Before you stick ‘Christmas Songs’ on the turntable and settle down by the fire in your festive Descendents jumper, let’s take a look back at the last 12 months in punk. As it turned out, 2013 was a year for bands maturing, new faces and comebacks.
Below are 10 records that will stand the test of time, having been plucked from a pretty strong field. Hammering at the door were great albums from Iron Chic, the Flatliners, Comadre, A Wilhelm Scream, the Bronx, Lemuria, Bad Religion, RVIVR, Off With Their Heads, Drug Church and Banquets, while Alkaline Trio produced some of their best work in years on the 'Broken Wing' EP.
1. TouchéAmoré - Is Survived By
Just a great record. Honest, intense and shot through with a rich vein of melody. TouchéAmoré have been a very, very good hardcore band for some time, and ‘Is Survived By’ deserves to be remembered as a modern classic.
2. Paint It Black - Invisible EP
It’s been five years since ‘New Lexicon’ and four since ‘Surrender’ and ‘Amnesia’, but Paint It Black didn’t display one spot of ring rust on this six track effort. Dan Yemin, a true treasure, presided over the chaos, anchoring the record with a visceral vocal performance and challenging lyrics. It’s good to have them back.
This Canadian bunch don’t make life easy for themselves. Lyrically complex, their latest record is a look at the life of Giordano Bruno, who was burned at the stake by the Roman Inqusition in 1600. Accompanying their thematic clout is a thrilling set of songs, which range from brooding to breakneck.
Undoubtedly the finest punk concept album about the apocalypse released in 2013. Don’t believe us? Take a cruise around town with the protagonists of Buried Alive and see for yourselves. A step up from their debut, a superb collection in its own right, 'Brainless God' is the sound of a band arriving. They’re also fucking great live.
An album that demands attention and provokes the kind of singalongs reserved for the sweatiest, most memorable shows. Luckily, Caves are also one of the most infectiously brilliant live acts currently on the circuit, mashing together twin vocals, crashing cymbals and thunderous guitars to addictive effect.
6. Captain, We're Sinking - The Future Is Cancelled
A pretty special record from a band with the potential to do some amazing things in the next few years. Flitting between scuzzy guitars and brilliant melodies, all while packing a serious emotional punch, ‘The Future Is Cancelled’ delivered on every level.
Comebacks are a tricky business, but Modern Life Is War absolutely nailed it. With their original line-up back on board they picked up from where ‘Witness’ left off, delivering a ferocious, melodic burst of hardcore. In Health, Wealth And Peace they have a partner piece to D.E.A.D.R.A.M.O.N.E.S.
No other band in pop-punk’s new breed can lay a finger on the Wonder Years. ‘The Greatest Generation’, despite a couple of lulls, reinforced their position at the forefront of things, offering a fresh dose of soul-searching and frantic singalongs.
The demise of the Measure [sa] was very sad indeed, but that band’s vocalist, Lauren Denitzio, returned with a superb collection of songs in the form of ‘Cruel Optimist’. Backed by Rachel Rubino, of Bridge and Tunnel, Tim Burke and Mikey Erg, Denitzio's songwriting prowess was matched by her ability to pen thought-provoking lyrics.
That ‘Old Wild Hearts’ isn’t quite as good as ‘Perfect’s Gonna Fail’ is much more to do with that album than this one. Here we found Gateway District dialling up the pop end of their sound and delivering another batch of beautifully crafted punk songs.
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