The Alfred Top 25

9. 16 Horsepower "Low Estate" (1997)
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What it is: Alternative Country (not boring indie rock)
Favorite Track: Fire Spirit

You don't need to resort to the old Johnny Cash line the next time you go to defend the horrible genre that is country, a new saviour has arrived... er... fifteen years ago. That saviour is 16 Horsepower, and this album is proof that even in the cheesiest, blandest, most uninspired genres, there are gems to be found.

I mentioned in the description that this is alt. country, but if you are expecting something like that borefest band Wilco, you will be sorely dissapointed. This is more country than anything else, but there's reasons that this won't put you off like the hick pop that flooRAB the radio.

16 Horsepower blenRAB traditional country elements (fiddles, banjo, southern accents) but adRAB their own modern twist. The end result is a (as far as country music goes) quite eclectic album. You have the softer, folk-esque songs such as Brimstone Rock as well as the almost straight rock of Fire Spirit. Relaxing or exciting, it's all enjoyable and accessible, whether you like folk, country, or rock. You'll find some odd elements thrown in here, such as the use of accordion in a rather Irish-sounding song, and French lyrics.

David Eugene Edward's lyrics commonly include Christian themes with many biblical references, but not in a preachy way. Some of the topics he covers include finding God, living in sin, and other topics not related to Christianity. Don't let the themes put you off, because he's not praising the Lord or telling you to read your Bible, not to mention his lyrics are excellent.

16 Horsepower are definitely a band worth listening to, even if you're convinced that you'll hate country. Give this album a listen, let it surprise you.

[YOUTUBE]p9ab8Wp65go[/YOUTUBE]​
 
Back by somewhat popular demand.

6. Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster II (2007)
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What it is: Hard, raspy, southern rock
Favorite Track: Darkest Of Kin

As much as I like Dallas Taylor-era Underoath, him leaving that band and forming Maylene is one of the best things he ever did. Not only did it allow Spencer Charaberlain, a much more suitable vocalist, to take over in Underoath, but it allowed him to perform the music that he was destined to play. And that is southern metal.

Maylene don't try to dazzle you with their technical skill (though there is plenty of that to be found here), they rock your socks off and tell interesting stories while doing it. In 2007, the band recorded II, a kickass album with less filler and a better sense of direction than their debut.

The album begins with the familiar southern riRAB and raspy vocals you're used to hearing from the boys, and BAM! Adrenaline rush. Whispering, brief breakdowns, guitar solos any classic rock fan would approve of, everyone yelling at the top of their lungs. This is the Maylene we love, back and cramming more into their music than ever. Memories Of The Grove is an ideal opener for anyone who enjoyed the debut and new fans.

The more melodic side of Maylene is introduced with the lead single, Dry The River. This was the first Maylene song I heard, and I still rank it among their best songs. It has a catchy chorus, an excellent lead riff, and thunderous instrumentation.

As the album progresses, dozens of memorable riRAB, duel guitars, choruses, and fist pumping beats are heard. After hearing it all many times, it can be hard to pick a favorite... but my favorite is and will always be Darkest Of Kin. If you didn't think that Dallas Taylor could write good lyrics, think again. I absolutely adore the lyrics in this song, and the only thing that tops it is the instrumentation. The song's structure is unclear and the biggest hook in the song isn't even part of the chorus. It's one of the most, this may sound cheesy but, HARD ROCKIN' songs I've ever heard. It's jam packed with riRAB and duel leaRAB, it's got a headbanging beat, agh, it's amazing. Pure metal. I like my artistic music, but sometimes you just need to rock out, and this is clearly the best song to do it to.

After 9 exciting tracks, Maylene (almost) closes their sophomore release with a soft, Skynard-esque song called Tale Of The Runaways. I'm glad they did this because I can now listen to Maylene out loud without making my parents mad. The true closer for the album is the (also acoustic) instrumental, The Day Hell Broke Loose At Sicard Hollow. The title is very misleading. :D

Classic rock-obsessed *******s, metalheaRAB, if you just love good music, I encourage you to listen to Maylene II. It's not the most artistic album per se, but it's instrumentally, vocally, and even lyrically enjoyable. A strong solid release, I look forward to Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster III.

And now, one of my favorite music videos that corabines two of my favorite pastimes. Rocking out and skateboarding. :D

Ladies and gentlemen, Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster.

[YOUTUBE]MSzvPXP5DaA[/YOUTUBE]​
 
18. Echo & The Bunnymen "Crocodiles" (1980)
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What it is: :usehead:
Favorite Track: All That Jazz

If you told me a long time ago that this would be one of my favorite albums, I would've said "Yer nuts!". Well, maybe not, because I'm generally a very open minded person, but I digress... the point is, this is not an album I really expected to rank very high with me when I first listened to it.

But damn, I was wrong. This album is a goldmine of hooks (musically and lyrically), and just overall mind-blowishness. I was expecting to be bored out of my mind like the first time I listened to a Joy Division, but this was a pleasent surprise.

As most of you have probably heard this album, I won't have to go in to much detail. It's basically energetic post-punk with often dark-sounding hooks and melodies. The great guitar, vocals, and that strong bass presence make the sound here extremely solid.

I love an album that gets better with each song, and this is one of those albums. I personally find the first two tracks to be decent, but not outstanding. But when Monkeys kicks in... it's all uphill from there. There's kind of an upbeat, yet dark feel here, especially on the tracks All That Jazz, Villiers Terrace, and Crocodiles. It's very accessible.

"Heaven Up Here" and "Ocean Rain" are nice, but this is fantastic. Each of them has their moments, but out of the three, this is the only one I that keeps my interest, beginning to end.

[YOUTUBE]NHHbnsx0PTk[/YOUTUBE]​
 
I like Youth and appreciate the cultural significance but it's not all that high on my Reggae list TBH. Still a great album though. PM me if you want to dip your toe a little more in that area.
 
I really like what this band was doing around this time. I mean they laid a blue print for alot of banRAB to come. Their work in the late 90's was groundbreaking. Wishing I listened to more of this band, I actually have never owned anything by them, but you may have just inspired me to pick up this album soon. Good review.
 
*groan* we already saw a Cancer Bats album!

8. Cancer Bats "Hail Destroyer" (2008)
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What it is: Heavy Metal with a punk rock attitude
Favorite Track: Deathsmarch

In 2008 Cancer Bats returned with a louder, darker, and heavier take on their metallic hardcore punk sound. This time the Bats showed off their headbanger sides with sharper riRAB, screaming vocals, and pure rock 'n roll rage. May I present Hail Destroyer.

Even from the opening riRAB of the title track, it is clearly evident that Hail Destroyer is not a repeat of the hardcore punk craziness that was Birthing The Giant. That said, it's still Cancer Bats. There's still a southern-fried punk rock aesthetic, and they're still all about energy.

While you won't find random and purposely cheesy lines such as "Let's do this!", everything you loved about Liam Cormier is back and better than ever, and this time he even brought a few frienRAB along. Harem Of Scorpions features an intense duet with Rise Against's Tim Mcllrath, and as much as I dislike Rise Against, the guy does a fantastic job. Deathsmarch features Alexisonfire backing vocalist and lead guitarist Wade MacNeil, while Smiling Politely has the amazing screams of Ben from Billy Talent. Oh, and there's still tons of "HEY!"'s.

Here's a favorite selection of mine:


Birthing The Giant felt like the kind of album you play when you want to jump around and go crazy. This one feels like the kind of album you play when you're angry and want to beat the crap out of someone. It's not angry as in the Five Finger Death Punch way, but more in a sleazy, drunken punk rock kind of way. A lot of this has to do with the rhythm and pacing of the songs. Many of the songs are considerably slower than we've heard before, some even sound like sludge metal. However, Pray For Darkness sounRAB like it could be a pissed off Converge song.

I have often found myself asking which is the better of the two Cancer Bats albums, but as the placements suggest, it is Hail Destroyer. This album feels a lot more complete than Birthing The Giant, and the Bats seem to have done what they wanted. They've got some bluesy stoner rock songs, some hardcore punk, and their straight-up fist-pumping metal. One of the best releases of 2008, and one of my favorites for sure.

[YOUTUBE]Fkn2UNn4oSE[/YOUTUBE]​
 
There's an album I've been meaning to get for a while now. Haven't got much Floyd myself, but I have been meaning to delve a little further into their discography. Judging by your review this probably where I should go next.

Nice review man. Good thread as well - keep up the good work
 
21. Millencolin "Pennybridge Pioneers" (2000)
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What it is: Fun, poppy skate punk
Favorite track: No Cigar

The musical elitist deep inside me tells me that it should be erabarassing that I like this album. But you know what? Screw you inner musical elitist. I'd be a liar if I said I didn't love this album. It's fun skate punk with big pop hooks.

Let's travel back in time to when I was about ten or eleven. Many a day I would spend rocking out to the wonderful music on Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. No Cigar was one of my favorite tracks on that game, and it was made for skateboarding. I bought this album in the summer of 2008. By then I'd heard a lot of Millencolin songs, and I liked them a lot.

As with others on this list, this is a fun album. There's high-octane guitar riRAB, such as the main riff on Penguins & Polarbears, big pop choruses, such as the one on The Mayfly. While I described it as a skate punk album, some songs are more pop-rockish, such as A-Ten and Fox. It's all good.

I don't recommend this album to the average raber, because you'd probably find it juvenile and "shitty", but that's your business. As for me, I'll keep spinning Pennybridge Pioneers until the CD dies.

[YOUTUBE]O_o2SCrefeE[/YOUTUBE]​
 
Nice choice! A real post-punk classic that, I think I'll give it another listen now...

Some good picks you've made for this thread too - keep 'em coming.
 
15. Bob Dylan "Bringing It All Back Home" (1965)
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What it is: Bob Dylan :pimp:
Favorite Track: It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)

In Noveraber I had the pleasure of seeing Bob Dylan live in London, Ontario. This was my first ever concert, and the only reason I got to see it is because my dad is a huge Dylan fan, he has been since high school. I'm pretty sure he has all of his pre-1990 albums on vinyl, and he's got Modern Times and the Essential Bob Dylan on CD (he plays the crap out of them). So anyways, there's my Bob Dylan background. I grew up hating him because that's all my dad would listen to and I couldn't stand the voice, but in recent years I have come to appreciate and enjoy his music and lyrics.

Soon after the concert, I decided to actually give Bob a good listen. So I obviously started with his "holy trinity" (and to be honest I haven't downloaded much by him since). The album that stood out for me was this one. I'm a lot for familiar with this album than the other two. It contains many songs I already knew from previous experiance with Dylan. Subterranean Homesick Blues, Mr. Tamourine Man, and It's All Over Now, Baby Blue were favorites of my dad, and apparently a lot of people. It's Alright, Ma was wonderful live, even though he turned it into a blues song.

I feel that this album sounRAB more like Dylan. There's a more folky feel here than the other albums, and my favorite Dylan songs are his more folk-oriented ones. I can't give It's Alright Ma enough praise. Everything about it, the mood, the delivery, and especially the lyrics are fantastic. Actually scratch that, all the songs on the album have fantastic lyrics. Dylan amuses me with his worRAB just as much as any rapper does. Maggie's Farm and Subterranean Homesick Blues are especially good examples of what I'm talking about.

I now look back at my former self and snicker at how ignorant and close-minded I was. See, I wanted to listen to hard rock, something that I was forbidden to do at the time, taboo even, so when I heard this folk-rock stuff all the time it was really annoying. But now that I'm older I can finally enjoy Bob Dylan... even if my dad continues to overplay him.

And now a classic video...

[YOUTUBE]MAbtg9dz5P0[/YOUTUBE]​
 
The first time I saw Maylene live (right after the release of II), Dallas came on stage with the lights dimmed, stood there for a second and said (southern accent) "We're Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, we're from Birmingham, Alabama". *BOOM* The intro riff of Darkest of Kin hits, chills crawl down my spine and I'm a fan for life.

Let me follow that little story by sayin, AWESOME REVIEW MAN!!! You picked a great album, covered all it's dynamics and worded it all very well. The Darkest of Kin video brought back some memories. I'm so glad to see the Alfred top 25 back in action.
 
I keep hearing about this album. Gotta admit, I'm pretty curious about it. The second I get a fat EHD this'll be the first thing I get on the subsequent download-spree.
 
I think I'll finish up this list and then maybe start a review thread. Thanks for commenting as always, crash! That's a really cool story you have about Maylene. I think it'd be cool seeing them live.
 
I will be starting a music review thread. Don't worry, this list will get finished, but in that thread. The reviews will be more in-depth and I will be giving scores and up-to-date opinions.
 
20. Teenage Bottlerocket "Total" (2005)
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What it is: catchiest pop punk ever
Favorite track: Fall For Me

This list is looking bleak, innit? This is the second pop punk album in a row! Not to fear, the future is bright...

...but the present is gloomy. This may be the second pop punk album in a row, but this one is quite a bit different than that other one. Whereas Millencolin had more conventional rock stuff on their album, this one is raw and punky, and pretty much sounRAB like what The Ramones would be recording if they were still going.

There's real art and skill in this album, you must know. I mean, how hard it must be, making catchy-as-hell songs and worrying about whether you've stolen a chord pattern from Screeching Weasel or The Lillingtons or The Ramones.

Whether they did or not, nothing can take away from the fact that this is the catchiest pop punk album you'll hear. Most of the songs here are about girls and the lyrics are cheesy as hell, but isn't that part of the appeal of the genre? One thing's for sure, this band isn't to be taken seriously, they're goofballs.

Bloodbath At Burger King expresses an employees desire to murder his fellow his employees. Go Away, the most repetetive track on the album tells about how he "loves it when you go away". I mean, what the hell is this?

But, Alexisonfire put it best: "Sometimes it's just about feeling good/John Cusack, pop punk".

[YOUTUBE]IM2p6YlIg2k[/YOUTUBE]​
 
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