Release Date: September 19, 2006
Record Label: Geffen
Choice Tracks: Oxygen, On My Mind, Coming Home
Review: Although this is far from NFG's finest release it was a perfect snapshot of the times where Pop-Punk was being fazed out to Pop, Punk or Remo (Radio Emo). NFG tried to make the jump and although originally applauded for it's mature sound rather than fizzling out (All-American Rejects) Coming Home is now seen as a step-back for the band but it still holds up ten years later as an interesting detour the band took while all happily married and no longer writing about heartbreak.
Release Date: July 18, 2006
Record Label: Virgin
Choice Tracks: Face Down, In Fate's Hands, Damn Regret
Review: Does anyone remember this band? Yeah the one that sand about spousal abuse? Yeah they were basically a one-hit wonder but it was a darn shame since this album was full of bangers. It's an album I forget about all the time but as soon as I pop it in I'm brought back to that Summer of 2006 when I couldn't get enough of these tracks, and guess what they're still together and charting high on the Christian Rock charts in the US! Craziness...
8. Senses Fail - Still Searching
Release Date: October 10, 2006
Record Label: Vagrant Records
Choice Tracks: Calling All Cars, Can't Be Saved, The Priest And The Matador
Review: This is an album that is held up by a great first half that then trails off, by the time you reach track 8 you'd think a different album was playing before The Priest And The Matador brings it home. So sure maybe this album is 5 songs too long but the other songs are all phenomenal that are still deserving of your attention today.
Release Date: January 24, 2006
Record Label: Capitol Records
Choice Tracks: Down On My Head, Rough Landing Holly, Lights And Sounds
Review: Yellowcard followed up their debut with the explosive Lights and Sounds which kicked 2006 off with a bang in January, featuring heavier guitars and more violin than it's predecessor, Lights And Sounds never matched the success of their major label debut but it was still a solid album all around. It's unfortunate that shortly after celebrating this albums 10 year anniversary Yellowcard announced they were disbanding and by this time next year they'll be no more... The FEELS!
Release Date: April 25, 2006
Record Label: Warner Bros
Choice Tracks: MakeDamnSure, Liar (It Takes One To Know One), Spin
Review: I was one of the TBS that felt let down after the release of their softmore record Where You Want To Be which was supposed to put them into the spotlight, they had a couple spots on TV but nothing major, definitely not the breakout we all expected after Tell All Your Friends but Louder Now anchored by MakeDamnSure and Liar made sure that TBS was getting all the airplay they so justifiably deserved, they've fallen a bit in recent years but borrowing some Americana sounds for their new release it may not be long before TBS is highly talked about again.
Release Date: March 21, 2006
Record Label: RCA
Choice Tracks: The Press Corpse, War Sucks Let's Party, This Is The End (For You My Friend)
Review: Anti-Flag matured prior to releasing For Blood And Empire and no one gave a shit that they were on a major label either. What was important was that George W. was still president and these PA punks had something to rock out against. It's a non-stop rush of blood to the head as every guitar riff and every lyrics will forever be lodged in your brain for eternity. Their major label status didn't last long but they have one heck of an album to remember it by.
Release Date: February 28, 2006
Record Label: Victory Records
Choice Tracks: This Is Who We Are, We Are So Last Year, Saying Sorry
Review: Although thyis record didn't sell as well as their last it did feature their most successful single in Saying Sorry. Too bad for Hawthorne Heights that while they were suing their label the emo craze seemed to have died by the time the follow up to If Only You Were Lonely was released, that combined with the passing of their screamer while touring in support of this record lead Hawthorne Heights to be a shell of their former glory. At least we'll always have 2006.
Release Date: July 25, 2006
Record Label: Hopeless Records
Choice Tracks: Coffee Shop Soundtrack, Jasey Rae, The Girl's A Straigt Up Hustler
Review: While still in high school ATL recorded this EP during their march break shortly after signing to Hopeless Records... Wait a minute how does an EP get this high in the rankings?? Oh wait, it's because it's that damn good. I discovered ATL in the summer of 2006 listening to Coffee Shop Soundtrack on the Warped Tour sampler, I then discovered the rest of the album and by the next summer the rest of the scene had as well and by the time Dear Maria hit in 2008 the whole world knew that All Time Low was on their way to being juggernauts of the genre, too bad their career stalled as a major label got involved at the same time major labels were dying (see the top 2 bands as well) but they're definitely still at the top of their game. ATL we salute you even though I'm still older than some members.
Release Date: April 11, 2006
Record Label: Triple Crown Records
Choice Tracks: Save Your Breath, One Hundred Times, The Call Out (You Are The Dishes)
Review: This is considered an essential Pop-Punk record for a reason, filled with bangers it was hard to just pick 3 for the choice tracks section, even harder still was ranking this number 2 when it was just as deserving of the number 1 spot. Similar to ATL they finished up their indie deal and were greeted with offers from major labels which resulted in 2012's Invicta, a step away tonally for HTL that didn't sell nearly as well as this or 2008's Skip School, Start Fights. Luckily for us HTL signed with Pure Noise Records shortly after and have gone back to the sound we love to hear from them, now if only they could've figured out how to steal the #1 spot away.
+44 - When Your Heart Stops Beating
Bowling For Soup - The Great Burrito Extortion Case
Brand New - The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me
The Early November - The Mother, The Mechanic And The Path
HelloGoodbye - Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!
Matchbook Romance - Voices
Mayday Parade - Tales Told By Dead Friends EP
Rise Against - The Sufferer & The Witness
Set Your Goals - Mutiny!
Sugarcult - Lights Out
Release Date: August 22, 2006
Record Label: Columbia Records
Choice Tracks: The Great Escape, Dance Hall Drug, Five Minutes To Midnight
Review: It's catchy, it's upbeat, it's Boys Like Girls at it's finest. I could not get enough of this album in late 2006 through summer 2007 and beyond. If you don't believe me you need to see the status of the case, it's wrecked. They followed this up with 2009's Love Drunk which netted them 2 more Platinum singles before falling off the face of the earth before resurfacing in 2012 when people no longer cared. Though singer/songwriter Martin Johnson has been keeping busy as he's been credited in writing many top singles for Avril Lavigne, Jason Derulo, Karmin and Christina Perry. Here's hoping BLG makes their way around these parts though as they just wrapped up a 10 year anniversary tour for this album.
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