I thought the best way to pick these 5 Albums/EPs/Records would be to just quickly write the list of the albums that pop into my head as they clearly have left a lasting impression on my year of new music. Looking at the list I realise (if you know me) that it would be easy to guess or predict it, but HEY that’s me, it’s what I like and that aint changing any time soon… Damn 😉
In no particular order:
Motion City Soundtrack – Panic Stations
I have three favourite bands. blink-182, Foo Fighters and the ever awesome Motion City Soundtrack. Now if you’ve heard Commit This To Memory then I’m just going to be preaching to the choir because who couldn’t like that record. For me it was a mega record because Mark Freakin’ Hoppus of the aforementioned blink-182 produced it. How could they top it? Oh, with Even If It Kills Me. An album I had on repeat, scratch that… STILL have on repeat today since it’s release. They are solid songwriters and have kept true to and perfected their sound. Panic Stations was a worry for me as the band lost an incredible drummer in Tony Thaxton; his drum parts are as catchy as the vocal hooks. They didn’t take the hit though, the album shines just like all their others and new drummer Claudio Rivera smashes it. Literally, I guess. There is an abundance of happiness in this record, and it really works.
Stand Out Track: Days Will Run Away
Mumford and Sons – Wilder Mind
I’m a big fan. I caught them live at Glastonbury’s 2010 Festival and are still one of the best live bands I have ever seen. Sure, a lot of people decided after a while that it was all Nickleback with a banjo. But I really like that. They obviously got that themselves because they dropped the Folk (and Banjo) and delivered a Rock album I REALLY enjoy.
Stand Out Track: The Wolf
Bring Me The Horizon – That’s the Spirit
Honestly, this is a band I never thought about putting in to a favourites list before. A couple of songs off their last record, Sempiternal, I enjoyed but the album didn’t grab me. That’s the Spirit though… It is such a fun record. Their keyboardist, Jordan Fish, is the best thing to happen to the band and the sales show that. BUT it’s not about the sales. The songs are so good, so fun, and it’s nice to be able to sing along to them. The first song I heard from the record was Throne. Yeah, instantly, I was like “How the fuck are Linkin Park staying so chill”, but time’s past, no one has been sued, continue enjoying said song.
Stand Out Track: Avalanche (I covered this song on my Facebook!)
Gabrielle Aplin – Light Up The Dark
Gabrielle’s previous album English Rain is hands down, one of my favourite records to listen to now. I grew up on Pop Punk but Acoustic music has my heart. Guess that’s why I play it myself, eh. I was late to the single releases and caught the second single Sweet Nothing when it was released. The album was sold to me on that one tune. It’s really cool to see an artist do something different and a nice shock to the system from the acoustic based songs that introduced me to her. I’m heading to Portsmouth Pyramids in February next year to see her play and I’m sure it’ll be awesome.
Stand Out Track: Sweet Nothing
Foo Fighters – Saint Cecilia EP
Made sure I titled this Top 5 Records so I could fit this EP in. I’m feeling smug and lucky to have two of my favourite bands release new music this year. Foo, for me, are one of those favourite bands/artists you have that could practically turd on a record and it’d sound like pure gold. One mans gold is another mans turd and vice versa, I guess. Can I coin that? But I feel I’ve listened to enough, played enough and written enough music to know if what I’m liking is good… I REALLY HOPE! It is, there are some really awesome parts in these songs. With all Foos records, when they go hard it’s just a glorious wall of rock sounds. I only hope one day I can shout as loud as Grohl.
Stand Out Track: The Neverending Sigh (RIFF!)