Here is my list, same stuff as many months previously!
Dopamines - Vices: Midwest basement punk. Not nerdy/wimpy enough to be pop punk, and not gruff enough to be beardo ponx. Great from top to bottom, and in my opinion the best sounding release they've done so far.
Mixtapes - Even On The Worst Nights: I suppose these guys/gal get described as new school mallpunk, and I can't really argue against that. What I can say though, is that more new school mallpunk bands should be like them. They've covered Kung Fu Monkeys and have been the backing band for Dr. Frank (Mr. T Experience), so they know their roots - or at least know the bands to cite as influences to make me like them.
Ben Kweller - Go Fly A Kite: I've always liked this guy. This album is nothing new, in fact it's probably a step back from
Changing Horses. But, the good ol' sugary power pop hit my sweet tooth when this album came out early in the year and I haven't tired of it yet, so I take that as a good sign.
Redd Kross - Researching The Blues: Another album that doesn't offer many surprises (for an old Redd Kross fan), but it charms me with it's endless amount of hooks.
Beach Boys - That's Why God Made The Radio: I'm officially old. But, I really like this album. While the vocals are divine, this is not "classic" Beach Boys or even late 60s/early 70s Beach Boys. This totally sounds like 80s/90s-era Beach Boys (aka not really the Beach Boys) that you (unfortunately) heard on stuff like
Still Cruisin' or
Summer In Paradise. BUT, the difference of course is that these songs are great. I also love how they at least lyrically harken back to older Beach Boys stuff.
Hmmm, can't find any youtubes of the album? Anyway, that's my top 5. More after dinner!
