Here’s a fairly comprehensive list of albums that slayed me this year. It must be said there’s been dozens of fantastic releases this year but these ones never once left my Spotify playlists, much to the dismay of just about everyone near and dear to me.
1. Transgender Dysphoria Blues AGAINST ME!
This band still have an almost flawless catalogue. You’d think all the dramas of the past 24 months may have detracted from the band’s cohesiveness and vision but they only made for more compelling listening.
2. M.I. MASKED INTRUDER
It’s such a shame this band has produced two impeccable pop punk albums and yet so few people are familiar with them. They should be doing headlining tours of Australia by now. If you’re ever blue and in an unshakable funk, please consider playing this one start to finish. Its unabashed ridiculousness and glittering vocal harmonies can revive even the darkest soul.
3. Tales THE PEEP TEMPEL
Comfortably the best Aussie release of the year, this album has personality by the bucket load without ever losing that signature Aussie drawl, and without ever becoming trite or overcooked.
4. You’re Gonna Miss It All MODERN BASEBALL
Though the lyrics can grate a little at times (especially if you’re over 30 and done with the kind of teenage drama that is thoroughly documented here), Modern Baseball have casually released one of the best vaguely folk punk LPs of the last decade.
5. No Coast BRAID
I knew nothing of Braid before No Coast raised its pretty little head earlier this year, but I sure am glad I’ve discovered their first album in 16 years. Contextually, I can’t place it amongst their other releases but No Coast shows that these old hands can do mid-tempo alt rock more thoughtfully than any of their younger peers.
6. I Don’t Wanna Be Anywhere But Here CERES
The surprise hit of the year was also the feel good hit of the year. Melbourne’s Ceres explored their ‘90s influences and came up trumps. This album is riddled with hooks but they’re all delivered so unassumingly that instead of sounding like bona fide stadium-filling alt-rock revivalists they sound like accidental heroes.
7. Rooms Of The House LA DISPUTE
This release is really nothing but thoroughly fucking masterful. Though incredibly wordy and at times totally overwhelming, it’s a genuinely gorgeous release from these punk rock wunderkinds. And their live performance at The Corner Hotel this year? Easily the year’s best.
8. The Physical World DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979
If you’re in the mood for clocking up some speeding fines this summer, jam this one on and let your right foot down. MAN these guys totally delivered in the face of insane expectations. What a fucking relentless, brain-tingling banger.
9. By A Thread LUCA BRASI
Unpretentious. That’s gotta’ be the key word when describing Luca Brasi. This one wasn’t nearly as much raucous, tits-out-fun as their previous LP but it was real, and littered with thoughtful Aus punk jams that will make your heart ache.
10. Pup PUP
Did anyone see this band coming? I sure as shit didn’t. This debut snuck up on me via Side One Dummy and kicked me square in the dick. This is progressive party pop punk, delivered by some seriously amicable Canadians. More please.
And now, the news…
The Bennies are hitting the road with Foxtrot on their Party Whirlwind tour. They’ll touring the country pretty comprehensively and playing one of their biggest rooms for a headlining show to date. See them at Northcote Social Club on Saturday March 21 or if you prefer the all-ages vibes then go to Wrangler Studios in West Footscray on Sunday March 22. Tickets can be purchased now at www.thebennies.com.au.
Frank Turner has announced a second Corner Hotel show after his first on Sunday April 12 sold-out. You can now see sir and the Sleeping Souls smash out some troubadour goodness on Sunday March 15 at The Corner. Be quick though.
Mineral tickets for their much anticipated Australian shows have been moving fast and as a result, their Tuesday February 24 performance at The Reverence has sold out. Make sure you see them on Wednesday February 25 with Texas Is The Reason frontman Garrett Klahn (performing TITR classics of course) and Brisbane legends Arrows.
Soundwave have added more bands to their bill for 2015 and this is reportedly the final list of additions. They saved some good stuff for last. In February, you can see The Smashing Pumpkins, Steel Panther, Falling In Reverse, Exodus, The Vandals, Rival Sons, King Parrot and Raglans tearing up the Showgrounds on Saturday February 21 and Sunday February 22. Tickets are on sale now.
Remember The Matches? They’re touring the country to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their breakthrough debut album E Von Dhal Killed The Locals. They’re going to have Have/Hold and New Travellers on hand to open their Saturday January 17 Corner Hotel show too. Good stocking-stuffer for those pop punk tragics out there.
