Oh goodness, what a year it’s been! Believe me when I say that this list was not easy to make, as we saw a ton of awesome new releases.
With Roots Above And Branches Below
The Devil Wears Prada
May 5th
With Roots Above and Branches Below is absolutely indescribable, in that it is completely amazing just how well TDWP managed to put it together. Everything, from the drums, the riffs, the synth, all of it. One of my most anticipated albums of 2009, definitely. I saw them on Warped Tour, and it’s quite amazing how well they can put on a show, to make it sound just as good as the quality on the album. And for this, I have chosen With Roots Above and Branches Below as my top release of 2009.
Song of Choice: Louder Than Thunder. This track is the only clean-vocals song on the album, and along with it’s synth beat in the background, it gives off a feeling of warmth that really makes it stand out on this album, as opposed to others.
Monster Monster
The Almost
November 3rd
The fact that Aaron of Underoath started his own band makes me so happy. Monster Monster is the perfect mix of edgy rock, with an almost country-like outline to it. It’s also evident that Aaron’s drumming in Underoath influences his song-writing and performing on this album; all sorts of punchy and hard-hitting stops and notes. I couldn’t imagine this album any better, honestly.
Song of Choice: Monster. It’s simple. Everything is stripped down to just guitars (for the most part), it’s rough, and it’s an awesome closer to the album.
To Plant A Seed
We Came As Romans
November 3rd
If you’ve never heard of We Came As Romans, you’d better get on it. Here’s a link. I’m serious. These guys are one of my top heavy bands right now, just with the release of this debut album, and it punches hard in to creative boundaries. To Plant a Seed, in a nutshell, almost sounds like a bunch of guys in a room, one with a snare drum, all screaming at each other while an orchestra plays along to them in the background. There’s just something about that that really does it for me. And for that, this is number 3.
Song of Choice: Dreams. I chatted with Josh from the band about this song, and the story behind it is totally cliché, but genuine and beautiful. It’s all about how the band gets started, and how the boys in the band need to make sacrifices to achieve their dreams.
In Search Of Solid Ground
Saosin
September 8th
This year’s Warped Tour was what really got me going with Saosin, as it was the first time I’d heard new songs off of this record; and hey, live or in the studio, the album was fantastic. I’d say Cove’s been doing an absolutely outstanding job since he became the new front man of the group, and it certainly shows all through In Search of Solid Ground. This album has been long awaited for me, since Saosin came out in 2006, and I almost lost interest in them altogether, but when the new album came out, it sparked my love for them once again.
Song of Choice: Fireflies (Light Messengers). This track is slow and long, almost to the point where you want to hit the Next button, but it was placed so perfectly in the track listings that it was refreshing to hear a slower song right then and there.
Rain City State Of Mind
A Textbook Tragedy
June 23rd
Everyone likes some hardcore music. And this is exactly what filled the void for me when wanting heavy music. TXBK is local to me (Vancouver) and it’s always awesome to include some prrreeettyy awesome local talent.
Sainthood
Tegan And Sara
October 27th
Yessssss, finally I can talk about some Canadian talent! I’ll admit, I was not a fan of Tegan and Sara’s The Con, and wasn’t really interested in hearing more about the Calgary twins, but somehow, after the Rifflandia festival (which they played, but I didn’t see them) I got turned on the some news about them, and was eventually led to hearing Sainthood when it came out. And personally, I could give this album 10 out of 10, but “Hell” shouldn’t have been the dingle release. I would pretty say that any other song on the album would have been better than “Hell”.
Song of Choice: Someday. Just for the simple fact that they sing about eventually getting somewhere with your life someday. It’s almost inspirational for me.
Swoon
The Silversun Pickups
April 14th
I love this album. And, after seeing SSP live, this album was totally transformed by like 100. ‘Nuff said. Simply, amazing.
With Love
Craig Owens
September 15th
Even though Craig Owens is no longer part of Chiodos any more, he is still one of my favourite artists to put on play and just sit back and listen. With Love seems to target the softest and most vulnerable parts of all of us, with the rather depressing and saddening lyrics and derogatory chants. It’s as if every time I listen to the track, I can just drown out the rest of the world and listen to the soft hum of Craig’s voice. If that makes any sense.
Song of Choice: Cardigans and Swing Sets. As described above, this track lets me float away, in to another world of musical, entrancing bliss.
Brand New Eyes
Paramore
September 29th
Yes, one of the most anticipated albums of the year, Brand New Eyes, has finally made in in to the daylight. I don’t really have much to say about this album, except for that I completely liked it right from the get-go, and to be honest, it’s exactly what you would expect it to be.
Song of Choice: Ignorance. I know, the single. Big whoop. I just can’t get enough of this song, as it was the very first song off of the new album I heard on the radio, and it’s just so bloody catchy. The music video kind of sucks though.
First Temple
Closure In Moscow
May 5th 2009
Closure in Moscow really took it to another level for me. I’ll admit, before First Temple I hadn’t ever heard of them, and had no real interest in them. And still, even after I got a review copy of the CD to jam to, I still didn’t quite like it. But it grew on me, a lot. It grew on me to the point of where I would actually listen to the album once for probably a month straight. It’s different, giving vibes of the Mars Volta and Incubus, and I love it for that. It’s original music at its core.
Song of Choice: I’m a Ghost of Twilight. For no real particular reason, actually. I just find that this track pretty much highlights the awesome-ness of what this album gives me.
