Big Troubles - Romantic Comedy

Big Troubles - Romantic Comedy

Romantic Comedy came out this September on Slumberland Records, and despite what Pitchfork may say this album slays. Don't expect the noisy shoegaze of their debut Worry (though they still give a tip of the cap to it here and there), this is a pure indie pop masterpiece. If you dig The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Real Estate, The Smith Westerns and Siamese Dream-era Pumpkins then this will be your new favourite album.

French Films - Imaginary Future

French Films - Imaginary Future

I meant to post this awhile back but I am very lazy. I've been waiting for a full-length from these dudes ever since I heard the Golden Sea EP last year. French Films play totally rad indie rock that any fan of New Order, The Drums and The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart will surely dig. Top notch jams right here that you just can't help but sing along with.

Rational Animals - Bock Rock Parade

Rational Animals - Bock Rock Parade

These dudes sound like the perfect blend of Black Flag and Black Sabbath. This came out in the fall on Katorga Works (which is one of the best labels going) and it totally caught me by surprise with it's awesomeness. Bock Rock Parade is a total fucking beast of an album; It's punk, it's hardcore, and it's fucking metal. There is some serious Ginn worship going on here. This is one of the better records I've heard all year. Do yourself a favour, pick this up and play it real fucking loud.

Wavelets - Athaletics

Wavelets - Athaletics

Wavelets hail from Gainesville, FL but sound like they're from the mid-west. These dudes play twinkly indie rock and they play it very well. If you like American Football, or more recently Everyone Everywhere, then you'll totally be into these dudes. Tiny Engines Records just put this bad-boy out (Is there a better label going today? These dudes are seriously batting a thousand; Not one bad release) so go and buy it in every colour.

Psychic Teens

Psychic Teens - TEEN

I think these dudes are from Philly, and I don't know much about them, except that they are one fucking rad band. This sounds like Young Widows mixed with Joy Division (or Sonic Youth mixed with Bauhaus). Noisy and dark rock music that any punk or goth kid can get behind.

Sacred Love

Sacred Love - Love Songs Demo

Sacred Love - Dividing Lines

Sacred Love are a great hardcore band out of Baltimore, MD. If you dig Bad Brains, Cro-Mags, Burn and Bitter End then give these guys a listen, they'll have you bedroom moshing in no time. The demo is pretty rad but Dividing Lines is where it's at. Youngblood Records (one of my all-time favourite hardcore labels) released the demo 7" and the Dividing Lines 12" EP, so go and buy them both from them.

Coliseum - Parasites

Coliseum - Parasites EP

Latest EP from one of the best bands going. The bulk of this EP was recorded by J. Robbins at Inner Ear Studio and the tracks all sound amazing. The remaining jams are House With A Curse leftovers (that also totally slay). The added icing on the cake here is that rad fucking cover art by Rick Froberg.

Life Sux

Wavves - Life Sux EP

New EP from Nathan Williams and Co. I know this dude is a total douche, but god damn can he write some catchy tunes. Opening track "Bug" is one of the best songs of the year, and my favourite Wavves song so far. This is a great EP by an awesome band. I've been jamming this non-stop in the car on the way to and from work for over a month and I'm still not tired of it. Oh yeah Fucked Up and Best Coast guest on this thing, if that does anything for you.

Atlas Losing Grip - State Of Unrest

Atlas Losing Grip - State Of Unrest

This is Rodrigo from Satanic Surfers/Intensity's new band. Fast as fuck punk rock. If you dig Propagandhi, Satanic Surfers and A Wilhelm Scream then you'll go nuts for this. I meant to post this months ago, oh well, here it is now. If you miss that 90's Fat and Epitaph sound as much as I do then this should help to fill that void.

Nothington - Borrowed Time

Nothington - Borrowed Time

Here is the latest from these Bay Area punk rockers. These dudes take equal influence from Jawbreaker, Leatherface and Social Distortion (and sound like the perfect blend of all three). Gruff punk rock with lots of heart. This is their first LP for Red Scare after having released two albums with BYO Records.

Static Radio NJ - We Are All Beasts

Static Radio NJ - We Are All Beasts

This is one of the best albums that I've heard all year. We Are All Beasts sounds like Samiam and The Draft mixed with a pinch of Seaweed and a dash of Nirvana; Gruff and emotional punk rock with just a touch of 90's heaviness. There isn't a bad song on here, every track is a serious banger. These dudes used to sound like Lifetime/Kid Dynamite but have grown by leaps and bounds on this new one. You need to be into this.

Big Biz - Quadruple Single

Big Business - Quadruple Single

New EP from one of the most consistently rad bands around. This time out they've added a fourth member (Scott Martin, guitar) and he just fucking shreds all over this. Its like just when you think Big Biz couldn't get anymore rad, they go and release this EP, tipping the scales of radness.

CLOUDS - B Chuggas May Be Logging EP

CLOUDS - B Chuggas May Be Logging EP

The last four songs these guys ever recorded and every last one of them is a serious banger. I wish these guys were still around. Awesome stoner rock from members of Cave In and The Hope Conspiracy (also the underrated A-Team). Clouds is not a band for everybody. Either you get it or you don't, and I fucking get it.

The Electronic Anthology Project

The Electronic Anthology Project EP

This is Doug Martsch and Brett Nelson from Built To Spill doing 80's synth pop versions of BTS songs, and it fucking kills. This is like all the totally rad remix EP's you've heard but ten times better because they are Built To Spill songs. These aren't remixes they are totally new recordings (vocals and all). One song from each of their seven studio albums gets the synth treatment here. Party time.

PULLEY

Pulley - Esteem Driven Engine

Pulley - Sixty Cycle Hum

Pulley - S/T

Pulley - Together Again For The First Time

Pulley - Matters

Pulley - Time Insensitive Material EP

Pulley - The Long And The Short Of It 7"

Fucking Pulley. One of the best melodic hardcore bands to ever grace the earth. Scott Radinsky (Ten Foot Pole) on vocals, Matt Riddle (Face To Face, No Use For A Name) on bass, Jim Cherry (Strung Out) on guitar and Jordan Burns (Strung Out) on Drums. A bona-fide punk rock super group. The line-ups shifted for subsequent releases but Scott Radinsky stuck around on vocals (despite a lucrative MLB career). Every one of these albums totally fucking slays. These guys played a major part in my youth and are definitely one of the 90's best punk bands. Life-changing tunes right here dudes.

The Dukes Of Nothing - War & Wine

The Dukes Of Nothing - War & Wine

Former members of Iron Monkey playing scuzzy punk'n'roll. These dudes only released a couple 7 inches and this EP before breaking up (almost a decade ago). The singer of this band, Tony Sylvester, just recently replaced Hank Von Helvete in Turbonegro (the outcome can't possibly be as bad as Hank's new band Doctor Midnight and the Mercy Cult). If you dig Mötörhead, Zeke and Ass Cobra-era Turbonegro then The Dukes Of Nothing will leave you moist in the crotch.

MUNG - Vow Of Poverty

MUNG - Vow Of Poverty

Named after Leukorrhea, Mung were a 90's Boston hardcore band. Their first EP, Vow Of Poverty, was released in 1996 on the Bosstones' Big Rig Records label. As far as I know this was Mung's only release and it totally slays. If you like H2O, CIV and American Standard then these six songs are your new favourite jams.

Social Circkle - City Shock

Social Circkle - City Shock

Totally rad hardcore from some dudes who are so punk they don't even give a fuck about spelling. These dudes totally remind me of Cloak/Dagger and that is never a bad thing. Fast punk-influenced hardcore from these Boston dudes. This was released in 09 and I have no idea if this band is even still active, regardless, City Shock is totally killer.

Deep Sleep - Turn Me Off

Deep Sleep - Turn Me Off

Totally awesome Descendents inspired hardcore. If you dig Lion Of Judah, Government Warning or Cloak/Dagger then this shit is for you. Ten songs with tons of melody and interesting guitar lines that breeze by in just thirteen minutes (who do they think they are the Circle Jerks?). My only gripe would be that this album is way too short.

Night Fever - New Blood

Night Fever - New Blood

This is some fucking rocking hardcore out of Copenhagen, Denmark. This sounds a little like Annihilation Time, but mostly these dudes remind me of one of the best hardcore bands of the last ten years: DEAD FUCKING STOP. Eight totally rad old-school bangers that are sure to get your ass moving.

LEATHER

Leather - Anchorite 7"

Leather - Sterile 7"

Leather ride the perfect middle-ground between hardcore and grunge. This is dirty, fuzzy and pissed-off shit. Leather sounds like Pissed Jeans with John Joseph singing. Jade Tree just released the Sterile 7" and it fucking slays so go buy it (Jade Tree needs the money). Sterile is more melodic than Anchorite, but both are equally rad releases that are totally worthy of your precious time.

Algernon Cadwallader - Parrot Flies

Algernon Cadwallader - Parrot Flies

This is the second album from these PA dudes and it is a total monster. Eleven of the best tracks you'll probably hear all year. Algernon play intense and mathy indie rock that any fan of Cap'n Jazz, By Surprise and Monument will totally dig. I thought their debut was the shit but Parrot Flies is just a total banger and so much better. I've listened to this all night on repeat and I can't get over how totally rad it is. This has already been posted on every blog on earth so if you haven't grabbed it do so because this album will totally own your life. I'll be blasting this shit out my car window all summer long. Jam.

Best Song Ever

Slow One - The Double Cross

Sloan - The Double Cross

The new one from these Godfathers of CanRock. This sounds like the Beatles, the Kinks and The Cars rolled into one. These dudes are Canadian Rock royalty. Power pop at it's absolute best. This album totally slays.

Maritime - Human Hearts

Maritime - Human Hearts

Like a fine wine Davey Von Bohlen's songs just get better with every passing minute. Human Hearts is a pop masterpiece if ever there was one. If you don't know and love all of this man's songs then you are probably a fucking nazi bastard. This album is so fucking good I can't even put it's greatness into words. Home. Fucking. Run.

Big Kids

Big Kids - Hoop Dreams

Big Kids - Don't Be A Baby EP

Big Kids - Phone Home

Big Kids are the fucking shit. Try and remember the first time that you heard Weezer.... That is what hearing these dudes for the first time is like. Big Kids play emotional punk rock that sounds like Small Brown Bike, Bear Vs. Sharks and Hot Rod Circuit mixed together. Every one of these dudes' jams is a total banger that begs repeat listening. I jam this shit on the regular and you should too. Buy whatever these dudes put out and press a beer in their hands when they play your shit town. Life changing punk rock right here.

Spraynard - Funtitled

Spraynard - Funtitled

New on Asian Man Records. Mike Park has a great ear for bands (i.e. Alkaline Trio, The Broadways, The Larry Arms). This sounds just like Latterman. Fun and snotty punk rock that even an old fuck like me can get behind. Jam this and remember what it was like to get totally rad with your bro's. This album totally slays.

Tonite BINGO with Archers Of Loaf

Ansikt Til Ansikt

F T F - L N, L L

This thing is fucking good. Maybe I'm biased because this was one of my favourite bands throughout high-school (and beyond) but this is definitely their best LP since the Self Titled album. Chad Yaro is even back in the band after an eleven year absence. To me this sounds like Reactionary mixed with Big Choice and every track is a total banger.

M I D D L E S T A T E S

TAC - Middle States

New EP from one of my all time favourite bands. These dudes can do no wrong and this EP is no exception. Four tracks in twenty-eight minutes and it definitely leaves you wanting more. Middle States is some of their most experimental stuff, and in that regard it reminds of Low Level Owl more than anything else. Epic fucking shit. Now I want another full-length.

Masakari - The Profit Feeds

Masakari - The Profit Feeds

Masakari hail from Cleveland, OH and they play a brutal blend of punk and metal. These dudes are really pissed-off with religion and the government (among other things). Basically this band sounds just like Cursed circa the "One" album. Hardcore with just the right amount of grind/crust and d-beat thrown in. If you're a fan of His Hero Is Gone and Tragedy but wished they sounded a bit more like Ringworm then this is the band for you. The best use of sound clips I've heard since the "Intimacy" EP by Light Yourself On Fire. This is one sickeningly heavy album that any fan of Cursed, Early Graves or G.I.S.M. will absolutely love.

BLACK GOD

Black God - S/T

First there was Black Widows, then Black Cross and now Black God. This is the latest collaboration between Rob Pennington (By The Grace Of God, Endpoint) and Ryan Patterson (Coliseum). Along for the ride this time are Nick Thieneman (Young Widows) and Ben Sears (Prideswallower). This was recorded last Halloween in Louisville, KY and it totally fucking slays. Head on over to No Idea Records and buy a copy. According to the band they have already recorded the follow-up 7" but I have no idea when that will be released, hopefully soon. Best hardcore release of the year (so far).

Dear Tonight - We're Not Men

Dear Tonight - We're Not Men

Dear Tonight were a punk/hardcore band from NY who existed from 2001-08. They sounded a lot like Drive Like Jehu, Angel Hair and Ink And Dagger. Lead singer Ryan Duffy used to write for Vice magazine back then as well and was one rad dude (just check out his segment for vbs.tv on donkey fucking) he was most recently seen on the MTV show the Vice Guide To Everything. This band never really toured behind this, as they called it quits immediately after it's release, which is too bad because I think they could have gone far behind it. If you like End Of A Year and Brainworms you will totally dig this album.

Young Ginns

Young Ginns - Anthology

Members of Nation Of Ulysses and Unwound playing Black Flag worship. Their one and only 7" was released by the venerable San Diego punk label Gravity Records (Heroin, Clikatat Ikatowi and Angel Hair). This is their Anthology release which contains the 7" along with various comp and demo tracks. Chaotic fucking hardcore.

Capsule - No Ghost

Capsule - No Ghost

Capsule are a hardcore band from Miami, FL who occupy the perfect middle-ground between Brainworms and Converge with some southern sludge thrown in (i.e. Torche and Kylsea). Heavy as fuck, spastic, melodic and totally fucking rad. This has been getting tons of love all over the place, so if you've been sleeping on this don't as it is the best heavy releases of 2011 so far (and definitely a top ten contender right now). No Ghost will be released this spring by Rorschach Records so pick up a copy, crank it to eleven and bum out all your square neighbours. I can't stress enough how rad this album is, and if you didn't love their last album Blue, fear not, as this one is a little more straight forward (but still fucking heavy as hell).

Mister Dream - Trash Hit

Mr. Dream - Trash Hit

These dudes are Harvard grads who moved to Brooklyn and started a punk band. Trash Hits sound like The Pixies, Jesus Lizard and early Nirvana mixed with modern bands like Male Bonding, Wavves and No Age. Trash Hits is jagged, fuzzy and catchy punk rock that you need to be listening to right now. You'd be doing yourself a huge disservice if you slept on this album. This is your new favourite band.

Dress Like Yer Idles

BOAT - Dress Like Your Idols

BOAT play really great indie rock that gives a tip of the cap to all your favourite alternative bands from the 80's, 90's and the oughts. Do you dig The Cure, Pavement, The Shins and Built To Spill? Because they've got songs that sound like all those bands. Their last LP, Setting The Paces, was one of my favourites of 2009 and this one ain't half bad either. Even if the music was shit (it isn't) you'd have to admit that that is one fucking cool album cover.

Daniel Romano - Sleep Beneath The Willow

Daniel Romano - Sleep Beneath The Willow

Daniel is the lead singer/main songwriter for Canadian indie band Attack In Black. This is his second solo album to see a wide release, and it is a doozy. Daniel plays country and folk with a confidence you don't usually find in a man his age. If you dig the work of Gram Parsons you'll be blown away by how good this album is. I can't wait to get this home and drop the needle on the first track, to hear that crackle and those gorgeous harmonies and Daniel's weathered baritone. Fucking great album.

Lifeguards - Waving At The Astronauts

Lifeguards - Waving At Astronauts

Robert Pollard and Doug Gillard doing what they do best together, writing catchy hook-filled fucking rock and roll. This has a real 80's sort of Wire sound to it. Spiky indie rock from some rad Ohio cats.

Buy Supplies

By Surprise - Mountain Smashers

I have been listening to this album on the way to and from work everyday for the past couple weeks and I still haven't gotten tired of it. These songs will seriously be stuck in your head for weeks. Great melodies, a tight rhythm section, noodley guitars and fun lyrics have insured that this will be one of the years best albums. If you dig Everyone Everywhere, Algernon Cadwallader, Monument and bands of that ilk then this should be right up your alley. I can't recommend this album enough. Go buy ten copies from Topshelf Records and give them to your friends (assuming you have ten friends, that number may be lower for some of you) this album is that good.

Fang Rouge - Assassiner Les Montagnes

R F - M T M

If you are looking to find another banger like "Prehistoric Dog" you'll have to look elsewhere, because it isn't on here. This reminds me of early 90's groove-metal, which is fucking totally rad. This sounds like the album Blind by C.O.C., only mixed with a dash Mastodon and a pinch of Soundgarden. Catchy and interesting sludge-rock that was produced by Chris Funk from the Decemberists (weird I know).

Kicking Spit - Psychrockbullshit

Kicking Spit - Psychrockbullshit

Former members of the New Jersey band Seasick playing rad 80's influence hardcore punk. This three-piece sounds a lot like Dinosaur Jr. and Hüsker Dü, and I mean a lot. Tons of fuzzed out guitar solos, great melodies and a killer rhythm section make this EP one of the best I've heard in a while. Tankcrimes Records released this on LP and CD, so go grab it from them (they also have this as a free download right now on the label's bandcamp).