Special: 2019 In Review: Best Albums of 2019

Top 5

blink-182 - Nine

Record Label: Columbia Records

Choice Cuts: On Some Emo Shit, Darkside, I Really Wish I Hated You, The First Time

Why? Definitely reminiscent of the untitled blink record. This album has dark themes throughout based upon the state of the world as well as the state of yourself and well-being. That being said you couldn't really tell if you didn't pay attention to the lyrics as this album is still bouncy and may just end up being my favourite since that untitled record, perhaps even surpassing it. blink makes it clear they don't need Tom or joke songs to put out a compelling record.

Waterparks - Fandom

Record Label: Hopeless Records

Choice Cuts: Easy To Hate, Watch What Happens Next, Cherry Red, War Crimes

Why? At this point it's obvious Waterparks will always be trying something new and FANDOM is riddled with new toys and tricks for the band to use. Awsten Knight went as far as to say that he almost scrapped a song (Telephone) because it was originally just a plain pop punk song but instead evolved it into something sonically different. There's still dashes of songs you can imagine being on their previous releases but layered in such a way that they also would seem out of place.

Sleep On It - Pride & Disaster

Record Label: Equal Vision Records

Choice Cuts: After Tonight, Babe Ruth, Under The Moment, Hold Your Breath

Why? Sleep On It's 2nd album is cut from a similar clothe although the evolution isn't as drastic, it works. Pride & Disaster fires on all cylinders as the album is full of hit after hit. Zech's voice is the highlight just above the improved harmonies and musicianship. If Overexposed was the gold standard, this might be the platinum standard.

Grayscale - Nella Vita

Record Label: Fearless Records

Choice Cuts: Desert Queen, Painkiller Weather, IN Violet, Twilight (My Heaven)

Why? Grayscale definitely went poppier on this record and that's not a bad thing though they definitely buried the lead with the two lead singles even if they had pop twinges to them. If I wasn't for lead singer Colin Walsh's distinct voice I might think this was a The 1975 record (again not a sleight) but even if you're not into that there s still a few pop punk bangers like Twilight and Desert Queen along with the previously alluded to Painkiller Weather and In Violet.

Set It Off - Midnight

Record Label: Fearless Records

Choice Cuts: Criminal Minds, Killer In The Mirror, For You Forever, Midnight Thoughts

Why? This album is so strong I couldn't keep it out of the top 5 but the hold backs are there is a quite a few filler tracks that could've been cut from the 15 song tracklisting and still let you feel okay about the album length, that said when the songs are on they are on, mixing styles, catchy corus' and lead singer Cody Carson's strong vocals make Midnight a treat for SIO fans and non-fans alike.

Just Missed

Fever 333 - Strength In Numb333rs

Choice Cuts: Burn It, One Of Us, The Innocent

Roam - Smile Wide

Choice Cuts: I Don't Think I Live There Anymore, Hand Grenade, Play Dumb

The Maine - You Are OK

Choice Cuts: Slip The Noose, Forevermore, My Best Habit

Sleeping With Sirens - How It Feels To Be Lost

Choice Cuts: Break Me Down, How It Feels To Be Lost, Never Enough

Bayside - Interrobang

Choice Cuts: Bury Me, Interrobang, Prayers

Jimmy Eat World - Surviving

Choice Cuts: All The Way (Stay), Criminal Energy, Surviving

The Menzingers - Hello Exile

Choice Cuts: Strangers Forever, America (You're Freaking Me Out), Anna

Locket - All Out

Choice Cuts: Hunnie, Out Of Sight, All Out

Issues - Beautiful Oblivion

Choice Cuts: Tapping Out, Your Sake, Drink About It

New Found Glory - From Your Screen To Your Stereo 3

Choice Cuts: This Is Me, The Power Of Love, Accidentally In Love

I Prevail - Trauma

Choice Cuts: Gasoline, Hurricane, Bow Down

Sum 41 - Order In Decline

Choice Cuts: 45 (A Matter Of Time), Out For Blood, Heads Will Roll

2nd Tier Classics

Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties - Routine Maintenance

Choice Cuts: Lead Paint & Salt Air, Runnin' Towards The Light

Pup - Morbid Stuff

Choice Cuts: Kids, See You At Your Funeral

The Early November - Lilac

Choice Cuts: Ave Maria, Fame

Silverstein - Redux - The First 10 Years

Choice Cuts: Bleeds No More, Still Dreaming

All Time Low - It's Still Nothing Personal: A Ten Year Tribute

Choice Cuts: Weightless, A Party Song (The Walk Of Shame)

Weezer - The Teal Album

Choice Cuts: Africa, No Scrubs

Marianas Trench - Phantoms

Choice Cuts: I Knew You When, Wish You Were Here

Senses Fail - From The Depths Of Dreams EP (Reissue)

Choice Cuts: Bastard Son, Bloody Romance

Simple Creatures - Strange Love EP

Choice Cuts: Adrenaline, Lucy

Simple Creatures - Everything Opposite EP

Choice Cuts: One Little Lie, Thanks I Hate It

Seaway - Fresh Produce

Choice Cuts: Closer, Blur

Eat Your Heart Out - Florescence

Choice Cuts: Carousel, Closer To The Sun

Carousel Kings - Plus Ultra

Choice Cuts: Lock Meowt, Monarch

Taylor Swift - Lover

Choice Cuts: Death By A Thousand Cuts, I Think He Knows

Other Favourites

As It Is - The Great Depression: Reimagined (All 4 EP's)

Weezer - The Black Album

Silverstein - When Broken Is Easily Fixed Live

The Damned Things - High Crimes

Our Last Night - Let Light Overcome

Our Last Night - Overcome The Darkness

Hawthorne Heights - Lost Frequencies

Rarity - The Longest Lonesome

Too Close To Touch - I'm Hard To Love, But So Are You EP (All 3 Volumes)

Top 10 Countdown: December 28, 2019

10. Bearings - So Damn Wrong
Last week: 5.


9. Anti-Flag - Hate Conquers All
Last week: 10.


8. Simple Creatures - One Little Lie
Last week: 9.


7. Waterparks - Easy To Hate
Last week: 8.


6. With Confidence - Drops Of Jupiter
Last week: NEW!


5. New Found Glory - Accidentally In Love
Last week: 6.


4. State Champs - Real World
Last week: 4.


3. The Menzingers - Strangers Forever
Last week: 3.


2. Grayscale - Young
Last week: 2.


1. Sleep On It - Under The Moment
Last week: 1.

Special: Christmas CD 2019

What's up everyone, it's almost Christmas so you know I got some jams for you to check out. Last year was the first year in a decade I didn't do a new Christmas CD because I decided to instead focus on a Greatest Hits compilation chosen by me and my fiancee Tawnya (you can find that HERE). For the previous 10 volumes click HERE now let's get on to Volume 11 but first the obligatory I own nothing.

What's A Partridge? What's A Peartree? Volume 11:

1. Aly & AJ - Greatest Time Of Year
2. Goldfinger - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
3. Echosmith - Baby Don't Leave Me (All Alone At Christmas)
4. Panic! At The Disco - Feels Like Christmas
5. Butch Walker - Frosty The Snowman
6. I Don't Know How But They Found Me - Merry Christmas Everybody
7. Set It Off - This Christmas (I'll Burn It To The Ground)
8. Creeper - Fairytale Of New York
9. Plain White T's - Do You Hear What I Hear
10. Patent Pending - A Better New Year
11. Fight Fair - Going Nowhere
12. Relient K - O Holy Night
13. Bowling For Soup - Miss You Most On Christmas
14. Taylor Swift - Christmas Must Be Something More
15. Carousel Kings - We Wish You A Merry Christmas/Auld Lang Syne
16. The Rocket Summer - Elf Creep
17. The Summer Set - This Christmas
18. Broadside - Wish List
19. MxPx Ft. Emily Whitehurst & Pierre Bouvier - December
20. Reel Big Fish - Whatever U Celebrate

LINK

Top 10 Countdown: December 21, 2019

10. Anti-Flag - Hate Conquers All
Last week: NEW!


9. Simple Creatures - One Little Lie
Last week: NEW!


8. Waterparks - Easy To Hate
Last week: 9.


7. Hawthorne Heights - Hard To Breathe
Last week: 7.


6. New Found Glory - Accidentally In Love
Last week: 8.


5. Bearings - So Damn Wrong
Last week: 1.


4. State Champs - Real World
Last week: 5.


3. The Menzingers - Strangers Forever
Last week: 4.


2. Grayscale - Young
Last week: 3.


1. Sleep On It - Under The Moment
Last week: 2.

Special: Noelle, Klaus, Let It Snow Mini-Reviews

Noelle:

Synopsis: After Santa Claus decides to retire and his son gets cold feet on Christmas Eve, it falls to his daughter Noelle to take over the family business.

My thoughts: Noelle is a fantastic entry into the yearly Christmas movies to watch in December. It might be a tad on the silly side but it's likeable leads and great job of balancing everything you could want in a Christmas movie more than make up for it. I was shocked the reviews for this film weren't strong since the closest comparable title I could think of is the much beloved Elf. Obviously Grinches won't enjoy this film but honestly I don't think they would want to but in the event they do, their heart may just grow 2 sizes after a singular viewing. If this and Lady & The Tramp is any indication, Disney+ Original films are going to be top notch.

Final verdict: 4.5 snowcones out of 5.

Klaus:

Synopsis: When Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) distinguishes himself as the postal academy's worst student, he is stationed on a frozen island above the Arctic Circle, where the feuding locals hardly exchange words let alone letters. Jesper is about to give up when he finds an ally in local teacher Alva (Rashida Jones), and discovers Klaus (Oscar winner J.K. Simmons), a mysterious carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of handmade toys. These unlikely friendships return laughter to Smeerensburg, forging a new legacy of generous neighbors, magical lore and stockings hung by the chimney with care.

My thoughts: The animation was beautiful and the story was sweet but the first hour or so could've been better but the final 40 minutes is among the best time I've spent watching animation this year. If only they could've stretched that over the film's entire runtime this would be the best Christmas film this year.

Final verdict: 3.5 post offices out of 5.

Let It Snow:

Synopsis: When a snowstorm hits a small midwestern town on Christmas Eve, a group of high school seniors find their friendships and love lives colliding thanks to a stranded pop star, a stolen keg, a squad of competitive dancers, a mysterious woman covered in tin foil, and an epic party at the local Waffle Town. Come Christmas morning, nothing will be the same.

My thoughts: Featuring a laundry list of "Hey I know them from something". This ensemble is really good, and it has the perfect amount of holiday cheer. The only thing that really holds this back is all the teenage cliches it contains. I tried to ignore most of it for the sake of the film, which is usually something that can be done, especially in holiday films but it's still hard to do. But in saying that it's still worthy of a once a year watch like Klaus above to fill us with some Christmas joy.

Final verdict: 3.5 waffle houses out of 5.

Top 10 Countdown: December 14, 2019

10. Locket - Hunnie
Last week: NEW!


9. Waterparks - Easy To Hate
Last week: 10.


8. New Found Glory - Accidentally In Love
Last week: NEW!


7. Hawthorne Heights - Hard To Breathe
Last week: 9.


6. blink-182 - Darkside
Last week: 1.


5. State Champs - Real World
Last week: 8.


4. The Menzingers - Strangers Forever
Last week: 5.


3. Grayscale - Young
Last week: 4.


2. Sleep On It - After Tonight
Last week: 3.


1. Bearings - So Damn Wrong
Last week: 2.

Special: Top 10 "This Christmas" songs

Alright so there is a large amount of different songs in the scene that are titled "this Christmas" or a variation there of. So what better time than to count down those songs then to cap off this first week in December?

10. MxPx - You're The One I Miss (This Christmas)

9. Every Avenue - This Christmas

8. Set It Off - This Christmas (I'll Burn It To The Ground)

7. Fireworks - Maybe This Christmas

6. The Summer Set - This Christmas

5. The Click Five - My Girlfriend (Forgot Me This Christmas)

4. The Fold - This Christmas

3. For All Those Sleeping - Maybe This Christmas

2. I Call Fives - This Xmas

1. July - This Christmas

Top 10 Countdown: December 7, 2019

10. Waterparks - Easy To Hate
Last week: NEW!


9. Hawthorne Heights - Hard To Breathe
Last week: 10.


8. State Champs - Real World
Last week: 9.


7. Weezer - The End Of The Game
Last week: 7.


6. Angels & Airwaves - Rebel Girl
Last week: 1.


5. The Menzingers - Strangers Forever
Last week: 8.


4. Grayscale - Young
Last week: 5.


3. Sleep On It - After Tonight
Last week: 4.


2. Bearings - So Damn Wrong
Last week: 3.


1. blink-182 - Darkside
Last week: 2.

Special: First Listen Thoughts: All Time Low "It's Still Nothing Personal: A Ten Year Tribute", Silverstein "Redux: The First Ten Years", As It Is "The Great Depression: Reimagined"

All Time Low - It's Still Nothing Personal: A Ten Year Tribute

Label: Fueled By Ramen

Press Release: 10 years after first releasing Nothing Personal, we returned to Red Bull Studios in LA to revisit the making of the album. "It's Still Nothing Personal: A Ten Year Tribute" features all new recordings of the classic album. While we were there, we filmed the entire recording process and checked in with a few familiar faces for a documentary about the album.

My thoughts: I love Nothing Personal and I can listen to most of these songs over and over again so I'm obviously pleased with this album but it doesn't do much to the original songs. It just kinds of gives us a clean production version of how they sound live. So in the end: Love the songs, but doesn't add anything new... You're probably better off just listening to the original Nothing Personal recordings or one of their "Straight to DVD" concerts.

Silverstein - Redux: The First Ten Years

Label: Silverstein Music

Press Release: Canadian post-hardcore outfit Silverstein has announced a new release titled Redux: The First Ten Years. The album will feature new recordings of classic Silverstein songs. The goal was to update the recordings and make them sound the best they can — not change the songs from what has made them resonate with people for so long. You're going to hear the clarity and dynamics in a new way, but the magic of the original songs is kept intact.

My thoughts: Much like All Time Low above, this record doesn't necessarily change a whole lot, we get an acoustic version of 1 song which is nice but for a non-audiophile like myself the only thing I'm happy about is the production on the WBIEF tracks got cleaned up and aren't so raw anymore. I'd definitely be on board with Silverstein re-recording that album in full after this album.

As It Is - The Great Depression: Reimagined

Label: Fearless Records

Press Release: As It Is have reimagined their 2018 album 'The Great Depression' in its entirety, and are releasing it as four separate EPs. The EPs are produced by frontman Patty Walters.

My thoughts: Unlike the other two above, As It Is flipped The Great Depression on it's head with this album. There's a Hardcore song, a few jazz hits and some dark moody songs that used to be bangers. The problem here is that most of the songs aren't as good as on the original. The highlight here for me is probably their hit The Stigma (Boys Don't Cry) that gets an updated 80's vibe that is so satisfying. On the flip side, The Fire, The Dark just gets the acoustic treatment and it's not as exciting as the original.