Top 10 Albums of 2010 Part Two

Here is part 2. I've numbered a preliminary order from 10 to 1 now. It's all over the place, I apologise for the disorganisation of this post, though I realise as I write this I could easily fix it.

But where'd the fun in that be?

6. Deftones - Diamond Eyes

Deftones almost passed me by. Unable to get into their earlier stuff, I dismissed the weight that they carried in the music I listened to and the bands that they have influenced. But through the power of music television, Scuzz and Kerrang!'s endless showing of 'Diamond Eyes' and 'Rocket Skates' forced me to take notice. This album, enveloped by the tragedy of bassist Chi Cheng's car accident that has left him comatose to this day, Deftones shelved 'Eros' and channeled their sadness and pent up energy and unveiled 'Diamond Eyes' in only six months. From the perspective of not being a Deftones fan, I had no assumptions as to what this record would or should (from a fan's point of view) sound like, but what I heard was a band at full throttle, producing huge tunes that some of the bands out there wish they could get close to.

Standout tracks: Diamond Eyes, Beauty School, Rocket Skates

2. Underoath - Ø (Disambiguation)

My favourite band Underoath parted ways with the last original member Aaron Gillespie in the run up to this record. They stated that with his departure, their heavier direction could be finally realised. 2008's 'Lost In The Sound Of Separation' had moments of what 'Disambiguation' offers in its entirety. Underoath are a band who know exactly what they create and the 38 minute (I wish it wasn't so short) masterpiece screams, shreds, soars, immerses, and takes you on a journey that Spencer and co have been on over the past few years. They have always been honest in their music, sometimes painfully so, and 'Disambiguation' is another impressive addition to Underoath's playbook. The only bad thing I can say about this record is that it ends.

Standout tracks: In Division, Who Will Guard The Guardians?, Paper Lung.

9. From First To Last - Throne To The Wolves

From First To Last lost their relevance with most of their fanbase in the wake of Sonny Moore's departure to pursue an electronica career (why the hell would anyone do that?), but not with me, and the other fans who realised the band wouldn't fade away. 'Throne To The Wolves' continues the band's impressive catalogue of songs post-Moore. They are heavier, 'M.O.' and the aptly titled 'Chyeeeaaaaaaa', they have left Sonny Moore's repetitive introspection in favour of socially aware songs 'Going Lohan' 'The He Man Woman Haters Club' to create a record that should firmly cement their relevance after Sonny Moore. Sonny Moore still flounders in electronica limbo, I hear. From First To Last 1 - Sonny Moore 0.

Standout tracks: M.O., Cashing Out, Going Lohan

5. Isles & Glaciers - The Hearts Of Lonely People

This supergroup formed from members of Chiodos, The Receiving End Of Sirens, Underminded, Pierce The Veil and Emarosa banded together to make an unforgettable EP that fans wish they could tour in support of. The three pronged vocal assault of Craig Owens, Vic Fuentes and Jonny Craig present a vocal overlapping wizardry not bested since The Receiving End Of Sirens as the seven track EP kicks the listener's ass/ears. 'Hills Like White Elephants' was the first single that lured in every able hearing ear and once 'The Hearts Of Lonely People' dropped, the hopes and expectations of this supergroup were achieved and transcended.

Standout tracks: Empty Sighs & Wine, Viola Lion, Hills Like White Elephants

4. Alesana - The Emptiness

Alesana have been tearing up clubs with their effusive and infectious screamo. Besides the fashion gimmicks, and the excessive eyeliner, the band have always put the music and the stories they tell with it first. 'The Emptiness' is a glowing testament to their conviction as storytellers. Shawn Milke penned the bulk of the record which comes with a complementary short story recollection of the record itself. Alesana continue to impress me as not only forerunners of their genre, but impressively ambitious musicians who don't stay bound by the safety of scream-verses-sing-choruses model of identikit bands. 'The Emptiness' will pave the way for similar concerns the band say, and I say all the more for it.

Standout tracks: Hymn For The Shameless, Curse Of The Virgin Canvas, The Thespian

What missed out due to my laziness to listen to them enough... (or at all)

Secret & Whisper - Teenage Fantasy

Chiodos - Illuminaudio

Stone Sour - Audio Secrecy

My Chemical Romance - Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys

My Top 10 Albums of 2010 Part One

As 2010 yawns the last few hours of its span, I sit here warm from a long journey to begin compiling the highs and highs of my musical journey of this year. Whether you read Kerrang!, rocksound or your respective genre's magazine, there'll be a definitive list of the 'Top X of this year' - and they're bound to cause some kind of reaction. I'm limiting mine to 10, because I can write something about each of them and not lose your interest. (going out on a limb here).

The order I'm posting them in, is not, not, my order. But when I have finished the list, I'll probably number them alongside the record's name. Some of the records that you love will probably be missing and this is only my opinion, so I'm not charting divine provenance as I post this entry.

...or maybe I am.

1. Circa Survive - Blue Sky Noise

There was only going to be one winner of this list for me. Circa Survive's Blue Sky Noise is immaculate, and I'd go as far as to say it is a perfect record. 'Juturna' and 'On Letting Go' have endless plays on my iPod, but since April of this year, only one record has wrestled to stay in the forefront of my mind. From the opener 'Strange Terrain' to bonus track finisher 'Every Way (acoustic)' Anthony Green (vocals), Brendan Ekstrom (drums), Colin Frangicetto (guitar), Nick Beard (bass) and Steve Clifford (guitar) produce a record of countless beautiful and soaring moments that capture why people make music and why people listen and love music.

Standout tracks: The whole freaking album!!

7. Emarosa - Emarosa

Despite 'This Is Your Way Out' being one of my favorite EPs/CDs and the dissolution of that sound with Jonny Craig's arrival into the band, 'Emarosa' has slow burned to become one of my standout records of 2010. 'Relativity' often felt like one long song but this release has helped to fit the pieces into the Jonny Craig in Emarosa puzzle for me. As I grew to love his solo record from the year before, I began to see how he was influencing Emarosa's songwriting. He ties the subtle keys, the intricate guitars, the thumping drums and the understated bass all together with his angelic voice that seems to do everything you want it to and more. Seeing this performed live in early December cemented its place in my top 10.

Standout tracks: A Toast To The Future Kids!, The Weight Of Love Blinds Eyes, Broken Vs The Way We Were Born

3. Envy On The Coast - Lowcountry

'Lowcountry' wins the unofficial underappreciated record of the year for me. Envy On The Coast embrace a mature Southern rock sound that distances them from the rest of the genre that their first release 'Lucy Gray' had. Don't get me wrong, 'Lucy Gray' is a clever record with some stellar musicianship, but 'Lowcountry' is stripped down, 'Lowcountry' is clever without overtly trying to be. Despite the difficulty of losing band members during the recording process, most noticeably their virtuoso drummer Dan, Ryan Hunter (vocals) took up the sticks to ensure 'Lowcountry' hit the shelves. I thank God for that decision. Unfortunately, EOTC disbanded in July this year, which is such a shame as this direction was the way forward.

Standout tracks: Like I Do, Death March On Two, Ready?, Numb

10. Pierce The Veil - Selfish Machines

Pierce The Veil made their arrival into my life supporting The Blackout in 2007 or so. What struck me was the soaring chipmunk vocals of Vic Fuentes and how amazingly their material translates into a live show. 'Selfish Machines' is PTV's second record that blows their first CD out of the water, and I didn't think that was even possible. Opener 'Besitos' is hands down, one of the best opening tracks ever made and the band as musicians serve up 40 plus minutes of mature post hardcore that leave a blazing trail of satisfaction and the 'play me again, play me again, play me again' feeling when closing track 'She Makes Dirty Words Sound Pretty' featuring a soulful performance from Jonny Craig plays out. Speaking of high profile collaborations, Jeremy McKinnon of A Day To Remember screams his way onto 'Caraphernelia' with serious aplomb.

Standout tracks: She Makes Dirty Words Sound Pretty, Besitos, Stay Away From My Friends

8. The Xcerts - Scatterbrain

I write this half of the post to the tunes of 'Scatterbrain'. I discovered The Xcerts through the event of dead batteries in my Sky remote when 'Nightschool' from 'In The Cold Wind We Smile' played on Scuzz. I was hooked as the Chinese lanterns disappeared in the fadeout when the video ended and I downloaded the record post-haste. 2010 brought 'Scatterbrain' a suitable release following the emotionally tinged alt-rock of the prior release. The band are surer of themselves as the record pushes more boundaries and reaches further into the listener to pay close attention to everything that's going on sonically. I yearn to see them live, to complete the love affair of what I hear on CD.

Standout tracks: Scatterbrain, Lament, Slackerpop

Birthday celebrations.

My birthday is just around the corner, (2 days) and I plan to take the celebrations out into the world of paintballing. I've only been a handful of times in the past but it's always been a barrel of fun. My kill count is low and my death count is pretty high but I was young and not an ardent player of first person shooters. Now that I have years of practice there, perhaps my abilities will improve slightly. This video, of course, isn't me or my friends who will join me, but it's professional paintballing.

That's right, professional paintballing. God bless America.

Enjoy the hardcore skills they exhibit, and I am thoroughly inspired to do the same.

Yup.

Thought for the evening.

It's late, I'm tired, and I'm not in the most pleasant of moods. I'm haunted by the ghost of a friendship. A friendship that died without my knowledge that I have to mourn because it's clearly never coming back.
Why?
I don't have the pleasure of the 'why' the 'what' the 'how'; I don't have any of those answers.
She does.
And she's not telling.
This whole situation makes me think of all of the people that I've fallen out with in the past and the people that I refuse to (no refuse is the wrong word, don't) talk to anymore. Most, if not all, of them all have express moments when I've realised that they are not worth the air that I breathe and that contact with them should be stopped on all levels. It's curt and brutal but it is courteous still. If they, all of a sudden, why we don't talk, I'll explain why I'm holding a grudge and either they'll accept it or challenge it to make us friends once again. The odd few obstinate ones will challenge and not back down.
The point is, if you've told someone that a bridge has been burnt, that's it. You know, they know. You know they know. They know that you know that they know. It's all cyclical and people can start yoga and pilates in the aftermath. But I again, don't have that pleasure. It's like the tree that falls that no one's there to hear it. The bridge between me and this girl fell, I didn't hear it so it's not made a sound. The only person who may have heard the sound is not making a sound.
Cycles are a bitch.


This has distracted me from reviewing All Forgotten's 'Transitions' tonight, it's bugged me all night, but I will review it, Danger Days and Broadway all in the coming week. They all will answer questions I posit.


If only she'd do the same...

Emarosa and the outskirts of the mosh?

December 9, London Relentless Garage. Date and venue for Lexington post hardcore crew Emarosa. The night's event were marred with cancellations from my friends but university stalwart new on the scene Joe Lambert braved the train, tube, and ticket issue delay. The post didn't deliver my tickets so frantic emailing and calling meant tickets would be reserved at the box office. Three, but for two of us... you do the maths? With Joe's new headphones freshly purchased, and a glasses case and a pair of glasses to think about (I'm a new wearer) the mosh pit was seemingly out of reach, but once the queue and box office was conquered with fresh the Tesco's meal deal (sandwich + packet of crisps + 330ml drink) a spot on the side was found with a good view of the stage.


Joe is 20, I am nearing the milestone and we are so very aware of how young the crowd is tonight. Somehow imbued with a scorning of youth (without our knowledge of its inception), we question the age of the statutory and the similar looking scene that we are a part of. This, in hindsight, was probably incorrect. We really should have been excited about the pull of the music we adore so transcending age and 'grabbing' minds so young.

First band that play are All Forgotten [6]. I remember listening to them in 2007 and liking what I had heard, Joe also had previous exposure to them - even with a tale of almost starting a band with one of the present members - but both included their previous vocalist and musical direction. Their niche now lies in soaring vocals over a big rock sound tinged with heavier moments reminiscent of the headlining act. They play for half an hour to a well receiving crowd. Their set whizzes by and their British accents are a welcome sound to my ears. Unfortunately the singer sounded off key - and by his own admission privately to a fan when posing for a picture - but I was left impressed with their set to invest in their cd.

Yashin [3] play next. They have a stage set up adorning their banner. They have more money behind them than All Forgotten it would seem. The crowd are restless and want 21:30 to come sooner to see Jonny Craig and co. The lights dance as Yashin come on during an instrumental intro. My interest is piqued, Joe's as well, and when a red hooded frontman leaps on stage and begins screaming my intrigue begins to wane. Seen and heard of all this before, and done better. Their sextet line up is completed by the queerest looking frontman I'd ever seen. Almost bursting out of his branded t-shirt, he sings (badly) backed up by the clearly more talented backing vocalist on the guitar. Nothing about Yashin is unique. Their scream/sing assault headed the post hardcore sound in a way that you hear from every band on the scene from America. Yashin are Scottish... I beg for their set to end and it does after another half hour not before my person highlight when they announce a song called 'The First Rule Of Fight Club'. They incite more movement in the crowd than their predecessors, with the vocalist taking turns to jump on the crowd and surf their hands. Yashin were certainly all forgotten when the lights dimmed on their nights.

Finally the band everyone's here to see are imminent. The Fox that is on the self titled record's artwork is out in full force on merchandise being bought by adoring fans. This is the first time Joe and I have seen them. We talk about their progression from 2006's heavier and more religious-centric 'This Is Your Way Out' fronted by Chris Roetter to 2010's 'Emarosa' Jonny Craig's second record with the band. Joe swings for the Jonny Craig material where my allegiance is with Roetter. I wonder how many of the crowd are aware that there was a band before Jonny Craig joined; it's not a question I put to anyone, mind you. Emarosa [9] enter to screams and the first thing I notice is Craig's 'Free Weezy' tank top, I point it out and laugh as they launch into their extended intro of 'The Past Should Stay Dead.' As a singer as well, I'm in awe of Jonny Craig's live performance and stage charisma. The crowd go where he goes and react every time he tugs on his tank top or asks them to sing him the words. I'm reminded of the Kurt vs Jonny debate surrounding Dance Gavin Dance as this ginger mulleted man sings his heart out at a level most singers can't even be auto tuned to reach. The set's material contains 2008's 'Relativity' and the new release, and my love affair with '...Your Way Out' unfortunately cannot be satisfied. Hearing the songs live, I gain the missing something from the recorded versions; how much Jonny has become a focal point of the band. The keys, the guitars, the drums and bass all work in tandem to soar right through the Garage, no sonic qualities lost in the acoustics as standout track of the night 'A Toast To The Future Kids!' kicks everyone's butt. The band thank us again and again for being a part of the night as 'We Are Life' moves into a well deserved encore before they play out the night to my favourite song off of 'Relativity' 'Set It Off Like Napalm.' Emarosa sounded and were perfect.


We file out horrifically early due to the curfew in Central London and I can't help but notice my dry self. The sweat and energy of the pit I could only watch and dream I was a part of. I realise that although it was a good show, it would've been a great show if I was in that pit, communing with likeminded sweaty people in the joy of the music playing... It's not a complaint as much as it is an observation. Our vantage point let us see everything, - but as spectators rather than participants - without taller people obscuring your view, without elbows in the ribs, or some backcombed hair in your mouth.  In my mind, is the poignant disappointment of missing out on standing tickets for My Chemical Romance's show at Wembley Arena, underlined by my reluctance to buy seated tickets (due to a principle against seated shows - first and last one Muse in 2003(?) at Earl's Court). I desperately want to see them live and to see how the new record 'Danger Days' translates in a live show. Oh well... stay interested as I'll settle for reviewing it along with 'Kindgoms' by Broadway, recommended by Milly Darling, the next time I post.


Thank you for tuning in.

Wading naked?

Hello from an insomniac in denial. I'm largely an enigma - you'll get to see that in future - but I'm gearing up to dominate headspace. Introductions are best left for the dance floor and we will dance soon enough...