Special: Ranking New Found Glory's "December's Here"

It's been over a year since I've last ranked an album and the last time I did was when NFG's self-titled album turned 20 in September 2020. Now they just recently released their first full length holiday album and since it is the season for Christmas specials on the blog thought this was a wonderful time to rank this. Normally I like to sit with an album longer before doing something like this but hey maybe it'll be a fun thing to go back on next year.

11. Santa Forgive Me

Although most of the tracks on this album are lyrically simple, harkening back to Christmas classics of the past with the guitars taking a back seat to the bass and drums, Santa Forgive Me is arguably the most simple and the least likely to come back to.

10. Christmas Card

Christmas Card just missed the bottom spot as instantly it was one of my least liked tracks on this album with it's repetitive lyrics but ultimately I gave it a nudge up for at least singing about something (finding the perfect Christmas card) that hasn't been done a million times before.

9. For Christmas Sake

The nostalgia is real on the closing track of this album. Harkening back to toys wanted as children of the 80's (He-Man and G.I. Joe among others) shows us the innocence Christmas brings out of people even as adults just simply looking back.

8. Snow

Lyrically Snow is likely one of, if not the strongest track on this record but this slow paced ballad doesn't do enough instrumentally to stand out among the other similar tracks here. It also has not been a favourite of mine being released back in 2014 but still not making it onto a volume of "What's A Partridge? What's A Pear Tree?" my annual Christmas comp. (shameless plug)

7. Nothing For Christmas

Speaking of my Christmas CD, Nothing For Christmas was featured way back on volume 6 and although it has been mixed slightly different on this album it's still basically the same song so it lands here in the middle of the tracklist ranking.

6. It Never Snows In Florida (Holiday Version)

The oldest song released on this album, the original version was featured on NFG's full length debut back in 1999 as a high octane pop-punk song. For the holidays it's an acoustic jam with jingle bells replacing the drum sounds. Never a big fan of the original this now works as a holiday jam with the new instrumentals.

5. Our First Christmas 

Okay so I may be a bit biased here. Our First Christmas has some of the tropes I complained about near the beginning of this list but my wife and I started dating around Christmas (December 2012) so it's just a bit sentimental to me and ultimately we want songs to make us feel something so that's why it cracks the top 5.

4. December's Here

The last of the pre-released songs is here at #4. December's Here was released last year to advertise the then upcoming NFG Christmas livestream. Again nostalgia plays an import role in talking about watching Home Alone and Elf many times and reciting all the quotes to fully get into the holiday season.

3. Somber Christmas

This track was used to announce the album and they couldn't have picked a better song to do so. The duality handled in the lyrics is equal parts sad (a devastating break-up) and happy (looking back on happy memories) makes you feel all at once.

2. Don't Fight It's Christmas

Don't Fight It's Christmas has the best hooks on this album, likely because it's sonically the closest to a straight up pop song on the record and I simply can not get enough of it. 

1. Holiday Records

Vinyl is all the rage so it's natural to flip through your loved ones vinyl collection to pull out any Christmas records you can wear out to get yourself in the holiday mood. Holiday Records is easily the standout on this album thus far. You can expect to see it on this year "What's A Partridge? What's A Pear Tree?" compilation.

Special: First Listen Thoughts: With Confidence "With Confidence", Goody Grace "Don't Forget Where You Came From" NoFX "Single Album"

With Confidence - Self-Titled

Label: Hopeless Records

Press release: With Confidence new album will be self-titled and will be dropping on August 27 via Hopeless Records. The band had this to say about it: “For album 3, we are just excited for people to hear some new music from us," note the band. "It’ll be 3 years when this album finally lands. There’s nothing better than pulling back that curtain and letting everybody in….like opening a new section of our own amusement park. We recorded it all here at home in Australia with our friend Stevie Knight who we worked on ‘Better Weather’ with. There’ll be new sounds, new rides, new appetites and hopefully, sometime soon, you’ll be standing in line to see a show. Love all day, love all the way etc, etc.”

My thoughts: I was very excited for this album, we've seen many pop-punk bands refine their sounds recently to great success (Seaway, Neck Deep and Grayscale jump to mind) and based on the 4 pre-release singles we got it seemed that would also be the case. I was lukewarm on Cult and Paper though the latter I've come around on a bit. Big Cat and Anything were certified bops however, unfortunately there's only one other bop to be found in the opening track. The self-titled album is pretty uneven here, and although I wouldn't normally come back to it I feel I owe With Con based on the fact that their other full lengths are amazing records I still love I have to see if this album is a grower.

Goody Grace - Don't Forget Where You Came From

Label: Atlantic Records

Press release: Acclaimed singer-songwriter-producer Goody Grace has dropped his first full-length project, Don’t Forget Where You Came From, available now via Atlantic Records. Inspired by his youth growing up in the remote town of Selkirk, Manitoba, Don’t Forget Where You Came From is an amalgamation of nostalgia, foresight and the rock, punk, alternative and hip-hop artists that have influenced Goody’s life.

My thoughts: This album is basically a collection of singles. In the new space artists seem to release a single every few months which is what Goody did and then he released an "album" with all those singles and a couple new tracks. Unfortunately I had been mixed on the singles and the deep cuts fall into rap territory more often than not and I was not there for that. I'm just gonna stick with the singles I liked from this release.

NoFX - Single Album

Label: Fat Wreck Chords

Press release: NOFX have announced a new album called ‘Single Album’. The Los Angeles outfit’s fourteenth studio effort will arrive via Fat Mike’s label Fat Wreck Chords on February 26, following on from 2016’s ‘First Ditch Effort’. ‘Single Album’ was originally set to be a double record, but the coronavirus pandemic changed NOFX’s plans. “When you write a double album, you write differently,” Mike said. ​“I was writing really different songs, and some fun songs, but you have to make a double album interesting enough to listen to the whole way. “I wanted to make a perfect double album, and I didn’t accomplish that. So I decided to just make a single album, hence the title.”

My thoughts: You will never hear me argue that Fat Mike is not a lyrical genius. That being said apart from the lyrics there is not a ton here for me. Linewleum was a solid first single but I didn't get behind Fuck Euphemism which is why it took me so long to get to this album . I Love You More Than I Hate You is probably the best song on this album with all the others going tonally all over the place with some songs starting off with me thinking "wow this is really good" before turning into something else that I don't buy in as much for or just being too weird. I was never the biggest NoFX fan, rather than enjoying everything they put out it tends to be more select songs I get behind. If your mind is made up one way or another on this band, Single Album isn't likely to change it but if you're a fan you'll enjoy this release.

Special: First Listen Thoughts: Dropkick Murphys "Turn Up That Dial", Meet Me @ The Altar - Model Citizen EP, Trash Boat "Don't You Feel Amazing"

Dropkick Murphys - Turn Up That Dial

Label: Born & Bred Records

Press release: The latest effort from the Boston band will arrive on April 30 via Born & Bred Records, and co-frontman Ken Casey hopes that it will take “people’s minds off their troubles". "We’re so fortunate and grateful to be in the position to share a little happiness in our own way” he said. “Our gratitude levels are off the chart. Twenty five years ago, somebody bet me 30 bucks I couldn’t form a band with three weeks’ notice to open for his band. As kids, we’d never been out of New England and here we are – we’ve made 10 records and have been all over the globe. If there’s a message to this album, it’s ‘put your fist up and play it loud.'”

My thoughts: THE Celtic band is back. Everyone knows at least one Dropkick Murphys song even if it's just the riff to mega-hit "I'm Shipping Up To Boston". Turn Up That Dial is another dose of celtic punk party music that at this point I heard half the record thanks to singles roll out (though I realize at this point the album has been out for 4 months it's on me). The best songs are L-E-E-B-O-Y and City By The Sea with the other deepcuts lacking in energy compared to the singles and the previously mentioned City By The Sea. 

Meet Me @ The Altar - Model Citizen EP

Label: Fueled By Ramen

Press release: Meet Me @ The Altar's full six-track EP, Model Citizen, is due out on August 13. MM@TA enthuse: ​“We are so incredibly excited about Model Citizen being our first major release on Fueled By Ramen – these are absolutely our best songs to date. “Model Citizen was originally a different set of songs, but we decided to throw it all out just days before the EP was due because we knew we could write a more cohesive story with lots of energy. With a heavy easycore influence, we hope Model Citizen knocks everyone out of their seats!”

My thoughts: I was surprised the first 2 singles (Garden & Hit Like A Girl) were not found on this EP. Not that I'm complaining as I was surprised that I had only previously heard 2 songs, and Brighter Days is still pretty new to me. Those tracks deserve a home on a future release, weather it's a full length or a deluxe version of this EP since we also got an acoustic rendition of Feel A Thing featuring Dan Campbell of the Wonder Years. In any event let's deal with the tracks at hand. Feel A Thing is a certified bop as are all the other tracks in fact Brighter Days might be the weakest track on this 6 track EP. This will likely be near the top of most people's EP's of the year list (myself included)

Trash Boat - Don't You Feel Amazing

Label: Hopeless Records

Press release: Trash Boat have announced details of their upcoming third album Don’t You Feel Amazing? – the follow-up to 2018’s Crown Shyness. The St Albans pop-punks are set to release LP number three on August 13 via Hopeless Records. Vocalist Tobi Duncan says “The album itself is unapologetic and candid wherever it goes. I’ve taken a far more direct approach lyrically and want to leave little to the imagination. We are exposed to so much of the world everyday now, to comprehend everything going on today is too much for any one person. It’s all inconsistent and overwhelming. Each song represents my frustration, desires, struggle, hedonism, pain and redemption while being bluntly honest about each topic.”

My thoughts: Trash Boat has leveled up with each album they release and this is the farthest they've travelled from the pop punk realm. Clearly UK artists such as Architects and Bring Me The Horizon have influenced them a good deal. There's still songs that throwback to that classic Trash Boat sound (Love Without Needing, He's So Good) but the vast majority of songs play with new pop infused sounds (Bad Entertainment, Maladaptive Daydreaming) or darker and heavier material (Vertigo, Idios). No matter what you're into you'll likely find a few songs up your alley on this record.

Special: First Listen Thoughts: DE'WAYNE "Stains", AFI "Bodies", We Were Sharks "New Low"

DE'WAYNE - Stains

Label: Hopeless Records

Press release: A lifetime in the making, alt-pop superstar DE'WAYNE has officially announced his debut album STAINS, due out June 18th via Hopeless Records. The eleven-track album blends the incendiary nature of his live show with a story that needs to be told and a genreless freedom. Instead of trying to fit into a ready-made scene, STAINS is driven by energy, emotion, excitement. "Every song on this record is urgent because it has to be. I want to put out music that feels like you have to listen to it right now."

My thoughts: At 11 tracks, 5 of which were released before the album announcement, and another 2 post album announcement left us with only 4 wholly new songs. Like the singles they were a mixed bag but one can't deny DE'WAYNE's infectious energy and genre bending attitude going from lo-fi hip hop to high energy guitar backed rock music and everything in between.

AFI - Bodies

Label: Rise records

Press release: The California hardcore punk kings will be releasing their new record Bodies on June 11 via Rise, with the LP produced by the band’s own Jade Puget. “Anyone who knows our catalog knows that no two records really sit together,” says Jade. ​“Some sit a little closer, maybe. We do certain things, just by virtue of who we are, that are consistent, but those things come about organically. Every time we do something, I have to judge it on its own merits. Some fans are going to judge a new album, or a new song, based on what’s come before. But as artists, we can’t do that, because it would only hinder our creativity.”

My thoughts: I've said many times that I don't hold it against artists when they opt to try something new on a record and AFI might as well change their name to chameleon the amount of times they changed their sound but that doesn't mean I need to enjoy it which I do not. Apart from a few tracks this LP is full of misses with the standout track likely being the single Feeling Tragic with No Eyes being the best of the deep cuts.

We Were Sharks - New Low

Label: Revival Records

Press release: Ottawa, ON-based quintet, We Were Sharks have announced their upcoming album, New Low, which is set for release in May 2021. On New Low, lead vocalist Randy Frobel shares, “New Low is a collection of songs that we created that focuses on being down but not out. Since the release of Lost Touch, we’ve experienced many of life’s ups and downs. We’ve lost relationships, friends and family, and have gone through a lot of unexpected challenges that life has a tendency to throw at you when you least expect it. However, no matter what may have tried to keep us down or hold us back, we always take the hit and keep pushing forward.”

My thoughts: This is probably the best pop punk album I've heard this year so far. We Were Sharks have tightened up their songwriting while still having hooks for days. If I had to point out one misstep it's "Burning Houses" which is a mid-tempo song which I usually love but there was no hook to draw me in. The singles are all solid (the first 5 tracks) which you'd know if you follow my countdown have all entered the top 10 at one point or another. Ashley pt. 2 and album closer Ready To Go are the best of the back half.

Special: First Listen Thoughts: Neck Deep "All Distortions Are Intentional", Broadside "Into The Raging Sea", Taylor Swift "Folklore"

Neck Deep - All Distortions Are Intentional

Label: Hopeless Records

Press release: This latest set is more conceptual in nature, following the story of a loner named Jett who lives in a place dubbed "Sonderland," which is viewed as a combination of "Wonderland" and the word "sonder" which is the realization that everyone else may be living a life as complex and rich as your own. “It’s that strange existential realization that you are not the entire world,” explains singer Ben Barlow. “Everyone around you feels and lives the same way that you do. You’re just an extra in their story.”

My thoughts: This record is definitely different but still enjoyable. There's no certified bangers after one listen but there's enough to enjoy. The singles thus far have all been great choices and the only songs I'm not into is Quarry (big yikes) and Little Dove.

Broadside - Into The Raging Sea

Label: Sharptone Records

Press release: Broadside will release their new album Into The Raging Sea on July 24 via SharpTone Records. On the new album, frontman Ollie Baxxter shares: “All of the people I’ve idolized always say songs just flowed out of them, not because they wanted them to necessarily, but because they had to. Up until recently, that didn’t feel realistic for me. I didn’t think I was capable of creating art with that pureness of spirit.“

My thoughts: Outside of the closer which is a snoozer after one listen, this is a solid album top to (almost) bottom. I was worried they were going extra dark and melancholy on this release with the singles they've released and with the signing to Sharptone, however Broadside keep the punchy guitars and upbeat bangers like Dancing On The Ceiling and Overdramatic.

Taylor Swift - Folklore

Label: Republic Records

Press release: Surprise 🤗 Tonight at midnight I’ll be releasing my 8th studio album, folklore; an entire brand new album of songs I’ve poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into. Before this year I probably would’ve overthought when to release this music at the ‘perfect’ time, but the times we’re living in keep reminding me that nothing is guaranteed. My gut is telling me that if you make something you love, you should just put it out into the world.

My thoughts: Taylor, I love your pop sensibilities but this record completely lacks that. Maybe I'll come around on some tracks eventually but as of now the standout that I'll come back to is The Last Great American Dynasty.

Special: First Listen Thoughts: New Found Glory "Forever And Ever x Infinity", Protest The Hero "Palimpsest", Casa Loma "This Is Coping"

New Found Glory - Forever And Ever x Infinity:

Label: Hopeless Records

Press release: NEW FOUND GLORY will release its tenth studio album, "Forever + Ever x Infinity", on [June 19] via Hopeless Records. The band has put together a quintessential record, supremely catchy with sing-along anthems, trademark breakdowns, and sweetly poignant lyrics.

My thoughts: It's a great New Found Glory record overall however I will say that there are a few songs (Himalaya and Same Side Sitters mostly) that have subpar chorus' but are otherwise great. Stay Awhile, Like I Never Existed and Trophy are the non-preview tracks that stand out after one listen but I'm excited to give it multiple listens.

Protest The Hero - Palimpsest

Label: Spinefarm Records

Press release: “Palimpsest is by far the most challenging record we have worked on,” says lead guitarist Luke Hoskin. “The writing and recording process saw so many delays, it’s honestly hard to keep them straight. We are very proud of how each hurdle was handled though, and the end result is a record that we believe is deserving of such an endeavour.”

My thoughts: Palimpsest is a strong Protest The Hero album. I'm not a music nerd but I'm well aware the band are great musicians, that being said in past albums it seems they were trying to hard to impress the music nerd crowd which made for a less enjoyable experience for me however they've toned that down here and upped the lyricism and story-telling which makes for an interesting dive into American history.

Casa Loma - This Is Coping

Label: Pure Noise Records

Press release: “I did this for sanity” is the bold opening statement from bassist and co-vocalist of Man Overboard Nik Bruzzese, as to how his new solo project Casa Loma was born. The upcoming debut EP This is Coping  showcases a collection of songs Nik recorded as an artistic expression to channel events in his life the only way he knew how. 

My thoughts: I'd love to say that this is a great project but I just can't see myself getting into it. Nik's vocals are so different than what I'm used to. It's not until track 4 & 5 that I get what I know of Nik, the instrumentation is also best on those songs. I can appreciate this was a personal project for Nik but I'm just not sure it's for me but I'll give it some time before I put a nail in that coffin.

Special: Ranking Neck Deep's "Life's Not Out To Get You"

We are about a month away from the release of Neck Deep's fourth full length album "All Distortions Are Intentional" so in honour of that I figured now would be a great time to look back at their best album: Life's Not Out To Get You. This was also the album I discovered Neck Deep as I checked out the single Can't Kick Up The Roots as soon as it popped up and I fell in love. On with the ranking!

12. Serpents

Back when I did the Waterparks "Entertainment" ranking I mentioned that Crybaby is the only skippable song, and although I don't "need" to skip Serpents like I do Crybaby it is far and away the worst song on the album. Maybe it's the darker tones on an otherwise summery album? Maybe it's the lack of a hook? Whatever it is, Serpents deserves the bottom of the list.

11. Rock Bottom

You'd think with a title like this it'd find itself in the previous spot but alas Rock Bottom despite being at the bottom of the tracklist isn't quite at the bottom here. It closes off the album reminding listeners to that despite being in a rough spot you gotta let go of the negativity. It's also not a bad song at all as I could regularly jam it, it just speaks to the depth of this album being all the way down here.

10. December

The mandatory slow jam on LNOTGY is actually lyrically beautiful. The acoustic guitar takes center stage and sounds wonderful however what ruins this track is the fact that they recorded a faster version later on and it's much better and the band agrees since it's the version they now play live. This is probably the most popular track off of the album.

9. Threat Level Midnight

The best part of listening to this album is the fade out of track one into track two, otherwise known as Threat Level Midnight. The chunky baseline of former bassist Fil Thorpe-Evans leads us into an anthemic sing along chorus that probably deserves to be up higher but something's gotta fall to the #9 spot and I decided it should be Threat Level Midnight oh and the title was based on The Office.

8. The Beach Is For Lovers (Not Lonely Losers)

With a title like that you just know this track is gonna be good right? Prior to this album, Neck Deep's biggest song was A Part Of Me which this song is along the same vein so it's a popular deep cut for the band. Unlike the rest of the album the vocals sound less hopeful and more suffering. Also fun fact: This is track eight and it's in the eighth spot. Lolz!

7. I Hope This Comes Back To Haunt You

Speaking of popular deep cuts, the penultimate track on the album is another. I Hope This Comes Back To Haunt You starts off slow before turning into one of the loudest. The band have stated on multiple occasions that they love this song but it doesn't translate well live. Hopefully they do an anniversary tour so we can all hear it at least once.

6. Citizens Of Earth

We're kicking off the best 50% of the album with track one. If you never heard Neck Deep before and you start here you probably are going to be fooled as to what you're going to hear going forward. It's super angsty and the guitars of Matt West and Lloyd Roberts are super loud. It feels like a lead hammer hitting you in the face.

5. Smooth Seas Don't Make Good Sailors

Who doesn't love a solid dual chorus? I know I do. This is the track that leads you to know Jeremy McKinnon produced this record as it reminds you of the pop punk oriented A Day To Remember tracks. The vocals are in your face and the melody is fast paced which surprises you since this follows December on the tracklist.

4. Kali Ma

Yet another song with Jeremy McKinnon influence as he provides vocals on the outro to the song. Also this is track four at number four! Another happy coincidence. Dani Washington's drumming stands out here as it takes the lead along with the vocals for a trip that keeps the anthemic nature of the album going.

3. Lime Street

On the tracklist Lime Street closes off the first half of the album and it's probably one of the better 6 song runs on an album I can think of off the top of my head. The bouncy riffs and pop punk vocals are reminiscent of blink-182. This is simply a track that I would've listened to in my youth screaming at the top of my lungs while reading the lyrics booklet.

2. Gold Steps

This is probably the track where Ben Barlow does the most vocally. The 2nd verse he essentially raps before falling back into a snotty punk vocal style before going back to normal for the chorus. The album's title comes from this positive jam about how no matter how dire things look it'll get better so keep moving forward.

1. Can't Kick Up The Roots

As mentioned above this was the first Neck Deep song I heard and it's undeniably a bop. Maybe it's the fact that it introduced them to me that it claims first or maybe the band and label just knew what I did when I first heard it. This was the best pop punk song that had come out in 5 years and it needed to be released ASAP with a push behind it to get to as many ears as possible. The big chorus, the pop punk trope of leaving your hometown getting turned on it's head? Brilliant.

Special: First Listen Thoughts: blink-182 "Nine", Bayside "Interrobang", The Early November "Lilac"

blink-182 - Nine

Label: Columbia Records

Press Release: blink-182 have revealed full details for their upcoming album. The record is called NINE, and it will arrive on September 20 via Columbia Records. The rainbow-coloured, neon-lit album artwork is pictured. NINE will mark the band's follow-up to 2016's California. It's their second album with Matt Skiba in the lineup instead of Tom DeLonge.

My thoughts: 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.

Bayside - Interrobang

Label: Hopeless Records

Press Release: The band are returning with Interrobang and it’s arriving a lot sooner than you would expect with an October 4 release date. Interrobang is a punctuation mark that combines an exclamation and a question mark. Lead singer Anthony Raneri says in a statement that the album title represents the feelings listeners receive from the record.

My thoughts: People are calling this a pop punk album but I honestly don't hear it. I can see this being where alternative music heads once the current state of "alternative" officially becomes top 40. The music is incredibly aggressive but the melodies are catchy as hell making for an incredible listening experience.

The Early November - Lilac

Label: Rise Records

Press Release: The Early November have announced their highly anticipated 5th studio album which is set to be released on 27th September via Rise Records. The band’s first album since 2015’s Imbue, Lilac represents a shift towards a more pop-centric sound while preserving the raw vulnerability that The Early November has become known for.

My thoughts: This was supposed to be a record where TEN pivoted their sound and although it is a step up from their previous effort it still falls short of capturing the magic of their early 00's work. Something I expected after listening to the first single "I Dissolve" but got hyped following the release of "Ave Maria" which gave me high hopes and the beginning half of the record is good but by the time I Dissolve comes around the rest of the record gets moody and slumps in comparison to the first half.

Special: First Listen Thoughts: Waterparks "FANDOM", Issues "Beautiful Oblivion" and Sleep On It "Pride & Disaster"

Waterparks - FANDOM

Label: Hopeless Records

Press Release: FANDOM, the third full-length from Waterparks (and first on Hopeless Records), and produced by Zakk Cervini (Good Charlotte, Beartooth), is an eclectic and enigmatic collection of songs that include the aforementioned “Watch What Happens Next” and the frenetic, tornado-like, “Turbulent” that was released in late May.

My thoughts: 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. Overall it listens very well the first time through, it'll be interesting if it can stand up to the other 2 full lengths over time however.

Issues - Beautiful Oblivion

Label: Rise Records

Press Release: Issues will release a new album, "Beautiful Oblivion", on October 4 via Rise Records. The disc takes the band's signature cocktail of metallic groove, hip-hop aplomb, alternative echoes, and edgy pop appeal a step further. The Atlanta band has delivered an instantly irresistible collection of anthems where singer Tyler Carter's nimble delivery seamlessly slips from R&B swagger into hard-hitting heaviness.

My thoughts: I don't think there is a better way to describe this record then "Heavy Pop". A lot was made of Issues kicking out screamer Michael Bohn before this 3rd record was recorded and although the 2 first singles were undeniably heavy, the album as a whole has a heavy pop influence even in some of the songs that have the heavy guitar riffs, Tyler Carter's soulful voice layers on top of it beautifully giving us some of Issues best work but only time will tell if their fanbase will get on board with this new sound.

Sleep On It - Pride & Disaster

Label: Equal Vision Records

Press Release: Pride & Disaster is the follow-up to 2017’s Overexposed, and features production by Mike Green and Kyle Black. With Pride & Disaster, Sleep On It harnesses the strength and vulnerability of the human spirit. Over the course of ten songs, they makes a case for enjoying life, even when times are tough, and never shying away from your truth. The positivity found throughout Pride & Disaster adds a silver lining to an album that is also unafraid to address the problems that many, including the band, face with mental health.

My thoughts: My last installment of this series praised all 3 bands for evolving their sound while still harking back to their earlier works. 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 and is a contender for Album of the Year after only one listen. 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.

Special: First Listen Thoughts: Sleeping With Sirens "How It Feels To Be Lost", Roam "Smile Wide" and Grayscale "Nella Vita"

Sleeping With Sirens - How It Feels To Be Lost

Label: Summerian Records

Press Release: SLEEPING WITH SIRENS will release its fifth full-length album, "How It Feels To Be Lost", on September 6 via Sumerian Records. The follow-up to 2017's "Gossip" was recorded at MDDN Studios in Los Angeles and produced by Zakk Cervini (YUNGBLUD, GOOD CHARLOTTE) and Matt Good (ASKING ALEXANDRIA).

My thoughts: This is definitely the heaviest SWS have been since 2012. The naysayers that said they went pop need only to listen to Break Me Down to know they're still able to write a barn burner like they used to and although I liked the Madness record the best (I will not be proved wrong here). This is a nice tip of the hat to longtime fans while still having a handful of songs that have Madness and Gossip influences showing that the band has no plans of a full 180 back to their post-hardcore roots of 2011.

Roam - Smile Wide

Label: Hopeless Records

Press Release: ROAM have announced the details of their upcoming third album 'Smile Wide'. Out on September 06 via Hopeless Records, the album was recorded in Texas with producer Machine who has previously worked with the likes of As It Is and Fall Out Boy.

My thoughts: Roam's third full length is reminiscent of the latest The Story So Far record is the sense that they clearly want to evolve with tracks like Loud and I Don't Think I Live There Anymore but don't want to leave behind their previous sound as heard on Toy Box. Overall it's a nice mix that is half old Roam records, and half like something off of Seaway's Vacation thanks to the 90's Alternative influences.

Grayscale - Nella Vita

Label: Fearless Records

Press Release: Grayscale have announced that their new album ‘Nella Vita’ will be released via Fearless Records on 06 September, 2019. Grayscale traded their hometown of Philadelphia for Austin, TX, holing up in the Machine Shop alongside producer MACHINE [Lamb of God,  Four Year Strong]. The resulting collection of tracks is one that sees the band chronicling life, its many facets, and its many complications, as they themselves have experienced.

My thoughts: 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.

(Christmas!) Song of the day: November 26, 2013

(Christmas!) Song of the day: November 26, 2013:

Driver Friendly - X-Mas In Texas

Off the EP "Hopeless For The Holidays" out now.

iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hopeless-for-the-holidays-ep/id582132333

Song of the day: October 23, 2013

Song of the day: October 23, 2013:

We Are The In Crowd - Both Sides Of The Story

Off the album "Guaranteed To Disagree" out now

iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/guaranteed-to-disagree/id485573316

September 27, 2013 Song of the day

September 27, 2013 Song of the day:

Amber Pacific - You're Only Young Once

Off the album "Truth In Sincerity" out now

iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/truth-in-sincerity-bonus-track/id487047680