211. FREEZE THE ATLANTIC – SPEAKEASY
(2011 – T11 G9 B2 UB0)
Freeze the Atlantic were a sort of brit rock super group started up in 2008 with members of Hundred Reasons, Reuben (both of whom feature very high in this list) and Archie and the Instincts (who only ever did one ep but was pretty good, though it did sound like a Saves The Day cover album)). This is their first album and only one I like. The following 2 albums they had as different singer who sounded more like he should be in a Metallica tribute band with his slightly cheesy rawk twang going on. This one though has a cracker to start off with (“Shivering & Dazed”) and later has one with the singer from Hundred Reasons guesting on (“Loses All The Romance”). A solid enough album but never reaches any true heights.
212. BAYSIDE – KILLING TIME
(2011 – T10 G8 B2 UB0)
Bayside have always been seen as an influential emo-punk band, but I’ve never really got into them. I had copies of their first 2 albums but only ever liked a couple of tracks and still do. (“Masterpiece” does what it says on the tin though). But due to hearing singer Anthony Raneri appear on countless other bands songs (Say Anything, I Am The Avalanche, Punchline, Silverstein….), due to his unique sounding voice, I thought I’d give the rest of their catalog a whirl only to find in general I like it. Every album has its banger on it but on the whole none other than this has enough songs that i like to make the list. The album starts with my 2 faves, but is good throughout.
213. DON BROCO – AUTOMATIC(2015 – T10 G8 B2 UB0)First thing, this is not a solo artist called Don, they are a band who have done 3 albums which all have had their own particular style. this is their 2nd one, the other 2 are much higher in the chart. This one is styled like an 80s Miami Vice kinda thing and many songs have kinda a modern take on an 80s ish sound. This album would be higher if I were to include bonus tracks as they are 2 of the best on the album (“Money Power Fame” and “You Wanna Know”), but as they are not technically on it then they don’t. The Don are great live and the songs on this album sound much heavier, they still have a nice funky feel to them though as they are. Not everyones cup of tea maybe, def the mrs’ though as I think their her favourite band. Prob one of my favourites who started up in the 2010’s.
214. THE STORY SO FAR – THE STORY SO FAR
(2015 – T10 G8 B2 UB0)
It was only 2 weeks ago we had the other Story So Far album on the list and this is their highest entry and is their 3rd album (of 4 so far, the 4th coming out towards the end of last year and I haven’t had chance to properly check out yet, initial impression is it won’t make the list). Again like their other album in the list it can be accused of being very samey and is all over in 30mins without leaving many lasting marks. If you like one track you’ll like them all, the standouts for me being “How Are You” and “Nerve”. On their latest album they appear to have a bit more range, but poss not in a good way. We’ll see when I get round to it.
215. BIFFY CLYRO – ONLY REVOLUTIONS
(2009 – T12 G8 B3 UB0)
Mon the Biffy part 2. This is their most recent album to make the chart, the 2 after this don’t make it. As you can see from the stat, I like ⅔s of the album and it has some bangers on it, but its nowhere near the level of their first 2. Perhaps I am harsh on their newer albums as a result of liking their early stuff so much, but thats the way it is. The album starts with “Captain” which I have never liked, the song is not helped by the eye shadow, topless sweatiness and piratey-ness of the video for it. 3 things that I am not into. The next 2 though are bangers in also singles “That Golden Rule” and “Bubbles” which have the traditional Biffy big ending. This album also features “Many of Horror” made famous by being an X-factor winners single by Matt Cardle but called “When We Collide” as thats more chart worthy.
216. NADA SURF – LET GO
(2002 – T12 G7 B3 UB1)
Last night when I was looking for vids for this album I found a live one and by christ they looked old, turns out the singer is now 52! and the bass player would be similar and still has dreads (not a good look). Anyway Alt-Rockers Nada Surf are most famous for 1996 hit “Popular” off their 1st album (you’ll see that appear later). This album is their 3rd of 7. (only the first 3 make the list), they still do the odd good song but overall not great. This album in general is a chilled out affair, but my faves are the ones with a bit more about them, but I still enjoy songs like “Inside of Love”, but not too sure about the french language song on here. “The Way You Wear Your Head” and “Hi-Speed Soul” being 2 of my faves with there constant driving beat, probably good jogging songs if I was into such a waste of time!
217. TUSKY – RATED GNAR
(2018 – T9 G6 B3 UB0)
If you’re fed of of emo related stuff this should be refreshing. This is a odd-tinged, rock n rolly, knackers to the wind punk band from Holland. Yesh Punk Euro Party Timesh as they would probably say. In parts Hives-ish but punkier and rockier but with the occasionally harmony thrown in there. Hard to describe as you can probably tell. give them a whirl I guess. Below is the video for “You Will Not Regret This (Please Hold Still)” which kinda combines all their styles in a more accessible way
218. TROPHY EYES – CHEMICAL MIRACLE
(2016 – T9 G7 B2 UB0)
This is Australian semi-punk band Trophy Eyes’ 2nd album (the 3rd could possibly end up above this on the list but is too new for now). I say semi-punk as they kinda dip in and out of being a straight up punk back to being nothing like that between tracks or during. This album continues to grow on me but for now is at number 218. The singer is a lanky bean of a thing and from what I’ve seen so far is terrible at miming on their videos and has a strange way of moving. That aside, I’m very much liking what I’m hearing. The track below “Chlorine” has a nice floaty sorta rhythm and chorus to it, similar to track “Breathe You In”. Whereas “Nose Bleed” is a bit more ‘on the nose’ with gang chants and a big chorus.
219. WHALE BONES – ISLAND FIRE
(2018 – T9 G7 B2 UB0)Another New “Phil-band” (which I’m told is it’s own genre). Whale Bones kinda sound like an emo-rock REM. The albums not perfect but shows potential for their future. Love the song “Inaction” and their ep before has the cracker “Hiding From the Sea”. I’m not really sure what else to say about these, so … Whale Bones. (odd name again)
220. MONUMENT MONUMENT – AT LEAST WE’RE HERE
(2017 – T9 G7 B2 UB0)
The next few albums on the list happen to all be stuff i’ve got into in the last year, so are possibly in a temporary position and could drop out or climb as time goes on. They also all happen to have only 9 valid tracks which is the cut off from being classed as an EP. To be a valid track any obvious filler track (like 50 secs and not really a song) or instrumental is ignored. The awkwardly named Monument Monument are a gentle emo type band along the lines of Spill Canvas and Copeland. As far as I can tell this is there first full length release, previously they just did EPs. Theres no videos for this album at all so it’s just album sleeve vids but give it a whirl if it might be your bag. The “I think we’re falling apart” in the track below is sure to get stuck in your head.
Phil's Top 250 Albums 