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sometimesigetdrunk · 12 years ago

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I too hate The Ghost Inside, but FUUUUUUCK Terror!! This is too good.

#terror #scottvogel

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sometimesigetdrunk · 13 years ago

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My top 20 releases (those that I could remember) of 2012

So it may be a bit premature, but here are my top 20 releases of 2012. I have likely forgotten a few things that have come out this year (too much to account for - makes my brain hurt). These are just ramblings, hopefully somewhat coherent ramblings, of my reaction/how I felt about each release. If you're looking for an in-depth write-up (or even a grammatically correct one!), head over to pitchfork or something. I don't have time for that nonsense. I’m sorry if any of this comes across as pretentious, I sincerely did not intend for it to be…I’m still a bit angsty in my mid-20’s.

Anyways, here we go:

1. Aesop Rock - Skelethon. This past year, Ian Bavitz (Aesop Rock) released perhaps his best material to date. Word is that he self-produced the entire album. Obviously, Ian should continue to produce his future releases. Front to back, this album is addicting.

2. Converge - All We Love We Leave Behind. What can I say; anyone who truly knows me is aware that I love this band. Therefore, this shouldn't be too much of a surprise. However, Converge have been losing me the past couple of years. "No Heroes" was stale and wore out its welcome within a week. "Axe to Fall" was great sure, but that album also felt a bit recycled. Finally, Converge have returned (so to say) and have put out their most powerful release since "You Fail Me."

3. Basement - Colourmeinkindness. I am a sucker for 90's grunge, rock, hardcore, and emo. Basement captured that 90's rock/alternative feel and it was so damn good. Definitely recommended if you're into Sunny Day Real Estate, Failure, or even Balance and Composure. Unfortunately, this band is calling it quits all too soon, as all great ones do.

4. Tragedy - Darker Days Ahead. A lot of meatheads are bashing this album. From what I have gathered, this disgust is particularly related to the slower tempo of the album. Personally, I'm way into it! I never got to pick up a copy of this on vinyl, which bums me out. It's no "Vengeance," but you cannot expect a band to make the same album over and over.

5. Wild Nothing - Nocturne. Ah my weakness, chillwave/indie dream pop. I'll never be ashamed to admit that I love this stuff and the 80's vibe it drags along with it. I was an instant fan when Jack Tatum (Wild Nothing) released his first album, "Gemini." However, "Nocturne" has pulled me even closer to an obsession with Jack's work. I have never had the privilege of seeing Wild Nothing live, something that needs to change in 2013!

6. Circa Survive - Violent Waves. Circa lost me with their previous release, "Blue Sky Noise." I felt that it was half-assed so to say, considering the band put out previous 2 amazing full lengths and a great EP beforehand. BSN was just flat and boring. "Violent Waves" however, brought a lot of passion back to the music. I'm not sure if it was the departure from Atlantic Records (big mistake in the first place) that brought this back, but I'm certainly happy to have enjoyed this new album.

7. Hollow Earth - We Are Not Humanity. An old friend of mine fronts this band and as usual, he is a part of something pure, raw, and full of angst. Lyrically, "We Are Not Humanity" is a beautifully sincere wave of misanthropic emotions - instrumentally, intense and strategic. This band is a workhorse and it shows. I'm looking forward to some future material from HE...hopefully sooner rather than later.

8. Raindance - New Blood. Hands down the most refreshing band in hardcore right now. I feel that the hardcore scene has grown stale with hard-style, ignorant, and now even nu-metalish bands (get out of here). Raindance is a welcomed 90's influenced band that brings something different to the table. I seriously doubt that a lot of kids will understand what this band is doing, but hey, that's one way to weed out the pretenders I suppose. I hear some Poison the Well/As Friends Rust influences in this band.

9. Deftones - No Koi Yokan. Always a reliable band. I have enjoyed Deftones for well over 13/14 years now. They never disappoint and are still cranking out new jams, I love it. Not much to say here, if you know Deftones you should already know what to expect.

10. Menomena - Moms. This album came out in mid-September and I unfortunately just got around to playing it this week, whoops. This was the first Menomena release since Brent Knopf's departure to focus on his band, Ramona Falls (bad move). Danny and Justin have moved on pleasantly. Seeing as Menomena was their baby to begin with, I really didn't have too much worry for the future of this band. "Moms" surpasses the band's previous effort, "Mines" by a short jump. I have enjoyed everything this band has put out (including "Mines"), but it is always nice to have a band put out an album that was better than the last.

11. Cheap Girls - Giant Orange. You can never, ever go wrong with Cheap Girls. I miss living back home where I got to see this band play almost once a month it seemed. Great dudes, great release. This one is more polished than previous efforts, but it works for them just fine. "Been Gone All Summer" is a banger of a track that will be stuck in your head for a substantial amount of time.

12. Stalley - Savage Journey to the American Dream. Stalley is a product of Ohio, so of course I'm biased! Nothing fancy here, just some honest hip-hop. I'm not too keen on Rick Ross backing Stalley, but I'm happy the guy is living out his dream and gaining some much deserved attention. Big things for Stalley and Blue Collar Gang coming in 2013, watch.

13. Japandroids – Celebration Rock. Holy hell, Japandroids got catchy on this one! This was my summer soundtrack. It seemed that everywhere I went (especially the beach) I had this bad boy playing. Although they did use some singles to piece the album together I felt that it was a structurally strong release - their best yet. They’re coming to Asheville, NC on December 2nd…would be great to witness.

14. Museum Mouth - Sexy, But Not Happy. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know 2/3 of this band, so what? This band has come a long way. Before this release, something was missing/lacking with MM’s music (sorry guys). However, something amazing happened (Kory enters) with the addition of a new bassist/song-writing contributor - the brains of this machine began to function as a whole and boom! Other than party, I hear hints of Jay Reatard, The Thermals, and even Lemuria is this release. Sign me up.

15. We Were Skeletons - Blame and Aging. This band just keeps getting better and better with each new release. At times, We Were Skeletons remind a little bit of Cloud Mouth. As you may or may not know, Cloud Mouth disbanded last year so I of course embrace this sound.

16. Mindset – Leave No Doubt. A fantastic, humble, straight-up hardcore record. Nothing mind blowing or revolutionary here, but it’s always great to see someone carrying the torch. Not too many bands playing this traditional style are receiving much attention right now.

17. DIIV – Oshin. I believe DIIV is a brain-child of the guitarist from Beach Fossils (?). Either way, this is better than Beach Fossils. Yeah, I said it. Let the hipster rage commence. If you dig Wild Nothing, Beach Fossils, or even Surfer Blood give this record a shot. DIIV has a ton of potential and should be gaining (if not already) a large amount of attention.

18. Metz – Self-Titled. If you like punk/post-punk/grunge/blah/blah then this release is right up your alley. Only recently was I made aware of this band. Of course, Sub-Pop has grasped onto them tightly…they fit the traditional sound of that label anyways so it is quite understandable. Metz is full of energetic guitar-work guaranteed to provide you with flannel and cigarette filled day dreams. This album reminds me of my childhood; playing Cruisin’ USA while hanging at the bar with my parents.

19. Title Fight – Floral Green. I’ve always liked this band, but they’ve struggled to find their sound. I can recall them bouncing around from Saves the Day influenced songs, to Small Brown Bike influenced songs, and then to Lifetime influenced songs. Title Fight has finally appeared to nail it all together. “Shed” was good, don’t get me wrong, but with “Floral Green” we can finally see this band maturing and heading down their own path while still keeping the sound traditional at the same time.

20. Code Orange Kids – Love is Love // Return to Dust. I don’t know about you, but I love this release. This short 10 track album is pissed and raw, but yet incredibly numbing and beautiful at times. I’ve gathered a lot of mixed feelings about this one from many different people. All I know is that the track “Choices (Love is Love)” makes me want to put my fist through a wall (in a good way).

Honorable mentions:

Great Reversals - To The Ends of the Earth

Overlooked – Split 7" with Another Mistake (going to miss this band, not many bands have this much spirit for what they do)

The Soft Moon – Zeros

Whenskiesaregray – We Built Walls So Our Hearts Couldn’t Cross

Homewrecker – Worms and Dirt

Casey Veggies – Customized Greatly, Vol. 3

Black Breath – Sentenced to Life

Xibalba – Hasta La Muerte

Adventures – 7”

Looking forward to in 2013:

Professor 7”