I'm counting on the music to get me through the day..
Obligatory Top 10 of 2010 post:
10. The Flatliners - Cavalcade
9. Toh Kay & Dan P - You By Me: Vol 1
8. Alkaline Trio - This Addiction
7. Freelance Whales - Weathervanes
6. The Wonder Years - The Upsides
5. None More Black - Icons
4. Mixtapes - Maps
3. The Menzingers - Chamberlain Waits
2. Off With Their Heads - In Desolation
1. The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang
I spent most of this year continuing my obsession with all the great albums that came out last year. Weak year, music. I mean, Alkaline Trio is on this list. What are the odds of that? The album happens to be really fucking good. A few missteps, but easily the best thing they've put out since Good Mourning.
American Slang and I have a weird relationship. I was really excited when I heard they were working on new material. Then there was this interview with Brian Fallon where he talks about their past catalogue like he's not proud of how they went about songwriting and I was completely disheartened. Until I heard the title track, "American Slang." Then I proceeded being the most excited, only to have that come crashing down when I heard the album for the first time. What is this? Where's all that raw energy? It sounded slow and overproduced and missing all the hooks that made me completely fall in love with this band after hearing the '59 Sound. But, still, I thought "the musicianship on this album is fucking great." I was extremely disappointed after my first listen, but the first thing I did when it ended was put it back on again. I was hoping the album would grow on me and I had the distinct impression that there was something about American Slang that I just wasn't "getting." Needless to say, this album has grown on me. Let it be known that I'm still mad about "We Did It When We Were Young." Worst song of theirs. Plus both Sink or Swim and The '59 Sound have perfect closing tracks, and this album misses the mark so badly with how it ends.
Both In Desolation and Chamberlain Waits gave American Slang a serious run for its money for the top spot this year. Awesome awesome albums. After hearing In Desolation its all I wanted to listen to for awhile. While I loved Chamberlain right away, every time I listen to it I love that album more and more.
Additional shout outs to: Banner Pilot for doing the best job with the re-mixing of Resignation Day, Good Luck for the awesome demo, Ergquist for the awesome EP, Iron Chic, RVIVR, Unwelcome Guests, Mayflower and the Riot Before.
Biggest upsets? Bedouin Soundclash, We Are the Union, Four Year Strong, Tony Sly, the Get Up Kids, and more.
10. The Flatliners - Cavalcade
9. Toh Kay & Dan P - You By Me: Vol 1
8. Alkaline Trio - This Addiction
7. Freelance Whales - Weathervanes
6. The Wonder Years - The Upsides
5. None More Black - Icons
4. Mixtapes - Maps
3. The Menzingers - Chamberlain Waits
2. Off With Their Heads - In Desolation
1. The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang
I spent most of this year continuing my obsession with all the great albums that came out last year. Weak year, music. I mean, Alkaline Trio is on this list. What are the odds of that? The album happens to be really fucking good. A few missteps, but easily the best thing they've put out since Good Mourning.
American Slang and I have a weird relationship. I was really excited when I heard they were working on new material. Then there was this interview with Brian Fallon where he talks about their past catalogue like he's not proud of how they went about songwriting and I was completely disheartened. Until I heard the title track, "American Slang." Then I proceeded being the most excited, only to have that come crashing down when I heard the album for the first time. What is this? Where's all that raw energy? It sounded slow and overproduced and missing all the hooks that made me completely fall in love with this band after hearing the '59 Sound. But, still, I thought "the musicianship on this album is fucking great." I was extremely disappointed after my first listen, but the first thing I did when it ended was put it back on again. I was hoping the album would grow on me and I had the distinct impression that there was something about American Slang that I just wasn't "getting." Needless to say, this album has grown on me. Let it be known that I'm still mad about "We Did It When We Were Young." Worst song of theirs. Plus both Sink or Swim and The '59 Sound have perfect closing tracks, and this album misses the mark so badly with how it ends.
Both In Desolation and Chamberlain Waits gave American Slang a serious run for its money for the top spot this year. Awesome awesome albums. After hearing In Desolation its all I wanted to listen to for awhile. While I loved Chamberlain right away, every time I listen to it I love that album more and more.
Additional shout outs to: Banner Pilot for doing the best job with the re-mixing of Resignation Day, Good Luck for the awesome demo, Ergquist for the awesome EP, Iron Chic, RVIVR, Unwelcome Guests, Mayflower and the Riot Before.
Biggest upsets? Bedouin Soundclash, We Are the Union, Four Year Strong, Tony Sly, the Get Up Kids, and more.