As the calendar made its way from June to July a couple of weeks ago, it marked the midway point of what is shaping up to be a monumental year for music. And while the script is only half-written, 2010 has graced us with return-to-form records, monumental debuts, unexpected breakthroughs, and above all, some damn good music. Though it's far too early in the year to create a "Best Of" list yet, there are certainly some prime candidates to become key factors (and a few top contenders) come December. In no order, here is my soundtrack to the year (so far):
Coheed and Cambria-Year of the Black Rainbow: At long last, the saga of Coheed and Cambria has seen it's triumphant end. The band has become a staple of the prog-emo world, riveting comic book-loving fans with their sci-fi take on music. Claudio Sanchez's story has seen its final chapter (which, oddly enough, is the first part chronologically), and when all good things come to an end, it calls for celebration. And that's what Black Rainbow is, pure and simple. The songs are bigger, the production is crisp, and the saga's ending serves to be a powerful one. This is arguably Coheed's catchiest release, but they haven't lost a step musically, as seen in "Guns of Summer" and single "The Broken." There will never be another band like Coheed and Cambria, and their latest effort is both a celebration of the band's previous ventures and a preview of ones to come.
Four Year Strong- Enemy of the World: Pop-punk has taken its share of black eyes and bruises over the years. Fads have come and gone, and it seems that there is a sort of Renaissance going on, bringing back the honesty and camaraderie that drove kids to the pop-punk scene in the first place. Four Year Strong is poised to be the poster boys for this movement. With songs like "One Step at a Time" and "Tonight We Feel Alive (On a Saturday)" bringing the emotional sides of the band out, and singles "Wasting Time (Eternal Summer)" and "It Must Really Suck to be Four Year Strong Right Now" begging to be screamed by crowds, there's something for everyone here, and surely FYS will be bringing the pain at their shows for years to come thanks to this release.
Motion City Soundtrack- My Dinosaur Life: After their last release Even if it Kills Me created a line in the sand for fans, MCS decided (maybe not intentionally) to go back to their old days, and have written what could be their best album to date. Justin Pierre once again gives fans front-row seats to the battle he continues to fight with his demons, providing some of his most personal lyrics (as seen on "Disappear"), while the band continues to push its musical boundaries as well. My Dinosaur Life takes a turn for the dark side, which may be too great a change of pace for some fans still stuck on songs like "LG FUAD," but any fan that is willing to take the ride through this album, its highs, lows, and everything in between, will be all the better for it, and will be introduced to one of the best albums of the year.
The Audition- Great Danger: After their raucous Controversy Loves Company, The Audition have been struggling to create an album that lived up to the promise they showed on their debut. They may have surpassed anything they've ever done on Great Danger. It's the perfect soundtrack to heartbreak, yet it still keeps with the band's knack to write the catchiest hooks this side of the Mississippi. Though many will dismiss The Audition as a regular old pop/rock band (see: me), the effort and emotion put forth on this album (prime examples being "Honest Mistake" and "The Art of Living") to make anyone jump onto The Audition's bandwagon.
Minus the Bear- Omni: It seems that every year, a band I don't typically listen to releases an album that I love and it makes me wonder why I never gave the band a chance sooner. This year, Omni is that record. It's a funky, sexy good time, and you don't ever want it to stop. Opener "My Time" is a great track to play with the windows down, while "Secret Country" is among many others that show the precise and creative musicianship MTB have always had. This isn't like their earlier releases, but Omni proves that change doesn't always have to be for the worse.
Emarosa-Emarosa: When Johnny Craig released a full-length solo album and the Isles and Glaciers EP before he even hinted at writing (or having any interest in) the next Emarosa, fans of the band were certainly on edge. However, with the band's self-titled effort, it's clear that Craig saved his best creative juices for the band who salvaged his career after he was booted from Dance Gavin Dance. This album may contain the best bookend songs of the year: "A Toast to Future Kids!" builds up from a slow start to explode, which makes it more than a fitting opener, while the somber, emotional "We Are Life" adds the exclamation point to an album that could push Emarosa to the next level, while possibly cementing Craig as the scene's best frontman.
Circa Survive- Blue Sky Noise: I'll never be one to deny my allegiance to Circa Survive. They are simply one of the bands that I can not get enough of. And given how many times I've played On Letting Go, I had my doubts that the follow-up to quite possibly my favorite album of all time would be an improvement. And, as usual, I was wrong. Blue Sky Noise is Circa's assertion that though he's still a key ingredient, Anthony Green is not the entire band. I can name you a part in every song that at least one member of the band other than Green simply takes over the track, and takes Circa's lyrics and vocals to a whole new stratosphere. There are simply not enough words I can currently come up with to describe this record's brilliance, but this is a good start: I'm naming Blue Sky Noise as my Album of the Year. Right now. It simply will not be topped, and if it is, then it will be something that I'll hold near and dear to my heart, right along with this one.
(Writer's Note: to ensure accuracy in the mid-year mark, albums released after July 1st were not considered for this article.)
Now that that's over with, let's look at some other aspects, starting with some of the best songs to come out this year:
Of Mice & Men- "Second & Sebring": Say what you want about Austin Carlile being the reason Attack Attack! is on the map (it's true, after all), but it seems that he found his writing niche with Of Mice, and this song is proof. It's very powerful, and Carlile holds it dear to his heart, so much in fact that when he was replaced by former Sky Eats Airplane frontman Jerry Rousch he wrote a lengthy blog requesting Rousch respect the lyrics and vocals because of how much they mean to him. Though that drama still continues, you can find solace in simply enjoying Carlile's crown jewel, which could be the best metalcore track of the year.
You, Me, and Everyone We Know- "Build Me Up, Buttercup (Cover)": Cover songs are tricky nowadays. The Punk Goes... series and metalcore covers of every Top 40 hit this year have cheapened the art substiantially, but YMAEWK have certainly broken the mold with their cover of the doo-wop hit from The Foundations. They took a song that may or may not influence the way they write, and left most of the things that made it great intact, while tweaking it enough to make it a signature track from the band. While covers are rarely done right, this is one of those cases, and a must-listen for any covers fan.
Neon Trees- "Animal"- Though mainstream pop music has gone to the kids (like Miley Cyrus or Justin Beiber, whoever she is), sometimes you hear a song on the radio that gives you some little glimmer of hope. This year's best chance at giving the mainstream a taste of real music is from a group hailing from, oddly enough, Utah. It's catchy, has an indie feel to it, but can really come in handy at your next party. And though they share a label with Ms. Beiber, you can tell there's a sense of sincerity in the Trees.
Chiodos- "Thermacare (Unreleased Demo)"- Likely the last song Chiodos recorded with Craig Owens as their lead vocalist, "Thermacare" may also be the best song the band has ever written. The chorus is as stinging as it is catchy, Owens's vocals are as strong as you'd expect them to be, and the breakdown can easily cause some damage in the pits. However, the song is a bittersweet listen, because while it is a vintage Chiodos track, it also makes the listener think that if this was the direction was going for their next album with Owens, the decision to kick him out of the band was dumber than originally thought.
Moving right along, let's take a look at what's next this year. In no order, here is the most anticipated albums for the rest of the year:
You, Me, and Everyone We Know- Some Things Don't Wash Out (Release Date: August 31): The heir apparents to the pop-punk throne release their debut full-length, celebrating their first release on Doghouse Records as well.
Valencia (Release Date: Unknown): The band opted not to tour Japan or play the Bamboozle Festival to record their follow-up to the beautiful We All Need a Reason to Believe. If their next release is anything like Believe, Valencia could become the leaders of the pop-punk revival.
Underoath (Release Date: October): The band's first album without Aaron Gillespie will surely be different, but let's face it: this has been Spencer Chamberlain's band since Define the Great Line, and their two releases with "Spee" as their main songwriter have been incredible.
My, what a year it's been. And with the list of bands who could possibly release an album before year's end including Manchester Orchestra, the revamped Chiodos and Craig Owens's new project, Senses Fail, and Hellogoodbye, I have a feeling it's only going to get better, making the construction of my Top 10 Albums list all the more difficult. But hey, that's what this is all about.
