Blog

Top 50
(a rough order)

50. Youthmovies - Good Nature


It's really hard to find an adequate classification for the music you'll find on Youthmovies' full length debut Good Nature; but for those this is essential: Mathy Post Experimental Progressive Rock with funk and jazz influences and yeah, some pop. Not cubed in confusion and non-boisterous in its execution, the songs flow effortless and change their direction incessantly and with purpose, showing that the Oxford 5 piece knows how to write ambitious songs that are original but approachable the same time. While there are catchy-through-infectious-singing songs like The Naughtiest Girl Is A Monitor and the beautiful If You'd Seen A Battlefield, Good Natures highlight is Archive It Everywhere, a mini-monumental in variety and clever songwriting.


49. Black Milk - Tronic


The only true Hip Hop that made this list. Sophisticated and creative, producer Black Milk delivered a great example of ambitious Hip Hop. From the poppy Without U to the incredibly catchy Losing Out to the blazing The Matrix, Tronic both is so accessible and multi-variant in sound and beats, you could almost forget the excellent assistance of prominent rappers like Phaorahe Monch.

48. The American Dollar - A Memory Stream


After the first 4 songs rolled by I was sure I had found my favourite post rock of the year. The incredible harmonizing paired with the absolut gorgeous feeling provided by the warm instrumentation and layered production creates such an emotive and simultaneously chilled first passage, it's just "wow". While the Ambient-laden middle section gets a bit tedious by comparison, the epic closer Starscapes combines the harmonization with the more Ambient feel, leading to the records final climax and closing the album on high standards.

47. sgt. - Stylus Fantasticus


Japan and Post Rock; two terms which go hand in hand in modern music scene at least since Mono's masterpiece You Are There. But while most other prominent J-Post Rock bands incorporate more and more Math Rock sensibilities to their sound (Toe, tè), sgt. fiddle around with elements of modern Prog and Jazz-like jamming, mixing it into a refreshing attempt of Instrumental Rock with the sometimes chaotic rhythm section being thrown out of kilter every now and then. The random jams work pretty good as interesting filler material, holding the listeners attention right before Stylus Fantasticus turns into the more focused tracks, most noteworthy Destroy The Galaxy, Create The Power Plant, an epic 16 minutes tune full of pinging rhythms and cheerful themes that'll grab you from start to finish.

46. Moving Mountains - Foreword


One of the reasons I included EPs in my Top 50. Adding melodic vocals, electric ambience and acoustic guitars into a Post Rock skeleton, Moving Mountains delivers a brilliant follow-up of their great debut Pneuma and stokes their rising fanbase at the sight of a new full length all at once. The songs all being over 7 minutes in lenght, the New York based band pulls off thrilling build ups peeking in crushing walls of sounds (the final climax of Lights & Shapes is mad) and gorgeous melodious passages Explosions In The Sky (yes, I'm whoring) would be proud of. Supplying this effective formula with some cute surprises (screaming in the middle of With One's Heart In One's Mouth for instance), Foreword is a consistent and entertaining Rock album that only slightly suffers from the genericism of it's obvious influences.

45. The Dodos - Visiter


Brilliant Folk debut that offers it's charming congeniality not instantly but rather after some time of settling in. Even if it lacks some emotion and memorable writings in the somewhat overlong middle section of the album, the fantastic opener Walking and the whole ending, starting off with the rocking Jodi and culminating in the albums highlight God?, make Visiter a cute little gem of modern folk music.

44. In Mourning - Shrouded Divine


Even though In Mourning is around for over 8 years now, the release of Shrouded Divine in early 2008 was something special for the "newcomers" from sweden, being their first full length after recording countless demos. Never mind that the Progressive (Death) Metal genre not really needs a new generic effort (there's Opeth, right?), this debut comes up with a refreshing carefreeness, taking everything great the stale genre has to offer and stowing it in a tight package, while providing their sound with the right amount of Prog Rock and some Doom flavour. What comes to light are classy songs like Shrouded Divine and By Others Considered, both delivering captivating compositions with grooving rhythms, mighty growls and beautiful acoustic work accompanied by strong vocal harmonies.

43. Jardín de la Croix - Pomeroy


The Spanish band with the French name offers with their free-of-charge record Pomeroy a complex 70's Prog-tinged Math Rock experience that calls genre heavyweights like Don Caballero and even Rush to mind. Perfectly executed and written, their debut outing oozes of swirling guitars and permanently varying motifs, both highlighted through the complex drumming and the absence of any kind of vocals. The opener Polyhedron being a convincing and stellar example of their everchanging sound, the highlight of the record is the more focused and prog-driven Antioquia, which spacey and washy intro evolves itself into furious power-chord accentuated riffing and groovy bass runs while not losing the distinctive sound.

42. How Dare You - Comfort Road


Albeit I'm not really a fan of As Friends Rust and Hand To Hand, The Comfort Road, the first output from newcomers How Dare You, featuring members of abovementioned bands, is just plain awesome. Full of anthemic sing alongs, simple but effective lead guitar work with distortion drenched arpeggios and tight rhythms, highlighting the abrasive but melodic voice of vocalist Justin Goldmann in the best possible way, the Florida quintet delivers some of the best Gainesville influenced Punk of the decade. Notewothy fortastes are the midtempo banger The Bench, featuring rad hooks with infectious vocal work and an amazing, with delay refined guitar solo, and the raging Week of Heart Attacks, absolutely salient due to it's perpetual changes in tempo and dynamics.

41. Butch Walker - Sycamore Meadows


My first Butch Walker album I listened to in it's entirety, and it was really about time afterwards. Containing beautiful and light-hearted Pop Rock songs like The Weight of Her, the main focus of Sycamore Meadows is nevertheless on the full range of affecting emotions and aspirations. Albums highlight Here Comes The... is a moving song about an unlucky proceeding relationship, showing vulnerability and sorrow in every word while being incredibly catchy and addicting. Whereas most of the superb produced songs don't lose their poppy edge, the closer ballad ATL fully relies on an expressive use of a reverby piano, intensifying the touching words of Walker about finding your place in the world.

40. Ocoai - Breatherman


Serving as the saving grace of the Post Metal genre this year, Ocoai not pegs to the sound of genre idols Isis and Neurosis too much and creates a dense and atmosheric album that relies more on it's Post Rock influence than brutal sludgy riffing. Songs like the absolut fantastic title track Breatherman with the gorgeous use of trumpets juxtaposed to soaring guitars remind more of the genre benders *shels while babble stands as a typical but almost flawless in realization Post Rock / Post Metal hybrid in the vein of Pelican and new Isis.

39. LITE - Phantasia


While Filmlets was a groovy but somewhat inconsistent full length debut, LITE returns with a shining sophomore release that really lives up to its title. Phantasia is a brilliant collection of instantly accessible Math Rock songs with an undeniable fun factor, provided by almost danceable songs like the furious single Ghost Dance and the catchy opener Ef. Impelled by frantic but well arranged guitars and a nothing more than sick drumming, the Japanese 4 piece even bursts in Post Rock territory with the beautiful flowing Fade and delivers with Solitude and Phantasia two Math Rock epics with perfect intonations and a colorful rhythmic pathway.

38. Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust


The highly anticipated new LP of the Icelandic Post Rock idols starts off with a little surprise: Cheerful handclaps, larking singing, xylophones and driving piano accentuation as well as an all around folky and poppy feel during the first 4 songs are eye-catching and a totally new approach to the established Sigur Rós sound, opening the record with charming tunes and a wonderful light-heartedness. Succeeding with distinctive Post Rock sounds as in Festival or Ára bátur, the gorgeous beauty of in orchestral hymns peeking climaxes furthered by trumpets and strings comes to the fore and shows another time that Sigur Rós is one of the most impressive Instrumental Rock outfits in music history.

37. Pygmy Lush - Mount Hope


What started for me as a dragging folk album recorded by a band that features members of legendary pg.99 and debuted with a scattering mix of Noise, Folk and Hardcore in terms of Bitter River, is a disabusing grower. Being definitely not your typical Folk album with regards to songwriting and tone, it's more a feral droning approach to the singer / songwriter dominated genre, and a stunning one along with it. Beautiful acoustic patterns backed by toneless drumming get pierced through by the reverb drenched voice of Chris Jackson, creating a monotonous but the listener completely absorbing atmosphere that won't let you go until the record concludes.

36. Hammock - Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow


Even though my currently favourite Ambient musicians can't top their magnum opus Raising Your Voice...Trying to Stop an Echo with their new LP, it definitely is another awesome output that embodies the beauty music can radiate in every sense. Stripping down their already lush sound to the minimum, the duo once more bring off layered guitar / cello tracks which create subtle harmonies, sweeping across each other with facility. In doing so, Hammock weren't able to provide their songs with a vast amount of variety, but on the other hand with the full palette of emotions all the more.

35. Kayo Dot - Blue Lambency Downward


Firstly I wasn't sure whether to call Toby Drivers latest brainchild an odd dissappointment or an additional musically surprise. It's definitely another direction Kayo Dot dared to advance: The whole metal thing is gone, likewise the growls and largely the dense and dusky atmosphere that distinguished earlier master pieces like Choirs Of The Eye. Blue Lambency Downward is much more in the vein of newer Time Of Orchids, but with the typical Kayo Dot brand of a complex songwriting tinged with elements of classic compositions and jazzy instrumentation. Being not able to really describe Blue Lambency Downwards sound any further, I will tell you that this is surely different and maybe not as good as Kayo Dots previous releases, but awesome nonetheless. Oh, and Symmetrical Arizona is probably the best song of the year.

34. Underoath - Lost In The Sound Of Separation


With their latest output Lost In The Sound Of Separation, Underoath fully establish their new sound somewhere between intense Metalcore and dissonant (Post) Hardcore with stellar results. Not exactly being heavier as its sweet predecessor Define The Great Line, the more "epic" feel the band promised is quite felicitous, considering the highly captivating build ups of songs like the swelling The End Is Near and the hymnal Too Bright To See Too Loud To Hear. That's not to say that there aren't any crushing riffs and blasting tunes. Anyone Can Dig a Hole But it Takes a Real Man to Call it Home starts off with a shattering riff in the mould of the iconic "In Regards To Myself", while The Only Survivor Was Miraculously Unharmed combines everything great of Underoaths proggy mixture of atmospheric hardcore, textured metal and sophisticated duo vocals into an unforgettable 3-minute ride.

33. TV on the Radio - Dear Science


The age of miracles.
The age of sound.
Well there's a Golden Age.
Comin' round, comin'round, comin' round!
- "Golden Age"

32. Mesa Verde - The Old Road


Post Rock-tinged Screamo isn't something new anymore, thats for sure. Mesa Verde probably knows that too, maybe that being a reason why they delivered such an awesome LP with The Old Road. It's not very original or innovative, but it's so strong in execution and sophisticated in its ambiance that it'll captivate your attention right off being the first minutes in. Turning from the pure post rock opener A Deep Sleep Without Dreams into the furious hardcore attacks that are For the Tree That Fell and When the Canary Dies Run Like Fuck, the pure despair this record contains is audible and palpable in every fiber of the records musical body.

31. Protest the Hero - Fortress


One of the main reasons the year started out strong, Protest the Hero upgraded their already furious and chaotic mix of Progressive Metal and Post Hardcore to the next level and made Fortress more challenging but appealing the same time. Songs like Bloodmeat and Palms Read balance the string between anthemic hooks and complex instrumentation perfectly whereby keeping the track and not rambling without concept.
[Note: Check out Fortress Instrumentals for a slightly different perspective of the songs.]

30. The Loved Ones - Build & Burn


Even if The Loved Ones didn't create something new for the punk genre with their sophomore album Build & Burn, they show the world what's possible when you combine the right influences (namely Hot Water Music or Alkaline Trio) with passionate vocals and a refreshing variety. There's some Folk and Country in Louisiana, noticeable Pop sensibilities in Brittle Heart, melodic Punk Rock in Dear Laura and so much more going on it's quite impressive. Crossing so much musical terrain without losing its distinctive character while pushing the boundaries of the genre in terms of catchiness and musically sincerity is a more than respectable achievement, and makes Build & Burn an exceptional record of todays punk music.

29. Loma Prieta - Last City


Dissonance and melody. Roughness and beauty. Anger and despair.

I really could leave it at that, because it'll be the best description for Last City without generic genre jabbering. With a duration of only 23 minutes, Loma Prieta forced every instrument, every aspect of their sound to violent harmony, blending the loud/soft sections without noticeable changes in flow and theme. There's no dramaticism, no need for being epic or sophisticated. It's unaffected. It's raw. It's gorgeous throughout.

28. Sun Kil Moon - April


I feel oh so near
When morning doves appear
And ghosts of April ring
Echo the refrain
Soon finding a place
In these lost verses
- "Lost Verses"

27. Bersarin Quartett - Bersarin Quartett


Let me get this straight: Bersarin Quartett is not a quartet, it's Thomas from Münster, Germany. And with his self-titled release, he bends the Electronica genre to its most beautiful edges. Starting off with the string dominated Oktober and an overall classic feel, the record progresses into many different approaches. Thick ambient layered sounds rule in Inversion, while more electronica based songs like Die Dinge sind nie so wie sie sind and the more colorful closer Mehr als alles andere focus more on vivid downtempo beats. It's minimalistic but epic the same time, having the ability to build up intensity while appearing non-threatening and restrained, and that's what makes this record so congenial and exciting.

26. The Mars Volta - Bedlam In Goliath


I guess that’s the most punk-rock thing about it; you could look like an idiot and sound like a fool, but that’s what humbles you and reminds you that you’re human.
- Cedric Bixler-Zavala

25. Metaform - Standing on the Shoulders of Giants


Metaform alias Justice Aaron spent nearly 5 years for recording his magnum opus Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants, and it's perceptible in every particular song. Everything is highly detailed, packed full of variation and ideas, exploiting the relatively short song lenghts perfectly. Influenced by many styles such as Jazz, R'nB and even Soul, Aaron delivers 19 trip-hop tunes whose production is nothing more than grandiose. The integration of eclectic components, like saxophone submissions (Pch), horn samples (Barbie Doll) or trumpet staccatos (Rock It Number Nine), is nearly flawless and interweaving, adding musically depth as well as highly enjoyable alternations to the already catchy main themes of the songs. Mostly relying on programmed beats and electronic synths as the rhythmic / melodic backbone of the songs, Metaform takes another route with Crush as he's using a chilling, Red Hot Chilli Peppers' reminiscent clean guitar riff as main focus which is accentuated by a great mix of beats, flute, sax and some vocals, being a great example of Aarons creativity and his love for detailed and sophisticated arrangements.

24. aussitôt mort - Montuenga


Despite the fact that aussitôt mort's debut album 6 Songs flew under many radars of skramz fans (maybe caused by the slightly uninspired title), the French 4 piece follows the trend of high quality emo releases from Western Europe with their latest offering Montuenga. Blasting off with the heavyhanded riff of opener Mort mort mort, the band from Caen shows distinctly his roots and adds next to their frenetic love for delay and reverb effects some new ideas to the trendy but more and more unimaginative genre of European skramz. The intertwining guitars and excessive use of delay being a brand of aussitôt mort, they not overuse it in form of pointless scale running and impenetrably walls of cluttered effect layering, but more for complementary songwriting and a spacey but not too artifical feel, most successfull on the uplifting Une heure plus tard.

23. United Nations - United Nations


Maybe one of the most mystical supergroups ever, United Nations came out of nowhere and delivers an unforgettable ride into the history of genuine screamo.
Being indifferent whether Daryl Palumbo (GlassJAw) or Ben Koller (Converge) or some other prominent musicians (all not officially confirmed besides Geoff Rickly from Thursday) are involved in this project, the music itself f**king rips, being a cocktail of mid-90s reminiscent screamo and some grind with a distinctive melodic edge. Absolutely pushing. Non-tedious. With songs that are both thrashing and immensely catchy (Resolution #9, Model UN) or trashing only (My Cold War, Subliminal Testing), United Nations includes one of the most impressive album closers of the year as well. Say Goodbye To General Figment of The USS Imagination namely offers you next to the for this record exemplary cooperation of shredding guitars, powerful vocals (the screaming is insane) and adequate ***-kicking drumming, a jazzy saxophone solo that finishes the song and the record with a beautiul integrated jam.

22. Verse En Coma - Rialto


Containing ex-members of City of Caterpillar and Malady, the new Richmond formation Verse En Coma evolved the sound of its past into 5 songs bordering the line of Post Hardcore and Post Punk with some strong hints at Shoegaze. Through Ice Patches and Pine Trees and In A Factory are both meaningful anthems, with the former evolving from an uplifting drum pattern and a driving guitar to the songs pinnacle that already is its light-heartedly chorus. The latter, however, is a dynamic, story-telling tune that conveys its content with well-orchestrated songwriting that culminates in the youthful choruses, all being unforgettable due to their effervescing spirit and the provocative rebelling line 'we were the 'they don't know what life is really about' ones'.

21. Asva - What You Don't Know Is Frontier


It was a pretty intriguing experience I had with this record. Coming home from the pub very late, I was drunken enough to not fall asleep so I thought this will be a great occasion to check out What You Don't Know Is Frontier. Turning on my bass-laden headphones while lying on my bed and having the eyes closed, the first soothing noises introduce me to the grainy distortion, the droning ambience, the thick feedback layers, the brooding riffs, the in despair drenched mood, the sparse use of melody, the sublime organ, all in all the most enveloping thing happened to the Drone genre in very long time. I can't tell if I was in trance or something while listening to this, but it was a strange experience for sure. I can't remember anything else except for notional picture sequences passing by in my mind, brief moments that gave me some kind of epiphany, not making any sense after all. After I had gone physically, the last remaining thoughts were somewhat clearer; the cognition that this is one of the best records of the year.

20. The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound


While Sink Or Swim wasn't a consistently good record, The '59 Sound is so much the more. The chubby and simple punk is almost gone, it's all dominated and carried by the use of a traditional mentality. Americana, Country, Folk and Blues are the pilings of the Bruce Springsteen reminiscent rock sound that internalizes the album title in the best possible way. With abrasive but mellow vocals, driving drumming, rumbling bass lines and inventive guitars, all highlighted by a reverb-laden production, the record evolves from hook to hook, from one wonderful arrangement to the next. It's authentic and autonomous, with a charming attitude that'll bring you the popular "Live fast, die young" sentiment to your mind.

19. Burst - Lazarus Bird


Some are pious, some cater to whims
Some provoke
But I am a labyrinth of layers
Find only sense
Without a compass
- "City Cloaked"

18. Verse - Aggression


Aggression. I gotta break the mold. Aggression. Never let them take control. Aggression. Hands in shackles, Mind's confined to a cage. Aggression. I won't stop until I've broken every chain.
- "Sons and Daughters"

17. Mount Eerie - Lost Wisdom


i will no longer hide it
yes you move me to tears over and over
every time i get it settled excite it
every time i get my face dry you sing
- "Voice in Headphones"

16. Ghostlimb - Bearing And Distance


It's better to be pissed off than pissed on.
- Shawn Michaels

15. Grouper - Dragging a Dead Deer Up A Hill


It's sheer brilliance what Liz Harris alias Grouper created with Dragging a Dead Deer Up A Hill. Wreathed in a mist of droning feedback, her latest offering is a wonderful melancholic piece of shoegaze music; dreamy, moody, airy, emotional, tension-filled, unpretentious, dramatic, gloomy and altogether beautiful in the sense of being a stunning achievement of art. The mindblowing Heavy Water/I'd Rather Be Sleeping, a song that perfects the balance between the hazy production that nearly eclipses the songs in their basics and the layered, consistent vocals borned by strong songwriting, is both the prime example and the albums highlight, being easily one of the best tracks of the year.

14. These Arms Are Snakes - Tail Swallower and Dove


It's just like... fire
- "Lucifer"

13. Thrice - The Alchemy Index: Vol. 3 & 4: Air & Earth


[ ]… it's more about capturing the moment than capturing the perfect take ... [ ]
- Dustin Kensrue

12. Lights Out Asia - Eyes Like Brontide


A billion stars go spinning through the night, blazing high above your head.
But in you is the presence that will be, when all the stars are dead.
- Rainer Maria Rilke

11. Cynic - Traced in Air


I have to confess that I really wasn't prepared for Cynics highly anticipated release of Traced In Air. Neither have been having experiences with their highly praised debut Focus nor having an idea what a mixture of Progressive Metal, Death Metal, Jazz and Alt Rock would even sound like, I actually didn't know what to expect. And after listening to this record countless times I can say that this is probably some of the best Metal for years, living up for the hype it received. Some of the most constructive guitar riffing (based on recent metal standards) teamed up with complex drum patterns and a mindblowing vocal dualism to create 8 songs conveying the impression that their beautiful melodies and the whole aerial atmosphere were really "traced in air". For proof check out Integral Birth and Evolutionary Sleeper, both being exemplary and instantly accessible.

10. A Silver Mt. Zion - 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons


so get fast / and get quick / with dum hearts / and swung hips /
our dreams / deserve it
- "1,000,000 Died To Make This Sound"

9. Adebisi Shank - This is the album of a band called Adebisi Shank


Fact: Adebisi Shanks full length debut embodies the party record of the year.
Thesis: It's hotter than Katy Perry (music-wise, of course).

So much awesomeness packed in 23 minutes of playing time is incomparable in terms of Instrumental Rock music, absolutely stunning in it's own way. Branding their sound with an incredibly catchy mixture of Math Rock and Post Punk, enriched with elements of Electronica, Funk and an overall dance music feeling, the 3 piece delivers 8 non-stop blustering songs, all screaming for the push on the repeat button. If you like excited handclapping (Snakeships), a yelling talkbox (You Me), two- handed tapping along with eclectic rhythms (Colin Skehan, Mini Rockers), chopped beatbox samples (Agassi Shank) or simply a song titled "Shunk" (Shunk), you really have to listen to this. At least thrice. If not, kill yourself.

8. Extra Life - Secular Works


I know what I want / but what I know won't stop me
I know what I want / but what I know won't stop me
I know what I want / but what I know won't stop me
- "This Time"

7. Blue Sky Black Death - Late Night Cinema


DJ Shadow worthy heirs of instrumental Hip Hop. Absolutely stunning.

6. Vessels - White Fields And Open Devices


One of the main problems of modern post rock is the task to make a record with 60+ minutes in length that is interesting and attention grabbing from start to finish. Well, yeah, problem solved. Vessels full lenght debut is an entertaining trip through every aspect of instrumental rock music, flavoured with math rock riffing and somber but beautiful vocals. Proof? - Yuki!

5. pg.lost - It's Not Me, It's You!


The greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart.
- unknown author


4. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago


This is not the sound of a new man or crispy realization,
it's the sound of the unlocking and the lift away.
- "Re: Stacks"

3. Off Minor - Some Blood


This is not torture
This is not surveillance
This is not injustice
This is poetic license permitted by a nations silence
- "neologist"

2. Daitro/Sed Non Satiata - Split


French is the language that turns dirt into romance.
- Stephen King

Daitro and Sed Non Satiata are the bands that turn skramz into artistic ecstasy.
- me

1. Have a Nice Life - Deathconsciousness


We kill everyone with arrowheads, arrowheads, arrowheads, arrowheads, arrowheads, arrowheads, arrowheads, arrowheads, arrowheads, arrowheads, arrowheads, arrowheads ... Thank god that's over.
- "Bloodhail"