Thomas' 2010 Review

2010 had big shoes to fill after a great 2009. 39 of my favorite bands released an album in 2009 vs. 32 in 2010. However, 2009 only included 4 of my top 20 bands and 2 from my top 10 vs. 9 and 4 in 2010. Given I was aware of a large majority of the 2010 releases at the beginning of the year, I had very high expectations for 2010. Unfortunately, only a few of the releases qualified for my top 100 albums and some of my favorites ended up being huge disappointments.

I would like to start with my top 5 least favorite albums of 2010.

5. Disturbed’s “Asylum” – Justin is saying “I told you so” as he reads this. Disturbed’s first four releases each had their own sound and had a noticeable progression and maturity. Asylum offers nothing new and even back peddled by limiting guitar god Dan Donegan’s solos.

4. Allison Iraheta’s “Just Like You” – Allison was my girl in season 8 of American Idol and was always praised for having a real mature sound despite only being 16 years old. Due to her 4th place finish, her album release did not get a lot of publicity and the album itself was a little difficult to find. Upon dropping it in, it sounded exactly like a 16-year old singing a pop album. Everything I liked about her on the show was absent from her debut release. I am pretty sure the rest of America heard the same thing I did as this album and its ratings completely tanked.

3. Amber Pacific’s “Virtues” – Amber Pacific had a quality about them which stood out from the rest of the punk genre which started with Matt Young’s vocals. After Young’s departure, Amber Pacific hired Jesse Cottam to take over at the mic and the result was a major disappointment. Their identity is completely lost and there is nothing left distinguishing them from any other punk band.

2. The Goo Goo Dolls’ “Something For the Rest of Us” – After their grunge days, it really seemed like they could do no wrong with 4 straight tier 1 albums. Then “Let Love In” came out in 2006 and disappointed a lot of fans including myself. I was hoping this was a wake up call to them to step up their game on the next release. Instead they produced an incredibly boring soundtrack to elevator rides across America. I expect a lot more from a group who can produce genius like “Dizzy Up the Girl”.

1. Linkin Park’s “Ten Thousand Suns” – This was the worst album I have ever purchased in my entire life. Linkin Park raised the Nu-Metal bar so high, no one even attempts to play in that playground anymore. Arguably the best screamer in the business in Chester Bennington, some complimentary raps from Mike Shinoda, and a kick-ass DJ in Joseph Hahn give them an awesome 1-2-3 punch. However since Meteora, it seems they feel they have been there and done that with the heavy riffs and the screamo and feel the need to experiment. “Ten Thousand Suns” is just that, an experiment. For fans like myself, I would prefer for them to experiment under a different name and not use “Linkin Park” to sell me some lame garbage. The screaming is gone, the rapping is almost non-existent, and there is only one song with a “Hybrid Theory” like riff. There are so many interludes and each song runs together. On one of my first listens, I said, well I guess the 3rd track isn’t so bad. I looked at the cd player and found I was actually on track 10. I can appreciate bands producing what they want to regardless of what their fanbase says, but I really hope Linkin Park listens to their fans on their next effort.

Next are my top 10 favorite albums on 2010.

10. Coheed and Cambria’s “Year of the Black Rainbow” – Claudio’s prequel is an overall success, but I must say this album simply met my expectations. The album is solid from start to finish, but lacks that standout track which exists on their previous 4 LPs.

9. Ivoryline’s “Vessels” – My 2008 new comer of the year had a lot to live up to after “There Came a Lion”. Like Coheed’s album, “Vessels” was solid up and down, but had a few more standouts.

8. Rufio’s “Anybody Out There” – After my favorite release of theirs in 2005, the group announced they had decided to split up. I randomly saw they had gotten back together and released and album in my AP magazine this year, coincidentally the same weekend Justin wanted to run to “Shake it” records in Cincinnati. This album was almost impossible to find, but I was fortunate enough to find it there. Over the break, vocalist Scott Sellers noticeably received singing lessons and the tweaks to the lineup resulted in a poppier sound which surprisingly worked really well for me.

7. Anberlin’s “Dark is a Way, Light is a Place” – This was a perfect example of a band who has had success in their comfort zone who managed to try something new and flourish. A darker and heavier Anberlin generated some amazing sounds and resulted in a giant leap forward in this groups development.

6. Korn’s “Korn III: Remember Who You Are” – Korn has managed to put out 8 LPs over the last 15 years which have all managed to have their own unique sound. In their 9th release, they decided they wanted to see if they could produce the same sound from their earlier work without the help of “Head”. The result sounds like it belongs in between the self-titled debut and “Life is Peachy”. Fieldy’s bass is back and Jonathan Davis does it as well as anyone on the mic.

5. Flobots’ “Survival Story” – I don’t care what you bitches say, I found this album extremely entertaining. The use of the violin and the perfect remedy to today’s rap game were a big hit for me.

4. Sent By Ravens’ “Our Graceful Worries” – These guys receive my new comer of 2010 award in a landslide victory over We Are the Fallen. Vocalist Zach Riner has all of the tools I am looking for and Tooth & Nail did a good job getting the most out of their debut.

3. 10 Years’ “Feeding the Wolves” – After a progression instrumentally, but a slight decline lyrically in “Division”, 10 Years brought back the loss of innocence concept I loved on “The Autumn Effect”. While the riffs were not as heavy and the tone was not as dark, the lyrics were simply the best of the year for me and Jesse Hasek continues to flourish.

2. Senses Fail’s “The Fire” – This group was hovering around 115 on my top band list this time last year. However, a combination of the Music Togetherness Experience and their 2010 release have pushed them up into the top 30. After realizing what it is I like in a band, I have discovered these guys truly are carrying the torch in the hardcore punk genre. Buddy Nelson’s vocals have never been better and the lyrics are just as good as 2008’s “Life is not a Waiting Room”. “The Fire” is so solid and the self titled track is absolutely badass.

1. Hawthorne Heights’ “Skeletons” – Few things are greater in life than when an already established favorite band releases their best album to date. Due to the sudden and tragic death of screamer Casey Calvert, I was expecting to grade their next few releases on a curve. No curve necessary as Hawthorne Heights have discovered a completely new sound which features an awesome rhythm guitar and many guest appearances to fill in the gaps normally filled by Casey’s tier 1 screams. JT’s vocals continue to improve and the killer choruses over heavy riffs are immaculate. A solid album from top to bottom with 4 tracks fighting their way into my top 250. It is simply amazing to hear how this group took a hit in losing one of their best friends and bandmate, recovered and discovered a whole new sound that still managed to stay true to their roots. RIP Casey.

Next are my top 10 songs of 2010.

10)Deftones - Rocket Skates(“Diamond Eyes” was #11 on the album list)
9) As I Lay Dying – Upside Down Kingdom
8) Sent by Ravens – I Hear Her Breathe
7) Senses Fail – The Fire
6) Flobots – By the Time You Get This Message
5) The Action Design – Desperation
4) Hawthorne Heights – Drive
3) Hawthorne Heights – Abandoned Driveways
2) Hawthorne Heights – Nervous Breakdown
1) 10 Years – Fade Into (The Ocean)

Looking forward to 2011, I expect my top album list to look similar to the following;

12) Thrice
11) Yellowcard
10) Within Temptation
9) Panic! at the Disco
8) Rise Against
7) Beastie Boys
6) Our Lady Peace
5) In Flames
4) Lamb of God
3) Evanescence
2) Chevelle!!!
1) New Found Glory!!!!!