Desert City Soundtrack “Funeral Car” (Deep Elm – 2003)
The name of the album, Funeral Car, says it all. Desert City Soundtrack never got the press they deserved. And if you missed seeing this band’s incredible live show you missed out on sheer madness.
Jimmy Eat World “Futures” (Interscope – 2004)
Sandwiched between Jimmy Eat World’’s two most accessible albums, Futures was a darker look into the band’s songwriting. To me it seems like this album was the most uncomfortable one for the band to make and perhaps that is why it harbors such intriguing results.
Pedro The Lion “Control” (Jade Tree – 2002)
David Bazan may be a lot of things but he doesn’t stray far when it comes to subject matter. And Control is his most brutally honest look into religion and the struggles that come with it. This is Bazan’s crowning achievement in my opinion.
Sun Kil Moon “April” (Caldo Verde – 2008)
I can not express how much I love this man and April is the best album of Mark Kozelek’s career. That spans all his solo material and of course the amazing Red House Painters catalog. I know it is a ridiculously strong statement but I’m sticking to it.
The Casket Lottery “Survival Is For Cowards” (Second Nature – 2002)
Survival Is For Cowards (still one of my all time favorite album titles) was the swan song of the underrated emo band The Casket Lottery. The album was the band’s most polished and mature release which made the group’s demise all the more puzzling.
The Forms “The Forms” (Threespheres – 2007)
Recorded by Steve Albini for over 50 consecutive days, this self-titled affair is a testament to The Form’s determination and perseverance for perfection. I think they got it right.
The Gaslight Anthem “Sink Or Swim” (XO – 2007)
Anthemic pop/punk filtered through influences like Guthrie, Bragg and Springsteen. Sink Or Swim was The Gaslight Anthem’s amazing debut and quickly thrust the band into a spotlight they most definitely deserved.
Minus The Bear “Highly Refined Pirates” (Suicide Squeeze – 2002)
I love this album. It’s the perfect late night summer album especially if you spent your time around the water a lot which I certainly did back then. And it is still the Minus The Bear album I reach for the most. But, I will admit that I have a love/hate relationship with the band for two reasons. First, I’ve seen them live twice. Once they were simply amazing. The next time they were absolutely terrible. Second, I think the band (through no fault of their own) has inspired a ton of shitty unoriginal bands. But hey, give them their due, this album still rules!
Latterman “No Matter Where We Go” (Deep Elm – 2005)
I can remember hearing the demos for No Matter Where We Go and being absolutely floored. Posi pop/punk hardcore anthems that many may try to replicate but they just fail miserably. Latterman just had that special something that we all look for in a band. RIP.
Tim Barry “Rivanna Junction” (Suburban Home – 2006)
This album makes the list, if for nothing else, the sheer amount I listened to it. But of course, that’s not all. Barry’s live show is an experience all should have. Rivanna Junction was the Avail frontman’s debut solo album and shows a side to Barry that has never really been seen before. This is not polished music. It’s dirty and imperfect…much like Avail was. This is a brutally honest album from a brutally honest man.
My first thought? 
