New York City Serenade

Best of 2010

Sage Francis - Li(f)e

 

     This is his third release on Epitaph Records, and I like it better than his first Epitaph release "A Healthy Distrust" but not as much as "Human the Death Dance", his 2008 release that is currently my favortie hip hop release of all time. This record still blew me away enough to be one of my favorites of 2010 though. All the songs use a live band and some of the music was written by Chris from Death Cab For Cutie which makes for a very interesting collaboration and some extremely original and inventive song writing.

 

 The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang 

        While, in my opinion, this is the least strong of the four Gaslight Anthem's releases I still think "American Slang" is a great record and one of the best released in 2010. Bands don't come better than the Gaslight Anthem. They write such soulful, introspective songs that get toes tapping and get you singing along and, while less so than some previous releases, "American Slang" is no exception. 

 

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

 

    I was turned onto Arcade Fire by my good friend Patrick, he recommended I check out their new record, "The Suburbs." Upon first listen I found the record a bit boring and way too long. I kept putting it on though, because I knew it was a highly acclaimed record and I was curious. After serveral listens, I finally "got it." The lyrics, the music...these guys paint a picture of growing up in the suburbs that is both romantic and nostalgic and I have totally bought in. Beautiful record. Looking forward to picking up some of their previous releases.

    

    

Bad Religion - Dissent of Man

 

   I have written a lot about Bad Religion in the past. To me they are one of the greatest rock and roll bands in American history. The melodies and harmonies they write are things you'd only hear out of the Beach Boys, together with verbose and political lyrics they put together a great musical package. "The Dissent of Man" according to the band is th "Recipe for Hate" of the 2000's, and I honestly agree 100%. Great record, but not at warp speed all the time, different kinds of songs, changes in tempo. This was their 30th year as a band, and they are still releasing good music.

 

Seven Degrees of Stephen Egerton

 

    Stephen Egerton is the guitar player for the almighty Descendents as well as All. Simply put, this is a simple and straight forward pop punk record in the vein of his bands with a different singer on each song. I enjoyed this one quite a lot this year.

  Danzig - Dethred Sabaoth

 

     

Danzig is one of those mainstays in heavy music and while nothing he does will ever be as incredible as the Misfits, he is still a great songwriter and has that "Elvis singing metal" voice that is hard to ignore. I was surprised by how much I like this one. 

 

Deftones - Diamond Eyes

 

    I have been a fan of the Deftones for about ten years and I go back and forth on them. One the one hand, they are one of the most original bands in rock and roll, if you think about it, no one else sounds the way they sound and that is something I like and appreciate it. They also write really heavy songs with melody in an unconventional sense of the word. On the other hand, sometimes I feel like they lack energy and they have the potential to bore me at times. That said, "Diamond Eyes" is a very, very good album. I never know what to expect with a new Deftones record, but this one was a good surprise. I'd consider this their best since the opus "White Pony".

High on Fire - Snakes for the Divine

 

    I am new to the world of High on Fire, I first heard them on Henry Rollins' radio show where he played a track from their 2007 record "Death is this Communion". I really enjoyed that one and recently I was given a ton of new heavy music from a cousin of mine and every release from this band happened to be included. I have to say they are getting better as they go as I prefer this record to all of their previous work and that's saying something because High on Fire are one of the top metal bands of the past ten years by a long shot. The guitar on this record just kills.

Dillinger Escape Plan - Option Paralysis

 

    Ho hum, another solid record from DEP. These guys continue to evolve and progress in interesting ways with each album and I am glad to be along for the ride. 

Henry Rollins - Spoken Word Guy

 

    Anytime Henry releases a record be it music or spoken word, it will be in my top ten of that particular year. He continues with his insightful, comedic take on the world like no one else can. He also released Vol. 2 of this "Spoken Word Guy" series in 2010, but I have yet to pick it up. Safe to say it's on my list. 

     

 

Against Me! - White Crosses

 

    Not a very daring pick on this one, but I feel like Tom Gabel and Co are up their with the Gaslight Anthem in that they just continually deliver to me. Their previous record "New Wave" was a departure of sorts and this one continues in that direction with ten excellent rock/punk tunes that you'll be singing along to after only a few listens. 

Eminem - Recovery

 

I had heard Eminem's new record was really good a while ago, but didn't think much of it. I had really enjoyed his first two records and was disappointed by his third, after that I just kind of lost interest. At first I just thought he was a talent that could not be ignored, then he drifted toward mediocre. Apparently between the aforementioned record and this one he released two not-so-good records for which he actually apologizes to his fans for on a few songs. When I listen to this one I just hear a guy getting over some issues and really sounding honest and sincere and it stayed with me. He also has a delivery second to none. 

Dissappointed By:

 

    The Black Pacific - Self Titled

    This is the first non-Pennywise release from the former Pennywise frontman Jim Lindberg. I had high hopes for this but so far it has left me wanting more. Pennywise was my aboslute favorite band growing up and while they have certainly not kept producing albums of Bad Religion's quality, I still thought they were solid. This one I was hoping to blow my doors off, but it has not happened. I will give it some more listens in hopes it will grow on me.

 

 

 

Song of the Day

Been loving this song lately. A classic that never sounds bad...

Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye

 

 

01 Let's Get It On

Coalesce - The Plot Against My Love

In the late 90's there were three bands on Hydra Head Records making terrific, heavy music. Oddly enough, all of the band names began with the letter "C", Cave In, Converge and Coalesce. Cave In transformed from am intense metal band to a spacey hard rock band (very adeptly), Converge took several albums to develop their sound and release the aggressive music holy grail, Jane Doe. Coalesce were a little more under the radar than the other two, but they consistently delivered their metal sound with brutal and thoughtful results. They are a band I didn't get into until recently (unlike Cave In and Converge) but I quickly became a fan. This track is from their last record, Ox released in 2009. I am listening to these guys a lot lately and have been enjoying their records. 

01 The Plot Against My Love

Birds of Prey - Turning Big Rocks Into Little Rocks

At my parent's recent 40th anniversary party I got to talking to one of my favorite relatives. He has been listening to hard rock and heavy metal forever and likes all kinds of good music so every time we get together we talk music. It was fun catching up and hearing who he has seen lately, etc. He told me if I ever wanted music, he has a massive collection of mp3's and he would be happy to send me some. That led to me thinking of a list over the next few days and emailing it to him...five days later 3 full dvds of music showed up and I have been going through them ever since.

Some of the stuff I wasn't really into...some I am completely loving...and some I am on the fence about.

Birds of Prey is one band I am on the fence with. When I looked them up I my interest was peaked when I learned they share a drummer with one of my favorite metal bands, Burnt By The Sun. The vocals are good and the drums are great. The guitars are ok, kind of chugga chugga and a bit middle of the road but not bad. The song titles and and I can only assume lyrics are a little...well let's just say it's clear they have a southern thing going on (I believe they are from Richmond, Va).

The jury is still out, but I am definitely giving them a chance. This song is from their second record entitled Sulfur and Semen.

04 Turning Big Rocks Into Little Rocks

Killswitch Engage - Numbered Days

Killswitch Engage are one of my all time favorite bands. I was first turned onto them by my friend Adam back in 2002 when their amazing, incredible, undeniable sophomore album Alive Or Just Breathing was released. That record is still to me one of the best modern metal records. It set forth an entire genre of imitators and no one has caught up since. 

Recently I was speaking to my friend Patrick, who has some serious taste in music, and when I asked if he liked KSE he said he wasn't really into them, that they seemed to be part of the whole Hot Topic heavy metal crowd. This caught me by surprise for a few reasons; one is that he has never steered me wrong on a musical recommendation in almost ten years. The other is because to me, this band was just incredible and I couldn't believe to some people they are lumped in with some seriously bad music, the whole style came directly from KSE which automatically puts them on another level and above the rest of the fakers. 

A few weeks ago I figured it out. Killswitch Engage is the Bad Religion of the new wave of American heavy metal. Let me explain. Back in 1988 Bad Religion put out their greatest record, Suffer. This album was an improvement on their earlier recordings in every way and is, in my opinion, the best punk rock record ever made. Since that time, and especially in the mid-1990's, there were legions of bands doing the whole "California melodic punk rock" sound (Pennywise, NOFX, No Use For A Name, Strung Out, etc). They were all doing some variation of the sound Bad Religion had developed (fast, high quality punk rock, great production and a focus on melody and harmonies). Some, at least to me, did it very well (Pennywise) and some not as well, as you would expect. 

I once read an interview with Bad Religion in which they overheard someone saying "all those California bands sound the same, I don't listen to Bad Religion or NOFX." And BR responded by saying "that is OUR sound...we don't sound like all those bands, that sound like us." And they were right, this style of punk rock was invented and perfected by Bad Religion and they are still doing it better than everyone else. They are the greatest punk rock band of all time in my opinion.

So, in the same way Bad Religion's Suffer set off a string of events leading to an over saturated genre with potentially annoying fans, Killswitch Engage's Alive or Just Breathing did the same thing with metal (with maybe Unearth being their Pennywise). 

And I'd like to thank PK for helping me come to this long-winded but fun to discuss conclusion. 

The track "Numbered Days" is the opening song on the aforementioned record.

 

Killswitch Engage - Numbered Days

Rush - A Passage To Bangkok

I have been into Rush since 8th grade, when I believe my friend Pete introduced me to them. They are a great band with a massive fan base that I'd say a lot of people would say they have never heard of. Rush are known for being incredible musicians, for creating a huge sound that comes from only three people and for being a band of and for dorks. If you have seen the movie I love you, Man you know what I mean. 

There is just something about Rush that have made them such a mainstay in my rotation over the years. Their songs are complex, introspective, intelligent and extremely catchy...a difficult combination! Some people have a hard time getting into them, as their vocalist, Geddy Lee, has a very distinct voice (high-pitched and nasally) that I would classify as an acquired taste. I happen to love his vocals and delivery, but I know it's not for everyone. And if you ask anyone you know who plays the drums, they will attest to the talents of Mr. Neil Peart, the man behind the kit. 

This track is from the 2112 concept album and it just plain rocks. 

Interesting side note: I put a few of my favorite Rush songs on some CD's I made for Francesca early in our relationship thinking it was a stretch but if she didn't like them she could always skip them. Turns out, she loved the tracks and now I will often hear her say "hey, it's Rush!" if they come on. Yeah, she is that cool. 

 Rush -  A Passage To Bangkok

Van Morrison - Astral Weeks

Currently listening to Van Morrison's debut record Astral Weeks. This is widely regarded as a masterpiece, I certainly think it is an amazing record, just not maybe as heralded as the critics would lead you to believe. My favorite tracks on this one are "Sweet Thing" and "The Way Young Lovers Do". The record is a bit more complex that some of his more soulful, straight rhythm and blues stuff, and I think that's why it is so highly regarded. The first of many in a long line of great Van Morrison records. 

Between Van and Thin Lizzy (not to mention Stiff Little Fingers and The Pogues), Ireland has produced some of the most incredible music the world has ever heard; and yet somehow U2 and their droning, boring sound became THE Irish rock and roll band...how in the world did that happen (rant over)?

I can't say enough good things about Van Morrison; I got into him when I was 15 and have been a huge fan ever since. And almost every year he releases a new record STILL! He is almost 70 and still producing great music...but alas, no one seems to care except his core fans, and somehow some trashy girl with crazy outfits and no talent named Lady Gaga is topping the charts. Oh well, the music is still good at our house!

Miles Davis - Kind of Blue

Francesca, Alexander and I had a great day. We played in the fountain terrace at the Museum of Natural History, played with some toys in Central Park, took a walk and a few naps. All in all it was a great day. Francesca and I are now sitting on the couch watching Shutter Island and relaxing. This amazing record seems like the perfect set of tunes for quiet, but beautiful, summer Saturday night. 

 

Hands Tied - Nothing Can Compare

Listened to the Hands Tied self titled EP today on the subway while on my way home from work. I absolutely love this song. It reminds me of why I fell in love with punk rock and hardcore in the first place and perfectly captures that feeling I'd have after a great night at a show in my younger days when everything was new and fresh and I was seeing bands every week. 

 Key Lyric: "I'll watch out for you / FOR YOU! / You watch out for me / FOR ME! / We gotta keep it together / KEEP IT TOGETHER! / Cooperation is the key / THE KEY!"

The energy with which this line is delivered gets me every time. 

Hands Tied - Nothing Can Compare

 

Photo: Traci McMahon

Record Of The Week

I recently picked up Strike Anywhere's latest record entitled Iron Front. I have been sleeping on this one for a while due to many reasons, being that it was released in October of 2009. However, I finally grabbed it and as usual for one of their records, I am extremely happy I did. They almost never disappoint. 

I first heard Strike Anywhere when I was a sophomore in college and I have vivid memories of walking Catholic University's campus late at night (usually back to my room from the library) with their masterpiece Change Is A Sound blasting through my headphones. It is honestly just a perfect record filled with just the right balance of anger, rage and melody. I have seen Strike Anywhere live a few times and whenever they play songs off Change Is A Sound it just takes the evening to a whole other level. 

With a record like that in your back catalog it is hard to not compare subsequent records to this excellent release. However, I feel like Strike Anywhere has done a commendable job of trying different things within their limits and still producing great melodic hardcore records. Iron Front is no exception.