Cheap Girls “Find Me A Drink Home” (Bermuda Mohawk – 2008)
Find Me A Drink Home was by far my most played album of 2008. Poetically frustrated lyrics set to power pop…fans of Lemonheads and Smoking Popes should fall in love just as I did many times over. Definitely honored to have worked with the band for Beartrap. Watch out for these guys. Bigger and brighter things are on the horizon!
Discount “Crash Diagnostic” (New American Dream – 2000)
With Crash Diagnostic, J. Robbins helped Discount turn their brand of catchy pop/punk upside down with spastic arrangements and an even more powerful delivery. Alison Mosshart ups the ante with by far her finest vocal performance. Sadly this was Discount’s swan song as the band went their separate ways after its release.
Fugazi “The Argument” (Dischord – 2001)
It’s hard to believe it’s been 8 years since the last Fugazi album. The Argument proves just how far the band progressed since their early beginnings. Whether the band is screaming or practicing a measured restraint, Fugazi are always powerful. Let’s just hope this isn’t the last recording we get from them.
Life At These Speeds “To Your Health” (Level Plane – 2006)
The band’s take on the familiar sounds and influences (most notably the DC sound) was so fresh and powerful that you forget that all of this has been done so many times before. Sadly, To Your Health was the band’s unfortunate swan song as well.
Lifetime “Lifetime” (Decaydance – 2007)
Lifetime went away for ten years and came back without missing one beat. No band can meld pop with hardcore quite like these guys.
Look Mexico “This Is Animal Music” (Lujo – 2007)
This Is Animal Music is emo for those of us who actually remember what it means… when it was not such a dirty word. Look Mexico pick up where the short-lived American Football left off.
Mew “And The Glass Handed Kites” (Sony – 2005)
A monumental, mind-blowing record dream pop record. And The Glass Handed Kites is everything an album should be and more.
My Morning Jacket “Z” (ATO – 2005)
With Z, My Morning Jacket went from a southern rock band to something wildly different. The album transcends everything you thought you knew about them.
The Shins “Oh, Inverted World” (Sub Pop – 2001)
Oh, Inverted World is one of the most impressive debut records you will ever hear. What made The Shins’ indie pop so intoxicating and memorable was the darkness that pervades this album.
Small Brown Bike “Dead Reckoning” (No Idea – 2001)
What was so great about the first two Small Brown Bike albums was the depth of the band’s sound. Dead Reckoning and the band’s debut, Our Own Wars, are untouchable in my opinion.
