My Albums of 2016

Well it's finally drawing to a close and regarding politics and celebrity deaths, 2016 hasn't been the best of years. However, it has been an amazing year for music, particularly for the revival of British pop punk we've seen over the last few years. So, in no particular order here are the albums that stood out most to me alongside a list of other albums I've enjoyed listening to.

Moose Blood - Blush 

Without a doubt this is one of my favourite and highly anticipated albums of the year. From chilling track, Spring - to guitar driven Pastel, Blush is a record full of sentimental songs that make you feel all the emotions possible. lyrically, nothing is sugar coated as vocalist Eddy Brewerton comes out with some raw, hard hitting lines such as "The way you died, did it hurt at all?" If there's one thing Moose Blood do best alongside bands such as Real Friends and The Wonder Years, it's keeping 'emo' relevant.

There has been a slight change in the bands sound since their 2014 release I'll Keep You In Mind, but you won't be disappointed. This band are onto something big.

Basement - Promise Everything

I only heard a few songs prior to this album but liked what I heard. Promise Everything quickly became an album I listened to on a regular basis.

If you ever want proof of the phrase 'less is more' then look no further, as Promise Everything doesn't sound overproduced. There's subtle tempo changes throughout, the guitar and drums are complimentary  - there's nothing fancy going on but it works. Upon first listen you may assume they're just another grunge driven band but upon second listen you see how much more has been put into it. Laced with melodies and giving you that melancholy feeling, it's definitely an album to relax to.

Boston Manor - Be Nothing

Despite only having released EP's, Boston Manor has received quite a big following across the UK. So it's not surprising they were in hot pursuit to release debut album Be Nothing.

What I like most about this record is that every track seems to bleed emotion. Upon first listen it's clear Boston Manor must have bent over backwards working on Be Nothing. It is well crafted, atmospheric and full of hooks that will get caught in your head. From opening track Burn You Up, to more melodic tracks such as Fossa, the drums and guitar help fuel the fire that brings this album to life.

One thing I've noticed is how impeccable the songwriting is throughout. Vocalist, Henry Cox isn't afraid to take a dark, nihilistic approach to life experiences. In my opinion Be Nothing comes across as a coming of age album that uses personal experiences such heartbreak, regret and moving on to it's strengths.

Architects - All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us

From intricate rhythms to vocalist, Sam Carter's signature 'bleh', Architects just have that prominent metalcore sound, and it works so well. Looking at song titles such as Nihilist to pulling apart lyrical content, this record gives off an overall apocalyptic vibe and there's no holding back. So much passion has been put into this album and tracks include lyrics about religious connotation, self destruction and politics.

However, if there's one thing I love the most about this band aside from their music it is their ability to stay strong and still continue to tour after the guitarist, Tom Searle lost his battle to cancer this summer. What the future holds for this band is uncertain.

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Letlive - If I'm The Devil

I still struggle to put this band under one particular genre but if I had to I would make it up and say post hardcore/experimental. Being a band that crosses genres can be risky business. However,  Letlive are a band that always seem manage to pull it off.

On this record, the band do well to maintain that punky overlay within each track. Overall, there's catchy hooks and hell of a lot of distortion with an abundance of other styles. The sound has changed slightly since 2013's - The Blackest Beautiful, but if anything it feels more cinematic and atmospheric.

In my opinion, vocalist Jason Aalon Butler is one of the greatest frontmen around in rock at the moment. For a start, his vocal range is exceptional - one minute he will be pretty rowdy and almost preacher like, next he will be almost whispering. Be it his monologue in I've Learned To Love Myself or lyrical content in Good Mourning America, Butler isn't afraid to spill his guts open regarding his views on political incorrectness, oppression and personal reflections.

Blink-182 - California 

This is the first album in five years and their first without Tom Delonge. A majority of fans might argue that there is no Blink-182 without Delonge. However, in my opinion, their choice of replacement Alkaline Trio's frontman, Matt Skiba was exceptional.

The overall sound is pretty divergent to 2011's Neighbourhoods, but it works in their favour. Skiba's vocals gel well with the style and Barker once again provides the backbone on the drums. When it comes to riffs, catchy choruses and 'na na nas', there's still that shimmer of old school Blink listeners will appreciate. This record overall is a bittersweet tribute to their hometown including a song partially about Delonge (San Diego), which Hoppus apparently never wanted to write. Just when you think they got serious they throw in the classic dick humour interludes that fans will love. California is 16 tracks of proof that Blink-182 are just as relevant as ever.

Sum 41 - 13 Voices

After five years, the Canadian pop punk band is back. 13 Voices is a ten track record that completely lives up to the hype. Over the last decade the band have matured their sound. Sure, when it comes to the 'fun factor' and throwing in elements of hip hop, 13 Voices doesn't feel as old school. However, despite changes since the golden days of Fat Lip, there's still the extensive guitar solos, catchy riffs and classic sum 41 traits that will spark the nostalgia.

From song titles to lyrical content,  Singer - Deryck Whibley's personal issues and battle with alcoholism are apparent throughout. It takes some guts to be so open about reflecting on the past, confronting demons. and coming out on the better side of things. There's a presence of hope throughout the tracks and I think that's something which makes this record special.

ROAM - Backbone 

ROAM are another amazing British pop punk band who, in my opinion are underrated. They have worked hard since their EPs No Common Ground and Head Down and manage to stand out above water alongside other brit bands like Neck Deep.

The opener to ROAMS debut album Backbone, The Desmond Show is pretty unconventional and grabs your attention straight away. From there on it builds the anticipation of what's to come. There's something about this record that releases such positive vibes. The songs really get under your skin in the best way possible. Each track has everything you would expect to hear in a pop punk record. Backbone showcases punchy riffs, energetic drums, dual vocals and relentlessly catchy lyrics. It's cliche for the new era pop punk bands to have at least one acoustic track on each album in this case it comes in the form of Tracks. The contrast to other tracks on the album works well and the lyrics resonate.

What I like about this band is that they don't take themselves too seriously. Their fans obviously don't either, as they stitched the band up a few days ago, voting them as the worst UK band according to RockSound. Pop punk is supposed to be about having fun and ROAM provide that plus more.

Real Friends - The Home Inside My Head

Anyone who has listened to Real Friends before knows what to expect (basement shows, songs about hometowns and friends). However, the bands sophomore album THIMH seems more mature than previous releases. Predictably, there's running themes of regret, heartbreak and nostalgia but gone are the days of singing about "sleepy eyes and bony knees." Instead they're replaced with Dan Lambton's blunt, unapologetic lyrics about reflecting on life experiences, and "Fucking up and getting over it." 

There's no denying the essence of mental health within this album. What I love about it is alongside records such as Paramore's self-titled album, is it's ability to tell you that it's ok to not be ok. Although wistful and occasionally cheesy, the content is relatable. I'm not ashamed to say I've had my share of anxiety and depression. So lyrics such as "Last year I was a train wreck, now I'm just a mess" and lines about feeling disconnected stick out. As negative as I make this record out to be, it's really not. If anything, it has the ability to pick you up when you're down, make you realise you're not alone and gives you a glimmer of hope.

Real Friends play to their strengths across this album and although it's not my favourite one they have done, it still remains in my top albums of 2016

Other albums I've enjoyed this year

A Day To Remember - Bad Vibrations
The Amity Affliction - This Could Be Heartbreak
David Bowie - Blackstar
LA Dispute - Tiny Dots
Trash Boat -  Nothing I Write You Can Change What You've Been Through
Bury Tomorrow - Earthbound
Hands Like Houses - Dissonants
Thrice - To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere
Deftones - Gore
Pierce The Veil - Misadventures
Jimmy Eat World - Integrity Blues
Like Pacific - Distant Like You Asked
Balance And Composure - Light We Made
Panic At The Disco - Death of a Bachelor
With Confidence - Better Weather
Childish Gambino - Awaken My Love
Avenged Sevenfold - The Stage
Drake - Views
The Weeknd - Starboy
Issues - Headspace
Beartooth - Agressive
The 1975 - I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It
Blossoms - Self Titled
Viola Beach - Self Titled
Mike Posner - At Night, Alone
Russian Circles - Guidance
This Wild Life - Low Tides

The albums that have stayed with me

This was originally supposed to be a Top Ten piece. However, the more I tried to think, the more difficult it became to squeeze my choices into just ten albums. These albums are not necessarily ones I still listen to. However, there will always be a place in my heart for them. There are many positive and negative memories that come with these records but I would not change that. They helped shape me and made me the person I am today. Whether they are good choices or not, I hope some of these personal choices will make readers feel slightly nostalgic about their own lives.

There were so many albums I wish I could have added to the list including, You Me At Six, Funeral For a Friend and Pendulum. However I just assumed if I wrote too much, who would actually be bothered to carry on reading?

In no particular order, here are my choices.

1.) Good Charlotte – The Young and the Hopeless (2002)

I still remember the first time I ever heard this album. I was on holiday in Wales and made some friends that I used to see every year at the camp site. My friend had brought his cousin down and it was him who had the CD on in the caravan. I mentioned how much I liked it to my dad and the next day he took me to Cob Records and bought it for me. Although I don’t listen to it half as much as I should, it remains one of my favourite albums.  I still love the irony of songs Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and Riot Girl, when singer Joel Madden ended up marrying socialite Nicole Richie.

This album then made me go and buy their debut self-titled album and every album after that up until Cardiology (2010), which I can't say I have even listened to. The last time I saw them live was 2011, then later that year they announced a hiatus. The Madden brothers have since released single - We Are Done, which I can't say I enjoyed. Stick to the old stuff guys.

2.) Less Than Jake – Anthem (2003)

The first time that I heard this record, I was in year 7 and at my mates New Years Eve party. I had always been into ska but had not really heard much ska punk except the occasional Reel Big Fish and Sublime songs. My friend and her brother introduced me to this album and I went out and bought it with my pocket money a few days later. It’s not like I had a laptop to listen to it or to download it. YouTube was not even invented then. 

To this day, LTJ are one of my favourite bands to see live as they are really entertaining and get members of the crowd up on stage. Once, when I was about 14, my dad even came to a gig, Vocalist, Chris DeMakes got my dad up on stage for a ‘fat guy press-up competition’. I have no words about how I felt at the time, I was that embarrassed but looking back it was hilarious. They may be getting old but they will be forever young at heart. 

3.) Linkin Park – Hybrid Theory (2000) 

Aside from Lostprophets, Start Something (which I will not discuss any further for obvious reasons), the first album my dad ever bought me was Hybrid Theory. My parents had recently purchased Sky TV and I was flicking through the music channels when the video for One Step Closer appeared on the screen. Up until the release of Minutes to Midnight (2007) I bought their albums. Although I have listened to the most recent ones, I just don't get the same vibes when I listen to them.  Anyway, Hybrid Theory in my opinion will forever stand out as being one of the best nu metal albums created.  

Confession: I still need to see this band live but I feel they would have been better to see in their heyday.  

4.) Busted –Self-Titled (2002)

Who doesn’t remember how awesome this album was when it was released?  I still recall that fateful day in January 2005 when the band announced they were splitting up so that Charlie could focus on his new band, Fightstar (who I also like anyway so it worked out well). Although they failed to break America, Busted broke plenty of hearts with their announcement after only releasing three albums.

Looking back at when I went to see Busted at an arena tour in 2004, I realised how awful they were at performing live.  However it was definitely more of a show than anything.  Although these guys were technically a boy band, I still like to remind myself that at least they played their own instruments and didn’t just dance around on stage like most 90s groups. 

Confession: I never did get the chance to see McBusted but if I did not have my final year of university to focus on, I would have loved to have gone. 

5.) Fall Out Boy – From Under the Cork Tree (2005) 

 Face it; the mid-2000s were the years of the genre ‘emo’.Technically it was pop punk but with just a hint of eyeliner, lyrics about suicide and ridiculously long song titles. What’s not to feel nostalgic about?

Don’t get me wrong, I still love all their albums, especially 2003’s, Take This to Your Grave but FUTCT just put me right in the middle of High School and my teenage years. It was the album that I listened to when I was feeling down but also the album I listened to on late drives home with my dad after ice hockey practice on a weekly basis. I still don’t think they released enough singles from this record. In my opinion, every song could pass as one. There are SO many things I could say about this album but I would blabber on for hours. 

 It was later that year that I was to purchase Paramore’s, All We Know Is Falling and Panic at The Disco’s, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out. In my opinion, 2005 was the year of pop punk. 

6.) Avril Lavigne – Let Go (2002)

Love her or hate her, you cannot deny that Avril Lavigne was massive back in the early 2000s. Her music seems to have gone downhill since marrying Nickelback vocalist, Chad Kroeger and releasing the not so great single Let Me Go: Feat her husband.  Actually, I think I stopped listening to Lavigne while I was still at high school.

Avril Lavigne was my role model when I was about ten years old. I was always a bit of a tomboy and her image was everything I, and many other girls began to follow. Tammy Girl sold all the baggy skater jeans and ties, Claire’s sold all the accessories but most of all she was the one artist me and my mates would agree on listening to when at each other’s houses.

I do not really listen to Avril Lavigne any more but this is one album that has stood out because oddly enough it helped get me into heavier music. I loved the choice of angry lyrics over a catchy pop hook. I think I just liked her teenage, no shit attitude and the fact she played a guitar. Guys fancied her, young girls wanted to be her. 

7.) Bullet For My Valentine- The Poison (2005)

I do not listen to BFMV much any more. I personally feel their albums have gradually become worse over the years, so much to the point that I find them quite boring. The last time I saw them live they went off stage for what felt like almost ten minutes during the encore. I am not sure what bands even bother going off stage any more when they can play an extra song instead.

The Poison as a debut album  is full of metal riffs, melodies and of course, solos.The first time I ever saw them perform was at Kerrang's very first UK tour in 2005, then known as the XXV Tour. The Poison is very much a metal album with an abundance of emo lyrics, attitude and solos that make you want to rock out on the air guitar.

8.) A Day to Remember - Homesick (2009)

I can't even remember when I first listened to this album but I fell in love instantly. I already had their previous two records but they did not listen to them very often. Whether it is a heavier track such as I'm Made of Wax... or acoustic favourite, Have Faith in Me, Homesick provides listeners with a wide variety of sound and songs you can't help but sing your heart out to. If this album has never made you want to headbang and sing at the top of your lungs then sorry, you are doing it wrong.

There is something about ADTR I just can't put my finger on. When I first listened to them they struck me as your typical, generic pop punk band. However, they remain a band who brought something different to the table when they combined it with heavy, post-hardcore breakdowns. The catchiness of the chorus and rawness of the lyrics just balance each other brilliantly. They are easily one of the best and heavier pop punk bands around.

9.) Bring Me The Horizon - Sempiternal (2013)

I was not sure what to think when I first heard this record. It was so different compared to anything I had heard by BMTH before. I’ll admit I prefer Suicide Season and There Is A Hell …to Count Your Blessings but I instantly liked the fact Oli Sykes had learnt to sing for the tracks found on Sempiternal. 

I felt so bad listening to the illegal stream but I could not help myself. Sykes himself just seemed so overwhelmed by the positive feedback that he did not seem too bothered by it. A few months after the album release, I broke up with my ex at the time. Listening to Sempiternal just made more sense to me afterwards than it ever had beforehand. 

I am not going to pretend I understand about drug abuse because I don’t. However, listening to Sempiternal yet again after Sykes came out about his Ketamine addiction, the lyrics just made so much more sense. It is clearly the bands most personal album and in my opinion the best one they have released. 

To me, this record was a complete game change for the band in terms of metal music. Their songs became more popular across national radios like Radio One and they brought in new keyboardist, Jordan Fish. I do miss ex-guitarist, Jona Weinhofen - who left the band in early 2013 much to the surprise of fans. BMTH seem to be managing just fine without him. 

10/11.) Paramore - All We Know Is Falling (2005)/ Self- Titled (2013)

The first time I heard this band I was just 13 years old. I instantly loved the fact there was a pop punk band I could listen to with a female singer, who was not even that much older than myself. As soon as I heard the single Pressure, I knew I would have to go and listen to the whole thing.

Although I love Riot and Brand New Eyes, the first thing I noticed about AWKIF was how much potential they had as a band. The songs on this record will get in your head for days on end, which is what makes it such a good album. Three remaining original members and four albums later, Paramore have proved that they are not going to dissolve into nothing and that they will continue to make music people can relate to.





















Paramore's Self-Titled album stands out as just so different to their other releases. With it being the first record the band had released since the Farro brothers left in 2010, I did not really know what to expect. It turned out to be one of my favourite records I had heard in ages. Except for a few singles, fans had waited four years for a new album, they were not let down.

For me, the things that I loved most about it were the lyrics about love, forgiveness and sarcasm all intertwined with monster choruses and catchy beats. The three acoustic interludes that are performed with just vocals and a ukulele split the tracks up well. After-all, it is a 17 track record. Listening to this record gave me a positive outlook on life. 

In all honesty, this and Sempiternal were the albums I listened to the most post-breakup. As a whole record, Paramore taught me that it was okay to be angry, feel lonely and be completely bitter. It also taught me that I had the ability to pick myself back up again, that friends and family are always there for me and most importantly, that I deserved better. 

12.)  Brand New - The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me (2006)

I was a few years late listening to Brand New. Sure, I had heard Sic Transit Gloria and a few other tracks from Deja Entendu but I never really bothered to go out to buy an album or go on YouTube. If there was a band none of my friends really listened to or my dad introduced me to it was this one.

Jesse Lacey's vocals completely stand out on this record, so much to the point it actually sends shivers down my spine. Comparing this to Deja Entendu and Your Favourite Weapon, the lyrics on TDAGARIM just seem that little more personal. Every track has it's own story, the right balance and a sense of mystery.

This album seems to go with whatever mood I am in, I could literally listen to it on a daily basis and never get bored of how hauntingly beautiful it is. Since listening to this I then had to go and get all their other records because they quickly became one of my favourite bands and still are today.