Since Thanksgiving my senses have been blitzed. One dam breaks after another. When I stare out into space it’s like staring through a tunnel of swirling water. Everything is unfocused except for my straight ahead vision. The surroundings are unfocused. I’m tired but awake in fear of the guilty from unproductivity.
The days start to blur together now. The same rituals take hold. Somedays I hate it but I’m too afraid to live any other way. Bless those who don’t worry about where the next paycheck comes from. I envy those who don’t get anxious about money, concrete stability, careers, or any of standards society seems to demand from us.
I’m scared shitless of not following the societal norms of how you life your life when it comes to money and holding a job. I have to depending on what I view as reliable: an employer. I know I’m taken care of yet when you’re not in a position you envisioned it’s draining. Then you start to burn out and fade.
There’s so much guilt and embarrassment from feeling like I’m so weak. Why can’t I just do my job and leave regular? Why can’t I feel full of energy more often? I’m withdrawing from jubilee, especially over the last few weeks. It’s obvious when food isn’t as satisfying as it used to be. Music doesn’t wire me the same way.
What’s happening to me? I wake up, eat some shit, go to work, guzzle as much coffee throughout the day as possible, hopefully go to the gym, eat some more shit, and lay in bed and stare at screen. This can’t be it. I see other people around me live life in so much color. Mine seems so gray, by choice.
It’s been almost two days since I got off work and thankfully I have 3 days of vacation before briefly returning to work. I spent most of Saturday and Sunday sleeping in and doing now. I can’t fucking do that again tomorrow or next two days. Let live. Live. Wake and leave. Breathe in the air. Be free.
Reestablish myself. Revel in revelry. Get out of the fogginess. Feel the wide open again. Stop being so fucking afraid.
Last year I looked back to acknowledge on some records I completely missed from the prior year. I usually miss out on a few records during the release year and find them in the following year(s). I completely missed on Pinegrove’s debut album in 2016 which could have made my top 10 list.
Decided to bring this exercise back to see if I totally screwed up last year. Overall, 2017’s top 10 holds up incredibly well. One of the strongest years in the decade and no other records looking back would impeach it now. That’s not to say there were a few solid efforts I was late on last year.
Hundredth’s fourth album Rare caught everyone by surprise. I completely dismissed them as another blah melodic hardcore band when I saw them at The Che Cafe in 2012. They shifted entirely into shoegaze and noise rock, breaking from denomination. Influences like Ride to modern bands like Nothing clearly inveigled their venture. While Hundredth aren’t changing post-rock in any way their evolution was completely unpredictable.
Other post-hardcore bands have tried playing with these styles but never a complete overhauling immersion like this. Rare feels like a band finding its true self. Undoubtedly an asomatous experience for them as they released a remix album and B-Side singles. This is the only album that could have possibly broken into my top 10. I only realized that recently. Still bummed they played the same night as Julien Baker last December.
Polyphia came off initially to me as one of those trust fund kid bands. Out of the gate had new gear and quality production. Despised them and others like them when I was in a band. Usually derided those bands but when I heard “40oz” on my old producer’s Instagram story I had to change my mind.
Irresistible hooks and grooving melodies, there’s a little funk, a little djent, mixed with their chill programmed vibes. I went back to hear their back catalog but The Most Hated EP stands apart. It’s Polyphia when I hear it. PAst projects sound like the rest of the prog instrumental pack, e.g. Chon. Very replayable EP too, always important for me, with tracks like “Goose” to vibe with driving around on a beautiful day.
Joey Bada$$ put on one of my favorite shows this year bringing Buddy along on tour. He completely assailed the stage and owned the crowd. Maybe I should have done my homework on Buddy. The environment you grow up in will play an indelible role for any artist. Growing up in Compton and LA County gave Buddy my favorite kinds of hip hop influences.
Less songs equals a better product as I’ve theorized. Magnolia packs no empty calories demonstrating Buddy’s talent and versatility. “Type of Shit” is clearly the radio song/hit yet “Who Shot 2 Tall” and “Last Time” cipher his social consciousness. Made sense Joey brought him on tour. When “That Much” kicked off live the energy in the audience rose to another level. Joey was superb. Buddy your bones moving.
Happy Holidays! Welcome to December, the last month of the year. Life opens up for time with friends, family, and just some general leisure. I’m looking forward to kicking up my feet more than usual and sleeping in some more before another year dawns upon us.
As New Year’s Eves approaches we take stock of the last twelve months and what’s ahead next year. So many new faces launched incredible debut albums and promising starts to their young careers.
Below are my favorite new bands I found this years. Some have a few years under their belts while others formed and emerged simultaneously this year. Hopefully some of these artists grab hold and find their way into your library.
Fiends
From: Sarasota, FL | Album: Me Time
Dubbed a love child of Tool and Lamb of God, Fiends really impressed me with their first single “Keep Me in The Dark” at the beginning of the year. It’s rare for new bands to show technical and subtle song writing proficiency. Fiends display those traits from go. Much like Tool their songs don’t boast virtuoso playing but rather meticulous structuring and seamless knitting from one aura to another. Take the transformative turn in “700 Club” from cursing the gods type of metal to dark and mysterious. Very uncommon and as far as I know exclusive to them, and that’s what we want in new bands.
This Curse
From: Northern NJ | Album: From the Darkest of Places
I’m a sucker for New Jersey bands. Whether it’s Geoff Rickly’s basement or some dive in Asbury Park the state is fertile grounds for poetizing the every man struggle(s). This Curse continue that tradition with a bit of a twist. Lyrically they’re Jersey yet it’s hard to pin down one genre for them. “Waiting” blasts primarily post-hardcore parts and sneaks in a bouncy metalcore breakdown. They teeter on all these different styles picking the most satiating elements from each throwing in djenty progressions, emo choruses, and timely breakdowns. Their debut album also earns points with me for having only a few songs yet they’re all exceptional.
Muncie Girls
From: Exeter, UK | Album: Fixed Ideals
Muncie Girls almost made my top 10 list this year and get the honorable mention here. Women have established themselves in punk and underground music but in recent years they’ve really surged more than ever. Lande Hekt possesses nuanced understanding for clean and melodic with loud and grungy punk. Take the best of everything. “Locked Up” exemplifies the ideal mixture of unforgettable riffing and the verse/chorus/verse formula. Her singing and guitar playing maintain pop while ripping gigantic riffs. It’s great she’s a woman and bringing something new to me; however, she just fucking rocks. That’s really what matters most to me.
Jesus Piece
From: Philadelphia, PA | Album: Only Self
I didn’t discovered Jesus Piece but they stepped up to another level with their first full length. Classic hardcore band paying their duos playing any slummy concrete floor finally paid off with Only Self. They remind me of more straight ahead Code Orange trimming industrial and poppy elements. “Curse of the Serpent” wastes no time. Two minutes of ceaseless slaughter yet so digestible. A outsider can appreciate its energy. They can play “Punish” until the end of their careers and detonate every venue in its wake. The incredible album production allows a clear and coherent experience, very uncommon in this scene.
Frontside
From: Wilson, NC | Album: Essentially, Eventually
We Are Triumphant Records and I share similar tastes in bands. They’re known (and infamous) for signing diamonds in the rough like Neck Deep, Sworn In, and now Frontside. Walter Stanley sings like Patrick Stump and strums with an impressive repertoire of slick hooks and quietly intricate riffs. “Almost There” showcases palatable mathy guitar and insanely catchy sing along vocals. Infectious. This three piece got together almost ten years ago now and few are paying attention to them. I wouldn’t be shocked if that changes. Maybe Blue Swan records should snag them. I’d like to see them open for Dance Gavin Dance.
Puppy
From: London, UK | Album: The Goat
I don’t know if it’s just age or what but slower, throwback, metal really allures me now. Ghost were perhaps the first to draw me in. Puppy take that fascination to another level. Vocalist Jack Norton acknowledge his love for both metal and MTV’s 120 Minutes growing up. Someone else who also likes Hum! “World Stands Still” in its foundation has NWOBHM structure with a ton of modern day groove metal bridging between. Their best song to date “Black Hole” combines the majesty of Ghost and the stoner riffs of Kyuss. Undeniably bewitching. Mark the release of their debut album The Goat in your calendar.
Disaesthetic 