heard it through the wiretap

New Music Review Site

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:26:00 -0500

n0ted.net is a collaborative music blog forged in the fires of England. We review LPs, EPs and demos from every genre you can think of, write the occasional list and craft the occasional feature, all without sounding too elitist. We are Ashley Collins and Isaac Powell.

Review: Machinist! - Black List EP

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:05:35 -0500

Summary : Refreshingly old hardcore.

It’s not long into Machinist!’s Black List EP that you start to feel a warm nostalgia wash over you, like when you’re shopping for food supplies and find a box of cereal you thought they’d stopped selling, or when you glimpse a dusty Street Fighter II Turbo cab in a cinema. This is a throwback hardcore EP that channels the proper roots of the genre. No arbitrary clean singing, no slow interludes with a 1950’s film sample, just 7 minutes of cutthroat riffs, raw production and one hell of a message.

Indeed, vocalist Jeff Hill says what he means and means what he says. It’s easy for a lot of hardcore bands to lose their direction in the midst of a furious blast beat or wave of distortion, but Black List is an EP built on lyrical content, ranging from mortality to the abuse of power over the course of its five short tracks. Like Modern Life is War’s seminal Witness LP, you find yourself drawn into what is being said, and invariably agreeing, or at least relating.

On the production side, everything fits well into the mix. Kenny Gill has generally given all the instruments their time to shine, without cancelling each other out. The riffs are clear, the drums pound in the back, and the vocals stay prevalent throughout. Perhaps the bass could be upped a notch, but whatever. A lot of modern releases tend to end up with a washed out sound, or even worse, an overly synthetic sound. Black List is a solid balance between clarity and sincerity.

So, there you have it. Georgia’s Machinist! have administered a highly enjoyable dose of ‘old school’ hardcore. If you’re into stuff like Ceremony and Trash Talk, check out Machinist! If you’re not, check out Machinist!

Black List is released on the 14th December.

——

Review by Isaac Powell.

You can follow & contact me on Twitter @IJPowell

New Cult of Luna track

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 08:33:00 -0500

New Cult of Luna track:

It’s here. New Cult of Luna track from their upcoming album ‘Vertilal’, due for release on the 25th January 2013.

http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/cult-of-luna-i-the-weapon-single-stream/

The Saddest Landscape // new song premiere!

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:27:46 -0500

topshelfrecords:

Stream the new title track from The Saddest Landscape’s forthcoming 7” Redefining Loneliness courtesy of AbsolutePunk.net: http://tpshlf.co/V5Z5bi

Check it out folks.

Review: Amenra - Mass V

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:01:00 -0500

Summary : The sound of apocalypse.

Ah, Amenra, Belgium’s best export since the saxaphone. For those that don’t know, they play an extremely unforgiving, crushing, bleak, riff-heavy, doom inspired form of post-metal, and they play it really, really well. This is the climax of the sound they’ve been forming in the shadows for the past 12 years, and it deserves your full attention.

First things first, let’s get the Neurosis comparisons out of the way. Yes, Mass V is clearly inspired by them. Yes, they’re signed to the label that Neurosis members formed. Yes, Scott Kelly has a guest vocal spot on the closer Nowena | 9.10. But it would be doing Amenra a huge disservice if you were to write them off as one of the countless clones spawned by those legenendary post-metal pioneers. Mass V is more of a doffing of the hat to their influences. They have progressed their own sound, have their own style and have absolutely made their own masterpiece.

The album kicks off with ‘Dearborn and Buried’, a slow and crushing wave of desolation that showcases the hollow screams of Colin H. Van Eeckhout and sets the tone for the voyage that awaits. A fantastic mid-section that channels Cult of Luna’s ‘Finland’ breaks up the bookends of brutality, and whilst the track doesn’t do anything inherently new, it serves its purpose and leads seamlessly into ’Boden’ where we finally see where Amenra are going with Mass V. The incredible layered riffs and frantic vocals capture what I imagine the end of the world would sound like. Where as Deadborn and Buried was setting the scene of foreboding chaos, Boden is the unrelenting sound of depressing hoplessness. There’s a certain emptiness that is crafted that I can’t quite articulate. The long meandering guitars and rhythmic repetition of the drums set a backdrop that is unescapable.

This leads on into ‘A Mon Ame’, the albums longest and most tranquil track, if you can ever describe Amenra as tranquil. Here we are met with a soundscape; a slow burning feast of feedback that is eventually layered with droning guitar loops and ethereal vocals that drift in and out, until panic hits us like a ton of bricks and Eeckhout delivers some chilling screams over a pulsating downtuned riff. I won’t overdo the play-by-play, but the track closes with one of the best post-metal segments I’ve heard in years. The calm after the storm, it seems.

Then Act 4. Nowena | 9.10 feels like the aftermath of what has come before. If the world ended with Boden, then Nowena is the delayed repenting echo of destruction. One final crushing cus-de-gras of layered post-metal follows a beautiful clean opening, and then silence. The story of Mass V is complete.

This is probably the most hyperbolic review I’ll ever write, but it’s rare that an album can tell such a captivating story whilst wearing its influences so proudly on its sleeve. But, Amenra have done that. Mass V an absolute juggernaut of an album. It carries every feeling of despair, hopelessness, fear and anguish you can fathom, yet it’s still remains oh so beautiful.

My favourite album of the year.

——

Review by Isaac Powell.

You can follow & contact me on Twitter @IJPowell

GOAT.

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 17:03:39 -0500

GOAT.

Amia Venera Landscape »

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 15:34:29 -0500

Amia Venera Landscape »

Review: Kato - Came With Nothing / Left With Nothing EP

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 12:31:00 -0500

Summary : An emotive, diverse and surprisingly confident debut release.

From the ashes of Glass Giant come Kato, a three piece band that hit like a ton of bricks. To describe it is difficult, but I’ll have a go. Take one measure of post-metal, two twists of screamo, a sprinkling of hardcore, mix them up with some seriously raw production and heavily distorted amps, and you’ve got a rough idea of what welcomed me when I first span Came With Nothing / Left With Nothing in my 2002 MG Rover ZR.

The first thing that quickly becomes apparent is that Kato is built on emotion. Within a minute of the opener ‘The Room’, you are met with a fantastic vocal performance from a man who clearly means what he screams. The clockwork rhythm of the drums and layers of pulsating guitars add an almost post-apocolypic backdrop to proceedings. This downbeat and weighty sound is held throughout the rest of the EP; and even in the less busy sections, you always feel on the verge of something more.

However, to continue to break Came With Nothing / Left With Nothing down into individual tracks would be doing it somewhat of a disservice. Each track tends to bleed into the next, and the non-linear structure of the songs means attempting to pigeon-hole them into different genres is futile. Sure, I Will Repeat My Mistakes is undoubtably the most hardcore-influenced track here, and the concluding title track is a slow-burning post-metal behemoth in the vein of Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster, but this is an EP that is best listened to as a single entity; an entity which is much greater than the sum of it’s not inconsiderable parts.

Usually at this point in a review I like to balance out the hyperbole with some faults. In this case, I feel as though it would be somewhat contrived; there is simply not a lot to dislike about what Kato have managed to produce here. The production fits their sound, the genre-bending nature of the tracks keeps things interesting, the intrumentals work well together and the vocals are hard-hitting, both lyrically and tonally.

So there you have it. Came With Nothing / Left With Nothing is one of my favourite screamo/hardcore/post-metal/emo/etc releases of the year. A monumental debut.

You can listen to the EP in full here : http://kat0.bandcamp.com/

——

Review by Isaac Powell.

You can follow & contact me on Twitter @IJPowell

I love this album. I love this artwork. I love this band.

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 18:51:04 -0500

I love this album. I love this artwork. I love this band.

druqgs: Touché Amoré.

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:43:45 -0500

druqgs:

Touché Amoré.

Glassjaw. Yep.

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:38:00 -0500

Glassjaw. Yep.

Barrow stream LP

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:16:00 -0500

Barrow stream LP :

I reviewed this the other day, and am just throwing a streaming link out there now. This is one of the best post-hardcore/screamo albums to come out this year, so check it out. Click the title.

meWithoutYou previewing their new album in the studio. Pumped.

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:46:53 -0500

meWithoutYou previewing their new album in the studio. Pumped.

Lovely.

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:33:07 -0500

Lovely.

Review : Glass Giant - EP

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:07:00 -0500

Summary : The sound of a band who know where they’re going.

To the untrained ear, Glass Giant may appear to be nothing but a La Dispute clone, but scratching beneath the surface reveals a confident, sincere EP that can be ranked alongside the many other fantastic 2011 post-hardcore releases.

My initial thought process went something like this; ‘..dude, these vocals remind me of La Dispute and meWithoutYou’. At times, the cadence is so eerily similar to Jordan Dreyer’s that you’d be forgiven for thinking that you were listening to unreleased tracks from Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair. Fortunately, Glass Giant separate themselves from their peers by embracing diversity and experimenting with different aspects of hardcore and metalcore in the 11 minute running time.

Indeed, the bands’ constant shifts in tempo and emotion are noteworthy, which is very encouraging for future releases. Sometimes, fierce waves of guitar riffs and pounding drums accompany full-on screams. At others, the amps takes a back seat to make way for a spoken monologue over a post-rock soundscape. By the end, I was happy (and relieved) that the vocal range on show was much wider than I originally thought it would be.

That’s not to say there aren’t issues. Things occasionally feel a little unfocused, particularly on Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, and the bands’ influences do have a tendency to show perhaps a little too obviously.

However, that’s not to say that Glass Giant haven’t crafted a strong EP here. The tight instrumentals, youthful ambition and earnest delivery combine to result in what is a fine post-hardcore release. Things never feel forced or fake, and if they continue to develop their sound, they have every chance of creating a remarkable full length in the future.

Review by Isaac Powell.

realscreamo: Kite Flying Society || Breathe

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:20:40 -0500

realscreamo:

Kite Flying Society || Breathe

Review : Barrow - Being Without

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:27:00 -0500

Summary : Barrow have created an album that is both refreshingly original yet unashamed of channelling it’s influences.

Being Without is a difficult release to pigeon-hole. Gone are the days where an album is clearly ambient drone, or clearly post-punk revival, or clearly whatever other sub genre you wish to imagine (or invent). Bands like North Carolina quartet Barrow have to make it difficult on us reviewers, taking elements from various genres and fusing them together to create something entirely different altogether. Thankfully, they make it work.

The opening track, Where Was I, gives a good indication of what awaits. Starting out with an instrumental picking melody, things quickly come alive in the form of a more traditional post-hardcore section. There are some clean & harsh vocals working together over some heavy instrumentation, then all of a sudden we’re back to another ambient passage (think Mogwai) - but wait! Screams reminiscent of Iselia’s LP (which Travis also appeared on) close out the track. By now, it’s clear this isn’t just any old screamo release.

Moving though the album, we’re met with constant changes of pace. At it’s fiercest; crushing guitar waves and soaring screams that remind you of the emotion of bands like Pianos Become The Teeth & La Dispute. At it’s most heartfelt; long, slow passages of haunting cleans and soundscapes present in An Absent Crown, My Diadem. Elsewhere, I even heard some brass and tremolo crescendos ala post-rock giants Godspeed You! Black Emporer. If this album is nothing else, it’s certainly diverse.

Halfway through the LP comes The Undertow, a track which highlights everything that Barrow do well. A sick drum fill leads you into a guitar section that wouldn’t feel out of place on an At The Drive-In release, which leads us into a heavy screamo verse that carries the punch of a CityCop or a Suis La Lune. After that, a short instrumental bridge before the albums best clean vocals kick in, which also conveniently highlights that these guys write good lyrics too.

I subsided on skin and smoke, attaching my attention to a false and fleeting feeling, seeking anything appealing for a moment’s time. And I keep slipping through every phrase, tearing through page after page, the structure has amended, but the cadence hasn’t changed.

If there was one criticism I would make, it would probably be some of the vocal dissonance that gets created by overlapping clean & harsh vocals. This is only really a small issue on one track, but it does have the tendency to throw you off.

In spite of that, what Barrow have done here is remarkable, particularly for a debut release. It carries a certain weight and authority that you don’t hear that often, and one that usually takes a band years to craft. This is not just one of the most pleasantly surprising releases of the year, it’s also one of the most accomplished.

Review by Isaac Powell.

New Chimp Spanner track. Sweet.

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:45:45 -0500

New Chimp Spanner track. Sweet.

MUSIC OF THE YEAR

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:38:00 -0500

Yo. Been compiling this for a while and thought it would be somewhat interesting for me to say what I think about this years music & get everyone else’s personal lists so we can get some mad discussion going. I’ve said many times that this has been a fantastic year for music, and I think it’s actually surpassed 2003 now. Sadly, most of my friends have terrible taste so I’m forced to come here and force my opinion on everyone, haha. Anyway, here we are.

NOTE : I’ve separated everything into LPs, EPs & Compilations rather than do releases as a whole.

NOTE II : You might be thinking; ‘Yo, where’s the Hip-Hop at? He must hate it!’ - Not true. I’m a big hip-hop fan but aside from one or two albums, it’s been a pretty disastourous year for the genre in my my book.

* * *

***TOP* 25 *LPs***

Genre : Folk / Alt Rock
Recommended Track : I Am Disappeared
Personnel : Frank Turner, Ben Lloyd, Tarrant Anderson, Matt Nasir, Nigel Powell, Franz Nicolay, Chris T-T

The first time I heard Frank Turner was about a month after he had released Love, Ire & Song in 2008. After 20 seconds on the opening track, I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous, I still didn’t like it. I thought it was going to be one of those annoying Indie albums with over-mixed vocals and self-righteous lyrics. Well, I was wrong. Fast forward to 2011 and he releases this; another excellent folk/alt rock/indie album which contains some of his best material. It’s not as good as LI&S, but it’s a damn fine album none the less. He tells stories in his tracks, and they’re almost always surrounded by fantastic melodies. Superb.

Genre : Progressive Metal
Recommended Track : Black Hills
Personnel : Jordan Eberhardt, Chris Letchford, Pat Skeffington, Travis Levrier

It’s really a thin line between trash and excellence in genres that are built around technical prowess. I find it’s often the case that over complication and insane amounts of time signatures (or as I like to say, ‘technical wankery’) gets in the way of song writing, and that’s how you end up with bands like Dream Theatre and Periphery (sorry). Fortunately, there are some talented groups that can marry science & art, and Scale The Summit are one of them. Delicious instrumental metal.

Genre : Post-Rock
Recommended Track : Accolades
Personnel : James Collins, Matthew Daly, John Helps, Robin Southby, Jamie Ward

This one creeped onto the list yesterday. Such has been the brilliance of the year that I didn’t even know they’d released a new LP, and it’s already really underrated. Post-Rock of the faster kind (simular to 65daysofstatic), it is both epic and engaging. They’re pretty much leading the UK scene and for good reason. I think if I’d have gotten this when it came out it would be much higher up on the list.

Genre : Progressive Metal
Recommended Track : Concealing Fate : Part I - Acceptance
Personnel : Acle Kahney, Jay Postones, James Monteith, Amos Williams, Daniel Tompkins

Much like Scale The Summit, but with vocals and the that classic DJENT sound. I’m not a big fan of this genre, mainly because most bands sound the same, but Tesseract can, you guessed it, WRITE ACTUAL SONGS. They produce such good sounds, yet the brilliant vocal performance of Dan Tompkins (who has since left the band) really adds something special. I fear for them now he’s no longer part of the group (I saw them live with their new vocalist and it just isn’t the same). The 6 tracks in the middle make up their 2010 EP release, Concealing Fate, which is why I think this album is so underrated. A must for metal fans (or music fans).

Genre : Hardcore
Recommended Track : White Oak Doors
Personnel : Derek Archambault, Jay Maas, Jake Woodruff, Andy Reitz, Mike Poulin

Ah, Defeater. I’m a big fan of these guys as most of you will know, but such is the strength of the year (repetition alert), this just creeps into the top 25. Crazy, because I really like this album. Not as good as Travels & Lost Ground (always going to be tough), but a great record none the less, full of great instrumentals and the wrapping up of the story from their first LP. A very ambitious album that just falls short of being a classic. Amazing live band, too.

Genre : Folk / Alt Rock
Recommended Track : O’ Sister
Personnel : Dallas Green, Daniel Romano, Dylan Green, Scott Remila

Good old Dallas Green. After the split of Alexisonfire, I wasn’t expecting this. Really fun folk album with a heavier twist, coupled with some fantastic song writing and thought provoking lyrics. He also puts on one hell of a live performance; I was lucky enough to see him in London earlier in the year and it was probably my favourite gig of 2011. A great, great album.

Genre : Post-Hardcore
Recommended Track : Blur
Personnel : Eddie Breckenridge, Riley Breckenridge, Dustin Kensrue, Teppei Teranishi

One of the most consistently good bands of the last decade have been Thrice. They took a ‘hiatus’ after this album (code for never coming back) which is a shame. However, they went out with a bang, as Major/Minor is their best release since Artist in the Abmulance. Post-Hardcore, but very accessible to people unsure of the genre. Lovely stuff.

Genre : Doom Metal
Recommended Track : Loss of Will
Personnel : Greg Chandler, Mark Bodossian, Joe Fletcher, Jim Nolan

Funeral Doom for 2011, yay. Everything you’d want from a doom album is present here; crushing riffs, atmosphere in abundance and it’s not too long. Great pacing, too. If you’re into doom then get it. If you’re not into doom then get it. It will probably change your mind. Brooding shit right here.

Genre : Post-Rock
Recommended Track : Plains of the Purple Buffalo - Part I
Personnel : Mehdi Safa, Tom Harriman

There was a time when this was my AOTY. Really glorious post-rock from a UK/US collab project. Quite dissimilar from traditional post-rock in the sense that the song structure is a gradual crescendo, as opposed to something like GSY!BE which replies on multiple quiet/loud passages. Either way, this is awesome so get it.

Genre : Indie Rock
Recommended Track : City Reprise
Personnel : Adam Granduciel, Dave Hartley, Steven Urgo, Robbie Bennett

Probably my grower of the year. I was initially dismissive of this album because I just felt as though they were trying to be Bob Dylan : The Band. Front man Adam Granduciel sounds a lot like him (both in tone and delivery), but after a few listens I realised that they’re actually a really talented band. Quite downbeat sounding, but played at a fast pace. Great song writers.

Genre : Hardcore / Emo
Recommended Track : Fading
Personnel : Adam Granduciel, Dave Hartley, Steven Urgo, Robbie Bennett

Another one that sneaked in at the end. Basement’s blend of multiple genres (Emo, Punk, Hardcore, Post-Hardcore) reminds me a lot of Break Even, and they’re just as good. Another UK band in the list too. A very punchy album that moves at a brisk pace and goes through multiple changes of direction. Very good shit.

Genre : Folk
Recommended Track : Perth
Personnel : Justin Vernon et al.

Another grower. I was disappointed with this at first, but I think I was expecting too much after the brilliant For Emma, Forever Ago. After I calmed down, I took this for what it is; a great folk album that tells a great story. Very much a change from his previous LP, but one that I’ve learnt to love. Also, LOL at getting nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ from the Grammy’s. Dear me.

Genre : Post-Metal
Recommended Track : Beyond The Infinite
Personnel : Lee Husher, Tom Watson, Liam Stewart, Jamie Starke, Matthew Bunkell, Alex CF

Finally some post-metal up in here. Lapsus tells a story that was influenced by Philip Pullman’s ‘His Dark Materials’ books (which were great). So, a conceptual post-metal album, eh? I bet some are thinking of Isis right now, and it’s not a terrible comparison. However, they have their own kind of brooding sound which I think matches the story they’ve crafted. Great stuff.

Genre : Post-Hardcore
Recommended Track : Orange Time Machines Care
Personnel : Joe Arrington, Cory Lockwood, Ben Wiacek, Michael Franzino, Michael Littlefield, Kurt Travis

A really good melodic post-hardcore band that really benefited from having Dance Gavin Dance’s ex-vocalist, Kurt Travis, on board. He really puts in a shift here in the cleans department. It’s basically a mix of ATDI, Glassjaw & DGD and it’s really a good introduction to the genre. Not a classic by any means, but great song writing and one of the best openers of the year in Orange Time Machines Care.

Genre : Neo-Classical
Recommended Track : Steep Hills of Vicodin Tears
Personnel : Adam Wiltzie, Dustin O’Halloran

Time for something a bit different. This is a really soothing Neo-Classical album from Stars of the Lid man Adam Wiltzie & classical muscian Dustin O’Halloran. It’s a gorgeous album, with low key sound-scapes overlapping soft melodies. Something that I spin when I need to chill out in between all this hardcore. Surprise of the year for me.

Genre : Progressive Instrumental
Recommended Track : Let Yourself Be Huge
Personnel : Ben Sharp

Into the top 10. First of all, this is probably the shortest album on the list, clocking in under 30 minutes. But man, what great use of time. Amazing guitar loops from one-man-band Ben Sharp, but the progressive, mellow style really surprised me given his previous material. Very chilled at times, but then kicks into another gear just when you want it to. Almost like a post-rock album in the way it grows. Watch out the the fantastic use of vocals in the closing track, too.

Genre : Electronica
Recommended Track : T-1000
Personnel : Peter Cooper, Sam Westley, Tom Barton-Humphreys

HUGE album. One of the finest Electronic albums I’ve heard for many a year. Disgustingly good atmosphere and nearly perfect pacing. Dark, brooding; sounds like it could be used as the theme to the most unsettling game of all time. It would have been top 3 if it were a regular year, but we’re talking about 2011 aren’t we. Acquire this for sure.

Genre : Electronica
Recommended Track : Wait
Personnel : Anthony Gonzalez, Yann Gonzalez, Morgan Maurin, Jordan Lawlor

Electronica again, but of a different kind. Rather than the suburban sound-scape that Swarms turns into, this is more of a diverse album that crosses many different genres with lots of vocal samples. It’s also pretty uplifting stuff, and happens to be one of the most ambitious albums of the year. It’s pretty long, but it deserves your full attention.

Genre : Hardcore
Recommended Track : Optimist
Personnel : Brendan Murphy, Jesse Doreen, Alex Re, Eric Bazinet, Ryan Juntilla

Back to Hardcore. Counterparts have made something very special here, fusing traditional anger with modern melodic structures of bands like Defeater & Modern Life is War. Really enjoy the amount of energy on the LP and a strong improvement over their debut record. Get this.

Genre : Jazz / Hip-Hop
Recommended Track : Yes
Personnel : Jun Seba

This is a contentious one, as it’s a posthumous album from legendary Japanese producer Jun Seba, who sadly died way too young at 36. However, it’s SO good that I haver to include it, as it was released in Japan this year. Fantastic blend of smooth free-jazz accompanied by some very talented underground rappers. It’s a fascinating mix, and whilst not QUITE up there with Metaphorical Music, it’s still an essential album from a very talented man.

Genre : Post-Hardcore / Emo
Recommended Track : King Park
Personnel : Jordan Dreyer, Brad Vander Lugt, Chad Sterenberg, Kevin Whittemore, Adam Vass

TOP 5 TIME. La Dispute open the show with Wildlife, a brilliant album that takes all the emotion from their debut LP and surrounds it with heavier instrumentation (think Touche Amore / Pianos). It’s more accessible than Somewhere.. but it packs one hell of a punch. Jordan Dreyer’s vocals will still divide opinion, but if you’re like me and have learnt to appreciate them, then theres no reason why you won’t love this LP. Top stuff.

Genre : Folk / Indie
Recommended Track : Halloween Pt I
Personnel : Laura Stevenson, Mike Campbell, Alex Billig, Peter Naddeo, Dave Garwacke

This, in my opinion, is one of the most endearing albums I’ve ever heard. Amazing song writing ability and a vocal range more powerful than Darth Vader himself. Haunting, emotional and beautiful all at the same time. Was my AOTY for the LONGEST time, and she’s magnificent live. So good.

Genre : Post-Metal
Recommended Track : 309
Personnel : Mike Sullivan, Dave Turncrantz, Brian Cook

WAR EMPROS. Was my AOTY up till this morning. Brilliant stuff; best post-metal album since Somewhere Along The Highway and an absolutely mighty drumming performance. Awesome songs, awesome album. Nothing bad to say. Get it if you haven’t; if you have I’m sure it’s near the top of your list too.

Genre : Hardcore
Recommended Track : I’ll Get By
Personnel : Kyle Durfey, David Haik, Chad McDonald, Zac Sewell, Mike York

BAZINGA. Basically the Travels of 2011. Amazing melodic hardcore release with my favourite hardcore vocal performance ever. Phenomenal musicianship but the most powerful thing about this album is the lyrics and story belted out by Durfey. Will knock you for six and has an absolute ton of great moments. Could easily have topped my list.

Genre : Indie Pop
Recommended Track : Peace of Mind
Personnel : Hayley Mary, Heather Shannon, Nik Kaloper, Sam Lockwood

Wait, what? That’s right - an indie pop album is my AOTY. After changing my mind 10 times I finally decided that there wasn’t an album as good as this one in 2011. Amazing melodies, musicianship, song writing (you know I love this) and some of the best female vocals I’ve heard since Kate Bush. Peace of Mind is my track of the year, and once again Australia proves to be the best country in the world for Indie.

* * *

The BEST EPs

No, these don’t get special banners! That will teach them for not making full lengths.

EP : Glassjaw - Coloring Book
Genre : Post-Hardcore

EP : Corelia - Nostalgia
Genre : Progressive Metal

EP : Cynic - Carbon Based Anatomy
Genre : Progressive Metal

* * *

The BEST Compilation

Genre : Alt Rock
Recommended Track : Too many to name.
Personnel : Casey Crescenzo, Nick Crescenzo, Maxwell Tousseau, Connor Doyle

This gets its own write-up for being so fucking awesome. One of the most ambitious releases ever (36 Tracks!) and also one of the best of the decade. Stunning variation and I’m amazed how quickly they wrote this amount of good music. Truly brilliant collection that is just as essential as any of my main list. Would love to see this played through live.

* * *

My Honourable Mentions LIST

LP: Tenhi - Saivo
Genre: Progressive Folk

LP: Olafur Arnalds - Living Room Songs
Genre: Neo-Classical

LP: Will Haven - Voir Dire
Genre: Metalcore

LP: Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math
Genre: Indie / Alt Rock

LP: Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
Genre: Progressive Rock

LP: Thursday - No Devolution
Genre: Post-Hardcore

LP: Iselia - Life From Dead Limbs
Genre: Screamo

LP: Heart in Hand - Only Memories
Genre: Screamo / Hardcore

LP: Oh, Sleeper - Children of Fire
Genre: Metalcore

LP: Bomb The Music Industry - Vacation
Genre: Pop-Punk / Punk

LP: Fair To Midland - Arrows & Anchors
Genre: Alt Rock

LP: The Weeknd - House of Balloons
Genre: Urban

* * *

Biggest DISSAPOINTMENT 2011

Opeth - Heritage

STOP TRYING TO BE KING CRIMSON AND GO BACK TO PLAYING AMAZING MELODEATH YOU STUPID FUCKING IDIOTS.

That is all.

* * *

Closing Comments

I hope you guys enjoyed this (or at least read it LOL) I realise it’s a tl;dr but I care a LOT about music so I’m doing it for myself as much as anything. I just needed to make sense of this awesome year.

Cheers,
Isaac.

heard it through the wiretap

New Music Review Site

Review: Machinist! - Black List EP

New Cult of Luna track

The Saddest Landscape // new song premiere!

Review: Amenra - Mass V

GOAT.

Amia Venera Landscape »

Review: Kato - Came With Nothing / Left With Nothing EP

I love this album. I love this artwork. I love this band.

druqgs: Touché Amoré.

Glassjaw. Yep.

Barrow stream LP

meWithoutYou previewing their new album in the studio. Pumped.

Lovely.

Review : Glass Giant - EP

realscreamo: Kite Flying Society || Breathe

Review : Barrow - Being Without

New Chimp Spanner track. Sweet.

MUSIC OF THE YEAR

TOP 25 LPs

***TOP* 25 *LPs***