Here’s what’s been hittin’ my ears most often this 2011:
1. Screeching Weasel, First World Manifesto
Anyone who knows me shouldn’t be surprised by this pick. I honestly thought this release was gonna be sub-par. It was (another) new lineup for the band, but it didn’t matter—lead, Ben Weasel, knows how to make a good pop-punk album and this is filled with all the thoughtful lyrics and catchy hooks you’d come to expect from SW. It’s too bad the touring for this album stopped short after a particular Austin show, (but that did lead to a second release end-of-year with Carnival of Schadenfreude).
2. Night Birds, Fresh Kills Vol. 1
I kinda like super old Black Flag, but I’ve never really got into a lot of bands that try to do their thing. Night Birds, however, is a group that does the harder punk sound in a fitting tribute to something Keith Morris might approve of. This album is really a collection of a slew of 7-inches. So much energy here. I’d love to see these guys. Side note: I was introduced to the band by their bassist who was in The late, great Ergs and sold me a CD demo for a buck.
3. Swingin’ Utters, Here, Under Protest
I know this San Francisco band has been around for a while, but I recently got into them via my buddy, Bob. Thanks Bob.
This is their latest in a long list of releases but provides an evolved sound that captures their old feeling and where they’re going. The cool thing is that on the last track, a new parttime member—Jack Dalrymple of One Man Army—sings a tune.
4. Chixdiggit, Safeways Here We Come
These guys make me sing songs in my head. Too bad there’s only seven songs on this sucka.
5. Local, local, local
So I’m gonna cheat on #5. This year saw some great releases by some local talent. Church Shoes EP before their self-titled was super cool. Flamingo Nosebleed’s Headbanger was a long-awaited collection of sing-along punk songs. And then there were the four songs put out by The Elky Summers that kept us content and wanting more from the band.
