Raditude
Weezer
November 3rd
Raditude is an album that’s been talked about quite a bit this year. Before I heard it, most of what I heard about it was disappointment as it sounded much different fromt the older Weezer albums. I was happy to hear that the album was actually really awesome. It definitely isn’t your original Weezer, but Raditude was great like expectations, wins it’s spot as my top album of 2009.
Song of Choice: (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To. This song is one of the more upbeat songs on the album in addition to being a single from the album. It makes me think of both this new Weezer sound and the old Weezer sound, making it all around a good song.
The Resitance
Muse
September 24th
There’s always those albums that just make you say WOW, while listening. The Resistance is a powerful rock album that sometimes sounds almost a little bit like Queen. The only thing keeping The Resistance from being my top album, is the similar style on all of the songs. In other words, there really aren’t upbeat or more mellow songs, they’re all the same.
Song of Choice: The Resistance. I mean come on, it’s the title song! But anyways, after listening to the album, I feel this song has stuck with me the most, it’s just really a pretty awesome song.
Aim and Ignite
fun.
August 25th
A while back I did a review of Aim & Ignite. This album is just all around awesome. Once again though, it seems as if a lot of the songs start off in almost the exact same way. Even though the songs might start the same, they all end up changing style partway through and each song ended surprisingly different then it started. fun. is definitely going to be a big band soon. Just wait. You’ll see.
Song of Choice: Walking the Dog. Walking the Dog is the first fun. song that I heard and it’s definitely an upbeat happy song that is pretty dang catchy!
Poetry of the Deed
Frank Turner
September 8th
I’ve never really been a fan of folky type music until I started getting into the somewhat folky Flogging Molly. I’d been hearing a lot about this new Frank Turner album and finally decided to check it out for myself. I instantly fell in love with the folky/punk music of punk rocker Frank Turner. The songs all seem almost a little mellow, but Frank’s british punk voice makes them not too mellow.
Song of Choice: Poetry of the Deed. Once again, I’ve gone with a title song, but this one definitely “spoke to me” for lack of a better description.
Fluent in Stroll
Big D and the Kids Table
July 7th
Another band I fell love with this year is Big D and the Kids Table. I had heard their older stuff, but not the new record. I was really excited to hear the new songs at Warped Tour and was fortunate enough to be given Fluent in Stroll. The songs aren’t necessarily like the older Big D stuff, but they seem to be really happy and upbeat, reminding me why I like ska music so much. A new addition to this album, was the vocals of the “Doped up Dollies” as the band calls them. They provide back up vocals and are really a great addition to the album. If you’re feeling down, just pop in Fluent in Stroll. If that doesn’t cheer you up, I have no idea what will.
Song of Choice: Doped Up Dollies On a One Way Ticket to Blood. This one probably isn’t many people’s favorite, but I really enjoyed it, especially the vocals from the “Doped Up Dollies”. It’s overall just a really fun song.
Relapse to Recovery
These Green Eyes
March 24th
I have so many great things to say about Relapse to Recovery. First off, I just have to say, this is probably one of the most meaningful records I have ever heard. The songs vary from catchy almost pop-punk, to more mellow, and the last song Pops is acoustic. If it weren’t for the kindness and friendship I’ve received from These Green Eyes, I wouldn’t be into music as much and bands that aren’t quite well known as much as I am. Relapse to Recovery is a solid record that keeps the listener enticed until the very end. If the guys keep at it, I’m sure they will be known by many more people and gain many more fans in the next couple of years.
Song of Choice: Time of Our Lives. There are so many great songs on this album, but “Time of Our Lives” is a truthful song and I think many people can relate to the lyrics.
Say Anything
Say Anything
November 3th
Say Anything’s songs are always so different, but awesome. Fans who don’t like artists to change between albumsshouldnt have any complaints about the new Say Anything self-titled album. The songs are definitely differentfrom songs on previous Say Anything albums, but they keep the same style. As with many other albums I’ve listened to this year, this one’s songs seem to sound almost the same, but with different words. Overall though, it isdefinitely a Say Anything album.
Song of Choice: Hate Everyone. This song reminds my why exactly I love Say Anything. The lyrics are witty and somewhat truthful. An added bonus, it’s’ pretty catchy.
Horehound
The Dead Weather
July 14th
Jack White is probably one of the most amazing musicians out there. It’s gotta be hard being in 3 different bands, but Mr. White seems to do an awesome job with it. Horehound is a very nice indie album, with tons of variety between songs. Even though I’m used to hearing male vocals (mainly Jack’s) from any Jack White band, it’s nice every once in a while on the album to hear the vocals of Alison Mosshart (of The Kills). Although The Dead Weather is definitely different from White’s other bands The White Stripes and The Raconteurs, you can definitely hear a bit of those two bands in the style of The Dead Weather. Overall a great first album from the band.
Song of Choice: I Cut Like a Buffalo. If you’ve forgotten just how crazy and different Jack White’s music can be, you will soon remember while listening this song. The song is definitely not your average song, but it’s catchy and clever.
Crash Love
AFI
September 29th
Being the young’n that I am, I didn’t really get into AFI until Decemeberunderground. I’m more familiar with they’re newer stuff, and I have to say Crash Love definitely lives up being the album released after Decemberunderground. The band doesn’t seem to have changed much, but the new songs are definitely new. Most of the songs are somewhat upbeat, but onething I didn’t hear as much on Crash Love are the screamed vocals. In my opinion the album sounds just as good if notbetter then Decemeberunderground for that very reason.
Song of Choice: Torch Song As the opening song on the album, “Torch Song” makes the listener definitely want to keep listening. It’s a powerful opener that keeps instantly pulls you into the record.
No Line on the Horizon
February 27th
As a U2 fanatic, I felt that I absolutely had to include they’re new album. Many of the original fans have complained that No Line on the Horizon is too different, but I like it for this very reason. I do love the older U2 stuff, but No Line on the Horizon is like a step into the newer modern rock, but keeps the old U2 sound. There’s also a story behind the album making it even more interesting once you know it. Hearing some of the songs off of this new album live has made them even more enjoyable, but don’t worry, you don’t have to hear them live to enjoy them. U2 proves that they are still an awesome rock band after all these years, and No Line on the Horizon doesn’t disappoint (unless of course, you really can’t stand a more modernized sounding U2).
Song of Choice: Unknown Caller Despite it’s small amount of lyrics, “Unknown Caller” seems almost powerful when listened to. If you get a chance to see U2 live right now on their 360 tour, this song is definitely a fun one to hear live.
