1. Towers Of London - Blood Sweat & Towers
With a sound and an image awkwardly resting somewhere between The Sex Pistols and Motley Crue, Towers of London blew me away on their debut full-length, and continue to do so, despite repeated listens.
It could have easily gotten too kitschy, but these guys seem so serious about their glam-trash decadence that Blood, Sweat & Towers is a lot of fun, while still holding onto a modicum of rock and roll sincerity.
2. Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers - Pandelirium
Sounds from the seedy underbelly of American musical history are blended with creepy history and some frenzied punk rock to create this an album that makes you wonder if the good old days were really all that good. Pandelerium is eerie, creepy and vaguely evil, but it never gets old.
3. The Dresden Dolls - Yes, Virginia
This Boston-based punk cabaret duo proves that their last album was no fluke, as they come back with another album that continues to explore their innovative sound.
Yes Virginia is at times morose, at times inspirational, but never boring. It's proof that a two-piece band can have a big sound, even without guitars or a less-than-competent drummer (I think we know who I'm talking about).
4. I Object - Teaching Revenge
This is simply the best hardcore album I've heard all year. It has all the proper elements of a good hardcore record, including angry vocals and frenzied guitars, but it also has the added bonus of I Object frontwoman Barb, who assaults the vocals and takes no prisoners.
5. Valient Thorr - Legend Of The World
This is an album that will infect your brain - in a good way. I listened to it once, decided it was good, and then shelved it. Shortly thereafter, I found myself saying "I just need to here 'Heatseeker' one more time," or "I'm just gonna go pop that it in to hear 'Exit Strategy' one time." The next thing I know, the volume is turned up all the way, and I'd been playing the album for six times through.
That's what happens when the aliens from Venus come to Earth to spread some rock. They almost do too good of a job. Almost.
6. Toys That Kill - Shanked!
Formed from the ashes of the influential West Coast Punk band F.Y.P. (whose last album was named Toys That Kill) and fronted by former F.Y.P. frontman/current head of Recess Records Todd Congelliere, Toys That Kill picks up where F.Y.P. left off, creating a power punk sound that, while definitely old school, sounds constantly fresh and affords the album maximum replay value.
7. Reel Big Fish - Our Live Album Is Better Than Your Live Album
I'm not crazy about a lot of live albums. Many are shoddy recordings that fall flat when compared to studio versions. This live album set, which also functions as a "greatest hits" album, isn't like that. It was recorded over a series of nights, with the best versions of each track making the cut.
The recording is flawless, and all the energy and entertainment of Reel Big Fish's Live show is captured perfectly.
8. Ouija Radio - Oh No... Yes! Yes!
Vocalist/keyboardist Christy Hunt runs this show, and believe you me when I say it's a hell of a show. Quirky punk, garage, surf and even hints of folk drags the album from fast and quirky to slow, dreamy and gloomy, making sure you don't get bored.
This is a band that sets out to define their sound for a second, and then find a way to define it. If you consider yourself a fan of music, not just punk, you'll dig this. Expect big things from these kids.
9. Die Hunns - You Rot Me
U.S. Bombs frontman/pro skater Duane Peters teams him with the the raw rock power of former Nashville Pussy bassist Corey Parks, and the result, is an album composed of pure rock.
You Rot Me is a bit scattered musically; big booming Stooges riffs slam violently with skate punk, and the occasional taste of stripped down garage oozes out. If you like your punk rock raw and dirty, this is the album you should have picked up this year.
10. Be Your Own Pet - Be Your Own Pet
Although their live show, while frenzied, seems a little bit more about stroking Jemina Pearl's ego than about really rocking out, these youngsters have created a punk rock album that is a lot of fun, sometimes silly and always addicitive.
Despite their young ages, tracks like the 58-second blast of "Let's Get Sandy (Big Problem)" show that BYOP has mastered the art of old school three-chord punk rock.
