Oklahoma Lefty: December 2011

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Currently Listening

1. “Defy the Moon” by Drag the River (from You Can’t Live This Way)

2. “Baba O’Riley” by The Gaslight Anthem (from iTunes Session)

3. “Tonight Ain’t Gonna Be Good” by Lucero (from Dreaming In America)

4. “Finding My Way” by The Pipettes (from Earth vs. The Pipettes)

5. “Pretty Please Me” by Redd Kross (from Show World)

6. “Oise” by Scorpios (from Scorpios)

7. “Make It Out Alive” by Two Cow Garage (from The Wall Against Our Back)

8. “For the Underdogs” by The Ducky Boys (from Three Chords and the Truth)

9. “Good Enough” by John Moreland & The Dust Bowl Souls (from Everything The Hard Way)

10. “Goodbye to You” by Scandal (from Greatest Hits-Featuring Scandal)

Friday, December 30, 2011

Video of the Day

"Freddy Mercury" by De Cylinders

Thanks to Dr. Frank for the find.

Broncho Featured in NPR’s The Year In Garage Rock: 5 Favorites For 2011

Norman’s Broncho’s debut album Can't Get Past the Lips was featured in NPR’s The Year In Garage Rock: 5 Favorites For 2011. Here’s what they had to say about the record –

Perhaps the best debut album of 2011 came by way of BRONCHO, a garage-punk quartet from Norman, Okla. Frontman Ryan Lindsey is better known as the keyboardist for the Starlight Mints, but this side project has been touring the Midwest since early 2010. Can't Get Past the Lips hit stores this August, and "Try Me Out Sometime" was an instant standout. It's not a complex song, by any means, and the simplicity is fantastic because the execution is so strong. Three chords are plenty enough backdrop for Lindsey to yelp out the hooks. Watch the excellent music video, in which the band barges into unsuspecting, unlikely venues — stores, major intersections, a college classroom — and performs increasingly disastrous versions of the song before darting out. BRONCHO has never played a show outside a narrow corridor from Austin to Chicago, so coast-dwellers will have to cross their fingers for that to change soon.

Congrats to Broncho! I shall be picking this CD up at my next trip to Guestroom Records, that is for sure (I’m actually ashamed that I haven’t gotten it yet).

Currently Listening

1. “Scars” by The Ducky Boys (from Three Chords and the Truth)

2. “Here’s to the Losers” by Drag the River (from 2010 Demons)

3. “Halfway Wrong” by Lucero (from 1372 Overton Park)

4. “Sunsets” by Mixtapes (from Maps & Companions)

5. “Moonshiner” by Scorpios (from Scorpios)

6. “Sam Old Blues” by Sassparilla (from The Darnedest Thing)

7. “One Simple Word” by Material Issue (from Freak City Soundtrack)

8. “Two Anglers” by Luther (from Siblings and Sevens)

9. “Christian Rock” by John Moreland & The Dust Bowl Souls (from Everything the Hard Way)

10. “Punk Rock is Big Business” by Wretch Like Me (from New Ways to Fail)

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Frank Turner & Jon Snodgrass Release “Happy New Year”

Frank Turner and Jon Snodgrass have released a new track in celebration of the upcoming New Year. Check it out on SoundCloud. As one would expect coming from the combined genius of Turner and Snodgrass, the song is freaking brilliant!!!

Happy New Year (Frank Turner & Jon Snodgrass) by fthc

Video of the Day

"Step Down" by Sick Of It All

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Video fo the Day

"Do Me Like You Do" by Old Man Markley

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Video of the Day

"Choices Made" by CIV

2012 Releases I'm Excited About

With 2011 closing out, it’s time to look to see what 2012 has to offer. Musically it looks like next year is going to be a doozy with releases by everyone from Hot Water Music to The All-American Rejects. Here are the eight albums that I am most looking forward to in 2012.

1. Esperanto Sessions by Doug McKean

The former GC5 bassist sent me an advance copy of his fourth solo album earlier this year and I have been eagerly awaiting its release since. McKean has always been an outstanding songwriter and this album is another testament to his great talent. Now technically the record was released digitally earlier this month (get it here) but since it was so late in the year and McKean told me that he won’t be promoting it until 2012, hence its inclusion here.

2. One Man Army

The recently reformed One Man Army started writing songs for their new album. The record will be released by Adeline Records sometime next year. This is the first new material from the band since 2004’s split with Alkaline Trio. The band will also be reissuing their first two records in 2012.

3. Teenage Bottlerocket

TBR will be heading to The Blasting Room in February to record their fifth full-length record. The album will be released by Fat Wreck Chords later in 2012.

4. Hot Water Music

HWM has nearly completed their next record which will be released on Rise Records in 2012. This is the first new full-length from the band since 2004’s The New What Next.

5. The Bouncing Souls

The Bouncing Souls recently finished writing their latest album (which will be their ninth). The album will be released on Chunksaah Records next year.

6. 40 Miler by Tim Barry

Tim Barry’s next album 40 Miler will be released in 2012 on Chunksaah Records. Barry released a video for the song “Amen” earlier this year and if the rest of the record is as good as that song then we are in for a treat and an outstanding album.

7. Chasing the Ghost by The Ducky Boys

Boston’s The Ducky Boys return next month with their first new record since 2006’s The War Back Home.

8. The Gaslight Anthem

The Gaslight Anthem recently finished writing the material for their upcoming major label debut. The album is slated for a summer release and I suspect that it will be huge.

Currently Listening

1. “Great Expectations” by The Gaslight Anthem (from The ’59 Sound)

2. “The Spirit of Jazz” by The Gaslight Anthem (from American Slang)

3. “Hooidge” by ALL (from Allroy Sez)

4. “Can’t Say” by ALL (from Dot [EP])

5. “Aggressive Passion” by Doug McKean (from Esperanto Sessions)

6. “Down to Nothing” by Doug McKean (from Unquiey)

7. “Jingle” by Paul Westerberg (from Folker)

8. “Let the Bad Times Roll” by Paul Westerberg (from Stereo)

9. “Dirty Lips” by Drag the River (from Bad at Breaking Up)

10. “Modern Drunkard” by Drag the River (from Hey Buddies…)

Monday, December 26, 2011

Video of the Day

"Catch My Disease" by Ben Lee

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Video of the Day

"It's Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by U2

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Video of the Day

"A Fairytale Of New York" by The Pogues & Kirsty McColl

My Favorite Reads 2011

I love to read, but unlike with music, I don’t even try to keep up with new releases in the literary world. That having been said, I always have a book going (sometimes more than one, but that is usually an unsuccessful endeavor). Here are my favorite books that I read this year.

Title: Geek Girls Unite: How Fangirls, Bookworms, Indie Chicks, and Other Misfits are Taking over the World (Official, Amazon, Indie Bound)

Author: Leslie Simon (Official, Twitter, Harper Collins)

Leslie Simon’s third book is as witty and intelligent as her previous work. This time around, she delves into the complex world of female geekdom in many of its incarnations. The book is a ton of fun to read and chuck full of great information. This is a must for geeks everywhere!

Title: Vampire A Go-Go (Official, Amazon)

Author: Victor Gischler (Blogpocalypse, Facebook, Twitter, Google +, MySpace, LinkedIn, GoodReads, Wikipedia)

I picked this up at the going-out-of-business sale at the Borders in Norman. I knew nothing about the book or the author but within a few pages I was hooked. This satirical horror novel is a blast to read, but what makes it so good is that while poking fun at the genre it also masters it. This is one of the best vampire novels that I’ve ever read.

Title: Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground 1981-1991 (Amazon, Facebook, Wikipedia)

Author: Michael Azerrad (Official Blog, MySpace, Facebook, Wikipedia)

This book is simply a must for any fan of underground music. Covering the extremely important years of 1981-1991, Azerrad chronicles the adventure of 13 of the most important bands in the American underground through in-depth research, personal experience, and countless hours of interviews.

Title: Mortal Coils (Official, Amazon)

Author: Eric Nylund (Official, Facebook, Wikipedia)

Mortal Coils is a myth-based, urban fantasy that centers on 15-year-old twins Fiona and Eliot Post. Unknown to the twins, they are the offspring of a goddess and the devil and their entire life to this point has been a lie. But that all changes as they come into their own, discover the truth about their heritage, and the extent of their own powers. This is a great book that is a must for fans of series like Percy Jackson and The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel.

Title: Serpent’s Storm (Amazon, Google Books)
Author: Amber Benson (Official Blog, Facebook, Twitter, IMDB, Wikipedia)

Another myth-based, urban fantasy, Serpent’s Storm is the third book in the Calliope Reaper-Jones series and chronicles the adventures of the daughter of Death. This is a series that each year I look forward to getting the next book in the series.

Title: The Hunger Games (Official, SuzanneCollinsBooks.com, Facebook, Scholastic, Amazon, Wikipedia)

Author: Suzanne Collins (Official, GoodReads, Scholastic, Amazon, Wikipedia)

Every once in a while the hype is right. It was right with Harry Potter and it is certainly right with The Hunger Games. This science fiction novel is a fast paced, non-stop thrill ride that left me dying to know more. Luckily the rest of the series is readily available. Unfortunately though not in paperback (I like to keep my books all in the same format). And in 2012 there is a feature film adaptation of the book that, based on the trailer, looks fantastic.

Title: The Warlock: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel (Official, Amazon, Wikipedia)

Author: Michael Scott (Official, Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads, Wikipedia)

Yet another myth-based, urban fantasy (can you tell that I like these?). This is the fifth book in the excellent Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. What’s great about this series is the amount of myth, folklore, and historical knowledge that Scott brings to the series (he is an expert in folklore).

Title: Legends of Shannara: The Measure of the Magic (Amazon, Wikipedia)

Author: Terry Brooks (Official, Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads, Wikipedia)

The latest in the ever-expanding Shannara series is another bridge from the Word & Void trilogy. While this isn’t the best thing that Brooks’ has ever written, it is still fun and definitely a must for any fan that wants to keep up with the Shannara universe.

Currently Listening

1. “Cleaning House” by Grandpaboy (from Dead Man Shake)

2. “Ain’t No Talkin’” by The Pipettes (from Earth vs. The Pipettes)

3. “No Culture Icons” by The Thermals (from More Parts Per Million)

4. “Carry On” by Rose Elinor Dougall (from Without Why)

5. “Tired & Fired” by Drag the River (from It’s Crazy)

6. “Everything” by Doughboys (from Crush)

7. “Ballad of a Lonely Man” by Material Issue (from Destination Universe)

8. “Heart of a Broken Story” by The Promise Ring (from 30 Degrees Everywhere)

9. “Sinner Inside” by Pegboy (from Earwig)

10. “Believe” by Doug McKean (from Esperanto Sessions)

Friday, December 23, 2011

My Favorite Records of the Year That Were Not Released in 2011

2011 was another year of great musical discovery for me. In some cases it was discovering new (to me at least) artists and in some cases it was discovering the depths of certain artists catalogs. Either way it was a year filled with lots of amazing music and here are my favorites that I discovered this year that weren’t released this year.

Title: Life's a Riot with Spy vs. Spy (Amazon, iTunes, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Artist: Billy Bragg (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, iLike, Last.fm, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

I first heard Billy Bragg in 1991 when his song “Sexuality” got regular airplay in 120 Minutes. I really liked the song but for whatever reason never got the record. Fast-forward to 2001. Rancid’s Lars Frederiksen released the first album for his side-project the Bastards. The record included an excellent cover of Bragg’s “To Have and to Have Not.” Again I loved the song but never got around to checking out the original. Then earlier this year I found a video of YouTube of Frank Turner and Brian Fallon covering Bragg’s “A New England.” This time I decided I really needed to check out this Billy Bragg chap so I downloaded Life’s a Riot with Spy vs. Spy and fell in love. I will spend a lot of time in 2012 getting to know Mr. Bragg and his work much more closely. Check out “A New England” and “To Have and to Have Not.”

Title: Gold Country (Amazon, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Artist: Chuck Ragan (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Last.fm, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Chuck Ragan’s Gold Country is nothing short of brilliant. Like I said in my CD Spotlight: Gold Country post, “This CD has had more of an affect on me than any other I’ve heard in 2011.” Gold Country has made such an impact on me that it has become one of my 10 favorite records of all-time. Check out “Ole Diesel,” “10 West,” “Done and Done,” and “For Goodness Sake.”

Title: Hobo's Demo's (Suburban Home Records, Amazon, iTunes, Interpunk, AllMusic)

Artist: Drag the River (Official, Facebook, MySpace, Last.fm, BandCamp, YouTube, Suburban Home Records, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

I spent a lot of 2011 trying to track down as many of Drag the River’s releases as possible. This was actually not an easy feat and I still have a few to procure but each one that I’ve gotten is precious. The fact that Drag the River isn’t huge is a crying shame. Not only are they one of the best bands in the world, they are super nice and humble guys. Hobo’s Demo’s was the band’s debut album and one of the first that I was able to get my hands on. Check out “Disbelieve” and “Back to God.”

Title: Strong Reaction (Amazon, iTunes, Interpunk, Touch and Go Records, AllMusic)

Artist: Pegboy (Facebook, MySpace, Last.fm, AllMusic, Touch and Go Records, Wikipedia)

I remember seeing at least one video from this record when it was released in 1991 on 120 Minutes. Kind of like with Bill Bragg, I really liked the song but never got around to really checking out the band. Well I finally got around to doing just that this year and boy am I glad that I did. Pegboy mix post hardcore with power pop sensibilities (imagine Naked Raygun and Cheap Trick having a kid) with powerful results. Check out “Strong Reaction,” “Through My Fingers,” and “Superstar.”

Title: Laurel Street Demo 2005 (Amazon, iTunes, Interpunk, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Artist: Tim Barry (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Last.fm, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Like Chuck Ragan and Frank Turner, Tim Barry is an artist that went from playing in a hardcore/post hardcore/melodic hardcore band to slinging an acoustic guitar. Laurel Street Demo 2005 is Barry’s solo debut and is brilliant. Barry has always had a way with words, penning poignant lyrics while in Avail, but there is something about the simplicity of this music that makes his talent standout even more. Check out “Idle Idylist” (which has become one of my favorite songs of all-time), “Sorrow Floats,” and “No News from North” (live).

Title: Ripped Up Jeans and Silly Dreams (BandCamp, If You Make It)

Artist: Candy Hearts (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Tumblr, Last.fm, BandCamp)

Candy Hearts’ debut album is an exceptionally fun romp through ‘90s nostalgia indie rock and pop punk. I think I put it best in my post New to Me: Ripped Up Jeans and Silly Dreams post when I said –

Ripped Up Jeans and Silly Dreams truly sounds like something that could have come out in the glory days of the ‘90s indie scene along side the likes of The Blake Babies, The Lemonheads, and The Muffs. In fact it is The Muffs that Candy Hearts really remind me of, which could be do to the vocal similarities but I think it has more to do with the fact that these are bands that know how to write great pop songs. I think that is also why I keep thinking of The Thermals as well. In fact if The Muffs and The Thermals had a kid, it would probably be the Candy Hearts.

Check out “You and Me,” “Punk Songs” (acoustic), and “Blocking the Sunshine.”

Title: Smile Sweet Face (Suburban Home Records, Amazon, iTunes, Interpunk)

Artist: Chad Price (MySpace, Last.fm, Suburban Hume Records, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Chad Price has one of the most amazing voices in all of rock ‘n’ roll (in fact his is my all-time favorite) and it is that voice that drives the haunting and majestic record. Smile Sweet Face is simply a beautiful record. The songs are passionate and simple and enough to make you want to cry. Check out “This Cross” (live), “With Broken Hearts” (live), and “Cursed” (live).

Title: The Outlets (Amazon, AllMusic, Last.fm)

Artist: The Outlets (Official, Last.fm, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

I first heard of The Outlets when the Dropkick Murphys covered their classic “Knock Me Down” for the Mob Mentality split with The Business. Then I heard Down By Law’s cover of “Best Friends” but tracking down anything by The Outlets themselves seemed to be a daunting task. Earlier this year I stumbled on a download of the band’s self-titled record and boy-o-boy what a record it is! This is great, stripped down power popping rock ‘n’ roll music. Check out “Best Friends,” “Someday,” and “Knock Me Down.”

Title: Love Ire & Song (Amazon, iTunes, Interpunk, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Artist: Frank Turner (Official, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, Last.fm, AllMusic, Wikipedia)

Frank Turner, along with Drag the River, Tim Barry, and Chuck Ragan, was one of my musical obsessions of 2011. His latest album is my favorite of the year but it just scratches the surface of the musical genius of this man’s catalog. 2008’s Love Ire & Song is a record chuck full of songs that are as uplifting and powerful as they are catchy and fun. Seriously, go and check this out. And on a somewhat related note, I found this live concert on NPR while gathering the links above. The show is just Mr. Turner and his guitar and is fantastic. Back to Love Ire & Song, check out “Photosynthesis,” “I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous,” “Try This at Home,” and “Long Live the Queen.”

Video of the Day

"Hipster Kids/Sexy Beards" by Dr. Pants

Thanks to OklahomaRock.com News Blog for the find.

Currently Listening

1. “Dizz Knee Land” by Dada (from Puzzle)

2. “A Stare Like Yours” by The Thermals (from Fuckin A)

3. “Little Mascara” by The Draft (from We’ll Inherit the Earth: A Tribute to The Replacements)

4. “If Ever You Should Fall” by Material Issue (from Destination Universe)

5. “Fast & Hard” by Bash & Pop (from Friday Night is Killing Me)

6. “Settle” by Broadcaster (from Welcome to the Wetlands)

7. “The Cause and the Cure” by Drag the River (from It’s Crazy)

8. “Hi-Pro Glow” by Dillinger Four (from This Shit is Genius)

9. “Thatcher Fucked the Kids” by Frank Turner (from Campfire Punkrock)

10. “Pack It Up” by Jawbreaker (from Bivouac)

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Video of the Day

"Elvis is Everywhere" by Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Video of the Day

"Sugar Kane" by Sonic Youth

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Video of the Day

"Lucky" by Descendents

Monday, December 19, 2011

Video of the Day

"Dizz Knee Land" by Dada

They Stay Dead’s Cursed EP Streaming on PunkNews.org

Edmond’s They Stay Dead’s latest EP Cursed is streaming over on PunkNews.org. You can listen to the stream here. Also according to the story, the band has signed to Death To False Hope Records.

Check out my review of Cursed and see where it landed on my Top 20 Albums of 2011.

Currently Listening

1. “Divine Intervention” by Matthew Sweet (from Girlfriend)

2. “Sick of Myself” by Matthew Sweet (from 100% Fun)

3. “Clearing House” by Grandpaboy (from Dead Man Shake)

4. “Lush and Green” by Grandpaboy (from Grandpaboy EP)

5. “Take Me Anywhere” by School of Fish (from Human Cannonball)

6. “Roses Colored Glasses” by School of Fish (from School of Fish)

7. “Write It Down” by Banner Pilot (from Collapser)

8. “Calling Station” by Banner Pilot (from Heart Beats Pacific)

9. “Leaner Days” by Sinkhole (from Groping for Trout)

10. “Deep End” by Sinkhole (from Space Freak)

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Video of the Day

"Unseen Power of The Picket Fence" by Pavement

Currently Listening

1. “A New England” by Billy Bragg (from Life’s a Riot with Spy vs. Spy)

2. “The Trench” by Chuck Ragan (from Gold Country)

3. “All-N-All” by Drag the River (from Hobo’s Demo’s)

4. “Through My Fingers” by Pegboy (from Strong Reaction)

5. “Idle Idylist” by Tim Barry (from Laurel Street Demo 2005)

6. “Blocking the Sunshine” by Candy Hearts (from Ripped Up Jeans and Silly Dreams)

7. “John Hardy” by Uncle Tupelo (from No Depression [Bonus Tracks])

8. “With Broken Hearts” by Chad Price (from Smile Sweet Face)

9. “Knock Me Down” by The Outlets (from The Outlets)

10. “Love Ire and Song” by Frank Turner (from Love Ire & Song)

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Video of the Day

"Tangerine" by Buffalo Tom

Friday, December 16, 2011

Video of the Day

"Down with Disease" by Phish

Currently Reading: The Hunger Games

Title: The Hunger Games (Official, SuzanneCollinsBooks.com, Facebook, Scholastic, Amazon, Wikipedia)

Author: Suzanne Collins (Official, GoodReads, Scholastic, Amazon, Wikipedia)

The Hunger Games is the first book in a trilogy of the same name by Suzanne Collins. The story takes place in a future where the United States in no more and the lands that had been North America have been broken up into 12 districts. As a punishment for an uprising in the past, each district must offer up one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to compete in a fight to the death in which only one can survive—The Hunger Games.

I started reading this book about a week ago or so and I have already plowed through three-fourths of it. It’s one of those books that I have a really hard time putting down because I’m dying to know what happens next. My son is a huge fan of Suzanne Collins’ The Underland Chronicles and if those books are half as good as what I’ve read of The Hunger Games so far, then I can see why.

The book has also been adapted into a film that will be released in May 2012 (check out the trailer here). Based on the trailer, the film looks fantastic. Heck, if it is anywhere near as good as the book, then it will be great.

Currently Listening

1. “Take Me Anywhere” by School of Fish (from Human Cannonball)

2. “Goin’ Through Your Purse” by Material Issue (from Freak City Soundtrack)

3. “Never Relief” by Dead To Me (from Moscow Penny Ante)

4. “Crazy” by The Bombpops (from Stole The TV)

5. “Work for Food” by Dramarama (from The Best of Dramarama: 18 Big Ones)

6. “Screen” by Broadcaster (from Welcome to the Wetlands)

7. “Liberace Hat Trick” by Pegboy (from Cha Cha Damore)

8. “My Tribute to the Misfits [AKA Your Sister is a Werewolf Tonight]” by Sicko (from You’re Not the Boss of Me)

9. “Running Wild” by Wagers (from New Guilt)

10. “Bad Scene, Everyone’s Fault” by Jawbreaker (from Dear You)

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Video of the Day

"If You Only Knew" by ALL

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Video of the Day

"In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Video of the Day

"Candy Everybody Wants" by 10,000 Maniacs

Monday, December 12, 2011

Video of the Day

"Give Up" by Sebadoh

Top 20 Albums of 2011

2011 was the first year in a long, long time that I really tried to keep up with new releases. Because of that, I got to hear a lot of great new music and thus have a fairly lengthy end-of-year list. My tastes in music this year seemed to coalesce around the styles of pop punk, alt country, indie rock, and melodic post hardcore (in fact, I suspect that this is a very orgcore friendly list).

What’s been interesting about the best of 2011 lists that I’ve seen so far is how wildly different they are. Most have included Adele’s 21 (she made # 1 on Rolling Stones’ list) somewhere and a few have put PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake at the top spot, but beyond that there is no pattern or consensus. My list is probably going to add to that lack of consensus (not that anyone really cares what I think).

So without any further ado, here are my 20 favorite albums of 2011.

20. Guts n' Teeth by Old Man Markley

Old Man Markley's Guts n' Teeth is an extremely fun bluegrass record. Who knew punk rockers could play bluegrass so well. Read my review here. Check out "For Better, For Worse" and “Guts n’ Teeth.”

19. Perfect's Gonna Fail by The Gateway District

The Gateway District’s Perfect’s Gonna Fail is great female-fronted Midwestern punk record. My only complaint is that I just discovered this band. Read my review here. Check out “Run Away.”

18. North Sentinel Island by The Copyrights

The Copyrights latest is another blast of pop punk perfection. Read my review here. Check out “Scars,” “Trustees of Modern Chemistry,” and “Bow Down.”

17. Don't Need Much by Great Cynics

Great Cynics' Don't Need Much is an excellent indie rock/power pop record that really reminds me of Sugar. Read my review here. Check out “Dave & Angela,” “Twenty Five,” and “Cider for Breakfast.”

16. Here, Under Protest by Swingin' Utters

Of all the records that I was looking forward to this year, the Utters' was on the top of my list. I was anticipating this record for a couple of reasons: 1) it's the first Swingin' Utters record in eight years and 2) it's their first record with Jack Dalrymple on guitar and vocals. While Here, Under Protest isn't the best album in the Utters' catalogue, it's still a great listen that shows how this band has evolved over the years. Read my review here. Check out “Effortless Amnesiac,” “Good Things,” and “Taking the Long Way.”

15. Resolutions by Dave Hause

I'm new to Dave Hause's work but was extremely impressed with his solo full-length debut record Resolutions. Imagine and American Frank Turner. Read my review here. Check out “C'mon Kid,” “Years from Now,” and “Time Will Tell.”

14. Wasting Light by Foo Fighters

The Foo Fighters latest is quite possibly their best album to date. The record is filled with melodic post hardcore-y rock 'n' roll anthems that have some of the biggest hooks that I've ever heard. Read my original review here. Check out "Walk," "Back & Forth," and "These Days."

13. Everything's Amazing & Nobody's Happy by Candy Hearts

One of my favorite records that I heard this year that wasn't released in 2011 was Candy Hearts' fantastic Ripped Up Jeans & Silly Dreams. The record dripped with '90s nostalgia and included quite a few power pop gems. The band's follow up, Everything's Amazing & Nobody's Happy, is just as good. Read my review here.

12. Heart Beats Pacific by Banner Pilot

This album gets better each and every time I listen to it. Simply put, it’s really fantastic Midwestern punk. Read my review here. Check out "Alchemy,” “Division Street,” and “Spanish Reds.”

11. Moscow Penny Ante by Dead To Me

Dead To Me's third full-length album includes yet another lineup change but in clear DTM fashion, the band produced a kick bippy melodic punk rock record. Read my review here. Check out “Monarch Hotel,” “The Trials of Oscar Wilde,” and “The Hand with Inherited Rings.”

10. New Guilt by Wagers

This album has spent a lot of time on my MP3 player this year and nearly every time I heard a song that I didn't immediately recognize and thought to myself "who is this, this is great" it was Wagers. This band is just a crazy good indie rock/power pop/pop punk band. Read my review here.

9. They Stay Dead and Cursed by They Stay Dead

Rising out of the ashes of Euclid Crash, Edmond's They Stay Dead released two stellar EPs this year. They Stay Dead mixes melodic hardcore, post hardcore, and pop punk elements with some tremendous musicianship by the entire band making them a band to be reckoned with. Read my reviews here and here.

8. The Dangers of Standing Still by Red City Radio

OKC's Red City Radio blasted out a stellar full-length debut in The Dangers of Standing Still. The band, equal parts Hot Water Music and The Bouncing Souls, plays high energy, Oklahoma loving, melodic hardcore/post hardcore/pop punk with gravelly dual vocals. Read my review here. Check out "50^th & Western,” “Drinking Ourselves Into the Future,” “Spinning in Circles is a Gateway Drug.”

7. Dancing Underneath the Moonlight by Hudson Falcons

New Jersey's working class warriors returned this year with their fifth full-length album of pure rock 'n' roll excellence. The Falcons have really grown into a truly great rock band, maturing out of their oi/street punk beginnings to carry Bruce Springsteen's torch. If you're a fan of The Gaslight Anthem, then I highly suggest you check out Dancing Underneath the Moonlight. Read my review here. Check out "Don’t Let the Bastards Bring You Down” and “South Dakota Nights” (live).

6. Covering Ground by Chuck Ragan

Chuck Ragan's third solo album is yet another batch of Americana brilliance. While not quite as good as 2009's phenomenal Gold Country, Covering Ground is a starkly dark album that draws from life on the road and speaks to the constant moving of life. Read my review here. Check out "Nothing Left to Prove,” “Lost and Found,” “Nomad By Fate.”

5. Over Leavitt by Noise By Numbers

Dan Schafer (aka Dan Vapid) is a freaking genius. Everything this man touches is pop punk gold and Noise By Numbers is no exception to this rule. Read my review here. Check out "Lost My Way,” “Disappointed,” and “A Song for Emily.”

4. Tri-State Record by Jon Snodgrass & Friends

So what happens when Drag the River's Jon Snodgrass gets together and records some songs with his friends who happen to be from the likes of ALL, Descendents, Teenage Bottlerocket, and Hot Water Music? An outstanding EP that's what. Tri-State Record showcases Snodgrass' excellent songwriting ability and versatility. At times this EP sounds like Drag the River, at times it sounds like Armchair Martian, and at times like Snodgrass' solo material. There was a full length version recently released called Five-State Record but I have as yet been able to procure a copy of it to review. Read my review here. Check out "Hey Dennis” (this is a live version and the only song from the EP that I could find on YouTube).

3. Joyride by Broadcaster

Joyride is a release that I just happened upon after reading a glowing review; a review so glowing that I had to hear the EP for myself. Broadcaster, like Great Cynics and Candy Hearts, is a band that is steeped in '90s nostalgia but beyond that, Joyride is a fantastic collection of power pop/indie rock/pop punk songs. Read my review here.

2. Trips by Samiam

Samiam is an excellent melodic hardcore/post hardcore/pop punk band that had been very active during the 1990s. Trips is their triumphant return and an absolutely brilliant record. For those who missed this band the first time around but are fans of Dead To Me, Banner Pilot, The Copyrights, Noise By Numbers, Smoking Popes, Dillinger Four, and/or Jawbreaker, I highly, HIGHLY recommend checking out Samiam's Trips. Read my review here. Check out "80 West,” “Clean Up the Mess,” and “Free Time.”

1. England Keep My Bones by Frank Turner

Frank Turner's fourth full length album is nothing short of absolute brilliance. Turner's mix of folk, country, pop, and punk creates an atmosphere that is as familiar as it is unique. And on top of that, the lyrics are uplifting and filled with earnestness and honesty. Read my review here and my interview with Mr. Turner here. Check out "Eulogy," "I Still Believe," "Glory Hallelujah," and "Peggy Sang the Blues."