2009 End of the Year List

I feel almost unqualified to make a year-end list for 2009. I've been slowly working my way back into music, and I barely scratched the surface of what was released this year. So, consider this a partial list, and please feel free to tell me about someone I'm missing, or leave your own lists in the comments.



01. As Tall As Lions - You Can't Take It With You
As Tall As Lions have long been branded "the American Radiohead," and with this album they have taken that title and run with it. YCTIWY is highly atmospheric, deeply introspective, and extraordinarily beautiful. They've expanded their sound to create a world of their own, and this album invites you along for the trip.



02. Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything To Nothing
To be honest, it took a long time for me to like this album. I am so attached to I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child that it was difficult to let new MO songs in. Once I got it, I got it though. Careening between calm and rabid, METN is a dirty, messy rock album about things that shake your core. I am so excited to watch these guys get better and better.



03. fun. - Aim & Ignite
I'm pretty much on board with anything that former Format members are up to, but fun's debut album also makes my list on its own accord. Though not musically that far removed from Dog Problems, this album is clearly a separate entity. The creative instrumentation and the way Nate Ruess deftly guides the listener through his wide range of emotions is what makes this album great.



04. Brand New - Daisy
Continuing in the vein of The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me, Brand New gives us a darker album, full of ruminations on marriage, death, and learning how to grow up. Jesse Lacey does less and less actual singing with each album, but it works here. His raw emotion is what carries this album, and you can't help but feel like you're falling down the rabbit hole with him.



05. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
In the past, I've always liked what I heard from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, but never enough to latch onto a whole album. With It's Blitz!, Karen O gives us a few of the ragged songs she is known for, but she also shows us a more focused side of herself. The band easily could have gotten stuck in a rut, but instead they tried some new things and polished older ideas into something new and exciting. This album isn't perfect, but it sets the stage for something great.



06. Avett Brothers - I And Love And You
This band came way out of left field, at least for me. I'm a relative newcomer to the stripped down, folky sound, and the Avett Brothers show everyone how it's done with this album. So many songs on the record are just completely heartbreaking, and that's a good thing.



07. Thrice - Beggars
Thrice could have continued in a thousand directions after The Alchemy Index, but they chose to start anew. The band is working as a tight, cohesive unit, while opening up to a broader rock sound. Thrice have always pushed their limits to make themselves better, and Beggars is no exception.



08. Sherwood - Qu
Listening to Qu feels like hugging an old friend. Sherwood took everything that worked for them in the past and dropped everything that didn't (cough "Alley Cat" cough). It's clearly crafted with love, and sounds just like an evening bonfire on a California beach - warm and inviting.



09. Wilco - Wilco (The Album)
I think Wilco finally stopped trying to find a niche, and instead just decided this is who they are and they're sticking to it. Wilco recalls the pre-Yankee Hotel Foxtrot days, but this time the band appears to actually be enjoying it. Sure, everyone's saying But It's Not Perfect...but who cares? It's a good album with good songs, and as long as Jeff Tweedy's happy, so am I.



10. Portugal. The Man - The Satanic Satanist
I wasn't thrilled with last year's Censored Colors, but this album restored my faith in this band. Intricately wrought instrumentation combined with John Gourley's vocal acrobatics create P.TM's trademark acid trip of a style. Their winding, erratic songs make this album easy to get lost in.

2008 End Of The Year List.

Here's my ten best albums of the year. That's all I'm doing this year for my EOTY list, so enjoy. I know I really missed out on a lot this year, so if I'm missing something that wound up on your list, recommend it to me!

01. New Frontiers – Mending
02. Vampire Weekend – S/T
03. Girl Talk - Feed The Animals
04. Lydia – Illuminate
05. The Matches – A Band In Hope
06. Anberlin – New Surrender
07. Alive In Wild Paint – Ceilings
08. She & Him – Volume 1
09. Fall Out Boy - Folie A Deux
10. Forgive Durden – Razia's Shadow: A Musical

EOTY List 2007

This year it was really difficult for me to put together an end of the year list. There were just so many great albums released. Everything is open for discussion - feel free to ask me why I placed something where I did or whatever. I also know that I just didn't get around to listening to everything released this year, so if you feel that I have a glaring omission, please tell me so I can find it and hear it. Thanks, and enjoy the list!


Best Albums
01. Jimmy Eat World – Chase This Light
02. Say Anything – In Defense Of The Genre
03. Lovedrug – Everything Starts Where It Ends
04. Feist – The Reminder
05. Straylight Run - The Needles, The Space
06. Anberlin - Cities
07. Every Time I Die – The Big Dirty
08. The Rocket Summer – Do You Feel
09. Dustin Kensrue – Please Come Home
10. Four Year Strong – Rise Or Die Trying
11. Coconut Records - Nighttiming
12. Chase Pagan – Oh, Musica!
13. Portugal. The Man – Church Mouth
14. Everybody Else – Everybody Else
15. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
16. Beirut – The Flying Club Cup
17. Saves The Day – Under The Boards
18. Relient K – Five Score And Seven Years Ago
19. Fall Out Boy – Infinity On High
20. Sherwood – A Different Light

Most Disappointing
01. The Academy Is… - Santi
02. Cartel - Cartel
03. Cobra Starship – Viva La Cobra!
04. The Receiving End Of Sirens – The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi
05. The Spill Canvas – No Really, I’m Fine
06. Armor For Sleep – Smile For Them
07. Waking Ashland – The Well
08. Limbeck - Limbeck
09. Paramore – Riot!
10. Envy On The Coast - Lucy Gray

Best Songs
01. Anberlin - *fin
02. Feist - The Water
03. Dustin Kensrue - Blood & Wine
04. Brand New - Fork And Knife
05. Lovedrug - Salt Of The Earth
06. As Tall As Lions - Into The Flood
07. Kanye West - Stronger
08. Portugal. The Man - Telling Tellers Tell Me
09. Jimmy Eat World - Let It Happen
10. Relient K – Deathbed
11. Melee - Frequently Baby
12. Against Me! - White People For Peace
13. Wilco - Impossible Germany
14. New Atlantic - Wire & Stone
15. Coconut Records - Nighttiming
16. Say Anything - That Is Why
17. The Rocket Summer - So Much Love
18. Radiohead - Bodysnatchers
19. Stacy Clark - Empty Bottles
20. All Time Low - Dear Maria, Count Me In
21. Ryan Adams - Two
22. Paramore - Misery Business
23. Rihanna - Umbrella
24. Holiday Parade – Driving Away
25. Saves The Day – Turning Over In My Tomb

Keep Your Eye On
01. We Shot The Moon
02. Rosie Thomas
03. Everybody Else
04. Holiday Parade
05. Brighten
06. The Morning Light
07. Modern Skirts
08. The New Frontiers
09. Cavil At Rest
10. Pictures In Pieces

Most Anticipated
01. Brand New
02. As Tall As Lions
03. The New Frontiers
04. Pictures In Pieces
05. Saves The Day
06. Glassjaw
07. Jack’s Mannequin
08. The Matches
09. The Reign Of Kindo
10. City And Colour

first post.

Well, I guess the best place to start is posting my 2006 end of the year list. Be warned, it's pretty much a novella.


Best Releases of 2006:

1. Brand New – The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me
They made us wait three long years for this one. I was afraid the wait wouldn’t be worth it. But then the day came and I put the CD into my stereo and remembered that this is Brand Fucking New. Of course it was worth it. The first chorus of “Sowing Season” hit me square in the chest and I never quite recovered. It’s their darkest and most visceral album, yet it is intricate and layered. I think they are finally showing us what they really sound like. Brand Fucking New indeed.
Standout Tracks: Millstone, Jesus Christ, You Won’t Know

2. Moneen – The Red Tree
This album blows my mind every time I listen to it. Kenny Bridges has an awesome voice and the best stage presence I’ve ever seen. His lyrics are thoughtful, and the guitar work is ridiculous. It’s the kind of album you can listen to no matter what mood you’re in.
Standout Tracks: The Day No One Needed To Know, If Tragedy’s Appealing Then Disaster’s An Addiction, The Frightening Reality Of The Fact That We Will All Have To Grow Up And Settle Down One Day

3. Muse – Black Holes And Revelations
I heard everyone raving about this release, and then we listened to it one day at the 9:30 Club when we were putting address stickers on the new volumes. Each song drew me in a little more, until I was completely engulfed in the universe that Muse creates within each of their songs. Best if listened to while lying on your back staring up at the sky or driving alone at night.
Standout Tracks: Supermassive Black Hole, Map Of The Problematique, Invincible

4. Rise Against – The Sufferer And The Witness
This CD is, simply put, a powerhouse. Sonically and lyrically it’s almost identical to Siren Song Of The Counter Culture, but it’s a lot tighter. Everything feels a little more like it was done on purpose. I love to see a band using their visibility to try and make the world a better place. I hope a lot more people got exposed to Rise Against and are considering what they have to say.
Standout Tracks: Injection, Prayer Of The Refugee, Roadside

5. Gym Class Heroes – As Cruel As School Children
This album kind of knocked me off my feet. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting: The Papercut Chronicles was a slow, depressing CD, and this one is fast and upbeat. Both CDs are amazing, but with As Cruel As School Children, Gym Class Heroes have stretched their boundaries, tried new things, gotten more tongue-in-cheek (or finger-in-nose on Travis’ part) and managed to keep their style intact to make one of the catchiest albums of the year. Plus, the guest vocals by Patrick Stump and William Beckett are priceless.
Standout Tracks: The Queen & I, Clothes Off!, Biters Block

6. The Matches – Decomposer
This album is such a huge leap up from E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals. Shawn Harris has found a distinct voice, and an increased use of electronics has distanced The Matches from the rest of the pop-punk pack. It’s catchy, unique, and passionate. They are clearly coming into their own, and this album is proof.
Standout Tracks: Little Maggots, Papercut Skin, Sunburn Vs. The Rhinovirus

7. The Format – Dog Problems
This CD is just beautiful. The lyrics are clever and intelligent, and the instrumentation complements the vocals wonderfully. It’s catchy without being bubblegummy, and relaxing with being sleep-inducing.
Standout Tracks: The Compromise, Oceans, Time Bomb

8. John Mayer – Continuum
I think this is probably Mayer’s best work to date. His always introspective lyrics seem even more personal, if that’s possible for him. I love that his songs are delicate and powerful at the same time. There’s just something about them that is so easy to connect to. I like that he hasn’t really changed his sound much, yet none of it feels repetitive.
Standout Tracks: The Heart Of Life, Slow Dancing In A Burning Room, Dreaming With A Broken Heart

9. As Tall As Lions – As Tall As Lions
Another CD I picked up rather late. Each song is delicately crafted and full of details just waiting to be discovered. I really enjoy CDs that just seem to meander the way this one does. I’m still trying to soak it all in; I wish I had figured out the genius of this album earlier.
Standout Tracks: Stab City, Love Love Love (Love Love), Ghosts Of York

10. My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade
I totally expected to hate this album. From discussion of classic rock influences to rumors of a Liza Minnelli guest appearance, it seemed like this concept album would be the death of My Chem. However, not only did MCR expand their horizons, but they managed to keep their signature sound at the same time. They manage to sound like Pink Floyd, The White Stripes, The Rasmus, and more, all while sounding distinctly like themselves. This album is much more cohesive than their previous releases, and it is definitely more mature.
Standout Tracks: How I Disappear, The Sharpest Lives, Mama


Honorable Mentions of 2006:

1. The Hush Sound – Like Vines
They took the unique sound they had and they totally ran with it. I don’t know any other band that sounds like these guys. They can flip between the bounciness of Bob’s vocals to the haunting calm of Greta’s, and it all flows perfectly. I wish they would use Bob and Greta together on songs more often.
Standout Tracks: Wine Red, A Dark Congregation, Magnolia

2. All Time Low – Put Up Or Shut Up EP
Hell if they don’t know how to write a catchy hook. Can’t wait to see a new full length from these guys.
Standout Tracks: Coffeeshop Soundtrack, Break Out! Break Out!, Lullabies

3. The Dresden Dolls – Yes, Virginia
The more I see this duo, the more I fall in love with them. Amanda Palmer has a beautiful voice, and can be hilarious or serious whenever she chooses. The only drawback is that a lot of the songs are very similarly structured.
Standout Tracks: Backstabber, Dirty Business, Delilah

4. Dave Melillo – Talk Is Cheap EP
I only put this under Honorable Mention because it’s such a short EP. However, from the first time I heard Dave, I completely fell in love with his voice. His lyrics are occasionally a bit rough, but you have to remember he’s only 17. And for a 17 year old, he’s amazingly talented. It’s some of the prettiest and most fun acoustic pop I’ve heard in a long time.
Standout Tracks: Sam’s Song, Vatican Roulette, Knights Of The Island Counter

5. Underoath – Define The Great Line
I guess I was expecting them to stick more to what they did on They’re Only Chasing Safety. It’s difficult for me to get into hardcore, and this was a little more than I could handle. I like that they sort of combined old and new Underoath, and Spencer Chamberlain showed some amazing vocal range. Basically, I can appreciate that it’s an awesome hard record, but I can’t listen to more than a couple songs at a time before getting worn out.
Standout Tracks: Writing On The Walls, A Moment Suspended In Time, Moving For The Sake Of Motion

6. Hit The Lights – This Is A Stickup…Don’t Make It A Murder
First of all, don’t get me wrong. I really enjoy this CD. If you’re looking for straight-up pop-punk fun, this is the band to turn to. However, the songs tend to run together after awhile for me.
Standout Tracks: Three Oh Nine, The Call Out (You Are The Dishes), Speakers Blown

7. Saves The Day – Sound The Alarm
I love Saves The Day a hell of a lot. This is a very solid album. However, it just isn’t hooking me in the way their older albums did. Maybe I’m just in a different stage of life or something. I like this CD, but I just feel like it’s missing something that I can’t put my finger on.
Standout Tracks: The End, Say You’ll Never Leave, Eulogy

8. This Providence – This Providence
Clearly a ripoff of Gatsbys American Dream. The first half of the album is amazing, but the second half, while still good, is not quite as awesome. A decent CD though.
Standout Tracks: Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing, My Beautiful Rescue, Card House Dreamer

9. This Day And Age – The Bell And The Hammer
The Amandas were continually hyping this band, but I could never really get into Always Leave The Ground. I liked “Slideshow,” but that was about it. However, with this new album, TDAA drastically changed their sound from regular pop-rock to sweeping atmospherics. The only downside for me is that the tracks start to run together after awhile. Too bad they’re broken up now.
Standout Tracks: Always Straight Ahead, Eustace, More Of A Climb Less Of A Walk

10. Gatsbys American Dream - Gatsbys American Dream
It's not quite as good as Volcano was, but it's still an impressive album. No one's been able to copy GAD yet (This Providence gave it a shot and didn't quite make it). They're definitely a breath of fresh air in this scene.
Standout Tracks: We Can Remember It For You Wholesale, Margaritas And Cock, Station 5: The Pearl


Biggest Disappointments of 2006:

1. AFI – Decemberunderground
I had really high hopes for this album, since I adored Sing The Sorrow. I heard “Miss Murder” and “Prelude 12/21” before the release, and was even more stoked. But the rest of the record was just plain boring. Boring in a way AFI has never been: mainstream. I’m not trying to knock bands that want to go mainstream, but if it’s going to water down your music this badly, please don’t do it!

2. Cute Is What We Aim For – The Same Old Blood Rush With A New Touch
So I really loved CIWWAF’s demos. Like, really loved them. There was so much potential there. And then on the CD, everything got way overproduced, and they tried too hard to be clever with lyrics and have plays on words that didn’t end up working. It all sounded so forced.

3. Taking Back Sunday – Louder Now
Admittedly, I’m not the biggest TBS fan. Lazzara’s lyrics have always seemed cliché, and I don’t like his voice too much either. But even on Where You Want To Be I ended up liking about half the songs. Yes, there are a few songs I really enjoy on Louder Now. Those would be the singles. And that’s about it. Everything else sounds repetitive and it’s all been done to death. Sorry guys.

4. Hellogoodbye – Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!
Again, I loved their EP. It was just straight up fun, and everyone needs more of that in their lives. However, they tried to force the fun into Z!A!V!D!, and you just can’t do that. Also, a lot of the songs were slower, and HGB just isn’t very good at that.

5. Angels And Airwaves – We Don’t Need To Whisper
With all the hype surrounding this album, I was at least expecting something halfway decent. While I think it was a valiant effort, Tom Delonge fell way short of what he was intending. The songs sound so alike, and his voice is entirely too nasal to listen to for an hour straight.

6. Plain White T’s – Every Second Counts
The T’s are known for their power pop, and that’s exactly what they delivered on this album. And I mean exactly. They might as well just have reissued All That We Needed. Not that I don’t LOVE that album, but I wanted something, you know, new.

7. Saosin – Saosin
Obviously, there was a huge amount of anticipation for this CD, since their EP was so good. However, with Anthony Green's departure, Saosin turned into something boring and predictable.

8. +44 – When Your Heart Stops Beating
Again, being a band with ex-Blink-182 members caused much buildup to this album. While they keep telling us not to categorize it as “Blink with synthesizers,” that’s pretty much what it is, only it’s a lot less fun than Blink ever was.

9. Copeland – Eat, Sleep, Repeat
I was really looking forward to this album, because I love the airiness of Copeland’s songs and the intelligence of Aaron Marsh’s lyrics. Unfortunately, I’m just having a hard time getting into it.

10. Cobra Starship – While The City Sleeps, We Rule The Streets
Well, I’m not sure “biggest disappointment” is the right term to use, since I wasn’t exactly expecting this to be a groundbreaking album. I was hoping for a little more creativity within the songs though. Bring back Midtown.


Most Anticipated Releases of 2007:

1. Relient K – Five Score And Seven Years Ago
If you know me at all, you know that Relient K was my first musical love, and that they’re pretty much my favorite band ever. With every album, they show incredible progression, and I can’t wait to see their first album recorded with the new lineup. Besides, an 11-minute epic track? I’m stoked.

2. Fall Out Boy – Infinity On High
I’m not ashamed of the fact that I still love Fall Out Boy a lot. But when they said that the new album was heavily influenced by R&B…man, they weren’t kidding, were they? Patrick’s voice has never sounded better, and they’ve got hooks like crazy. I am really curious to see how this new material will shape up.

3. The Receiving End Of Sirens – The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi
Between The Heart And The Synapse honestly has some of the best songs I’ve ever heard, and just thinking about new TREOS material makes me happy. The couple of new songs I’ve heard live sound awesome: from what I can tell they’ve retained their signature sound while still moving forward.

4. Wilco – TBA
So basically, Wilco is one of my favorite bands. I really respect them and love the music they make. So, new Wilco will make me a very happy girl. I wonder if the new material will be as heavily noise-oriented as A Ghost Is Born, or if they’ll swing back towards the folky stuff.

5. The Academy Is… - Santi
Almost Here is definitely one of my favorite albums of all time. Every song on that album means something to me, and I can’t wait to hear more. They’ve got some of the best pop-rock around. We’ll see if losing Tom Conrad will affect anything, and whether they’ll be able to broaden the scope of their lyrical subjects.

6. The Spill Canvas – TBA
One Fell Swoop is pretty much one of the most important albums in my life. I can only hope future material will be the same.

7. Anberlin – Cities
Anberlin hasn’t changed their sound much over their career, and I don’t think I want them to. I think their lyrics are smart and their music is powerful. I hope they can top Never Take Friendship Personal.

8. Cartel – TBA
Chroma is one of my favorite CDs from last year. These guys write some of the best and catchiest pop-rock I’ve ever heard. I hope they raise the bar again.

9. Panic! At The Disco – TBA
Where the hell are they going to go from here? That’s all I have to say.

10. Lovedrug - Everything Starts Where It Ends
Pretend You're Alive is probably one of my favorite CDs. I think Lovedrug have a really unique sound going for them, and the new songs that have been put online are stepping that up a notch. This album is sure to be great.

Advance Notice for 2007:

1. My Favorite Highway
I know I never shut up about this band. But it’s only because they’re that good. Nothing in the world makes me smile as much as this band. They’ve begun their takeover, and next year everyone will know their name.

2. Pictures In Pieces
Another band I don’t shut up about. That’s because their songs are catchy and intense, just like their live show (trust me, I’ve seen them even more times than MFH. Whoa, I know). They’ve been recording their new songs, and I promise you’re going to love these boys just as much as I do.

3.New Atlantic
These guys write truly sweet and beautiful songs. They’ve finally recorded some things for real, and I hope Eyeball Records can make the rest of the world fall in love with them too.

4. Time Tells All
TTA is a pop-punk band from the Reston area. I first heard them at a teeny tiny show, and they played their hearts out regardless of the fact that there were ten people watching and half of them were too drunk to realize what was happening. Their live act was just so energetic that it blew me away. I bet they’ll be getting some good local buzz soon, especially since their new songs totally outdo their old stuff.

5. The Friday Night Boys
FNB is the pop side project of Andrew Goldstein from Bet On Black and Aberdien. A lot of people say it sounds too much like Hellogoodbye, but the vocals and production are better than that!

6. Courage Call
So maybe I’m just a sucker for piano rock. Courage Call are from Ashburn, VA, but are currently located in California. These guys are so young, yet they are incredibly talented. Fans of Something Corporate, Waking Ashland, and My Favorite Highway should take note.

7. Minutes Too Far
These sweet little dudes sound like a cross between Fall Out Boy and Blink-182. One more band for pop-punk junkies to adore.

8. The Morning Light
Two ex-Transition members making music that is possibly better than Transition, which is nearly impossible to do.

9. Jefferson Third
Nice guys, amazing energy, great punky songs. Love them to death and you will too.

10. Kenmore
It's like, they were just okay for the longest time, and then all of a sudden started writing killer screamo songs. The kids are gonna love them.


Also note: there was a lot of music released this year that I simply haven't gotten around to hearing yet. So if you feel that I have any glaring omissions, please give me your recs!