Top Albums of 2009

This is by no means in any order. I don't like doing that with my music because i like multiple genres and each album brings something different.

Baroness - Blue Album

Polar Bear Club - Chasing Hamburg

Mos Def - The Ecstatic

Nothington - Roads, Bridges, and Ruins

Kid Cudi - Kid From Cleveland mixtape

Trophy Scars - Bad Luck

K'naan - Troubadour

Maylene and the Sons of Disaster - III

Wale - Attention: Deficit

Sights and Sounds - Monolith

Trophy Scars

Trophy Scars - Bad Luck

So I just heard these dudes for the first time last night with Fear Before, Baptized in Blood, and Dancing With Paris. They absolutely blew me away. In a scene thats filled with bands that all sound the same and are influenced by the same bands, this band was a huge breath of fresh air. To me they seemed like what would happen if Nick Cave decided to put together a hard rock album. They mix bluesy guitar, and southern roots music with harsh throat shredding. Givem a listen.DOWNLOAD

One of my all time favorites and Jay-Z

Big news for my i-pod. Hopefully yours too. No Every Time I Die for you guys. That albums everywhere including the blog I link to on this site. Im giving you 2 others. One of my top 5 bands and Jay-Z are dropping albums this next week. I've gottem ahead of time for ya.

Moneen - The World i Want to Leave Behind (Canadian Content)



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So I love these dudes. One of the best live bands i've ever seen. Everything they do just puts a smile on my face. I haven't fully taken in the album. However It doesn't quite compare to their previous release titled The Red Tree. But it would almost be impossible to do so. They are in my opinion, the only good emo band that still lives. Aside from Saves the Day if they are still around. Something that also could be a cause for concern is the departure of the band's long time drummer. Give it a listen, make your own opinion. As far as im concerned the jury is still out.

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Jay - Z - The Blueprint 3


new Jay - Z album. Nuff said.

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part 1
part 2

enjoy

Three Albums!!!!!!

Today I'm throwing up three if my favorite albums from 3 different genres. For my hardcore friends out there I have Misfortunes by This is Hell. This is one of my favorite albums to come out in the past 3 years. I stand behind it whole-heartedly. Its very gang vocals driven. gives a great live feel.

This is Hell - Misfortunes


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For my Hip-hop friends i have Renaissance by Q-tip. Great underrated album. Gettin Up is a highlight for me.

Q-Tip - Renaissance

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Lastly i have Dead Ringer by RJD2 for both my electronic and hip-hop friends. This album is mostly beats. This is the album that really put RJD2 on the map.

RJD2 - Deadringer




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Four Year Strong - Explains it All

The title of the album spells it all for the pop-punk/hardcore band. The album is a tribute to the songs that the band members listened to when they were children during the 90's, leading to their sing-along pop sound. It's really nothing new as its been done on countless punk goes pop albums. But it is one hell of a fun album. It the perfect album for the summer and well worth a listen. Im most certainly blaring it from the car while camping.


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DANCING WITH PARIS - There's Something in the Water (canadian content)

After 3+ months of construction my best friends in Dancing With Paris have released their first EP titled There's Something in the Water. My dudes have never sounded better. Upon first listen to the ep i thought it sounded like a mix between Vanna and Bury Your Dead. However each time through you pick up different influences. James' melodic vocals on The Hardwalk of Champions aound so much like Dallas off of Alexisonfires' self titled album. You almost double take at first. Half the fun of listening to the album is trying to pick out all the bands that influenced certian parts. Overall the production is top notch thanks to the work of Shawn Lefebrve. These boys have come a long way and they are only getting started. Check them out at the their myspace and give them a shout.

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The Dear Hunter - Act 3 Life and Death

Another great release by Casey Crescenzo. After breaking off from The Receiving Ends of Sirens, Crescenzo put his ample creativity and imagination into his Dear Hunter. A friend of mine upon listening to Act 2 told me it sounded like emo showtunes from New Orleans. Not too far off. The albums actually sound as if they are from a musical. One that I would pay to see. Im putting the newly released Act 3 up for download because the link i had used is no longer working and my friend wanted to hear it. You can thank him. Along with the download im thowing a link to a live set. enjoy!


Download 1st half
Download 2nd half

The Fitzpatrick Incident - A Partisan Effort (Canadian Content)

A hard hitting hardcore act from the Toronto area. Nice dudes, positive messages, angry music. They remind me of a young Comeback Kid but more breakdown heavy. I really enjoy the dual vocal dynamic that the 2 vocalists have. Its a good mix of traditional hardcore-punk vocals and the more common metalcore screams. Some disagree and some may not be feeling it, but I do. They are a very hardworking band without any record deal, so if you do listen to the album and like it, go out and support them. They often put on big hardcore shows in the gta.

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Maylene has a new album?!?!?!

They do. Its great. Some people may be disappointed with the lack of traditional hardcore breakdowns, but that's been gone since the first album. I've felt like the southern hardcore style has been over done and played out recently and very few bands do it as well as it should be done. In my opinion this album sounds less like a hardcore band playing with a southern style and now sound like a southern rock band playing with metal influences. The second last track on the album, Oh Lonely Grave, sends chills down my spine. In my opinion it takes everything that the first 2 albums did well and encompasses it all into one song. The final track on the album is so chilling and it sounds like it came right out of a western movie. Overall a fantastic album from one of my top 5 favorite bands.

ps. If any of you ever get the chance to see these guys live, do not pass it up. I saw them a few weeks back and it was the most enjoyable show i've seen in a very long time.

because each album has changed a fair bit i thought id throw all 3 up here going in reverse order.

Cheers.

III.


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II.
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I.

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On the Sidewalk Bleeding - On the Concrete (Canadian Content)

Really good guys from western Canada. They just recently played a couple shows with my best friends in Dancing With Paris. They put on a great show. As far as their music style... they strike me as a mix between Emery and Anthony Greene era Saosin. But with more of a hardcore influence. They are putting there EP up for download at their site so i thought id put it up here as well. Be sure to check out there tour dates and check them out when they come around.


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So here goes. For my first post im gunna throw up 3 early albums by 3 of my favorite underrated hip-hop artists. And one mixtape that has been floating around the net. Im sure you all know at least some of these guys.

Kid Cudi - A Kid Named Cudi (mix tape 2008)


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Mos Def - Black on Both Sides (1999)



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Gym Class Heroes - For the Kids (2001)

I apologize for the first track of this album being cut short. I have not been able to locate the full track for the life of me.

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Shad - When This Is Over (Canadian content 2005)

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