Andrew's 20 favorite albums of 2002 :
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Number 20: |
Thrice - The Artist In The Ambulance (Island)
Man, I feel bad that I don't own this album. Yet, I've listened to "The Artist In The Ambulance" countless times around friends and on my computer, and I've got a pretty good feel for it. My first listen to this record didn't sell me, but as I continued to give it chances, it grew and grew. A listen to "The Artist In The Ambulance" is more gripping now than it was when I listened a month ago, and I don't doubt that this will be purchased during my next trip to the record store. Thick and powerful, this is one of the most thoughtful combinations of melody and sheer intensity that I've heard. |
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Number 19: |
If Hope Dies - The Ground Is Rushing Up To Meet Us (Iron Clad)
Prior to hearing "The Ground Is Rushing Up To Meet Us," I thought that the metal/hardcore genre had run its course for me, and new bands had little originality left to offer. Defying my thoughts is If Hope Dies, a band that follows closely in the footsteps of the mighty Unearth (not surprising as Unearth vocalist Trevor runs Iron Clad and contributes vocals to a song) and delivers an undeniably brutal helping of surprisingly well-performed metal and meaty breakdowns combined with a hardcore ethic and socio-political lyrical topics. If Hope Dies proves that there is life in a genre that has a few too many weak bands. |
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Number 18: |
The Postal Service - Give Up (Sub Pop)
It seems as if everyone likes the electronic-based duo dubbed The Postal Service, but it's so difficult not to. The fusion of Death Cab For Cutie vocalist Ben Gibbard's loveable vocals and Jimmy Tamborello's fairly-minimal electronics results in a terribly inviting and warm sound that anyone who enjoys catchiness, melody and honest lyricism should find irresistible. There isn't a barrage of guitars or blatently complex musicianship, but there is a lot of heart. The icing on the cake is that "Give Up" gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling, makes me want to dance, and is awesome to drive to late at night. |
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Number 17: |
Embrace Today - Soldiers (Deathwish Inc.)
Embrace Today's "Soldiers" is probably, of all the records on this list, the most pissed off. It's is a relentless hardcore record from a group of individuals with a lot of thoughts worth paying attention to. The record is as straightforward as this description, but a lot more angry. If you like straightedge and hardcore, you should listen to "Soldiers." |
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Number 16: |
Give Up The Ghost - We're Down 'Til We're Underground (Equal Vision)
I don't think "We're Down..." is as good as "Background Music," but Give Up The Ghost took a more experimental route in their most recent album and the outcome is impressive. "We're Down..." doesn't fail to offer listeners the absolutely bitter hard that Give Up The Ghost has become so well-known for. The band expanded on their original sound, though, and brought some experimental song structures and sounds into their arsenal. It took some time, but "We're Down..." grew on me, and I find myself listening to this quite often. |
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Number 15: |
Hot Cross - Cryonics (Level Plane)
Hot Cross came up with a winning formula of spastic tendencies and complex melodies for "Cryonics." Hot Cross is made up of former members of You And I, Neil Perry and Saetia, and they have not erased "Cryonics" of their past bands' influences. The guitar parts weave in and out of one another, a tight percussive performance holds the complex music together, and having three members contribute vocals adds depth and texture. "Cryonics" is quite the display of unique ability. |
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Number 14: |
Scraps And Heart Attacks - Still Sick (Triple Crown)
Scraps And Heart Attacks crept up on me late in 2003, and proceeded to grab me by the throat and beat me with 20 minutes of bitter, oldschool hardcore. "Still Sick" is relentless hardcore that never stops to let listeners catch their breath. This record is fast and fucking pissed through its entire duration, not even slowing down for a breakdown. This stuff gets my blood pumping. |
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Number 13: |
Nodes Of Ranvier - Self-Titled (Facedown)
Nodes Of Ranvier is underrated. Their take on metalcore isn't something that is unheard of or terribly challenging, but it is unique. Like Skycamefalling did in their music, Nodes Of Ranvier doesn't resort to cheap hooks to create melody in their music. Instead, the band uses aggressive, but not overly abrasive guitar parts and well-placed soft passages to create a calm feeling in their heavy music. I listen to their "Self-Titled" record quite often, and continue to enjoy it to its fullest. |
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Number 12: |
Beloved - Failure On (Solid State)
I ignored Beloved after hearing their debut "The Running" EP with the assumption that they would soften up on Solid State Records. Eventually, I gave "Failure On" a listen, and was stunned by the precise hardcore tendencies and memorable, catchy side of the band. The way Beloved catches listeners off-guard with sudden shifts between the two contrasting styles keeps "Failure On" from sounding contrived -- there's not much middle ground, the hardcore (see: breakdown) side is crushing, the melodic side is catchy. |
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Number 11: |
With Resistance - Self-Titled (Immigrant Sun)
With Resistance's "Self-Titled" effort was one of the best melodic metalcore records to be released in 2003. This band is seriously underrated, but I have a feeling that with some touring and their upcoming split, With Resistance will become a big name. This record sets standards for the genre, in which many bands simply rehash a common formula. There is some technical prowess, a lot of great breakdowns, blazing speeds and melodies that don't come from clean singing. I'm a big fan of this record. |
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Number 10: |
Thursday - War All The Time (Island)
Thursday became one of my favorite bands when "Full Collapse" was first released a few years ago. I've listened to that album countless times, but grew distant from Thursday in the last year. I was skeptical of my ability to once again feel the same way for Thursday that I once did, but "War All The Time" sparked a flame of interest in me, and I grew to heavily enjoy the record. There is an undeniable catchiness to the album, but Thursday avoid being lumped together with bands like Finch or Taking Back Sunday (even though everyone would say they are similar -- Thursday is completely different, lyrically and musically) with innovative song structures and emotionally-charged lyricism. |
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Number 9: |
The Agony Scene - Self-Titled (Solid State)
The Agony Scene quickly made a name for themselves with the release of their "Self-Titled" debut. Not surprisingly, they employed the fairly common crossover between metal and hardcore. The Agony Scene, though, created an impressively effective blend of the two styles. This record boasts one of the best production qualities I've heard, with meaty guitars, a huge drum sound and killer vocals. I come back to this album on a regular basis and continue to be knocked back by its endless ferocity. |
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Number 8: |
Darkest Hour - Hidden Hands Of A Sadist Nation (Victory)
Darkest Hour headed overseas to record "Hidden Hands Of A Sadist Nation" at Studio Fredman in Sweden. Apparently, their surroundings affected them, as this record sounds like it should have come from a European melodic metal band like The Haunted or At The Gates. Darkest Hour rips through a load of furious songs, all played with precision and relentless energy. Adding to the value of this album are some socio-political lyrics that address a multitude of issues other than being heartbroken. |
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Number 7: |
Shai Hulud - That Within Blood Ill-Tempered (Revelation)
Yeah, yeah, yeah. So we had to wait too many years for "That Within Blood Ill-Tempered." I'm sick of hearing about this record not being worth the wait -- it's something new, and it's damn good. Shai Hulud returned to the hardcore music realm with a heavily melodic and complex, yet highly intense record chock full of unique, poetic lyrics. It takes a few listens to get a good feel for this album, but it all pays off. Shai Hulud put a lot of work into "That Within Blood Ill-Tempered," and the finished product vibrantly displays this. Forget how long it took to be released, and enjoy what is now available. |
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Number 6: |
Every Time I Die - Hot Damn! (Ferret)
Every Time I Die's heavily-anticipated follow-up to "Last Night In Town" saw the light of day during the summer of 2003, and continued where the band previously left off with a healthy dosage of chaotic, quirky hardcore and massive breakdowns. On "Hot Damn!," Every Time I Die ditched none of their distinguished humor, and came packaged with an improved production quality and some traditional rock n' roll guitar riffs and rhythms. "Hot Damn!" is a genuinely fun record, and the video for "Ebolarama" is one of the best I've seen. |
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Number 5: |
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Since By Man - We Sing The Body Electric (Revelation)
Sometimes albums that are released early in the year are forgotten by the time December rolls around, but Since By Man's "We Sing The Body Electric" has maintained a prominent position in my favorite CD binder through the spring, summer, fall and beginning of the 2003 winter season. These Wisconsin natives came up with an interesting blend of Converge-like spastic hardcore and At The Drive-In-like melodies that works wonders. There are moments of sheer intensity ("The Enemy" is absolutely killer) and starkly contrasting melodic passages, and the intermingling of the two is very fluid. "We Sing The Body Electric" boasts some awesome art, too, making this an all-around sweet package. |
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Number 4: |
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Most Precious Blood - Our Lady Of Annihilation (Trustkill)
I like "Nothing In Vain," Most Precious Blood's debut full-length. But "Our Lady Of Annihilation" is a great step forward for the band, helping this release quickly shoot to the front of my favorites of 2003 list. Most Precious Blood continues to attack listeners with their unique blend of metallic hardcore and traditional, oldschool hardcore, rarely stopping for some thick, but not contrived melodies. "Our Lady Of Annihilation" is beefy and explosive, and not to be missed. |
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Number 3: |
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Between The Buried And Me - The Silent Circus (Victory)
I knew that "The Silent Circus" would be a favorite album of mine when I first heard "Mordecai." Between The Buried And Me lived up to the high expectations that were set by their "Self-Titled" debut, and did so with unimaginable technicality and general heaviness. The band continued to inject their music with progressive rock tendencies and accessible melodies, only to make 180 degree turns and catch listeners off guard with fiery brutality. "The Silent Circus" is an impressive album with replay value, assuming you're up to the task. |
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Number 2: |
Death By Stereo - Into The Valley Of Death (Epitaph)
I hadn't initially expected to see "Into The Valley Of Death" to be near the top of my favorites of 2003 list. Death By Stereo, however, managed to develop their finest work to date, with a very striking balance between hardcore punk and metal. Everything about Death By Stereo is unique, from vocalist Efrem's distinguished voice to the band's tongue-in-cheek humor. "Into The Valley Of Death" is intense, catchy and entertaining through its entire duration. I'm just not getting sick of this. No other band will recreate it. |
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(Drumroll...)
Album Of The Year: |
Comeback Kid - Turn It Around (Facedown)
"Turn It Around" is a premium example of musical simplicity being just as effective as technicality. Comeback Kid very quickly made a name for themselves in 2003 by blasting listeners with their lovable, positive outlook, arsenal of breakdowns ("Step Ahead," anyone?) and blazing, oldschool hardcore abilities. I've listened to "Turn It Around" enough times to know most of the lyrics, and participating in the already-huge gang vocals is a simple joy. Comeback Kid stick to their roots with "Turn It Around," and really inspired me to get back into traditional hardcore. This is truly an album that I honestly adore, and the timelessness of quality hardcore will keep "Turn It Around" close to my heart for years. |
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Top EPS of 2003 |
1. With Honor - Self Titled (Stillborn)
2. Spearing Jocasta - The Cassandra Complex (Life Sentence)
3. Misery Signals - Self-Titled (State Of The Art)
4. Quell - Sleep Soundly (Self Released)
5. Terror - Lowest Of The Low (Bridge Nine) |
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Other 2003 albums to receive significant playtime, in no particular order: |
The Backup Plan - Dearest Whomever...
The Bled - Pass The Flask
Throwdown - Haymaker
Modern Life Is War - My Love. My Way.
Forever Is Forgotten - The Architecture Is Still Burning
Avenged Sevenfold - Waking The Fallen
The Number 12 Looks Like You - Put On Your Rosy Red Glasses
Naglfar - Sheol
Bleeding Through - This Is Love, This Is Murderous
Cave In - Antenna
Lamb Of God - As The Palaces Burn
The Suicide File - Twilight
Animosity - Shut It Down
Poison The Well - You Come Before You
AFI - Sing The Sorrow
With Dead Hands Rising - Behind Inquisition
Hatebreed - The Rise Of Brutality
Beecher - Breaking The Fourth Wall
Ion Dissonance - Breathing Is Irrelevant
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