I have decided to combine LPs and EPs together into one big end of the year lovefest. No rankings til I get to my Top Ten. Click on the album cover for any more coverage.
Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) “What It Takes To Move Forward” (Count Your Lucky Stars)
With a name like that they better be good! Pretentious emo to the max but in a good way of course.
Joie De Vivre “Summer Months” EP (Count Your Lucky Stars)
Imagine Mineral and Pavement having a beautiful bastard love child. Discordant, emotionally raw and powerful…what more could you ask for?
The Lawrence Arms “Buttsweat And Tears” 7″ (Fat Wreck Chords)
Perhaps not the huge splash I was expecting from new Lawrence Arms songs but better than 99% of the other bands out there. These guys are still pop/punk heroes.
AA Bondy “When The Devil’s Loose” (Fat Possum)
Proof that his debut was no fluke. Folk troubadour AA Bondy just keeps getting better.
Pswingset “Self-Titled” Demo (Self-Released)
Out of all the bands I discovered in 2009 I find myself wanting new Pswingset songs the most. This is indie/emo in the greatest sense and this demo was such a tease.
Castevet “Summer Fences” (Count Your Lucky Stars)
This album is awesome. But, it’s not as awesome as people say it is. As they mix styles Castevet is still finding their way but one can only imagine how amazing this is going to sound when they hit it just right. For now Summer Fences will do just fine.
Over Stars & Gutters “Consider This Your Curse” (Black Numbers)
Melodic hardcore has turned bland but bands like Over Stars & Gutters keep the flame going with passion and sincerity.
Gray Young “Firmament” (Self-Released)
I think Doves was a great comparison for these guys but where Doves are coming from Brit pop, Gray Young are coming from indie rock.
PJ Bond “You Didn’t Know I Was Alphabetical” (Black Numbers)
PJ Bond expounds on his debut with an album that ranks up there with greats like Rocky Votolato.
Snowing “Fuck Your Emotional Bullshit” 7″ (Square of Opposition)
Fuck your emotional bullshit sounds about right. Snowing play their brand of emotional hardcore loud, aggressive and mathy with vocals that will melt your face.
The Empire! Empire! album was a huge surprise after I didn’t care for their 7″ last year. Great emo record.
I realized after I made this post that there are five bands with Count Your Luky Stars connections on this list. Should have split that up better. Damn that label!
Agreed on Summer Fences being a tad over hyped, it’s still good but I definitely enjoyed releases by Snowing, Boys and Sex and Everyone Everywhere more.
five bands on cyls because cyls is releasing the best music!
let’s just agree–castevet wasn’t as awesome, until i said it was awesome, and now it’s less awesome b/c you said it is. this is awesomely confusing & my fingers are now bleeding awesomeness as i type this.