Top 10 of 2005
So, Here it is the top ten of 2005 for me, it's been a really hard decision, butt I think I've come to a conlusion finally. Everybody that see's this should put there's up.
First off lets get these guys out of the way, the honorable mentions (In no particular order)
The Bravery - S/T - while this is a great cd and a great debut for these guys, it's just too mainstream and not strong enough to hold my attention to make the top 10, all the tracks are solid and catchy as hell and definitely worth getting, but I couldn't put this in my top 10.
Kids Like Us - Outta Control - While not as good as their first "80's are Dead" still a strong Hardcore album of the year, with great tracks and songs that make me wanna go out and skate A great album!
Shipwreck - s/t - Wow! These guys are fucking incredible, they are a band on my friends record label Rumble Records (and it's been a great year for them) this is a great debut 7" that is a must have for any true fan of hardcore.
Hillary Duff - Most Wanted - this probably surprises some of you, but this is a great remix album of Hillary Duff's stuff. She is definitely a guilty pleasure of mind because it's so damn catchy, a must have!
Blacklisted - ...The Beat Goes On - Great Album, Great Band, just had to only pick one of the two of their albums they released for their top 10, so I figured I'd put the newest as an Honorable Mention, definitely worth buying!
Here we go, the top 10 whether you agree or disagree check all these out before talking shit!
10. Common - Be - fantastic album, I still don't own this, but Kristin does and it's fantastic (Christmas idea anyone?). From the opening song with it's catchy jazz feel that will be making you humm the rest of the day to the fantastic closer, this is an all around good track that doesn't loose it's vibe, until "the food," which is a good song w/ Kanye West but it's just ruins the experience by having a live track in the middle of all these others. Common is definitely my choice over Kanye West's anyday because he doesn't seem to gloat.
9. Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have It So Much Better - I think Franz Ferdinand has definitely made a strong comeback into the world, even though they never really left, they definitely proved to the world with this album that they aren't just one notes and can bust out brilliant songs from their Scottish minds any time. A must have for anybody who loves catchy pop/rock. Some Highlights are "Walk Away" "The Fallen" and "Your the Reason I'm Leaving."
8. Decemberists - Picaresque - Wow, I still don't own this album, but I've downloaded just about every song I could find from this album (Once again, Christmas idea?) A great album, definitely a classic and the Decemberists best album to date. This is a band who deserve anything they can get and with their recent signing to Capital Records, it looks to be a promising future for these guys. My personal favorite on this album is "The Engine Driver."
7. Down To Nothing - Splitting Headache - Wow, Damn, what a great hardcore album from our Richmond locals Down To Nothing. I mean how could this be a bad cd? They talk about richmond in it "Home Sweet Home" definitely one of the highlights. They talk about it all, from 4th St. Diner, to Cary Street, to Pony Pastures and VCU POLICE!! This is an all around great album with some extra tracks from the split they did with Kids LIke Us. This is a must have if you are from Richmond even if you don't like hardcore just so you can support a great local band. (They are also playing December 27th at the Raygun!)
6. New Order - Waiting for the Sirens' Call - Damn, New Order is back and better than ever. This is a great album by those Manchesterites who have been playing since the 70's with Joy Division. Waiting for the Sirens' Call is strong from start to finish with great bass lines, catchy/groovy riffs and lyrics that will have you singing throughout the rest of 2005. Definitely a classic as most of their material is.
5. Blacklisted - We're Unstoppable - Damn!!! Fast paced hardcore right in your fucking face. A must own this is such a brilliant band with creative and heartfelt lyrics and great guitar and bass lines. This band is powerful, moving and fast paced. Listen to this and you'll find yourself singing those sing alongs in no time. This Band is brilliant not only on cd, but live trust me, I've seen them 5 times. Did I mention they are playing at Nanci Raygun on the 17th? (That will be 6)
4. Mental - Planet Mental - Wow, I love this band and I really love this album. Mental is a great hardcore band right out of Boston. They are great live and great on this album. This is a must own, no matter what. Very punky at times and very sincere lyrics. It also has great messages, be true to your friends, Never forget about the one's above and Forgive and Forget when it comes to shit! I can't just choose a few higlights from this album, it's brilliant all around, start to finish, everybody check them out!!
3. The Juan Maclean - Less Than Human - Paul got me into this over fall break, ever since I've been hooked, I own the LP and everything, it's great and catchy and DISCO!!!!! It's so much fun to drive listen to no matter where you are and these are definitely some of the catchiest dance songs I've ever heard. Buy it now!
2. Cold World - Ice Grillz - Who cares what type of music you preffer, this is a great album, it's hardcore but it is great, no matter what you think it's good music in general. I don't always agree with the message (Michael you would, they call out God a lot) But it is awesome and some of the most creative lyrics I've ever heard before. One of my favorites being "Don't believe in Heaven because you lived in hell" It is absolutely brilliant. From "Refuse to Loose" to "Cold World" with great sing alongs and brilliant hardcore lyrics, this is a must for anybody. The only thing dissapointing about this album, is it's the only one they released before they broke up. (Thank God I saw them 2 times this year, best show I've ever been to hands down)
And Here we go, the Number One Album, I'm sure I'm not the only one who has this here, but who cares it's my list!
1. Bloc Party - Silent Alarms - Who would have guessed with all those hardcore albums huh? This is a great album one of my all time favorites I love every song. "Like Eating Glass" and "Banquet" are phenominal I love this album, if you don't own it, you have no clue what your missing. I wish I could say more but this album was beyond words, it took me back to two years ago and I love every moment I listen to this. (BUY ME THE REMIX ON VINYL!!)
Well, there you have it the top 10, I'd advise checking these bands out, they are all good and this list took forever, please, let me know what you think!! I'd love to see everybody else's top 10's!
First off lets get these guys out of the way, the honorable mentions (In no particular order)
The Bravery - S/T - while this is a great cd and a great debut for these guys, it's just too mainstream and not strong enough to hold my attention to make the top 10, all the tracks are solid and catchy as hell and definitely worth getting, but I couldn't put this in my top 10.
Kids Like Us - Outta Control - While not as good as their first "80's are Dead" still a strong Hardcore album of the year, with great tracks and songs that make me wanna go out and skate A great album!
Shipwreck - s/t - Wow! These guys are fucking incredible, they are a band on my friends record label Rumble Records (and it's been a great year for them) this is a great debut 7" that is a must have for any true fan of hardcore.
Hillary Duff - Most Wanted - this probably surprises some of you, but this is a great remix album of Hillary Duff's stuff. She is definitely a guilty pleasure of mind because it's so damn catchy, a must have!
Blacklisted - ...The Beat Goes On - Great Album, Great Band, just had to only pick one of the two of their albums they released for their top 10, so I figured I'd put the newest as an Honorable Mention, definitely worth buying!
Here we go, the top 10 whether you agree or disagree check all these out before talking shit!
10. Common - Be - fantastic album, I still don't own this, but Kristin does and it's fantastic (Christmas idea anyone?). From the opening song with it's catchy jazz feel that will be making you humm the rest of the day to the fantastic closer, this is an all around good track that doesn't loose it's vibe, until "the food," which is a good song w/ Kanye West but it's just ruins the experience by having a live track in the middle of all these others. Common is definitely my choice over Kanye West's anyday because he doesn't seem to gloat.
9. Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have It So Much Better - I think Franz Ferdinand has definitely made a strong comeback into the world, even though they never really left, they definitely proved to the world with this album that they aren't just one notes and can bust out brilliant songs from their Scottish minds any time. A must have for anybody who loves catchy pop/rock. Some Highlights are "Walk Away" "The Fallen" and "Your the Reason I'm Leaving."
8. Decemberists - Picaresque - Wow, I still don't own this album, but I've downloaded just about every song I could find from this album (Once again, Christmas idea?) A great album, definitely a classic and the Decemberists best album to date. This is a band who deserve anything they can get and with their recent signing to Capital Records, it looks to be a promising future for these guys. My personal favorite on this album is "The Engine Driver."
7. Down To Nothing - Splitting Headache - Wow, Damn, what a great hardcore album from our Richmond locals Down To Nothing. I mean how could this be a bad cd? They talk about richmond in it "Home Sweet Home" definitely one of the highlights. They talk about it all, from 4th St. Diner, to Cary Street, to Pony Pastures and VCU POLICE!! This is an all around great album with some extra tracks from the split they did with Kids LIke Us. This is a must have if you are from Richmond even if you don't like hardcore just so you can support a great local band. (They are also playing December 27th at the Raygun!)
6. New Order - Waiting for the Sirens' Call - Damn, New Order is back and better than ever. This is a great album by those Manchesterites who have been playing since the 70's with Joy Division. Waiting for the Sirens' Call is strong from start to finish with great bass lines, catchy/groovy riffs and lyrics that will have you singing throughout the rest of 2005. Definitely a classic as most of their material is.
5. Blacklisted - We're Unstoppable - Damn!!! Fast paced hardcore right in your fucking face. A must own this is such a brilliant band with creative and heartfelt lyrics and great guitar and bass lines. This band is powerful, moving and fast paced. Listen to this and you'll find yourself singing those sing alongs in no time. This Band is brilliant not only on cd, but live trust me, I've seen them 5 times. Did I mention they are playing at Nanci Raygun on the 17th? (That will be 6)
4. Mental - Planet Mental - Wow, I love this band and I really love this album. Mental is a great hardcore band right out of Boston. They are great live and great on this album. This is a must own, no matter what. Very punky at times and very sincere lyrics. It also has great messages, be true to your friends, Never forget about the one's above and Forgive and Forget when it comes to shit! I can't just choose a few higlights from this album, it's brilliant all around, start to finish, everybody check them out!!
3. The Juan Maclean - Less Than Human - Paul got me into this over fall break, ever since I've been hooked, I own the LP and everything, it's great and catchy and DISCO!!!!! It's so much fun to drive listen to no matter where you are and these are definitely some of the catchiest dance songs I've ever heard. Buy it now!
2. Cold World - Ice Grillz - Who cares what type of music you preffer, this is a great album, it's hardcore but it is great, no matter what you think it's good music in general. I don't always agree with the message (Michael you would, they call out God a lot) But it is awesome and some of the most creative lyrics I've ever heard before. One of my favorites being "Don't believe in Heaven because you lived in hell" It is absolutely brilliant. From "Refuse to Loose" to "Cold World" with great sing alongs and brilliant hardcore lyrics, this is a must for anybody. The only thing dissapointing about this album, is it's the only one they released before they broke up. (Thank God I saw them 2 times this year, best show I've ever been to hands down)
And Here we go, the Number One Album, I'm sure I'm not the only one who has this here, but who cares it's my list!
1. Bloc Party - Silent Alarms - Who would have guessed with all those hardcore albums huh? This is a great album one of my all time favorites I love every song. "Like Eating Glass" and "Banquet" are phenominal I love this album, if you don't own it, you have no clue what your missing. I wish I could say more but this album was beyond words, it took me back to two years ago and I love every moment I listen to this. (BUY ME THE REMIX ON VINYL!!)
Well, there you have it the top 10, I'd advise checking these bands out, they are all good and this list took forever, please, let me know what you think!! I'd love to see everybody else's top 10's!