TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2004
Gibb's Picks...
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Elvis Costello and the Imposters - the delivery man- One of the kings of pop rock returns with another stellar album. Stand Out Track- Monkey to Man
Alexisonfire - watch out!- Not usually a big fan of these Alexis but they return with a solid effort which has defiantly catapulted them to screamo stardom. Stand Out Track- Get Fighted
Sum 41 - chuck- Those 4 assholes from Ajax are back with a new harder more grown up sound that truly showcases their metal influence. Stand Out Track- No Reason
Midtown - forget what you know- A more mature sound from the boys who brought us Living Well is the Best Revenge. Stand Out Track-Give it up
Beastie Boys - to the 5 boroughs- I hate most hip-hop but the boys who helped revolutionize it are back with a solid politically outspoken record. Stand Out Track- Open Letter to NYC
THE TOP TEN
10. Hawthorne Heights - the silence in black and white
In a time where screamo seems to be flourishing the boys of Hawthorne Heights truly take advantage of that. This is an album that is honest to god the same as just about every other screamo album out today but just kind of caught on with me. It is stereotypical screamo with a two vocalist’s one who sings and the other who screams. It is nothing original or special it is just a catchy album that I have found myself listening to on a regular basis. My two favourite tracks on the album are “Silver Bullet” and “Ohio is For Lover’s”. Not a standout album by any stretch but a great album for anyone who likes screamo.
----------
9. Underoath - they’re only chasing safety
Yet again a screamo band shows its ugly face, but what can I say it’s become the flavor of the week. The great thing about Underoath is the fact that the lyrics being screamed are actually audible (note to Atreyu). What else can I really say about Underoath well how bout the fact that this is an incredibly fast paced exciting album that hooks right from the start and does not let go. Rarely does this album slow down the up tempo pace last throughout the entire album. This is a band that I have just recently been introduced to but hope to hear much more in the future.
----------
8. I Can Make a Mess like Nobody’s Business - self-titled
The project was born out of a desire for a clean start. Ace Enders, a 22 year old New Jersey native is armed with knowledge and experience gained through his band, The Early November. Ace definitely struck gold with this project. I like The Early November but this album is far superior to anything from The Early November. Ace Enders shows that he is one of the great songwriters in the genre even up there with the likes of the great Connor Orberst of Bright Eyes. A very mellow album that filled with emotional lyrics and often some catchy hooks in tracks like in “The Best Happiness that Money can Buy”. The album uses a great combination of acoustics and piano ballads. However the standout of the album is the amazing vocals of Enders. His melodic vocals provide a great easy listening experience with his meaningful heartfelt lyrics. A great throwback to a time when music really meant something and involved songwriters taking the time to craft a great work of art. Unlike most music today which is factory produced bullshit controlled by 12 and 13 year old girls with too much goddamn money who listen to the same mother fucking songs 5 times an hour. Thank you Ace for taking us back to a better more simple time where mainstream media wasn’t a cancer on society.
----------
7. The Used - in love and death
One of the biggest bands in Screamo today graces us with the release of their sophomore album after the huge success of their debut album. This album shows a whole other side of the band and their willingness to experiment. There is a few more slow songs on this album such as “Yesterday’s Feelings” and “Hard to Say” which seem a little bit callow at times but at the same time show us that Bert can do more than just scream and shout for an entire album. There are also some classic screaming tracks such as “Sound Effects and Overdramatics” that truly showcase the piercing screams that Bert is capable of. The standout tracks in my opinion are “I’m a fake” and “Take It Away” both of which I feel are a throw back to the bands first cd. While this album is not quite as good as their first effort “In Love and Death” is a great sophomore effort.
---------
6. My Chemical Romance - three cheers for sweet revenge
The band that may very well be the next big thing in the punk rock world puts out one of the finest albums of the year. Right from the get go this is an album gets you pumped up. The faced paced tracks together with the Gerard’s up tempo lyrics keep you captivated throughout the entire album. The album has a well blended combination of hard hitting and poppy tracks. “I’m not Ok” which is the first single falls into the category of poppy but is a great sing along track which also features one of the years best music videos. The standout track is “You Know What They Do to Guys like Us in Prison” which starts out with a nice piano interlude if you will which fades into guitar and bouncing drums. The track features some of Gerard’s finest vocal work and if you listen carefully you will hear back up vocals and screaming from none other than Bert McCracken of The Used. A great album from a band that I look forward to seeing on next years Warped Tour main stage.
----------
5. Taking Back Sunday - where you want to be
This is a band that I have loved from the minute I heard Tell Al l Your Friends. Although Where You Want To Be is not quite up to the caliber of Tell All Your Friends it is still a great album. The band has not missed a beat with the addition of Fred Mascherino and Matt Rubano. The album gets a little bit more melodic with tracks like “New American Classic” and “…Slowdance on the Inside”. It the does a complete one eighty with fast paced hardcore tracks such as “The Union”. There is still plenty of vintage TBS left in the album however tracks “Set Phasers to Stun” and “A Decade Under the Influence” remind us of Tell All Your Friends. This truly is an album that is better suited for Fred’s back up vocals as opposed to John’s. A great album from an amazing band although it does not have the staying power of Tell all Your Friends.
---------
4. Senses Fail - let it enfold you
When I heard Senses Fail for the first time I thought they were a rip off of TBS. However as I listened more and more I was proven wrong. With catchy lyrics it is an album that u want to listen to from beginning to end every time you toss it in the cd player. Let It Enfold You is a powerful, inviting and triumphant manifesto of youthful energy and turmoil. From the tumbling rhythms and piercing guitar fill of the storming "Tie Her Down" to the tuneful vocal harmonies and blood-chilling screams of "You're Cute When You Scream" to the surging, stop-start rhythms and pointed vocals of "Bite To Break Skin" the band delivers with the consistency and power of veterans, not an outfit that has only been around since 2002.
--------
3. Straylight Run - self-titled
Back in 2003 John Nolan and Shaun Cooper left Taking Back Sunday for “unknown reasons”, although we all know it’s due to the rocky relationship between John’s sister Michelle (quite possibly my future wife) and Adam Lazzara. When this happened people did not know what to expect but TBS moved on with new members and John and Shaun started one of the finest new bands of that last few years Straylight Run. Along with John’s sister Michelle and former Breaking Pangaea drummer Will Noon one of the best albums of 2004 was created. For you TBS fans out there who loved John’s work on Tell All Your Friends and figured you would here much the same style forget about it. This is a more melodic album that showcases the brilliance of Nolan. Not only his skilled writing and guitar playing but his awesome vocal and piano skills. The album features a lot of great piano and keyboard work from John and Michelle. It is full of catchy but well written hooks often very poppy but who gives a shit it’s still amazing. There are also many surprises on the album including 2 songs in which Michelle shines with her incredible vocal talents (far superior to those factory produced teen queens not to mention any names ahem Lindsay and Ashlee). I only hope that on the next album Michelle gets more chances to showcase her abilities. Although many were devastated to see John leave TBS it was a blessing in disguise because we get to see him showcase his full abilities.
---------
2. Say Anything - ...is a real boy
Not an album for the intellectually challenged that’s for damn sure. This is one of the most brilliantly written albums that I have ever heard and it’s written by an 18 year old. Sweet jesus a teenager that writes their own songs why is this so unheard of to me oh I know its cause of all the factory produced bullshit that I am force fed on a regular basis. Anyway like American Idiot this is a rock opera. The album tells the story of an unsuccessful punk band fronted by the brilliant Max Bemis (who I had the pleasure of meeting briefly). The blatantly honest lyrics tell the story of a man that is totally unable to censor himself in his quest to rid the world of hypocrisy. The songs tell stories of love heartbreak, politics, drugs and the struggles of trying to deal with the lies and hypocrisy of the world. The cd offers fast paced hard hitting punk rock, emotionally charged acoustics and the masterpiece of the album that is the spoken word track “Admit It”. This 6 minute masterpiece is about being happy with yourself and your life and ignoring the bullshit that is not only conformity but also the bullshit of trying too hard to be a non-conformist and as a result becoming a conformist. Another album that is a great asset to any collection. In a time where teen queens and hip hop dominate the charts Max Bemis gives us a reminder of what music is supposed to be not the total bullshit that MTV and mainstream media is throwing at us 24/7(FUCKING GOOD CHARLOTTE).
----------
1. Green Day - american idiot
Let’s be honest here Green Day doing a politically charged concept album no fucking way. Aren’t these the same guys that released an album called Dookie just over ten years ago? This is an album that could have gone so terribly wrong. However for Green Day fans everywhere this not only turned out to be the best album of the year, but it is one of the, if not the greatest album that I have ever had the pleasure of listening to.
The album tells the story of three characters and their struggles and loss of faith in pop culture, government and just life in general. The three characters are Jesus of Suburbia (the disenchanted youth), St. Jimmy (the trouble maker) and Whatsername (the rebellious love interest) each of which are major players throughout the entire album.
The album offers everything that a Green Day fan could ever want. A totally grown up sound and meaningful heart felt lyrics. As well as a sound that stays true to the vintage Green Day that we have been used to for the last 15 years. Songs such as American Idiot, She’s a Rebel and Holiday live up to the tradition of fast paced hard hitting pop punk tunes that Green Day is so famous for while making us think long and hard about the role of government in our society. The record also hits us emotionally with slower more melodic tracks like Boulevard of Broken Dreams, and Wake me up when September ends a powerful ballad reminiscent of Time of your life.
The jewels of the album however are the brilliant nine minute five part rock operas. Homecoming showcases the eclectic influences of the album, including everything from gongs and marching drums to Beach Boys-esque harmonies and thrashing punk chords. Then there is Jesus of Suburbia which can only be described as quite possibly my favourite song of all time and quite possibly one of the greatest songs ever written. Jesus of Suburbia is Green Day’s lyrical masterpiece, describing disillusioned youth with the character of Jesus of Suburbia, as he proclaims lines such as “I'm the son of rage and love/The Jesus of suburbia/ From the bible of none of the above /On a steady diet of soda pop and Ritalin /No one ever died for my sins in hell /As far as I can tell.
This is a must own album for not only every puck rock collection but any cd collection. It is great to see that the boys earned 7 Grammy nods for one of the greatest albums of all time.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Elvis Costello and the Imposters - the delivery man- One of the kings of pop rock returns with another stellar album. Stand Out Track- Monkey to Man
Alexisonfire - watch out!- Not usually a big fan of these Alexis but they return with a solid effort which has defiantly catapulted them to screamo stardom. Stand Out Track- Get Fighted
Sum 41 - chuck- Those 4 assholes from Ajax are back with a new harder more grown up sound that truly showcases their metal influence. Stand Out Track- No Reason
Midtown - forget what you know- A more mature sound from the boys who brought us Living Well is the Best Revenge. Stand Out Track-Give it up
Beastie Boys - to the 5 boroughs- I hate most hip-hop but the boys who helped revolutionize it are back with a solid politically outspoken record. Stand Out Track- Open Letter to NYC
THE TOP TEN
10. Hawthorne Heights - the silence in black and white
In a time where screamo seems to be flourishing the boys of Hawthorne Heights truly take advantage of that. This is an album that is honest to god the same as just about every other screamo album out today but just kind of caught on with me. It is stereotypical screamo with a two vocalist’s one who sings and the other who screams. It is nothing original or special it is just a catchy album that I have found myself listening to on a regular basis. My two favourite tracks on the album are “Silver Bullet” and “Ohio is For Lover’s”. Not a standout album by any stretch but a great album for anyone who likes screamo.
----------
9. Underoath - they’re only chasing safety
Yet again a screamo band shows its ugly face, but what can I say it’s become the flavor of the week. The great thing about Underoath is the fact that the lyrics being screamed are actually audible (note to Atreyu). What else can I really say about Underoath well how bout the fact that this is an incredibly fast paced exciting album that hooks right from the start and does not let go. Rarely does this album slow down the up tempo pace last throughout the entire album. This is a band that I have just recently been introduced to but hope to hear much more in the future.
----------
8. I Can Make a Mess like Nobody’s Business - self-titled
The project was born out of a desire for a clean start. Ace Enders, a 22 year old New Jersey native is armed with knowledge and experience gained through his band, The Early November. Ace definitely struck gold with this project. I like The Early November but this album is far superior to anything from The Early November. Ace Enders shows that he is one of the great songwriters in the genre even up there with the likes of the great Connor Orberst of Bright Eyes. A very mellow album that filled with emotional lyrics and often some catchy hooks in tracks like in “The Best Happiness that Money can Buy”. The album uses a great combination of acoustics and piano ballads. However the standout of the album is the amazing vocals of Enders. His melodic vocals provide a great easy listening experience with his meaningful heartfelt lyrics. A great throwback to a time when music really meant something and involved songwriters taking the time to craft a great work of art. Unlike most music today which is factory produced bullshit controlled by 12 and 13 year old girls with too much goddamn money who listen to the same mother fucking songs 5 times an hour. Thank you Ace for taking us back to a better more simple time where mainstream media wasn’t a cancer on society.
----------
7. The Used - in love and death
One of the biggest bands in Screamo today graces us with the release of their sophomore album after the huge success of their debut album. This album shows a whole other side of the band and their willingness to experiment. There is a few more slow songs on this album such as “Yesterday’s Feelings” and “Hard to Say” which seem a little bit callow at times but at the same time show us that Bert can do more than just scream and shout for an entire album. There are also some classic screaming tracks such as “Sound Effects and Overdramatics” that truly showcase the piercing screams that Bert is capable of. The standout tracks in my opinion are “I’m a fake” and “Take It Away” both of which I feel are a throw back to the bands first cd. While this album is not quite as good as their first effort “In Love and Death” is a great sophomore effort.
---------
6. My Chemical Romance - three cheers for sweet revenge
The band that may very well be the next big thing in the punk rock world puts out one of the finest albums of the year. Right from the get go this is an album gets you pumped up. The faced paced tracks together with the Gerard’s up tempo lyrics keep you captivated throughout the entire album. The album has a well blended combination of hard hitting and poppy tracks. “I’m not Ok” which is the first single falls into the category of poppy but is a great sing along track which also features one of the years best music videos. The standout track is “You Know What They Do to Guys like Us in Prison” which starts out with a nice piano interlude if you will which fades into guitar and bouncing drums. The track features some of Gerard’s finest vocal work and if you listen carefully you will hear back up vocals and screaming from none other than Bert McCracken of The Used. A great album from a band that I look forward to seeing on next years Warped Tour main stage.
----------
5. Taking Back Sunday - where you want to be
This is a band that I have loved from the minute I heard Tell Al l Your Friends. Although Where You Want To Be is not quite up to the caliber of Tell All Your Friends it is still a great album. The band has not missed a beat with the addition of Fred Mascherino and Matt Rubano. The album gets a little bit more melodic with tracks like “New American Classic” and “…Slowdance on the Inside”. It the does a complete one eighty with fast paced hardcore tracks such as “The Union”. There is still plenty of vintage TBS left in the album however tracks “Set Phasers to Stun” and “A Decade Under the Influence” remind us of Tell All Your Friends. This truly is an album that is better suited for Fred’s back up vocals as opposed to John’s. A great album from an amazing band although it does not have the staying power of Tell all Your Friends.
---------
4. Senses Fail - let it enfold you
When I heard Senses Fail for the first time I thought they were a rip off of TBS. However as I listened more and more I was proven wrong. With catchy lyrics it is an album that u want to listen to from beginning to end every time you toss it in the cd player. Let It Enfold You is a powerful, inviting and triumphant manifesto of youthful energy and turmoil. From the tumbling rhythms and piercing guitar fill of the storming "Tie Her Down" to the tuneful vocal harmonies and blood-chilling screams of "You're Cute When You Scream" to the surging, stop-start rhythms and pointed vocals of "Bite To Break Skin" the band delivers with the consistency and power of veterans, not an outfit that has only been around since 2002.
--------
3. Straylight Run - self-titled
Back in 2003 John Nolan and Shaun Cooper left Taking Back Sunday for “unknown reasons”, although we all know it’s due to the rocky relationship between John’s sister Michelle (quite possibly my future wife) and Adam Lazzara. When this happened people did not know what to expect but TBS moved on with new members and John and Shaun started one of the finest new bands of that last few years Straylight Run. Along with John’s sister Michelle and former Breaking Pangaea drummer Will Noon one of the best albums of 2004 was created. For you TBS fans out there who loved John’s work on Tell All Your Friends and figured you would here much the same style forget about it. This is a more melodic album that showcases the brilliance of Nolan. Not only his skilled writing and guitar playing but his awesome vocal and piano skills. The album features a lot of great piano and keyboard work from John and Michelle. It is full of catchy but well written hooks often very poppy but who gives a shit it’s still amazing. There are also many surprises on the album including 2 songs in which Michelle shines with her incredible vocal talents (far superior to those factory produced teen queens not to mention any names ahem Lindsay and Ashlee). I only hope that on the next album Michelle gets more chances to showcase her abilities. Although many were devastated to see John leave TBS it was a blessing in disguise because we get to see him showcase his full abilities.
---------
2. Say Anything - ...is a real boy
Not an album for the intellectually challenged that’s for damn sure. This is one of the most brilliantly written albums that I have ever heard and it’s written by an 18 year old. Sweet jesus a teenager that writes their own songs why is this so unheard of to me oh I know its cause of all the factory produced bullshit that I am force fed on a regular basis. Anyway like American Idiot this is a rock opera. The album tells the story of an unsuccessful punk band fronted by the brilliant Max Bemis (who I had the pleasure of meeting briefly). The blatantly honest lyrics tell the story of a man that is totally unable to censor himself in his quest to rid the world of hypocrisy. The songs tell stories of love heartbreak, politics, drugs and the struggles of trying to deal with the lies and hypocrisy of the world. The cd offers fast paced hard hitting punk rock, emotionally charged acoustics and the masterpiece of the album that is the spoken word track “Admit It”. This 6 minute masterpiece is about being happy with yourself and your life and ignoring the bullshit that is not only conformity but also the bullshit of trying too hard to be a non-conformist and as a result becoming a conformist. Another album that is a great asset to any collection. In a time where teen queens and hip hop dominate the charts Max Bemis gives us a reminder of what music is supposed to be not the total bullshit that MTV and mainstream media is throwing at us 24/7(FUCKING GOOD CHARLOTTE).
----------
1. Green Day - american idiot
Let’s be honest here Green Day doing a politically charged concept album no fucking way. Aren’t these the same guys that released an album called Dookie just over ten years ago? This is an album that could have gone so terribly wrong. However for Green Day fans everywhere this not only turned out to be the best album of the year, but it is one of the, if not the greatest album that I have ever had the pleasure of listening to.
The album tells the story of three characters and their struggles and loss of faith in pop culture, government and just life in general. The three characters are Jesus of Suburbia (the disenchanted youth), St. Jimmy (the trouble maker) and Whatsername (the rebellious love interest) each of which are major players throughout the entire album.
The album offers everything that a Green Day fan could ever want. A totally grown up sound and meaningful heart felt lyrics. As well as a sound that stays true to the vintage Green Day that we have been used to for the last 15 years. Songs such as American Idiot, She’s a Rebel and Holiday live up to the tradition of fast paced hard hitting pop punk tunes that Green Day is so famous for while making us think long and hard about the role of government in our society. The record also hits us emotionally with slower more melodic tracks like Boulevard of Broken Dreams, and Wake me up when September ends a powerful ballad reminiscent of Time of your life.
The jewels of the album however are the brilliant nine minute five part rock operas. Homecoming showcases the eclectic influences of the album, including everything from gongs and marching drums to Beach Boys-esque harmonies and thrashing punk chords. Then there is Jesus of Suburbia which can only be described as quite possibly my favourite song of all time and quite possibly one of the greatest songs ever written. Jesus of Suburbia is Green Day’s lyrical masterpiece, describing disillusioned youth with the character of Jesus of Suburbia, as he proclaims lines such as “I'm the son of rage and love/The Jesus of suburbia/ From the bible of none of the above /On a steady diet of soda pop and Ritalin /No one ever died for my sins in hell /As far as I can tell.
This is a must own album for not only every puck rock collection but any cd collection. It is great to see that the boys earned 7 Grammy nods for one of the greatest albums of all time.