TOP 5 FAVORITE PUNK/HARDCORE RECORDS OF 2008.
1. Zozobra - Bird of Prey (Hydrahead)
-first and foremost this record is everything that heavy music should be. the most underrated band to ever be on hydrahead no doubt. a lot less melody than the first record, but i like where caleb went with this. his vocals never cease to amaze me, and i think his projects seem to just get better with time. perfect.
2. Trap Them - Seizures of Barren Praise (Deathwish Inc.)
-arguably the most exciting band in hardcore right now. if you havent heard them yet, they sound like converge had a baby with nasum who married disfear. again, this band only gets better with time, each release more impressive than the last. a classic for sure.
3. United Nations - self titled (Eyeball)
-just when i thought good screamo/powerviolence didn't exist anymore. damn. this record is so insane. keeps you locked in the entire time. how many directions that this record takes is mind blowing. some of the coolest guitar riffs in hardcore, and easily the best drumming of the year.
4. Disfear - Live The Storm (Deathwish Inc.)
-...they will never be bad, ever. its not fair. +6,000,000,000 points for sweden always.
5. Ghostlimb - Bearing and Distance (Level-Plane)
-not only is this the most aggressive record of the year, its also one of the most epic. this band is another severely underrated band. every song is incredibly fast and short, but with so much packed into each song. great lyrics, and amazing packaging. i've had the privilege of playing with this band a few times this year and it was always an amazing experience.
TOP 5 INDIE/ROCK ROCK RECORDS OF 2008.
1. A Silver Mt. Zion - 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons (Constellation)
-almost nothing to be said. the single most beautiful band on the planet. never has let me down. one of the most innovative and inspiring bands year after year. thanks.
2. Pocahaunted - Chains (Teenage Teardrops)
-this was a record i was really excited to hear. after i had heard about the sonic youth tour they did collaborating and stuff. i had seen them at the smell but never heard them on record until this came out. its a really out there record i guess, but if you listen in to the madness you can just hear the artistic beauty of it. these girls are the best thing that the art-punk (?) scene has to offer. if you live in los angeles and havent seen them you are really missing out.
3. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Cardinology (Lost Highway)
-ryan adams is easily my favorite songwriter of my generation. this is a really rock record for him which i thought was a really interesting move. after jacksonville city nights i thought he had been headed straight for that more traditional country style. but this record reminds me a lot of the younger ryan adams, say in the gold days. a lot of people didn't like this album. but they suck so fuck em.
4. Young Widows - Old Wounds (Temporary Residence ltd.)
-an album that definitely had to grow on me a little. i liked it from very first listen, but once i really got a few plays into it i knew that this record was gonna make my list this year. its a little bit less jesus lizard than the last record, but its more its own sound than ever, which is perfect. recording wise this is an album i look up to. they recorded live shows, practices, and recorded in a studio and pieced it all together in a flawless manner, giving it a very unique feel.
5. No Age - Nouns (Sub Pop)
-one of the best sub pop releases in recent memory. this band is finally getting the recognition they deserve. everything about this 2 piece is so awesome. its the perfect amount of post punk with garage rock all rolled into a nice 90's indie rock package. and this is without a doubt the best packaging of any album this year. glad to see los angeles in the music spotlight this year.
TOP 5 FAVORITE MEMORIES IN 2008:
1. touche amore shows
2. ampeg amps
3. lolita (1962)
4. 4th of July
5. starting deadhead
TOP 5 FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN 2008:
1. buy gear
2. blaze
3. drink newcastle
4. drink canada dry ginger ale
5. play shows
TOP 5 BANDS I SAW 2008:
1. My Bloody Valentine
2. Ampere
3. Portraits of Past
4. Trap Them
5. Sunn 0)))
.merry christmas.happy new year.whatever. i'm gonna start posting pictures soon...
-clayton
