What I Listened to Before Sputnik vs. Now
I've had an account on this site for 3 years now and have only posted one review and rated a few albums. However, I have been using this site for more than four years now to discover artists that I missed out on as I was still a child and had a limited view of what music was. This site is more or less the basis for what I listen to these days with only a few other outside influences. I was also 15 when I discovered this site, so bear with me through some of my misguided musical taste from before then. The early stuff is a little out of order as I do mention ages in a few of them. Sputnik-inspired albums start at 22, so if you want to see albums you've seen circle-jerked a million times over on here, skip to there. List is pretty long and still lacking a lot, but I don't feel like making a list with over 100 albums so this will do. Leave suggestions for more crap for me to listen to, I'll listen to pretty much anything. You guys have great taste |
| 1 |  | Blink-182
Blink-182
I'll start this list off easy with my favorite band from my teenage years. Easily still one of my favorite bands though I do not listen to them much anymore. I had listened to them pretty much my whole life as they blew up the year I was born; however, my love for them didn't start until my brother gave me the Untitled in '06, and I loved it as a 9 year old. Still love it to this day. Their whole discography is great, so this is one of the bands I actually am proud of myself for listening to. |
| 2 |  | The Academy Is...
Almost Here
The only The Academy Is... album I have ever listened to and I intend to keep it that way. My brother gave it to me in '05 and I still give it a full listen at least once every month. The whole album is perfect. I don't know why I didn't have it rated before I started typing this up, but I gave it a 5 as it is a classic to me. |
| 3 |  | Sleeping With Sirens
With Ears to See and Eyes to Hear
First two albums are actually not too bad. However, as I grew up, the band did not. Everything after Cheers is regression at its finest. The Left Side of Everywhere is still a banger. |
| 4 |  | Hawthorne Heights
The Silence in Black and White
Back in the early-mid 2000's, Fuse played music videos pretty much all day long. My oldest brother always had it on in the living room back in those days. I fondly remember loving Niki FM and telling my brother that I loved Hawthorne Heights. That Christmas, he got me The Silence in Black and White. I was the happiest little 7 year old ever that day. Looking back, the lyrics are cheesy and the musicianship isn't the best. However, this album was my gateway into everything in the hardcore/emo scene. I wouldn't have such an open mind for music if I hadn't discovered this album. For that, I say thank you to Hawthorne Heights, the band from Ohio that refuses to quit. For those of you who haven't heard of them, listen to their EP Hurt. It's the best stuff they've put out. |
| 5 |  | Good Charlotte
The Young And The Hopeless
Everyone was a kid at some point, right? |
| 6 |  | Simple Plan
Still Not Getting Any...
I was young and this was catchy. I don't feel the need to justify myself any further. |
| 7 |  | Yellowcard
Ocean Avenue
I got this for Christmas in 2003 from my oldest brother as it came with a CD player. Just listened to this album a few days ago, and damn if it isn't one of the best summer albums out there. I also got to see them at Warped Tour this year where they played four songs off of this album. Needless to say, I'm sad to see these guys go even though I stopped following them after Lights and Sounds. I'm starting to catch up on what they've done since then. |
| 8 |  | Fall Out Boy
Take This to Your Grave
My other brother got this for Christmas of 2003. Anything after Folie has been a giant leap in the wrong direction in my opinion, but hey, anything to make money, right? Anyway, this, Cork Tree, and Infinity were my jams when I was a kid. I still listen to this album specifically as I think it's their best work. Maybe it's the nostalgia. Maybe it's the pop-punk lover in me. All I know is that FOB will never be the same, and that makes the child in me just a little sad. |
| 9 |  | Motion City Soundtrack
Commit This to Memory
Another album I got for another Christmas, this time '05. I still spin this from time to time. I also started listening to I Am the Movie and My Dinosaur Life thanks to high praise from this community. |
| 10 |  | Paramore
All We Know Is Falling
Hayley Williams is, and always will be, my favorite female singer ever. I have no idea what it is about her, but I just love her to death. This and Riot! are just awesome albums. Finally started listening to Brand New Eyes, thanks to Sputnik. Paramore was a misstep, but I have some hope for the new album |
| 11 |  | Attack Attack! (US)
Someday Came Suddenly
And now the shit show starts. I have no idea what was going on when I was a young teen, but damn this album is garbage. If a song from it comes on on shuffle, I'll listen to it, but man, I used to listen to the WHOLE ALBUM. AND I LIKED IT. |
| 12 |  | A Skylit Drive
Adelphia
I have no idea what I found appealing about this. I even gave it a 3 back in 2013. Hell, if it was 2010, I probably would've given it a 5. Identity on Fire is a big improvement from this, but I do not agree with my 4 on it. I will leave my ratings as they are as it feels wrong to change them now. But, I'd give them a 2 and a 2.5 respectively. |
| 13 |  | A Day to Remember
Homesick
Another from my early teen years, yet not as bad as the last two. This album more or less ushered me into the post-hardcore scene. I never looked like an idiot as I don't believe in dressing a certain way because of what music you listen to, but man, I'm sure I wanted to look like an idiot to stand out because I felt I listened to superior music. Now I look back and see how stupid I was. |
| 14 |  | The Devil Wears Prada
Plagues
Another band that I don't see the appeal in anymore. All I listen to by them now is Zombie EP because that shit is tight. I also listen to Space EP as my brother seemingly doesn't know how to change CDs in his car. |
| 15 |  | Emmure
Speaker of the Dead
Album and band are garbage. Solar Flare Homicide is the only good song here. |
| 16 |  | Dr. Acula
Slander
Honestly, the first 5 songs are actually pretty good and diverse for the genre and the band. The rest falls into mediocrity and redundancy rather quickly. |
| 17 |  | Of Mice and Men
Of Mice and Men
Another honestly, this album and The Flood are rather refreshing in the sea of mediocrity in the post-hardcore scene. The only thing dragging them down is Austin Carlile, whom is currently bringing them into the same cookie-cutter genericore that their peers are making. |
| 18 |  | Attila
Rage
Silly band that makes silly music that is fun to listen to in a crowd. Rage is actually good though, some fantastic guitar riffs on this one as well as Fronz's best vocal performance. Lyrics are laughable at best, but that's what they're supposed to be. Everything after is making the joke stale, but they still put on a great live show. |
| 19 |  | Broadway
Kingdoms
Damn shame this is their only album, they showed some real potential here. Still listen to it from time to time. |
| 20 |  | Parkway Drive
Horizons
Great all around performance from the band on this one and an actual good album from my young teens. Not a fan of anything else they've released as it all feels lazy now. |
| 21 |  | Saves the Day
Stay What You Are
When I was 15, I started driving with my dad as I had my learner's permit and had to do some driving. This is one of the first albums he put in the truck for these drives. I immediately fell in love and moved on in my musical taste from here. I also discovered Sputnik a bit after, so this is where things get significantly better. Other albums from this band that are awesome are Through Being Cool and In Reverie. The rest are great if you enjoy the band. My first and only review so far is of their self-titled as I felt it didn't get treated as well as it deserved. It truly is a great summer album with some catchy, lovable tunes. Going to look at the album page, I now realize that my review is the one you see when you go to it. That made me really happy. Then I read the review and realized how okay-ish it is and now my feelings are conflicted. |
| 22 |  | Brand New
The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me
What can I say about Brand New that hasn't already been said before? This is the first of what Sputnik has introduced me to. I started listening to Devil in my junior year and have been addicted since. Unlike everyone else here, I haven't been waiting 7 years for a new album so I'm pretty stoked about the new material. |
| 23 |  | Thrice
Vheissu
Thrice wasn't technically new to me upon "first listen" as I had heard them before on Fuse and from my oldest brother. Regardless, Sputnik got me into them. |
| 24 |  | Neutral Milk Hotel
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
The fact that I sometimes listen to this while passing by Avery Island/New Iberia when I go to college makes me better than all of you. I do listen to this at other times though as it is a masterpiece of art. |
| 25 |  | AJJ
People Who Can Eat People are the Luckiest People
My friend wanted me to listen to these guys forever ago, but wrote her off on it. Then, years later, I "discover" them through Sputnik and tell her she'll dig them since they play the type of music she likes. She doesn't talk to me anymore. Just for the record, Ally, Starfucker still sucks. |
| 26 |  | Kendrick Lamar
good kid, m.A.A.d city
As a kid who grew up hating rap, this album holds a special place in my heart as it made me stop hating rap. Butterfly is marginally better, but this is still gold. |
| 27 |  | Ellie Goulding
Halcyon Days
Ellie Goulding is my second favorite female singer all thanks to Sputnik. I didn't care for her single "Lights," but I'll be damned if I don't love her now. Delirium is also better than what Sputnik thinks; it's just a great pop album. |
| 28 |  | Justin Timberlake
The 20/20 Experience
Grew up hating JT, now I can't get enough JT. Guy is a pop mastermind, and I wish I could be him. Thanks, Sputnik. |
| 29 |  | Panic! At the Disco
A Fever You Can't Sweat Out
Another band I grew up hating for no reason, yet love now thanks to Sputnik. Fever is their best work, but Vices and Bachelor are really close to it for me. Too Weird has a few good tracks but took a few missteps. Same with Pretty. Odd. except it has even fewer good tracks and even more, greater missteps. |
| 30 |  | Crown the Empire
The Fallout
I did not discover these guys through Sputnik. My oldest brother (recurring theme here, I swear he is one of you sometimes when I talk to him about music) got this album for himself on my birthday along with a Band of Horses album when we were hanging out. We listened to both on the way home. Crown stuck with me. I love these guys and can't wait to see their future. |
| 31 |  | letlive.
Fake History
The post-hardcore I wished I listened to when I was younger. They peaked here, though Blackest Beautiful still has some bangers on it. |
| 32 |  | At the Drive-In
Relationship of Command
Pretty much the same as above, except I wouldn't have liked this as a kid. |
| 33 |  | Death Cab for Cutie
Transatlanticism
Don't know why I didn't listen to them when I was younger, but I do love them now. |
| 34 |  | Sunny Day Real Estate
Diary
Emo will always be dear to me. |
| 35 |  | The Hotelier
Goodness
Started listening when Home came out. These guys will never disappoint me. Goodness is all I hoped it would be and more. Can't wait to hear more from them in the future. These guys make art. If you somehow haven't listened to them yet, do yourself a favor and go listen to them. |
| 36 |  | Neck Deep
Life's Not Out To Get You
It's good to be listening to new, refreshing pop-punk again. |
| 37 |  | Knuckle Puck
Copacetic
Are they pop-punk or emo? Who cares, Copacetic is an awesome album that deserves a little bit more love here |
| 38 |  | Funeral for a Friend
Welcome Home Armageddon
Medicated is one of the best songs I've ever heard. It's beyond beautiful. The rest of their music is pretty good too. |
| 39 |  | Arctic Monkeys
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What...
Obviously their best album, but why the hate on AM from some here? Sure, it's different, but it still sounds great and is a natural progression for them. |
| 40 |  | Circa Survive
Blue Sky Noise
More of what I should've been listening to years ago. |
| 41 |  | Of Machines
As If Everything Was Held In Place
Damn shame they probably will never release Chroma Dreamcoat. Here's to hoping. |
| 42 |  | American Football
American Football
I have been digging this album since I started listening to it about a month ago. There's so much beauty in the instrumentation. I can't get enough of it. |
| 43 |  | Run the Jewels
Run the Jewels 2
This is the only band that my friend has ever gotten me into before Sputnik got me into them. He usually listens to shit, but RTJ makes some of the most brutal bangers I've ever heard. Can't recommend enough if you love violent music. |
| 44 |  | Taylor Swift
1989
The only album I like by her. As someone who strongly dislikes country, I never thought I'd like her. Thankfully, there is no country on 1989 and Taylor is better for it. This is pure pop gold right here. |
| 45 |  | Say Anything
...Is a Real Boy
This is all I listen to by them, though I do have Genre. Go read the review for it, it explains this far better than I can. |
| 46 |  | Queens of the Stone Age
Songs for the Deaf
I've liked Queens since '04, but never listened to an album of theirs until recently. This is a top pick any time I go on a road trip. It's perfect driving music. |
| 47 |  | Kid Cudi
Man On The Moon: The End Of Day
Don't care for his other work, but I love Man on the Moon. Thanks, Sputnik. |
| 48 |  | Refused
The Shape of Punk to Come
A literal defining album, this is a must for anyone. It's still fresh even with all the bands out there trying to copy the sound made on this record. |
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