My Top 10 Albums of 2010

Well it's that time of the year when countless top 10 lists get announced. It is with great pleasure that I bring you once again, Joe's Top 10 Album's of The Year. Too be honest, the list seems to be lacking for 2 reasons. 1) Not the best year for new music and releases. 2) ever since I started working 40 hrs a week, my music discovery time has dwindled leaving many undiscovered bands out there. Anyhow, enjoy! Post in the comments some of your favorite albums of 2010.

My Top 10 Albums of 2010

You will notice that this year I have included a stream of my favorite song off of each album.

10. Iration - Time Bomb

The cali-reggae band Iration starts the list this year. Their release Time Bomb definitely had some great tracks on it. Not their best effort but still a solid one. I will always look forward to new releases from these guys. Perfect summer tunes.

9. Minus the Bear - OMNI

If it wasn't for me stumbling into a live show of these guys 3 years ago, I never would have gotten into them. Am I glad I did. OMNI is a great album from start to finish. 

8. Conditions - Fluorescent Youth

Probably the least familiar band to make the list this year. Can't even remember how I discovered these guys last year. They are a solid rock/punk/hardcore band and Fluorescent Youth is their first full-length album. It is a fiery pump up the entire way through. For fans of Saosin, Dead Poetic, Circa Survive.

7. Stick Figure - The Reprise Sessions

Not much introduction needed here. Any music friend of mine knows Stick Figure is at the top of my list when it comes to up and coming reggae acts. The Reprise Sessions is the first album made by Stick Figure (Scott Woodruff) backed with a full band. Many of the songs on the album were remakes so not a whole bunch of new material. Unfortunately, not as good as Burnin' Ocean or Smoke Stack, two albums to make the top 2 spots on my 08-09 lists. Either way, Stick Figure is still putting down tunes and the fan base is rapidly growing. I wish them nothing but the best in 2011 and hopefully I will finally get a chance to see them live.

6. Circa Survive - Blue Sky Noise

This one was one of my most anticipated albums for the year and Circa Survive delivered. This band continues to put out solid work and have been one of my most played artists in the past few years. The lead singer Anthony Green is a beast and is one of the best live performers I've seen. His studio work ain't bad either.

5. Mishka - Talk About

Mishka has finally made way into my top 10 list this year with his latest release album, Talk About. Such a mellow and feel good album. Considered reggae/roots/surf music. For fans of Jack Johnson. 

4. Secret and Whisper - Teenage Fantasy

Another so called wild-card to make this list. This band has quickly become one of my favorites in the past 2 years. Teenage Fantasy is the band's 2nd album and it picks up right where their debut album Great White Whale left off. This album is a head shaker and has some super catchy melodies. For fans of Saosin, Circa Survive. 

3. Chiodos - Illuminaudio

You will find that my top 3 albums to make the list this year have all been released within the last 3 months. I tried my best reviewing for the whole year but it was hard to ignore these 3 as they were in heavy rotation on my iPod lately. Chiodos worried me going into this album. They had parted ways with their old singer Craig Owens and I thought there was little hope for the band. When they announced they picked up the lead singer of Yesterday's Rising (a band I used to thoroughly enjoy) I got a bit excited. This album has received alot of positive and negative feedback. All I can recommend is listen to this album as whole. The entire feel of the album is powerful and illuminating. Fans will always wonder how good this album would have been if the old singer was still with the band. This could have very easily made number 1. 

2. Senses Fail - The Fire

What I liked about this new release from Senses Fail was that there were no surprises. Time after time I have had my favorite bands try to change up their sound to stay fresh and things backfire. Senses Fail has kept to their true sound and has delivered another solid release. For fans of The Used, Finch, Thursday.

1. UnderOath - Ø (Disambiguation)

Another album, another #1 on Joe's album of the year list. I've said it before and I'll say it again, UnderOath is the heaviest band in my music collection and there is just something about their sound that captures me everytime. Maybe not their best album but a damn good one. Without their old drummer Aaron that used to provide the pop, this may be their deepest and darkest album yet.

My Honorable Mentions

• Valencia - Dancing With A Ghost
• Xavier Rudd - Koonyum Sun
• Cas Haley - Connections
• Eminem - Recovery
• John Wayne and the Pain - Follow Through

My Most Disappointing Album of The Year

Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns  My heated review: WTF was that Linkin Park? I enjoyed 1 song on the entire album. Huge let down.

My Most Anticipated Albums of 2011

• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• The Used
• Yellowcard
• Rise Against
• Blink-182
• Dr. Dre
• Sublime with Rome

Thanks for the music 2010! Keep the good music vibrations coming. 

Music Tuesdays - Stick Figure

If you are familiar with my blog, this may not be the first time you have seen the name Stick Figure. Stick Figure often makes it into my top played weekly music charts, twitter feed, and their previous albums have also landed the top spots on my last two "Top 10 Albums of the Year" posts.


Today, Stick Figure is at it again with their new release "The Reprise Sessions."  Scott Woodruff is the mastermind behind the band. He had previously recorded and produced all the albums, essentially a one man band, doing all the vocals and instruments himself. This time he his backed by his new band members.  This album showcases many recreated versions of his top songs from his previous 3 albums, with a couple brand new ones thrown in the mix. 

The overall sound of the CD stays true to the once, one-man-band, Stick Figure.  Now that this is a full band, we can hopefully expect a full tour schedule as well as more new music in the near future. They are my favorite band in the reggae/rock/dub genre. There is no better consistent feel good vibes out there right now.


Preview the song "Long Lost Way" off the new album below.

Preview and purchase the rest of the album here.

You can also check out http://www.stickfiguremusic.com/

My Top 10 Albums of 2009

This year was a pretty big year for music in my opinion. Michael Jackson's death takes the big news, but how bout the reincarnation of Blink 182, we've yet to hear new tunes but least they are back touring together.  Or the emergence of the weird yet captivating she/male that is Lady Gaga, her tunes are bound to get the dance floor going.  We never got the new Dr. Dre album, but the highly anticipated new Eminem album came out and lived up to the hype.  I've also enjoyed Kings of Leon who have had a huge breakout year and will hopefully be here to stay.

There were some band breakups in my opinion that are disastrous to my future music collection, but everyday great new artists are emerging just waiting to be heard.

Now of course these selections are totally biased but at the same time they truly are great albums, click the itunes link if you have the desire to preview or purchase the albums.

My Top 10 Albums of 2009

10. Silverstein - A Shipwreck in the Sand

The heaviest hitting album to make the list.  This band has quickly become one of my favorites over the years.   This first song comes out firing and remains that way through the rest of the album.  The reason I keep up with this band is their signature heavy metal riffs coupled with melodic rich and sometimes poppy vocals.  This album is not a new sound for the band, rather a more polished and refined sound that they've had on their previous works.  This Canadian band will always have a place in my music collection and I look forward to their upcoming works.

9. AFI - Crash Love

AFI's new release makes it to number 9 on this list. This album met my expectations but did not exceed them. With such great previous achievements on earlier records, I can imagine trying to top previous albums is getting tougher and tougher for AFI, but this most recent attempt was a damn good one.  This album is very solid and the band built on their best elements from their past albums, including their heavy punk sound, fist pumping anthem sing a longs, and sweet mellow slow songs.  AFI is on top of their genre and after 18 years of existence it is great to see this band still putting out massively successful albums. On top of that, AFI, in my opinion, puts on the best live punk rock show.

8. Eminem - Relapse

It took 5 years to come out but 2009 marked the year of Eminem's return to the music industry. The hugely successful white rapper is one of the few rap artists I have in my music collection.  A fan since early school years, I view eminem as a very talented musician.  His portfolio backs it up as he was recently named this decades most successful artist.  He also had the largest album sales in 2009. Mr. Mathers, from what it seems has had a tough early life and even though he may be living the celebrity drug fueled life now, his musical rap/flow talent is second to none.

7. Wolfmother - Cosmic Egg

It may be that they are an Aussie band but when I first heard Wolfmother's "Cosmic Egg" I knew it was something special.  Having not really got into the band on their first release, I gave them a second chance on their second effort and I was hooked after the first song.  This album is very consistent and enjoyed every song. Very well could have been one of the top 3 albums on this list had not so many great reggae albums came out this year

6. SOJA - Born in Babylon

S.O.J.A.(Soldier of Jah Army) - Born in Babylon.  This reggae rock album was one of the best of the year from this Washington DC based group.  Born in Babylon is a great piece of artwork. The album features some heavy roots, pop reggae and great instrumentals, a great album to say the least.

5. Pearl Jam - Backspacer

Backspacer is the 9th studio album from the legendary rock/alternative group Pearl Jam. This album opens surprisingly a bit heavy and fast paced. Their previous self titled record released in 2006 just seemed to be lacking certain things.  Backspacer is a phenomenal recovery and brings back some older Pearl Jam style as well as their new more mature/not as grungy sound. Lead singer Eddie Vedder's heart on fire vocals are always the main attraction on their records and good old Ed is still belting out great sounding vocals and powerful lyrics. I must admit it took awhile for the album to grow on me but when it did I knew I had another great album from one of the greatest bands in this generation.

4. Tribal Seeds - The Harvest

The Harvest, Tribal Seeds sophomore effort, one ups their previous 2008 self titled iTunes reggae chart topping release.  The Harvest is an impressive and vibrant album.  It shows how versatile this band is. It covers roots reggae, dub, to the harmonious island vibe sound while still encompassing the bands California reggae roots. A must listen for any reggae fan.

3. Bob Marley & The Wailers - B is For Bob

B Is For Bob was compiled by the international musical legend's eldest son Ziggy Marley. It included many of Bob's most famous songs such as "Three Little Birds", "Jammin", "Redemption Song" , "Stir it Up" All but 4 of the reggae greats songs on the album have been remixed by Ziggy, and have been done so greatly without altering too much with the legends reggae classics.

2. The Used - Artwork

My favorite band of the decade as most of you know. The Used have continued to captivate me on their recent release "Artwork". Something about this band that just clicks for me.  This album is not their best album to date but in my opinion is their most musically talented they have produced. They have combined their old sound and mixed it with their new and the outcome is pleasing.  This is from a Billboard.com review of the album "The Used make some adjustments in their sound and end up with an album that will require a few listens to really sink in."   I couldn't agree anymore with this statement. A few listens is exactly what it took, after that it was constant repeat of finishing the album and playing it all over again. 

1. Stick Figure - Smoke Stack

Stick Figure is the music of the man, the legend, Scott Woodruff. Scott writes, plays, produces all the music for his albums, he is the one man band. His first release "Burning Ocean" was Top Ten Reggae Albums of 2008 on Itunes. If you remember, Burning Ocean came in at my #2 album of 2008. This year Stick Figure has topped my chart with his best album yet. "Smoke Stack" has already topped the reggae charts for 2009 and his fan base is rapidly growing and expanding all over the world. He has grown as a musician and this album shows it. Stick Figure is sure to keep any reggae listeners vibes alive. Listen and pick up the album today.

Honorable Mentions

311 - Uplifter

Thrice - Beggars

Rebelution -  Bright Side of Life

Silversun Pickups - Swoon

My Most Dissapointing Albums of the Year

Saosin - In Search of Solid Ground,   a toss up from an honorable mention and a disappointing album. Well Ill list it as disappointing because I was disappointed after listening to "In Search of Solid Ground"  It is a great album and there are some of Saosins best songs on there, but the fact that I know they were capable of producing a much better album is why I was disappointed. It was a much more mellow, almost overproduced sound.  Saosin is still one of my favorite bands today but this album could have been so much more in my opinion.

Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown , a once great punk band, is now a theatrical performance and have lost touch with what got them big in the first place.


Until next year, enjoy the music and keep the beat goin

My Top 10 Albums of 2008

2008 was a great year, i guess. Really flew bye. well anyhow after doing some research I learned that people love top 10 lists. I present to you, in my opinion, The Top Ten Music Albums of 2008!

#10 Of Broken - The Panic

• Found out about this band around 6 months ago, they are very solid, great rock, just the right amount of heaviness
  

#9 Drum Major Instinct - Back to The Sun

• Back to the Sun is the fabulous solo-effort by the former vocalist of uprising Reggae Rock studs Rebelution. There is an amazing flow to the album with soothing lyrics and great surf/mellow tunes to keep you movin.

#8 Slightly Stoopid - Slightly Not Stoned Enough to Eat Breakfast Yet Stoopid

• Slighty Stoopid released a "slightly" new album this year with a few new tracks but mostly previously released. One of my favorite reggae rock bands out there and this album doesn't dissapoint.
  

#7 Rise Against - Appeal to Reason

• One of my most anticipated albums of 2008, and to be honest when I first heard it I was pretty dissapointed. It lacked Rise Against's signature heavy punk sound that was heard in previous albums, but after listening thru it several times it hooked. I am open to the change, and as it is one of my least favorite rise against albums, it is still a very very good album.
  

#6 Secret and Whisper - Great White Whale

• Discovered this band through one of my band websites. Once I had a listen I knew I had found an amazingly talented new band. I'de say this album has the best tracklisting on this Top 10 list, as every song on the album is a favorite. very consistent album, always a plus for any music fan.
  

#5 Tea Leaf Green - Raise Up the Tent

• Found out about this great jam-band thru my brother Mike. great feel good album
  

#4 Valencia - We All Need A Reason to Believe

• One of my favorite bands 2nd full length album release. About as poppy as I get, Valencia finds a way to always lure me in with their catchy lyrics.
  

#3 The Used - Shallow Believer

• Not much here, anyone that knows me knows that The Used is on the top of my all time favorite bands. This album is more like a greatest hits cd and features all the songs I've always loved to rock out to
  

#2 Stick Figure - Burnin' Ocean

• Best reggae album out there today. what makes it more special is that all songs are made by one musician. when I'm in my mellow music moods, this is always my GO TO
  

#1 UnderOath - Lost In The Sound of Separation

• With the completely opposite sound than my #2 album of the year, I without a doubt name Underoaths Lost in the Sound of Seperation my NUMBER ONE ALBUM OF THE YEAR. It is hard to believe this band is a Christian band, as their sound and lyrics are overshadowed with gut-wrenching screams, mind blastering guitar riffs and ear ringing drum beats. Their genre can be classified as metalcore/screamo. As about as heavy of music that my ears can take, Underoath’s - Lost in The Sound of Separation is an extremely heavy hitting album yet provides the adrenaline to last a lifetime. Being a big fan of this grammy nominated band, this new album is my favorite of their six studio albums. So if you are looking for an unpredictable, ear-splitting, full of ferocity and melody, this is the band and album for you. But don’t tell me I didn’t warn you, it hits your speakers pretty hard.

Runner Ups Include: Blues Traveler - North Hollywood Shootout, Natural Incense - Step Inside, High Tide - Play Me Reggae

Keep your music ears open, you never know when you will be recommended or told about your soon to be favorite band.