It's that time of the year again, list making time. In the past, I always tried to really evaluate the artistic efforts of the artist and really spend time determining what was the best album of 2015 purely from a qualitative point of view. It's boring, and honestly it's a piss poor way to determine what I thought the best albums released this year were. Sure, a certain album might be leaps and bounds ahead of every other release from an artistic point of view. But, if I didn't listen to it or enjoy it … why do I give a shit? What follows is a Top 10 albums list that was composed largely by which albums from 2015 I listened to the most. There are a few exceptions, as anything released in the past few months won't have a chance against albums that came out earlier in the year. That being said, 2015 was a great year for music, with a lot of it being front loaded into spring and the first half of summer. Anyways, here's my list:  

     

10. War On Women: War On Women

Bridge 9

This was an album I listened to, mostly in passing for the first of the year. However, over the past several months I found myself revisiting the album far more frequently as the state government in Ohio, where I live, began going to great lengths to limit access to reproductive healthcare. Sadly, the ideology of the album would become even more relevant in the last two months of the year as a gunman would take three lives at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood and Congress would vote to cut funding for the program nationally. While this is, without a doubt, a solid and musically brutal debut album, it found itself rounding out my Top 10 as its lyrical content became more relevant than ever at the end of the year.

   

9. Success: Radio Recovery

Red Scare

This album went from being something that I'd stick a song off of onto a playlist to a standard listen to it front to back album for me this summer. When it first came out this spring, I enjoyed it but could take it or leave it. I blame early spring in the Midwest for this, as it just doesn't match up with the resoundingly positive vibes all the way across this album. But, when I took a solo road trip out to Denver this summer I listened to it four to five times. By the time I was back in Ohio, it had found its way into my regular summer playlist.

     

8. Winter Break: Winter Break

Lauren Records/Asian Man

Since this is my second debut album as I countdown my Top 10 albums of the year, I think it's worth noting how solid a year this was for debuts as a whole. Although some may question this as a debut in the truest sense of the word, as all three members of Winter Break were playing together in Summer Vacation less than a year before this was released. There was a definite change in tone between the two bands, as the marriage of a more somber world weary viewpoint married to guitars that would have been at home on an emo album from the early nineties made this a much more enjoyable listen than any of the music the members of Winter Break produced in their previous band.

     

       

7. Leftover Crack: Constructs Of State

Fat Wreck Chords

A very solid return to form after a few years away from the scene. The number of guest vocalists concerned me at first, as it looked like the band might be overcompensating for something. Luckily, my fears were put to rest upon hearing the album. They are still able to blend punk, metal, ska and whatever the fuck else they choose almost effortlessly.  For anyone wondering why this wasn't higher on my list, four or five years ago it would have been, no questions asked. I can't dispute the vast musical talent here, and I may find myself moving this album further up the list after it's published. But, as my tastes have changed over the past several years and I'm still digesting this album I decided this was the best place for it.

 

6. B. Dolan: Kill The Wolf

Strange Famous Records

This may end up being the most under appreciated hip-hop album of the year in many circles, which is understandable as Kendrick Lamar and Earl Sweatshirt both released classic albums this summer. Dolan is blessed by a great voice for an MC, and his lyrics are informed by getting a background in slam poetry. While this album would see contributions from Buck 65, Aesop Rock, Buddy Peace, Cecil Otter of the Doomtree Collective and Kathleen Stubelek from Circle Takes The Square, Dolan proves he has a strong enough vision to not only keep that train on his tracks. But, to also prove he may be one of the best underground emcees around today.

 

       

5. Jeffrey Lewis and Los Bolts: Manhattan

Rough Trade

I've been a fan of Jeffrey Lewis for as long as I can remember, and when I heard he had a new album coming out I was excited. What elevated this album above his previous efforts, is the songs were a bit more cohesive and the songs a bit more personal. Whether it was intentional, or not, Lewis played to his strengths on this album and kept the song moving and fairly brief. While by no means a musical revelation, it is the most solid album is a career I've been following for close to a decade now.

     

 

4. Teenage Bottlerocket: Tales From Wyoming

Rise Records

When Brandon Carlisle passed away unexpectedly earlier this year, it rattled an entire community. The band had been putting out great pop-punk albums for quite some time prior to this release. If you were a fan of that, this album was a great addition to the discography. What's left to be seen, is if the band will continue on without Brandon or if this will be their swan song.

       

3. Jeff Rosenstock: We Cool?

Side One Dummy Records

Being old enough to remember when Arrogant Sons of Bitches was Jeff Rosenstock's band, I have to admit I'm a little amazed he developed to the point he did as a song writer. This isn't to say he wasn't a talented songwriter at that point, there was just no way to know he'd develop the way he did. While still keeping a foot firmly planted in the world of punk/indie we all know and love him for, this release finds Rosenstock proving he can tackle any genre he wants and do so successfully. Aside from that, I am fairly certain this is the album that kept me awake the last hour of my 22-hour drive to Denver this summer. And that, well that alone is deserving on Top 3 status.

     

     

2. The Wonder Years: No Closer To Heaven

Hopeless Records

I know what you're thinking, this isn't the second best album of 2015. I would agree. You may also be thinking this isn't even the best album The Wonder Years released. Once again, I would agree. This album works it's way in at number two, because life happens. This summer, part of life for a close friend of mine was losing their significant other. This album came out roughly a month after that, and was very therapeutic for them. Due to trying to be there for my friend, a lot of the themes revolving around life and death really rang true with me as well. I'll readily admit, this album ranks number two for no other reason than I spent a decent chunk of my year being able to relate to it.

 

1. Sleater-Kinney: No Cities To Love

Sub Pop Records

The most unfortunate thing about this album, is it was released in January. In doing so, it set an impossibly high bar for every release that was to follow. Now, I'm sure for some that bar was surpassed. However, Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein are two of my favorite songwriters of all time. While they are both amazing songwriters when left to their own endeavors, when they bring their talents together something magical happens. I was ecstatic to find they hadn't lost that magic in the ten year they spent working independently of one another. Add this to the list of album that got me to Denver and back, tack on bonus point for being the only album I listened to every week this year.

So, there they are … love the list or hate it. There it is. It already looks like 2016 is gearing up to be another great year for music. Which is fine with me, winter is coming on fast in Ohio and I'll need some good records to get me through until April.