Gabe Gross
12/14/06, 08:52 PM
1. Anti-Flag - For Blood and Empire
This record has completely dominated my CD player since it came out in
January. Every song is fresh and sincere, diverse enough to stay
interesting but cohesive enough to come together perfectly. Even if
you're not a fan of Anti-Flag's prior material or their political
views, you still owe it to yourself to give this album a chance.
2. Rise Against - The Sufferer and the Witness
Although I'm not sure Rise Against will ever be able to match the
neo-classic status of their first two albums, they're still churning
out some of the best music the mainstream world will hear this decade.
3. Ryan's Hope - Apocalypse In Increments
The best up-and-coming Chicago punk band by far, these guys manage to
combine oldschool metal and pop punk in a unique way, not for a moment
conjuring similarities to any of the latest trendy screamo bands. You
don't hear a new, fresh style of melodic punk rock very often, but
Ryan's Hope has managed to create one.
4. Ignite - Our Darkest Days
I'd heard of Ignite for years, but always thought they were an
oldschool Victory-style hardcore band. I was very pleasantly surprised
to find that this album is a masterpiece of melodic hardcore,
completed by the impressive vocal range of lead singer Zoli Teglas.
Definitely one of the most consistently good punk records of 2006.
5. Punchline - 37 Everywhere
This one was a grower; I didn't get that into it at first but after a
few listens I was hooked. Punchline's always been a very unique pop
punk band, delivering infectious melodies without conforming to the
latest cookie cutter sound that, even when done well, usually bores
due to the sheer oversaturation of the style. If you like catchy pop
punk of any variety this is definitely an album worth checking out.
6. No Trigger - Canyoneer
Comparisons to Strike Anywhere and Good Riddance are inevitable with
this no-frills melodic hardcore style, but what they lack in
originality they make up for in aggressiveness and sincerity. Of
course, that stuff won't get you far without some real musical talent
and catchy hooks, and these guys are filled with both.
7. Over It - Step Outside Yourself
I've been an Over It fan for years, and managed to follow them from
their skate punk days all the way to this punk-influenced modern rock
sound. As with every album they've released, it took a number of
listens for me to appreciate the quality of the songs, but once I'm
over that hump I'm always impressed. They're destined to be radio rock
stars one day, and the mainstream will be better off for it.
8. Strike Anywhere - Dead FM
A slight disappointment for me, it's got the signature Strike Anywhere
sound that I love, but the hooks just aren't grabbing me this time
around. Still, Strike Anywhere on a bad day is better than most bands
on their best, and though it's my least favorite album of theirs, it's
still one of the best of the year.
9. Bigwig - Reclamation
How many years has it been since Bigwig put out a record? At least
they made it worth the wait. Just as good, if not better in some
places, as everything I've always liked about them. Catchy, aggressive
melodies. Gotta love it.
10. NOFX - Wolves In Wolves' Clothing
The War On Errorism was my favorite NOFX album since Punk In Drublic,
and history repeats with a following album that's got very little of
the serious material that I love them for. But still, NOFX is my
all-time favorite band and even when they write songs that disappoint
me, they still manage to do it in such a way that I can't help but
enjoy them for what they are.
This record has completely dominated my CD player since it came out in
January. Every song is fresh and sincere, diverse enough to stay
interesting but cohesive enough to come together perfectly. Even if
you're not a fan of Anti-Flag's prior material or their political
views, you still owe it to yourself to give this album a chance.
2. Rise Against - The Sufferer and the Witness
Although I'm not sure Rise Against will ever be able to match the
neo-classic status of their first two albums, they're still churning
out some of the best music the mainstream world will hear this decade.
3. Ryan's Hope - Apocalypse In Increments
The best up-and-coming Chicago punk band by far, these guys manage to
combine oldschool metal and pop punk in a unique way, not for a moment
conjuring similarities to any of the latest trendy screamo bands. You
don't hear a new, fresh style of melodic punk rock very often, but
Ryan's Hope has managed to create one.
4. Ignite - Our Darkest Days
I'd heard of Ignite for years, but always thought they were an
oldschool Victory-style hardcore band. I was very pleasantly surprised
to find that this album is a masterpiece of melodic hardcore,
completed by the impressive vocal range of lead singer Zoli Teglas.
Definitely one of the most consistently good punk records of 2006.
5. Punchline - 37 Everywhere
This one was a grower; I didn't get that into it at first but after a
few listens I was hooked. Punchline's always been a very unique pop
punk band, delivering infectious melodies without conforming to the
latest cookie cutter sound that, even when done well, usually bores
due to the sheer oversaturation of the style. If you like catchy pop
punk of any variety this is definitely an album worth checking out.
6. No Trigger - Canyoneer
Comparisons to Strike Anywhere and Good Riddance are inevitable with
this no-frills melodic hardcore style, but what they lack in
originality they make up for in aggressiveness and sincerity. Of
course, that stuff won't get you far without some real musical talent
and catchy hooks, and these guys are filled with both.
7. Over It - Step Outside Yourself
I've been an Over It fan for years, and managed to follow them from
their skate punk days all the way to this punk-influenced modern rock
sound. As with every album they've released, it took a number of
listens for me to appreciate the quality of the songs, but once I'm
over that hump I'm always impressed. They're destined to be radio rock
stars one day, and the mainstream will be better off for it.
8. Strike Anywhere - Dead FM
A slight disappointment for me, it's got the signature Strike Anywhere
sound that I love, but the hooks just aren't grabbing me this time
around. Still, Strike Anywhere on a bad day is better than most bands
on their best, and though it's my least favorite album of theirs, it's
still one of the best of the year.
9. Bigwig - Reclamation
How many years has it been since Bigwig put out a record? At least
they made it worth the wait. Just as good, if not better in some
places, as everything I've always liked about them. Catchy, aggressive
melodies. Gotta love it.
10. NOFX - Wolves In Wolves' Clothing
The War On Errorism was my favorite NOFX album since Punk In Drublic,
and history repeats with a following album that's got very little of
the serious material that I love them for. But still, NOFX is my
all-time favorite band and even when they write songs that disappoint
me, they still manage to do it in such a way that I can't help but
enjoy them for what they are.