We asked the PIV team, a bunch of local musicians, and other rad people what their favorite albums of 2015 were, and after spreadsheets and formulas and math and staff, we boiled all that down into the definitive Punks in Vegas top 10 list! Want to know who contributed? Be sure to check out our individual lists in part one, two and three. And after you’re done reading, tell us what you agree with or what we missed out on in the comments!
1) Jeff Rosenstock – We Cool?
I love that I never know where Jeff’s songs are going to end up. I’ve had my eardrums obliterated more than once listening to a Bomb the Music Industry or Jeff solo song that all of a sudden ups the ante in the best and most unpredictable way. I wish this was the pop music everyone was listening to. Well, lyrics about alternately watching porn and RoboCop, and the disillusionment that comes with being our age, still drinking at house shows might not be for everyone, but it is certainly for me. His songs are wild, beautiful and insightful, and I appreciate him reminding me that “despite what the advertisement says, malt liquor doesn’t make you young.” (Ashleigh Thompson)
Jeff Rosenstock on Facebook | Purchase We Cool?
2) Teenage Bottlerocket – Tales from Wyoming
Two of my favorite things are punk rock and being in love, and Tales From Wyoming perfectly encompasses both of those. Throw in some songs about murder, pizza, and Minecraft, and you’ve got a pretty well rounded album. (Julien Boulton)
Teenage Bottlerocket on Facebook | Purchase Tales from Wyoming
3) Turnover – Peripheral Vision
Turnover’s second full length Peripheral Vision is much more refined than previous releases. Their layered vocal parts, the dream-like guitar melodies and driving rhythm sections show a clear maturation. The re-recorded version of “I Would Hate You If I Could” off their four-way split rules. (Cameron Beck)
Turnover on Facebook | Purchase Peripheral Vision
4) Beach Slang – The Things We Do to Find People Who Feel Like Us
The album hardly needs any explanation as to why it’s on my, and everybody else’s list. It’s goddamn amazing and anthemic from start to end. (Alan Madrigal)
Beach Slang on Facebook | Purchase The Things We Do to Find People Who Feel Like Us
5) Title Fight – Hyperview
This record is a total departure from their previous release Floral Green. Swirling guitars move them more into shoegaze territory and out of post hardcore cliche. This record was hinted at by the excellent Spring Songs 7″, and I was hopeful that they would follow that direction. They pulled off a really pretty record, that sings me through the end of my workday almost every day. (Nick Shelton)
Title Fight on Facebook | Purchase Hyperview
6) Bad Cop/Bad Cop – Not Sorry
I was lucky to hear several of these songs acoustically early in the year when we recorded them for our stripped-down sessions and immediately fell in love with the catchy lyrics, and amazing harmonies. When I finally got to hear the album, it far exceeded my expectations and will be in my music rotation for years to come. (Aaron Mattern)
Bad Cop / Bad Cop on Facebook | Purchase Not Sorry
7) toyGuitar – In This Mess
Lo-fi garage rock from members of Swingin’ Utters and the Re-Volts. In This Mess continues Jack Dalrymple’s streak of never releasing a record that’s less than awesome. (Emily Matview)
toyGuitar on Facebook | Purchase In This Mess
8) The A-OKs – Maybe Partying Will Help
It sucks that the A-OKs recently broke up, because I really only recently have gotten into the band. They remind me a lot of Reel Big Fish before RBF became all about self-loathing and hating being in a band. Great energy, catchy lyrics, songs about partying, they’re basically a ska Andrew WK. (Aaron Mattern)
The A-Oks on Facebook | Purchase Maybe Partying Will Help
9) Desaparecidos – Payola
Look, I’m sure this album doesn’t need my help but the fact is that it fucking shreds. Noisy guitars, dissonant synths/keys, and Conor Oberst’s trademark vocal style. (Christopher Piro)
Desaparecidos on Facebook | Purchase Payola
10) Hop Along – Painted Shut
This is the band to end all bands. Moments captured in four minute cases for you to swallow. What a great way to soothe the agonies of life. Powerful hooks and shredding shredding shredding wonky licks. Inspiring and deliberate, it’s comforting to see artists who are so honest about their faults and doubts, it allows us all to grow. Thanks. (Joel Kirschenbaum)
Hop Along on Facebook | Purchase Painted Shut
That’s a wrap! Check back with us Monday as we wrap up 2015 with a free comp.
PIV “Favorites of 2015″ banner created by Andy Harrison @ Empire13.
No Comments