Honourable Mentions 2013

As well as artists I already had plunged head first into the murks of fandom for there were several albums last year that I didn’t stay up all night in queasy anticipation for but when I came across them definitely enriched my life. Some are artists I knew of before, others are ones I’ve only discovered quite recently. All of them firmly deserve a place in 2013’s Honourable Mentions.

The Amity Affliction-Chasing Ghosts

I had come to the conclusion that I was only really into metalcore when I was younger. You know, that stuff with the brutally screamed vocals that blended into soaring anthemic choruses you could actually sing along with. Atreyu basically (but weren’t Atreyu brilliant?). I thought I’d probably grown out of it and the stuff I still listen to I did out of a combination of time-and-place nostalgia and having gotten used to it. Then I heard The Amity Affliction. They are very like Atreyu (only Australian) and I loved them immediately. The album follows the tried and tested formula of two styles of vocals mixing together over heavy guitars. In all fairness not big on originality, but I can’t say I minded. I’m quite pleased this kind of stuff is back in my life.

Stand out tracks: Chasing Ghosts, Life Underground, Open Letter

Deaf Havana-Fools and Worthless Liars

 

Hot on the heels of rediscovering my love of screamo I got into these guy’s first album, Meet Me Halfway at Least. I knew they’d gone down from two vocalists to one for their second effort and therefore had lost their scream, but I thought I’d give it a go. Turns out I actually preferred it. This album struck a chord with me as a lot of the songs are about being in your mid-twenties and wondering where it all went wrong (oh hai internal monologue). At times it drifts towards pretension and you sometimes get the feeling they’re trying to reach into the realms of jaded men of the world. Their age means it doesn’t always ring true but lyrically there was more than enough here to satisfy me.

Stand out tracks: The Past Six Years, Mostly I’m a Bore

Editors-The Weight of Your Love

 

I went through a phase in my first year of uni of being very much into the Editors. Then, as is oft the way, I got new music and started listening to them less and less. I didn’t feel bereft, but when I heard this I came to the conclusion immediately this was an oversight. It’s easy to believe that I would love this album no matter what with its low vocals, guitars and lovelorn lyrics but when it’s done this well it doesn’t really matter. Not bad for a CD I bought as the second half of a two for £15 offer with Bastille’s Bad Blood (which is nowhere near as good by the way).

Stand out tracks: Sugar, What is This Thing Called Love?, Formaldehyde.

The Gaslight Anthem-Handwritten and The ’59 Sound

 

Yeah, I know, two albums from the same band, but hear me out. My brother recommended them to me (he’s usually only good for dance music) and although I’d never really been into stuff like this I was hooked almost immediately. Having brought their most recent album (Handwritten) I then almost immediately bought the one before (The ’59 Sound) and neither left me disappointed. At first listen they could just be another guitar brandishing, macho, Springsteen tribute act, but lyrically they’re fantastic storytellers. They evoke a wonderful, downbeat Americana that’s almost folky and have everything from love songs to lamenting a lost youth to seeking out an absent father. OK, so they are very Springsteen. They also have a song that’s mentions my name and takes its title from one of my favourite films; Here’s Looking At You Kid and the line ‘you can tell Ana if she asks why that a thief stole my heart while she was making up her mind.’ Boom.

 

Stand out tracks; Handwritten-Handwritten, Biloxi Parish, Mae. The ’59 Sound-Great Expectations, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Here’s Looking at You Kid.       

Kittie-I’ve Failed You

 

Continuing the themes this year of metal and bands I forgot about then made myself very happy by re-discovering I give you Kittie’s latest album. It had been literally years since I’d heard anything by them and although it’s still definitely the same band they seem to have grown lot more confidant in their style. They’re prepared to mellow out a bit, have songs that are a bit longer and throw some more proggy, experimental elements in there. At its core however it’s still brutal guitars and their fabulous vocalist alternating between her distinctive pleading and gravelly scream. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Stand out Tracks: I’ve Failed You, What Have I Done?, Never Come Home.