Best of The Year: Jeff Cunningham (Bridge&Tunnel), Tom May (The Menzingers), Dan Rock (Lock and Key Collective)
We here at Punknews always try to remember the, "Reason for the season." The "season" of course is "End of Year list" time and the "reason" is, "Bands who are kind enough to talk to us." That said, let us adorn ourselves in our finest robes in celebration of this very special "Best of 2011 (ever)" edition featuring Jeff Cunningham (Bridge and Tunnel/Answer Key Recordsl), Tom May (The Menzingers) and Dan Rock (Lock and Key Collective). So eat, drink and be merry!
You can click Read More for the best of us festivus.
Jeff Cunningham - Bridge and Tunnel/Answer Key Records
15-year-old me is losing his shit over this record, so is 28-year-old me. Both want to sit in his bedroom blasting this all day. The kind of album that can just never get loud enough.
Probably the most powerful and emotive album I heard all year. There is a song on this called "FTW YâAll," which I heard them play live a bunch of months before this album came out. The guitar riff from that song was in my head for so long just from that one show. The recorded version didnât disappoint.
The songs move from somber and quiet to energetic and fun without any hiccups, the ebbs and flows are beyond smooth. As per usual, Laura is a powerful force on this album, but the layering of instruments underneath her beautiful voice really shine on here, the rhythm section in particular.
Tommy Corriganâs vocals are always completely captivating. He just has that kind of delivery that resonates and draws you in. You canât put your finger on why, but it is always there and every line he screams, yells, sings, or speaks is just so believable.
Probably the most listened to album in my car this year. It was always a hit with all of the passengers too. Great story telling from these Australians on their debut album. Kinda reminds me of a punker The Hold Steady.
AJJ are witty as ever on this one. A little droneier than their previous stuff, but there are still a lot of those classic, upbeat, bouncy numbers that the folk-punkers look to them for.
The lyrics are exceptionally self-aware and thought provoking. Kinda difficult to understand the singer recorded, so you gotta read along. Thatâs how I like my hardcore though, so it works for me.
Live, his voice fills a room like nothing I have ever heard before. This album is more of what I have come to love about this guy. Crazy vocal range, fluidly shifting from totally belted out to low toned and breathy.
The production on this album is ridiculously good. It makes sense, Iâm sure they got more money to record it than everyone on this list combined and then quadrupled. That being said, the songwriting is out of this world, and the songs deserve that kind of production.
Dynamic hardcore with a sense of true melody. This Boston hardcore band stays within the genre, but just does it sooooo well.
Tom May - The Menzingers
Dan Rock - Lock and Key Collective
In no particular order:
- Touche Amore - Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me
- Reverse The Curse - Hither & Yon
- Signals Midwest - Latitudes And Longitudes
- Frank Turner - England Keep My Bones
- White Wives - Happeners
- Red City Radio - The Dangers of Standing Still
- Make Do And Mend - End Measured Mile
- Iron Chic - Not Like This
- His Day Has Come - Where I Belong
But definitely the best album of the year…
Fucked Up - David Comes To Life