merry christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope everyone has a great day whether you celebrate this particular Christian holiday, eight crazy Jewish nights or any other religion based holiday. Either way, hopefully yous make it a good one today and at least eat a lot. Cheers, friends!

Kind of an anti-Christmas song written by a Jew but still feels Christmas-y and is a lot of  fun. Enjoy!

 

world juniors 2013

Still no NHL. I think we're over it anyways. Quite often the best hockey of the year (at least in Toronto) is during the World Junior Tournament that kicks off every boxing day. The games, officially known as "2013 Ice Hockey U20 World Championship, are being held is Russia, who host the tournament after losing the Gold medal game to Sweden in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta last year. Canada placed third, winning the bronze medal game against Finland following a semi-final loss to the Russians. Their long time rivals came out of the gates full speed ahead and built up a 6-1 lead at the midway mark of the third period. The Canadians finally got their game going, 50 minutes too late, losing the game 6-5 after potting three quick goals to give Team Russia a scare. It was the first time Canada hadn't played in the gold medal game in 11 years. This year, the Canadians are sending out locked out Oiler young gun Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (who scored 18 goals in 62 games during his rookie NHL season) to captain a team that features six returnees, but is overall, a young team (relative terms for an under 20 event). But since the third place was the worst showing since 2001's bronze, change may not be the worst thing. A potential issue for team Canada is that if the NHL lockout resolves itself then four of their returnees will have to go back to their NHL clubs. Some owners are fine with their rookies playing for their country, others not so much. The final rosters must be submitted on Christmas day and no player can be added to the roster after said date. If we lose Nugent-Hopkins (Oilers), Jonathan Huberdeau (Florida Panthers), Mark Scheifele (Winnipeg Jets), Dougie Hamilton (Boston Bruins) and Ryan Strome (New York Islanders), we could be in for a rough ride. The loss of the veterans would definitely be a tough blow, but a shortened bench for the playoff round of the tournament would be the main  obstacle to overcome. The NHL, in lieu of angering anymore Canadians, might want to wait until after the Juniors until they resolve their player-owner CBA bickering. 

Phil Housley, seven time NHL All-Star, takes the reigns of an American squad that's coming off their worst finish in the tournament since 1999's 8th place finish. Their roster this season only has three returnees: Kitchener Rangers/Anaheim Ducks' pick John Gibson, U of Michigan/Winnipeg Jets' pick Jacob Trouba, and the New York Rangers' first rounder in 2011 J.T. Miller, who is the only one actually playing pro hockey now, with the Rangers AHL affiliate, Conneticut Whale. In fact, all but three players on the Americans roster have been drafted by an NHL team and that's only because two of them aren't draft eligible until 2013. Toronto Maple Leafs goalie prospect Garrett Sparks and current Guelph Storm netminder is trying to make the squad, as is Leaf first round pick Tyler Biggs, who currently with the Oshawa Generals. The Americans have some big punishing D-men in the backend, not to mention all three of their goalies are huge, they are going to make it tough to get pucks to the net. 

Sweden makes its first trip to the tournament as defending champions since 1982. The hallmark of Sweden over the last few years of the tournament has been their phenomenal goaltending. This year is no exception with Erie Otters goalie and Blue Jackets draft pick Oscar Dansk manning the pipes. That if he gets the starters job… Niklas Lundström, a veteran of the Swedish national stage, put up amazing numbers in the IIHF U18 tournament in 2011 and is currently playing for AIK in the Swedish Elite League. Upfront the team has some returning firepower despite losing leading scorer Max Friberg (he's now 20). Returnee Filip Forsberg, Washington's first round pick will be a player to watch for his creativity, explosive shot and great two way play. Sweden's main concern may be in the back end, with no returning members from their championship squad from a year ago, but have a great two way defenceman named Hampus Lindholm, currently of the Norfolk Admirals in the AHL and the Ducks first round pick last year, who could be their anchor.

It will be a great tournament. It always is. The Russians are perennial favourites and hosts; no one should take them lightly. Not to mention the Czecs and Fins always ice some very tough teams… Canadians can click HERE for TSN's broadcast schedule of the tournament and here's your 2013 Canadian World Juniors (NHL team in parentheses):

GOALIES:

Jordan Binnington, Owen Sound Attack (St. Louis)

Jake Paterson, Saginaw Spirit (Detroit)

Malcolm Subban, Belleville Bulls (Boston)

DEFENSEMEN:

Dougie Hamilton, Niagara Ice Dogs (Boston)

Scott Harrington, London Knights (Pittsburgh)

Ryan Murphy, Kitchener Rangers (Carolina)

Xavier Ouellet, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (Detroit)

Griffin Reinhart, Edmonton Oil Kings (New York Islanders)

Morgan Reilly, Moose Jaw Warriors (Toronto)

Tyler Wotherspoon, Portland Winterhawks (Calgary)

FORWARDS:

Anthony Camara, Barrie Colts (Boston)

Phillip Danault, Victoriaville Tigres (Chicago)

Jonathan Drouin, Halifax Mooseheads (2013 Draft)

Jonathan Huberdeau, Saint John Sea Dogs (Florida)

Charles Hudon, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (Montreal)

Boone Jenner, Oshawa Generals (Columbus)

J.C. Lipon, Kamloops Blazers (2013 Draft)

Nathan MacKinnon, Halifax Mooseheads (2013 Draft)

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Oklahoma City Barons (Edmonton)

Ty Rattie, Portland Winterhawks (St. Louis)

Brett Ritchie, Niagara Ice Dogs (Dallas)

Mark Scheifele, Barrie Colts (Winnipeg)

Ryan Strome, Niagara Ice Dogs (New York Islanders)

Added treat... 1987 tourney… Canada and Russia. If you know, then you know! Can you say double disqualification? 

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albums 2007-2012

2007: BETWEEN THE BURIED & ME - COLORS. Esstential release. Between the Buried & Me rose from the ashes of From Here On, and quickly gained notoriety for their vicious live shows and pummelling breakdowns. After releasing their debut on Lifeforce Records, the North Carolina outfit signed stateside with Victory Records. Their Victory debut, "The Silent Circus" was so much more complex with their debut followed by the more straight forward "Alaska." All of the aforementioned releases were thoroughly enjoyable, and I was looking forward to hearing "Colors." It is a 65 minute piece, broken up into eight tracks. The complex rhythms and chaos still exists throughout the release, but the band has quite the bag of musical tricks, incorporating blue grass, jazz, acoustic folk. Tommy Rogers clean singing voice has improved considerably, one full display in the opening track or at about the 8 minute mark of "Sun Of Nothing." It literally sounds like Radiohead. "Sun Of Nothing" starts off three tracks that comprise the meat of the album (33 or so minutes on three tracks). "Sun…" leads into the sprawling "Ants Of the Sky," my favourite 'track' on the album, followed by the epic "Prequel To a Sequel." After catching your breath during the sombre bass lines in "Viridian," talk about epic… "White Walls" closes the album with a fourteen minute whirlwind that seems significantly shorter in length due to a) there isn't a dull second and b) it really really awesome. 

Honourable Mention: Chuck Ragan - Feast Or Famine. Hot Water Music frontman's debut solo effort. Gruff vocals intact, Chuck is armed with a guitar and little else. 

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2008: FUCKED UP - THE CHEMISTRY OF COMMON LIFE. Arty street punk. Who knew? And in my own back yard. Toronto's Fucked Up have been putting out more 7"s than almost any band ever, mostly on Vancouver via Toronto based Deranged Records. The band finally recorded a proper full length in 2006 for Jade Tree Records called "Hidden World." It wasn't what I was expecting from the band. They had been known for their short fast songs so the last thing I expected to hear was the just-shy-of-seven minute long opener "Crusades." They slowed down the tempo and let the songs stretch out for a bit and was of the most surprisingly amazing releases of the year. Two years passed and then band put out their second album "The Chemistry Of Common Life" which doesn't stray too far from the bands formula while continuing to explore new areas. And to describe the band to anyone who hasn't listen to them is tough.. because it doesn't sound like anything special, but my God listen to "Magic Word" or "Black Albino Bones" (Dallas Green provides some guest vocals). Great band who don't appear to be slowing down anytime soon!

Honourable Mention: Young Widows - Old Wounds. Sophomore jinx is not evident anywhere on the Widows' second album. 

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2009: GALLOWS - GREY BRITAIN. UK's Gallows first major label album is significantly heavier than their debut 2006's "Orchestra Of Wolves." The took the money and ran in the great rock & roll swindle part 2. Warner weren't too pleased with the heaviosity (stole that word from Annie Hall) and couldn't hear a single on the album, and despite releasing the record, they dropped the band shortly after. Fools! "London Is the Reason" and "I Dread the Night" are two excellent singles/videos, while "Death Voices" has a great sing along chorus and "Leeches" is a great piece of fury that even makes the British accent sound tough. This is last release to feature vocalist and spark plug Frank Carter, who left the group due to creative differences and made way for former Alexisonfire guitarist/sometime vocalist Wade McNeil taking over the mic for their two subsequent releases.  This album "as daunting as blow drying your face in the evil ghost-gas that Indiana Jones unleashes from the Lost Ark." Excellent review of the album, and that quote is awesome. The new Gallows is heavier and angrier now with McNeil at the helm but it lacks the sense of social injustice and youthful energy that Frank Carter brought to the table.

Honourable Mention: Big Business - Mind the Drift. The duo became a trio on this record and sound more atmospheric than ever while toning down the noise factor.

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2010: DAUGHTERS - DAUGHTERS. The final Daughters release. They actually didn't even tour for this record, their third (if you count their debut 'full length' "Canada Songs" that lasts all of 11 minutes). Their second album "Hell Songs" was quite the change for the band, who all but abandoned the grindcore elements from their debut and Alexis Marshall who describes his vocals on the record as "the sound of Elvis Presley being tortured." The third record by Daughters is easily their most accessible, with the release actually coming close to the half hour mark. Considering ever song is over two minutes and all but one over three you know that the band has changed. Change wasn't fun for Alexis apparently though. Guitarist Nick Sadler has been playing more groove based songs, growing tired of the high pitched swirling guitars from the bands previous work. Alexis noted "It's so easy to steer it and try to be accepted, and do this because this is what's good, and this is what's going to make our band popular. That's no good. That's not art. That's shit. It's not even shit. It's less than shit. What's less than shit? I don't even know. Trying to be other bands… that's less than shit." The band did not tour in support of the release and the band other than Alexis and drummer Jon Syverson, who are currently working on new material. It's too band, because these songs would have been great to see live and Daughters never sounded better. 

Honourable Mention: Bad Religion - Dissent Of Man. Maybe the best of their 2000s Epitaph releases… Pros at work.

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2011: FRANK TURNER - ENGLAND KEEP MY BONES. UK songwriter Frank Turner's fourth album is all about England. Everything about this release feels English. Frank Turner tours excessively and must have grown tired of being away from home. The lead single "Peggy Sang the Blues" is a great choice as a single with its catchy chorus and great lyrics. "I Still Believe" was featured in the London 2012 CD as the lead track and gave the song and Frank quite a bit of exposure, despite being fairly well known, at least in an indie capacity in the UK. "Rivers," "Wessex Boy" and "English Curse" are blatant tributes to his homeland, all of which come off as honest as Dylan in his early years. Speaking of Dylan, one of the albums best tracks "I Am Disappeared," chronicles Frank getting pickup up by Bob Dylan while driving. Equally good is "Redemption" which starts off very quiet and builds and builds, the lyrics dealing with a pretty brutal sounding relationship. And to close out the album, a good old fashioned atheist song, a real toe tapper actually called "Glory Hallelujah." Great release by a great artist!

Honourable Mention: Dropkick Murphys - Going Out In Style. Boston's favourite Irish punks kill it on their seventh record. One of the funnest live bands ever capture the energy of their live show.

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2012: HOT WATER MUSIC - EXISTER. They're back! Hot Water Music are back with their first album since 2004's "The New What Next." This is the bands eighth full length and it ranks up there with classics "Fuel For the Hate Game," "No Division" and "The New What Next." Taking time off from the band and working on his solo project would have you thing Chuck Ragan would have toned it down it bit but as soon as the opening scorcher "Mainline" kicks in you know that isn't that case. Other than the albums second track "Boy, You're Gonna Hurt Someone," every track ranks up there with their best work. And that song isn't even that band. Chuck sounds masterful on the single and standout "State Of Grace," as well as the pre-release track "Drag My Body." And I'm not sure if he sounded any more angry than on the disc's closer "Paid In Full." Jason Black lays down a great bass line on "Pledge Wore Thin" and is probably my favourite song on the record. The hypnotic "No End In Sight" is another highpoint on the album despite being the slowest track on the album. The title track rages as does "Drown In It." A welcome return of a much loved band.

Honourable Mention: Propagandhi - Failed States. Sixth album by Canadian punks is realllll good. Tight, fast and intelligent. 

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Alright, so that is that. As it turns out I seem to be pretty biased to hard rock, punk rock and metal. Who knew? I guess I do now. I'll put something newsworthy up soon... I promise.

albums 2000-2006

2000: CAVE IN - JUPITER. Ranks up there with my favourite albums of all time of any genre. This is perfect to have on at anytime, day or night. I put it on while doing stuff around the house, me and my sister must have played it a million times when we were playing NES. Where to start. I had just heard their first proper full length "Until Your Heart Stops" is was a great piece of metal with above average musicianship, all the stereotypical sayings apply. By the time the second half of the album rolled around they started showing where their next album was headed (parituclarily in the superb "Bottom Feeder"), and even more-so with the spacy "Creative Eclipses" EP. So, 2000 comes along and Cave In drops their second album (third if you count "Beyond Hypothermia"). Gone are the screamed vocals (omit about 8 words in "Big Riff"), the chugging riffs and the double kick drum. They make way for Steve Brodsky's much improved vocals, layers of effects laced guitar and a stunning musical landscape throughout. The opening title track is arguably as loud as the band gets on the disc, but the tracks two-six is the meat and potatoes of the album. "In the Stream of Commerce" and "Big Riff" are long spacy rockers and would not out of place anywhere in Failure catalog. "Innuendo and Out the Other" is an absolute classic, Brodsky has never sounded better. "Brain Candle" is a short little burst of Brit-pop, but make it uniquely their own. They follow it up with another long space rocker "Requiem" which builds for about 6 minutes before exploding, only to bring everything back to Earth in the haunting denouement. Recommended for any music fan of any age. Oh, and currently at the Hydra Head Records store on 180 gram vinyl!

Honourable Mention: Juliana Theory - Emotion Is Dead. Great Southern rock jams. Sometimes mellow, sometimes no so much. Got labelled as 'emo' but don't want to call it that since it would do it quite the disservice. 

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2001: CONVERGE - JANE DOE. Furious! The opening 1-2 punch of "Concubine" and "Fault and Fracture" is the aural equivalent of having your jaw broken then your ribs broken one minute and nineteen seconds later. They calm it down on the next couple tracks, particularly "Hell To Pay" which has a repetitive bass riff that almost puts you in a trance. Those bass string sound loose. "Phoenix In Flight" and "Phoenix In Flames" are also a little mellower, sounding a little more like Neurosis or ISIS than themselves, omit Jacob Bannon's vocals. His vocals, by the way, are quite diverse. At times he sounds like a dog barking while other times he has pretty decent croon. While Bannon mellows out here and there… the band does not. "Phoenix In Flames" is followed up by one of the angriest songs on the record ("Concubine" still gets that honour) "Thaw" which sounds like a hellish nightmare, Bannon's bark is perfect (listen to the last 45 seconds of the song). By far my favourite Converge album, followed by "You Fail Me." Perfect mix of chaos and metal…

Honourable Mention: Saves the Day - Stay What You Are. Much more mature than "Through Being Cool," it is their best record. After they grew up a bit, but before "In Reverie," the record that made me tune out. Fast. 

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2002: PIEBALD - WE ARE THE ONLY FRIENDS WE HAVE. Boston's Piebald had long been putting out great post-hardcore/indie rock by the time they put out "We Are the Only Friends That We Have." A continuation of their much more refined style first explored on their album prior, "If It Weren't For Venetian Blinds It Would Be Curtains For Us All." The band starts off with "King Of the Road," an excellent introduction to the album. Travis Shettel, vocalist/guitarist can really turn a phrase, and has a very distinctive voice. He also teaches young kids in some capacity and they help him lead into the single "(Just a) Simple Plan," not to be confused the with nightmare of a band from Quebec. They cleaned up the track "American Hearts," which was on their "Barely Legal/All Ages" b-side and compilation album, and it sounds much better than the original. One of my favourites on the record is "Fear & Loathing On Cape Cod" which chronicles the lyricist (Travis?) going on a camping adventure in Cape Cod, tripping on drugs and driving golf balls into the ocean like Kramer. "The Monkey Vs the Robot" is another single from the record and a lyrics from the song is used as the name of a documentary about the band. "Rich People Can Breed" is an oddball track, but works so well right on the last of the second half of the record. "The Stalker" sounds like a Cars song, and Piebald may actually do it better. The song even features a reference to a "crimper," maybe the worst hair abomination that ever entered the market. Really poppy stuff, but not appealing enough to a mass audience I suppose, even though I think they did at least one tour opening for the Foo Fighters. 

Honourable Mention: No Warning - Ill Blood. Angry, tough as nails New York style hardcore done by Toronto's own No Warning. One of the best hardcore records from Toronto.

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2003: EVERY TIME I DIE - HOT DAMN!.  The band's debut "Last Night In Town" was pretty solid but I didn't get into it as much until I heard "Hot Damn!" Ten songs delivered in about a half hour finds the band on top of their game (or as on top as five booze cans from Buffalo can get). Keith Buckley toned down his scream a touch and shows some great glam style (or cock rock) Southern tinged album. Great mixture of sing alongs and screams, chugging riffs and breakdowns. "Romeo-a-Go-Go" is a furious anger but they always seem to end songs much better than they start them.. songs starting off so chaotic you can't catch your breath. "Off Broadway," "She's My Rushmore," "Floater," all are gems. "Godspeed Us To Sea" is my favourite ETID track off all time. Music doesn't get music catchier/heavier than that. "Ebolarama" is the only single/video from the album and the video is filmed at a roller skate, something none of the band members appeared to practice before the shoot. Too much singing on their new albums to make them essential.. I listen to them sometimes, but they just make me want to put on this album.

Honourable Mention: Lucero - That Much Further West. Just a solid band all around. I'm not even sure anything bad can be said about them. Let Ben Nichols' gruff voice take you home...

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2004: MASTODON - LEVIATHAN. Definitely the best record the New Yorker magazine has ever given a four star rating to. Mastodon started turning heads in 2002 with the release and ridiculous amount of touring in support of their album "Remission." I saw them play at the Rockit in Toronto on that tour with Daughters and Ion Dissonance. While the opening bands may be heavier and more chaotic, they didn't get the crowd going like Mastodon. "Blood and Thunder" starts off with a menacing guitar riff before the drums come in and vocalist (one of three members who contribute vocals) Brent Hinds growls "I think that someone is trying to kill me. Infecting my blood and destroying my mind.." Pretty stellar opening track. Another standout is "Seabeast," mellower in vocals but certainly not in axework! Outstanding drumming, triply guitars and great scream/sing dynamic throughout. The album is based on the story of Moby Dick, and while the story can be indecipherable at times, when the lead riff for "Iron Tusk" kicks in you feel like you are ripping through a storm in the middle of the ocean at the mercy of the powers that be. Much better than that other concept record that was such a huge hit in 2004, "American Idiot" or something like that. Although the story gets lost in the musical shuffle sometimes, the songwriting and musicianship is there in spades.

Honourable Mention: Descendents - Cool To Be You. Last Descendents record to date ranks up with their best. The inventors of the genre come back to show the kids how it's done.

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2005: PROPAGANDHI - POTEMKIN CITY LIMITS. Propagandhi have been a favourite of mine of a long time. And they seem to grow up with you. When I was 14, I swore "How To Clean Everything" was one of the greatest records ever made. There was lots of swear words, it was really fast and, despite the perceived vulgarity was fairly intelligent. Like me? Their second album 1996's "Less Talk, More Rock" was a significant step-up from their debut. Great songs, and despite a little light on the length (26 minutes), the band seemed to slow everything down. Then, bassist John K Samson leaves, and forms the Weakerthans and tours the world ten times over. How do Propagandhi respond? By releasing their most brilliant album to date, 2001's "Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes." I was floored when it came out and did think they would become so good while getting angrier. "Potemkin City Limits" continues in the tradition of "Today Empires…" with the strongest collection of songs their have put out. "A Speculative Fiction" opens the album and is arguably the best Propagandhi song ever recorded. It deals with a war between the US and Canada that hasn't happened yet. But could… bonus points for the reference to the laser puck. "Cut Into the Earth" is one of bassist Todd Kowalski's best offerings as a vocalist, and the only song on the album that isn't at a blistering speed. "Rock For Sustainable Capitalism" is a poke at every over coiffed, black make up wearing punk kid out there, quite poignantly I might add. "Name and Address Withheld" has a killer break right in the middle and gets even more bonus points for referencing Star Wars: A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back in the same song. The following album "Supporting Caste" is great, as is the newly released "Failed States" but this might be THE Propagandhi record.

Honourable Mention: Cursed - II. Heavy. Where crust punk and metal meet.

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2006: YOUNG WIDOWS - SETTLE DOWN CITY. Louisville, Kentucky's Breather Resist weren't for everyone. I wasn't a big fan. The bands singer left the group so guitarist Evan Patterson and bassist Nick Thieneman took over vocal duties and found their sound had changed so much that they felt a name change was in order. Not sure how they settled on Young Widows but no matter… Their debut as Young Widows sounds somewhere between their old band and the Jesus Lizard (the song "Gladiator" is almost a direct lift from the song "Gladiator" by the Lizard). "Small Talk" starts off calmly enough with a great bass and drum line, in fact, bass and drums are the predominant instruments throughout the record, not unlike Big Business. "Mirrorfucker" is a song that was released on a 7" as Breather Resist, and stands out as one of the albums best tracks in its revamped form. "The Charmers" is the first song I heard from the album. It was a pre-release on their myspace page and I probably played it fifty times. Great song overall, but does lose it's momentum in the middle a bit.. but it was the song that turned me onto the band so I can't help but love it. 

Honourable Mention: Daughters - Hell Songs. Daughters' start singing (kind of) and put out one of the most challenging and gratifying albums in a while.

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albums 1990-1999

1990: DANZIG - II: LUCIFUGE. The best attempt Glenn Danzig made to made a classic album following his departure from the Misfits. Glenn always had a great voice, but while he was the Misfits be singer, it wasn't the greatest outlet to unleash his Elvis meets Jim Morrison wail. On "Lucifuge" he manages to mix his hard rock, gothic rock with blues seamlessly making this his most diverse outing. Really though, how good do his vocals sound on "777" or "I'm the One"? Even the cheese-fest slow blues rocker "Killer Wolf" is a beauty. "Snakes Of Christ" is pretty much a blatant rip-off of "Twist Of Cain" from the first album, but still works since there isn't that many heavy songs on the record so it doesn't come off as a rehash, just a reminder that this is the same band that did the first record. After this, Danzig turned his attention to more electronic, industrial-like material that… I just don't dig. Danzig's debut solo album was good, but this is great.

Honourable Mention: Fugazi - Repeater. The band's proper debut is almost as amazing as "13 Songs" (the bands first two EPs compiled) and is an essential post-hardcore document. 

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1991: NIRVANA - NEVERMIND. What can be said that hasn't? I listened to this album so many times I had to re-buy it. By the time "Smells Like Teen Spirit" exploded in late 91-early 92 I was just about that right age to get into my own music, and I listened to it so my times my parents knew the songs (still didn't like them which I think was the point). Most people who listened to this album a lot probably don't care if they ever hear "Smells Like Teen Spirit" again, which is fair, because if I didn't I'd be fine with that. But the rest of the album can stand alone without the single that made the band a household name. "In Bloom," "Lithium" and "Come As You Are" are equally catchy pieces that would have made fine debut singles. For the folks more inclined to the angrier songs from their 1989 debut album "Bleach" were treated to "Breed," "Territorial Pissings" and "Stay Away." The second half, because it is less single heavy, is a far better. "Drain You" and "On a Plain" are absolute pop masterpieces, while "Something In the Way" is a hauntingly quiet song where Kurt's voice is pretty much perfect. I now prefer their next (proper) full length "In Utero" but there is no denying that this album changed everything we thought we knew about rock and roll.

Honourable Mention: Pennywise - Pennywise. Hermosa Beach's favorite punks' debut. Energetic, youthful skate punk. 

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1992: HELMET - MEANTIME. New York based groove-metal, alt-rockers were dubbed the East Coast's answer to Soundgarden. I always found that to be about the most ridiculous comparison I have ever heard. Must have been some kind of marketing tool used by the label. There is no Seattle style vocals. The only West coast comparison that was even close was Austin, Texas based (then later Chicago) Jesus Lizard, but Helmet had their own sound. Guitarist/vocalist Page Hamilton loved those staccato, stop-start rhythms that littered the record and his growl was at it most angry after we saw it soften with subsequent albums "Betty" and "Aftertaste." The record was the band's major label debut, second album overall, peaked at number 68 on the Billboard charts. Page Hamilton wrote all ten tracks, stand out include "In the Meantime," "Give It," "You Borrowed," "Better," and "Unsung," the only single released from the album, and the name of their greatest hits album. Apt description for the band. This disc and "Betty" are essential, while "Aftertaste" is worth some spins. Be cautious after that.

Honourable Mention: Social Distortion - Somewhere Between Heaven & Hell. Social D's fourth album, and second major label effort is the best balance of country, rockabilly and punk rock they ever did. On par with their debut.

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1993: TOOL - UNDERTOW. "Opiate," Tool's debut EP was pretty uneven. There were a couple great songs on there, particularly "Part Of Me" but overall I thought it was just OK. "Sober," the albums first single was in heavy rotation on Much Music (back when they used to play music videos) and this was one of my early Columbia House Music Club CDs. I hadn't really listened to too much heavy metal at that point, other than what my dad had which was limited to Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. Or when I swore Guns N Roses was a metal band. Anyways, pretty incredible how far a band can come in a short time. "Prison Sex" is an great song. Maynard James Keenan vocals are incredible on the track and serves as a perfect lead in to "Sober." The song had been played live by the band as early as 1987, with different lyrics and instrumental chorus, but they fine tuned it into one of the best singles and videos of the year. The video was completely stop motion, done by Tool guitarist Adam Jones who has worked on makeup and set design in films such a Jurassic Park, Ghostbusters 2 and Terminator 2, as well as two entries in the Nightmare On Elm St series. "Bottom" features a spoken word passage featuring Black Flag and Rollins Band vocalist Henry Rollins, as is also a highlight of the album. I do love me some Rollins! Every bit as good as their second album "Aenima," if not better. 

Honourable Mention: Nirvana - In Utero. Favourite Nirvana record. Drums sounds like thunder and Kurt sounds really angry. Originally titled "I Hate Myself & I Want To Die" but label execs felt it was a little too touchy feely.

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1994: NOFX - PUNK IN DRUBLIC. The NOFX record. Their best selling on too I believe. After noodling around with metal tinged punk on their first two full lengths "Liberal Animation" and "S&M Airlines," 1990's "Ribbed" was the first record that sounds like the NOFX we know and love today. 1992's "White Trash, Two Heebs & a Bean" and "The Longest Line" EP further solidified NOFX as one of the US's best punk bands. "Punk In Drublic" had the distinction of being the NOFX record that came out when Offspring's "Smash" and Green Day's "Dookie" were exploding, igniting interest in punk rock in the mainstream for the first time since the late 70's. The album itself contains such NOFX classics as "Linoleum," "Leave It Alone," "Don't Call Me White," "Perfect Government," "Lori Meyers," and "Punk Guy," most of which will be played at any given NOFX show. The band should get some love for the quirky "Jeff Wears Birkenstocks" and the closing time stylings of "Reeko." One of the albums that made me love punk rock.

Honourable Mention: Failure - Magnified. Los Angeles space rockers second of three records is nothing short of out of this world! (space pun.. I'm so sorry)

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1995: DON CABALLERO - II. Don Caballero's mad instrumental genius is most evident on their second album, II. Their debut "For Respect" was really good, but not even close in the degree of scope and musicianship on "II." The band gets off to as good a foot as any band ever has, with my all time favourite Don Cab song "Stupid Puma" kicking everything off. It is following by the sprawling 11 minute epic "please tokio, please THIS IS TOKIO." And, there is no heavier track in the entire Don Cab catalog than "Repeat Defender." Drummer and mastermind Damon Che has more stamina than [insert inappropriate joke here] and guitarist Ian Williams baffles. One of those albums where I just don't get how you can write this stuff. The band recorded two more album with the Che-Williams lineup before breaking up, Williams forming the outfit Battles while Che tours with a reformed Don Cab and have released two albums with the new lineup, 2006's "World Class Listening Problem" and 2008's "Punkgasm."

Honourable Mention: Lifetime - Hello Bastards. How are they so good? 23 or so minutes of pure emotion, all the while barely understanding a word because of the thick Jersey accent. 

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1996: FACE TO FACE - FACE TO FACE. Just picking up the CD case you can't help but smile at the Black Flag "Damaged" homage of a young man looking in the mirror (this time Rollins isn't punching it out). Face To Face's self titled album came out during the last wave of major label punk signings before ska took over the airwaves in 1996ish. Vocalist Trevor Keith sounds better than he ever did, but his real strength is the songs he writes. The melodies are tighter than ever, the background vocals are sharps and the choruses are soaring. Opener "Resignation" is blisteringly fast but remains remarkably melodic throughout. "Blind" is my personal favourite on the record, and for good reason; it might be the best song Trevor Keith ever wrote. "Can't Change the World" shows band playing faster than they ever have, while "Complicated" and "Take It Back" are fairly mid-tempo. The only real misstep is the "I Won't Lie Down" which was featured on the Mortal Kombat II soundtrack. I guess that's something. 

Honourable Mention: Weezer - Pinkerton. Their second album is much darker and much better than their first, however, wish the label would have let them release the proposed double album "Songs From the Blackhole" instead.

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1997: REFUSED - THE SHAPE OF PUNK TO COME. Swedish hardcore legends really went all out on their final full length. After releasing "This Just Might Be… The Truth" in their native Sweden, Chicago based Victory Records released the bands second album "Songs To Fan the Flames Of Discontent," the groups most "hardcore" offering. "The Shape Of Punk To Come" delved into post-hardcore, experimental rock, and art-rock. Despite their new found leanings, vocalist Dennis Lyxzen first words are "I've got a bone to pick with capitalism.. and a few to break!" knowing full well the Refused aren't joking around. "Worms Of the Senses/Faculties of the Skull" starts off with street noise, then some eerie electronic noise before the band explodes, layers on top of layers of guitar, before an amazing breakdown brimming with huge riffs and crazy drum fills. Stellar start to an album. "Summerholidays vs Punkroutine" would fit on the first couple International Noise Conspiracy's records, the band Dennis Lyxzen would form after the Refused parted ways. "New Noise" is now played at most football stadiums and arenas in North America. The albums title track is driven by a furious drum beat and Lyxzen's distorted vocals. A band that broke up way before their time, despite sporadic reunions the last couple years.

Honourable Mention: Boy Sets Fire - The Day the Sun Went Out. Best thing to come out of Delaware since… the ONLY thing come out of Delaware. Seriously though, awesome post-hardcore album, leaning a little to the hardcore side. 

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1998: 88 FINGERS LOUIE - BACK ON THE STREETS. One of Chicago's best bands re-united for as it turned out, one more album. The band released one album in 1995 called "Behind Bars" before breaking up due to constant fighting amongst band members. They reunited in 1997 and started writing material for their second album. They put out a record that was so far ahead of their debut, in almost every way. The production is exponentially better, as is the song writing. The biggest improvement for me was the drumming of John Carroll. While Glenn Porter's drumming was fine on the debut (and I couldn't stand Dom, who always played the exact same beat) the drumming is noticeably the biggest improvement on the record. "Tomorrow Starts Today" is a fitting opener, with a blisteringly fast beat and Dennis Buckley's (much improved) vocals owning the song. "State" starts off pretty heavy before turning into a raga, and one of Carroll's best moments. "Stupid Love Song," "Joyboy," were songs that were clearly penned by Buckley who, at the time of recording, had a new born and was going through a divorce. "Worst Man Won" uses a quote from the highly quotable film Casino and serves up its hardest song of the album. "Well Done" is great, starting off innocently enough, but the bridge to close out the song is great. Amazing bass line, Joe Principe, who went on to be a founding member of Rise Against, plays so well. Throw a Bad Brains cover (Fearless Vampire Killers) and you have yourself a modern (or is it semi-modern now) punk rock classic!

Honourable Mention: Botch - American Nervoso. Tacoma Washington's mathcore legends debut sounds just as furious as it did in 98. Dig it!

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1999: DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN - CALCULATING INFINITY. Dimitri Minakakis is one angry dude. Unfortunately, this is the only Dillinger album he recorded with the band as vocalist before hiring Greg Puciato, who is good and all, but he isn't Dimitri. Case in point: "Sugar Coated Sour" starts off more frenzied that a song has ever started off, blasting your in the face with intricate riffing and pummelling drumming by legendary drummer Chris Pennie. "43% Burnt" calms the chaos down but only slightly, favouring a more groove metal riff to carry the song. "Clip the Apex.. Accept Instruction" is about as frenetic of a breakdown as you will hear, and you will have to play it on repeat a couple of times. One of those bands where you either love them or hate them, but I have nothing but love for this record. The follow-up, and Puciato's debut 2003's "Miss Machine" was a good record, but too much about his singing makes me cringe. But maybe it's the style, and I just don't like the Dillinger who write songs more geared towards his style (what else can you do if he is your vocalist?). Sometimes new Dillinger literally sound like Nine Inch Nails. "Calculating Infinity" is a great record and the band's best album. Chaos, refined.

Honourable Mention: 7 Seconds - Good To Go. Return to form for classic Reno, Nevada punks, who put out their best record since "New Wind" thirteen years prior.

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End of Part 2