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Best Of / Worst Of / Whatever Of… 2014

3 December, 2014 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Well folks, it’s that time of the year. We are wrapping up 2014.

This means I get to share my top albums of the year (with anyone who has any interest in what I have to say).

There were tons of great releases this year and honestly, I know I passed up a few. In fact I’ve even added a few names to the below list numerous times while pondering what all caught my attention in 2014. (NOTE: I have even added a few more to my list that I overlooked and feel need to be included – perks of running your own blog I suppose.)

I am not putting any limits on my best of list this year as no artist should be left out. I’m am just sharing the albums that really impressed me this past year and maybe even reasons why.

I’m not sorry for how long this post has become. I’m actually quite pleased with what I have come up with. It really proves that 2014 was a great year for music. I’ve also decided to add a list of albums that just did not do it for me.

Best Albums Of 2014:

Tim Barry – Lost & Rootless
-I just listened to this album in full this morning and instantly had to add it to my list. This is the best thing he has ever done in my opinion. Music writing doesn’t get more real than this.

Mastodon – One More Time Round The Sun
-This album blew me away and continued to do so over the course of the year. I really was not sure what to expect after hearing The Hunter, but they managed to keep their style and improve it resulting in one of my favorite albums of 2014.

Cheap Girls – Famous Graves
-I love everything about this band. I think the best part is that they are just all quality dudes who are extra loaded on talent. I really need to snag a copy of this album on vinyl. If you have not heard of this band, you need to change that. This album was perfect.

Ryan Adams – S/T
-This album was thoroughly enjoyed by this music lover many times. I can’t say I’ve been into all of his past material, but as of late I am finding myself becoming a bigger fan.

United Nations – The Next Four Years
-It was only a matter of time before U.N. released new material. This super-group of musicians really outdid themselves with their sophomore release. In fact, I favor this release more and more with each listen.

Murder City Devils – The White Ghost Has Blood On Its Hands Again
-I never thought the day would come when MCD came out with new material. After seeing them in 2011 at Fun Fun Fun Fest, I knew it was only time before they recorded new material. The result was yet another classic album full of plenty of jams that I’ve listened to over and over without growing tired of one bit. I just wish it were a little longer.

Xerxes – Collision Blonde
-This band slays. So much. I was not ready initially when I checked this album out and was literally just taken by surprise. Best feeling ever.

Chris Stowe – Hollow
-This heartfelt album tops my list when it comes to one man and his guitar. When I say heartfelt I mean sad but with true emotion. He is the emo of emo and a class act dude as well. This album really impressed me.

Chuck Ragan – Till Midnight
-This album was intensified so much more thanks to his special pals he recruited to play with him throughout the album. As big of a fan of Hot Water Music as I am, I can honestly say I am a bigger fan of his solo material.

Banner Pilot – Souvenir
-It’s Banner Pilot. Enough said. This band never disappoints.

Cory Branan – The No Hit Wonder
-If you have not heard this album yet, stop reading right now and find it. This was one of my favorite releases of the year. Amazing songwriter.

Chris Cresswell – One Week
-Intense album by a guy who usually is known to scream loud in the Flatliners. Subtle tracks with Joey Cape helping along made for such a beautiful release. I love that this was recorded at Cape’s house in just one week.

The Afghan Whigs – Do To The Beast
-No lie, I was nervous about this album when I heard it was going to be released. I am not sure why. Lucky for me, it was solid from start to finish.

The Black Keys – Turn Blue
-This album was a little more Broken Bells sounding than I was hoping for thanks to Danger Mouse’s touch, but overall it still ruled. I have found myself listening to it a lot again after taking a few months off. It is still catchy as hell and those guitar jams are still amazing.

Mariachi El Bronx – III
-How can you not like this album? It is so good. I loved how it just was not even so much a concept anymore as much as just a new direction for a talented group of dudes.

Swingin Utters – Fistfull Of Hollow
-This band refuses to slow it down. This is their 3rd release in 3 years and is the best stuff I have heard by them in a long long time.

Needles//Pins – Shamebirds
-DIY punk garage rock excellence is the best way I can describe this album. I can not even tell you how many times I have listened to this release over and over. If you dig the Ramones, I guarantee Needles//Pins are right up your alley.

J Mascis – Several Shades Of Why
-I have few heroes in my life. Mascis is one of them. This may be the most amazing thing I have ever heard him do aside from that Mazzy Star cover he recently performed.

Baby Ghosts – Maybe Ghosts
-Pop-indie-garage-rock-fun-fueled-goodness. I may be falling out of the scene these days and miss out on a lot of the DIY music that completely rules, but I can honestly say I am glad I did not miss out on this album.

The Menzingers – Rented World
–Chamberlain Waits will always be my favorite release by The Menzingers, but this album is a very close second. Very close…

Against Me! – Transgender Dysphoria Blues
-I know this album got a lot of attention due to Tom exiting and Laura entering, but aside from that, this album is just sick. I hated to see such a revolving door of members in the band over the years, but they still have managed to keep it together and produced an intense album.

7 Seconds- Leave A Light On
-I am a huge fan of 7 Seconds and am ok with that. To see them regroup and drop an all new release made this aging punk rocker very happy. This album was tougher and harder than some of their past releases and did not sound forced one bit. This album was probably the best punk record I listened to all year. Suddenly getting old doesn’t seem so bad.

Sage Francis – Copper Gold
-Sage returned and delivered. I can still recall the day this album dropped and how excited I got. I was live tweeting my feelings for all to read, including Sage himself. I was having a fanboy moment.

Run The Jewels – Run The Jewels II
-EL-P and Killer Mike dropped the surprise album of the year and pretty much gave it away for free. This should be at the very top of my list as I can not stop listening to it. I was lucky enough, thanks to a good pal, to obtain a physical copy that I know I will spin over and over.

Tilts – Cuatro Hombres
-This band is the definition of rock music or at least what I think it should sound like. Remember when Queens of the Stone age were cool? Tilts are better.

Pup – Pup
-This is the one album I sat on for too long in 2014. I am glad for whatever reason I decided to check it out. This is one notable debut.

Restorations – LP3
-Take all of the music I was into in the 90s, and I guarantee you this album would have fit in perfectly. This is one of the best bands out there. I know they have a good fan base already, but I seriously think that not enough people are aware of how talented this band really is.

Best of EPs of 2014:

Beach Slang – Who Would Ever Want Anything So Broken?
-Without a doubt, this is the greatest band out there right now and they have yet to release a full length. They are not young kids and are perfectly ok with that. They are just here for the tunes and these tunes are exceptional.

Beach Slang – Cheap Thrills On A Dead End Street
-So gooooooooooooood. Yes. I adore them. Deal.

Low Culture / Iron Chic – Split
-2 of my favorite bands on one EP. Nothing tops that, except maybe pizza or tacos.

Low Culture & Needles//Pins – Split
-Garage rock maximus. Both bands are incredible and it only made sense for them to release a split together.

Ryan Adams – 1984
-Surprise release of the year. I loved what he did on this EP and wished it were a full length. Adams really is a man of many talents when it comes to music and I have a fonder appreciation for him now. 1984 carried quality similarities to so many SST and Discord bands.

The Public – Shibuya Crossing
-These guys could be the next big thing to come from Cleveland if they keep it up. Dead serious.

Remainders – Fine Exits
-These guys could be the next big thing to come from Pittsburgh if they keep it up. Dead serious. (yes, I did that on purpose)

Signals Midwest – Wherever I Might Land
-Hearing these dudes cover Iron Chic’s “Time Keeps Slipping Into The (Cosmic) Future” pretty much made my year. This was a download only release, but I hope that I can find a bag of money so that this can be pressed on vinyl. I would need to title it SGNLS MDWST though as all the cool bands lose the vowels.

The One That Got Away In 2014:

Of Us Giants – Nova Scotia
-Seriously, what the hell was up with this band? They started 2014 off in a good good way with their debut and disbanded before even hitting the road to tour. It seemed almost as if they worked harder selling their merch to their adoring fans making up for lost product over keeping it together as a band. I am sure they had their reasons, but Novia Scotia was a solid release and I really thought Of Us Giants was going to make it big.

Whatever Of 2014…

Death Grips – The Powers That B
-I liked this album. A lot. I did not like how this band went out. Kind of pompous if you ask me. Luckily, most folk moved on with their lives.

Rancid – Honor Is All We Know
-I honestly hate that I am admitting this, but I only liked about 45% of Rancid’s latest offering. I even listened to it again today and felt the same. I just was not been overly impressed with the entire album and I really wanted to be. There were a couple instant classics in there but some of the tracks just didn’t hit me well. Rancid will always be one of my Top 5 bands. Don’t you worry boys. I still love ya.

Gaslight Anthem – Get Hurt
-I tried, I really did, to enjoy this album but just could not get into it at all. At first I thought I appreciated the lyrics and just needed to get into the music, but in reality I think the Gaslight fanboy in me was just in shock on what I was hearing. It was just too chilled out for me. I will give it a chance again soon.

Weezer – Everything Will Be Ok In The End
-No it won’t. Two songs in on this album and I turned it off. Sorry guys, I’ll stick to your older albums. I could not get into this at all.

Damon Albarn – Everyday Robots
-I love Blur and the Gorillaz. I can not say the same for this album. It is different and just not what I was expecting. I appreciate anyone who does their own thing, I just can’t say I will like it.

Pixies – Indie Cindy
-I did not have the highest expectations for this release. Maybe it was due to Frank Black saying that “there’s been a shift in the lineup, big woop-dee-doo…as far as we’re concerned it ain’t that big of a deal.” Yes it is Frank. It sure was a big deal. It was a Kim Deal. You should have quit when she did and stated something else.

Wu Tang Clan –A Better Tomorrow
-I hate to have anything negative about Wu Tang Clan, but after hearing “Ruckus In B Minor”, I thought this album was going to be the greatest thing in 2014. Sadly the single was the strongest track on the album with a couple of other tracks that came close. Do not get me wrong, this was a good album but I was hoping for way more hip-hop and less R&B.

Masked Intruder – M.I.
-Sorry dudes…your first album was so much better than your follow-up. I dug it for maybe a week and just lost interest. It is not terrible by any means. My review was sincere and I initially liked it but not for long. I know not everyone will agree with me on this. The band has major talent. Perhaps I am old and just don’t get it. Get off my yard!

Worst Albums Of 2014:

U2 – Songs Of Innocence
-Jerks. Rolling Stone was paid off. Apple was paid off. This album was not that good and I am still pissed that the Apple sponsored commercial had so many punk rock heroes in it. I am entitled to my opinion. Nothing like jumping on Google to learn how to remove an album from my iTunes that I never wanted.

The Flaming Lips – With A Little Help From My Fwends
-No. Just….no. Maybe if I was on a lot of drugs and was just an eccentric individual I might get it. My ears were bleeding with this. Quit trying so hard and bring back Yoshimi. I know some people adored it. I did not. These Beatles covers were terrible.

I hope you all enjoyed this list/rant/babble. I know I had a good time putting it all together. Seeing how awesome 2014 was with music, I can not wait for 2015 to start.

Happy holidays suckers!

80's, 90's, Emo, Experimental, Music, New Release, Post-Hardcore, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: Xerxes – Collision Blonde

8 October, 2014 Brian Mc Leave a comment

I was waiting for an album to drop this year that would completely steal my undivided attention. Xerxes has just done that to me.

If any of you know me, chances are you know my love for bands like the Refused, Murder City Devils, Gallows, Thursday and At The Drive-In. The vocal styles of all those acts is one of the main reasons I have such an appreciation for them.

Xerxes’s new album Collision Blonde seemingly took queues from all those acts and more throwing them together into one killer release.

I love it. I adore it. Thank you Xerxes and thank you No Sleep Records for throwing their album on your label.

This young post-punk act from Louisville, KY mixes in so many different musical styles in their jams, I almost hate to classify them into one genre. With elements of punk, post-hardcore, goth rock and more, this avant-garde act blew me away the moment I heard their sophomore release Collision Blonde.

This album overflows with plenty of mental anguish guaranteeing to satisfy any emotional train wreck out there. Pain, love, and drugs seemingly fueled this release and I’m pretty sure anyone who hasn’t always been in a positive path through life will totally get into Collision Blonde.

Once “I Was Wrong” started I knew this was going to be one of those albums I listened to all the way through with no interruptions. Calvin Philley just destroys his voice throughout with plenty of distortion that would make Trent Reznor proud.

“Criminal Animal” appealed to me with a garage rock start quickly morphing to something a little more hardcore. I got a huge kick out of Philley switching to almost a furious spoken word only to start singing again. “Knife”, toned things down for a moment and clearly was about some object being stuck into one’s back.

“A Toast” had this Cure-like melody and bass line hiding behind intermittent hard riffs and screaming vocals making for a great listen. The transitions from the singing to the spoken word throughout this track made it even better to listen to.

“Collision Blonde” was beyond a daunting track with Philley just spilling his guts out on top of a melody that easily could be mistaken with The Jesus And Mary Chain or even Bauhaus. Although dark and lonely, this track really was amazing in so many ways once you got past the emotion and pain.

“Nosedive” ended the album with Philley screaming “just make it stop” over and over. It was almost like this entire album was a brutal nightmare and it needed to come to an end.

I am not sure if this album was a revelation of pain or a public cry for help. Regardless, it is powerful lyrically and musically making Collision Blonde easily one of my favorite releases of 2014 so far.

Perhaps I took in this album a little differently from others. Having grown up listening to darker styles of music in the 80s and 90s like The Cure and Jesus and Mary Chain, I always wished it were heavier back then. I loved the music but craved more vocals. Xerxes seriously captured some of my favorite band styles and added their own harsh twist on it satisfying that younger request. The result is just insane and I adore it.

Collision Blonde drops on Oct. 21st. You can pre-order it now over at No Sleep Records.

Cleveland, Download This!, Emo, Hardcore, Indie, Music, Music News, Post-Hardcore

Escapist Records Offering Up Free Downloads Until The End Of 2013!

12 December, 2013 Brian Mc Leave a comment

This is too good to not share. From now until you pass out in public on New Years Eve, Cleveland’s very own Escapist Records are offering up all their goodies for free download.

This is your opportunity to snag fresh and free tunes by such amazing acts as:
Harvey Pekar
Sweet Weapons
Light Years
Foxfires
+ plenty more killer releases…

You can also grab the awesome tribute to Integrity for zero cents! Of course you can name your price too, but I am sure most of us are broke right about now…

Head over to http://escapistrecords.bandcamp.com and thank me later.

Emo, Music, Music News, Music Video, Post-Hardcore, Rock

Get Involved with Get Involved!

7 April, 2013 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Recently members from Thursday, From Autumn To Ashes, Glassjaw, and Judge announced a new project in the works called Get Involved!

Inspired by their shared influences of punk, hardcore, new wave and metal, Get Involved! came together to create an entirely new group, unlike any of their previous endeavors. Brian Deneeve (From Autumn to Ashes), Todd Weinstock (Glassjaw), Tucker Rule (Thursday), Lars Weiss (Judge) and Derrick Karg each bring a unique style to the band, resulting in a sound that’s dark and heavy yet accessible and memorable. With a release in the works to be dropped later this year, Get Involved! is asking for your help through their Kickstarter Campaign. You all know how Kickstarter works. Head on over and help out if you care to. I know I already pledged $20. I am stoked to see what this band creates!

Support music, support art, and Get Involved! Back Get Involved!’s Kickstarter Campaign now. With just 2 weeks left, the band is just over 40% to their goal. Help out if you can!!!

Alt Rock, Folk, Grunge, Indie, Music, Pop, Pop Rock, Post-Hardcore, Punk, Rock, The Awesome

BHP Best Albums of 2012

26 December, 2012 Brian Mc Leave a comment

For the record, I suck at blogging and I apologize. Maybe one of my New Year’s resolutions will be for me to pay more attention to this blog of mine. In all seriousness though, I have been busy with the paying gig and school, so please excuse the lack of posts and whatnot. I really do plan on changing that.

Moving from Ohio to New Mexico earlier this year was pretty hard on me for more reasons than one. The number one thing, aside from extremely missing all my friends and family back home, is the lack of continual live shows out here. Sure, I could drive to Albuquerque to catch something, but that is a 6 hour round trip I would prefer to avoid alone. El Paso even had a couple good shows I was all about until I found out they were either sold out or that I had to be up at 5 a.m. the next morning. Yeah, getting old sucks. Luckily for me, I still can keep up with new music and pretend I know what is going on. That is not to say that Las Cruces doesn’t have a music scene, I just have not gotten my feet wet in it yet.

Regardless of my situation, 2012 was an exceptionally good year for music. I am sure you can easily think of 5 albums that blew your mind this year. I know I can, in fact I have a whole bunch. With 2012 is coming to an end, I suppose it is my time where I get to tell everyone my top albums of 2012.

I think what kills me the most about talking about all these great releases is that I was not able to review them like I originally intended to. So, do me a favor if you can; if you have not heard of any of my top picks below, please check them out. Thanks.

In no particular order, here are a bunch of releases that amazed me in 2012:

Masked Intruder – Self-Titled Release

-Surprise release of 2012 if you ask me. The most unique pop-punk you could imagine by a group of fun dudes in ski masks. I can not even tell you how many times this album played over and over in my car this summer.

Luther – Let’s Get You Somewhere Else

-I was so looking forward to this release by these Philly champs. Easily one of the best releases of the year. This band is going places.

Ma Jolie – …Compared To Giants

-More Philly love. Once upon a time, Ma Jolie played a basement show for a couple of cool dude’s birthdays in Akron. They rule and you need to check them out. Still shocked no one has signed them yet.

Cherry Cola Champions – Self-Titled Release

-Last year they made my 2011 Best of list with their EP. This year they debuted their full-length release and it just rules. I can not even tell you how many times I have spun this amazing album. Solid dudes too.

Lucero – Women & Work

–A bunch of good ol’ boys making some good ol’ music. I really dug this album a ton.

Tony Sly / Joey Cape – Acoustic Volume Two

-This covers project sequel by two of the best names in punk rock was just all so good to listen to. Sadly as many of you know, Tony Sly passed away on July 31st. Needless to say, this record is more important than ever to this fan of Sly who has been providing tunes to my ears since I was a young punk rocker. RIP Tony…

The Menzingers – On The Impossible Past

-This band continues to impress me and I am so stoked to watch them mature as musicians in such a short amount of time. Now that they are on the Epitaph roster, I am pretty sure things will only excel for them.

Cheap Girls – Giant Orange

-This is one of those bands that if you have no idea who they are, you need to familiarize yourself with them immediately. I loved this release from start to finish. I am also so bummed to have missed them live twice this year!!! Oh well.

The Sidekicks – Awkward Breeds

-Right at the beginning of the year, The Sidekicks shot out an incredible release. I love this northeast Ohio band.

Annabel – Youth In Youth

– Right at the end of the year, Annabel shot out an incredible release. I love this northeast Ohio band. Deja vu. You have no idea how proud I am of these guys.

All Dinosaurs – Rules Of Civility And Decent Behavior

–Right in the middle of the year….just kidding. All Dinosaurs did release an hard album that I am still having trouble getting my hands on the vinyl version. I am not even sure if that is the right album cover above, that is how hard of a time I am having finding it!

Old Flings – Spite

–Found this pop punk folk indie 90s rock awesomeness totally on accident. This Asheville, NC trio has my approval. Looking forward to seeing more from these guys.

Joyce Manor – Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired

-This was the quickest and most well written release of the year if you ask me. 9 songs in 13 minutes and it all makes perfect sense.

Dikembe – Broad Shoulders

-This was a release I almost overlooked – I said almost… Boy am I glad that did not happen. Killer album.

Hot Water Music – Exister

-It took me exactly two listens of this album for me to fall in love with it. These punk rock heroes have not lost their touch at all.

Japandroids – Celebration Rock

–An amazing follow up to their debut that continues their musical expression of fun and living life the rock n roll way.

Dinosaur Jr. – I Bet On Sky

-I have adored Dinosaur Jr. since I was a kid. This release shows no wear and tear of the boys whatsoever. Love this release.

The XX – Coexist

– I remember years ago when I heard Portishead for the first time and the chills I got. The XX brought back that feeling on their sophomore release.

The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten

-Haters, hate. I loved this release. Catchy as hell.

Brendan Kelly and the Wandering Birds – I’d Rather Die Than Live Forever

–It’s like The Lawrence Arms unplugged, but different. Seriously though, this was a solid release by a great musician that may have slipped through the cracks for many. If you like honest, real situations expressed in music, listen to this.

The Avett Brothers – The Carpenter

-This band continues to impress and remains one of my all time favorite bands out there. I will admit, this album took a couple listens for me to fully appreciate it and now I just can not stop listening to it.

The Fake Boys – Pig Factory

-Once upon a time, a bunch of dudes from hardcore bands decided they wanted to play the music that they grew up on. The result is this gracious nod to the 90s that is enjoyable as hell by this music lover.

Titus Andronicus – Local Business

-There is just something about this album that appealed to me. Punk / Indie / Rock goodness.

NOFX – Self-ENtitled

-I was like 6 years old when this band first started. I have been a fan of them since high school. They have once again not failed in putting out a clever, hilarious pop-punk gem. If you can not appreciate this band for doing things their way for over 30 years, then I must tell you, they probably do not care, nor do I.

Mixtapes – Even On The Worst Nights

-Pop punk dudes and a nice young lady from Ohio continue to make fun singable tunes for all to love. It was almost impossible to not like this release.

Minus The Bear – Infinity Overhead

-I really can not say much about this release aside from how great it is.

I am sure I missed a couple there and for all you know, I added more after I initially posted this. Like I previously mentioned, 2012 was a great year for music. It seemed like every other week something new and noteworthy dropped. I really think that this year was the best year for music releases in a long time.

I am proud of all my friends who are in bands that released albums this year as well as the ones who played tons of shows and toured their hearts out. Nothing pleases me more than seeing you all do what you do for the sake of loving music. Keep it up everyone.

In 2012, a bunch of bands called it quits or parted ways. Leatherface broke up as did Daytrader (I really thought they were going to find a replacement for Tym too). I was so bummed when Spraynard announced they were finished. Refused broke up again, although I was not really phased by this. I was bumming when I learned Ween announced they were no more. Apparently Chumbawumba disbanded too but no one cared. Ninja Gun even announced at the Fest that they were through – that sucks in my book.

Luckily for us music lovers, as fast as bands break up, new ones form and release sounds for us all to hear.

Let’s see what 2013 has in store for us all. I can only hope it is just going to continue to get better.

Happy Holidays everyone!