Interested in the most popular albums across the board? Based on who we polled in the individual lists, here are the crowd favorite records:
1. Title Fight – Floral Green
Title Fight is one of my favorite bands and when I learned they were putting out a new album in the fall, I preordered it and set my personal expectations fairly high. I remember putting the CD onto my computer, pressing play and just being mind-blown. This album is definitely their most mature release yet. I hear such maturity and musicianship in the songwriting of this album. Ned takes the wheel vocally, and I absolutely love it. At the same time, Jamie’s vocals are so full and clear. Jamie and Shane’s guitar parts work so well, finding the perfect blend for each track. Lyrically, this album is outstanding. Lines such as “I’ve led myself to believe the world has turned its back on me, how’s that for comforting?” really hit home for me. This album is definitely getting some mileage on my iTunes. (Cameron Beck)
Title Fight on Facebook | Purchase Floral Green
2. Last Call – Dog Years
After their label (Mightier Than Sword) collapsed while in the early stages of recording their debut LP, Las Vegas’ own Last Call were left with the decision to either call it a day or forge on ahead out of their own pockets. Thankfully they chose the latter, spending the better part of the year scrimping and saving to release an impressive full-length debut with Dog Years. Released on their newly-formed Broken Arrow Collective, the album collects 12 tracks that perfectly encapsulate life in your mid-twenties in Las Vegas. With similar style bands like The Wonder Years and Fireworks making huge names for themselves in the pop punk world, I don’t think it will be long before Last Call ends up the next big breakout band from our city. (Emily Matview)
Last Call on Facebook | Purchase Dog Years
3. Such Gold – Misadventures
With as much anticipation, and therefore pressure, as there was heading into this album, it’s amazing what Such Gold was able to do. Misadventures is passionate, intense, and as polished as the band has ever sounded. As always, the lyrics are insightful and thought-provoking, and the music itself teeters on the fence between chaos and harmony. (Felipe Garcia)
Such Gold on Facebook | Purchase Misadventures
4. Converge – All We Love We Leave Behind
One of my favorite bands in hardcore/metal always manages to find a way to push the genre forward and make their already perfect formula…more perfect. It’s not just a logical follow-up to 2009’s Axe to Fall, it’s so much more. (Ian Caramanzana)
Converge on Facebook | Purchase All We Love We Leave Behind
5. Menzingers – On the Impossible Past
I didn’t think The Menzingers would be able to top their sophomore album Chamberlain Waits, not because I didn’t think they had the talent but because it was just such a perfect album. But they did it, improving on their already impressive harmonies and inserting the biggest hooks into the most melancholy songs. I like this record so much that I chose to spend my bachelor party driving to California to see the band live right after the album dropped and I don’t regret it for a second. (Emily Matview)
The Menzingers on Facebook | Purchase On the Impossible Past
6. Propagandhi – Failed States
Failed States is possibly my favorite technical punk record to come out since A Wilhelm Scream’s Ruiner (we’ll see if that stands next year as AWS is due for a release). Propagandhi balanced the more progressive metal sound of their previous release, Supporting Caste with the skate-punk and even hardcore sound of their earlier work and the results are astounding. (Mac Miller)
Propagandhi on Facebook | Purchase Failed States
7. Stickup Kid – Nothing About Me
Some people make a separate list just for their favorite EP releases, but this EP was one of my favorite releases in general. Stickup Kid is one of my favorite up-and-coming bands that are making music right now. I love everything about this record; the music, the tones, the vocals and lyrics, everything. I’m a sucker for emo songs, and they write some amazing emo songs while still being punk as hell. Love these dudes. (Adam Blasco)
Stickup Kid on Facebook | Purchase Nothing About Me
8. Basement – Colourmeinkindness
Unfortunately, Basement was a band that I really got into after they disbanded. I was impressed by their previous releases, but colourmeinkindness goes outside the box. It’s well written and the musicianship (especially the vocals) is superb. (Cameron Beck)
Basement on Facebook | Purchase colourmeinkindness
9. Hot Water Music – Exister
In my opinion, this is HWM’s greatest work since 2002’s Caution. They expertly employ catchy rock hooks/melodies that instantly make me think of more recent Foo Fighters’ work. My favorite part of this band is the rhythm section and this album showcases their talent perfectly in tracks like “Drag My Body” and “Exister” with driving drums and precise, “busy” bass-lines. Another point I’d like to add is I wish I were Chuck Ragan. Listen to this album… if you didn’t love it, listen again. (Mac Miller)
Hot Water Music on Facebook | Purchase Exister
10. Every Time I Die – Ex Lives
At this point, Every Time I Die could release an R&B album and it would rule. This was the heaviest the band has sounded since Hot Damn!, one of the albums that helped shape my taste in music. Keith takes it up a notch or two and the lyrics are as great as ever. (Felipe Garcia)
Every Time I Die on Facebook | Purchase Ex Lives
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