I had never heard of this band before the Bandcamp link was emailed to me. Boy was I missing out. These guys put out a solid album and I would not hesitate to listen to it over and over again. I am a huge fan of the singer’s voice and style. Head over to their Bandcamp page and listen to the music. It is available from the band or for download for $5. Highly recommend this! You can pick this up at La Escalera Records.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

genre – punk

band website – Beside Myself Homepage  & Bandcamp Page

The newest from Joyce Manor comes at you with the same strong songs and riffs like what was heard on their last album. As always they put together a good solid album, the songs flow together awesome. I wish I had been a little more dazzled when listening to it. Don’t get me wrong, it is good, but nothing new or great, just a continuation from their last album. It is solid and I will listen to it numerous times and could easily recommend it for a listen. Check it out and decide for yourself!!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

genre – pop punk

band website – Joyce Manor Homepage

I am not even sure how to explain my feelings so I will say this, this thing kicks serious fucking ass. 2 sides of pure punk the way it should be heard. If you have not heard these guys you, you need to get out from under your rock and get to it. This 7″ is out on Jailhouse Records where you should probably head over and pick it up. These songs will not disappoint and is very highly recommended. This deserves the first ever full 5 stars from the foolios….

View the Youtube video HERE

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

genre – punk

band website – Violent Affair Homepage

I really couldn’t think of a better way to start back up then with this album. This is true stoner/doom metal at its finest. It brings up memories of Black Sabbath and Sleep to name just a few. These guys have a bright future ahead of them if they keep up the great work and the solid music. This is available now and I would suggest picking up a copy, you will not be disappointed. I think I will play it again!!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

genre – rock, stoner metal

band webpage – The Sun The Moon The Stars Homepage

The Blank Fight….What can I really say about them that will do them justice? Although very short lived, their influence on punk music is apparent to this day. The band features Aaron Cometbus, Cindy Ovenrack, Skott Cowgill & Rymodee. All members of the band are/were in different bands that got together in a punk house and practiced and toured in an effort to win a house band contest. I would say they would have won if any of the other houses had bothered to go against them. This album is long overdue and kicks serious ass. Silver Sprocket Bicycle Club did an extraordinary job on the execution of this record. The first 500 come on clear vinyl with a zine and MP3 download code. This album is a must have for any serious punk fan.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

genre – punk

band webpage – Silver Sprocket Bicycle Club Webpage

We didn’t actually get this one reviewed here on foolios, but this is definitely a must have album. Many people may remember some of the older Scarred tracks and this new album does not dissapoint. It was released by Jailhouse Records.

This is pretty much my go to record to listen to if I for some reason can’t find anything else to listen to. This is one of my all time favorites. If you don’t have it, you NEED it!! It was released by Dirt Cult Records.

Larry and His Flask really grew on me and the more I listened, the more I loved it. This is rockabilly at its finest and is also an album that should be owned. This was released by Silver Sprocket Bicycle Club Records.

I am guessing this album will be on tons of year end lists. This was a very popular release and rightfully so. It kicks ass and deserves all the attention it gets. This is a much needed album that should be in every collection. Released on Grave Mistake Records.

This one really surprised me with how good it was. Lipstick Homicide paired with Billy Raygun makes an unbelievably great split LP. If you aren’t a fan of splits and didn’t pick this one up, you are missing out on a great album. Releases by John Wilkes Booth Records.

Kicking Spit kicks ass, period. I am not sure words can describe how good these guys are. They just releases a 2 song cassette in anticipation of a new album in 2012, and if its anything like this one, it will be on my next top 10 list next year. This one was released by Tankcrimes Records.

Here is another album that I full expect to see on many year end lists. Another popular release and of course, rightfully so. This one is ripe for a third pressing on vinyl as all the other pressings have sold out. Released by 6131 Records.

This one didn’t get reviewed by us, but some of their earlier works did. Brick Mower is a seriously underrated band and for as good as they are, deserve way more attention. This LP is a sleeper and needs to be on your turntable. This was released by Viking On Campus Records and Stumparumper Records.

These guys are so fun and full of energy that they instantly became one of my favorites. Very reminiscent of older 80s/90s surf punk. Released by Specialist Subject Records in the UK.

Love me some Leatherface. These guys have been around for a while and don’t get nearly the recognition they deserve. The raw energy these guys have is shown in this recording. Worth picking up from No Idea Records.

So there are the top 10 albums that we feel are worth buying. There were so many to choose from and it made it extremely difficult. Everyone has their own tastes and we just hope to expand people’s minds and listen to new things that they may enjoy. Below are some others that we feel are also worth picking up. So we are onto the….

Honorable Mentions!!!

Truthfully, this would have been in the top 10 if I hadn’t decided to release it on cassette under foolios records. These guys are so good, but didn’t want to have any conflicts of interest. Take a listen and pick up a copy if you like it! Released on foolios records.

This is probably one of the best comps of the year, kind of came along at the end of the year so hard to put it in the top 10 for a year when it hits a week before the very end. The proceeds also go to a great cause. Can be purchases on the Punk The Halls! Bandcamp Page.

This demo tape is AMAZING. They are currently working on a full length that should be out in 2012. Watch for more from these guys, hopefully they are just getting started. Released on Dirt Cult Records.

This was an introduction to a funky new sound for me. I had never heard Lionize before this, even though this is their fifth studio album. This album is so bluesy and funkadelic sounding that it instantly became my driving music for my work trek for over a week now. I would highly recommend this album to anyone I know. This was just released about a week or so ago so go pick up some fresh tunes and jam out!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

genre – rock, blues, funkadelic

band webpage – Lionize Homepage

Jeff from the punk rock podcast Needle Drop Radio and Adam from the Seattle punk band Still Automatic have put together a benefit compilation called Punk The Halls. This is a digital album that will be available to download on December 21st through bandcamp with 100% of the proceeds going to starlight.org. Punk The Halls will include mostly new and exclusive Christmas tunes from Still Automatic, Lipstick Homicide, White Kaps, MxPx, Gatsb’y American Dream, The Dragstrip Riot, Prevenge, Hopewrecker, The Haddonfields, Crookedhook, The Respirators, Colin Farrell, The Hairlips, The Angry Snowmans, Bad Temper, and more. The album will coincide with the Christmas Episode of Needle Drop Radio who will be world premiering these tracks. Artwork by Tyler at Doom Toof.
Download here: http://punkthehalls.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/punkthehalls
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/punkthehalls

Timeshares is what most pop punk bands want to become, with their kick-ass hooks and catchy choruses. The songs compliment each other and the flow on the album makes for a great listen. This was released in October so it is available for your greedy little ears. Go to their page and check them out or pick up their album from Kiss of Death Records or Kind of Like Records. You will not be disappointed as it is a solid album.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

genre – pop punk

band webpage – Timeshares page on “If You Make It”