some more experimental sounds and a 10 minute ‘rock-opera’ on the title track. It is great to hear such a complete album from this band after all these years. Easily their best release since Stay What You Are.
3. Yellowcard – When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes
Yellowcard is back and it couldn’t be too soon. This release makes me wonder why they went away in the first place. This is the album I knew they had in them. Catchy songs that incorporate the violin without making it feel like a gimmick. The musicianship in this band is superb and the lyrics from Ryan Key are as relatable as ever to band’s target age group. This band has released their best work since the Ocean Avenue days, a solid disk with no filler.
4. City and Colour – Little Hell
Dallas Green’s decision to make City and Colour into a full band project and to do it full-time sent shockwaves through the music world as it lead to the end of his other band Alexisonfire, much to the dismay and anger of their fans. What emerged in the wake of all of that turmoil was a solid disc that mixes solo acoustic pieces with full band songs that perfectly accompany Green’s beautiful vocal range. This band has always been a catharsis for Dallas Green and these songs are still as personal as ever relating to his family and his personal struggles while giving a sense of hope in a dark and difficult world.
5. Bayside Killing Time
Bayside is a cult. With this release I can see why, it is so catchy, engaging and just a fun album to listen to. This album is just the latest in a string of consistently good releases from this band. This one just happens to be my favorite release from them. I love the songs musically and lyrically and find myself consistently singing along. The disc’s standout is hard to figure out but I would nominate the title track.
6. This Time Next Year – Drop Out of Life
I loved their last release Road Maps and Heart Attacks and songs like Calling In Dead. Catchy pop punk with heart, it reminded me of how much I loved the genre. This album is this year’s reminder of that feeling. I love the gang vocals, infectious choruses and uplifting but introspective lyrics. This album is topped off by the phenomenal closer, This is an Airport Train.
7. Taking Back Sunday – Taking Back Sunday
Once I heard about the reunion with the original lineup I was excited beyond belief about the new TBS album. I had the pleasure of seeing the lineup reunited live and they put on an amazing show! How did this translate to the album? Nicely. There could definitely be some improvements, like more trade off vocals between Adam and John Nolan and some more energetic tracks but I was extremely impressed with this set of tracks and find myself going back to it quite often.
8. New Found Glory – Radiosurgery
NFG is a pop punk institution. There would not be a pop punk for Man Overboard to defend, if bands like New Found Glory didn’t perfect the sound and keep it going. All of their CDs are clinics on what it means to be a good pop punk band. This album is no different. Upbeat infectious tunes about relationships are still a staple for this band. On this disc they have managed to still have fun after all these years and also to advance musically and lyrically.
9. Thrice – Major/Minor
What will probably be the final disc for Thrice sure sounds like it especially with songs like Anthology. If this is the end and not just a hiatus, the band left us on a great note. The songs are as passionate and meaningful as ever, just listen to Promises. For a band that experimented with a lot of different sounds and styles they were one of the few that were able to do that effectively.
10. The Lonely Forest – Arrows
The band that was the biggest surprise to me this year was the Lonely Forest. I should have known they would be great just based off of their record label and producer, Death Cab For Cutie’s Chris Walla. This album is catchy but organic. It is just a refreshing indie rock album. Do yourself a favor and listen to Turn Off This Song (And Go Outside) and then try to follow that advice. Good luck.
11. Hotel Lights – Girl Grafitti
Darren Jessee, drummer of Ben Folds Five’s band. This is the third album from Hotel Lights and it follows the same formula as the other albums. Light acoustic guitar and piano driven indie rock tracks. The songs have a nice bounce and despite some of the subject matter and lyrics the songs remain generally light. The album is a complete album from top to bottom but I would be remiss not to mention standout track, Dave Sharkey to the Dancefloor.
12. Blink 182 – Neighborhoods
Blink 182 reunited and put out an album. They promised that it would be a culmination of all of their sounds and it truly is. You can hear a little Boxcar Racer, +44, and Angels and Airwaves in these tracks. They manage to make it all meld into a disc that is distinctly Blink. Hearts All Gone and MH 4.18.2011 are can’t miss tracks but the whole album is great return. Here’s to many more.
13. The Decemberists – The King is Dead
The King is Dead is just simply a great folky album. The last album was just slightly too grandiose even for the Decemberists and the album suffered for it. This album was much simpler lyrically and musically but still managed to be a rich and entertaining listen. This album was a definite return to form for the band which is just what they needed.
14. Sum 41 – Screaming Bloody Murder
Grown up while still being juvenile? Sum 41 seem to have that formula down. They manage to walk that line and they did it extremely well on this album. This seems like a culmination of all of the searching for their signature sound on the past few albums.
15. Foo Fighters – Wasting Light
Foo Fighters out did themselves this time. I think it was the benefit of the time they took and the decisions that they made. They added Pat Smear back and went to work in Dave Grohl’s home studio with producer, Butch Vig. These circumstances led to arguably one of their best albums. This was because Wasting Light is a focused, ambitious, re-energized rock album. The singles, Rope and Walk were examples of the revitalized sound of these rock legends.
16. Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto
Coldplay returned with some of their best work. The sound is a little poppy but it is a natural progression from Viva La Vida without being a carbon copy. The album is led by single Every Teardrop is a Waterfall and Paradise both of which are infectious. The album even features a guest spot from Rihanna.
17. Jack’s Mannequin – People and Things
Jack’s Mannequin’s last album Glass Passenger seemed like a collection of songs where this felt like a consistent album. It is catchy and melodic with really enjoyable songs. Andrew McMahon and company’s musicianship only increases with each release as does their cohesiveness and it is never more evident than on this disc.
18. Manchester Orchestra – Simple Math
Manchester Orchestra is an awesome band and they put together a great collection of songs. These songs are some of their strongest especially the title track. This band has definitely mastered dynamics in sound, and has been able to craft songs that are heavy, soft, and melodic at the same time. The album is also strong because of Andy Hall’s deeply personal lyricism.
19. Dan Adriano and the Emergency Room – Hurricane Season
I have always enjoyed Alkaline Trio but I was not entirely sure that I would enjoy a Dan Adriano solo album. Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised. This acoustic driven CD was impressive and contained some very memorable hooks. The album has staying power and that kept me going back to it.
20. Touche Amore – Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me
One of the bands that Thursday helped introduce me to. I have grown to really love this band. This is their second full length album and it is full of honest, entertaining screamo. This album is overflowing with sincerity and musically the band have stepped it up even more. It does more in under a half hour than other bands could accomplish in twice that amount of time.
21. I’m From Barcelona – Forever Today
This band is one of the happiest and poppiest bands ever. They are a unique Swedish band that will hopefully one day tour the US. Until then we get to enjoy them on albums like this one. If you listen to this CD and can get through it without at least humming along to Get In Line and Always Spring I would be shocked.
22. Funeral For A Friend – Welcome Home Armageddon
One of my all time favorite bands but after all of the lineup changes I wasn’t sure that they would even be the same. They weren’t. They were a refreshed and revitalized band that I believe is even heavier than its predecessor. The band maintains its signature sing/scream style and is still chock full of melody. This new album has the energy of the band’s younger days but with increased musicianship.
23. Rise Against – Endgame
This album had a little of the aggression of the band’s early work but what they really maintained from that time was the band’s passion. This album’s themes and lyrics were just as socially conscious as they have ever been. Musically the songs are very catchy but have moved more toward rock than punk. The band is still rooted in punk but the songs have strayed a little bit, good thing they are good.
24. Silverstein – Rescue
This album is their most cohesive and furious in a few years. They channeled all of their previous work into making the best possible album. They are one of those bands that are consistent in quality but are always working on being better. The standout track is the infectious but brutal track, The Artist.
25. Relient K – K is For Karoake
I am a big Relient K fan. They put out a covers album and when I saw the tracklisting I was even more stoked than before. The finished product was just as good as expected. I am glad the execution was just as good as the expectations. Good stuff.
26. The Wonder Years - Suburbia I’ve Given You All and Now I’m Nothing
Not a huge fan of the Wonder Years but what they are doing for pop punk is remarkable. This CD is extremely solid. They did a great job and it is an album that pop punk kids seem to be relating to at the moment. Catchy tunes with lots of heart, that is what pop punk is about.
27. Kevin Devine – Between the Concrete and the Clouds
Brother’s Blood had great songs but the production was so layered that the songs came out a little murky and overproduced. These songs are more clear and in turn more enjoyable when experienced live. On this album KevDev decides to use more natural production and it really makes the songs pop. This allows you to focus on the beautiful melodies and meaningful lyrics
28. Aficionado – Aficionado
A seven piece band that prides themselves on creating something interesting and they do. I found out about them because they were playing with my favorite band Thursday for their final shows. From the first track, The Things You Like to the last track it is an engaging and entertaining listen. Their live show is fun and this will be a band to keep an eye on for years to come.
29. Man Overboard – Man Overboard
They are the self proclaimed defenders of pop punk. They have been embraced with that role by kids across the nation. They do the role daily by putting out consistently awesome music. Their new album feels like a more mature effort without sacrificing any of the things that makes their band a fan favorite.
30. Set Your Goals – Burning At Both Ends
I have never really connected with Set Your Goals before this album which is ironic because their diehard fan base seems to generally hate this album. I think it is catchy and available, and with the exception of the song about growing up in the 80s, it’s a fairly mature release. I think the songs are tight musically but still melodic and extremely catchy. To each his own I guess.
Honorable Mentions:
Mansions – Dig Up The Dead, Balance and Composure - Separation, Transit – Listen & Forgive, Fireworks – Gospel, Bon Iver – Bon Iver, The Story So Far – Under Soil and Dirt
