A Year of Eargasm
Inspired by a recent web article, I've decided to make my own list of albums that stuck with me throughout the past year. While I honestly thought this would be an easy exercise given my propensity for discovering new bands and music, it's strange that I've been having a hard time compiling such a short list. Either there was a drought of quality records or I haven't been paying much attention to the scene lately. More of the latter, I guess. I managed to come up with ten albums though and knowing my affinity for emo-pop-punk jams, you won't be seeing any Ed Sheerans, Ariana Grandes or Iggy Azaleas here. Instead, you'll get...
HONORABLE MENTION(S):
Lift A Sail - Yellowcard (Released: October 7, 2014)
Key Tracks: One Bedroom, The Deepest Well
1989 - Taylor Swift (Released: October 27, 2014)
Key Tracks: Blank Space, Clean, Out Of The Woods
We Don't Have Each Other - Aaron West and The Roaring Twenties (Released: July 8, 2014)
Key Tracks: Our Apartment, Runnin' Scared
- Lift A Sail delved into a poppier sound geared towards penetrating the mainstream rock market. Not really my cup of tea but Yellowcard still retains their catchy, infectious hooks. If you're looking for the mother-of-all-pop albums, Swift's 1989 is the answer and I guess nine straight weeks (and counting) atop the Billboard 200 Chart justifies that. Lastly, I can't believe how good Dan "Soupy" Campbell (from The Wonder Years) is at creating good, sad music. His foray into the folk rock genre under the Aaron West monicker has been really impressive. Plus, I thoroughly enjoyed their music video for "Our Apartment" (and that Ace Enders cameo!).
#10. What Matters Most - Forever Came Calling (Released: September 9, 2014)
Key Tracks: Mapping With a Sense of Direction, Defenseless, Wish You Well
- Fast, aggressive, energetic, catchy, and the perfect roll-down-your-window summer jam. Reminds me of the time last year when I was so hooked into State Champs. Gets a little repetitive at some point but so are most pop-punk jams.
#9. Oh, Common Life - Fireworks (Released: March 24, 2014)
Key Tracks: Play "God Only Knows" At My Funeral, Glowing Crosses, One More Creature Dizzy With Love
- Yet, another pop-punk band. Expect the same playful hooks and guitar riffs but this time accompanied by stronger and deeper lyrics. Lead singer David McKinder also has one of the more recognizable voices in the scene. May sound whiny at times but certainly tolerable.
#8. Happiness Is - Taking Back Sunday (Released: March 18, 2014)
Key Tracks: Flicker, Fade, Stood A Chance, Better Home And Gardens, Beat Up Car
- The sixth album from what could already be considered veterans of the scene. While fans will still clamor for them to get back to their Tell All Your Friends days, I think their style of a grizzled, alternative outfit while maintaining their pop sensibilities works wonders for them. I wouldn't mind listening to an endless loop of back-and-forth between Adam Lazzara and John Nolan though. Like that ending to Flicker, Fade. So good.
#7. Joyride - Transit (Released: October 21, 2014)
Key Tracks: The Only One, Rest To Get Better, Pins And Needles
- If an album gets me to sing along to its tracks while on my way to work, then hands down, I like that record. Joyride was successful in that aspect. The departure of Tim Landers and the generally lackluster reception to their previous work didn't stop Transit from putting up an enjoyable and fun album. I don't think they'll be able to top Listen And Forgive but Joyride's a pretty good comeback for the group. I challenge anyone to resist singing along to that chorus of Sweet Resistance.
#6. Clouded - This Wild Life (Released: May 27, 2014)
Key Tracks: Concrete, Over It, Better With You, Don't Say
- Highly recommended for fans of emotional, depressing, heartbreaking, acoustic stuff. One of those bands which came out of nowhere for me but has since been a staple of my playlist. If you're struggling through some relationship matters, I warn you not to listen to this one. Still, the best part is when I found out how this duo looked like. A total mismatch with their brand of music. I guess, that means don't judge a band by how they look?
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| The good guess is that they play heavy metal, right? Wrong! |
Key Tracks: Stand So Tall, Deconstruct You, Everything Gold
- While the generic composition for pop-punk bands consists of two guitars, a bass, and a drum set, Driver Friendly ups the game by including horns, trumpets, and keyboards to their lineup. The result? One of the stronger pop-rock albums in recent memory. Everything in this album just flows smoothly and seamlessly, it's ridiculous. Another one of those sing-along type of record.
#4. Keep Doing What You're Doing - You Blew It! (Released: January 14, 2014)
Key Tracks: Award of the Year Award, House Address, Better To Best
- There was a period last year where I became so engrossed with the emo scene that I spent considerable time researching about bands from that category. One of the bands was You Blew It! and their album, Keep Doing What You're Doing, instantly blew me away (no pun intended). Hoarse vocals, melodic guitars, hypnotic bass lines, pounding drumbeats, heart-on-sleeve lyrics. What more could I ask for, huh?
#3. A Place Of Our Own - Have Mercy (Released: October 27, 2014)
Key Tracks: Spacecrafts, The Place You Love, Plastic Covered Furniture
- I guess, I've caught the emo fever. The release of this album was quite a surprise since they just came out with the equally good The Earth Pushed Back last 2013. Not complaining though. The raspy vocals are back and are nastier than ever. Also, I still can't get over that synchronized hand clap at 0:24 from the video of Spacecrafts. Take a look.
#2. Rented World - The Menzingers (Released: April 18, 2014)
Key Tracks: I Don't Wanna Be An Asshole Anymore, In Remission, Rodent, Nothing Feels Good Anymore
- "And I've been wandering nightly through the garden of your hearthache. Always making a mess, always stumbling out the door." So goes a few lines from the opener of Rented World and immediately you're treated to the awesomeness called The Menzingers. The whole album is the gold standard for punk rock music and the only reason it didn't get the top spot is because the band at number one made an otherworldly record. An instant classic, as they say.
#1. Home, Like Noplace Is There - The Hotelier (Released: February 25, 2014)
Key Tracks: ALL NINE SONGS
- I don't think I've been floored by such an album since The Greatest Generation. If I compare the two, Home, Like Noplace Is There blows The Wonder Years' grandest effort out of the water. I can't believe this was released early last year and until now I still find it a pleasure to listen to from front to back. Perfect, stunning, amazing, enchanting, and captivating in every aspect. Just a shame only a few have had the opportunity to listen to this record. Still, it doesn't degrade how utterly and unfairly good this album is. Plus, I am totally in love with this band's name. <3
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