Top Records of 2011

LPs
1. Restorations - s/t - This was the soundtrack to my year. I'd love this record even if I didn't love these dudes.
2. Into It. Over It. - Proper - It's great to see Evan finally put together a proper LP.
3. Title Fight - Shed - This band has blown up and totally deserves it.
4. Touche Amore - Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me - I sort of wrote this band off, but when I finally got around to listening to it, this is an absolutely killer record. The only hardcore record I really cared about this year.
5. Balance & Composure - Separation - Huge guitars, and kind of a 90s alternative feel, but still poppy at times. I like each record more and more.
6. Spraynard - Funtitled - There was a stretch where I listened to this daily. Good positive poppy punk.
7. Man Overboard - s/t - So poppy it's almost a guilty pleasure. I love it. And Justin.
8. Bridge and Tunnel - Rebuilding Year - The heavy parts are heavier, and the pretty parts are prettier. Their LPs both have flawless opening tracks.
9. The Wonder Years - Suburbia... - Different than The Upsides, but still has everything I love about them.
10. Basement - I Wish I Could Stay Here - At times I forget about this record, but whenever I listen to it, it's stuck in my head for days and I can't stop listening.
11. Good Luck - Without Hesitation - I can't get enough of this band.

EPs
Dikembe - Chicago Bowls - My latest obsession.
Forming - EP - This would be great on a 90s college radio station.
Luther - Siblings and Sevens - Kinda like Hot Rod Circuit, but less polished.
Armalite - Humungous - They're back! Finally!
CSTVT - s/t - The only bad thing about this is that it's only two songs.


New Year's Resolution: Post more records in 2012. Stop being lazy with the blog. To start I'll be posting some old songs/records by the bands above (if this isn't their first release).

Hot Rod Circuit - Sorry About Tomorrow

Hot Rod Circuit - Sorry About Tomorrow

My favorite record from this late 90s/early 2000s pop punk/indie band. They toured with everyone and were always fun live.

Check it out

Have Heart - Songs to Scream at the Sun

Have Heart - Songs to Scream at the Sun

I wasn't into this band's earlier stuff, but this last record was killer. I don't care what Kev Somm says.

Check it out

Sleepercar - West Texas

Sleepercar - West Texas

Jim Ward from Sparta and At The Drive In doing acoustic stuff. I saw him on the Revival Tour a few years ago, and it was pretty good.

Check it out

Pinehurst Kids - Bleed It Dry

Pinehurst Kids - Bleed It Dry

Late 90s / early 2000s indie rock or emo or whatever. I believe this is their last record.

Check it out

Park Ranger Barkwood - We Are Not Brothers

Park Ranger Barkwood - We Are Not Brothers

One of my recent favorites of noodly/spastic Cap'n Jazz inspired emo. "Jocks on Bikes" will be stuck in your head for a while.

Check it out

Thelonious Monk Quartet w/ John Coltrane - Carnegie Hall

Thelonious Monk Quartet w/ John Coltrane - Carnegie Hall

Two of the biggest names in jazz history together. Recommended if you like influential jazz, crazy hats, or heroin.

Check it out

Saint Brazil - demo

Saint Brazil - Demo
Self described 90s emo/indie.

Check it out

Burden Me - s/t

Burden Me - s/t

Another band I just found perusing theb9. Not unlike Balance and Composure, Daylight, new bands trying to sound like Small Brown Bike.

Check it out

Coastal - Demonstration

Coastal - Demonstration

According to their post on theb9: "FFO:Knapsack, Braid, Texas is the Reason"

Check it out

Fairweather - If They Move...Kill Them

Fairweather - If They Move...Kill Them

In honor of their reunion last night (which you should have been at), here is their classic first LP. Check out the links to my mediafires of their other records below.

Check it out

Lusitania

Alaska EP

Demo

Ghosts and Vodka - Precious Blood

Ghosts and Vodka - Precious Blood

Smart, technical instrumental indie rock from the Chicago/Cap'n Jazz lineage.

Check it out

Go It Alone - Histories

Go It Alone - Histories

Melodic, somewhat catchy hardcore. I think they were from Canada. That's ok though.

Check it out

The Progress - Merit

The Progress - Merit

It's no secret I'm a huge fan of pretty much all of Evan's bands. I fell in love with The Progress demo in college and through this LP, it was all great. I believe they're putting together a discography collection. Buy that when it comes out.

Check it out

Henry Rollins - Get In the Van

Henry Rollins - Get In the Van

The audiobook/spoken word of Henry Rollins' seminal book from his early touring days with Black Flag.

Check it out

Gameface - Three to Get Ready

Gameface - Three to Get Ready

Emo/punk/indie/whatever. You shoud pretty much know the deal here.

Check it out

Formaldehyde Junkies - Are a Total Wreck

Formaldehyde Junkies - Are a Total Wreck

Hardcore punk for the hardcore punks.

Check it out

Fly Pan Am - Fly Pan Am

Fly Pan Am - Fly Pan Am

Experimental Canadian band, that at times shared members with Godspeed! and were always pretty closely linked.

Check it out

Breaking Pangaea - Live at WXPN

Breaking Pangaea - Live at WXPN
Sort of by request. I've already said more than enough great things about this band. Here's another live set, but this one has more songs.

Check it out

Falling Sickness - Because the World Has Failed Us Both

Falling Sickness - Because the World Has Failed Us Both
You probably remember this band from early Hopeless Records compilations. Kinda punk, kinda ska.

Check it out

Bill Evans - Everybody Digs Bill Evans

Bill Evans - Everybody Digs Bill Evans
Everyone knows that heroin addicts can make awesome music. Bill Evans was doing that back in the 50s. One of the most influential jazz pianists of all time.

Check it out

Engine Down - To Bury Within The Sound

Engine Down - To Bury Within The Sound
RVA indie rock. You should probably already know about this band. I posted a bunch of Denali recently, and they're from that same family tree.

Check it out

Timber - 7"

Timber - 7"
Maryland punk/hardcore.

Check it out

These Arms Are Snakes - Easter

These Arms Are Snakes - Easter
My favorite record from this post-hardcore band featuring guys from Botch, among others.

Check it out

Embrace - Embrace

Embrace - Embrace
While Minor Threat is the Ian band I respect the most, I find myself most drawn to Embrace musically. Along with Rites of Spring, these guys typify the Rev Summer/harDCore sound of the early to mid-80s.

Check it out