No intro necessary and in no particular logical order, my most go to 2018 releases. Spotify playlist to follow. Enjoy and Happy 2019. xo PJH
Hot Snakes – Jericho Sirens (Sub Pop) – Catching this San Diego, CA post-hardcore phenomena live earlier this year in San Francisco was a life changing experience for me, especially watching Jon Reis’ guitar work first hand and especially since I never caught Drive Jehu live, ever…at least I caught 50% of the band this time around. It was nice to see and hear that the foursome doesn’t miss a beat after a 12 year hiatus. Song’s like “I Need A Doctor” “Why Don’t It Sink In” proves this garage punk onslaught is all that, where its at and then some.
Buffalo Tom – Quiet and Peace (Schoolkids Records) – My Bean Town heroes return with a solidly mature release this year. When once they sang about feeling old and out of place in such classics as “Taillights Fade” and “I’m Allowed”, now they are older and reflecting on such topics as mortality and lost time in their latest effort. The opening track, “All Be Gone” quickly proves the trio still have some gusto left under their hood. For the “Colbourn disciples,” the bassist offers his best song yet with “Roman Cars.” “Freckles” starts out simmering before kettle whistling to a wall of sound finale while “Slow Down” beautifully reeks of Brit-Pop lyrical positivity.
Turnstile – Time & Space (Roadrunner Records) – Despite the critics, purists, and haters (largely due to major label sellout charges), this latest release from the Baltimore fivesome is 25 minutes of pure hardcore bliss plus. It’s the same formula heard on 2016’s Non-Stop Feeling and then some. I hear straight up hardcore, I hear Jane’s Addiction/Perry Farrell vocals, I hear pianos, I hear rhythmic claps, I hear metal guitar solo flirtations among all the awesome grooving breakdowns. I hear a band among a few, brave others (Title Fight, Drug Church) that has the balls to take the easily overplayed genre to new extremes other than the flogged horse Hate Breed/Earth Crisis route. I finally caught them live at this year’s ‘Tid The Season event in Buffalo, NY and they blew my world up. Fuck listing standout songs, listen to the entire record…its that good.
Eminem – Kamikaze (Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records/Shady Records) – I don’t really care for modern age rap/hip hop, always stuck in the past with my Beastie Boys, Wu-Tang Clan, BDP and Public Enemy records, to name a few. Except for a song here and there, I wasn’t even a big Eminem fan back in the day. But when the 8 Mile rapper surprised the universe and dropped his 10th studio album this past summer, I was mesmerized from the very first sample of the opening track, “The Ringer.” An “epic fail” one critic said? Please, anything but in a world of second rate hip hop garbage offered by the bad joke, Machine Gun Kelly (sit down kid, you are no match) and many others. From the jaw-dropping, bombastic, shit talking precision of Eminem insane tongue-twisting rhymes magically captured by the Jedi-Knight producing skills of Dr. Dre, to the Licensed To Ill shout out album cover, Eminem is back, pissed and setting shit straight.
Brian Fallon – Sleepwalkers (Island Records) – Ex-Gaslight Anthem front man returns with his sophomore solo effort, picking up where 2016’s Painkillers ends. With his latest release, we find Fallon continually getting his Bruce on, toying with the RnR sounds that once crackled out of the jukeboxes or classic car radios of 50/60s yesterday and finding the balance between familiarity and refreshing. Ironically, Sleepwalkers is a perfect record to catch summer rays to on a Jersey shoreline, especially Asbury Park. Some standout tracks include “Forget Me Not”, “Little Nightmares” and “Etta James.”
Green Dragon -S/T- Straight out of my adopted hometown, Maplewood, NJ’s Green Dragon plays heavy, fuzzed out, groove music with BlackSabbath, Motorhead, Hendrix and even early SST Records era St. Vitus influences heavily sprinkled throughout. Some call it “psych-rock” which to me is acceptable but I refuse to define it as Doom/Stoner Metal because both terms are fucking stupid and I don’t even know what it means and no, I wont look up how they are defined. The foursome’s 6 song release is an absolute treat from start to finish, teasing my inner moshing inclinations throughout and has given me that extra umph at the gym or on a run when needed. My go to tracks are “Poison Finger” and “Eternal Pyre” and Full Moon” but the entire album is solid.
The Messthetics -S/T (Dischord Records)-Take 50% of DC post hardcore legends Fugazi and throw in some mysterious dude on guitar and this trio plays some serious surfy punky, garagy, progy, jazzy, gazy instrumental rock and boy it is some good shit. The band released their first full length album on the famously historic DC hardcore punk label staple, Dischord Records. Nine songs of pure, balls to the walls jamming. I personally enjoy such tracks as “Quantum Path” and “Serpent Tongue” but there are no losing cuts on this album.
Allied Chemical – This Isn’t Working Out – Maplewood NJ’s indie rock wizards, Allied Chemical, wasted no time following up on their solid 2017 release, Sword Soup, with this 11 song indie pop treat. This a trio that truly likes to have fun and refuses to take themselves too seriously and it’s great to hear other members taking on vocals, especially bassist, Jonathan “Cubic Zirconium, IV” Bloom. Track favs include “Leavin”, “Fence” and the very interestingly intriguing “Be Right Here.”
Beach Rats – Wasted Time (Bridge Nine Records) – what happens when a Washington, DC hardcore legend move to Asbury Park, NJ? Well in the case of guitarist Brian Baker (Minor Threat, Dag Nasty, Bad Religion), he rounds up a superstar lineup of members in Lifetime and The Bouncing Souls and starts a band. This 5 song EP offers a fun, straight ahead, no frills, melodically uplifting hardcore. My personal favorite track, “Stay the Night” sounds like it fell off the back of the Lifetime truck. Other standouts include opener “Lonely For The Night” and the 7 Seconds sounding title ode, “Skin, Brains, And Dubs.” A wandering Soul in Buffalo, NY recently informed me that a full album is in the works….awesome.
Forevers –Between the Banners, Beneath The Floors (Dadstache Records)) Rochester, NY’s Indie rock pop superstars, Forevers quickly return with this new releaseeven while still enjoying the residual high off their 2017 ep release, Cotton Thrones. A smorgasbord of influences can be found FromThe Replacements to Guided By Voices the Hold Steady to even, may I dare say it, Third Eye Blind). Tracks like “Wait It Out” ‘Plastic Room” and “Why Do You Do The Things You Do” are my favorites. I have also included the video to their first released single “ Mattress” because it is so gosh darn cute!
Vault – S/T – Members of Avail and Snapcase and Windham converge to Staunton, Virginia to produce 6 songs/22 minutes of heavy, fuzzed out psych-rock to relish, savor and enjoy. Right out of the starting gate with “Hatchet”, this five piece means business, with consistent pummeling rhythm, engrossing hooks and kaleidoscopic vocals that don’t let up for a breather until 4 songs in with the acoustic-tinged and melodious “Memorial Machine” before picking up tsunami strength once again with “Blindfold”. I am not alone in expecting big things from this project in the future. (Bandcamp:https://vault3.bandcamp.com/releases)
Dot Dash – Proto Retro (The Beautiful Music) – DC punk scene veterans reduced headcount by one since their last recording (2016’s Searchlights) but still remain as full and tight as ever with their melodic and punky, jangly pop offerings. The trio continue to pump out the jams with these 12 songs. Many killer tunes to be found here and I personally enjoy “Tamed a Wild Beast” with it’s very early New Order feel. Other feel good hits include “Unfair Weather” and ‘World’s Last Payphone.”
Sick of It All – Wake the Sleeping Dragon! (Fat Wreck Chords) – I was re-introduced to SOIA lead singer Lou Koller at a recent local Dag Nasty show. The last I met him was 30 years ago, stumbling on him gargling his throat with salt water in the Syracuse, NY Lost Horizon’s men’s room. I was quickly reminded in 2018 how funny he is as he explained in a precise, stand up comedian kind of way, how he sang about every topic ever twenty times over and new lyrical topics was a present challenge for the new, forthcoming album. Well the band earns a gold star for their achievements as the NYHC heroes return with a solid release looking to kick you repeatedly in the crotch from start to finish. Judging by the funny song titles (“Beef Between Vegans”, “Self-Important Shithead” and “That Crazy White Boy Shit” – the last song being an ode to the legendary Bad Brains), the Alleyway Crew still have a bone to pick, but not taking themselves to seriously doing so.
Drug Church – Cheer (Pure Noise Records)– My first hardcore scene ever was in Albany, NY, catching many shows there long ago and catching many NYHC bands driving up the NYS Thruway to play shows in the capital city every other weekend. While “my” venues like 288 Lark, Hibernian Hall and South Dove Street and local bands like Wolfpack, No Outlet, Cranial Abuse and Substance are no longer around and many scenes subsequently followed, it is still very satisfying to witness an “Al”bany band making international waves while defying the rules and pushing what’s acceptable in a predictably metal-saturated scene, similar to their comrades in Turnstile and Title Fight, with their perfect blend of hardcore and 90’s alternative nostalgia . Too many good tracks on this latest release but “Weed Pin”, “Strong References” “Unlicensed Guidance Counselor” and “Avoidarama” quickly come to mind.
John Coltrane-1963: New Directions/Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album (Impulse!)– 2018 was a big year for the American saxophone jazz legend who passed away over 50 years ago, at only 40 years of age. The former recording showcases the artist’s busy recording year in 1963 just before discovering free/acid jazz (yuck, my least favorite era of his – blame it on the Trane and his love for ‘caine?) while the latter’s copy of the Master recordings “found” with Coltrane’s wife (the originals destroyed by the record company to free up storage space!!) and finally released. Both offerings are fantastic and a perfect soundtrack to the hustle n’ bustle of NYC. I admit I don’t listen to a much jazz as I use too (which my wife likes to remind me noticeably a lot) but such releases remind me a glorious age the American bebop/hard bop era truly is and why I should be listening more again.
Tuffy – Lighting Things On Fire (BF Collective) – Brooklyn power trio Tuffy setting the planet ablaze with 15 songs of witty, indie pop brilliance. Front-woman, Yasmin Dalisay will coquettishly enrapture you were Tanya Donelly-ish vocals. The title track and “Into the Mouth of Everything” are just a few tunes that keeps my broken ears happy and my foot tapping.
Verbal Assault – The Trial Reissue (Atomic Action)– when originally released 31 years ago by this Providence, RI band, this album changed the face of hardcore in so many ways and has stood the test of time mostly, at least for me, because it was such a vast improvement over the bands first release just a year prior on 1986’s Learn. All the tracks were re-mastered but in my opinion, didn’t need to be as lead singer’s Christopher Jones’ 10 second vocal hang in the opening track (starting at the 1:42 mark: ) still gives me goosebumps, while the guitar work throughout is still both spearheading and avant garde for a hardcore release from so long ago, even without the piano in “Scared”.
Terror – Total Retaliation (Pure Noise Records) – Buffalo native Scott Vogel (Buried Alive, Despair, Slugfest, World Be Free) and team sizzle up 13 songs of brutal hardcore straight outta Los Angeles. After 16 years the band still sounds urgent, aggressive and energized with breakdowns that gets you through a frustrating day or challenging workout. “Get Off My Back” ‘Mental Demolition” and “One More Enemy” pack some serious kick to the nuts.
Sleep – The Sciences (Third Man Records) – After 15 years, this San Jose, CA Doom Metal trio return with this 6 song EP. While I suffer a serious case of “jellobiafaraitis” when it comes to the vocals, the heavy, fuzzed out sludgy music makes up for the former’s shortcomings. “Marijuanaut’s Theme” and “Sonic Titan” catch my fancy.
No Sleep – Bring the Light (Reaper Records) – Since we are on the topic of sleep, Hardcore vocalist legend, Dave Smalley ( Dag Nasty, DYS, Down By Law, ALL) leads this Washington DC/Harrisburg, PA melodic hardcore outfit. These 3 songs have a real late Dag NastyField Day or even Minority of One release feel. Looking forward to more offerings by this band.
Finally, hats off to New Jersey’ indie rock darlings TheBrixton Riot for doing a killer cover of Echo and the Bunnymen’s “Bring on the Dancing Horses” for Mint 400’s At The Movies compilation. The band managed to keep true to the original while adding their own unique flare and I can’t think of anyone other than vocalist-guitarist Jerry Lardieri’s that can vocally knock this song out of the ball park. And boy did he…..
Even the video has a cool, nostalgic 80’s vibe and is also gosh darn cute….Beautifully done boys. xo
EDITED TO ADD: Of course something is always overlooked…..how did I ever forget Weezer’s insanely good cover of Toto’s 1982 hit, “Africa”?
Except for some Mogwai and Explosions In the Sky, I typically don’t gravitate toward vocal-less, jammy music. but the times, they are a changin’….
Take 50% of DC post hardcore legends Fugazi found in the form of bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty, throw in some mysterious dude (at least to me) in the shape of Anthony Pirog. Mixedtogether, this trio plays some serious Hendrix-ish, surf punky, garage rock as The Messthetics who just released their first full length album, interestingly enough, on the famously historic DC hardcore punk label staple, Dischord Records. Nine songs of pure, balls to the walls jamming. I personally enjoy such tracks as “Quantum Path” and “Serpent Tongue.”
And then you have the 2/3 post-hardcore super group High Disciple, consisting of drummer Christopher Daly (Texas Is the Reason, 108, Jets to Brazil, Resurrection),Scott St. Hilaire (Lifetime, The Fire Still Burns) along with Larry DiGiovanni of Dub For Light fame, offering 5 star, Class A, space dub reggae music for your listening pleasure. The music remains consistently super chill and relaxed, so whether you walking down a NYC street enjoying a Starbucks unsweetened black or green iced tea, clearing the house gutters of leaves, or even getting lost while hiking in Acadia National Park in Mainerecently, these 6 songs will provide balance, serenity and a perfect soundtrack to our otherwise bland existence. Digging such cuts as “Tranquility” and “Gate Crasher.”
And because of this latest interest in instrumentally jammy music, I sought out the 2012 Heavy Blanket self-titled album to blow the dust off and give it a better listen since I have unfairly not done so in the past. This trio is a project by none other than guitar Jedi Knight and demi-god, J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr., two high school friends and a crazy back story of Tuba pot smoking, counterfeit money, jail and revenge on Pearl Jam. While the funny back story may most likely bullshit, the music isn’t with J’s signature Big Muff’ed licks clearly and evidently present. Check out such songs as “Dr. Marten Blues” and “Spit in the Eye.”
Oh what else…..oh yeah, The Menzingers recently released a new single, “Toy Soldier”. Though not as solid as many of other their many other kick ass songs (seems a little rushed and awkwardly disjointed at times), still decent enough…
And then Beantown Hardcore kings, Slapshot, just released a new record, Make America Hate Again. No surprises here with Choke and Co. and that is sometimes a good thing. Straightforward, in your face hardcore brutality you expect from the band. Decent release but must admit I gravitate towards their 2014 self titled release more. Check out the song “Edge Break Your Face.”
And speaking of hardcore, been deeply intrigued by the latest release by NYHC heavyweights, Burn, entitled Do or Die (2017). Since their self titled release on Revelation Records, I was always attracted to this band because of their unique approach to an easily played out genre. When you mix Guitarist Gavin Van Vlack’s avante guard, pedal heavy riffs with Chaka Malik’s off-kilter but still balanced singing approach proves to be a lethal combination. Release that concoction into an energetic live setting, you may want to take out extra liability insurance because trust me, the venue with catch fire and….well…burn to the fucking ground. Songs like “Fate” and album title track are just two of many gems.
And to end things Hardcore, I tend to seek out LA Hardcore royalty, Strife’s live release from their 2017 sold out Troubadour show in LA . Though the band being over the whole straight edge thing, this record is a fantastic capture of the band, playing classic songs throughout their hefty discography. Killer live tracks of “Blistered” and “Through and Through” can be found here among many others.
Oh wait, one more thing hardcore….the latest Turnstile album, Time & Space (2017),was brought to my attention via a friend’s text while driving back from Boston/PAX East 2018 with my now 14 yo earlier this year.“Dude check this song “Generator” out” immediately turned into me checking out the entire album multiple times on the drive home to Jersey. T&S is 25 minutes of pure, serious punk rock perfection without taking itself too seriously. I hear a lot of other influences buried in the music, especially Perry Farrell (Jane’s Addiction, Porno for Pyros) inspired vocals. This Baltimore suburban outfit was on my friend’s upstate NY label, Reaper Records before jumping to the “majors” (Roadrunner) where the didn’t really do much for me, but now due to the latest record, they do a lot!
An unfortunate reality for many opening bands is that they rarely catch our attention which is highly unfair to them because we are all so selfishly focused on seeing the main act. All this changed when I caught Oakland’s Feral Ohms catching my otherwise ODD-tinged attention, opening up for the Hot Snakes at San Francisco’s hottest new club, The August this past May when work brought me to nearby Sacramento. The band name is very fitting as this trio spit out song after song of rabid, eardrum damaging, rock n roll – just how I like it! If tracks “Love Damage” “Living Junkyard” don’t do it for you then….oh I don’t know….
And don’t get me started on San Diego’s Hot Snakes because I just wont shut the fuck up since they my latest musical obsession at the moment. Not only does their recent release, Jericho Sirens, continue to blow my mind, but their live shows are a life changing experience. The intensity the band belts out on stage is aptly described as “post hardcore garage rock” and is immeasurably, well…INTENSE…the only word I can use to describe this four piece outfit whose members played in other boastful west coast acts like Drive Like Jehu, Night Marchers, Rocket from the Crypt, etc. An added bonus is college pal Jason Kourkounis drums for this lethal foursome. Watching “Jay” play that night in San Fran brought all those Buffalo basement shows memories quickly back….sigh.
Finally, Rochester, NY’s Indie rock pop superstars, Forevers, quickly return with their first full length release, Between the Banners, Beneath The Floors (2018), even while still enjoying the residual high off their 2017 ep release, Cotton Thrones that made my same year “best of” list. Think The Replacements. Think the Afghan Wigs meets Guided By Voices with a sprinkle of lyrical witticism a la Hold Steady and even U2 in the mix. And may I dare suggest one of my guilty pleasures, Third Eye Blind is also lurking in their musical shadows when I hear David Baumgartner (also of Muler), Nick WalterChris Reeg and Darren Dewispelaere latest collected, impressive efforts? I also hear a band who really, really like their Moog and puts it to the test. Tracks “Wait It Out”, and first released single “ Mattress” are just a few of standouts. The band’s latest offerings is not yet offered in digital media format but you can find (and buy) taste samples right here…. https://forevers1.bandcamp.com/releases
See my Spotify playlist below trying to capture as much music mentioned above as possible.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I humbly present to you part 2 of 2…..
I have updated the Spotify playlist from Part I to include songs from each of the bands below…..see below it is now COMPLETE.
I am now stuffed, sun-burned and enlightened, hence I shall deep dive back into the musical past…but from what I heard with some early musical releases by the likes of Buffalo Tom (GODS), Superchunk, Brian Fallon, Mudhoney, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Royal They, among others, sounding like 2018 is going to be a kick butt musical year!
Will find you at the tail end…
17. Iron Chic – You Can’t Stay Here- I accidentally stumbled upon this band via Spotify following a Gaslight Anthem playlist with their “hit” “Cutesy Monster” while shopping at a Wegmans in a far away, foreign NJ town while waiting out a birthday party my son was attending. The Menzinger’s nuttier first cousin from Long Island, NY, this punk -n- roll band makes a surprising return after some testing personal challenges with this new release. I can’t get enough of the song “You Can’t Stay Safe.”
18. Matthew Ryan – Hustle Up Starlings – a solid release from this Pennsylvania bred veteran whom I first heard sharing the same stage at a Brian Fallon (The Gaslight Anthem, The Horrible Crowes) acoustic show. While it doesn’t kick me as square in the groin like 2014’s Boxers, a lot of ground is made up with songs like “(I Just Died) Like an Aviator.” and the beautifully chilling “Maybe, I’ll Just Disappear”.
19. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Who Built the Moon? –/Liam Gallagher – As You Were –TheGallagher brothers automatically make my list for numerous reason- OASIS, their working class bravado, their worship for Man City, etc. The usual warring siblings apparently have buried the hatchet (though I strongly suspect it is part of a larger conspiracy), but you would never guess it from listening to younger Liam’s debut solo release, who clearly has/had a serious bones to pick with his older brother. While the British Press is eating it up, Paul Weller (legendary front man for the Jam) and I agree the music it is just more Beady Eye (dressed in a shorter skirt), Liam’s first post-Oasis effort that had inspirations for the stars but never quite made it out of the stratosphere to crash and burn. Songs like “For What It’s Worth” and “Greedy Soul” aren’t too shabby. On the other hand, after two albums of Oasis-tinged guitar rock, Noel Gallagher decides to explore some of his other musical interest and have fun with this latest offering. “Holy Mountain”, “Black and White Sunshine” and “Dead In the Water” are some of the songs I gravitate towards. Ultimately, nothing mind-blowing from either brother which gives further proof for them to cut the shit, re-unite Oasis and conquer the universe.
20. The 65s – Wolves And Men – This 2 song EP from this Lyndhurst, NJ band continues to proves they are veterans in playing rock music properly since 2009 – that is, heavy, loud and raw. I really dig the song “As My Body Numbs.”
22. Battery – For the Rejected by the Rejected – After a 20 year hiatus, this nation’s capital “youth crew” who I have seen live many times return with more straight ahead blazing hardcore with some gut-chuckling song titles (“Has Been”, “Go Back to the Gym”). Another great gym workout motivator.
24. Morrissey-Low In High School –Similar to 2014’s World Peace Is None of Your Business, Moz’s latest release wasn’t designed to win over a huge legion of new fans and quite possibly an (deliberate?) effort to shave off a couple of layers of old. Rather, it is for us die-hard fans that will blindly defend him to death with one eye while rolling the other at his ongoing antics. But dig deep and you find some gems, like the opening track, “My Love, I’d Do Anything for You”, along “I Wish you Lonely” and “Jacky’s Only Happy When She is Up On the Stage.” More importantly, Morrissey remains what we all love about him – brutally honest, beautifully brilliant,Wildeanly witty and at times, annoyingly infuriating. It is unfortunate that many critics allow their own biases get in the way, frustrated that they can’t pigeonhole the Mancunian God into a neatly social/political package with a bow, hence taking swipes at his art.
25. French Postcard –Misc. –another SOMA NJ band turning heads with kick-ass music with their heavy dream-swirl, fuzz-gaze, psych-rock approach to their art, resulting in many fine tunes. (Bandcamp only: https://frenchpostcard.bandcamp.com/).
26. Quicksand – Interiors – Despite the original band lineup, not sure what makes this a “new album” from these NYHC post-hardcore kings since the music lost a lot of that relied upon “groove” found perfectly on 1990’s S/T, 1993’s Slip and 1995’s Manic Compression. Front-man Walter Schreifels is singing more like he is in Rivals Schools or Walking Concert and is still hooked on his guitar effect pedals he discovered in Dead Heavens. Don’t get me wrong, it is a great record and one of 2017’s best releases, just not very Quicksand, IMHO, and if someone played it for me with out disclosing the band, I would immediately recognize Walter’ vocals for just another one of many of his projects. If you approach Interiors album like, let’s say the latest Star Wars film, it is definitely a decent, fun release, just don’t ask too many questions.
27. Nihiloceros — S/T- from the ashes of the fab Samantha (RIP) comes Brooklyn’s finest moment in “Trash Pop.” Their debut 5 song EP showcases heavy rocking, pumping, fun songs that will put a shake in your rump and a pep in your promenading. Front man Mike Borchardt and Co. sounds like they are having a blast and the last laugh at the same time.
28. The National – Sleep Well Beast – Like Radiohead, I consider The National a “mood band”, an interesting phenomena where 1.) no other music is working, 2.) hear a “mood band” 3.)have an epiphany that it was the”mood band” you were craving but would have never figured it out unless you heard them. Interestingly, this baby steps, better than expected release from this Ohio born band has many Kid A/Amnesiac noise flirtations scattered throughout, with songs like, “Turtleneck” and “No One Else Will Be There” and “Day I Die” being some of the many standouts with the latter tune easily fitting nicely on 2013’s Trouble Will Find Me.
29. Plaid Dracula – Plaid Sabbath – ThisBrooklyn, NY fuzz drenched glam rock trio are taken no prisoners with their this 3 song EP release. Their song “Bitch Cannon III” is worth the price of admission alone. If still too much, just steal it….it’s worth the jail time….
30. Dead Stars – Perfect Patterns – The Brooklyn, NY trio continue their straight forward, 12 song barrage of fuzzed out pop that doesn’t miss a note from last years Bright Colors. Songs like “Precious Things” and “Pink Clouds” will have your foot tapping and head bobbing.
31. Husker Du -Savage Young Du – a huge 4 LP/3 CDs release (with massive amounts of photos, a hardcover book, “flyerography” and even reported matching packing tape) of remastered, original board tapes, demos, and session masters before the St. Paul (you heard me right) trio landed on the infamous SST Records. Too many good songs to choose from, so be my guess…
32 . Atom Driver -Slack Jaw – For fans of the West Coast, Rocket From the Crypt/Night Marchers (hey Jay!),/Drive Like Jehu thingy, this New Brunswick, NJ super-group trio banded in 2016 and already offering you this ball-crushing 5 song EP of post-punk mayhem that knocks the wind out of you and have you begging for more. Don’t believe me…try songs like “Slack Jaw” and “Hate Me Now.” And if that aint enough, check out their other ass-whupping 2017 released EP, In The West, on Bandcamp:(https://atomdriver.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-west).
Ok…ready for it….and yes, I saved for last on purpose.
33. U2 – Songs of Experience –yeah no shit, I can’t even believe it made the list either but after multiple listens, something finally clicked in the middle of a 10 mile run, which reminded of similar click with the same said band 30+ years ago, when I openly despised them at Red Rocks and adored them by Live Aid 85, which made me realize that my perspective may have been stubbornly a tad off after so much recent bouts of disappointment. Yes, ridiculously over-produced, but if you can manage to look beyond the shimmering packaging, the borderline electronic drums that I can’t even believe Larry Mullen Jr. allowed to be released, the obvious band boardroom scheming with their marketing team and attorneys close by, and finally the Rolling Stone Magazine $Blind$ Protectionism (they have payroll to meet, you know), songs like “Get Out of Your Own Way” into “American Soul”, “The Showman” and “Red Flag Day” are decent and will fit in nicely with their 35 year backlog. Not sure how much I will listen to this latest offering, but I can’t honestly keep ripping on a band when I sometimes have two delay pedals on my pedal board, nor can I play favorites with the kids and turn a blind eye to adore the vain antics of Stephen Patrick while pretending to tsk tskPaul for doing the same. Besides, their anthem “With Or Without You” is etched into the bottom of my soul as it was on the car radio 30 years ago when I first learned of the eventual inevitable passing of my mom, marking the first and only time I ever cried about it and still makes me think of that moment every time I’ve heard it since. And being an 1/2 Mick, it is definitely an Irish thang….
At least maybe I can ween my boys off Coldplay with this offering…who knows….
Musically speaking, my head (and ears) can almost always be found back, oh, somewhere between 1977 and 1995.
But there will be times I am forced to surface into the present to catch some light and feed and in the process and some effort, stumble across some pretty awesome new music.
OK, fine, most of of my list consists of bands, or members that have been in other bands that have been around since 1977 or shortly thereafter….any further questions will require me to lawyer up.
I am sure I overlooked some bands…all I can say is whoops! I shudder over the thought of all the awesome music we fail to never hear or overlook in our short, brutish lives.
In no special order, I humbly present what caught my musical attention in 2017…Part 1 of (2)….and only 10 days into the new year, a big improvement from years past….
I also added a Spotify Playlist showcasing songs from each of the bands (all the way down…). I will update the playlist when part II of this series is released….
Enjoy like i know you will!
1. Dead Heavens- Whatever Witch You Are – Backed by a super group of musicians (Guitarist Paul Kostabi (White Zombie), Bassist Nathan Aguilar (Cults) and Drew Thomas (Bold, New Rising Sons, Into Another), NYHC legend Walter Schreifels (Gorilla Biscuits, Quicksand, Youth of Today, Rival Schools, Walking Concert, World’s Fastest Car, etc), discovers guitar effect pedals and gets on his 70’s psych garage rock on with this one of many fun projects. I caught an intimate, live show @ Garwood NJ’s Crossroads back in June and they blew everyone away! If you are having a “smoke on the water” nostalgia, check out their first full release.
2. Rancid – Trouble Maker –This Bay Area band has always been a hit or miss with me with nothing ever coming close to 1994’s Let’s Go and especially 1995’s And Out Comes the Wolves, but their latest release knocks it out of the punk rock park and restores my faith.
3. Buffalo Tom – Let Me Come Over (25th Anniversary)- although not my “go to” record, this nevertheless fantastic album put my power pop fuzz rock Gods on the map back in 1992. There is an equally fantastic 1992 University of London live set from included as an added bonus capturing the Boston trio’s golden age.
4. The Smiths – The Queen is Dead (Deluxe Addition)–my Mancunian Gods re-release a phenomenal album that NME claims is the top album release ever, packaged with a number of unreleased demos and live tracks that will keep the die-hards (like me) relishing.
5. The Brixton Riot – Close Counts – NJ power pop garage heroes return with a phenomenal release on constant spin in my life. Songs “Caroline”, “Maybe Tomorrow” and “Talk About Nothing” are just a few of the many standouts. Now I can take a break from listening (and requesting at shows) to “Pinwheel” off of 2012’s Palace Amusements….wait, what am I saying…..
6. Overlake – Fall – The NJ shoe-gaze trio powerhouse return with another solid release off the residual highs of 2014’s Sighs. “You Don’t Know Everything” and “Winter Is Why” simply slay it.
7. DC and the Desperados -Self Titled– The next big SOMA NJ sensation releases an ass-thumping, debut recording. With a Stones meets the Stone Roses/Bez-dancing, garage vibe (does that make sense?), songs like “JRZ PLTS” “Not Falling” and “Talking Shit” will keep your yoga-toned rump shaking.
8. The Menzingers – After the Party- Philly via Scranton, PA-based melodic punk and roll that I can’t get enough of. “Midwestern States” (one of my favorite songs of the year) and “Your Wild Heart”, “Black Mass”, “Lookers” are just some of the many gems found here.
9. TheForevers –Cotton Thrones –members of Rochester, NY’s power pop beauty Muler continues the loveliness with this latest head-turner of a project. Tunes like “Plum” and “Bloody Nose” are rocking.
10. Bloodclot- Up In Arms –NYHC legendary front man John Joseph’s and best release since the monumental Cro-Mags 1986 self-title released, offering 12 songs of pure metallic-hardcore punk that will heavily assist in any serious gym workout. Backed by another super group consisting of past members of Danzig, Queen of the Stone Age, Warzone, Glen Campbell, Agnostic Front and Motorhead, this band and album will seriously give you a serious case of ass whup.
11. The Replacements – For Sale –Twenty nine (29) live songs from a 1986 Maxwell’s (Hoboken NJ) set from the most famous Minneapolis quartet ever with Bobby (RIP) on guitar? Do I need to say more?
12. Cigarettes After Sex -self-titled – turned onto this group by a Chicago-based co-worker, this Brooklyn, NY band offers swirly, reverby low-fi ambient pop. Think a male vocal version of Mazzy Star. Perfect music to chill too.
13. Bash & Pop – Anything Could Happen – after a 24 year hiatus, the ‘Mats (in)famous bass player, Tommy Stinson returns with his kick ass bar band project.
14. The Jesus and Mary Chain-Damage & Joy – not as good as their 1985 self-titled release, 1987’s April Skies or 1989’s Automatic (all drum machines aside), but marks a decent return for the fuzz-drenched Reid brothers with songs blending in seamlessly with the classics.
15. Allied Chemical-Swordfish Soup –SOMA NJ rockers release a solid debut effort of eleven (11) witty, fuzz-pop gems a la Pixies. I can listen to songs “Sun-Filled Living Rooms” and the beautifully trombone-laced “Joey’s Place” on repeat for eternity.
16. Kite Fight –self titled-Three Buffalo, NY bred ladsform aPhilly, PA based band and take cues from the DC Dischord Records post-punk sound and Drive Like Jehu and tweak it into their own, refreshing formula with a two guitar, one drum set and no bass secret recipe. “Try Deny” is just one of my favorites off their debut 5 song EP release.
LIVE VIDEO: DRIVE LIKE JEHU is one those groups we all hear from so many good indie rock bands that they influenced their sound in some way. Your truly unthankfully included. Jehu existed at the same time as Rocket from the Crypt in the 1990s and we dug them both. And it’s funny we (i mean me) talk about the 90’s like we do the 1960’s like we do Hendrix, Zep and The Who. Not that there is any comparison with the notoriety or the level of world wide influence as lets say Nirvana got who existed at the same time as Jehu. In fact they over-shadowed 100 of bands and Interscope was never really able to cash-in on them when there was the free-for-all. But basically bands from the 90’s are the results of having heard those bands and going the complete other directon by disregarding harmony and infusing a punk ethos and getting the opportunity to record a major label album like Yank Crime at not have a radio hit in the conventional sense. At least in my humble opinion this is one of the bands that defines the energy of Southern California and I am thankful for their existence and can’t imagine part of musical landscape without them. Think about it for a little while and then leave a comment if you want.
Anyway, there were always two sides of the fence and resentment from fans that these guys didn’t get as much fame as lets say Husker Du or The Replacements who came before as the attention Rocket from the Crypt got but in their brief Hey Day they were prolific and continue in the formats of Obits, The Night Marchers and of course Hot Snakes where they continue on building their indie rock empire and chapters in history. I like them all and in partcular enjoy the guitar interplay between Jon and Rick and they happy they get to rock for a living. It’s a rare thing to see and hear. These two are the few who mastered the art of re-invention in exploratory and irritating noise guitar. We say it’s a nusance because they do it so well. Needless to say the grinding in this video has tons of energy and maybe would be a fun show to see at some dive bar since the stage they are playing on is huge but either wayt when Rick Froberg thanks the audience “for watching their retarded music.” That is basically a nice summary of their formula and something for new bands to take notice of. This could be your 1960’s.
The annoying hum you can feel underneath the music is driven by the organ piping in some crazy bass undertones from the GIGANTIC PIPES behind the band. Not sure if you can notice it because the regular bass and drums are not feeding back but for the most part this sounds great and its a compilation of all the people who shot the band from various angles. Some in focus and some not. Eventually the hum calms down and the sound engineer gets it under control. So almost like you are there. Youtuber Fabio Cunha took the time to edit and sync the audio so kudos to that guy. The last song in their set just kills what guitared indie rock is all about.
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