1. In Utero - Nirvana: This album is one of the first albums I ever listened to when I first got into rock music. I could probably go ahead and say that every Nirvana album is just as good (in different ways) but for some reason, this album has always been my favourite of their's. The album starts off with "Serve the Servants." The opening line to this song is one of my favourites as well: "Teenage angst has paid off well, now I'm bored and old." Kurt Cobain was a lyrical genius in my opinion. I've listened to this album 1000 times but the songs that stick out to me a lot are "Very Ape" and "Milk It." I also think having "All Apologies" as the final track just ties the whole album together.
2. This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) - Chevelle: There's a long story about how I've gotten into Chevelle. But, with where I've ended up, these brothers are my favourite band now. I debated between which of their albums I love most but I picked this album because it is so innovative and the songs are heavy. Pete's an incredible lyricist anyway (if you haven't figured it out, I'm big on lyrics) but this album especially is unique because Pete and Sam decided to avoid rhyming in order to challenge themselves with writing. The guitar sound has a lot of drop tuning which gives the album an almost sad, pretty vibe. The drumming is a ton of double bass kick which I'm a huge fan of. Also with Chevelle in general, melody is HUGE. The melodies are so addicting. You may think you don't like Chevelle (I originally disliked them for several reasons) but seriously give this album a listen. My favourites include "Another Know It All," "Breach Birth," and "Get Some."
3. The Fame Monster - Lady Gaga: I've been a fan of Gaga for awhile. I have my sister to blame for that. I know a lot of people don't like her, but I think not only is her music catchy (obviously) but she writes her own stuff, which is rare these days and she's truly a full-on performance artist. This album isn't just another pop album. I've read that each song is supposed to represent a different monster in her life, whether that be drinking or a person or whatever. The album is only 8 songs, but each one is eerie and complex. I would argue that Bad Romance is one of the greatest songs ever written (and the video is amazing). I think it's interesting that she'd write about someone loving everything ugly in someone else. Don't dismiss this just because it's Gaga. Listen to it. Faves: "Bad Romance" & "Teeth."
4. Human Resources - It's Alive: I met IA on a tour in 2010. I became friends with the guys and still remember buying this album for $10 from Clay (the guitarist) at Bogart's in Cincinnati after the show. My sister and I were following that tour (for another band) and were driving from Cincinnati to Cleveland that night. We popped the album into our Scion's CD player and literally played it on repeat during the entire drive. We were going through something that night and this album was saying what we wanted to hear. We would pick up certain lyrics and begin analyzing. That summer, I listened to this album nonstop. The stories behind the songs are intense. There's something about this album that I just can't quite put into words. I do know that every time I go back and listen to songs off of it though, I remember exactly how I felt the first time I heard it. This album is simply incredible. Favourites here are "Questions," "Dialysis," and "Fool For You."
5. No Name No Color - Middle Class Rut: This album was a more recent find for me. I heard the single "New Low" when it first came out in 2010 and my sister got super into this album. Then, we finally had the chance to see these guys (who are a 2-man band btw) this year twice in a 7-day period. After I saw them, I started listening to the album. My sister told me that they wrote these songs and then recorded them immediately so that they didn't lose the urgency behind them. When you listen to the music, you can hear that. The music is so odd, but the fact that Zack and Sean both sing is quite interesting. The lyrics are also so honest. This album just has a lot of emotion behind it. It also doesn't hurt that I have a huge crush on Zack. I go through phases, but right now I'm digging the song "I Guess You Could Say" (which I'm currently listening to). Other faves are: "Busy Bein' Born," "Sad to Know," and "Cornbred."
6. Nox Aeris - Janus: I met these guys back in 2010. I've now developed an interesting friendship with them after seeing them countless times. I loved a lot off of their first album and they're good live. Then this album came out. It's twice as heavy as the last album. I love everything about it. The music is strange and interesting. And I had the pleasure of hearing the stories behind all the songs from David (the singer). The single "Stains" is unexpected sounding but so intense. A couple of my favourite songs are "Waive" and "Lifeless." This band and this album are really unlike anything else and require a certain kind of taste. But once you like it, you'll love it.
3. The Fame Monster - Lady Gaga: I've been a fan of Gaga for awhile. I have my sister to blame for that. I know a lot of people don't like her, but I think not only is her music catchy (obviously) but she writes her own stuff, which is rare these days and she's truly a full-on performance artist. This album isn't just another pop album. I've read that each song is supposed to represent a different monster in her life, whether that be drinking or a person or whatever. The album is only 8 songs, but each one is eerie and complex. I would argue that Bad Romance is one of the greatest songs ever written (and the video is amazing). I think it's interesting that she'd write about someone loving everything ugly in someone else. Don't dismiss this just because it's Gaga. Listen to it. Faves: "Bad Romance" & "Teeth."
4. Human Resources - It's Alive: I met IA on a tour in 2010. I became friends with the guys and still remember buying this album for $10 from Clay (the guitarist) at Bogart's in Cincinnati after the show. My sister and I were following that tour (for another band) and were driving from Cincinnati to Cleveland that night. We popped the album into our Scion's CD player and literally played it on repeat during the entire drive. We were going through something that night and this album was saying what we wanted to hear. We would pick up certain lyrics and begin analyzing. That summer, I listened to this album nonstop. The stories behind the songs are intense. There's something about this album that I just can't quite put into words. I do know that every time I go back and listen to songs off of it though, I remember exactly how I felt the first time I heard it. This album is simply incredible. Favourites here are "Questions," "Dialysis," and "Fool For You."
5. No Name No Color - Middle Class Rut: This album was a more recent find for me. I heard the single "New Low" when it first came out in 2010 and my sister got super into this album. Then, we finally had the chance to see these guys (who are a 2-man band btw) this year twice in a 7-day period. After I saw them, I started listening to the album. My sister told me that they wrote these songs and then recorded them immediately so that they didn't lose the urgency behind them. When you listen to the music, you can hear that. The music is so odd, but the fact that Zack and Sean both sing is quite interesting. The lyrics are also so honest. This album just has a lot of emotion behind it. It also doesn't hurt that I have a huge crush on Zack. I go through phases, but right now I'm digging the song "I Guess You Could Say" (which I'm currently listening to). Other faves are: "Busy Bein' Born," "Sad to Know," and "Cornbred."
6. Nox Aeris - Janus: I met these guys back in 2010. I've now developed an interesting friendship with them after seeing them countless times. I loved a lot off of their first album and they're good live. Then this album came out. It's twice as heavy as the last album. I love everything about it. The music is strange and interesting. And I had the pleasure of hearing the stories behind all the songs from David (the singer). The single "Stains" is unexpected sounding but so intense. A couple of my favourite songs are "Waive" and "Lifeless." This band and this album are really unlike anything else and require a certain kind of taste. But once you like it, you'll love it.
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