UserReviews 4Approval 93%Album Ratings 4Last Active 11-20-12 2:50 amJoined 08-14-12Forum Posts 0Review Comments 24
| Top 5 Favorite Hardcore Albums
Seeing how I'm a humongous fan of all hardcore oriented music, I only saw it fitting to compile a list of the five albums within this genre that I hold dearest to my heart. Now making this list was NOT easy -- I chose to relegate myself to five picks only and I'm sure that my opinions and your opinions will likely differ sharply. At any rate, I still proclaim these albums as landmark moments for the post-hardcore genre and I hope you enjoy this list. | | 5 |  | Refused
The Shape of Punk to Come
Without a doubt the pioneers of the Scandinavian hardcore movement, Refused's The Shape of Punk to Come was a rousing success on every conceivable level. Deftly blending political interludes, introspective lyrics with pulse-pounding hardcore riffs that even accommodated full-on jazz and techno breakdowns -- this album more than lived up to its name and forever changed the expectations of what a Swedish, let alone European, band could conceive. Close to 15 years later, and this masterful, riotous album is still a treat for the senses. | | 4 |  | Alexisonfire
Watch Out!
Alexisonfire was the band that caught my attention of the post-hardcore scene and their sophomore album Watch Out! to go along with it. With stellar vocals split between screamer George Petit and guitarist and vocalist Dallas Green, Alexisonfire delivers a slew of standout moments spread across songs such as "Accidents", "Control" and "No Transitory". With infectious guitar licks, intricate drum work and extremely energetic deliverance throughout; Alexisonfire cemented themselves as one of the key figures in the genre, and raised the bar for the post-hardcore genre on a multitude of levels. | | 3 |  | At The Drive-In
Relationship of Command
Of course, you'd be out of your damn mind to make a list like this without paying homage to the now defunct post-hardcore quintet from Texas: At the Drive-In. I could literally write an extensive essay about how incredibly sharp their final, full-length album Relationship of Command is. There is so much to say about the unprecedented level of energy that seeps throughout the 50 minutes it takes to burn through this masterpiece of a hard-rock album. The lyrics so powerful and abstract, the vocals so unorthodox and unique and the guitars blaring like immense flurries of flames -- this unforgettable assault on the senses paved the way for every punk/rock and post-hardcore act to follow. If you still haven't given this album a spin, then feel free to do so at the earliest opportunity. | | 2 |  | The Receiving End of Sirens
Between the Heart and the Synapse
Between the Heart and the Synapse is an album that straddles an unthinkable border. It's not hard-rock, post-hardcore, electronic rock, ambient rock or progressive rock -- it's all of these things. I've yet to not be absolutely blown away at how sophisticated and ahead of the curve the Boston-based rock outfit The Receiving end of Sirens were with this album. A three-pronged guitar and vocal attack (I'm serious) and an unwavering attention to detail from the songwriting, to the instrumentation and to the rock solid production from Matt Squire; these are all but a few highlights of this unparalleled masterpiece that takes you on a journey unlike any other. When every element soars in the chilling chorus of the opening track "Planning a Prison Break" -- you've only received an appetizer of what follows over the course of the album's 13 incredible songs. The things I would do to see this band reunite and create another masterful opus in the vein of this album, cannot be imagined. | | 1 | | La Dispute
Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair
I'll likely receive a lot criticism for this pick, and why not? This is hands-down one of the most inaccessible and unorthodox albums this genre has to offer. A lot of people have already expressed their distaste in this album; claiming that front man Jordan Dreyer's vocal style is far too off-putting, the lyrics melodramatic and the schizophrenic nature of the album hard to get used to. But for me, the five-piece hardcore band that is La Dispute and their debut effort Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair is an unmatched masterpiece that conveys a level of emotion I've simply never felt before.
Admittedly, getting used to this band's many, many intricacies is not an easy feat, but trust me when I say that it's a totally worthy endeavor. The lyrics that encompass every song are some of the most poetic, emotionally sound and original I've ever heard and when coupled with Jordan's wavering and shaky voice that rapidly shifts from singing, spoken passages to full on screaming -- they create a lasting effect that has to be experienced in order to believe. Some of the lyrical and vocal content on this album are absolutely haunting, evidenced by songs such as "Sad Prayers for Guilty Bodies" which evokes chills by the second. Other songs are just so bold and incredible -- "Andria" sees one of the guitarists taking on a baritone guitar and thus turns the song into an emotional, western-esque ballad full of emotional catharsis.
Words alone cannot overstate my immense level of respect for these veritable artists. Because La Dispute won't settle for simplicity in any way, shape or form. These guys hone in on every last detail and create a lush soundscape that simply doesn't resemble anything I've ever heard. If you crave something wholly unique and worthwhile in a stagnating genre full of chugga-chugga breakdowns and monotonous growls and synthesizers, then please give these guys a go. If you take the time to settle into their antics, then you will be handsomely rewarded and then some. | |
heavyfooter1
01.28.13 | All good stuff. I can't say I was as taken with between the heart and the synapse. I felt like it was sort of a hollow attempt at crossing boundaries. It is at it's core a hardcore album with some arpeggios to make it feel a little more spacey. At first glance though I thought I had stumbled on something excellent. Overall the album was still good though. I would sub in Poison the Well: You come before you personally. But as you say, it's all personal preference.
| omnipanzer
01.28.13 | None of my favorites are on here but 3 is great and 5 is good. I don't know that these are actually hardcore, they are not what I think of as hardcore anyway. | KSK1
01.28.13 | Yeah none of these are really hardcore but hey i'm not one to be a genre nazi. You're clearly passionate about these albums lol | sixdegrees
01.28.13 | Top 5 Favorite *Post Hardcore Albums | Trebor17
01.28.13 | Where is da hardcore | iChuckles
01.28.13 | Thanks for some of the feedback, guys! | oltnabrick
01.28.13 | wat is this? | YankeeDudel
01.28.13 | i chuckled | porch
01.28.13 | feedback: 0/5 | SeaAnemone
01.28.13 | average list, 4.5/5 | porch
01.28.13 | list is reminiscent of entering the furnace only to be burned alive | gwynbleidd
01.28.13 | Yeah none of these are really hardcore but hey i'm not one to be a genre nazi. You're clearly passionate about these albums lol [2] | intotheshit
01.28.13 | Horrible. Some good music, but you seem to be a bit confused | robvusechevic
01.28.13 | Genre confusion is easily cured, I wouldn't worry too much. | WeepingBanana
01.28.13 | kid, look up anti cimex |
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