musically, i think 2010 didn’t produce anything super memorable, for me at least.
all of my favorite hardcore bands are broken up. except blood for blood, but that doesn’t really count yet.

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

It’s no surprise this is number one on almost every list you’ll see on the internet. Yeah, it really is that good. The hype for this album really started the day Kanye got a twitter, so early September? I don’t think anyone expected something this great from him, especially after the whole Taylor Swift thing; but he definitely needed to do something to redeem himself. The first real thing we heard from him after the disaster that 808’s was, was Hurricane which he did with 30 seconds to mars. So good. Anways, after he released the title of his album plus his G.O.O.D Fridays songs, we started to get a feel of this album. Definitely a lot more dark. (I mean come on, haven’t you seen the Runaway video? Or Monster?). The hype was well deserved. The songs are so much longer, better beats, better rhymes (although he’s nowhere near being a good rapper per say, but he comes up with the most ridiculous lines sometimes), better production all around, better people on his songs (yes, even Nicki Minaj’s verse was good, and I can’t stand her). Definitely an A+ overall.

The Gaslight Anthem - American Slang

Where do I even start? This band blew the fuck up in late 09/early 2010. The first time I saw them was in 08, on their tour with Alkaline Trio. It was the first time I even heard of them, but I was instantly hooked. I for sure didn’t know how they were going to top The ‘59 Sound because that album is fucking flawless. Their influences are undeniable especially on this album. If you don’t think Brian Fallon is in love with Bruce Springsteen’s lyrics, music, and voice, you are a fool. I’m serious. They have such a potential to “get big”. Fuck, they were even featured on One Tree Hill (yeah, i still watch that show). Corny album title, but great songs. 

Balance and Composure/Tigers Jaw Split

I’ll kill two birds with one stone here. Easily the best split to come out in 2010. If you haven’t heard either of these bands, do it. Balance and Composure absolutely killed it on this split and definitely had better songs than Tigers Jaw. All around, such a fun, but heartfelt split. Listen to “Kaleidoscope”.

Anberlin - Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place

I’ve been on an Anberlin kick for the entire year. You can thank my boyfriend for that I guess. Their album got pushed back like 2 months I think, and I was SO bummed out. Snippets of their songs were released online, and obviously I downloaded it. I was positive that this was going to be my album of the year at the end of the summer. The snippets left me wanting more. I connected to it really easily, because lyrically, it was what I was going through. I was super stoked on there being a “Fin”-like song, but not stoked that it was only 10 songs on their album. They’re definitely gaining more popularity after this release, thanks to the radio, and even featuring their songs on commercials and at sports stadiums. The one thing that bothered me about Anberlin in general was that they were going to quit music if this album didn’t make them famous. I mean, it could just be my love of everything DIY and not playing for money, but to quit something you love because you’re not famous enough.. fuck that. I lost a ton of respect for them. Overall, such a good album though. A ton of memorable songs, and such a different sound from what we’re used to. Now Stephen needs to record more Anchor and Braille songs and I’ll be happy.

Alkaline Trio- The Heart & Skull Collection: Demos, Acoustics, B-Sides

I cheated. This Addiction wasn’t memorable for me, and neither was Skiba’s Demos, and this obviously isn’t a real record put out by them, but fuck it, it’s really good. There’s 52 songs total, divided into Demos, Acoustics, and B-Sides. The one thing I always dreamed of was that they would write more acoustic songs, because they’re always REALLY good, and that dream is coming true this year. This “album” is an essential for any Trio fan. Lots of songs that were never released, and the demos are incredible. All of the demos from Crimson should’ve been kept the way they were. Lots of newer songs on the Acoustic portion of it. Just google it, it’s on someones blogspot if you want to download it.

Honorable Mentions:

Eminem- Recovery. It’s Eminem, what more should I say? One of my favorites ever. And I’m so glad he’s back, sober, and writing music.

Ceremony- Ronhert Park. So much hype around this album. It’s Ceremony, what did I expect. Definitely a different sound from them. And not a single song under one minute on this album, good job guys.

Bright Eyes. There was a total of 5 new songs from Bright Eyes this year, and if they were all put into an EP, it would probably be my #1 of 2010. “Poison” is perfect. Mike Mogis should sing more often, he has an amazing voice. “Shell Games”, where do I even begin? This song came out 2 weeks ago and is already in my top 25 listened to songs on my iTunes. Conor Oberst, I’ve missed you.

Wiz Khalifa- Kush and OJ. I know so many people hate him, think he’s overrated, or whatever else you can think of, but I really love this mixtape.

What I’m excited for in 2011:
Dr. Dre
Kanye West/Jay-Z
Alkaline Trio acoustic album.
Lawrence Arms (hopefully).
Defeater.
Blink-182.

2011 seems to be very promising for music.

love.

anytime i’m in a bad mood, i listen to this.

Day 1.

Artist/Band: Alkaline Trio

Favorite Songs: this could easily be every song ever, buuuuut i’ll sort it out through each album of theirs:
Goddamnit: Clavicle, Trouble Breathing, Sorry About That.
Maybe I’ll Catch Fire: Radio, Tuck Me In, Madam Me.
Alkaline Trio: Goodbye Forever, This is Getting Over You, Bleeder, I Lied My Face Off, My Friend Peter, Cooking Wine, Private Eye, 97.
From Here To Infirmary: Bloodied Up, Another Innocent Girl, I’m Dying Tomorrow, Mr. Chainsaw, Armageddon, Crawl, Hell Yes.
Good Mourning: Blue In The Face, If We Never Go Inside, Blue Carolina, Every Thug Needs A Lady, Fatally Yours, Emma.
Crimson: Mercy Me, Prevent this Tragedy.
Agony & Irony: Do You Wanna Know?, Burned is the House, In Vein, I Found Away.
This Addiction: This Addiction, Fine, Off the Map.
Others: Jaked on Green Beers.

Favorite Album: Alkaline Trio. Runner up would be Goddamnit for nostalgia.

Favorite Lyrics: “you were the last good thing i ever saw.”. ” i wanna wake up naked next to you, kissing the curve in your clavicle”. ” Don’t forget to let your life rot you inside out.” “When I was with you I forgot about everything. Eighteen months, eighteen months seems like fucking eternity”. ” I’m tired, all these drinks and drugs no longer help.” ” And you broke me like the cigarette that I busted on the day I quit.” “It’s about time that I came clean with you, I’m no longer fine, I’m no longer running smooth.” “So what do you say? Your coffin, or mine?” “From here I can hardly see a thing, But I will follow anyone who brings me to you.” “I used to long for time alone, I used to long for a place of my own, and I’ve lost faith in everything. I’m lost, so lost, I’m lost without you”. “It’s ironic that I drink to make my insides stop hurting. And It’s a love that gives me heartburn. It’s a song that makes my stomach turn”. “There’s nights that I can’t even walk. There’s days I couldn’t give a fuck. And in between is where I’m stuck”

clearly, this is my favorite band.

Seen Them Live?: Of course.

It’s a Sigur Ros kind of day.