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 - UnderOath

My most anticipated album of the year is finally here. Today, UnderOath released "Ø (Disambiguation)," their 7th studio album. You've heard it before on here, they are the heaviest band in my music library and are one of my favorites. I don't often go for deep screams and heavy metal riffs but something about this band has always captured me. They are a Christian band with religious beliefs tied into their lyrics, but for me, the lyrics get pushed aside, I let the crushing breakdowns and thunderous screams take me away. Once their music is on, it's time to rock out. The mosh pit gets going and the adrenaline gets pumping. This album is their darkest and heaviest to date, and it's flawless. It is amazing to see this band deliver album after an album. They have yet to stop progressing and this album may be my favorite yet. 


Below is the music video for the single "In Division"





Click the link below to preview and download UnderOath's "Ø (Disambiguation)"

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.