2013 Recap: Maddy's Top Albums

   
     With all the great albums released this year, it's hard to even listen to them all, let alone rank them.  However, after lots of time and effort, I've compiled a list of my favorite albums of 2013.  While some are a solid and welcomed addition to a band's discography, others are classics-in-the-making with each listen increasing their chance of being one of my favorite albums of the decade.  Feel free to comment with what you agree with, what you don't, or which albums you think should've made this list.  Thanks to Craig's great idea: if you haven't heard of an album listed below, check out the my favorite songs listed which can also be found in the Spotify playlist at the bottom of this article.  Finally, here it is. The great music of 2013 in a nutshell:

Honorable Mentions: Stray from the Path- Anonymous, Have Mercy- The Earth Pushed Back, Lydia- Devil, Anthony Green- Young Legs, Tallhart- We are the Same

20. twenty|one|pilots- Vessel: Twenty|one|pilots cracked the code in writing music that takes what is great in multiple genres and making into cohesive material. With poppy choruses, rapped verses, dance beats, and screaming bridges, it seems as though the Ohio duo covered all their bases without any single element getting lost.  2013 brought these guys an explosion of popularity and recognition for their unique sound, which is well-deserved.  

• Key Songs: "Car Radio"; "Holding on to You"

19. A Day to Remember- Common Courtesy: In any ordinary situation, A Day to Remember would've had a tough time making an album that I would deem "okay," let alone "good."  Add in the a long and bitter legal battle with Victory Records and this record should have been the band's last stitch mess to finally just give us new material, especially after releasing the first single almost a year before Common Courtesy's debut.  But in one final plot twist in this album's dramatic story, ADTR actually came out with a career-saving album that proves they are capable overcoming even the most treacherous of obstacles.  

• Key Songs: "City of Ocala"; "Sometimes You're the Hammer, Sometimes You're the Nail"

18. Citizen- Youth: In a very similar genre as Balance and Composure, Citizen had a lot to compete with.  However, they came out swinging, giving fans the second album in the past two years.  Comparing 2013's Youth to 2012's Young States, the learning curve is ever apparent as they finally figured out their gritty sound and biting lyrics that first album couldn't quite accomplish.  Citizen is definitely improving and making a name for themselves.  Give it some time and a big tour (like The Wonder Years tour that they'll be on this Spring), this band is one to keep an eye on.

• Key Songs: "Roam the Room"; "The Night I Drove Alone"

17. Senses Fail- Renancer: Although Senses Fail did not necessarily need to reinvent themselves, Renancer makes me glad they did.  The overall heaviest album to date, this release serves as a reminder that this band still kills it even 10 years after From the Depths of Dreams.  While the sound might be heavier, the lyrics take a turn towards hope and life, an overall theme not typically associated with Senses Fail.  If that's not enough for you, Buddy Nielsen takes it a step further with the first single "Mi Amor," with the verse's vocals in Spanish. Renancer is a breathe of fresh air for Senses Fail fans, although not particularly needed but certainly appreciated.

• Key Songs: "The Path"; "Renancer"

16. The World is a Beautiful Place- Whenever, if Ever: I've been a fan of The World Is since their 2011 release Are Here to Help.  So when this highly anticipated album leaked months early, I was extremely concerned about how it would be received when officially released and whether or not it would be able to generate buzz.  However, all my worries subsided when the band and album alike got great reviews and feedback.  This album, reminiscent of the angriest of Bright Eyes' songs, attacks society's expectations and the human condition while highlighting flaw and emotion, making it apparent that both are acceptable things to have, despite others' opinions on such.

• Key Songs: "The Layers of Skin we Drag Around"; "Getting Sodas"

15. Listener- Time is a Machine: With the spoken word genre continuing to gain popularity, Listener vocalist Dan Smith remains an icon for aspiring lyricists.  Although this album does not meet up to the emotional intensity of the 2009 release Wooden Heart, Time is a Machine highlights the instrumental capabilities of the band in songs such as "Not Today" and "I Think it's Called Survival" that other albums lacked.  Overall, this album's sound is much fuller compared to their past releases, complimenting Smith's raw southern accent as opposed to being simply background noise.  With this newfound combination of building drums and guitars with the expected introspective lyrics on all things dealing with the heart and mind, Listener did not disappoint.

• Key Songs: "There are Wrecking Balls Inside Us"; "Good News First"
• This album isn't on Spotify but you can listen/ buy it here!

14. Dance Gavin Dance- Acceptance Speech: With a turbulent past with the cancer that is Johnny Craig as well as a rotating line-up that could never seem to solidify, the future of Dance Gavin Dance seemed grim.  However, the introduction of ex-Tides of Man vocalist Tilian Pearson gave new life to their dwindling career, reminding us of the talent this band hasn't been able to tap into in recent years.  Pearson's clean vocals compliment the vocals of Jon Mess so well that it's almost upsetting that Pearson only signed up to do this one album with DGD.  Therefore, once again, the future is unknown for this band.  For now, however, we can appreciate the revival of Dance Gavin Dance's career.

• Key Songs: "Acceptance Speech"; "Strawberry Swisher pt. 3"

13. The Story So Far- What You Don't See: When this album first came out, I was so disappointed and thought this would be the let down of the year.  Turns out, it was the most played album in my iTunes library this year and Transit released Young New England; it's safe to say I got a couple things wrong.  After sitting down and really listening to this album, the great aspects became much more prevalent.  This album might not have the overt angst of Under Soil and Dirt but rather recognizes gaps in self-confidence and flaws in relationships. Lyrically, Parker Cannon graduated from the cutting one-liners to a more mature explanation in song.  While it might not be the guilty pleasure that their first LP was, this release shows growth and flexibility as The Story So Far takes the pop-punk scene by storm.

• Key Songs: "Things I Can't Change"; "Stifled"

12. The Devil Wears Prada- 8:18: The Devil Wears Prada has built on every release, each one better than its predecessor, making so much progress that they won't even touch the first two LPs when playing live.  8:18 is a culmination of the strides TDWP has taken to continue changing and improving even after the success of their last two full-lengths. It seems to be common practice for metalcore bands to release a few albums that sound very similar and then slowly fade into the background.  However, the ever-evolving TDWP continues to stay relevant as 8:18 incorporates punk and screamo influences to reinvent their dark metalcore sound while others in the genre stay complacent.

• Key Songs: "8:18"; "Martyrs"

11. Moving Mountains- Moving Mountains: One of the more mellow on my list, it is bittersweet that Moving Mountains announced the indefinite hiatus after releasing such a moving album.  On one hand, we will always remember Moving Mountains as an innovative band that continuously reinventing their sound without losing their roots.  Yet, I can't help but wish we were getting another album since this one is just so good. Goodbye, Moving Mountains.  Thanks for everything.

• Key Songs: "Swing Set"; "Eastern Leaves" 

10. Touche Amore- Is Survived By. . . : Simply put, this album was exactly what Touche Amore needed.  While Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me put the band on the map and made them a post-hardcore fan favorite, the song-writing was not quite up to pare with other up-and-comers.  It seemed like every critique of that album was addressed and fixed for this one while not compromising the witty lyrics of  Jeremy Bolm.  With some songs surpassing the 3-minute mark and  building to tell a story instead hitting you with one line here or there, Touche Amore figured out what set them a part from other post-hardcore bands and ripped it into pieces.  If this is the difference two years makes in song-writing and album development, these guys have a ton of potential up their sleeves.

• Key Songs: "DNA"; "Is Survived By"

 9.  Silverstein- This is How the Wind Shifts: For an album that I wasn't particularly excited for, this was a pleasant surprise.  After the release of Discovering the Waterfront in 2005, a staple album for any post-hardcore fan, Silverstein failed to impress with several lackluster albums.  However, it was in 2013 that Silverstein got their act together to create yet another incredible post-hardcore album to remind us why we fell in love with them in the first place.  Dropping the poppy and cheesy melodies for their old edgier sound, the band refused to stay in the funk the last couple years has brought them.

• Key Songs: "Massachusetts"; "In a Place of Solace"

 8.  Jimmy Eat World: Damaged: A very solid addition to Jimmy Eat World's discography, Damaged left many fans content after waiting a couple years for a new album.  While it might not be as influential as Futures, the band still displayed the straight forward lyrics and melodies that illustrate the pains and thoughts that accompany any breakup.  However, in a scene with many teens and young adults taking over, it's almost a breath of fresh air to get the adult perspective of a breakup, with wisdom and maturity that this music often lacks.

• Key Songs: "I Will Steal You Back"; "Appreciation"

7.  letlive.- The Blackest Beautiful: The biggest complaint I've heard about this album is the production quality.  But hey, rock and roll, dude. In a time where bands pumps tons of money into production just to create a clear-sounding crappy album, I appreciate albums like these- with all the energy put into great music by a great band.  To combat any complaints about the overall quality of the sound, just see these guys live and you won't have anything to say about it.  Extremely dynamic and bursting at the seams with energy, they had the best set at Warped Tour this year, with Jason Aalon Butler ending up in a tree by the middle of the set.

• Key Songs: "Banshee-Ghost Frame"; "That Fear Fever"

6.  The Front Bottoms- Talon of the Hawk: As one of my most anticipated of the year, The Front Bottoms somehow exceeded expectation.  Without losing the quirkiness of the self-titled album, the band upgraded to a fuller sound that brought their songs to the next level.   Vocalist Brian Sella and drummer Matt Uychich keep the energy up while still addressing heavy topics, exemplified in "Lonestar" which addresses an unplanned pregnancy.  The growth of The Front Bottoms is just as apparent live.  In just a short year, they've sold out several venues during what seems like constant touring, controlling the stage and playing one of the most entertaining sets I've ever seen, playing almost their entire discography in a two hour set.  2013 was very good to The Front Bottoms and from the looks of it, 2014 will be even better.

• Key Songs: "Twin-Sized Mattress"; "Funny You Should Ask"

5.  Defeater- Letters Home: This is hands-down the best hardcore album of the year and it's not even close.  It really bums me out that this album did not get as much attention as it should have but it's time to give credit where credit is due.  Letters Home follows a family during World War II and as the title suggests, is centered around letters and post-cards between family members.  Although Defeater does an excellent job of making the album a unified story, vocalist Derek Archambault hits hard with catchy one-liners that will stay in your head for days, such as the hook in the album opener "Bastards," saying "And still all I see is the bastard in me." The rest of the album follows suite as the dark lyrics with heavy-hitting instrumentals that will knock the wind out of you.  If you are like many and have overlooked the album or simply forgot to listen to it, I wouldn't wait any longer.  It is no easy task to create an album better than Empty Days and Sleepless Nights but somehow, Defeater continues to progress and outdo themselves.

• Key Songs: "Bastards"; "Hopeless Again" (really just listen to the entire thing)

4.  The Dangerous Summer- Golden Record: The Dangerous Summer is something special, mostly because they've yet to write an album that I haven't wholeheartedly loved.  At Keep Calm and Carry On, we rank the three TDS albums from best to third best because we refuse to label any of their albums as the "worst album."  The band has found the secret to write catchy music with substance through instrumentals that compliment the building lyrics that tear the heart apart.

• Key Songs: "Catholic Girls"; "Into the Comfort"

3.  The Wonder Years- The Greatest Generation: From a band that created Suburbia, also known as one of the best pop-punk albums written to date, I'm not sure anyone expected The Wonder Years to write an album that could match it, let alone write an album that's better.  But 2013 was a wacky year and they did just that.  As the band grows up, so do the albums as TWY gives us the third chapter of their book on tackling adulthood.  Addressing issues from teen parenting ("Teenage Parents") to loved ones with illness ("Dismantling Summer") to dealing with life itself ("A Raindance in Traffic"), this album focuses on problems bigger than teen angst and the stereotypical pop-punk struggle of trying to leave this town.  With their original fan base growing up as well, this could not come at a better time to hold on to old fans while grabbing the attention of new fans as well.  This album proves The Wonder Years matured from a group of pop-punk teenagers with small town problems to adults who view the troubled world with a keen eye, giving words to situations that leave most speechless.

• Key Songs: "There, There"; "Dismantling Summer"

2.  Balance and Composure- Things We Think We're Missing: Through reading other's Top Albums of 2013 lists, there seems to be a general consensus: no one knows why they like Balance and Composure so much but they just do and they don't fight it. The grunge influences and lingering melodies of B&C were perfected in this album, filling in the gaps in cohesive sound present in Separation. Upon the initial listen, I actually got goosebumps as this album really hits you in the gut, although I still cannot clearly explain why.  It's an absolutely stellar album by a band that is making strides to be one of the best in the scene.

• Key Songs: "Reflection"; "Notice Me"

1.  Fall Out Boy- Save Rock and Roll: With a reunion and an amazing album, 2013 was the year of Fall Out Boy.  The album was extravagant to say the least, from the big instrumentals to over-the-top guest appearances (Elton John, seriously?!).  While it may not be solely a rock album, this is one of the best pop-influenced albums released in this decade. Opening the album with “The Phoenix,” featuring dramatic strings and drums, this anthem starts this comeback with a bang and had left us hitting the tables and screaming the lyrics in the station on numerous occasions.  From there on, the album exceeds expectations as FOB demonstrates their artistic flexibility and possibility, touching on several different sounds without missing the mark.  It’s obvious the band has evolved with the times as seen with the hip-hop influences and Big Sean feature in “The Mighty Fall” while “Young Volcanos” brings out the acousticy-pop sound Train has been trying to figure out for years.  Of course, the album closes with the mother of all songs “Save Rock and Roll,” accentuating Patrick Stump’s beautiful lyrics and vocals, not to mention the one and only Elton John is featured on this track.  They aren’t legends for nothing.  While it might not be another “Take this to your Grave,” Fall Out Boy has outdone themselves, keeping things interesting, relevant, and as extraordinary as ever.

• Key Songs: "The Phoenix"; "Where did the Party Go"

Donald's Top 10 Albums of All Time

Greetings, friends. After a brief yet memorable stint over at propertyofzack.com, an opportunity I will forever be grateful for, the prodigal son has returned. In a move I can only see as punishment for leaving, Craig and Madison have doted upon me this dubious task of listing and talking about my favorite 10 albums of all time. This list is essentially impossible and practically pointless to make. What I mean by that is this: music is always evolving and changing. Therefore, if the music itself changes, the way we listen to it changes, the way we interpret it changes. Bands come and go, albums fade in and out of our lives at certain times, and we even forget about how great some of them are at times. That being said, the ten albums that comprise the list you are about to (hopefully) sift through have each provided a spark or emotion in me that few things in life (let alone other albums) ever have. It's a testament to the power of music, and the individuality that we bring in to the listening experience. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it; here are the 10 best albums of all-time, according to this one person.

10. Coheed & Cambria - Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Vol. 1: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness: Coheed & Cambria are a band that I accidentally fell in love with. After hearing Claudio Sanchez's high-pitched delivery in "A Favor House Atlantic," my middle school self was a little too proud to give the band a fair chance. And then the band released "Welcome Home," the six-minute epic that took the band's career from clubs to arenas, and I realized the mistakes of my past. What makes Good Apollo 1 so great, however, is how consistent the album remains after its monster single. Tracks like "Ten Speed (Of God's Blood and Burial)" and "The Suffering" were excellent choices for follow-up singles, while the deeper cuts like "Crossing the Frame" and "Mother May I" have become gems I keep coming back to after all these years. Throw in the Willing Well series, a four-song set at the end of the album, with every song clocking in over seven minutes long, and it becomes clear by the end of this album that Coheed & Cambria are some of the most intelligent, talented, and forward-thinking bands in rock music.

9. The Dangerous Summer - Reach for the Sun: While the debate can certainly be had that this isn't even The Dangerous Summer's best albums (and it could very well be their worst), Reach for the Sun secures a spot here thanks to AJ Perdomo's youthful energy, mixed with his introspective lyrics and the fabulous drumming by Tyler Minsberg. Leadoff track "Where I Want to Be" and ender "Never Feel Alone" bookend the album perfectly, but it's the gripping, powerful tracks like "Surfaced," "Northern Lights," and "Weathered" that set Reach for the Sun far above so many other albums.

8. Motion City Soundtrack - Commit This to Memory: They were quirky, catchy, unique, and relatable. In other words, Motion City Soundtrack were just too easy to like. With such huge choruses like the ones found on "Everything is Alright," "When 'You're' Around," or "Resolution" mixed in with the dark, self-loathing lyrics on "Time Turned Fragile," "L.G. Fuad," and "Hold Me Down," the band set themselves up for a long and rewarding career, but the highs they reached on Commit This to Memory have yet to be topped.

7. Underoath - Define the Great Line: Screamo music nearly reached the mainstream in the early 2000s, thanks in large part to the melody and sheer force behind Underoath's (They're Only Chasing Safety). But when the band came back with Define the Great Line, they went from the next big thing in the scene to its undisputed champion. Now fully immersed in the songwriting process, Spencer Chamberlain wears his demons on his sleeve, and it pays huge dividends in "You're Ever So Inviting" and "In Regards to Myself." Aaron Gillespie's clean vocals supplement Chamberlain's screams stupendously, especially seen on lead single "Writing on the Walls" and "There Could be Nothing After This." After synths powered many of the Chasing Safety tracks, Chris Dudley opted for a more subtle effect on the tracks, providing atmospheric tones for the evolution of lead guitarist Tim McTague to take the spotlight. This album was the perfect storm for Underoath, catapulting them from the Main Stage of Warped Tour to a top 5 debut and gold-selling album that still is yet to be topped in metalcore (except maybe by Underoath's other albums, of course).

6. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: In 2010, Kanye West's popularity was still reeling over the whole Taylor Swift "I'mma let you finish..." fiasco. So what did Kanye West do about it? What Kanye West always does about it: use his turmoil with critics, paparazzi, and the American public to fuel his passionate drive towards hip-hop perfection. On Twisted Fantasy, he gave us what may ultimately end up being his most revered masterpiece of his illustrious and controversial career. An album whose lead single is a full 9 minutes long, features a comedy bit from an over-the-hill Chris Rock, and features that include RZA, La Roux, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, and a rap verse from Fergie (I'm still trying to wrap my head around that), and it all comes together masterfully thanks to the mad scientist behind it. I've always been a fan of hip-hop and headcases, and no one person puts both of those things together as spectacularly as Kanye West.

5. Transit - Listen and Forgive: The pop-punk Renaissance that occurred in 2011 was no small feat: it gave us albums from bands like Fireworks, The Wonder Years, and Into It. Over It. that changed the way everyone saw the genre and shattered any pre-conceived notions about how powerful the songs could be. That buzz swelled into a perfect storm for Transit, who used their early 2000s emo leanings to create Listen & Forgive, an emotional force that created an immense amount of buzz around the band. Paced by catchy single "Long Lost Friends" and cemented in fans' hearts with soul-crushers like "Skipping Stone" and "Over Your Head," Listen and Forgive has cemented itself as an album with lasting impact for years to come.

4. Jimmy Eat World - Futures: Jimmy Eat World had literally just saved their career with Bleed American, thanks to the unexpected success of "The Middle." So what did they do for a follow-up? Make their best album ever, of course! While there is a legitimate argument to be made for Clarity, Futures makes this list for me because it took the energy and emotion from Clarity, and combined it with a stellar piece of production by the acclaimed Gil Norton. Plain and simple: on Futures, Jimmy Eat World sounded like the biggest and best rock band in the world, and they had the talent, drive, and creativity to pull it off. Don't believe me? Take a listen to "23" and try to tell me that song isn't perfect.

3. The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten: Coming off of a bit of a letdown in terms of how American Slang was received, The Gaslight Anthem recorded with Brendan O' Brien, and ended up at least starting the conversation amongst fans as to which album was better: The '59 Sound or Handwritten. Obviously, you know which side I'm on by now. To me, Handwritten was chosen because of the gigantic, arena-ready feel to the album. With so many anthemic choruses (like the ones on "45," "Handrwitten," "Mulhollan Drive," and "Mae") and just enough allusions to the band's sweaty basement show roots (the dynamic 1-2 punch of "Howl" and "Biloxi Parish"), there's something for every Gaslight Anthem fan here, and maybe even more. On The '59 Sound, we saw how big The Gaslight Anthem had the potential to become, and on Handwritten, they became that band.

2. Circa Survive - Blue Sky Noise: Circa Survive have been my favorite band since I was 16 years old, and this is my favorite album from them. The major-label jump they made on Blue Sky Noise added a certain flair to the songs, and the progressive-minded band benefitted greatly from adding a little more structure to their sound, which allowed frontman Anthony Green to shine while his bandmates created the band's most talented effort to date. Thanks to the chaos of "Get Out" and Glass Arrows," the melodic excellence of "Imaginary Enemy" and "Through the Desert Alone," and the pure unadulterated creativity of "Fever Dreams" and the instrumental track "Compendium," Circa Survive put it all together for an effort that only a band with their unique set of skills could create.

1. Brand New - The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me: From the time we heard about the scrapped Fight Off Your Demons demos, we knew Brand New was onto something big. But somehow, the band found a way to shatter any and all expectations, and exceed them in unimaginable ways. Dark, heavy, and profound, The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me is the rare album that followed up a classic (Deja Entendu) and was so good it makes the classic that came before it seem like a child made it. Jesse Lacey was revered before The Devil and God, but after this album came out, he was officially a cult hero. But when you pen a track like "Sowing Season (Yeah)," that's to be expected. What's more impressive, however, is how the album carries you through its long-ish runtime effortlessly. Tracks like "Degausser," "Jesus," "Luca," and "You Won't Know" all cross the 5-minute threshold, but the songs take such a hold over you that it feels like no time has passed at all. Throw in the 7-minute epic "Limousine" and the fast-paced "Not the Sun" and "Archers," and you have an album the spans a spectrum very few other bands would even dare to attempt, but Brand New were able to perfect. It simply doesn't get any better than The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me, and I have serious doubts anything will ever top it in my lifetime.

And in a flash, my Top 10 Albums of All-Time is complete. This list is so difficult to make, and there are so many albums that could have been here, and I'm sure there are even ones I've forgotten about. What did I leave off? What did I rate too high or too low? Leave your thoughts in the comments, and let's get a conversation going.

Maddy's Top 10 Albums of All-Time

             

     When I was ten or eleven years old, I started listening to the albums my older brother liked.  Nine years later, I haven't been able to step away from music he unknowingly got me into.  I was lucky enough to be totally immersed in this genre when some of the greatest albums burst into the scene.  Several of my favorite albums have been a staple in my music library growing up and have yet to lose their luster.  Others, however, had such an impact after their releases only a few years ago that they couldn’t be ignored when making this list.  After lots of thinking, re-ranking, and rewriting, here is my list of my favorite albums of all time.

First off, some honorable mentions: Title Fight- Floral Green (2012); Bayside- Bayside (2005); Chiodos- All's Well That Ends Well (2005)


10.  Modest Mouse- We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (2007): It’s not easy to make a fun album to chill out to rather than dance along with.  Big thanks to Modest Mouse for not only accomplishing this feat, but for the album being really freakin’ good on top of it all.  Quirky yet relatable, Modest Mouse couldn’t be kept out of my top ten. 

 9.  Atmosphere- God Loves Ugly (2002): It didn’t take long for my list to get weird, huh?  But in all honesty, Atmosphere is simply incredible and you have to appreciate the music whether it’s your scene or not.  The beats are unique and even when other rappers try to recreate the sound, they just can’t pull it off as well.  Plus, this shows the impact my friends from back home in North Jersey have had on my taste in music.  These kids appreciate straight-up good music without remaining within the boundaries of any genre.  Gotta respect that.

 8.  Senses Fail- Let it Enfold You (2004): This album just doesn’t get old.  It actually freaks me out that it's almost 10 years old because it forces me to realize just how quickly time passes.  It has some of my favorite Senses Fail songs and I still listen to the album in full several times a month.  It’s just one of those staple albums that I can’t seem to shake through all these years.  I’ll also always have a place for NJ bands in my heart and Senses Fail holds thar top spot.

 7.  Fall Out Boy- Take This To Your Grave (2003):  It’s the album that started it all.  At one point, Fall Out Boy was the emo band that made all the girls love guys wearing skinny jeans and straightened hair.  Although the band has since grown up, broken up, come back together, and dropped their punk sound for a pop influence, you have to pay homage to the album that jumpstarted FOB’s career.  Out of their entire discography, this album has the strongest collective set of songs and hasn’t lost its charm with age.

 6.  Balance and Composure- Separation (2011):  Balance and Composure just gets it.  This album is their first LP and from lyrics to instrumentals to overall vibe, they got it so right.  Give it some time and this album will probably move up a couple spots on this list.  It might even be replaced by their sophomore LP The Things We Think We’re Missing, which was released earlier this year.  I can’t wait to see where these guys go and what they have in store.  As far as I’m concerned, they are THE band to watch as they are only beginning to tap into their artistic abilities, with both full lengths being the one of the best releases of the year.

 5.  Taking Back Sunday- Louder Now (2006):  Talk about a classic.  The loud drums and heavy guitars make this the ultimate album for the angsty middle schooler (aka me circa 2006).  Just like so many albums on the list, it has withheld the test of time and the songs continue to make you bang your head and sing along.  It’s widespread popularity makes it an old favorite for many, which I learned after I put it on at a party and had a whole bunch of girls screaming the lyrics along with me.  This album may not hit a deep emotional chord like other albums on this list but man, does it make you want to dance.

 4.  The Dangerous Summer- Reach for the Sun (2009):  The Dangerous Summer has never disappointed me.  From the release of this album to their most current release Golden Record, the band proved their consistency over the years, continuing to reinvent themselves without losing the sound that I feel in love with as a freshman in high school.  Needless to say, Reach for the Sun started it all.  

3.  Listener- Wooden Heart (2010):  I really wish more people knew about this album.  Although I am already a big proponent of spoken word, Dan Smith’s “talk music,” as he calls it, bring it do a new level.  Forget some of the more well-known, overproduced stuff in the genre that gets more media attention.  Smith makes no effort to hide his rough southern accent, immediately setting Listener apart from the typical band in this genre.  Brutally honest and raw, Dan Smith’s lyrics come straight from the heart and makes the title-track of this album my absolute favorite song of all-time. Woah.

 2.  Brand New- The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me (2006):  Dude, it’s Brand New.  That should be all I have to say.  This album and my top album are nearly equally my favorites because they are both the perfect band making the perfect album.  There is not one negative thing you can say about this album and if you do have something negative to say, you’re probably wrong.  I went there.

 1. Circa Survive- Blue Sky Noise (2010): In my eyes, Anthony Green is the greatest artist of our generation.  Blue Sky Noise is the embodiment of Circa Survive, my favorite band, making the perfect album.  It’s not just that nothing is wrong with the album; it’s the fact that everything is so good.  From the emotional hushed moments that make you think to the booming sounds that give you goose bumps, Circa Survive hit the emotional core of what makes an album be more than music.  Besides it being Green’s best writing, the entire vibe and sound of the album is a cohesive effort between each band member to create an album that is just so right.  Listen to it yourself and you’ll understand.

Keep Calm Presents: An Interview with The Dangerous Summer

There are very few bands that ever "make it." There are even fewer who are able sustain a career in the industry, and even more difficult to not give in to the latest trends in order to stay in the limelight a little while longer. But what's most difficult of all, perhaps, is the ability to create music that truly touches and moves people. Bands who do this may not reach the top of the Billboard charts, they don't win Grammys or VMAs (as if winning one is validation for anything these days), but ask any fan of these bands, and they'll chomp at the bit to tell you how much the band has meant to them. If you've ignored the picture above and the title of this post, now's probably a good time to tell you that, for me, The Dangerous Summer are building their case as one of those kind of bands. And Keep Calm and Carry On was lucky enough to sit down with vocalist/bassist AJ Perdomo and guitarist Cody Payne before they played at the College of New Jersey to talk about where the band is at, where they're going, and where they've come from.

Keep Calm: You're listening to 91.3FM WTSR, on the campus of The College of New Jersey, this is Donald Wagenblast, host of Keep Calm and Carry On, and right now, I'm with AJ Perdomo and Cody Payne from The Dangerous Summer, right before their CUBRat show . Guys, how are you doing today?
AJ Perdomo: Doing good, doing good. Came here from Maryland, and we're having a good time.
KC: That's great to hear. You guys have had a really busy 2012, tour-wise. You guys have been all over the globe: Australia, England, how's that been for you?
AJP: It's been awesome, this has been one of our big years. It's the first year we got to Australia. We did Warped Tour last year, so this was kind of the "next year," the follow-up. Honestly, we had a busy year. We're kind of winding down, stopping to do the new album. We've got to stop touring at some point to start working on it. We're writing the new album, and just playing a few shows. This was an "off-show" that we came up here to do real quick.
KC: Are you guys getting tired at all?
AJP: No, we'll never get tired of it.
Cody Payne: I'd prefer to be on tour, honestly.
KC: Really?
CP: Yeah. Studio time is when I get the most stressed out.

KC: You guys were talking about the new album. For a lot of people, I think the big question whenever you guys go in or out of the studio, is Tyler Minsberg's role. He's been in and out of school. What do you guys consider his role in the band to be right now?
CP: I mean, we leave the doors open. We don't consider him an ex-member. If he was ever like, "Alright, let's go on tour," for sure, he would be the drummer. But we respect the fact that he has other things to do, school, and a job.
AJP: He's done a few tours since he's had to go back.
KC: He did Warped Tour with you guys, I believe, right?
AJP: Yeah, he does whatever he can do. We still chill with him whenever, you know. It's nothing bad. Everyone thinks that.
KC: That's usually the pre-conceived notion, that something happened in the band. That's good to hear.
AJP: Oh yeah, definitely.

KC: You guys posted on your Facebook page a couple of weeks ago a sort of "Progress Report," where you guys detailed your tours upcoming, your releases, and other things you were planning on. What was the significance of doing that? We don't really see that from a lot of bands, giving these full-fledged reports.
CP: I just think sometimes people start wondering, and they're like, "Is this band still together? They haven't played a show in a while, they haven't posted anything." I think the more you stay consistent and have something for people to get stoked about. It's just a good thing to keep the progress there, and keep people talking and interested.
AJP: People always wonder what we're doing.  We're just writing, and playing shows.
CP: And we used to be a lot worse about updating, and posting, and doing videos, and all of that, so we're trying to get more with the fans.

KC: In that "Progress Report," you talked about--and AJ, you had just mentioned it as well, that you guys are working on a new album. Where are we in the stages of that?
CP: Early, pretty much.
AJP: Yeah, early. Lots of ideas. We just got to start pumping it out. We're just finally stopping touring. Our headlining tour stopped, like, a month ago. This is just, you know, we're back here, doing a few shows until our tour in December. We're just writing, and filling in spots with shows here and there.
KC: You also touched on the release of your upcoming DVD that's seen its share of backtracks. What's the status of that? 
CP: It's been filmed. We had our friend Josh come out for the whole summer. He filmed every show, and we had, like, five terabytes full of video. Right now, it's just a ton of video to go through.
AJP: Yeah, so he's making right now. It's being put together, it's just a slow process.
CP: We're hoping sometime this year, but I really have no idea.  It's up to him, and our label.
KC: So what can we expect from that? Will it be live performances?
CP: Honestly, I don't know. There's...everything.
AJP: Pretty much everything on our tour. We've even had footage from the past two years that we managed to have. At one point, stuff got stolen, and we lost a lot. We had a bunch, still. We just want to release, "What is The Dangerous Summer?" We don't know what it's going to look like yet, it's still in the editing stages. So we'll see.
KC: Are you scared at the idea of juggling the finishing of the DVD with writing your new album? Have you been able to separate the two?
AJP: We don't really do anything now, we did our part. We did a bunch of interviews, we contributed, and we did as much as we could. Now it's in the making, you know? We're not the ones making it, we have our director.
CP: Yeah, we'll see some rough edits, make some critiques on it, and send it back and forth.

KC: All of this is in support of your album War Paint. It turned a year old this summer. Looking back on it now, how do you think War Paint has been received, overall?
AJP: Good. I'm happy. Actually, as time goes on, I feel like people are turning to that album more  than Reach for the Sun. Not that I think Reach for the Sun deserves any less credit, but people are picking their favorites. Lots of people are actually going to War Paint and saying, "this is the album I relate to." We've been playing it on tour, and it feels good to finally play the songs. We've done a whole touring cycle out of that album. People have been singing along, having a great time.
KC: How would guys compare the recording and the writing process of War Paint to recording and writing Reach for the Sun? 
CP: I'd say, recording-wise, I think the sound of War Paint is a lot better. There's still songs off of Reach for the Sun, that it kind of surprises me that we wrote that at that time in our life, but I like them both equally.
AJP: Yeah, I think the one thing that's different about it is with Reach for the Sun, we were a new band. Now, it's like, we were a little more established, and writing songs for an audience, finally. I think that was a lot different. It was just stressful to have an album out and under your belt. I think the third album will be easier than both of them, because we've reached past a certain point. We're a little bit better at writing.
KC: You said you guys were a new band, I think a lot of the appeal of War Paint was how you guys were going to back up Reach for the Sun. It was an album that you guys performed front to back on a tour; did either of you feel any pressure going into that album? 
AJP: Oh, yeah.
CP: Oh, tons. I mean, I feel pressure even this time around. Any time something is well-received, it's like, your next thing has to at least match that, or else it's a little disappointing.
AJP:  I always think the band has to make their newest album the best album. I think it's always going to be, you know, scared to death of not living up to that.
KC: And do you think you guys did that? 
AJP: Yeah. I like it. I like it a lot, so I'm happy. It's up to the fans, really.

KC: I was listening through War Paint the other day, and, compared to Reach for the Sun, there were a couple of songs on Reach for the Sun that had profanity, but War Paint was 100% clean. Was that done on purpose?
AJP: Yeah, actually. We made the decision to not use it. I think profanity is a fine thing, it can be used as a good tool, but abuse it, and it's worthless. I think we made the decision to not have any profanity just to open up our sound so anyone can listen to it. I don't know what the next album is going to be like, but we definitely did make a conscious decision on that.

KC: You guys also posted something on Facebook a couple of weeks ago: it's your sixth year as a band. Looking back on that, I'm assuming you started this band in hopes you would get to this point where people would be talking about how you've been a band for six years. How does it feel to finally get to this point where it seems like you're here to stay?
AJP: It definitely feels good. We definitely feel the effects of being an established band. But you're always hungry for more. Back then, we were looking up here, and now we're looking even higher. We're stepping up that ladder. It's hard to look back and say we've made it. We have a lot to accomplish. We have lots going on, and lots that we're looking forward to.

Keep Calm and Carry On would like to thank AJ and Cody for taking the time to sit down with us, and special thanks to Brian and Katie from CUBRat for helping to make this possible. Be sure to check out The Dangerous Summer on Facebook and Twitter to keep track of all they're up to!

Long Time Coming: The Best Albums of 2011

After a long hiatus, its good to be back: welcome to the new, revamped "Keep Calm and Carry On" blog! To save the cheesy re-introductions, let's just state the obvious one more time: 2011 was a great year for music. Huge release after monster single after bar-setting debut after stunning music video after genre-defining album, and all that was left for me to do was somehow make a list of the best albums of the year. Here is my best attempt at said list, and the 15 albums that will define 2011 (according to Keep Calm and Carry On, at least) are:

Recommendation for the Week, 8/29-9/4

It's been far too long since anything was posted on here, and there was good reason for that. In an attempt to keep to a more strict writing schedule, I have decided to begin posting a weekly theme of every week, be it a mood, artist, album, or anything else I can think of. The most exciting part of all of this, at least to me, is that I will be running these updates in conjunction with the dayside radio show I will be hosting on 91.3FM (WTSR) this college semester. The show will run from 3-5PM on Wednesdays, and you can listen by going to the station's website and clicking on the "Listen Live!" button on the top right of the page.

Now that we have all that self-promotion out of the way, let's get this shindig started. In celebration of the end of summer (not really something to celebrate, I know), this week's recommendation is all about the end of summer: the sun setting on a carefree season, the painful goodbyes as you return to school, and of course, the flings that give the summer its heat. To help set the mood, whether you're setting up your dorm room for the first time, finishing that summer work you put off until the last possible minute (again), or just saying goodbye to the summer months, here are a few albums (and artists) to take you right back to your fondest summer memories:

The Dangerous Summer- Reach for the Sun

Easily one of the better parts of the summer is the breathtaking sunsets that seem to get better and better as the season progresses. There's something about that swirl of reds, oranges, and yellows that invoke a sense of self-examination. And if that idea proves true, The Dangerous Summer's AJ Perdomo took it and ran with it on the band's debut full-length, Reach for the Sun. With catchy, upbeat hits like "Where I Want to Be" and "Settle Down" to the emotional outpours Perdomo displays on tracks like "Weathered" and "Never Feel Alone," RFTS has the perfect song for any mood for your much-needed "me time."
Key Track: "Never Feel Alone"


All Time Low-So Wrong, It's Right
Let's be honest: summer time is almost directly synonymous with party time. And there is no better band to write the perfect "it's summer, let's have a good time" song than All Time Low. So Wrong is so right in the summer time, thanks to its undeniably catchy verses and an overall carefree, enjoyable attitude throughout the album. Songs like "Six Feet Under the Stars" and "The Beach" are straight-up party tunes, while it's nearly impossible not to sing the chorus to "Dear Maria, Count Me In." Throw in ATL's undying, underaged legion of fans, and kids will be putting songs from So Wrong, It's Right for many years to come.
Key Track: "The Beach"


Sparks the Rescue- Eyes to the Sun
When you think of the summer, you almost simultaneously think of beaches. A few states that come to mind when beaches are mentioned include Florida, Hawaii, California, and, thanks to MTV, New Jersey. In addition, I doubt anyone's list of the top beaches in America would include Maine. However, Sparks the Rescue prove that just because you hail from the country's northern-most contigous state doesn't mean you don't have anything to do in the summer, and Eyes to the Sun is their testament to that (just look at that gorgeous album cover). Eyes is very similar to The Dangerous Summer in that it speaks to a myriad of different emotions one goes through, but STR rely more on catchy hooks (see "We Love Like Vampires" and "Hello Mexico" for proof), while TDS rely on raw emotion. That's not to say that Sparks can't bring the emotion into it though, as the band shows in "Skeleton" and "Autumn." And while it's probably started snowing in Maine already, Eyes to the Sun is the perfect testament that so long as you're having a good time, it doesn't matter where you are.
Key Track: "Hello Mexico"


New Found Glory- Entire Discography
Since the first three bands mentioned were all relatively new bands (All Time Low has been a band the longest, at around five years), it's time to unlock the vault and bring out some legends of pop-punk to show the newcomers how its done. Quite simply, there is no better band to do that than southern Florida natives New Found Glory, who know a thing or two about the summer heat. Throughout the band's illustrious, two-decade spanning career, they've created anthem after anthem for your summer mix in your car. Whether it's the jams to celebrate the best of friendships ("My Friends Over You"), the worst of break-ups ("All Downhill From Here"), the summer flings ("I Don't Wanna Know"), and of course, seeing that special someone after time away ("Coming Home"). New Found Glory have been a mainstay in pop-punk for more than a decade now, and thankfully, they seem to show no signs of slowing, with a new album due out just in time for next summer.
Key Track: "My Friends Over You"

That'll about do it for this week's installment, and now it's your turn? What did I leave out? Who did I miss? Who were you listening to more than anything this summer? Leave it in the comments, I'd love to hear from you.