Scott Heisel is a former news and reviews editor for Punknews.org and is the current Music Editor for Alternative Press. - ed.
2010 was an exciting year for me. My longtime girlfriend moved in with me back in April, and we adopted the world's cutest puppy shortly thereafter. (And of course, she's on Twitter.) But what's really been thrilling for me was officially launching my new record label, Youth Conspiracy Records. I'm three releases in and have already gotten to work with some of my
favorite musicians of all time, and I feel so lucky to be able to finally give something tangible back to the music community that's already given me so much.
Below are my favorite albums and songs of the year. Some you may agree with; others you might not. All of this music moved me this year, and I am fully convinced it can do the same to you if you just give it a chance.
Coming off a career low point in Raditude, Rivers Cuomo & Co. actually rebound rather nicely with their Epitaph debut, even though it's pretty much the same formula (tons of co-writers, diminished input from other band members and not a lot of time spent in the studio). "Unspoken," "Hang On" and "Run Away" are easily in the top tier of the band's post-Pinkerton material.
The Get Up Kids spent the majority of their career trying to write the perfect Superchunk record, so it's almost fitting that the latter's first album in nearly a decade has as much exuberance and energy as the former's best work. I don't know what my gap is, but I'm sure it feels weird, too.
Middle Class Rut: No Name No Color
It can't be overstated how much better the Wonder Years got between their first album, Get Stoked on It!, and this one. It really sounds like a completely different band–and one that's about 20 times better, too. This record is for those who secretly like the Starting Line but pretend Title Fight is better.
This record sounds like Prince covering the Flaming Lips. Or maybe the Flaming Lips covering Prince. Either way, it's rad.
They say the greatest art comes out of personal tragedy, and Diamond Eyes is proof. Deftones sound positively bristling with energy on this record, and their live show is the best it's been in years. (I still hope we'll get to hear Eros one day, and I hope even more that Chi Cheng will return to the stage someday.)
Holy overdubs, Batman! Good ol' Paul goes the corporate-sellout direction with his new LP, adding multitracked vocals and multiple guitar parts–one of which is even electric. Way to betray the scene, dude! Oh, wait: None of that fucking matters because the songs themselves are still brilliant.
Proof that intelligent, thoughtful rock music can also be seriously pummeling and fun as fuck to sing along to.
Brian Fallon and the boys take a victory lap with a solid 10-song effort that finds them developing stronger songwriting skills without giving up what their fans love the most–sing-alongs.
Fitz and the Tantrums: Pickin' Up the Pieces
Not only is there not a bad song on this album, there's not a bad song on either of the 7-inches they bookended its release with. Talk about a hot streak!
Foxy Shazam: Foxy Shazam
This kid went from no-fi loser to pop-punk king, and all it took was Jay Reatard's rhythm section. These songs are crisper, cleaner and all around more interesting and memorable than the past two Wavves records, and when you boil it down, it's really just vintage pop-punk.
Free Energy: Stuck on Nothing
An album so immensely powerful, thought-provoking and moving, I shelled out a few grand to put it out on vinyl. (Won't you pick a copy up?)
Sleigh Bells: Treats
An album so instantly catchy, wistful and anthemic, I shelled out a few grand to put it out on vinyl. (Won't you pick a copy up?)
Terrible Things: Terrible Things
Motion City Soundtrack have been a huge part of my life both personally and professionally for nearly a decade now, so it was thrilling to see them finally make an album worthy of their raw talent level. I truly don't understand why this didn't sell like gangbusters, as it is really a perfect pop-rock album with an awesome dark side.