Throughout December we at PT:HQ are bringing you end of year lists from bands, labels and promoters. We’ll have a new one for you everyday so keep your eyes peeled for them! See all the lists here.
Aspiga
ALEC
Top 3 Albums –
Weezer – Everything Will Be Alright In The End – It only took twelve years, but Weezer is back. With the exception of ‘Back To The Shack’, this album is perfect. Haters can sniff my hiney.
Pup – Pup – This band/album really took me by surprise. Super spazzy, super choppy, super catchy. I love this album.
Braid – No Coast – One of my favorite bands returns with arguably their strongest album to date. I could listen to Damon Atkinson drum for hours on end.
Top 3 Songs –
Pixies – What Goes Boom – Aside from the big hits, I was never much of a Pixies fan until I listened to “Indie Cindy” all the way through. This song kicks you right in the junk. Awesome album opener.
Diarrhea Planet – Peg Daddy – I refused to listen to these guys for a long time due to the band name. This song is reason enough to look passed that horrific, yet somewhat awesome, band name.
I Am The Avalanche – Where Were You? – at the risk of sounding super lame, I heard this song at the right time in my life and it really helped. Vinnie and the boys did good on this one.
2015 Pick –
Noise By Numbers – High On Drama
KEVIN
3 Albums of 2014
1. Great Apes – Playland at the Beach – I was fortunate enough to be involved with the PR campaign behind this release. Brian Moss is one of the most underrated songwriters of our time. This EP picks up where Thread left off. Bay area punk at its finest.
2. Tony Molina – Dissed and Dismissed – Ever since Devon Williams signed with Slumberland records, I have made a point to check out any new releases from the label. I fell pretty hard for Big Troubles and Gold Bears. The same can be said about this Tony Molina album. I think it clocks in at under fifteen minutes. Equal parts Weezer and Ramones. You can’t get sick of this album.
3. Exit Verse – Exit Verse – Welcome back, Geoff Farina. After Karate split, you did not hear Geoff making any “loud” music. I don’t know what changed his mind, but he is plugged in and writing some really great songs. This is their debut album and it’s a throwback to 70’s rock n’ roll. Thin Lizzy-ish? I think so.
3 Songs of 2014
1. Late Bloomer – Dr. Abernathy – Late Bloomer released a solid LP this year. Before this album, I can’t say that I was very familiar with their back catalog. This track is a slow jam that just rips. I know that a lot of people throw around the term “90’s influenced”, but I think this band actually lives up to that. Fuzzed out.
2. Pixies – Magdalena – I was never a huge Pixies fan. They had songs that I loved, but I never seemed enjoy an entire LP from them. Indie Cindy is so damn good and everyone hates it. I wanted to include it on my top album picks for the year. Magdalena is heavy, haunting, and just perfect.
3. Braid – No Coast – I was never really a big of Braid either. They grabbed my attention with their last EP. The new full length is very well crafted and feels like such a contrast to the whole “emo” trend right now. It’s funny considering they are pioneers for the label. No Coast is the title track and I think it’s also the best track on the album.
Pick for 2015
1. Noise By Numbers – High On Drama