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2015: Year End Review by Tom Liveyns
ThePunkSite.com’s Best Of 2015
It’s that time of year again where we sit back, eat food, drink beer and reminisce about the past year’s best and worst, highlights and lowlights. The albums that forced us to sing our hearts out, the shows that struck a chord and the moments reverberated through our collected consciousnesses. We here at ThePunkSite.com, like everyone does this time of year, and looked back at our listening habits for the past 365 days and determined these the albums that truly left an impact with us.
Without further ado, select a contributor and see their year in review for 2015:
Bobby Gorman | Cole Faulkner | Steven Farkas | Dustin Blumhagen | Tom Liveyns
2015: Year End Review by Tom Liveyns
Let’s start off with a little introduction. 2015 was a pretty good year with lots of great music. I started writing for this site in November and it’s great to see how people from all over the world care so much about the same thing and do it out of passion.
I didn’t take all the time needed to really have a perfect view on everything that’s released this year, but that’s a hard thing to do. So here’s a first resolution: I’ll make sure to explore more releases next year.
One last warning before my year end review, I know there’s a band called Beach Slang that put out a record in 2015 but somehow it’s not in this list. Here we go!
Top 10 Albums Of The Year
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10 – H20 – Use Your Voice– Bridge Nine Records H2O set the bar super high with their last release: Nothing To Prove (2008) was a solid album I’d consider a near classic. Use Your Voice exhibits the same craftsmanship and includes some great songs and lyrics, just like you’ve come to expect from Tobi Morse. For some reason though, it didn’t resonate with me in the same way it’s predecessor did. If you’re looking for uplifting melodic hardcore tunes this is your go to pick for 2015. Arguably the most “social mediatised” release of the year lands on my number 10. |
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9 – Skinny Lister – Down on Deptford Broadway – X-Tra Mile Recordings I didn’t really know Skinny Lister until I got to see them opening for the great Chuck Ragan early in the year. The album Down on Deptford Broadway captures what the band is about and has some really good songs on it. Maybe the real magic of this band lies in the live experience because, hell, it is an experience. Nevertheless, Down on Deptford Broadway remaines one of my favourites of 2015. One can never have too much folk. Think Flogging Molly but more of a singalong London polite version. |
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8 – Anti-flag – American Spring / Live Acoustic at 11th Street – Spinefarm Records I did a review for Anti-Flag’s live album / EP (here) and that was a positive surprise. It brought me back some years and made me remember what it was like getting into punk rock (so I maybe slightly overrated it). Their latest full length didn’t have the same impact on me as the releases when I was in my teens / early 20’s but still American Spring is my favourite Anti-Flag record since The Bright Lights of America which says something. Brandenburg Gate and Without End are my go to songs on this album. So I’d combine the full length and the live EP as my pick in this list. |
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7 – The All Brights … Are Wild For The Night (EP) – Red Scare Industries Sometimes you need more surf in your life. When you do, make sure to get weird with The All Brights. This EP has a lot of tongue in cheek jokes but at the end of the day it’s a collection of really good pop punk songs. Also, being serious is overrated. Shred it brah! |
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6 – Youth Decay – The Party’s Over – New Damage Records The Party’s Over was my introduction to Youth Decay and it was one hell of a trip. This band has so much to offer and explores the boundaries of pop punk, punk rock and hardcore while delivering an awesome debut full length. The Party’s Over is catchy while being fast and aggressive, and definitely deserves your attention. Check out Little Winnipeg, it’s so good. |
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5 – Banquets – Spit At The Sun – Black Numbers Records Before calling it a day Banquets put out my favourite record of them to date. It’s filled with anthemic gems, the kind you’ll only find in New Jersey for a reason unknown to man. The bittersweet sound, the songwriting, the vocals of Travis Omilian, I don’t know what I like most about this band, but I’m sure going to miss them. |
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4 – Bad cop/Bad cop – Not Sorry – Fat Wreck Chords If you’re looking for the pop punk debut of the year, this is it. Bad Cop/Bad Cop put out their first full length, and what a kick ass release it is. Not Sorry features all the harmonies and the singalongs one could wish for. The melodic vocals combined with the guitar trashing riffs are a perfect blend for punk rock. If the first song doesn’t make you want to listen to the entire album, there’s something wrong with you. |
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3 – Teenage Bottlerocket – Tales from Wyoming – Rise Records Tales From Wyoming is one of the only releases this year that has lived up to my expectations. It’s up there with my favourite Bottlerocket albums. I saw this band twice this year and it’s heartbreaking to know that this was the last year in which Brendan was the guy smiling behind the drums. I’m not sure if the future brings us more Teenage Bottlerocket but they brought us awesomeness so far for sure. |
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2 – Elway – Better Whenever – Red Scare Industries This album is really, really good. There’s not much more to say really. Better Whenever bears a perfect mid western punk sound with the occasional rock banger that will make your life better for listening. If you like The Lawrence Arms, The Menzingers or Dave Hause this’ll be up your alley. |
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1 – Millencolin – True Brew – Epitaph Records True Brew was the soundtrack to my year. In a way, it’s a comeback record for a band that never really left. When Egocentric Man kicks in with a Bad Religion’esque intro riff you just know the Swedes are back. This album could be their best to date, on par with Pennybridge Pioneers, which is all kinds of crazy. I didn’t think I’d ever come back to Millencolin after their last full length Machine 15, but as it turns out I’m happy I was wrong. True Brew is the album you’d wish Millencolin made. Skate punk, pop punk, punk rock, it doesn’t matter how you call it, there’s not one bad song on it. If you’ve ever liked this band you’ll love this album. On a sidenote: this band is known for producing its own artwork, and that’s my pick of the year as well. What a bad ass polar bear. |
Worst Band Breakup
Quite a few bands decided to pull the plug in 2015, but I’d have to go for The Swellers. Such a hardworking band that put out good songs every year. It’s sad to see them go but they got to do it in style on Groezrock’s main stage in front of 10 000 people.
Best Live Shows
Reel Big Fish – Het Depot Leuven – November 13th
Reel Big Fish is a party. Still.
Masked Intruder – Ekko Eindhoven – April 29th
Dang! Masked Intruder is funny. When they’re not in jail.
Bad Religion – Melkweg Amsterdam – August 9th
Bad Religion is awesome. Always.
Apologies, I Have None – Trix Antwerpen – October 14th
I don’t know what the future will bring for this band that lost key members, but whenever you hear a song off London live it’s a god damn party.
mxpx – Elysee Oostende – November 7th
Let’s start a movement: What Would Mike Hererra Do. Because who needs baby Jesus when there’s the nicest guy in punk rock.
Tom Liveyns is a reviewer at ThePunkSite.com
