The Gaslight Anthem – The ‘59 Sound
Undoubtably the Album of the Year. I can’t say enough good things about this album, just buy it and listen.
Buy CD or Vinyl from Side One Dummy
Listen to High Lonesome : DOWNLOAD
Cloud Cult – Feel Good Ghosts
Every person I share this album with is an instant fan. It only takes one to get you hooked. Amazing songwriting, astounding lyrics, moments of epiphany.
Listen to Journey of the Featherless : DOWNLOAD
Fucked Up – The Chemistry Of Common Life
Quite possibly the best punk-rock head-trip concept-album that is not a concept album of all time. Your brain may not be the same after this.
Listen to Crooked Head : DOWNLOAD
Poi Dog Pondering – 7
Another in a long string of amazing records. Some bands just keep getting better.
Listen to Butterflies : DOWNLOAD
HiFi Handgrenades – Carry On
Speck and Co. release yet another gem of punk/power pop songs, yet again criminally overlooked. Carry On is my song of the year, it’s that fucking good.
Buy from New Romance For Kids Records
Listen to Carry On : DOWNLOAD
Daniel Lanois – Here Is What Is
Elemental.
Listen to Bladesteel : DOWNLOAD
Marnie Stern – This Is It And I Am It And You Are It And So Is That And He Is It And She Is It And It Is It And That Is That
She’s hot. She plays guitar like no one else. She writes crazy songs you can’t stop listening to. Bonus points for best album name of the year.
Listen to Transformer : DOWNLOAD
Menahan Street Band – Make The Road By Walking
I can only wish my life was cool enough to have this as a soundtrack.
Listen to Tired of Fighting : DOWNLOAD
Paramount Styles – Failure American Style
The dude from Girls Against Boys. Downtempo, acoustic guitar, biting and searing lyrics. Cooler than you.
Listen to Drunx, Whores & MZK People : DOWNLOAD
Mercury Rev – Snowflake Midnight
They put down their guitars and picked up electronics. Stunning.
Listen to Senses on Fire : DOWNLOAD
Robots In Disguise – We’re In the Music Biz
Snarky, trashy and awesome.
Listen to The Sex Has Made Me Stupid : DOWNLOAD
Off With Their Heads – From The Bottom
Great, straight-ahead hardcore. Melodic and raw with great sing along vocals.
Listen to Wrong : DOWNLOAD
And, as always, Let the Children Lose It… Let the Children Use It… Let All The Children Boogie.