Anyway! I always like to put together an end of the year list of the albums that re-enforce my love for music! 2011 was an amazing year for new releases and I couldn't narrow it down to ten. I decided to go ahead and expand my list to 11 full lengths and 11 eps.
I hope there's something in here that the four of you that will read this can get into.
Enjoy!
Top 11 LPs
#11
The Copyrights - North Sentinel Island
The Copyrights are a fantastic pop punk band that I've been in love with since high school. I can't say this is their best release (see 2007's "Make Sound"), but it more than makes of for their absence since
2008.
For fans of: Banner Pilot, The Dopamines, Dear Landlord
Check them out here.
#10.
Basement - I Wish I Could Stay Here
Basement is a band that I didn't even know existed at the beginning of 2011. They're from somewhere in the UK and they're really good! They're one of the many Title Fight rip off bands that have been popping up out of the woodwork in the past few years, but they're one of the few that actually pull it off.
For fans of: Title Fight, Tigers Jaw, Polar Bear Club
Check them out here.
#9.
Screeching Weasel - First World Manifesto
Yeah yeah yeah! Ben Weasel is an asshole! This is no secret. He did some shit this year that any Screeching Weasel fan should not be proud of. But Screeching Weasel is so much more than one person. This band is responsible for some of the best punk records even recorded. I can't deny the fact that they have consistently created masterpiece after masterpiece. This album is far from their best, but I like it a lot.
For fans of: The Queers, Teenage Bottlerocket, The Ramones
Check them out here.
#8.
Title Fight - Shed
Another solid release from this melodic punk/hardcore band. Title Fight has been around for a few years now and have already spawned a generation of copycats, none of whom can come close to what these guys are doing.
For fans of: Lifetime, Small Brown Bike, Polar Bear Club
Check them out here.
#7.
Lemuria - Pebble
I can't get enough of this band! I get a lot of shit for liking them as much as I do, but I just can't help it! They write extremely catchy and meaningful songs. Listening to this band always brings me back to the 90's. Their music would fit perfectly into the background of an episode of Pete and Pete. "Pebble" isn't quite as good as their 2008 album "Get Better," but it'll do for now.
For fans of: Jawbreaker, Cheap Girls, Superchunk, female vocals
Check them out here.
#6.
Bridge and Tunnel - Rebuilding Year
Bridge and Tunnel seems to get better with every release! "Rebuilding Year" is by far the best thing they've come out with to date. It's very heavy for the type of music they're playing, but maintains a catchiness in the midst of all the madness. One of the best post punk albums to come out in years.
For fans of: Fugazi, Latterman, Pretty Girls Make Graves
Check them out here.
#5.
Fucked Up - David Comes to Life
My only complaint about this album is that it's too long. I like an album to be short and sweet. That being said, "David Comes to Life" is by far my favorite release by Fucked Up (a band with no shortage of releases). I love how pretty their music can get while still managing to fit perfectly with the gruff screaming vocals. If you've written this band off in the past (like I have) DCTL is worth giving them a second chance.
For fans of: Ceremony, Arcade Fire, Paint it Black (this one was tough)
Check them out here.
#4
Timeshares - Bearable
I love this album!!! I just heard "Bearable" for the first time about a week ago and it has already made it into my top 5 of the year! I feel like if I had more time to get to know this album it'd be even higher on my list. I'm really upset that I slept on this band and missed their set at Fest this year.
For fans of: Latterman, Iron Chic, Hot Water Music
Check them out here.
#3
Living With Lions - Holy Shit
Probably the worst album title of the year (maybe ever). If it wasn't for Living With Lions' earlier stuff being so great I don't think I would have even checked this out. This is another band that I've gotten shit for liking, but I can't help it! I'm a sucker for a catchy melody and that's what this band does best. Great hardcore influenced pop punk. One of the few bands that does it right.
For fans of: Daggermouth, Lifetime, New Found Glory
Check them out here.
#2
Small Brown Bike - Fell and Found
It's so awesome to see this band back together! A classic Michigan band at their best. This is one of the bands that helped push the post hardcore scene into the spotlight in the mid 90's/early 00's. I was a little leery for them to come back with a full length in 2011, but they did nothing to tarnish their legacy. "Fell and Found" is a near perfect album. I kind of consider this album as more of a tie for #1 this year.
For fans of: Hot Water Music, Polar Bear Club, The Casket Lottery
Check them out here.
#1.
Polar Bear Club - Clash Battle Guilt Pride
Finally!!! This is the album I've been waiting for from this band! Polar Bear Club wrote one of my favorite EPs of all time ("The Redder the Better"), but left me waiting through one good album ("Sometimes Things Just Disappear") and one not so good album ("Chasing Hamburg") before presenting the world with the finely crafted masterpiece that is "Clash Battle Guilt Pride". I'm so happy this album came out and rekindled my faith in this amazing post hardcore band! Thank you very much Polar Bear Club! It was worth the wait!
For Fans of: Hot Water Music, The Get Up Kids, Small Brown Bike
Check them out here.
#11.
Not quite as good as the latest full lengths by each band, but it is some great pop punk to hold me over until they release some new material.
This is a demo from a new band from my area. It's really catchy! I'm not just trying to be a suck up. I really do like this! Members of Cain Marko, Brothers, Kaline, Wormburner etc. (Man! Grand Rapids is a hotbed for good punk and hardcore bands!)
#8.
Teenage Bottlerocket - Mutilate Me
Amazing throwback to the early days of pop punk! Very Ramonesy. Also features a Bad Religion cover.
For fans of: Lillingtons, Riverdales, Huntingtons, Ramones
Check them out here.
#7.
Half Hearted Hero - Running Water
We do not need a screamo revival! We need a skate punk revival! The band that will hopefully make this happen is Half Hearted Hero. Fast! Fast! Fast! then poppy and catchy. The end.
For fans of: Slick Shoes, Strung out, The Fullblast
Check them out here.
#6.
The Haverchucks - S/T 7"
This band does Screeching Weasel better than Screeching Weasel. Ben would be pissed! They better watch out! He might punch their girlfriends. This EP kills. Great pop punk.
For fans of: Screeching Weasel, The Queers, The Copyrights
Check them out here.
#5.
Chixdiggit! - Safeways Here We Come
These guys are probably in my top five all time favorite bands. They have yet to disappoint me. Unfortunately none of my friends would ever like this band. They're too simple, too catchy, too good. They also have one of the best displays of "HOO HAH's" I've heard since the 80's.
For fans of: Screeching Weasel, The Ergs, Groovie Ghoulies, Canada
Check them out here.
#4.
Grown Ups - Hand Holder
Melodic/noodly guitars, killer drums, scratchy vocals. This is just fun party music! Ever time I listen to this band I feel young.
For fans of: Get Bent, Latterman, Lifetime
Check them out here.
#3
Cain Marko - At Sea
Holy shit! Thank god this band is from West Michigan! That means I get to see them play all the time. I absolutely love this EP and honestly can't believe these guys aren't huge yet (get on it No Idea!). This is the epitome of good melodic punk. I just hope none of them read this cause I'll be embarrassed. Haha! I want to remain mysterious. I don't want people to know I like them. ;)
For fans of: Hot Water Music, Latterman, North Lincoln
Check them out here.
#2.
Lemuria/Cheap Girls - Split
My only complaint with this EP is that it's too short! It should have been 4-5 songs by each band. This is both bands at their best. All three of the songs on this 7" are perfect. Both bands are stuck in the 90's...in a good way. Both of these bands always leave me wanting more.
For fans of: Superchunk, (early) Weezer, the Replacements
Check them out here and here.
#1.
Iron Chic - Split n' Shit
This is really a compilation of two separate 7"s that came out this year. Both are pure punk rock perfection. This is my favorite new band to come out of the last decade. Iron Chic has yet to release a song I don't like (I'll pretend the Bikini Kill cover never happened). If you like good melodic punk, do yourself a favor and don't sleep on this band!
For fans of: Latterman, RVIVR, Sister Kisser
Check them out here.
Well That took about a million years. Good God!
I hope you found something in here that you liked! I know one of the only people that will read this (Damian) will hate almost all of it. Haha! That's ok though we can still be friends.
Take care!
-Brett
Another solid release from this melodic punk/hardcore band. Title Fight has been around for a few years now and have already spawned a generation of copycats, none of whom can come close to what these guys are doing.For fans of: Lifetime, Small Brown Bike, Polar Bear Club
Check them out here.
#7.
Lemuria - Pebble
For fans of: Jawbreaker, Cheap Girls, Superchunk, female vocals
Check them out here.
#6.
Bridge and Tunnel - Rebuilding Year
Bridge and Tunnel seems to get better with every release! "Rebuilding Year" is by far the best thing they've come out with to date. It's very heavy for the type of music they're playing, but maintains a catchiness in the midst of all the madness. One of the best post punk albums to come out in years.For fans of: Fugazi, Latterman, Pretty Girls Make Graves
Check them out here.
#5.
Fucked Up - David Comes to Life
My only complaint about this album is that it's too long. I like an album to be short and sweet. That being said, "David Comes to Life" is by far my favorite release by Fucked Up (a band with no shortage of releases). I love how pretty their music can get while still managing to fit perfectly with the gruff screaming vocals. If you've written this band off in the past (like I have) DCTL is worth giving them a second chance.For fans of: Ceremony, Arcade Fire, Paint it Black (this one was tough)
Check them out here.
#4
Timeshares - Bearable
I love this album!!! I just heard "Bearable" for the first time about a week ago and it has already made it into my top 5 of the year! I feel like if I had more time to get to know this album it'd be even higher on my list. I'm really upset that I slept on this band and missed their set at Fest this year.For fans of: Latterman, Iron Chic, Hot Water Music
Check them out here.
#3
Living With Lions - Holy Shit
For fans of: Daggermouth, Lifetime, New Found Glory
Check them out here.
#2
Small Brown Bike - Fell and Found
It's so awesome to see this band back together! A classic Michigan band at their best. This is one of the bands that helped push the post hardcore scene into the spotlight in the mid 90's/early 00's. I was a little leery for them to come back with a full length in 2011, but they did nothing to tarnish their legacy. "Fell and Found" is a near perfect album. I kind of consider this album as more of a tie for #1 this year.For fans of: Hot Water Music, Polar Bear Club, The Casket Lottery
Check them out here.
#1.
Polar Bear Club - Clash Battle Guilt Pride
For Fans of: Hot Water Music, The Get Up Kids, Small Brown Bike
Check them out here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Top 11 EPs/7"/Demos
I'm not going to write as much about EPs, but I will try to give a little description.
#11.
The Dopamines/Dear Landlord - Split
Not quite as good as the latest full lengths by each band, but it is some great pop punk to hold me over until they release some new material.
For fans of: The Copyrights, House Boat, Off With Their Heads
#10.
Lowcloud - 5+1
This is a demo from a new band from my area. It's really catchy! I'm not just trying to be a suck up. I really do like this! Members of Cain Marko, Brothers, Kaline, Wormburner etc. (Man! Grand Rapids is a hotbed for good punk and hardcore bands!)
For fans of: Latterman, Iron Chic, Timeshares
Check them out here.
#9.
Screeching Weasel - Carnival of Schadenfreude
I pretty much said everything when I was talking about "First World Manifesto". This is a different line up, but basically the same idea (maybe a little more corny).
For Fans of: I already went over this!
Check them out on the link above (I'm getting a little lazy and tired).
#8.
Teenage Bottlerocket - Mutilate Me
Amazing throwback to the early days of pop punk! Very Ramonesy. Also features a Bad Religion cover.
For fans of: Lillingtons, Riverdales, Huntingtons, Ramones
Check them out here.
#7.
Half Hearted Hero - Running Water
We do not need a screamo revival! We need a skate punk revival! The band that will hopefully make this happen is Half Hearted Hero. Fast! Fast! Fast! then poppy and catchy. The end.For fans of: Slick Shoes, Strung out, The Fullblast
Check them out here.
#6.
The Haverchucks - S/T 7"
This band does Screeching Weasel better than Screeching Weasel. Ben would be pissed! They better watch out! He might punch their girlfriends. This EP kills. Great pop punk.For fans of: Screeching Weasel, The Queers, The Copyrights
Check them out here.
#5.
Chixdiggit! - Safeways Here We Come
These guys are probably in my top five all time favorite bands. They have yet to disappoint me. Unfortunately none of my friends would ever like this band. They're too simple, too catchy, too good. They also have one of the best displays of "HOO HAH's" I've heard since the 80's.For fans of: Screeching Weasel, The Ergs, Groovie Ghoulies, Canada
Check them out here.
#4.
Grown Ups - Hand Holder
Melodic/noodly guitars, killer drums, scratchy vocals. This is just fun party music! Ever time I listen to this band I feel young.For fans of: Get Bent, Latterman, Lifetime
Check them out here.
#3
Cain Marko - At Sea
Holy shit! Thank god this band is from West Michigan! That means I get to see them play all the time. I absolutely love this EP and honestly can't believe these guys aren't huge yet (get on it No Idea!). This is the epitome of good melodic punk. I just hope none of them read this cause I'll be embarrassed. Haha! I want to remain mysterious. I don't want people to know I like them. ;)For fans of: Hot Water Music, Latterman, North Lincoln
Check them out here.
#2.
Lemuria/Cheap Girls - Split
My only complaint with this EP is that it's too short! It should have been 4-5 songs by each band. This is both bands at their best. All three of the songs on this 7" are perfect. Both bands are stuck in the 90's...in a good way. Both of these bands always leave me wanting more.For fans of: Superchunk, (early) Weezer, the Replacements
Check them out here and here.
#1.
Iron Chic - Split n' Shit
This is really a compilation of two separate 7"s that came out this year. Both are pure punk rock perfection. This is my favorite new band to come out of the last decade. Iron Chic has yet to release a song I don't like (I'll pretend the Bikini Kill cover never happened). If you like good melodic punk, do yourself a favor and don't sleep on this band!For fans of: Latterman, RVIVR, Sister Kisser
Check them out here.
Well That took about a million years. Good God!
I hope you found something in here that you liked! I know one of the only people that will read this (Damian) will hate almost all of it. Haha! That's ok though we can still be friends.
Take care!
-Brett
