(no subject)
I never update this thing anymore.
Although long overdue, it's time for my fourth annual top 10 albums of the year:
10) Billy Talent--S/T (Atlantic Records) -- When Dashboard Confessional played Toronto in May 2002 their merch guy had to bribe kids to buy merch from the opening band, a group called Billy Talent who no one apparently cared about. Funny how half the kids at that show probably now own BT's debut for Atlantic Records. Yes, it's mainstream and probably appeals to kids who still have 'nap time' at school, but it is admittedly good.
9) Acceptance--Black Lines to Battlefields EP (The Militia Group) -- This band is the epitome of underrated. If they played a show in London, three kids would show up, maybe. That's not because they're not talented, but because they are just beginning to break into the scene with the support of The Militia Group after paying their dues for years on smaller labels. Black Lines to Battlefields showcases the great ability of these upstarts.
8) Rufio--MCMLXXXV (Nitro Records) -- The dude that produced the Foo Fighters last record was so impressed with Rufio that he asked to produce their latest record MCMLXXXV. It shows the progress that Rufio has made in terms of musical maturity since their last release. The band even decided to grace London with their presence on October 9, 2003.
7) Coheed and Cambria--In Keeping Secrets of the Silent Earth: 3 (Equal Vision Records) -- Who ever thought that a bunch of dudes who made up a dungeons and dragons-esque story and put out concept albums about it would gain such a following? Their sophomore effort for Equal Vision doesn't pack quite as much punch as their debut, but it is still worthy of mention as one of the 10 best of 2003.
6) Matchbook Romance--Stories and Alibis (Epitaph Records) -- Although this band had to change their name from The Getaway because of a legal battle with a Canadian band of the same name, their musical ability was not diminished. As Stories and Alibis displays, Matchbook Romance are instantly likeable, and this has landed them tours with the likes of Yellowcard and Mest.
5) Moneen--Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now? (Smallman / Vagrant Records) -- Brampton natives Moneen have finally made a dent on the international scene with the support of Vagrant Records in the U.S. Their latest effort is one of those albums that can be listened to without skipping a track, and their live show easily rivals their recorded material in terms of brilliance.
4) The Rocket Summer--Calendar Days (The Militia Group) -- The Rocket Summer is the complete brainchild of only one guy, who plays all instruments on Calendar Days. Bryce Avary is just old enough to be starting college and is already a huge rock star in Japan, landing tours with the likes of The Ataris. When you're not looking, he'll be huge in North America as well.
3) Spitalfield--Remember Right Now (Victory Records) -- Chicago natives Spitalfield have put together an amazing effort that should not go unnoticed. After playing basements for years, the band is finally landing cross-country U.S. tours with established acts such as Hey Mercedes. Well worth a listen.
2) Mae--Destination: Beautiful (Tooth and Nail Records) -- Think of the most brilliant thing you've ever seen. In musical form, that thing is Destination: Beautiful by Mae. Besides being extremely talented, how many bands can say their keyboard player is a lawyer?
1) Brand New--Deja Entendu (Triple Crown / Razor and Tie Records) -- Only every once in a very long while does an album come along in which lyrical content matches the greatness of the songwriting. Deja Entendu from Long Island natives Brand New is one of those albums. It impressed the people at Dreamworks so much that Brand New's next album will be on that label, and before you know it, Brand New will be a household name.
2003 was an especially good year for good music. Although they didn't make the top 10 list, the following bands deserve credit for the great albums they released during the year: Yellowcard, The Dears, Thursday, Fall Out Boy, Silverstein, Count the Stars, Something Corporate, Further Seems Forever.
Disappointment of the Year: Saves the Day--In Reverie (Vagrant / Dreamworks Records) -- What was this? After three amazing albums, Chris Conley and friends came up with this? Scene dorks will call it 'progressive'...everyone else will wonder what went wrong.
Although long overdue, it's time for my fourth annual top 10 albums of the year:
10) Billy Talent--S/T (Atlantic Records) -- When Dashboard Confessional played Toronto in May 2002 their merch guy had to bribe kids to buy merch from the opening band, a group called Billy Talent who no one apparently cared about. Funny how half the kids at that show probably now own BT's debut for Atlantic Records. Yes, it's mainstream and probably appeals to kids who still have 'nap time' at school, but it is admittedly good.
9) Acceptance--Black Lines to Battlefields EP (The Militia Group) -- This band is the epitome of underrated. If they played a show in London, three kids would show up, maybe. That's not because they're not talented, but because they are just beginning to break into the scene with the support of The Militia Group after paying their dues for years on smaller labels. Black Lines to Battlefields showcases the great ability of these upstarts.
8) Rufio--MCMLXXXV (Nitro Records) -- The dude that produced the Foo Fighters last record was so impressed with Rufio that he asked to produce their latest record MCMLXXXV. It shows the progress that Rufio has made in terms of musical maturity since their last release. The band even decided to grace London with their presence on October 9, 2003.
7) Coheed and Cambria--In Keeping Secrets of the Silent Earth: 3 (Equal Vision Records) -- Who ever thought that a bunch of dudes who made up a dungeons and dragons-esque story and put out concept albums about it would gain such a following? Their sophomore effort for Equal Vision doesn't pack quite as much punch as their debut, but it is still worthy of mention as one of the 10 best of 2003.
6) Matchbook Romance--Stories and Alibis (Epitaph Records) -- Although this band had to change their name from The Getaway because of a legal battle with a Canadian band of the same name, their musical ability was not diminished. As Stories and Alibis displays, Matchbook Romance are instantly likeable, and this has landed them tours with the likes of Yellowcard and Mest.
5) Moneen--Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now? (Smallman / Vagrant Records) -- Brampton natives Moneen have finally made a dent on the international scene with the support of Vagrant Records in the U.S. Their latest effort is one of those albums that can be listened to without skipping a track, and their live show easily rivals their recorded material in terms of brilliance.
4) The Rocket Summer--Calendar Days (The Militia Group) -- The Rocket Summer is the complete brainchild of only one guy, who plays all instruments on Calendar Days. Bryce Avary is just old enough to be starting college and is already a huge rock star in Japan, landing tours with the likes of The Ataris. When you're not looking, he'll be huge in North America as well.
3) Spitalfield--Remember Right Now (Victory Records) -- Chicago natives Spitalfield have put together an amazing effort that should not go unnoticed. After playing basements for years, the band is finally landing cross-country U.S. tours with established acts such as Hey Mercedes. Well worth a listen.
2) Mae--Destination: Beautiful (Tooth and Nail Records) -- Think of the most brilliant thing you've ever seen. In musical form, that thing is Destination: Beautiful by Mae. Besides being extremely talented, how many bands can say their keyboard player is a lawyer?
1) Brand New--Deja Entendu (Triple Crown / Razor and Tie Records) -- Only every once in a very long while does an album come along in which lyrical content matches the greatness of the songwriting. Deja Entendu from Long Island natives Brand New is one of those albums. It impressed the people at Dreamworks so much that Brand New's next album will be on that label, and before you know it, Brand New will be a household name.
2003 was an especially good year for good music. Although they didn't make the top 10 list, the following bands deserve credit for the great albums they released during the year: Yellowcard, The Dears, Thursday, Fall Out Boy, Silverstein, Count the Stars, Something Corporate, Further Seems Forever.
Disappointment of the Year: Saves the Day--In Reverie (Vagrant / Dreamworks Records) -- What was this? After three amazing albums, Chris Conley and friends came up with this? Scene dorks will call it 'progressive'...everyone else will wonder what went wrong.