2011 Band Of The Year: Mixtapes



This is the first year that I’ve named a band of the year. If you’ve paid any attention at all to what I’ve posted on Twitter, Instagram, or even here, it should be a no brainer.

So officially, Can You See the Sunset from the Southside’s band of the year for 2011 is none other than Mixtapes. Yeah, that’s Ryan, Maura, Mike, and Boone. I can’t think of a more deserving band in 2011 (but I also didn’t think it would really be fair to include Mixtapes’ debut Maps on my year-end list 2 years in a row, so…

So 2011, it began with Ryan from Mixtapes sending me 3 of the songs from what would end up being their Hope Is For People 7” in January or something like that, a few missed connections and then us (that’s me, my wife, and my kids) discovering that the people in Mixtapes were some of the friendliest and most genuine people we’ve met and that they also love pizza and Reese’s cups.

I saw Mixtapes live 4 times in 2011 (5 if you count them playing acoustic in my living room) and that’s because they spent almost the entire year on the road garnering themselves quite a bit of buzz in the process. My family spent a lovely October afternoon eating pizza with Ryan and Maura in Chicago separate from any touring the band was doing, just as friends. Both my daughters (ages 6 and 2) can sing more than a few Mixtapes songs and whenever they hear Mixtapes on the stereo refer to them as “friends.” It’s pretty cool.

I guess we should also talk about the sheer volume of music that Mixtapes released in 2011. By my count (and if you count the vinyl re-release of Maps) the band released 32 songs on 4 or 5 separate releases: Castle Songs (2), Hope Is For People (6), Maps & Companions (15), and How To Throw A Successful Party (9). They’ve put out a handful of great music videos as well.

If you still aren’t convinced, this video of their last 3 songs from Fest 10 should give you at least a little idea of the sort of year it’s been for Mixtapes. Not only are they amazing songwriters and hilariously entertaining, Mixtapes are also amazing people. They’re currently writing for a new full-length that is due to be recorded in January 2012. I’m positive it won’t be anything less than epic.

Posted December 24, 2011 · Tags: ,

Listmania: Favorite Albums of 2011 (25-01)



Here it is, my favorite albums of 2011. If you missed Part One, you’d better go back and check that out as well. With the holiday right around the corner and some household emergencies, I didn’t quite feel like writing much about these albums even though they are all great. Ok. Check the list and pardon the typos. Thanks.

25. Elway – Delusions (Red Scare)
I saw Elway earlier this year in Chicago before the album was released I was blown away. This album combines punk tempos and tones with some of the twang and heartache of country music… and whiskey. Lots and lots of whiskey… and beer.

24. Michael Dean Damron – Plea From A Ghost (Suburban Home)
Brutally honest and emotional folksy and/or country rock that’s as real as it gets. A stunning record.

23. Dave Hause – Resolutions (Paper + Plastick)
A solo album from the frontman of the Loved Ones? Yes please. It’s a little less punk and a little more heartland rock than the Loves Ones and I’m just fine with that. It’s earnest, it’s memorable and really really good.

22. The New Rochelles – It’s New! (Bright & Barrow)
Twelve catchy Ramones-core pop punk songs in under 15 minutes that begs for repeat listens. That, folks, is how it should be done. You know, the same way the Teen Idols did it.

21. Signals Midwest – Latitudes And Longitudes (Tiny Engines)
Catchy emoey punky post-hardcore goodness. Trust me when I say, everything/anything that Tiny Engines puts out seems to be gold.

20. Spraynard – Funtitled (Asian Man)
This is some seriously catchy Latterman-esque punk rock from Pennsylvania with some noodly (but not really emo) guitar parts thrown in for good measure. It begs to be screamed along to in basements. Also, this doesn’t sound anything like Plow United.

19. Banquets – Top Button, Bottom Shelf (Black Numbers)
This is pop punk the way that modern pop punk is meant to be played. Just enough grit and just enough melody.

18. Junior Battles – Idle Ages (Paper + Plastick)
JB made last years list with just a 4 song 7″ so that should tell you something. Seriously great pop punk from Canada that’s equal parts of The Weakerthans and early Fall Out Boy, but even that’s a bad comparison. It’s poppy but intelligent.

17. Great Cynics – Don’t Need Much (Kind Of Like)
A little bit pop punk and a little bit rock and roll. You’ll be humming these songs for days. Sometimes simplicity is the best answer.

16. Wilco – The Whole Love (dBpm)
This is a return to form for Wilco after the misstep that was Wilco The Album. It’s everything I could have asked for in a new Wilco album. Really, it is.

15. Polar Bear Club – Clash Battle Guilt Pride (Bridge Nine)
I wasn’t sure that PBC could top Chasing Hamburg but they did. It’s stronger in every way with zero wasted notes. This is hook-laden post-hardcore at it’s finest.

14. Patrick Stump – Soul Punk (Island)
Patrick Stump played and sang every note on Soul Punk himself and it’s clear he knows what he’s doing. Sure, I bashed this before I ever heard it (apologies to Chris) but this the best pop album of the year for sure.

13. Dude Jams – How To Abuse Everything (ADD)
These is some good punk jamz. #punkthefuckout

12. Young Statues – Young Statues (Run For Cover)
The best indie rock album of the year.

11. Fucked Up – David Comes To Life (Matador)
At 18 songs and almost 78 minutes long, David Comes To Life is the most exhausting album of the year, but with it’s melodies and intensity, it’s also one of the most rewarding.

10. Bomb The Music Industry – Vacation (Quote Unquote)
On Vacation it’s the the same crazy BTMI! you’ve grown to love but this time around, it’s like they’re all growed up… and stuff.

9. Good Luck – Without Hesitation (No Idea)
More noodly and anthemic pop punk from everyone’s favorite Bloomington-based trio. So so good. I’ve probably mentioned before, but I think that Ginger once stayed at my house.

8. White Wives – Happeners (Adeline)
Literate and arty indie punk featuring members of Anti Flag and American Armada. Never lacking for huge choruses and killer hooks but never satisfying for the easy way out.

7. Andy Wagner – Silos & Smokestacks (self-released)
I’d never heard of Andy Wagner before the summer. He’s a Chicago-based singer songwriter and this album is filled with bleary-yet-hopeful working-class alt-country jams. It’s so good, and the pedal steel…

6. Joyce Manor – Joyce Manor (6131)
Dane (Switchboard Sessions) put these guys on a mix CD he made for me back in February and introduced me to these guys. The music is noisy, dissonant and colored with shades of Midwestern emo. It pushes the boundaries of what pop punk is but it’s also insanely catchy.

5. Restorations – Restorations (Tiny Engines)
Resto-fucking-rations! Is it post-hardcore? Is it Americana? Is it indie-pop? Yes.

4. Frank Turner – England Keep My Bones (Epitaph)
Either Frank Turner came out of nowhere this year or I just hadn’t been paying attention before. I mean, there’s seriously not a bad song on this incredibly captivating album. He is THE troubadour.

3. The Copyrights – North Sentinel Island (Red Scare)
North Sentinel Island isn’t much of a change from what the Copyrights have always done, but there’s a subtle maturity to these songs, easily the strongest batch that the band has yet put together. Also, probably my wife’s favorite album of the year.

2. The War On Drugs – Slave Ambient (Secretly Canadian)
Imagine a cross between the folksy melodies of Bob Dylan, the rock of Tom Petty and the swirling atmospheric synth-pop of M83 and that’s sorta what this sounds like, but better.

1. Red City Radio – The Dangers Of Standing Still (Paper + Plastick)
It’s kinda fitting that this album tops my list. I initially was a tad critical of the album on the Rock and Roll Brunch podcast, but quickly realized my error in judgement. RCR delivers non-stop balls-to-the-wall gruff-yet-melodic pop punk with some of the best harmonies I’ve heard in long time.

Posted December 23, 2011 · Tags:

Listmania: Favorite Albums of 2011 (50-26)



Let me just preface all of this by saying how much I hate making these lists. There’s no good way to do it. Everything on this list is great and the placements are general at best. Although I’ve numbered the list, there is zero science behind it. Next year I might just make it alphabetical. Now that’s done…

Wow! I think that’s a great way to sum up 2011 in music. During a year in which I was noticeably absent from this blog there sure was a shit-ton of great music released. Still, despite not writing about music much in 2011, I managed to enjoy music more this year than any I can remember since this blog began back in 2005.

You see, that’s the problem with music blogging. There’s this incredible sense of duty/pressure to keep up with the latest trends and hottest indie rock bullshit, but that’s really just what it is (mostly). I have no desire to be a part of that rat race, besides, with the exception of a few artists, I don’t listen to the same music that indie rock crowd does.

Honestly, I’m 100% sure that it is impossible for any one person to keep up with “music” when you take into account the proliferation of genres and micro-genres and the ease with which people can record relatively good quality material these days. My new mantra is something along the lines of, “Why even try?”

I know I missed more than a handful of great (and highly recommended albums) this year and was able to only give a little bit of attention to even more. From the likes of Reverse the Curse, Andrew Jackson Jihad, The Eternals, Wild Flag, Wolves and the Radio, M83, Beirut, Josh T. Pearson, Laura Stevenson, Pickering Pick, Young Mountain, The Horrible Crowes, Wavelets, Mastodon, JC Brooks, Steve Earle, Title Fight, Tellison, etc, the list could stretch on for miles. There aren’t enough hours in the day and isn’t enough money in my wallet to get to everything. This is (after all) a list of my 50 favorite albums of 2011. Consider the above honorable mentions.

So without further ado, here is part one of the list. PLEASE do yourself a favor and purchase any/all of the music here that you’ve been hesitating on. Being in a touring band is hard work and these folks need/deserve your support.

50. Static Radio NJ – We Are All Beasts (Kiss Of Death)
Significantly more pop-punk and less hardcore than their last album (that’s a good thing). Also, this more like Nirvana than I thought it was possible to in 2011.

49. Russian Circles – Empros (Sargent House)
Here’s the token “heavy” album from my list. To be totally honest, I didn’t listen to much that could be considered “heavy” in 2011. Whatever. This album slays.

48. Water Tower Bucket Boys – Sole Kitchen (Cohouse)
Quite possibly the best old-timey bluegrass band that Portland has to offer. These guys sure can play, and it makes me wanna drink and stomp my feet.

47. The Heat Tape – Raccoon Valley Recordings (Red Scare)
This is the lo-fi side project of Brett from The Copyrights. It’s punkish rock and roll that is catchy-as-hell and isn’t dissimilar at all to The Thermals, etc…

46. Mike Park – Smile (Asian Man)
Mike Park made a record for children/families/etc… and my kids love this, so I love this. Seriously, I’d love it even if my kids thought it sucked.

45. Hawks And Doves – Year One (No Idea)
Guess what? Garrett from Planes Mistaken For Stars is back with Hawks And Doves and while listening to this doesn’t make me wanna slit my wrists, it’s not really sunshine and roses.

44. Austin Lucas – A New Home In The Old World (Last Chance)
Austin Lucas has one of the greatest and most distinctive voices in alt-roots music today. This album is probably the most rockingest album he’s released, and also his best.

43. New Found Glory – Radiosurgery (Epitaph)
I was disappointed after my first listen but that changed after a few listens. Radiosurgery is easily one of the better albums NFG has released, but did they seriously spend 40+ days in the studio?

42. William Elliott Whitmore – Field Songs (Anti)
These songs are as honest as the black Iowa dirt William Elliott Whitmore calls home. It’s a more stripped down affair than his last album, and I like it more.

41. The Wonder Years – Suburbia I’ve Given You All And Now I’m Nothing (No Sleep)
Personally, I liked The Upsides more, but this is still a tremendously strong pop punk album. As an aside, my daughter colored a picture and gave it Soupy a few months ago. Cool kid indeed.

40. Big Kids – Phone Home (Protagonist)
Hmmm… is there emo in this punk or is there punk in this emo? However you call it, these are some seriously fun tunes that remind me a little (lot) of that thing that Joyce Manor does. The singer also sounds a little like Jeff Rosenstock.

39. Banner Pilot – Heart Beats Pacific (Fat Wreck)
Have I fallen out of love with Banner Pilot? I don’t think so, but why isn’t this higher on my list? It’s the exact same infectious and gruff Midwestern pop-punk they’ve been playing since day one. It’s not you, it’s me.

38. Woods – Sun And Shade (Woodsist)
If you like sprawling lo-fi indie folk that’s as catchy as it is drawn out, you should get lost in the woods.

37. Algernon Cadwallader – Parrot Files (Big Scary Monsters)
This is real emo for the real emo kids. Do you like Cap’n Jazz or Street Smart Cyclist? Then you already love this, right?

36. The Wooden Birds – Two Matchsticks (Barsuk)
Who knew that former American Analog Set frontman Andrew Kenny would recruit Matt Pond into The Wooden Birds for the band’s second album. Kinda sounds like exactly what we’ve come to expect from him, and it’s great.

35. Basement – I Wish I Could Stay Here (Run For Cover)
This is post-hardcore/emo/punk from the UK that gives nods to the likes of Crime In Stereo and also your favorite new band in this genre . The album is album gray and chilly in tone and is perfect winter music.

34. How Dare You – The King, The Clown, & The Colonel (Anchorless)
More straightforward (that means less overt hardcore influence) than the band’s previous album but more melodic and probably catchier. What is it about Florida and all the great music?

33. Left Lane Cruiser – Junkyard Speedball (Alive)
This is easily the most diverse album yet from these Fort Wayne, IN punkass blues dudes. Five songs feature Reverend James Leg of the Black Diamond Heavies on keys. It’s pretty bitchin’.

32. Nothington – Borowed Time (Red Scare)
I loved Nothington’s last two albums, and this one is no exception. It’s Bay Area punk painted in shades of Leatherface and Social Distortion. I’m guessing that, in time, this will make it’s way nearer the top of this list.

31. Flashlights – I’m Not Alone (self-released)
I like Superchunk and Built To Spill, but probably not as much as these guys. Let the nostalgia flow like wine and just enjoy this fuzzed out power pop gem.

30. Into It Over It – Proper (No Sleep)
Finally a proper full-length from that guy who ate pizza in that one Mixtapes video. Honestly, I had no idea this record would be this good, and with songs ranging from sparse to full-band post-hardcore, it’s remarkably cohesive.

29. Future Virgins – Western Problems (Starcleaner)
Raw. Garagey. Catchy. Breakneck. Bluesy. Punk. Rock. This album will punch you and take your girlfriend out for a milkshake.

28. Living With Lions – Holy Shit (Adeline)
I’m not sure what it is about LWL, but something about this album is really comforting. It’s nothing more than really well-played an ultra-melodic pop punk, but I’ll be damned if there isn’t something more here. The mysteries of music…

27. Chuck Ragan – Covering Ground (Side One Dummy)
Chuck Ragan can do no wrong and Covering Ground picks up exactly where his last album Gold Country left off. You know, Chuck’s bellowing voice accompanied by acoustic guitar and the usual cast of characters.

26. Direct Hit – Domesplitter (Kind Of Like)
Fuck you! Get pumped!

Ok. That’s it for now. Stay tuned for the second part of the list tomorrow or the next day… or not.

Posted December 20, 2011 · Tags:

6 Great Albums From 2010 That I Missed Last Year

All these albums would have been on my best of 2010 list (or at least damn close) had I heard them all earlier.

Robyn – Body Talk
I think it was late December of 2010 when I became infatuated with Robyn’s infectious dance-pop. I haven’t been able to shake it since.

The Arrivals – Volatile Molotov
Wow. How good have The Arrivals become? I remember what the band was like damn near 10 years ago, and this is definitely not the same band. Volatile Molotov would have easily made my top 10 list from last year.

Black Sails, Western Shores – Half Way Home
From Bakersfield, CA and available for FREE from Death To False Hope. RIYL: Hot Water Music. Now you have no excuse for not listening to this.

Sleigh Bells – Treats
Obnoxious as hell but so damn fun. Easily one of the funnest records of 2010. My daughters love this album and generally go bananas whenever they hear “Infinity Guitars.”

The Wild – Set Ourselves Free
Released digitally by Quote Unquote and physically by Asian Man Records. This is the best indie folk punk I’ve heard in quite some time.

Make Do And Mend – End Measured Mile
Hard-hitting punk/hardcore that takes cues from HWM (and the like) but brings something fresh and new to the table. This album makes me wanna scream at the top of my lungs.

Posted December 19, 2011 · Tags:

Our Favorite Albums of 2001

I’m back at it again and for the fourth year in a row I’m revisiting my favorite albums of ten years ago. So far I’ve done 1998, 1999, 2000 and now I’m happy to present 2001. Looking back (and knowing what I do now) here are the 20 albums from 2001 that have really lasted for me.

Alkaline Trio – From Here To Infirmary
When it comes to these guys, I’m sort of a purist and an asshole when I talk about liking the early stuff better, but these songs hold up pretty well and it’s still pre-Derek.

American Analog Set – Know By Heart
By far my favorite album from this band. It’s full of slow and hypnotic rhythms and infectious melodies that I still haven’t been able to shake.

Andrew WK – I Get Wet
Don’t laugh. These songs are great. This production is great. There’s nothing ironic about it all.

As Friends Rust – Won
This band should have been WAY bigger than they were as should this album. Fierce and cutting but super catchy at the same time.

Ben Folds – Rockin’ The Suburbs
I’m a sucker for Ben Folds and this album has got it’s fair share of gems that I can’t ever turn off when they come up in a shuffle.

Converge – Jane Doe
Duh? This one was a game-changer.

Dashboard Confessional – The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most
Say what you like, but the first two Dashboard albums are pretty fucking great. Yes, they’re sappy, but we were all young and in love once and this was the soundtrack.

The Dismemberment Plan – Change
My second favorite record from The D-Plan and also one of the best albums of the 2000′s. Viva Travis & company!

Division – Who Died | A Working Title
I wrote about the band here, but really, this is just a great pop-punk album that’s different from so much within the genre despite taking cues from the likes of Smoking Popes and Alkaline Trio.

Frodus – And We Washed Our Weapons In The Sea
Dark. Brooding. Heavy? Angular. Post-punk. DC.

Fugazi – The Argument
How could this not be on my list?

Gorillaz – Gorillaz
I listened to this album a lot back in the day and it still holds up. So many great songs on here. Damon Albarn is the man.

Hot Water Music – A Flight And A Crash
Ahh… a classic from one of my favorite bands… ever.

Jimmy Eat World – Bleed American
It’s not Clarity but this one does have “Sweetness” on it. Despite being the band’s biggest album, it’s also really really good.

Julie Doiron – Desormais
This Canadian chanteuse also released an English language album (Heart & Crime) in 2001 but when she sings in French it just sounds sooo lovely.

Lucero – Lucero
The first real album from another of my favorite bands ever. They were just as good back then as they are now.

New End Original – Thriller
The only album this band ever released, it features members of Texas Is The Reason and the one and only Jonah Matranga.

Tristeza – Dream Signals In Full Circles
My wife and I both love this record. It only takes a few seconds to get lost in this album. I can still picture the day I bought this like it was yesterday.

Saves The Day – Stay What You Are
The last album this band made before they totally sucked. I haven’t liked anything they’ve done since. This one is good though.

Zero Zero – AM Gold
This is Ari’s post-Lifetime indie synth-pop band and it’s fucking amazing. Get into it.

Posted December 16, 2011 ·

There’s More Where This Came From

So how the heck have you been? Thanks for sticking around. I’ll have a the usual “listy” year end sorta posts up over the next few days, so there’s that.

That’s about it. Here’s to 2012! I can’t fucking wait for a new year to begin after the way this one has ended.

If you’ve been living under a rock lately, the reason that I didn’t post nearly enough on Can You See the Sunset in 2011 was that I began playing my own music again. It’s been a ton of fun too. If you want to hear what it’s all about (really, it’s just acoustic singer-songwriter fare) you can listen to something like 120 of my songs spanning the last 15 years over on my Bandcamp page.

I’ve also got another sorta different project that was quickly thrown together a month or two ago and it’s called Mexican Jazz. The songs sound shitty, but I love ‘em. Mexican Jazz was born one Saturday night this past October in the company of Jim, Jen, Steve, Reba, Sarah, and (most importantly) Amy since we were out for her birthday. I can’t remember who said it, but I remarked, “Mexican Jazz would be a great name for a band,” and then a week later had a 5 song EP from said “band” finished. The songs are up on the Mexican Jazz Bandcamp page.

That’s that. More to come in the next few days.

Posted December 16, 2011 · Tags: ,

What are you doing Friday?

I know that a good majority of the “local” people that read this blog will be going to Riot Fest this Friday, but if (by chance) you aren’t going, you should come out to Batavia, IL since I’m playing a free show and sharing the bill with Dustin Darnold. That’s right, I said FREE show. Anyhow, all the details are here if you want to check it out.

Posted October 5, 2011 · Tags: ,

The Summer’s Almost Over

Hi there. It’s been awhile. Yeah, I’ve been slacking on keeping this blog current and I’m pretty OK with that. Still, moving forward, updates should be considerably more frequent. You might (hopefully) notice the new layout but if you don’t you’ve either never been here before or you might need to get your eyes checked. With any luck (and motivation) I’ll actually make this blog worth reading again.

This summer has been quite a blur. Last week I got together with the guys from Rock and Roll Brunch to record an episode of the podcast and it was a blast, but I think I sounded like an ass (but, hey, I usually do, so…) Last weekend headed out to Middlewest Fest in nearby DeKalb to see Mixtapes, AM Taxi, The Wonder Years, and Kid You’ll Move Mountains (among others). The weather was beautiful, the bands were great, but I feel like it could have (and should have) been so much better. It’s a small music fest with a lot of opportunity to be great but it isn’t quite there yet. My daughters were jamming to some awful Talking Heads cover band before we sat down for some Mexican food with Mixtapes and The Wonder Years. My 5 year old daughter even sang Mixtapes songs to Ryan and Maura from the band and colored a picture for Soupy from The Wonder Years. Seriously, my two daughters (with a combined age of 7) are cooler than me. I’m not kidding at all.

Posted September 16, 2011 · Tags: , ,

In Transition


Hey, sorry for the long absence here. I’ll be back with something new momentarily. Until then, you might notice some changes (strange things with the formatting and layout) around here. Bear with me. We’ll be back to the regularly scheduled content here very soon. Until then you might be able to find me spinning great songs on Turntable.fm, I’m usually in the Punk Tape Soup room.

Considering how the US economy is doing, you might also want to think about getting your prescription medication from any Canadian pharmacy online or even resorting to homeopathic techniques and the secrets of ancient herbal medecines. And speacking of medicine and herbal remedies, if you haven’t already, you should check out the latest releases from Joyce Manor, Basement, Broadcaster, and How Dare You. I’ve been listening to those a lot lately.

Until later…

Posted August 22, 2011 · Tags:
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