Best Albums of 2009

10. O Pioneers!!! - Neon Creeps

This band sums up everything I love about folk-punk: the growled vocals that still manage to get stuck in your head, the frantic drumming, and the relentless guitar work. Neon Creeps is full of catchy, anthem-like choruses and is easy to get into. From the first listen, it's clear why this is probably the strongest folk-punk release of '09.

9. NOFX - Coaster

To be quite honest, I love NOFX to the point where they could release a compilation of Nickelback cover songs and I'd still fork over 20 bucks for a hard copy, but Coaster was a surprisingly solid release from a band that's been around for about 20 years now. Complimented with the Cokie the Clown EP later in November, 2009 was a pretty successful year for one of the best punk bands around today.

8. Wolfmother - Cosmic Egg

After the lineup changes Wolfmother went through over the past year or so, Cosmic Egg makes it clear that frontman Andrew Stockdale was the band's creative mind. Most of the songs on this album wouldn't be out of place on their 2005 self-titled release. The only difference on this album is the slightly more upbeat feel that Stockdale's songwriting has taken on. The addition of a second guitar player has really filled out the band's sound and the new lineup seems to be more musically competent than the previous one.

7. Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!

Nick Cave can write like few other people around today. From the lyrics on Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! to his second novel, the Death of Bunny Munro, Cave has more than proved his poetic prowess this year. His lyrics are a perfect fit for the band's unique songwriting and this album manages to stay entertaining for every one of its 53 minutes.

6. Wax Mannequin - Saxon

While it may not be as heavy or rock-driven as some of his previous albums, Saxon feels more introspective and lyrically conscious. These lyrics are complemented by some fantastic guitar playing and while most of the album is acoustic, the guitar lines are very pronounced. Wax is backed by Black Blood for his tour in support of the album and the album doesn't do a live show justice, although it's still more than worth picking up.


5. Dinosuar Jr. - Farm

Dinosaur Jr.'s post-reunion releases just keep getting better and better. I don't think anyone had high expectations for 2007's Beyond, but they've proved that it wasn't a fluke with the release of what is easily the catchiest album I've heard all year. J Mascis is a genius when it comes to songwriting and this album features well-crafted melodies juxtaposed with gritty guitar and Mascis' trademark vocals. His soaring solos feel natural and the album holds attention extremely well. Whatever the state of the band relationship happens to be, I wouldn't change a thing if it meant another album of this quality.

4. Pissed Jeans - King of Jeans

"I could put on a tight black shirt, but I don't bother!" This line sets the tone for Pissed Jeans' best album to date. Self-loathing, tongue-in-cheek lyrics about seemingly pointless topics are screamed with so much conviction that you can't help empathizing with singer Matt Korvette over his hair loss or laziness. Full of piercing feedback and walls of distortion, this album was one of my favourite LPs of the year.


3. A Place To Bury Strangers

I absolutely loved APTBS' self-titled, D.I.Y.-style debut release, so I was looking forward to hearing their cacophonous noise assault recorded in a proper studio and polished up a bit. Exploding Head may be more accessible than the first album, but songwriter Oliver Ackermann sacrifices none of his ear-shattering shoegaze style. The songs on this album are more thought-out and structured, but are still drowned in Ackermann's Death By Audio guitar effect pedals. It's a brilliant album and a welcome revival of noise rock. Now to catch a live show...

2. Alexisonfire - Old Crows/Young Cardinals

I didn't expect a record like this from Alexisonfire. After their most commercial, polished-sounding album yet with Crisis, AOF seemed poised to become another post-harcore band pandering to a MuchMusic-watching audience (okay, that's a bit harsh, but I was a bit concerned). While the first single "Young Cardinals" may have began to confirm those fears, they were quickly put to rest when the full album was released. Rather than playing to their fan base, AOF risks alienating them with what could easily be described as a punk album. George Petits' trademark screams have become a refined growl and although still well-written, the guitar parts have been stripped down and have a beautiful raw feel. Old Crows/Young Cardinals is the most mature release from this band yet and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.

1. Propagandhi - Supporting Caste

Every album this band puts out manages to top the last and Supporting Caste is definitely no exception. They've moved farther from their punk roots with this album, but haven't lost any of their no-bullshit punk ethic. Every song is unforgiving and the band's musicianship has continued to progress. The witty, politically-charged lyrics the band has become known for are belted by a confident Chris Hannah, whose vocals are stronger than ever. Since I picked it up in May I've been listening to this album nonstop and I hope Propagandhi gain the kind of attention they deserve, seeing as they've had very limited radio play in the past. In what is being called the worst musical decade in history, albums like these renew my faith in contemporary music.

Sleepless Nights - King Diamond (EP)

As soon as I heard the opening track "Radio Silence" off the Halifax-based Sleepless Nighs' new EP, something clicked. There are some bands you come to like over time and there are some that you instantly connect with. "King Diamond" was my first exposure to the band and I was intrigued by their shoegaze-inspired approach to punk. The EP is surprisingly dynamic and diverse considering it only spans 4 tracks. The vocals are defined and very comparable to those of the Weakerthans' John Sampson. Sleepless Nights are able to create the "wall of sound" effect often associated with shoegaze while working in hooks and melodies that compliment the vocals beautifully. After downloading this EP for free (!) off the band's website, I can now consider my self a fan. At 13 minutes and 4 songs, this EP is a cruel tease of what this band can do.

8/10

http://thesleeplessnights.com/

Arkells - Jackson Square

If you live in the Hamilton or Toronto are, chances are you've heard of the Arkells. While their debut album "Jackson Square" is hardly a new discovery, it most definitely deserves recognition. The Arkells blend catchy rock riffs with an indie style, making this album very easy to get into. The songwriting sounds very instinctive, but still manages to sound original and hold the listener's attention. All five members are very competent on their instruments and although the album doesn't contain any jaw-dropping musicianship, the music sounds very smooth and well-mixed. The vocals on "Jackson Square" are superb and the 12 tracks are filled with spots of backup vocals belted out so perfectly behind Max Kerman's solid voice that you can't help but shout them out along with the band. Overall, the album feels compellingly honest and easy to connect to. The Arkells are a perfect example of the kind of musical talent budding in Hamilton and their recent success across Canada is well-deserved.

8.5/10

Pissed Jeans - King Of Jeans

Squeals of feedback, pounding rhythm lines, and harsh vocals are Pissed Jeans' trademark sound, and on their new LP "King of Jeans" their sound comes together better than ever before. They've refined their songwriting and made their material more accessible without sacrificing their gritty, sludge-punk style. Songs like "False Jesii, Part 2" and "Human Upskirt" use the punctuating, percussive vocal style of frontman Matt Korvette to create hooks using rhythm rather than melody. The album contains a good ratio of fast punk songs to slow sludge tracks. It flows well between these styles for the most part (The placing of "Request for Masseuse" right before "Human Upskirt, for example) and the closer "Goodbye (Hair)" is the perfect closing song. Many of the tracks (especially the aforementioned closings song) are very reminiscent of The Jesus Lizard at the height of their career, so if you are a fan, I would definitely recommend this album.

Standout tracks: False Jesii, Part 2", "Request For Masseuse"

9.0/10

No Alestorm/The End Of Hostage Life

Opted out of going to see Alestorm after discovering that the show was a full-blown Norwegian Death Metal festival. It's just not my thing..... Anyway today is a sad day for Canadian punk as Hostage Life announced that they will be breaking up as of November 20th. I saw these guys twice this year and they were incredible both times, they will be sorely missed and I hope to see them again sometime in the future.

Believe it or not, I'm going to see pirate-metal band "Alestorm" at the Opera House on Wednesday. Any show that features bands who sing about wenches and mead is bound to be a good time. Updates to follow after the show. Band's MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/alestorm

Music From The Hammer

As the name suggests, this blog is music-oriented and written from Hamilton, Ontario. Most of the posts will be reviews or opinions or just cool stories about music and stuff i find "blog-worthy". Despite my hatred for the word "blog" and the stereotype that comes with writing one, it is an excellent way to voice one's opinion and being the opinionated music fan that I am, I figured I may as well give it a shot.