Albums of The Year for 2020

 

Phew thank goodness this year is almost finished!  At least we had some great albums come out this year to help us through it. These are the albums that stood out for me and were constantly being played. This is also just my personal taste here. 

I have written a few sentences for each album with a link to a choice song in the list below. Hopefully I will have a separate blog post for each of these albums sometime (Seaway and Narrow Head I have already covered). 

Happy New Year and cheers to 2021!

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10. Slaughter Beach, Dog-At the Moonbase

This album made a surprise drop on Dec 24th and I must say it was a fantastic Christmas present! I have been a big fan of Jake Ewald's writing and music since the Modern Baseball days. Those added saxophones, chefs kiss! Notes From a Brief Engagement (at the Boot & Saddle)

9. Violent Soho-Everything is A Ok

Man the music that has been coming out of Australia lately has been excellent. This is just one example of many options to check out from down under. It's a distinct rock sound that I've really been vibing with. Don't miss out! Canada

8. Gulfer-Gulfer 

One of the best albums yet from this Montreal band. If you like emotional self-deprecating music with intricate guitar work and unique drum beats, this is the album for you! Blurry

7. Nothing- The Great Dismal 

I thought Nothing's 2016 project, Tired of Tomorrow, couldn't be topped but was pleasantly proven wrong! If you like shoegaze or just distorted guitars I would give this album a go. In my opinion, some of the best in modern shoegaze. April Ha Ha

6. Knuckle Puck- 20/20

Knuckle Puck went more upbeat and positive in this album and it was exactly what I needed this year! I am happy that these guys seem to be a better state of mind. It was infectious :) Breath

5. Narrow Head-12th House Rock

I already did a post on this album so probably not a surprise to see it on here. A quick summary- fantastic 2020 grunge music. Night Tryst  

4. Kill Lincoln-Can't Complain

Never thought ska music would make it on my 2020 list but this year has been all about the unexpected! Thank goodness for this ska music. It has cheered me up in a way only saxophones and trumpets can do! Last Ditch Denial

3. Beach Bunny-Honeymoon

Some breezy and carefree sounding music about after the honeymoon phase of relationships. It's so catchy that I've been caught humming many parts of the songs throughout the year. Spotify unwrapped also told me this was one of top listened albums. The stats never lie. Cloud 9

2. Deftones-Ohms

As a big Deftones fan, this release was a fantastic surprise (I don't know if they announced it ahead of time but it was news for me). This is definitely in my top 3 for releases. Error

1. Seaway-Big Vibe

This is another album that I have blogged about. If my list will tell you anything, I think it's that I needed some good vibes to help me with the negative this year. Thank-you Seaway for helping me, and hopefully others, get through it all! Mrs.David

The Goo Goo Dolls- Superstar Car Wash (1993)

 

Why I like it:

This is the album that came out before A Boy Named Goo gave the Goo Goo Dolls massive success with singles like "Name" and "Long Way Down". When you look into their history is it very interesting. 

Essentially the band came up from punk roots and were pretty heavy before going more collage rock. This transition first began when John Rzeznik started to take lead in some of singing. That is right, he was not always the lead singer! Before it was Robbie Takac and he brought more of the punk side to the songs. 

In Superstar Car Wash there are both John and Robbie songs. It is neat because you can hear the direct contrast of John's more melodic singing to Robbie's harder punk leading chops. It's a fun listen because the album doesn't get stale with the switch ups and the song writing is top notch. There's definitely a few deep cuts to check out here. 

As a huge Goo Goo Dolls fan, I think this album is overlooked and it's worth the deep dive! You can't say you're a super fan until you have dug into this interesting back catalogue :P 

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

Domino (Robbie lead)- "Always ponderin' my fate too late"

Cuz you're gone (John lead)- "You disconnect yourself from it all"

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Similar bands to check out:

School of Fish, Soul Asylum, Snapcase, Ned's Atomic Dustbin

*Bands the Goo Goo Dolls toured with in 1993

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Reviews and links to check out:

Dig Me Out Podcast- Review of an earlier album but good look at their history

Thenewfury.com- Review

YouTube- Live take from 1993

YouTube- An epic live take of Iris. Rain and everything!

Moron Police-A Boat on the Sea (2019)

Why I like it:

A Boat on the Sea is all over the map in the genres that it covers but I have seen progressive metal as a common tag, and oh man do Moron Police ever put the P in progressive metal. There is everything from metal, jazz, funk, and video game music; just to name a few. This thing is just so gosh dang fun! Even the album art is colorful and funky.

A band from Norway, Moron Police were relatively unknown until this release in 2019. I am happy to say they now have 17,000 monthly listeners on Spotify (Dec 2020). Good job guys!

I gotta give the shoutout to YouTuber Crash Thompson for putting A Boat on the Sea on my radar. See my links below for his review.

 Enjoy the journey, I guarantee you won't know what hit you :)

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

The Undersea-"Flowing up the Undersea of everything called life, sing as we go!"

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Similar bands to check out:

Blood Command, 22, Major Parkinson, Cheetos's Magazine

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Reviews and links to check out:

Crash Thompson- Review

The Prog Report Podcast- Interview

Spectrum Pulse- Review

YouTube- Live playthrough

Hot Rod Circuit-Sorry About Tomorrow (2002)

Why I like it:

Sorry About Tomorrow is interesting to me because I just discovered the album this year but it gave me strong nostalgia feels as soon as I gave it a spin. I think that's because it sounds very early 2000s and what I was listening to around that time. It's unfortunate I never heard of Hot Red Circuit until this year because I know younger me would have eaten this up! Current me loves it too though so it's fun to have discovered.

What I really like about this album is that it's early 2000s sounding but the lyrics are more mature. There's none of the typical whoa is me got girl problems and teen angst (I did relate to that in my teenage years but now it seems dated) and instead they sing about topics like drug addiction and mental health. The topics are serious but they keep the music upbeat and melodic. The guitar work is really fun and there's even a few guitar solos thrown into the mix! 

I would almost recommend listening to the No Filler podcast, where I discovered Hot Rod Circuit, first before diving into the album. It does a good job of setting the scene and explaining why Sorry About Tomorrow is a dimond in the ruff of 2000s rock.

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

Safely-"Maybe I can tell you/To keep your head up and follow through/Good things will come to you"

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Similar bands to check out:

Hey Mercedes, Saves the Day, The Get Up Kids, Northstar

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Reviews and links to check out:

No Filler Podcast- Retrospective

Hybridmagazine.com- Review

Washed Up Emo Podcast- Interview

YouTube Live Set

Tilly's Mixtape Volume 1!

(frontside)

(backside)

I decided to try something fun and make a mixtape only using songs from the albums that have been featured in this blog. Also, I decided to stay within the years 2015-2020 to narrow it down.

It was a fun project but also hard to pick songs to get the right vibe that I was going for. Very much out of practice (I think my last mixtape was maybe 2006ish). 

Hopefully you find something new for your own personal playlist! I plan on doing another mixtape going off some earlier years in the future. Stay tuned!

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Links to the mixtape:

YouTube playlist

Spotify playlist

Seaway-Big Vibe (2020)

 Why I like it:

"2020 most definitely needs more music that's this happy. Love it"

    -YouTube Comment

I think this sums it up nicely; section done. Ok jokes aside for a second, if this came out in earlier on the year, instead of October, I have no doubt Spotify Wrapped would have put this at one of my top listened artists (apparently it takes information up to Oct 30).

To be truthful I never did fully get into Seaway, even though it should be ticking off all my boxes, but I will be after I have tired of Big Vibe. This band has a pretty descent back catalogue and I can't wait to dig into it! 

Honestly just give the single "Big Vibe" a listen and see if it ups your mood. If you want more of that mood booster, then give the rest of this pop punk album a spin and happy vibing! 

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

Big Vibe-"She’s got an old Rush shirt hanging off of her back /Wears it to art school so she stands out from the pack"

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Similar bands to check out:

Knuckle Puck, Neck Deep, The Story So Far, Roam

*Excellent new pop punk selection

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Reviews and links to check out:

Never Normal YouTube - Review

Lead Singer Syndrome Podcast- Interview

Rocknloadmag.com- Review

The Gunz Show Podcast- Interview

RVIVR-The Beauty Between (2013)

 

Why I like it:

I discovered this band at an Airbnb of all places. I think someone was renting out their private space, while they were away, and I got to get glimpse into the the personal life of someone living in the big city of Vancouver. Right away I saw ticket stubs and punk posters throughout the apartment space and was interested in what shows they were checking out. One band that caught my attention was RVIVR. It was a ticket stub with another band, which I think was Propagandhi, and I decided to check it out on the internet. From there I was hooked. 

Right away what caught my attention in The Beauty Between was the infections guitar hooks and lyrics. I will speak to the music first. The lead singers Erica and Matt are an amazing duo and keep the songs interesting and dynamic. The songs also have high punk energy and style fantastic guitar hooks. 

The message in this album is so inspirational and encouraging. The main thing felt was encouragement to be my true and authentic self. It's so uplifting in that way that I caught myself crying happy tears from the empowerment (I never do that as a fyi). It's hard to explain the experience but if you ever felt like you aren't being yourself, for whatever reason, give this a listen. I think you will come out of it with a new hope :) 

I started this blog as a result of deciding to throw myself and thoughts out there in the world. It's a bit scary but also exciting to do something I am truly passionate about and doing it for me. I hope that someone reading this can also find that passion and use in a way that makes them happy and fulfilled! 

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

Wrong way/One way- "I touch the ground/Send my roots deep down"

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Similar bands to check out:

Iron Chic, Latterman, The Falcon, Pkew Pkew Pkew

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Reviews and links to check out:

Sputnikmusic.com- Review

Better Yet Podcast- Interview

Punknews.org- Review

YouTube- Live performance

Marianas Trench-Fix me (2006)

 

Why I like it:

A hidden pop punk gem within the Marianas Trench discography. Starting right off from their debut you can see the talent and musicianship of Josh Ramsay and the rest of the band. Also, if I am going of my post-nothing rock title, this is the most "rock" album they have to offer. Seriously check out their other material too though.

Fix Me was in my MP3 player back in 2006 and it brings back many memories! It's a darker themed album and 16 year old me couldn't get enough. Even today I think this album is worth going back to, it will definitely take you on nostalgic trip (even if this is your first time listening).

I highly recommend checking out the interview that Josh did on the Lead Singer Podcast, it was very eye opening about his early life and where his music roots come from. It's no wonder he is multitalented in singing and instruments. Honestly, just an inspirational person to follow. 

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

Shake Tramp- "And you need that stamp little handshake tramp"

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Similar bands to check out:

Faber Drive, State of Shock, Simple Plan, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

*Going with the 2006 vibe

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Reviews and links to check out:

Lead Singer Syndrome Podcast

Punktastic.com- Review

Vancouver24hours- Interview

YouTube Live Show - This video was from a show I was at. Josh did a piano cover of one of my favorite songs called "Apparitions" from Matthew Good Band. I'm very excited to have found this on the internet!

PÆRISH-Semi Finalists (2016)

Why I like it:

An alternative band from France that came out from gate with bangers in their debut album, Semi Finalists. 

From the 90s movie and music lore that they incorporate into their music, to the fun and energetic guitar shredding, there is a lot to dive into with this album. Semi Finalists has been in my rotation since 2016 and I never tire of it. I especially love listening to this album, front to back, when on a road trip. It is the perfect sing-along and act like a goof with your air guitar type of music.

For their new material they are working with Will Yip and I am super stoked to hear what their new album (in 2021 sounds like) brings. From listening to the new stuff, I think there's reason to be excited!

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

Party's Over, Biff- "Arriving one step per hour ‘til tomorrow"

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Similar bands to check out:

Black Foxxes, Lonely The Brave, Balance and Composure, Gender Roles

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Reviews and links to check out:

Altdialogue.com- Review

Music.allaccess.com- Interview

YouTube live performance

Bandcamp.com