By ANN ESCAMILLA, Staff Reporter.
1. Modern Baseball- “You’re Gonna Miss It All”
This album is jam-packed with clever wordplay mixed along with nervous punk adolescent lyrics displaying ideas of the future, flaky friends, beer, food and relationship problems. The songs often have a funny presence to them and recall embarrassing romantic mess ups. Nevertheless, many people can relate to the honest lyrics from lead singer Brendan Lukens. The whole album is something that you could scream to while driving in your car (or maybe that’s just me.)
2. Tigers Jaw- “Charmer”
I feel like crying whenever I listen to this album and I have no idea why. It might be because it consists of the most heart wrenching lyrics I’ve ever heard. Such as, “we always want what is kept from us” or “you are a permanent scar.” Yes, those are from the same song, but really, they hurt. The slow, grungy pace of this album mixed with tons of emotion makes everything 100x better and real. This album doesn’t just tell you what you want to hear, it tells you the cold honest truth. “I wasn’t worth your time” Is just one of the gut-wrenching facts.
3. Alvvays- “Alvvays”
When I think of Alvvays, the image of a girl who is too shy to talk to her crush pops into my head. I think the lyric “How do I grow old with you even if you don’t notice as I pass by you on the subway” helps justify that. Nonetheless, this album with its hazy, dreamy feel envelops you with a sense of calm and relaxation. Most of the songs are a tragic story of love and lust. “I never really know what’s on your mind/ is it ever me or just someone you left behind.”
4. Courtney Barnett- “The Double Ep: A Sea Of Split Peas”
If you don’t feel like doing anything and are just a carefree person, then you and Courtney Barnett have something in common. It feels like she really didn’t mean to make an album, but somehow it just happened anyway. She sings with a sluggish, deadpan voice and her lyrics are a witty rambling nonsense. “The paramedic thinks I’m clever cos I play guitar, I think she’s clever cos she stops people dying”. Yes, those are actual lyrics. It’ll make you laugh because it’s so weird, but that’s what makes it so good.
5. Angel Olsen- “Burn Your Fire For No Witness”
The enchanting voice of Angel Olsen sends waves of mysterious, wonderful tones to its listeners. However, this album does have a kind of dark, unexplained presence. “Everything is tragic, it all just falls apart.” The subtle pace of the guitar and her monotone voice has to make you wonder just what happened to create such a haunting album. Olsen brings the truth of heartbreak into the open light. “You’re with me, but you’re gone.” She sings truthfully and from the soul.
6. Parquet Courts- “Content Nausea”
When you first listen to these guys you might be thinking, “what the hell??” I know I sure did. These 12 songs are truthful thrill rides that get better and better as the album goes on. Parquet Courts are definitely not boring nor just an album to overlook. Their spunky, speedy, indie-punk vibe is fantastic and magical. Yes, magical. When lead singer Andrew Savage sings it feels as though he’s just talking with the beat, making their sound even more interesting.
7. Real Estate- “Atlas”
This album makes you feel like you are gently floating away into a wonderful paradise with a ton of free beer. When you listen to this album, all your problems disappear. Love, lust and romance are all covered within this album. “We can talk for hours.” The laid back tone of Martin Courtney’s voice takes all your troubles away and brings you into a world where everything is okay.
8. Spoon- “They Want My Soul”
It’s not really rock, and it’s not really pop. It’s indie-pop-rock, if that can even be an actual thing. These 10 songs are catchy from beginning to end. Each song has a different rhythm, but somehow they all flow together as one, with their intense lyrics and slow churning instruments. With the seven albums that Spoon has out this is definitely one for the books.
9. Mac DeMarco- “Salad Days”
I feel high when I’m listening to Salad Days. This album is calming and has such an easygoing sound. Tracks feature relationships, quirky lyrics and the mastering of instruments. Singing the honest truth DeMarco knows how to put real life situations into a smooth easygoing songs.
10. Iceage- “Plowing Into The Field Of Love”
This album displays the essence of punk teenagers: cutting edge, fresh, 80’s. The lyrics are interesting and the band plays their instruments very well. They are expressive and demonstrate a punk rock that’s intelligent. Some parts of this album are dark, but isn’t that what punk rock is about? Not caring? Not showing feeling? No remorse? This album is punk rock all the way.
