Every year I say I am going to do more on the blog and get pulled away from it with other things. Let’s face it, life is crazy and I just do not find myself on this site as much as I used to be. I still listen to a TON of music and that is never going to change.
With that said, I still am committed to at least doing a best of post annually. I am sure I missed a few, but here is a list of bands in no particular order that I adored this year.
Enjoy.
BHP BEST OF 2025 LIST
Dead Pioneers – PO$T AMERICAN
Such an important album to me. A stick it to you, punch in the face to everyone who thinks everything is ok.
Faulty Cognitions – They Promised Us Heaven
I was lucky enough to befriend Chris Mason years ago when I was a recluse mess in Las Cruces, NM. Dude is amazing and I am not shocked he put out one of my fav albums this year. Perfect blend of Replacements and Husker Dü sounds completely won me over and over.
Deafheaven – Lonely People With Power
Love that these dudes went back to their heavy approach without dropping the shoegaze completely. One of my more repeated albums of the year start to finish.
Model Martel – A Thousand Couple Times
Name a more perfect debut album by a bunch of your gracefully aging punk pals… In all seriousness, this album is really, really good. I was overly impressed when I finally got my hands on this emo, post-punk release. These guys carry years of experience from a bunch of Cleveland bands and their styles fell into a perfect place together. Don’t sit on this one.
Hotline TNT – Raspberry Moon
Will Anderson has something good going on here with this release. There are so many nods to early 00s styles of bands like Radiohead and Arcade Fire but also dips back even further with a grudge effect. I admit, never heard of Anderson or Hotline TNT prior to this release, but that changed instantly.
Militarie Gun – God Save the Gun
“Thought You Were Waving” has been stuck in my head for months. This band continues to impress me with their almost aligning personal lyricism.
Deftones – private music
My first listen, I was not impressed. I picked at the drumming, nodded with the riffs, felt it just was lazy. My 400th listen, I am just sucked in, obsessed, and realize I was the lazy one for a lack in interest when it should have been there the entire time.
Kid Cudi – Free
I always argued Cudi’s best album was Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven, but that changed this year. Yeah, totally not his known hip-hop and certainly more of a border-lined pop-punk which begged to be played over and over.
Turnstile – Never Enough
I over-played the shit out of this album this year. It’s perfect. That’s all I have to say about that.
Heart Attack Man – Joyride the Pale Horse
This album was just so much fun to listen to. The boys in Hammy continue to mature and are taking tongue-in-cheek situations and expressing them in catchy songs. Knowing how many shows they’ve played this year proves the success these guys deserve.
Greet Death – Die In Love
Shoegaze city with this one. So freaking good. Shocked I did not snag this on vinyl yet.
Bob Mould – Here We Go Crazy
Bob Mould gets better and better with his releases. Case and point, this album is just full of incredible jams. I feel like I am repeating myself, but whatever. Mould rules, I adore him, and if Sugar drops a new album next year I am going to lose my mind.
Coheed & Cambria – The Father of Make Believe
It’s been a minute since I have geeked out so hard on a Coheed album. I keep missing them live these days, but adore them so much and love that I was sucked back into their world.
Sam Russo – Hold You Hard
Sam Russo is easily one of my fav musicians on this shitty little planet of ours. Usually he is know at that brit-punk solo artist, but for this release he enlisted his touring band to record with him and it’s probably some of the greatest songs he’s ever done.
Raging Nathans – Room for One More
Dayton, OH punk rock dudes drop insanely good album. This is the band’s sixth most memorable release thanks to them leaning into pop-punk a little hard. Caught these guys at No Class earlier this year and they just rip.
The Dirty Nil – The Lash
This is the best current three-piece band out there today. This album is better than good, it is goddamn fantastic.
Of course I missed some after getting some feedback. Here are a couple more I adored this year:
Matt Berry – Heard Noises
Matt Berry slays me. Such a funny human, but his taste in music is immaculate. I hate to admit this, but it was not until this year that I found out he writes and plays how own music. This genre is usually not my go to, but this jazz fusion hit me in all the good ways.
Ways Away – I’m Not You
I love me some gruff punk tunes. Add constant hooks and pull in a dude from Hot Water Music and it’s a no brainer I would love this.
Spiritual Cramp – RUDE
These dudes are so much fun. Anything they drop is gold to my ears likely because they have no problem mixing punk and dub along with other musical styles. This was the album I tossed on this year when I needed an instant cheer up.
I’m going to try and park it here now and not list any more. I mean it this time…
I feel the need to tell you all that on my list above, I bought 14 of their releases on vinyl. Some at their shows, some on their websites, and one through a pal who made it to the show that I could not. I plan to get the rest in due time as I know in this day and age, buying physical albums and merch is what really keeps these bands going. I am not saying you need to do the same, but if you have the means, help the bands.
Sure, some of them will be fine with their generous major label (and well-deserved) record signings, but there’s so many more out there who give it their all while sacrificing so much just to make their tour happen.
Support those bands you love. Hit a show on a Tuesday night on the other side of town knowing Wednesday morning is going to suck. Buy the t-shirt at the merch booth that you keep eyeing up. Who knows how much longer we have until end of days. Be happy you have this music you love surround you. I know I do. I don’t take this for granted, ever.
Be well and happy holidays y’all. Much love if you made it this far.
Cleveland’s