While I do really enjoy this album, I consider it to be really top-heavy. The first half is near perfect for me while the back half is a little underwhelming, overall still making a really good listen. While it has way more going on than For Emma, it's still a beautiful and layered Singer-Songwriter Album.
Fav Tracks: Perth, Minnesota WI, Holocene, Towers, Michicant

The fact that is so good and is available for free download is mind-blowing. Danny has just about as recognizable a style and voice as anyone out there now. And while he does spit somewhat about drugs and women, he also shows a conscious edge, rapping about things like poverty, the aftereffects of partying, and the dangers of growing up in Detroit. Overall one of the most enjoyable Hip-Hop albums of the new decade.
Best Songs: XXX, Die Like A Rockstar, Pac Blood, Monopoly, Scrap Or Die, 30

Goddamn this album is something special. A perfect mix of personal nerdy hip-hop and indie pop, a mix that usually doesn't go hand in hand well. The instrumentals are pretty top notch too. While there are many other WHY? albums that are worth the listen, this is the one that will you will fall in love with. This album is a true masterpiece in my eye.
Fav Tracks (If I had to single six out): The Vowels Pt. 2, Good Friday, These Few Presidents, The Hollows, Fatalist Palmistry, Simeon's Dilemma

I'm usually not the biggest of fans when it comes to recent synthpop, but I enjoy this album. The songs are catchy, the production is clean, and Lauren's vocals are really mesmerizing and comforting.
Fav Songs: The Mother We Share, We Sink, Gun, Recover, Night Sky

In an alternate universe, Yank Crime is looked to as one of the most influential albums of the 90's. While there were other great bands who influenced post-hardcore in the 90's like Fugazi and Slint, they didn't play with the same energy and ferocity that these guys did. I believe that one day, down the road, these guys will be looked to as a band who was truly ahead of their time. It's such a shame this was the end of the band, but they all went on to other great projects. One of my favorite ... read more

This album is a short and energetic blast of fun pop-punk songs. Like any Joyce Manor record, I'm not sold on all the tracks, but also like any Joyce Manor record, it contains some of my favorite songs of the year.
Fav Songs: Christmas Card, Victoria, Schley, The Jerk, Catalina Fight Song

It's weird, I remember hearing "Such Small Hands" Freshman year and never thinking I was going to like this band. I'm not even sure if I liked this on first listen, but after delving into the background of the lyrics, I was surprised how deep, personal, and poetic they were, and ever since then they've been a true fav. If your not familiar with post-hardcore/hardcore, this is a good place to start.
Fav Songs: a Departure, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church Blues, Edit Your Hometown, ... read more

Whilst The Blue Album soundtracked my childhood, Pinkerton has definitely soundtracked my teenage years so far. This album is a great balance between being fun and lovable, and heartbreaking. It's weird, there is a sort of confident aura that comes out of River's lonely mind that still perplexes me to this day. This is one I will love for the rest of my life.
Fav Songs: Tired Of Sex, Why Bother?, Across The Sea, The Good Life, Pink Triangle

There isn't a whole lot I need to say. If you love relaxing and listening to music at the same time, this is definitely your album. There's something so soothing about Mac's voice + Mac's guitar tone.
Fav Songs: Dreaming, Freaking Out The Neighborhood, Ode To Viceroy, My Kind Of Woman, Still Together

When I first got into this band, I thought there would never be a better AJJ album than "People", but after listening to this and can't maintain, I was stunned. This album is just so personality filled, you can't help but love it to death. The sound shifts between anti-folkish songs and more pop-punk style songs but overall is an emotional and great listen.
Best Songs: American Tune, Distance, Fucc The Devil, Hate Rain On Me, People II 2: Still Peoplin'

A creative electronic album with a lot of good vocals, production, and overall aesthetic. It was a surprise at how lush his singing was considering his previous work which contained nearly no vocals.
Fav Tracks: Unluck, The Wilhelm Scream, I Never Learnt To Share, Limit To Your Love, Measurements

Very much so can be considered the best soul album of all time. The subjects he chooses to sing about and the way he delivers them are truly beautiful.
Fav Tracks: What's Going On, What's Happening Brother, Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)

Even though this isn't a debut album, I consider it to be because this is when C.N. really find their sound, however erratic it may be. A 90's sounding album (with better production) is an album I instantly fell in love with. Dylan Baldi is a very underrated lyricist and guitarist. Possibly my fav alb. of 2012?
Fav Tracks: Wasted Days, Fall In, Stay Useless, Cut you

A really charming and charismatic old-school style psychedelic album. There are quite a few noticeable influences on pretty much every song but if it's done well then I ain't complainin'.
Fav Tracks: In The Darkness, No Destruction, San Francisco, Shuggie, Oh yeah

An album that scatters around a bunch, but overall is a really really fun listen. There is not one song to skip. Just some really cool west coast punk music that is only here to liven the mood.
Fav Tracks: Cheap Beer, No Waves, Max Can't Surf, Five To Nine, Cocaine

This album is a legit emotional powerhouse. A lot write this band off for being kind of corny, but I feel the emotion and lyrics behind these songs are truly sincere. There is a lot to connect to with this one. Possibly my fav Deathwish artist as of now.
Fav Tracks: Just Exist, To Write Content, Harbor, Non-Fiction, Is Survived By

A definite grower, I originally thought this album was kind of bland but kept returning to it, and at this point it's (imo) one of the best albums of 2012/2013. Great fusion or Art Rock, Cowpunk, and Clever lyrics seals the deal for me on this one. Great album.
Fav Tracks: Master Of My Craft, Borrowed Time, Yr No Stoner, Light Up Gold 1&2

AOTY 2014 Hands Down. Definitely the most engaging album of the year if not decade. Kozelek writes heart-retching folk songs about mortality and coming to terms with it. I love the blunt realism and 1rst person P.O.V. lyrics. And this is about as a cohesive album as it gets. Classic In my humble opinion.
Fav Tracks: Carissa, I can't Live Without My Mothers Love, Dogs, I watched The Film The Song Remains The Same, Micheline

Best Death Grips album IMO. Definitely has their catchiest songs while still sounding aggressive as hell. Can't stop coming back to it.
Fav Songs: Come Up And Get Me, World Of Dogs, Whammy, Stockton, Artificial Death In The West

Overall A Pretty Good Album. A Few Forgettable Songs but a lot of gems as well. Great jangly guitar riffs and relaxing vocals.
Fav Songs: Had To Hear, Talking Backwards, Crime, Primitive