Title Fight-Shed (2011)

 

Why I like it:

Have you ever discovered a band, decide on your favorite album, then years later change your stance based off shifting music tastes as you get older? This happened to me for Title Fight. I discovered them off the 2015 release Hyperview and decided that was my favorite album for many years. Now it is 2021, I just went through all of 2020 with changed views and perspectives and decided to give Title Fight's discography another listen through. Then I was absolutely blown away by how much I loved and related to Shed!

Title Fight are a band that have gone through interesting evolutions throughout their career. Starting with hardcore roots of The Last Thing You Forget and Shed, they soon after dipped into the more melodic punk scene with Floral Green and ended (so far) with the shoegazey Hyperview. I really could have made a blog post about any of these albums, as they all have excellent material to speak to, but Shed was the sleeper album that got me excited to talk about.

Shed is a 27 minuet hard hitting musical and emotional journey. It definitely has the hardcore structure with fast-paced songs and lead vocals that are equally as hard and urgent. However this album has slower guitar and base sections peppered throughout that add a unique feature to the album. The lyrics are very relatable and a cathartic release to shout along with. I firkin love it and now completely understand why so many people are huge Title Fight fans! 

If they release anything else, I will be eagerly waiting to listen and enjoy where they take their fans next!

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

Where Am I?- "Maybe there's nothing/Only this moment" 

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Similar bands to check out:

Basement, Polar Bear Club, Turnover, Balance and Composure

*Similar notable releases from 2011

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Reviews and links to check out:

Killyourstereo.com- Review

Art School Albums Podcast- Retrospective of Shed and Title Fight

Live session from 2011

Books of Some Substance Podcast- Interview with Ned Russin about his book

Sophiesfloorboard.blogspot.com- The band's full discography. Also just a great blog to check out!

Paramore-Paramore (2013)

Why I like it:

Like many of the kids who grew up in the 2000s, Paramore was a staple in my mp3 player. I must admit that I only started getting into them after the first Twilight soundtrack (which I will stand by that the soundtrack is one of the only redeeming things from that movie). Besides the hits that came out on the radio and games like Rock Band, I never did get into the other songs within their catalogue. Don't get me wrong, I did have quit a few songs of theirs in that mp3 player but I never did buy any albums. To be fair, I did not buy too many albums at that time (no point when you can use LimeWire!).

My view started changing on Paramore once their self-titled came out. It was around this time that I started appreciating albums more vs just singles and started following YouTubers like ARTV, that were expanding my views and tastes in music. 

The reason that this album spoke to me, more then the others, is because of the risks Paramore took. You have an album that is on the longer end for a rock album (around 1 hour in length), then you have the interludes and an epic 7 min closing song to wrap it all up. There's also the more pop direction that they went with the album. All this was much different then their previous albums and showcased the progression that they have gone through as a band. 

If anything, this self-titled has proved that Paramore is top tier band that will be talked about for many years to come. If After Laughter, their next release, has proven anything it is that they will continue to give us phenomenal music :)

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

Part ii- "A beauty half betrayed/Butterflies with punctured wings"

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Similar bands to check out:

We are The In Crowd, Tonight Alive, Flyleaf, Eisley

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Reviews and links to check out:

ARTV YouTuber- Review

Punk Lotto Pod- Retrospective

Aminoapps.com- Self Titled Concept Album

Paramore Live Rock Am Ring