Best of 2007

Brian's picks (2007)

Brian Shultz

Brian Shultz is a news/reviews editor and reviewer here at Punknews.org -ed

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Intro

If you know me, you're probably at least partially aware that 2007…er…had its rough patches. I was originally planning on including the agonizing details with this introductory paragraph, but I doubt many of you care to delve that far into my personal life. Plus I'd much rather deflect sympathy rather than beg for it.

Just know that for all the things I've lost, I'm hoping there's a certain perspective I've inevitably gained.

Through it all was music. Sometimes it fucked things up worse, but more often than not it gets one through everything. This year I discovered some new things and continued to feed an addiction I like to mostly regard as a positive one. Thanks to Punknews, I've once again been able to hear hundreds of bands I'd likely never otherwise come across. I've edited and written a lot of reviews over the past three years, but it's been worth it.

We all like to talk about breakups, but I'll keep my section brief. My 5 worst? Well, band-wise: the Blood Brothers, Hot Cross, None More Black, Kill Your Idols and Spitalfield. We'll throw in the ever-loving tandem of Hot Rod Circuit and Piebald as wild cards since (another pair of relative cohorts, at least when it comes to sharing a member or so) we basically knew of NMB and KYI's respective breakups in 2006.

As usual, this year produced a lot of worthwhile listening. These are my thoughts on the standout pieces.

[For some extra context, the bracketed numbers at the end of the album blurbs indicate two things: The first states which number full-length this is for the band; the second shows what number full-length this is for their record label. Example: The first 1 states that this is Look Mexico's first full-length, and the second 1 implies that this is also their first full-length for Lujo Records. Pretty easy.]

Honorable Mentions

Hot Cross -- Risk Revival (Hope Division Records / Equal Vision Records); Minus the Bear -- Planet of Ice (Suicide Squeeze Records); Boys Night Out -- Boys Night Out (Ferret Music); Young Livers -- The New Drop Era (No Idea Records); Dillinger Escape Plan -- Ire Works (Relapse Records); Saves the Day -- Under the Boards (Vagrant Records); Incommunicado -- Losing Daylight (A-F Records); Disnihil -- Disnihil (Chainsaw Safety Records); Streetlight Manifesto -- Somewhere in the Between (Victory Records); Cloak/Dagger -- We Are (Jade Tree Records)

Top 20 Albums

#20. Big D and the Kids Table -- Strictly Rude

March 20 on Side One Dummy Records

Admittedly, Big D's heralded transition to traditional ska didn't have as much replay value as I'd predicted when I first received the promo about a year ago, but to deny how well-written and infectious some of these songs are ("Steady Riot," "Noise Complaint," "Strictly Rude") would be a checkered injustice. [3;1]

#19. Thieves and Assassins -- Martyr Brigade

August 14 on Iron Pier

Another of Long Island‘s most promising punk/hardcore acts improve mightily with their first LP. Thieves and Assassins build heartily upon their past demos and 7" with plenty of cues to Dag Nasty and Bad Religion, but retain their own heartfelt and melodic edge through strong songwriting. [1;1]

#18. Look Mexico -- This Is Animal Music

July 10 on Lujo Records

Look Mexico sweeten their sound with more sugary vocals and stretch their musical muscle with more relaxed, light and mathy sessions in line with their oft-compared predecessors American Football. This Is Animal Music is a unique, totally enjoyable and, sometimes, downright addicting release. [1;1]

#17. Weatherbox -- American Art

May 8 on Doghouse Records

A very strong debut came in the form of American Art, which slowly began to eschew the obvious Criteria and Say Anything comparisons of Weatherbox's short past. Frontman Brian Warren spins vivid, drug-induced tales track after track that entrance the listener with crooked riffs and bomb-rock textures. [1;1]

#16. The Steal -- The Steal

August 28 on Get Outta Town Records

The UK‘s best Kid Dynamite impression finally had a release in the States this year. The Steal is full of poignant sing-alongs providing astute criticism of ‘scene' and societal ‘norms.‘ [1;1]

#15. Capital -- Homefront

October 30 on Revelation Records

Gruff and outspoken, Capital produce what could be their definitive statement with Homefront: melodic hardcore punk with a proud but humble hometown slant. It might be quite a stay-at-home defense, but in that case, Capital is the Bob Goldham of hardcore. [2;1]

#14. Achilles -- Hospice

May 8 on Hex Records

Towering, monstrous metalcore from upstate New York that embarrasses all its genre "ambassadors." Achilles lightly draw from acts as disperse as Breather Resist, Isis, Modern Life Is War and Botch for a sound that‘s ferocious and confrontational while maintaining an air of restraint and thoughtfulness. [2;2]

#13. The Menzingers -- A Lesson in the Abuse of Information Technology

July 17 on Go-Kart Records

The Menzingers' confoundingly compelling, proper debut is one of the most passionate and earnest punk rock releases in years. Gravelly, Clash-inspired sing-alongs regarding political and social unrest come in spirited, rigorous form multiple moments. Now I have two things to love about Scranton, Pennsylvania. [2 (debatably 1);1]

#12. Attack in Black -- Marriage

July 31 on Dine Alone Records

A splendid, diverse array of songs that remind me of a hybrid among the Get Up Kids, the Weakerthans and Smoke or Fire. Marriage is a thematic, impressively cohesive record that perfectly encapsulates the beauty and frailty of what happens when we begin to take our relationships seriously -- a consequence of which personally hit all too hard for me early this year. [1;1]

#11. Tegan and Sara -- The Con

July 24 on Vapor Records / Sire Records

Sweet, honest indie pop from Canada's constant "it" twins, and possibly their best work yet. Flourished by the occasional spate of electronics, piano/keyboard and acoustics, The Con is a consistently engaging and often heartache-inducing listen that one finds themselves continuously coming back to. [4;4 (Vapor), 1 (Sire)]

#10. 108 -- A New Beat from a Dead Heart

June 26 on Deathwish Inc.

108 is one of a few reunited hardcore luminaries that‘s made this particular list, and it‘s for an effort that‘s dark, menacing, full of outrage and yet in a somewhat different sonic context than the band‘s past work. However, grown-up 108 fans shouldn‘t be put off by a significantly heavier and more intense set of metallic hardcore bursts by a veteran act that are as articulate as ever -- and it should win over newcomers just as easily. [4;1]

#9. Lily Allen -- Alright, Still

January 30 on Capitol Records [U.S.]

Gorgeous -- I‘m talking about Lily Allen‘s debut album, of course. The British Allen has quickly mastered peppy, sunny pop and laced it with an undercurrent of ska and hip-hop beats for a formidably glossy, addicting sound completed by her snarky, bitter take on societal institutions, social irritations and familial absurdities. [1;1]

#8. Poison the Well -- Versions

April 3 on Ferret Music

Poison the Well toys significantly with the modern melodic metalcore formula they instituted years ago. Maybe the band‘s core fanbase was disappointed by the lack of breakdowns and "t0taL br00taLne55," but it‘s a welcome, experimental departure for the band, with bizarre alt-country tinges, an incredible dynamic within every track and an overall versatile array of absolute ragers ("Letter Thing") and creepy tumblers ("Slow Good Morning"). [4;1]

#7. Circa Survive -- On Letting Go

May 29 on Equal Vision Records

While perceived by many to be rather sonically similar to 2005‘s Juturna, On Letting Go actually finds the post-hardcore collective of Circa Survive gently messing with their sound for a more subtle and restrained technique. Sure, Anthony Green‘s beautifully androgynous voice and the slick melodic flair of the band have only attracted more high school underclassmen to their growing fanbase, but it‘s also the spiraling, Cave In-esque guitars and aching atmospheres that really appeal to me as well. [2;2]

#6. Thrice -- The Alchemy Index: Volumes I & II: Fire & Water

October 16 on Vagrant Records

Thrice‘s fiery, ambitious nature has lead them into new waters -- puns fully intended. In the first release of dual EPs thematically revolving around nature's elements, Thrice have a diverse, dynamic offering in The Alchemy Index's first two parts. While many might write both off as boring Hydra Head Records and Radiohead worship, respectively, or failing to pick up on the brilliant adaptations altogether, this writer believes Thrice are writing mesmerizing, haunting and always melodic tributes towards such. [5;1]

#5. Lifetime -- Lifetime

February 6 on Fueled by Ramen / Decaydence Records

It strikes me as bizarre and perhaps a little embittering that anyone would be put off by reunions. In cases where the musical and ethical output is unquestionably terrible, fair enough. But Lifetime perfectly captures the highly influential act‘s musical progression, picking up directly where 1997‘s Jersey‘s Best Dancers left off; frankly, if Lifetime had actually been putting out records for the past decade, imagine just how poppy this particular one really could've been. [4;1]

#4. Modern Life Is War -- Midnight in America

August 21 on Equal Vision Records

2005's Witness was a hard record to top, and while Modern Life Is War may not have quite achieved that feat, they‘ve still managed to produce another original modern hardcore work of art. The brooding, moody atmospheres are maintained while MLIW pound their way through both big, bold anthems and faster material. [3;1]

#3. A Wilhelm Scream -- Career Suicide

October 9 on Nitro Records

If unknowingly naming your albums after hardcore bands results in material this good, A Wilhelm Scream can name their next full-length Sick of It All for all I care. Career Suicide is more complex, urgent, aggressive and lyrically impressive than the band‘s past material, along with an interestingly melodic hardcore flair. This is A Wilhelm Scream in top tech-skatepunk form, and essentially puts their former stylistic leaders (Strung Out, Bigwig) to absolute shame. [5 (including the Smackin‘ Isaiah moniker);3]

#2. Career Suicide -- Attempted Suicide

January 16 on Deranged Records

An absolute raging, angry album of purely `82 hardcore. There are admittedly a whole lot of bands doing this sound recently, and while it‘s certainly a welcome departure from the ill-led ideas of more popular "hardcore" acts, no one is doing it better or with more pronounced songwriting than Career Suicide. [2;1]

#1. Crime in Stereo -- Is Dead

October 23 on Bridge Nine Records

Crime in Stereo took it so far past the next level on Is Dead that melodic hardcore is practically in the bonus round. The band takes their Gorilla Biscuits / Silent Majority base and morphs it into an entirely new beast; Kristian Hallbert's vocal lessons propel him to put forth a diverse, impressive performance full of gentle falsetto, below-ground murmuring and his signature straight-ahead rasp; main songwriter Alex Dunne's multiple twists and turns, delicate atmospheres and gut-wrenching one-liners do draw from Brand New heavily, but they also promise a sound that CIS will one day truly claim as their own -- and in the present, is incredibly accomplished regardless. [3;1]

Video Proof

Top 5 EPs*

* - …that were released on compact disc OR compact disc and vinyl

#5. Hostage Calm -- Demo 2007

self-released

Hostage Calm play wonderful melodic hardcore that draws from `80s predecessors like Dag Nasty and Rain; it‘s invigorating, catchy, driving and yet retains an intelligent outlook on modern injustices and the helpless feeling our apathy is a key participant.

#4. Cease Upon the Capitol -- [untitled]

June 4 on I've Come for Your Children / Forever Escaping Boredom / Impure Muzik

Cease Upon the Capitol snuck into this at nearly the last minute, quite literally, as their raw yet powerful screamo sound is improved from last year's untitled full-length. While there's little space the band provides on this 10-song EP, it's a maddening and menacing windowless room I'm happy to be confined to.

#3. The Humanoids -- Are Born

self-released

Incredibly well-performed pop-punk, the Humanoids draw from a bevy of upbeat hardcore (7 Seconds, Dag Nasty) and punk (Descendents, Screeching Weasel) acts for a sound that's energetic, punchy and aggressive. A young but ridiculously unique and developed band.

#2. Seasick -- Awakenings

June 26 on BrainDrain Records

Thrashy yet temperamental, Seasick cleanly integrate their influences into a mean, pissed off yet proficiently played hardcore sound that sounds like its classic predecessors (Negative Approach, Infest) while retaining a thoroughly modern edge.

#1. Shook Ones / Easel -- Split

April 24 on Alliance Trax

Shook Ones deliver the best material of their career on a split with their Japanese counterparts, Easel. The best, opener "Order Form" is a devastatingly emotional and fierce condemnation of the lack of gay marriage rights via a musically Jawbreaker crunch. Easel do their best to keep up, though, and their style is fun, competent and melodic enough to leave an impression as well.

Top 5 7"s**

** - …that were released vinyl-only (CD-Rs and digital permissible)

#5. Bridge and Tunnel -- Bridge and Tunnel

May 9 on No Idea Records

Better than Latterman (the former drummer of which is here)? Yep, I think so. Bridge and Tunnel pull from Hot Water Music and American Football for a fearlessly passionate sound that‘s intricate yet emotional and touches upon pertinent issues. The opener and closer here definitely push Bridge and Tunnel to the upper echelon of 7-inches this year, although live is really where you get to experience the band.

#4. Permanent / Resonance -- Split

November 5 on Collapse Records

Permanent and Resonance both step up their games, the former with a mid-`90s, bizarrely-vibed hardcore feel and the latter with a rough, ragged and emotional Kid Dynamite adaptation.

#3. Coalesce -- Salt and Passage

August 21 on Second Nature Recordings / Crash and Bang

One of the most important heavy bands of the `90s returns with two pulsating, disjointed numbers that retain the band‘s angular, ever-changing dynamics and their intense, slightly muddled ferociousness. If Coalesce is back for good, a whole new generation of hardcore and metal bands might have their inspiration.

#2. Soul Control -- Soul Control

May 15 on Rivalry Records

Quicksand, Supertouch and Burn provide solid, well-rounded influences for Soul Control to create hardcore from, and that‘s just what they do. Their self-titled demo features four of their strongest songs to date, full of Matt Amore's refreshingly introspective lyrical inlook and the band's swirling, stomping guitar tones.

#1. Ceremony -- Scared People

July 17 on Bridge Nine Records

On Scared People, Bay Area thrashers Ceremony have about eight minutes to prove why they‘re one of the best active hardcore bands -- and yet, that‘s plenty of time for them. Scared People is convincingly angry, abrasive, and full of menacing, maddening fury, and that‘s why it‘s my favorite 7" of the year.

You Know, I Really Wish I Actually Had a Chance to Hear…

• Joe Lally -- Nothing Is Underrated
• The Measure [SA] -- Historical Fiction
• PsyOpus -- Our Puzzling Encounters Considered
• The Receiving End of Sirens -- Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi
• Rosetta -- Wake/Lift
• Say Anything -- In Defense of the Genre
• Straylight Run -- The Needles, The Space

Top 3 Compilations

#3. Various -- Plea for Peace Volume 2

April 24 on Asian Man Records

Plea for Peace contains two discs of nearly no-bullshit tunes, and it all supports Mike Park‘s Plea for Peace Foundation. A live version of a cassette-only Cave In track and more live Jawbreaker that's previously unreleased? Dealbreaker.

#2. Thursday -- Kill the House Lights [CD/DVD]

October 30 on Victory Records

Thursday provide some goodies in this collection, with an assortment of enjoyable rarities and three impressive new songs, as well as an expertly-crafted documentary of their career.

#1. Various -- Our Impact Will Be Felt: A Tribute to Sick of It All

May 8 on Abacus Recordings

One of the better hardcore tributes in recent memory, Our Impact Will Be Felt is simply done very, very well. Tons of memorable, homage-paying performances take the stage here, from Rise Against and the Suicide Machines to Bane and Kill Your Idols. Sick of It All‘s storied legacy is given a valiant finger-point.

Top Reissue

Botch -- We Are the Romans [Deluxe Edition]

September 11 on Hydra Head Records

Hydra Head provides some unintentional pointers on appropriately re-releasing records: wait at least 7 or 8 years; remaster it; throw on a whole disc of outtakes and alternate versions. Not too shabby. It sure doesn‘t hurt that Botch‘s We Are the Romans is one of the best and most influential metalcore records of the last decade (if not the).

Most Improved Band

Shipwreck A.D. -- Abyss

November 27 on Deathwish Inc.

Shipwreck A.D. wash away the silly redundancies and overused mosh parts of their early material for a smarter, more choking metallic hardcore sound on their first full-length. This isn't to mention that Abyss is a concept record following its narrator‘s journey from the bottom of the sea to the top of a mountain. Engaging, original lyrical themes and a stifling, heavy sound make for quite a renewed impression.

Top 3 Record Labels

#3. Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records not only continued their admirable reinvention by signing a few more indie rock and pop bands like the A-Sides and Dr. Manhattan, but also added personal favorite (and acclaimed) Murder by Death. On top of that, they released a diverse collection of strong/solid full-lengths in the likes of the first two volumes of Thrice‘s The Alchemy Index, Saves the Day's Under the Boards and the Bled‘s Silent Treatment, not to mention the massive CD/DVD rarities set from Alkaline Trio, Remains.

#2. Bridge Nine Records
Someone rather hilariously regarded Bridge Nine as becoming the Microsoft of hardcore, and I can't say I disagree. The label locked up some of the biggest hype names this year: Crime in Stereo, Ruiner, Ambitions and Ceremony (most of which I actually think deliver on it). As well, they put out a few albums that should become benchmarks for the bands: notably, Champion's live CD/DVD set, Different Directions | The Last Show, and Crime in Stereo's Is Dead. I also greatly enjoyed Ceremony's Scared People 7", and despite some cautioned disappointment I didn't find Ruiner's Prepare to Be Let Down all that bad.

#1. Equal Vision Records
Equal Vision takes home the top spot in the label list for the second year in a row. Possibly topping their 2006 release calendar, their annual block here was highlighted by great full-lengths from Modern Life Is War (Midnight in America) and Circa Survive (On Letting Go). I also very much enjoyed Hot Cross' final effort (Risk Revival), and definitely found the Fall of Troy's Manipulator, the Snake the Cross the Crown's Cotton Teeth and Dear and the Headlights' Small Steps, Heavy Hooves to be solid listens. There was also an impressive reissue with the Sound of Animals Fighting's Tiger and the Duke. The label may not have filled out their roster much, really only signing Modern Life Is War (and that Fred guy), but they unleashed enough goods this year to make up for it.

Best Album of 2006 I Didn‘t Hear Until 2007

Manchester Orchestra -- I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child

Favorite Gentlemen

Manchester Orchestra practically became everyone‘s ‘it‘ band in 2007; imaginably, touring with Brand New certainly didn‘t hurt that. Taking influences like Neutral Milk Hotel and Death Cab for Cutie and fronting it with Andy Hull‘s soothing, comforting, John K. Samson-like voice made for an emotional, spiritually wrought debut full-length that I finally checked out after being blown away live when the band opened for mewithoutYou.

Best EP of 2006 I Didn‘t Hear Until 2007

This Will Destroy You -- Young Mountain

Magic Bullet

True, this could even be the "Best EP of 2005 I Didn't Hear Until 2007," but it did receive a proper release in the oh-six. This Will Destroy You also won me over easily after showing off their epic yet economical post-rock sound opening for 65daysofstatic and Fear Before the March of Flames at a tiny Polish bar in Brooklyn. And also true -- they wear their influences on their sleeves quite a bit, but come the arrival of their soon-to-be released full-length and they'll be making their own fireworks.

Top 10 Sets Witnessed