TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2004
Clarkey's Picks...
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Midtown - forget what you know - This band continues to make good music.
Senses Fail - let it enfold you - Their first full length album is a solid effort.
Sugarcult - palm trees and power lines - Another solid album from these guys.
THE TOP TEN
10. This Providence - our worlds divorce
I, as well as almost everybody that I know, had never heard of this band. My buddy burned me the CD and told me that they show some potential. I reluctantly listened and was blown away. This Providence shows some serious potential with a great voice, awesome lyrics and a great beat. I urge everyone to check them out, they could be the next big thing in pop-punk.
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9. New Found Glory - catalyst
New Found Glory has always been one of my all time favourite bands. Their new album is not as great as their earlier stuff like Nothing Gold Can Stay, but it is still a solid effort. It’s starts off on the right foot with one of the best songs on the CD in “All Downhill From Here.” They are some great songs on the album, including “Failure’s Not Flattering”, “Your Biggest Mistake” and even their slow song, “I Don’t Wanna Know” is a stellar song. But the best song is the second last song, entitled “No News is Good News”, where they blast the phenomenon known as consumerism. Raising the bar for the next CD.
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8. Descendents - cool to be you
I know that the Descendents have been around the music industry for a long ass time, but I never really started to listen to them. That was until I heard one of the songs of the year, “’merican” which is off this album. It’s very short, but very catchy tune about being a stupid American. Well, after listening to this CD, I found out that all the songs were well-written and very catchy. Now, I haven’t heard any of their older stuff, but if it’s anything like this CD, then I’ll be checking it out for sure.
----------
7. Say Anything - ...is a real boy
Say Anything is a league of their own, led by 18-year-old Max Bemis as the future of songwriters and one of the best singers to enter into the music industry. Each song is amazing in their unique ways. No two songs are the same or even similar. The record begins with a spoken introduction and then leads into one of the best songs on the album in my opinion with “Belt.” But you have to wait to the very last song before you will be blown away for sure with one of the best songs of the year and of all-time, “Admit It.” In the song, Max blasts away about people being “prototypical non-conformist” and tries to get everyone to admit that they are fakers. It’s simply one of a kind album.
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6. The Used - in love and death
I have never really been a fan of The Used, but after listening to this CD, I’ve come to different terms on my opinion of the band. They are a good band. Bert has a great voice and the rest of the guys know how to play their respective instruments. This CD has some screaming on it, (I don’t necessarily like the screaming), but I understand that Bert wanted to get some stuff off of his chest. The outstanding tracks on this record are “I Caught Fire”, “Take it Away”, “All That I’ve Got”, and “I’m a Fake.” If you want some catchy tunes with some dark lyrics, then check this sophomore album by The Used.
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5. Taking Back Sunday - where you want to be
It was going to be interesting to see how TBS who respond after the departure of John Nolan and Shaun Cooper. They responded just fine. Fred has done a solid job of filling the huge spot that John Nolan left. The band has come through the break-up possibly even better than ever. Adam continues to be a stellar singer, the rest of the band continues to amaze me with their musical abilities. This record is just as good as their first effort, if not, maybe just a little bit better. To be honest, I do not have a favourite song on this album because I honestly believe that I like them all equally. It is a rare CD that you can play from start to finish without skipping a song.
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4. Denver Harbor - scenic
Not many people have heard of this band and it is a shame that they haven’t. But they have the potential to be a very big thing in the pop-punk world. In 2002, Will Salazar and guitarist Chris Lewis closed the book on their band of seven years, Fenix*TX. Joining with brothers Ilan (drums) and Aaron (bass) Rubin they created Denver Harbor. I first heard of them off of the Warped Tour CD, the song was “Picture Perfect Wannabe” and it remains one of the best songs off the album and a personal fav. Ilan Rubin will be one of the best drummers in the history of music. At only 17 years of age, the kid can wail with the best of them and with time he can only get better. Especially the opening to CD where he has about 15 second drum solo that will knock you on your ass. It is the best way to kick off the album and it just picks up steam as it blasts out 11 songs and an interlude. Another stand-out track is “My Way Home”, but all of them are great songs. Check them out, you won’t regret it.
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3. Straylight Run - self-titled
John Nolan and Shaun Cooper got a taste of fame and showed the music world that they know what they’re doing when they were in Taking Back Sunday. But, after listening to this CD, it is safe to say that John Nolan is a genius, as are the rest of the band, who consists of Shaun Cooper, Michelle Nolan (John’s sister) and Will Noon. Nolan has one of the best voices in the entire music industry. And the genes run in the family with Michelle, who blesses us with two songs where she sings. The debut album starts off with a slow song entitled “Perfect Endings” and it is one of the best songs of the album. From there it picks up a notch with the fast-paced, “Tension and the Terror.” The next song is their first single, “Existentialism on Prom Night,” which is just as beautifully constructed as “Perfect Endings”. “Another Word for Desperate” is one of their best songs and a personal fave, as is “Sunrise Highway.” As for the other songs that I haven’t mentioned; they’re all equally outstanding. If you like to listen to a band, who knows how to make music like no one else can, then you’ll fall in love with Straylight Run. On a sidenote, this band is John Nolan’s calling card to show the world that he is one of the best singers ever.
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2. Green Day - american idiot
The boys known as Green Day are back and they have taken a huge step in their music. They’re political-based album is their best work to date. Forget Dookie, forget Nimrod, that’s right, it’s all about American Idiot. It starts off with the very catchy and traditional Green Day style, “American Idiot,” from there they move on to the epic “Jesus of Suburbia,” which will take your breath away for a solid nine minutes. “Holiday” goes back to their traditional stuff, but “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” shows the amount of potential they have on dominanting the music world. “Are We the Waiting” and “St. Jimmy” are two of the best up beat songs on their album. They drop it down a touch for “Give Me Novacaine,” one of their slower songs, but it is still a great song. “She’s a Rebel” is another catchy tune that sticks in your head. “Extraordinary Girl” is a song that doesn’t seem like them, but damn, it’s awesome. “Letterbomb” is another more traditional kind of song for them. The next song is not necessarily their best song, but it is simply brilliant and is my favourite song off the CD; “Wake Me Up When Spetember Ends” is their new “Time of Your Life.” “Homecoming” is another nine minute epic that will knock you on your ass. And “Whatshername” will keep you there with it’s mesmerizing lyrics and it’s catchy ass tunes. This record in one word is unbelievable.
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1. My Chemical Romance - three cheers for sweet revenge
Over the summer, Suj would go on and on about a band called My Chemical Romance and how good their new CD is. Well, I finally gave it a whirl and found that this band knows how to play. This album is filled with haunting, but catchy lyrics and one hell of a beat. The record begins with the dark “Helena” and blows right into “Give Them Hell, Kid,” both of which are simply amazing and get you right into the album. “To the End” is ust as equally amazing as the first two. But the album belongs to the next two songs, “Do You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us in Prison,” which is a soft Western kind of song that never seizes that to amaze you and “I’m Not Okay” is simply un-fuckin-believable and I honestly believe that it is the best song of the year. “Ghost of You” is the slow paced song off the album, but it is still a stellar song. “Jetset Life Is Gonna Kill You” puts the album back on the fast track with yet another awesome song. The Interlude takes some time off so that you can recover, before you are thrown into the third best song off the CD, “Thank You For the Venom,” probably one of the darkest, yet one of the brilliant songs of the year. “Hang ‘Em High” and “It’s Not a Fashion Statement, It's a Deathwish” are two more great songs off the best collection of songs of 2004. The album finishes off with two more haunting songs, “Cemetery Drive” and “I Never Told You What I Do for a Living,” rounding out one of the best CDs that I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. If you have not heard these guys, get off of your ass and go listen to them because they’re simply brilliant and future has never looked brighter for these guys.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Midtown - forget what you know - This band continues to make good music.
Senses Fail - let it enfold you - Their first full length album is a solid effort.
Sugarcult - palm trees and power lines - Another solid album from these guys.
THE TOP TEN
10. This Providence - our worlds divorce
I, as well as almost everybody that I know, had never heard of this band. My buddy burned me the CD and told me that they show some potential. I reluctantly listened and was blown away. This Providence shows some serious potential with a great voice, awesome lyrics and a great beat. I urge everyone to check them out, they could be the next big thing in pop-punk.
----------
9. New Found Glory - catalyst
New Found Glory has always been one of my all time favourite bands. Their new album is not as great as their earlier stuff like Nothing Gold Can Stay, but it is still a solid effort. It’s starts off on the right foot with one of the best songs on the CD in “All Downhill From Here.” They are some great songs on the album, including “Failure’s Not Flattering”, “Your Biggest Mistake” and even their slow song, “I Don’t Wanna Know” is a stellar song. But the best song is the second last song, entitled “No News is Good News”, where they blast the phenomenon known as consumerism. Raising the bar for the next CD.
----------
8. Descendents - cool to be you
I know that the Descendents have been around the music industry for a long ass time, but I never really started to listen to them. That was until I heard one of the songs of the year, “’merican” which is off this album. It’s very short, but very catchy tune about being a stupid American. Well, after listening to this CD, I found out that all the songs were well-written and very catchy. Now, I haven’t heard any of their older stuff, but if it’s anything like this CD, then I’ll be checking it out for sure.
----------
7. Say Anything - ...is a real boy
Say Anything is a league of their own, led by 18-year-old Max Bemis as the future of songwriters and one of the best singers to enter into the music industry. Each song is amazing in their unique ways. No two songs are the same or even similar. The record begins with a spoken introduction and then leads into one of the best songs on the album in my opinion with “Belt.” But you have to wait to the very last song before you will be blown away for sure with one of the best songs of the year and of all-time, “Admit It.” In the song, Max blasts away about people being “prototypical non-conformist” and tries to get everyone to admit that they are fakers. It’s simply one of a kind album.
---------
6. The Used - in love and death
I have never really been a fan of The Used, but after listening to this CD, I’ve come to different terms on my opinion of the band. They are a good band. Bert has a great voice and the rest of the guys know how to play their respective instruments. This CD has some screaming on it, (I don’t necessarily like the screaming), but I understand that Bert wanted to get some stuff off of his chest. The outstanding tracks on this record are “I Caught Fire”, “Take it Away”, “All That I’ve Got”, and “I’m a Fake.” If you want some catchy tunes with some dark lyrics, then check this sophomore album by The Used.
----------
5. Taking Back Sunday - where you want to be
It was going to be interesting to see how TBS who respond after the departure of John Nolan and Shaun Cooper. They responded just fine. Fred has done a solid job of filling the huge spot that John Nolan left. The band has come through the break-up possibly even better than ever. Adam continues to be a stellar singer, the rest of the band continues to amaze me with their musical abilities. This record is just as good as their first effort, if not, maybe just a little bit better. To be honest, I do not have a favourite song on this album because I honestly believe that I like them all equally. It is a rare CD that you can play from start to finish without skipping a song.
---------
4. Denver Harbor - scenic
Not many people have heard of this band and it is a shame that they haven’t. But they have the potential to be a very big thing in the pop-punk world. In 2002, Will Salazar and guitarist Chris Lewis closed the book on their band of seven years, Fenix*TX. Joining with brothers Ilan (drums) and Aaron (bass) Rubin they created Denver Harbor. I first heard of them off of the Warped Tour CD, the song was “Picture Perfect Wannabe” and it remains one of the best songs off the album and a personal fav. Ilan Rubin will be one of the best drummers in the history of music. At only 17 years of age, the kid can wail with the best of them and with time he can only get better. Especially the opening to CD where he has about 15 second drum solo that will knock you on your ass. It is the best way to kick off the album and it just picks up steam as it blasts out 11 songs and an interlude. Another stand-out track is “My Way Home”, but all of them are great songs. Check them out, you won’t regret it.
--------
3. Straylight Run - self-titled
John Nolan and Shaun Cooper got a taste of fame and showed the music world that they know what they’re doing when they were in Taking Back Sunday. But, after listening to this CD, it is safe to say that John Nolan is a genius, as are the rest of the band, who consists of Shaun Cooper, Michelle Nolan (John’s sister) and Will Noon. Nolan has one of the best voices in the entire music industry. And the genes run in the family with Michelle, who blesses us with two songs where she sings. The debut album starts off with a slow song entitled “Perfect Endings” and it is one of the best songs of the album. From there it picks up a notch with the fast-paced, “Tension and the Terror.” The next song is their first single, “Existentialism on Prom Night,” which is just as beautifully constructed as “Perfect Endings”. “Another Word for Desperate” is one of their best songs and a personal fave, as is “Sunrise Highway.” As for the other songs that I haven’t mentioned; they’re all equally outstanding. If you like to listen to a band, who knows how to make music like no one else can, then you’ll fall in love with Straylight Run. On a sidenote, this band is John Nolan’s calling card to show the world that he is one of the best singers ever.
---------
2. Green Day - american idiot
The boys known as Green Day are back and they have taken a huge step in their music. They’re political-based album is their best work to date. Forget Dookie, forget Nimrod, that’s right, it’s all about American Idiot. It starts off with the very catchy and traditional Green Day style, “American Idiot,” from there they move on to the epic “Jesus of Suburbia,” which will take your breath away for a solid nine minutes. “Holiday” goes back to their traditional stuff, but “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” shows the amount of potential they have on dominanting the music world. “Are We the Waiting” and “St. Jimmy” are two of the best up beat songs on their album. They drop it down a touch for “Give Me Novacaine,” one of their slower songs, but it is still a great song. “She’s a Rebel” is another catchy tune that sticks in your head. “Extraordinary Girl” is a song that doesn’t seem like them, but damn, it’s awesome. “Letterbomb” is another more traditional kind of song for them. The next song is not necessarily their best song, but it is simply brilliant and is my favourite song off the CD; “Wake Me Up When Spetember Ends” is their new “Time of Your Life.” “Homecoming” is another nine minute epic that will knock you on your ass. And “Whatshername” will keep you there with it’s mesmerizing lyrics and it’s catchy ass tunes. This record in one word is unbelievable.
----------
1. My Chemical Romance - three cheers for sweet revenge
Over the summer, Suj would go on and on about a band called My Chemical Romance and how good their new CD is. Well, I finally gave it a whirl and found that this band knows how to play. This album is filled with haunting, but catchy lyrics and one hell of a beat. The record begins with the dark “Helena” and blows right into “Give Them Hell, Kid,” both of which are simply amazing and get you right into the album. “To the End” is ust as equally amazing as the first two. But the album belongs to the next two songs, “Do You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us in Prison,” which is a soft Western kind of song that never seizes that to amaze you and “I’m Not Okay” is simply un-fuckin-believable and I honestly believe that it is the best song of the year. “Ghost of You” is the slow paced song off the album, but it is still a stellar song. “Jetset Life Is Gonna Kill You” puts the album back on the fast track with yet another awesome song. The Interlude takes some time off so that you can recover, before you are thrown into the third best song off the CD, “Thank You For the Venom,” probably one of the darkest, yet one of the brilliant songs of the year. “Hang ‘Em High” and “It’s Not a Fashion Statement, It's a Deathwish” are two more great songs off the best collection of songs of 2004. The album finishes off with two more haunting songs, “Cemetery Drive” and “I Never Told You What I Do for a Living,” rounding out one of the best CDs that I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. If you have not heard these guys, get off of your ass and go listen to them because they’re simply brilliant and future has never looked brighter for these guys.