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.

It's All in Your Goodbyes: A farewell to Underoath

Band break-ups are inevitable. In-fighting, member changes, or something as simple as growing older and having your priorities change has taken its toll on even the world's biggest bands. The truth is, the only guarantee in music is that the bands you love will eventually break up, go on hiatus, fade out, etc. However, music is a personal connection unlike any other, where favorites are not only selected, but worshiped, obsessed over, and immortalized by their fans. While music is cyclical, with bands, musicians, and ideas being recycled, re-imagined, and diluted year in and year out, there is no denying that certain bands do it better, louder, and differently than anyone before them had ever done. And the world lost one of those bands this week.

Underoath began as a deeply religious metal band in the late 1990s in Tampa, Florida. With Dallas Taylor at the helm as the band's main vocalist and songwriter, the band gained a modest following with their releases Act of Depression and Cries of the Past. The band began to really build momentum when they signed to Solid State Records and released Changing of Times, featuring the hit single "When the Sun Sleeps." However, just before finishing up a stint on Warped Tour and the recording of what was to be their follow-up to Times. Amid rumors of a potential break-up and/or name change, the band emerged from a shroud of doubt with Spencer Chamberlain as their new lead vocalist, and a genre-defining album in (They're Only Chasing Safety). Safety wasn't too far a departure from Times, but showed that the band were progressing at a rate no one could imagine, with hits like "A Boy Brush Red Living in Black and White" and "It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door" being played in front of thousands of screaming fans the band had inspired. The progression continued on Define the Great Line, an album that showed Chamberlain's full range and songwriting ability. The songs were darker, heavier, and better. However, constant head-butting between band members led to a less than amicable departure from Warped Tour in 2006 left the band, once again, surrounded in doubt for their future. However, the band emerged once again with a new focus, and an even bigger, heavier sound on Lost in the Sound of Separation. Featuring songs that focused on Chamberlain's battles with drug addiction and the drama that nearly ended the band, Separation was the band's most personal album yet, but it didn't come without its drawbacks. After supporting the album, it was announced that Aaron Gillespie, the band's drummer/vocalist and the lone remaining original member of the band, was leaving to pursue his solo material. The band enlisted former Norma Jean drummer Daniel Davison, and announced that Spencer Chamberlain would now handle all vocals from the band. The result of this was (Disambiguation), the band's most diverse and talented work. Which leads us to where we are now, in the aftermath of the band announcing its break up.

It's easy to talk about what Underoath has done. It will be far more difficult to gauge the impact the band has had on their fans, the scene, and themselves. If your new favorite band has swoopy haircuts, they're probably ripping off of Underoath's swoopy hair cuts from the days of Chasing Safety. You think today's screamo bands implementing electronic elements to their blend of post-hardcore? Underoath wrote the book. Your favorite band was on an MTV show? Underoath was nominated for a Grammy. Your favorite band had a singer whose issues with alcohol got him booted from the band? Underoath had those, but instead of kicking him out, they nurtured him back to good health, and thanks to their faith in Chamberlain, his lyrics and vocals only improved, and the band soared into the throne of post-hardcore. In a scene where every metalcore band overused the same breakdowns and lyrical themes, Underoath pushed the boundaries with every move they made, being defined by their ability to be creative and progressive rather than their ability to regurgitate the same album twice (or more). In a scene that challenges fans to hate those around them, Underoath sought to help their listeners love themselves, never stooping to profanity-laced lyrics of revenge or hatred, and rather focusing on acceptance and maturing. In a scene where some bands used their Christianity as a ploy for popularity, Underoath used their faith to inspire others not to conform, but to think, and analyze. The band never let their personal issues define them; they used them for inspiration, and became an inspiration for those looking for something to hold onto when things around them were falling apart.

It's true that every band's day will come. But with Underoath announcing that after 13 years of changing the game, I can't help but feel torn. At one end, I'm upset that the band have ended what will likely be a genre-defining career, but on the other hand, it's difficult to see what else the band had left to do. They've inspired and brought hope to millions of fans across the world, turned in two gold-selling albums, two deluxe re-releases of albums, countless hours of bonus live footage, and paved the way for bands like The Devil Wears Prada, Oh, Sleeper, letlive., and countless others to make a name for themselves. Of course, we'll miss the band: Chamberlain's constantly self-examing lyrics, the atmosphere created by keyboardist/mixer/producer Chris Dudley's visual setup in the band's life setting, and his energy onstage, the guitar tandem of Timmy McTague and James Smith that helped power Chamberlain's lyrics into the hearts and souls of fans, the basslines Grant Brandell pummeled into the speakers, headphones, and PA systems, and Davison's drumming, which looked to be a welcome addition to the band. But we'll still have (They're Only Chasing Safety)'s melodic anthems, the powerful, inspiring Define the Great Line, the explosive Lost in the Sound of Separation, and the evolution through experimentation that is Disambiguation. Underoath are icons. Underoath are an inspiration. But most of all, Underoath are one of the bands that changed my life. And so, to Spencer, Chris, Grant, Tim, James, Daniel, Aaron, the band's label, management, crew, and fans, thank you for being one of the biggest parts in my life since I was fifteen years old.

Love,
Donald.

Release spotlight: November 9, 2010

There are very few bands in the post-hardcore scene that have had such a lasting impact after such a short career like The Receiving End of Sirens have. Releasing one EP and two full-lengths, the band saw its run come to an end in thrilling fashion in 2008, bringing back old members to play alongside new ones and celebrating thier career, walking off the stage with fans pleading for them not to go. Thankfully, two years later, the band reunited to play a one-off at a festival in their hometown Boston, and that reunion has brought fans the gift of having TREOS back in their lives. This is seen in the form of a re-release of their stellar debut full-length, Between the Heart and the Synapse. The band haven't committed to a full comeback (yet?), but to make up for that, this re-release is jam-packed with goodies, including a brand new song featuring all of the band's members from BTHATS and The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi, including Casey Crescenzo, who took time off from his new band The Dear Hunter to record the song. In addition, a DVD of the band's full final show (in which they played both of their albums in their entirety, and even threw in some of their early songs) is attached, which was promised by the band the same year as their break-up. As all of this wonderful new material is now available on the BTHATS re-release, it reminds us just how great of a band the Receiving End of Sirens were, and how much they are still missed.

ALSO IN STORES TODAY:
Underoath- Disambiguation
Kid Cudi- Man on the Moon Vol. 2: The Legend of Mr. Rager
Hellogoodbye- Would It Kill You?


All of these releases are highly recommended. Buy any of them? Let me know what you think!

Fall 2010 Concert Forecast

On Tuesday, a great deal of change was initiated in both my world and the world as everyone else sees it. While I began my segue into teaching America's youth for the rest of my life, the Autumnal equinox was upon us, and Fall had officially started. Over the years, the fall has stood for the beginning of school, football season, and the early Christmas for little kids, Halloween. Now, however, it means the start of Fantasy Football season, the MLB playoffs, and this year, the beginning of the best series of concerts there has been in the Philly/New Jersey area in years. No big paragraph needed here, let's get to the shows you'll find me at this fall. I'll see you there.

Valencia @ School of Rock East, South Hackensack New Jersey, October 1st
With support from Automatic Loveletter and Jersey darlings Jet Lag Jemini, Valencia will mosey into New Jersey with what is likely to be their stellar follow-up to the incredible We All Need a Reason to Believe, just days away from release. And while new gems from Dancing With a Ghost are sure to show up, it's pretty much set in stone that favorites like "The Space Between" and "Safe to Say" will line a setlist that will help to prove Valencia's underrated earnesty and determination to their craft, which is the best pop-punk we've seen since The Starting Line.

Four Year Strong @ Starlight Ballroom, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, October 3rd
Touring with hardcore legends Comeback Kid and promising newcomers The Wonder Years, Four Year Strong's "Tonight We Feel Alive! Tour" is shaping up to be a colossal night full of moshing, with Four Year Strong asserting themselves as one of the best live bands out there. The bearded Bostonians will be out in full force, as they will be making up for a show in Philadelphia earlier in the year that was cancelled due to a fire alarm going off in the venue. Their set should make up for lost time, while spinning the wonderfully-crafted Enemy of the World's standout tracks (and there are quite a few of them) to thank the fans who were shafted in the previous show.

You, Me, and Everyone We Know @ Maxwell's Bar, Hoboken NJ, October 12th
I will plug this band until they're on every iPod in the world. The blend of pop-rock they put out is honest, endearing, and catchy as you can imagine. Now, with debut full-length Some Things Don't Wash Out due out at the end of the month, You, Me, and Everyone We Know are embarking on a headlining tour to take their hard-earned shot at the spotlight to the masses. The New Jersey crowd will be raucous for the band, as the band has stated on numerous occasions that New Jersey is the place they enjoy playing the most. The night is sure to be a light-hearted affair, but has the potential to be one of the shows you'll remember going to for a very long time.

Circa Survive @ The Stone Pony, Asbury Park NJ, October 16th
Coming off a tour supporting prog-emo juggernauts Coheed and Cambria to showcase their stellar new album Blue Sky Noise, Circa Survive are finally bringing the Noise to New Jersey with a headlining tour, and what better venue than the intimate Stone Pony to display the intricate, beautiful sounds of one of the year's best albums. This is one of those tours where the support doesn't make too big a difference for me, but I'm excited to see Dredg, who could come out of nowhere and win the crowd over. Nevertheless, the show promises to provide a great time for Circa fans new and old, and not a better time will be had this year (at least by me).

A Day to Remember/Underoath @ Asbury Convention Hall, Asbury Park NJ, November 5th
Rounding out an incredible Fall concert schedule for me is the tour that has quite possibly my two most anticipated albums for the remainder of the year. Underoath will be mere days away from the release of Disambiguation, their first release without Aaron Gillespie, while A Day To Remember will release What Separates Me from You on the 16th of November. It's shocking to me that Underoath would take a spot supporting A Day to Remember rather than taking out a few of their Solid State labelmates, but the fan will ultimately benefit from this, as they get to witness a metalcore legend opening for pop-punk/hardcore legends in the making. Bring your moshing shoes, kids; it's going to be a wild night in Asbury.