Adam's Top Ten

1) Song Of Return - Limits
This Scottish band was called Union of Knives and changed their name for whatever reason. This is their first release as Song of Return. I've found that they are pretty much unknown in the U.S. To me they sound like Nine Inch Nails mixed with britpop (bigger choruses and melodies). Bands just don't sound like this anymore.


2) The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar
I was blown away the first time I heard this album. A lot about this band screams out "1990s" - the distorted Smashing Pumpkins style guitars, the female singer, and the lively performances. They just rock.


3) The Get Up Kids - There Are Rules
I did not expect anything this good to come from GUK's return, especially since they've changed their style a couple of times with poor results. This album features a lot of sounds that we've never heard from the band before. It's edgier than their past pop-rock stuff, but not as hyper as their emo stuff.


4) The Cars - Move Like This
I was just a kid when The Cars were in their heyday, so I never really listened to them other than the radio hits. Randomly sampling this album left me impressed. I can see how bands like Weezer are influenced by The Cars. This is just an all around fun, well-written album.


5) Golden State - Division
I've followed the leader singer, James Grundler, for a while now. He started with the Din Pedals in the 90s, which was a remarkable band even if they were trying to sound exactly like Radiohead. He then started Paloalto, which had the same British influences but more of a pop sound. Golden State continues that. This is their first album, but they have been putting out singles and EPs for most of the last decade. From what I gather, they are more of a "local band" in Los Angeles since they haven't toured outside of California. If you like older U2, you'll like this album. There is nothing new here, but it's really good.


6) White Lies - Ritual
White Lies follows the path of Interpol and Editors, being heavily influenced by Joy Division. Ritual is a big improvement from their first album. There are a lot more "singles" on Ritual - songs that you can sing along to with well-placed synthesizers. These songs are just plain catchy.


7) The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Belong
They sound like a mix of a variety of 80s and 90s alternative bands. Each song sounds like a different influence. You'll hear a bit of The Cure, New Order, and Smashing Pumpkins. And that's a good thing.


8) Low - C'mon
Low is a band that I hadn't ever listened to before this album. This is just a solid indie rock album. I'm not sure what else to say.


9) Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
As you would expect, this sounds very much like the Oasis songs that Noel sang on. While there is nothing on here that can match the best of Oasis, it is a very pleasant listen. The Beady Eye album was also decent, but Noel's songwriting skills give this album the edge.


10) Thursday - No Devolución
Thursday were the "next big thing" about ten years ago. Their music went out of style, but I still followed them. While their recent albums were nothing special, No Devolución is their most interesting album since their beginning. The first half of the album very atmospheric, and makes it a solid swan song for the band.