DS Staff Picks: AnarchoPunk’s Top Ten Albums of 2017

DS Staff Picks: AnarchoPunk’s Top Ten Albums of 2017

I’m not going to bore you with a bunch of pleasantries because I don’t have time for it, so we’re gonna just hop right into this.  If you wanna know what I’m busy with, check out the Featured Stream section to the right hand section of this page, over there >>> yea, that’s me. Or you could listen to Dying Scene Radio, (The Official Podcast of DyingScene.com) to hear my silky smooth, baritone voice. Or you could go check out out my Instagram page which features pictures from the 125+ sets I shot this year. Damn….I need a break. In between all of that, I also managed to listen to some pretty fantastic albums! Peep my top ten favorites from the year that was, below!

10. Joystick – Sinceriously

Certainly nothing Earth shattering here but since being released in the summer, this catchy ass, twelve track LP got a ton of playtime in the Anarcho-household. If you like feel good, upbeat ska like The Inturrupters or Be Like Max, you need to get on this one, stat! Excellent Sunday Morning music!

 

 

 

 

Recommended Track: “Merry Kitchen”

 

9. Voice of Addiction – The Lost Art of Empathy

GAAAWD DAMN, I love some politically charged, anti-establishment punk and this Chicago based trio can hang with the best of them. If you’re unfamiliar, this is a perfect album to act as a formal introduction. It’s by far their most polished offering of which there are four or five of now. Think Propagandhi with a little more melodic hardcore and a lil less thrash.  Side Note: If their Facebook page is to be trusted, they also expect to release another new album next year! I’ll go ahead and pencil that one in for 2018.

 

 

Recommended Track: Lockwood”

 

8. Mobina Galore – Feeling Disconnected

Pure fucking power, this one. The amount of energy that this dynamic duo manages to pack into the ten tracks is absurd. I defy you to find another album from this past year with this much  muscle. I would’ve liked a bit more diversity as far as overall song composition is concerned but the fact that this is only their second studio album and it’s already being recognized on Album of the Year lists speaks volumes for the talent level on display. Even if you disagree with the selection, keep an eye on these young ladies, I’m betting they’ll be showing up on more lists as they keep growing.

 

Recommended Track: “Losing Time”

 

7. Decent CriminalBloom

This album originally didn’t do much for me but after seeing this NorCal quartet shred up the stage at a local show, I went back and listened to the debut LP again and I found a new appreciation (I can’t be the only one who gets influenced by live performances, can I?). Their energy is herpes-level-contagious, the song/lyrical content is some pretty outstanding shit, their musical acumen is off the charts and they’re fucking top notch dudes. For those reasons, among others, this LP made the list even though this isn’t normally my ‘type’ of punk. Well played, boys..

 

Recommended Track:”Cold”

 

6. Wasted Potential – Living Up to the Name

Fuck….this album melted my face so many times this year…that is all.

 

 

 

 

 

Recommended Track: “Jazz Age”

 

5. NothingtonIn the End

Jay Northington and company returned this year with their fourth full length and it was just as immaculate as we all thought it would be. The Bay Area boys picked up right where they left off with 2011’s Borrowed Time which perpetually lives in my all time favorite albums list. Eleven tracks, each better than the last with impeccable guitar solos and gravelly, rustic vocals narrating each one. Even if blue collar, Gainesville style punk ain’t yo’ thang, the songwriting alone is enough to give this one a listen.

 

 

Recommended Track: “Cobblestones”

 

4. Stupid Stupid HenchmenChill Out, Die Later…

If you don’t know SSH, I don’t want to know you. That’s not true. I like you, so if you aren’t familiar, let’s get you up to speed so we can hang. This skacore troupe has been trolling the gutters of updtate NY since the late 90’s but they never get the recognition they deserve. Of all of the albums on this year’s list, this one is by far the most complete and well rounded. As with every SSH album, you get a lot of bang for your buck but this year, they stepped it up adding tons of variety without losing their signature style and sound. Go give them your money.

Recommended Track: “Internal Struggles of Rebellion”

 

3. FitnessPuppet Show and Fitness

Look. There’s a few rules here at DS. One is that you can’t cook fish in the microwave in the break room and the second is that the album of the year list must contain only LPs. Wellll, fuck that shit. When an EP this good comes out, I’m gonna add it to the list. Oh? You don’t like that? Well, here. Let me put it at #3. How’s that fit you? Six tracks is borderline LP anyway. All kidding aside, this is quite honestly, the perfect album….even “Firebird”…especially “Firebird”!

 

 

 

Recommended Track: “Road Lizard”

 

2. Bad Cop/Bad CopWarriors

If we’re voting strictly on playtime, this one would probably come in at #1 because this fucker was in my CD player so long that it established a commune and claimed squatter’s rights when I tried to swap it out. I came for the awesome music, I stayed for the “Feminist rage” as one insecure, boot licking, former podcast host so eloquently labeled it.

 

 

 

Recommended Track: “Why Change A Thing”

 

1. Propagandhi Victory Lap

You know it’s #1. And even though it’s probably only my fourth or fifth favorite Propagandhi album, I know it’s #1. Let’s just acknowledge that fact and spend the rest of our time thrashing to my favorite track from the LP. “Alright, Peep hole! We’re gonna have a rock n’ roll party tonight!!”

 

 

 

 

Recommended Track: “Failed Imagineer”

 

Honorable Mentions: Shirley D. PressedRust; 88 Fingers LouieThank You For Being a Friend; SketchyHeck; Hot Water MusicNever Going Back; RancidTrouble Maker; MenzingersAfter The Party

 

Until next year, comrades, stay safe!

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