Poppelganger's Best Of 2011

I selected 20 releases for my "best of" list. Not all of them were featured on SIGD but the ones that are, I posted a link.

20.) Stay Kids by ANR

Genres: Indie, Pop, Electronica

19.) Oh Land by Oh Land

Genres: Pop, Elecronica

18.) Shorts EP by Man Your Horse
SIGD Feature

Genres: Math Rock, Indie

17.) Tentale by Monogrenade
SIGD Feature
Genres: Pop, Experimental, Indie

16.) Dead Roots Stirring by Elder
Genres: Stoner Rock, Blues Rock



15.) Halloween Vacation Party Pack EP by Slowriter
SIGD Feature
Genres: Chillwave, Electronica, Pop, Indie



14.) Bury Your Roots by Kamchatka
Genres: Stoner rock, Blues Rock



13.) 12 Desperate Straight Lines by Telekinesis
SIGD Feature
Genres: Indie, Pop



12.) In The Mountain In The Cloud by Portugal. The Man
Genres: Indie, Rock, Pop



11.) The Color Spectrum by The Dear Hunter
SIGD Feature
Genres: Indie, Progressive, Alternative, Pop, Rock, Blues



10.) The Journey Is Over Now by Comity
SIGD Feature
Genres: Hardcore, Sludge, Mathcore

This band and the label, Throat Ruiner Records, appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Comity pumps out an amazing and brutal 50+ minute epic split into 4 parts. The Journey Is Over Now combines the intensity of Converge with the atmosphere of KEN Mode, and to top it off, a thick layer of sludge. Comity began in 1996 and has evolved over the years to a coherent and influential source. Like a beacon of light amidst a sea of shit, this album slays. I think 2012 is going to be a huge year for Throat Ruiner.



9.) Heavy Eyes by The Heavy Eyes
SIGD Feature
Genres: Stoner Rock, Southern Rock, Psychedelic Rock

This quote from Last.fm sums this album up perfectly:
"The Heavy Eyes is psychedelic bluesy rock from the delta that sounds similar to a skeleton driving a speed boat on a flaming Mississippi River headed back to 1969."



8.) Aesthethica by Liturgy
SIGD Feature
Genres: Post-, Atmospheric, Transcendental Black Metal

This is one of the most unique releases of the year. Liturgy makes beautiful and discordant music that is awash in atmosphere and pummeling noise. This band takes the cake also for the best and most interesting live show I have been to all year. Hater's gonna hate, but this group is doing something original and doing it well.



7.) Thank You, Happy Birthday by Cage The Elephant
Genres: Indie, Rock, Alternative

For their sophomore release, Cage The Elephant hash out 12 tracks of amazing indie rock that pays homage to the early '90s alternative rock scene in the vein of The Pixies and Hüsker Dü. They manage to make this record sound both nostalgic and fresh at the same time. Extremely solid progression as a band.



6.) Naps by Kidcrash
SIGD Feature
Genres: Screamo, Post-Hardcore

Poo did a great review of this album, and I am sure most of you know who this band is and what they are about. I got to see these guys in a smelly hot basement in NE Portland a few months back and their performance floored everyone in the room. But in an amazing way, not like when someone ripped a fart during the opening set. Seriously, think next time you eat turkey chile and stand in a packed basement with no ventilation drinking your Busch lite. just squeeze it man. hold that shit in for all of our sake.



5.) Reptilian by Starfucker
SIGD Feature
Genres: Indie, Electronica, Pop

Raptilian has been on fairly regular rotation through the bulk of the year for me. This album has a very solid and comfortable pace complete with short interludes that work perfectly in adding to the atmosphere and flow of the album as a whole. Every time I listen to this I catch myself saying "Oh ya, this track! Man, I love this album."



4.) Little Hell by City And Colour

Genres: Indie, Folk, Acoustic

Dallas Green is one of my favorite songwriters of all time. I love everything he does in Alexisonfire and especially City And Colour. For his 3rd album, there is a fair amount of full band arrangements and layers of nuance that were more subtle and muted in previous releases. This album really grew on me and now i can't go more than a couple of days until I feel a growing need to experience this album again. One of my highly anticipated albums of 2011 that did not disappoint at all.



3.) The Big Roar by The Joy Formidable
SIGD Feature
Genres: Indie Rock, Shoegaze, Garage Rock, Alternative

Technically I heard this album at the end of 2010, but it's official release date falls in 2011, and thankfully, here is this gem sitting at number 3. I heard the term shitgaze come up when referring to this band once. Basically it is the combination of shoegaze and garage rock or grunge. Psychedelic Horseshit is a perfect example of the noisy side of the ridiculous sub-genre. That aside, The Joy Formidable hit hard and fast with their album, The Big Roar. From the start of the eerie intro you can tell something pivotal is about to happen. And it does, with passionate fervor. This release sets the bar high for this group. Their chemistry and musicianship shine through every moment and it feels like it is going to be a classic someday. I am very anxious to see where they go from here.



2.) Gangs by And So I Watch You From Afar
SIGD Feature
Genres: Math Rock, Post Rock, Experimental, Post-Hardcore

What a treat. These guys are at the top of their game and manage to put together one of the best and most anthemic releases of the year. Urgent, layered, and powerful, Gangs is an epic of an album. They blend insanely catchy melodies and movements without it ever seeming forced or awkward. It feels like this album was already written, just looking for the right group to throw it all together and make it their own. And boy did they succeed.



1.) Heaven Is Attached By A Slender Thread by The One AM Radio
SIGD Feature
Genres: Indie, Electronica, Pop

It was a toss up between this and Gangs but this took home the cake for one specific reason: this album speaks to me. Everyone who appreciates music knows that feeling. Listening to this always puts a smile on my face. It's perfect for all occasions and such a joy to get immersed in. The imagery in the lyrics fits the music perfectly and the subdued atmosphere throughout allow for great dynamics. To me, this the best release of 2011.




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I also compiled a list of my top 10 favorite songs at Documenting The Future. I will be a lot more active here in the coming months and have a list of some great bands to share with you. Thanks for visiting this blog and tell your friends about us. And most importantly, SUPPORT THESE ARTISTS! Go to a show, buy their merchandise and help spread the word. They are working hard for your enjoyment, it's nice to show your appreciation.

Best of 2011: Hardcore/Screamo

Sorry, I got around to this a little bit later than I wanted.  I got caught up in a game of BS.  I'm sloppy and ready to do this.  Please note, these are albums that were featured on this blog.  If you were wondering: Where is Pianos Become the Teeth/Daniel Striped Tiger/Touche Amore/Etc?  I did listen to and still listen to those albums, but I just want to focus on albums that were on this site.

10.

Adaje/Shark Bait Split

Read the SIGD feature

I remember listening to Shark Bait's stuff when I first started this thing a year ago.  I wasn't too impressed to be honest with you.  Then this came out, and I was pleasantly surprised with their material.  Especially the first of their two songs, "High Horse", I still listen to that song on the regular.  This split was a good deal of progress from their previous work.  This was an introduction to Adaje, their two songs that combined modern screamo with elements and post-rock I found intriguing.  Although they also do the violent stuff too which is exhibited on their split with Lizards Have Personalities.  Oh, hey, that can be bought here.  Overall, I think this split was a good look at a couple bands that probably will have a big year ahead of them in 2012.

9.

Judges- "Lonely Kids in Dead End Homes"

Read the SIGD feature

People were flipping out on Touche Amore's new album, and I thought it was pretty decent, but the only song I still listen to off of that is "Home Away From Here".  If you are looking for more music like that you could check out this band, which I probably listened to a bit more than Touche's latest album.  It was just a little bit more memorable for me, but still in the same niche.  Then there are also songs like "Fleeting Thoughts" that are a little different and really catchy.

8.

Raein- "Sulla Linea D'Orizzonte Tra Questa Mia Vita E Quella Di Tutti"

Read the SIGD feature

La Quiete and italian screamo was how I first really started falling for modern screamo music.  So, anything associated with them is bound to kill.  Raein features members of La Quiete, and sounds pretty similar to them.  This is the new album by them and it is gritty and great.  They actually came out with two albums this year, but the other was mainly a compilation of older/hard to find songs.  Still, it was another great addition to their 10+ year history.

7.

von Wolfe- "Life's A Beach"

Read the SIGD feature

Don't let the plain looking text fool you, this album is intricate and fast as fuck.  I still flip my shit pretending I can play drums while listening to this debut EP.  Another great look at a band that I hope has a great year next year.  Their riffs are catchy and hard as all get out, and hopefully they will be touring soon and releasing more material.  After Everytime I Die turned into shit, it's great to see bands like this in that "Hot Damn" vein still doing it right.

6.

Kerouac/The Long Haul Split

Read the SIGD feature

I got this cutie on gray vinyl.  This is a split that features two of the better mathcore/hardcore bands out of the United Kingdom right now.  They each have three songs and both bands put on extremely strong performances.  After listening to it a bunch of times, it's hard to say which bands half I like more, so I'm just going to say I like both of them equally for different reasons.  Easy way out.

5. 

Ed Gein- "Bad Luck"

Read the SIGD feature

Ed Gein is back and they are still angry as hell.  Kenny introduced me to this band awhile back, and he actually featured this new album by them a few months ago.  These guys are somewhat pioneers in their genre, and they show why on this thrash-fest.  They are a mix of thrash, sludge, metal, grind, and punk.  The result is something that sounds like something that would be racing through the mind of a serial killer.  In a good way.

4.

No Omega- "No Omega"

Read the SIGD feature

Who said the Swedes were pansies?  Besides Don Cherry anyways.  This debut EP by these Stockholm kids is a tour de force.  I reviewed this a good whiles back in the year, and I still love it.  It starts off hectic and fast, but after it's broken down it chugs along in great fashion.  These guys put up a couple new demos on their bandcamp, and I am really excited for whatever album they put out next year.  Fingers crossed for an eventual states invasion.  Seems like all the American bands have the balls to go overseas, come on European bands. What are ya, chicken? Buck-buck-bugaahhhhh.  Reverse psychology.

3.

The Armed- "Young and Beautiful"

Read the SIGD feature

In a scene filled with cliches and regurgitation, the Armed continue to evolve.  Their initial releases were a thrashy blend of mathcore that were still great in their own right, but this new EP released in October showed a change of pace in a great way.  There were still throwbacks to their previous work, but there was also a lot of influence of noise rock and garage rock that melded perfectly with their roots.  Detroit has a ton of shitty hardcore bands, it's nice to see a smart one that still looks to push the envelope instead of dwelling in the been-there-done-thats.

2.

Mahria- "Mahria"

Read the SIGD Feature

Everytime I listen to this self-titled release, I find something else I really enjoy about it.  This female-fronted band from Edmonton was my from-out-of-left-field pleasant surprise this year.  It seems like most of the releases on this list are up and comers, and this is no exception.  But I think that also makes this list a little more interesting, and I hope that you guys welcome these new faces.  It would be nice to see them continue on instead of fizzle out like so many bands do.

1.

Kidcrash- "Naps"

Read the SIGD Feature

Speaking of up and comers, this is not one at all.  These guys have already solidified themselves in the screamo/post-hardcore ranks.  Talk about a magical year for them as well.  After releasing this EP, they started a kickstart thing to raise money for a computer to record their next full-length.  They met their $2500 mark in what?  Less than 48 hours?  They were even getting donations of hundreds of dollars from people asking for nothing in return.  Now that is special.  They are currently just over $4000, so hopefully the full length for them will be out next year.  As far as this EP goes, I am always impressed with their releases each time they come out.  Not only is the music great, and tweaked with each release, the artwork is also really cool in my eyes.  I always love getting their records in the mail and exploring them on the outside as I listen to them.

Naps by Kidcrash (2011)

Kind of like: Native, Loma Prieta, Daniel Striped Tiger
Genres: Screamo, Post-hardcore, Math Rock
Preview: Denovali

Out of all the post-hardcore/screamo bands out there, I would have to say Kidcrash is my favorite.  I always enjoy their releases, and this one is not an exception.  They always have trippy as hell artwork; so I usually end up getting it on vinyl as well.  This EP is up there with the rest of their material.  As the leak of "Hibernationstate" indicated, this EP is more melodic as far as vocals go (excluding New Ruins).  I would still consider it yelling, but there is at least some melody to it and it isn't incoherent screaming drowned out by the guitars.  The vocals aren't really what's great about Kidcrash though, it's the guitar work and the thematic development/breakdowns (not like....metalcore breakdown, the breaking down of an idea/theme into a different feel).  Hopefully these guys tour soon, I would like to see them live at least once.

Listen Here

(Classic) Kidcrash

Kind of Like: Native, Daniel Striped Tiger, L'antietam
Genres: Screamo, Math Rock, Post-hardcore, Emo (first album)
Preview: Website

I posted their website that has their entire discography up for download, you can read that here.  They just released a new song that will be off their new album, Naps.  The song marks an even closer return back to the singing they had on their debut album, New Ruins.   It's been interesting because they started off as a emo/post-hardcore band that had very melodic and clear vocals.  Immediately after that album and the dispute with the label, they went to the complete other side of the spectrum.  They focused on the guitar work and the vocals became drowned in the background with barely comprehensible screaming.  Over time, they shifted slowly back to bringing vocals more to the forefront; their last LP, Snacks, saw the vocals being more of a yell then a curdling scream.  Now in this new song even the yelling gets somewhat melodic and could even be considered singing at certain points.  And as always the guitar work is great.  I am very excited to hear Naps, and it should be released soon.  For now here is: "Hibernationstate".

Listen Here

Kidcrash Discography (2010)

Kind of Like: Daitro, Native,  L'antietam
Genres: Emo (first album), Post-Hardcore, Hardcore, Math Rock

This band is extremely underrated.  If you were to listen to their first album New Ruins, you would think anything after was a different band.  Funny enough,  I like both of Kidcrash's split personalities.  They are one of those cool bands that has a webpage dedicated to downloading their work.  They even did this after getting screwed out of a lot of money from their first album (read below):

“Please don’t order this cd (New Ruins). After spending more than $10,000 of our own money recording it, Lujo Records continues to try to justify their right to continue to collect 100% of the royalties from mp3 sales, after four years of selling the album on itunes and amazon. At one point we requested a box of cds for a show, they sent them way too late and they didn’t arrive for the show. We never ended up selling them, but according to them we still owe them $400 for those cds and with that included they are still out about $500 recouping their $2000 investment. Reality is, we are still out about $8000, and they are honestly out maybe $200-$300 and have plenty of copies of the cd left. But there is no way for us to know how much they have made off of the sales of our mp3s. We have, on multiple occasions demanded that four years is long enough, and that the mp3s be removed from itunes."

So feel free to download all of their stuff below.  Don't know where to start?  In my opinion their demo is their best production.  Kind of weird I think a demo is their best work.  The LP "Jokes" they released after the demo didn't nearly capture the feel the demo had and the mixing sounded worse in the LP than in the demo.  So first get the demo, then download their newest LP "Snacks", then give "New Ruins" a listen.

Download Here