Pete's Best of 2009!
Pete’s Best of 2009!
By: Pete Crigler
Well it’s been over a year now since I started writing for this site and it continues to be one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. It’s been getting to the point where musicians I’ve reviewed are emailing me thanking me for pointing things out in their music that no one else has. With all the ups and downs I’ve gone through in 2009, writing for the site had been a blessed constant. Next year is shaping up to be exciting as hell with new releases and the hopeful publication of my first book, “Keeping It Tight in the Old Dominion: A History of Virginia Rock Music.” So with all that said, here’s to a slammin’ new year! It’s sad to say but punkbands.com as we know it; R.I.P.!
Best Records of the Year:
1. Lamb of God-Wrath
Quite possibly one of the best metal records of the decade. So loud, abrasive and full of ‘fuck you’ attitude, it’s impossible to beat. Their best record ever, asides from Ashes of the Wake of course.
2. Pearl Jam-Backspacer
The best record of their career since Yield and that was 1998. By going back and revisiting earlier sounds and injecting some new flavors into it all, the band was able to reclaim their rightful position as one of the best rock bands in the country; and it was only available at Target!
3. Killswitch Engage-S/T
So much stronger lyrically than As Daylight Dies and more precise too. By bringing in Brendan O’Brien, they were able to sharpen their skills and highlight everything that makes them so great. It’s also so much louder than previous records which is quite a welcome change.
4. Dave Matthews Band-Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King
With the death of LeRoi Moore, the band was able to stop wallowing in its own inevitable demise and bring it back to where it all began, great music without all the bullshit. By crafting some of their best songs in years, they can now say they’re touring behind a great album and not just touring for touring’s sake.
5. Patton Oswalt-My Weakness is Strong
If this album doesn’t win a Grammy for Best Comedy Recording, then something is seriously wrong at NARAS. One of the funniest comedians on the face of the earth who is just now starting to get his due. Just listen to “Orgy” and “Grocery Robots” and you’ll hear what I mean.
7. Travis Tooke-Artichoke
Through released in 2007, I heard it this year and it’s one of the best records I’ve heard in a while. From the guitarist of For Squirrels/Subrosa comes a record full of pain and anguish that it demands repeated listens.
8. Mouthbreather-Thank You for Your Patience
Absolutely amazing punk rock, straight from Richmond, VA! Check out the review here.
9. Left Alone-S/T
One of the most unexpected and pleasing records I heard all year. Just great, straight-ahead punk rock with some great messages inside. More excitement awaits you here.
10. Green Day-21st Century Breakdown
While still a great record, it was kind of hard to top American Idiot, but the band tried and came out of it alright.
Biggest Revelations:
Dusty Rhodes and the River Band
Shark Speed
Five Finger Death Punch
Happy Flowers
Best Singles of the Year:
Mastodon-“Oblivion”
Powerful, moving and sick as hell!
Megadeth-“Headcrusher”
Without a doubt, one of the most punishing metal songs of the year and one of their best songs ever!
Incubus-“Black Heart Inertia”
A great way to wrap up one phase of their career and hopefully an interesting beginning to the next one.
311-“Hey You”
Welcome back guys, it’s been a while.
Most Anticipated for 2010:
Red Hot Chili Peppers-Alright, break’s over, it’s time to show these punks who’s boss! It’ll be interesting to see what they come up with without Frusciante.
Faith No More-Best reunion of the decade!! Let’s see if it’ll last into a trip to the studio.
The Dead Milkmen-Second best reunion of the decade. Hopefully, they still know how to fuck shit up!
Stone Temple Pilots-It’ll be interesting to see what sound they’ll revisit, Purple or Shangri-La Dee Da?
By: Pete Crigler
Well it’s been over a year now since I started writing for this site and it continues to be one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. It’s been getting to the point where musicians I’ve reviewed are emailing me thanking me for pointing things out in their music that no one else has. With all the ups and downs I’ve gone through in 2009, writing for the site had been a blessed constant. Next year is shaping up to be exciting as hell with new releases and the hopeful publication of my first book, “Keeping It Tight in the Old Dominion: A History of Virginia Rock Music.” So with all that said, here’s to a slammin’ new year! It’s sad to say but punkbands.com as we know it; R.I.P.!
Best Records of the Year:
1. Lamb of God-WrathQuite possibly one of the best metal records of the decade. So loud, abrasive and full of ‘fuck you’ attitude, it’s impossible to beat. Their best record ever, asides from Ashes of the Wake of course.
2. Pearl Jam-BackspacerThe best record of their career since Yield and that was 1998. By going back and revisiting earlier sounds and injecting some new flavors into it all, the band was able to reclaim their rightful position as one of the best rock bands in the country; and it was only available at Target!
3. Killswitch Engage-S/TSo much stronger lyrically than As Daylight Dies and more precise too. By bringing in Brendan O’Brien, they were able to sharpen their skills and highlight everything that makes them so great. It’s also so much louder than previous records which is quite a welcome change.
4. Dave Matthews Band-Big Whiskey and the Groogrux KingWith the death of LeRoi Moore, the band was able to stop wallowing in its own inevitable demise and bring it back to where it all began, great music without all the bullshit. By crafting some of their best songs in years, they can now say they’re touring behind a great album and not just touring for touring’s sake.
5. Patton Oswalt-My Weakness is StrongIf this album doesn’t win a Grammy for Best Comedy Recording, then something is seriously wrong at NARAS. One of the funniest comedians on the face of the earth who is just now starting to get his due. Just listen to “Orgy” and “Grocery Robots” and you’ll hear what I mean.
6. Them Crooked Vultures-S/T
One of the coolest supergroups of the last decade and guess what? It doesn’t suck at all! Combining everything great about the Foo Fighters, QOTSA and Zeppelin, it’s just great rock without any shit behind it.
One of the coolest supergroups of the last decade and guess what? It doesn’t suck at all! Combining everything great about the Foo Fighters, QOTSA and Zeppelin, it’s just great rock without any shit behind it.
7. Travis Tooke-ArtichokeThrough released in 2007, I heard it this year and it’s one of the best records I’ve heard in a while. From the guitarist of For Squirrels/Subrosa comes a record full of pain and anguish that it demands repeated listens.
8. Mouthbreather-Thank You for Your PatienceAbsolutely amazing punk rock, straight from Richmond, VA! Check out the review here.
9. Left Alone-S/TOne of the most unexpected and pleasing records I heard all year. Just great, straight-ahead punk rock with some great messages inside. More excitement awaits you here.
10. Green Day-21st Century BreakdownWhile still a great record, it was kind of hard to top American Idiot, but the band tried and came out of it alright.
Honorable Mention:
Shark Speed-Sea Sick Music
Coldplay-LeftRightLeftRightLeft
Dusty Rhodes and the River Band-Palace and Stage
Best EP’s of the Year:
Driving on City Sidewalks-Where Angels Crowd to Listen – review found here.
The Reptilian-Boy’s Life – review found here.
Worst Records of the Year:
The Matadors-Sweet Revenge
I don’t know if the band were trying to be serious or not but if they were, shock value is definitely not the way to go. For me the whole record just reeked of a satanic version of the Reverend Horton Heat and let’s face it no one wants to listen to that in 2009. Read more about this shit here.
Hoobastank-(N)ever More
It’s amazing they’re still together because they’re getting shittier and shittier. From this point on, it’s further down the toilet for these douches.
Papa Roach-Metamorphosis
Unbelievably, their drummer used to be in Pulley and Unwritten Law! When you’re this old and still wearing eyeliner and writing songs like “I Almost Told You That I Loved You,” then maybe it’s time to go to wither away and disband.
Lady Gaga-The Fame and The Fame Monster
Why oh why are people buying this fucked up shit!!! When you have to rely on more theatrics and shitty costumes than on musical ability, then maybe the Mayans are right and the apocalypse is coming soon.
Dance Club Massacre-Circle of Death
Without a doubt, one of the worst records I’ve heard in a hell of a long time. The twenty-seven minute version of “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” has to be heard in all its agonizing glory to be totally believed. To learn if there’s more, read all about here.
Cobra Starship-Hot Mess
It started out as a joke but now that he has success, Gabe Saporta is doing everything he can to hold on to his fame. Having Leighton Meester of “Gossip Girl” or whatever show she’s on sing on your ‘hit’ shows you’re no longer a punk rocker and are destined to wear the ‘dunce’ cap for the rest of your career.
Disappointments of the Year:
Green Day-21st Century Breakdown
While the band tried admirably, it just isn’t the same because the songs weren’t as strong and the story won’t hold up as much as it’s predecessor. Is it too much to ask to get off the damn pedestal and play some old school punk rock again, please?
Yeah Yeah Yeahs-It’s Blitz
Bad cover art + bad dance music=pure, unadulterated crap!
Alice in Chains-Black Gives Way to Blue
It may just be me, but I’m so used to AIC of old that I can’t wrap my head around this new stuff or maybe it’s just that they’re trying to add new sounds to a tried and true formula that doesn’t make it work anymore. RIP Layne!
Weezer-Raditude
My how the mighty have fallen! From number one last year to here; from having outside writers for the first time ever to awful cover art to having Josh Freese play drums to an unbelievable collaboration with Lil’ Wayne, it’s clear that they’re trying everything to stay relevant. Please come back to your senses!
Best Music DVD of the Year:
Anvil-Anvil!: The Story of Anvil
Shark Speed-Sea Sick Music
Coldplay-LeftRightLeftRightLeft
Dusty Rhodes and the River Band-Palace and Stage
Best EP’s of the Year:
Driving on City Sidewalks-Where Angels Crowd to Listen – review found here.
The Reptilian-Boy’s Life – review found here.
Worst Records of the Year:
The Matadors-Sweet Revenge
I don’t know if the band were trying to be serious or not but if they were, shock value is definitely not the way to go. For me the whole record just reeked of a satanic version of the Reverend Horton Heat and let’s face it no one wants to listen to that in 2009. Read more about this shit here.
Hoobastank-(N)ever More
It’s amazing they’re still together because they’re getting shittier and shittier. From this point on, it’s further down the toilet for these douches.
Papa Roach-Metamorphosis
Unbelievably, their drummer used to be in Pulley and Unwritten Law! When you’re this old and still wearing eyeliner and writing songs like “I Almost Told You That I Loved You,” then maybe it’s time to go to wither away and disband.
Lady Gaga-The Fame and The Fame Monster
Why oh why are people buying this fucked up shit!!! When you have to rely on more theatrics and shitty costumes than on musical ability, then maybe the Mayans are right and the apocalypse is coming soon.
Dance Club Massacre-Circle of Death
Without a doubt, one of the worst records I’ve heard in a hell of a long time. The twenty-seven minute version of “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” has to be heard in all its agonizing glory to be totally believed. To learn if there’s more, read all about here.
Cobra Starship-Hot Mess
It started out as a joke but now that he has success, Gabe Saporta is doing everything he can to hold on to his fame. Having Leighton Meester of “Gossip Girl” or whatever show she’s on sing on your ‘hit’ shows you’re no longer a punk rocker and are destined to wear the ‘dunce’ cap for the rest of your career.
Disappointments of the Year:
Green Day-21st Century Breakdown
While the band tried admirably, it just isn’t the same because the songs weren’t as strong and the story won’t hold up as much as it’s predecessor. Is it too much to ask to get off the damn pedestal and play some old school punk rock again, please?
Yeah Yeah Yeahs-It’s Blitz
Bad cover art + bad dance music=pure, unadulterated crap!
Alice in Chains-Black Gives Way to Blue
It may just be me, but I’m so used to AIC of old that I can’t wrap my head around this new stuff or maybe it’s just that they’re trying to add new sounds to a tried and true formula that doesn’t make it work anymore. RIP Layne!
Weezer-Raditude
My how the mighty have fallen! From number one last year to here; from having outside writers for the first time ever to awful cover art to having Josh Freese play drums to an unbelievable collaboration with Lil’ Wayne, it’s clear that they’re trying everything to stay relevant. Please come back to your senses!
Best Music DVD of the Year:
Anvil-Anvil!: The Story of Anvil
Biggest Revelations:
Dusty Rhodes and the River Band
Shark Speed
Five Finger Death Punch
Happy Flowers
Best Singles of the Year:
Mastodon-“Oblivion”
Powerful, moving and sick as hell!
Megadeth-“Headcrusher”
Without a doubt, one of the most punishing metal songs of the year and one of their best songs ever!
Incubus-“Black Heart Inertia”
A great way to wrap up one phase of their career and hopefully an interesting beginning to the next one.
311-“Hey You”
Welcome back guys, it’s been a while.
Most Anticipated for 2010:
Red Hot Chili Peppers-Alright, break’s over, it’s time to show these punks who’s boss! It’ll be interesting to see what they come up with without Frusciante.
Faith No More-Best reunion of the decade!! Let’s see if it’ll last into a trip to the studio.
The Dead Milkmen-Second best reunion of the decade. Hopefully, they still know how to fuck shit up!
Stone Temple Pilots-It’ll be interesting to see what sound they’ll revisit, Purple or Shangri-La Dee Da?
The Dead Milkmen-Second best reunion of the decade. Hopefully, they still know how to fuck shit up!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to Stuart 2.0
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