Mark's Top 25
This was hella difficult to put together, especially once I got out of the
top 5, but it's mostly in the order I feel it should be in. There are SO
many other albums that deserve recognition this year, but I didn't really
feel like making a top 50 list. |
| 25 |  | More Than Life
Love Let Me Go
Sounds a lot like Modern Life is War, but Witness is one of my favorites of all
time. This barely squeeks into my top 25, and I mean just barely, by having
enough of it's own personality to not sound completely derivative. |
| 24 |  | Underoath
Disambiguation
Thought this would be higher, but there are some songs that are
just...well...boring. |
| 23 |  | Thou
Summit
Sludge. |
| 22 |  | The Saddest Landscape
You Will Not Survive
Also good. |
| 21 |  | Alpinist
Lichtlaerm
Good. |
| 20 |  | Ceremony
Rohnert Park
BACK IN 84 I NEARLY AWEOIFHAPOGANEP |
| 19 |  | Coheed and Cambria
Year of the Black Rainbow
There are just a couple of lackluster moments (When Skeletons Live is actually
pretty terrible) but the good tracks are spectacular. Maybe it's just due to my
rampant fanboyism of my favorite band ever though. |
| 18 |  | Kvelertak
Kvelertak
Didn't expect this to have much staying power, and to be honest, if this was a
few months ago, it would probably be a bit higher. Still, settling at 18 ain't too
shabby. |
| 17 |  | Enslaved
Axioma Ethica Odini
Hear a lot of bitchin' about the clean vocals...don't really get it. |
| 16 |  | The Dillinger Escape Plan
Option Paralysis
To be honest, I hated Ire Works...a lot. Option Paralysis rules though. |
| 15 |  | Quiet Steps
Think Aloud
I don't know what it is about this, I think it's the vocals...they just get me every
time. |
| 14 |  | Harvey Milk
A Small Turn of Human Kindness
Didn't much care for Life, but this is awesome. |
| 13 |  | Frank Turner
Rock & Roll
Frank Turner has my heart. This damn ampersand better not screw everything
up. |
| 12 |  | Atheist
Jupiter |
| 11 |  | Coliseum
House With a Curse
Badass. |
| 10 | | Sufjan Stevens
Age of Adz
Never much cared for the guy, but Age of Adz blew me away. |
| 9 |  | Fang Island
Fang Island
Like Unicorns and Griffins high fiving over a pond filled with Admiral Nelson. |
| 8 |  | Snowing
I Could do Whatever I Wanted if I Wanted
Already racked up about 100+ plays in just the past week. Might be a bit bold
to put it so high after such a short time, but it's awesome. |
| 7 |  | Titus Andronicus
The Monitor
Again, enjoyed their debut, but I never expected one of their albums to end up
on one of my year end lists. |
| 6 |  | Envy
Recitation |
| 5 |  | United Nations
Nevermind the Bombings, Here's Your Six Figures
Didn't think an EP would end up in my top 5, but this is just too great. |
| 4 |  | Black Breath
Heavy Breathing
I've been having this inner debate for about a month now on whether to take
this as a seriously awesome hardcore album, or as a hilarious homage to
black/thrash metal put together by some hardcore dudes, but either way, it
fucking slays. |
| 3 |  | Adebisi Shank
This Is The Second Album Of A Band Called...
Just about the most excitement I've gotten out of an album on first listen all
year, and it's still held up. |
| 2 |  | Torche
Songs for Singles
Basically an ultra-condensed, hyper-catchy, super-streamlined version of
Meanderthal, which was incredible to begin with. |
| 1 |  | Kylesa
Spiral Shadow
I've always liked Kylesa, but this album completely took me by surprise.
Everything just comes together so well here...I really can't say anything else
about it. |
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