HURR I GO

TOP 10 ALBUMS:

10. The Ergs!-
Upstairs/DownstairsDirtnap Records
I'm trying to figure out exactly why I like this album so much, and I can't figure it out. All it is is a collection of poppy, catchy punk songs (plus a country number) played by a bunch of bespectacled Hüsker Dü nerds. Actually, that's pretty endearing. I guess I like it because I see a bit of myself in it?

09. Nothington-
All InB.Y.O. Records
Lead singer Jay Northington's gravelly voice rings out just as loud and thrashy as the guitars on this, their debut album, lending serious muscle to a sound that borrows freely from modern punk heroes like Jawbreaker and Social Distortion. Hell, it's nothing new, but drat if it ain't fun.

08. Gogol Bordello-
Super Taranta!SideOneDummy Records
While this album's production seems a bit reined in compared to Steve Albini's aid in sonic experimentation on their previous effort, 2005's stellar
Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike, this is still another brilliant addition to the Bordello's catalog. From the lyrically clever "Supertheory of Supereverything" to the epically triumphant "Forces of Victory", this album is a blast of sheer joy right into your pants.

07. The Gaslight Anthem-
Sink or SwimXOXO Records
These Jersey boys put the well-worn strains of whiskey-soaked melodic punk through a Springsteen filter, resulting in something that sounds a bit like alt-country stars Lucero, but harder and faster. This band has the potential to be huge.

06. Explosions in the Sky-
All of a Sudden I Miss EveryoneTemporary Residence Limited
It's soaring, epic, evocative, and arresting, all in one. Another wonderfully enjoyable piece of work from these guys.


05. Chuck Ragan-
Los Feliz and
Feast or FamineSideOneDummy Records
I'm combining these two albums into one, because they don't really seem like two separate albums as much as they do two sides of the same coin. Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music explores his acoustic, folky side. The first album,
Los Feliz, is a recording of a live show in an intimate setting of Chuck and his wife Jill's own friends and family. The second,
Feast or Famine, is a more polished studio record, featuring guest performances from some of Chuck's best musical friends. Both are highly recommended.

04. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists-
Living With the LivingTouch-and-Go Records
Ted Leo knocks out another quality album, as is his wont. While most of the tracks focus on his finely honed style of exuberant indie rock songs anchored by his humble guitar heroism, Ted does make some room to stretch his legs a bit, dabbling in reggae ("The Unwanted Things"), and Fugazi-inspired post-hardcore ("Bomb. Repeat. Bomb."). This album is certainly a grower, and at the end of the day I think it might be some of his best work yet.

03. Fake Problems-
How Far Our Bodies GoSabot Productions
Fake Problems apparently took a few cues from the World/Inferno boys and girls in putting together this collection of twangy folk punk tunes, as this album is chock full of charging brass and devilish fiddles (especially on "Maestro of This Rebellious Symphony", one of the standout tracks). I think this might even rival Against Me!'s
Reinventing Axl Rose for the title of "best album in the entire genre".

02. The World/Inferno Friendship Society-
Addicted to Bad Ideas: Peter Lorre's Twentieth CenturyChunksaah Records
A concept album about the life and times of actor Peter Lorre, this album grabbed me from the overture (yes, there's an overture, and it is glorious) and didn't let go until the final waltz. The whole thing plays like some sort of bizarro musical. Awesome.

01. The Weakerthans-
Reunion TourEpitaph/ANTI- Records
The Weakerthans have been one of my favorite bands for a while now, and this album serves to bring into focus just why. The most effective songs on this album are essentially character sketches exploring themes of loss and loneliness. As told from various points of view, such as that of a businessman who suddenly finds himself valueless ("Relative Surplus Value"); gender-reassignment experiment subject
David Reimer, moments before his suicide ("Hymn of the Medical Oddity"); and a lost cat ("Virtute the Cat Explains Her Departure"), these vignettes are at once beautiful and emotionally resonant. Album of the year for me.
RUNNERS-UP!:
Bomb the Music Industry!-
Get Warmer (Quote Unquote/Asian Man Records) (It's
FREE!)
Polysics-
Karate House (Ki/oon Records/Sony Music Japan)
Modest Mouse-
We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (Epic Records)
The Depreciation Guild-
In Her Gentle Jaws (self-released) (It's
FREE!) (Thanks, amok!)
TOP 5 EPs/SPLITS/7"s:

01. Bomb the Music Industry!/O Pioneers!!! Split EP (Quote Unquote Records) (It's
FREE!)

02. The Riot Before-
So Long, The Lighthouse EP (Quote Unquote Records) (It's
FREE!)

03. Anamanaguchi-
Power Supply EP (8bitpeoples) (It's
FREE!)

04. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists-
Mo' Living EP (Touch-and-Go Records)

05. Shorebirds-
Shorebirds 7" (ex-Jawbreaker/ex-Latterman/Olympia, WA)(self-released)
ALBUMS I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE DUG IF I HAD HEARD MORE OF THEM:
American Steel-
Destroy Their Future (Fat Wreck Chords)
Les Savy Fav-
Let's Stay Friends (French Kiss Records)
Sundowner-
Four One Five Two (Red Scare Records)
Eastern Youth-
Chikyu no Ura kara Kaze ga Fuku (Which translates roughly to something like
The Wind Blows From the Reverse Side of the Earth) (VAP, Inc.)
Sage Francis-
Human the Death Dance (Epitaph Records)
The Aggrolites-
Reggae Hit L.A. (Epitaph/Hellcat Records)
DISAPPOINTMENTS:
Against Me!-
New Wave (Sire Records/Warner Bros.) (Most of the songs were just flat-out boring.)
Smoke or Fire-
This Sinking Ship (Fat Wreck Chords) (I liked this album, but it wasn't as fist-pumpingly rad as
Above the City or
Worker's Union.)