Though I don't like the whole idea of "new year, new me," I can somewhat see the practicality in it. It's easiest way to track life and it's changes within the span of a year, because we already mark everything else by year. I don't want to make a list of the things that have gone wrong/right this year, but I do want to recognize one personal accomplishment I've made this year and hope to continue in 2013: getting more involved in more diversified music.
In 2011, I listened to two types of music: classic rock and Kiss 108. My parents are the reason for the classic rock, and society for the top hits. Honestly, I just didn't think that much about other types of music.
Then, around the start of 2012, my friend started introducing me to music completely different than that on the radio, or on my parents' old CDs. Long story short, all of my favorite bands I've only known of for a year or so. It would take me forever to list all the bands I've come to love (and I can already tell this is going to be a long post as it is), so I'll just stick to my top favorites.
Pierce the Veil
A four piece post-hardcore band of Mexicans, Pierce the Veil is one of my all time favorite artists. I've seen them live twice now (three times in April!) and they never disappoint. The band is probably the most hardcore music I listen to, because I'm not all too fond of metal music in general. I love them because their sound is completely unique, and they wrote their third album based solely on the stories their fans told them. My favorite songs of theirs are Disasterology, off their second album, and A Match into Water, off their newest album. Also, I met them once, and they were really, really, really nice.
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| Pierce the Veil |
Tonight Alive
Tonight Alive is a unique band in that they have a female lead singer. Paramore, obviously, is the most well-known girl-fronted pop punk band, but there aren't many others out there. They're Australian, which is cool because they all have neat accents. Their relatively new, with only one album released and usually just supporting on tours, but I think they'll get bigger soon enough. The lead singer, Jenna McDougall, is the cutest thing ever, and they have an amazing cover of Mumford and Sons' Little Lion Man.
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| Tonight Alive |
The Maine
This band is actually one I knew of before the start of 2012. I wasn't a fan of them like I am now, but I still knew of them. They're from Phoenix, Arizona, and they've currently released three albums, and a few more EPs. I saw them live for the first time this October, and they didn't disappoint. One of my favorite aspects of this band is their progression between albums. Their first album, Can't Stop Won't Stop, is straight up pop punk. They fit in perfectly with All Time Low or A Rocket to the Moon. Once that album was released and they'd made a name for themselves, they were given a little more freedom with their creativity. Black & White, is a lot more punk rock, even leaning towards rock. Some people apparently call it their "mature" album. Then, when they were beginning the process for their third album, they got into some problems with their label. The label wasn't letting them produce what they wanted to, so the band left. They self-produced their third album, Pioneer, and, in my opinion, it turned out to be a great success. I have no idea what genre it falls under, but it's reminiscent of a time when CDs weren't made for computers. The beginning of one track overlaps the end of the other, so it's best if you listen to the songs in order, and there's a hidden track at the end of the record. It's my favorite of all their albums. As you can tell by me extensive detail, I love this band. My favorite songs from each album are probably Into Your Arms (Can't Stop Won't Stop), Inside of You (Black & White), and Some Days (Pioneer).
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| The Maine |
All Time Low
All Time Low is my favorite band. Indefinitely. Though I've only listened to them for about a year now, there's no doubt that they're extremely important in my life, even if I've never met them (yet). Everything about them is inspiring to me. They genuinely care about their fans, and I know that isn't uncommon in this scene of music, but that doesn't make it any less important. And, they're funny. Really funny. Even though they're in their mid-twenties now, their humor is the same as a goofy sixteen-year-old's. They released a DVD of a recording of one of their concerts, and they put on a show, not just with their music. They actually interact with the crowd, and with each other, more than any other band I've seen. To list all the songs of their's I love is impossible, but I'll try to name my favorite from each record. From Put Up or Shut Up (their first and only EP), Coffee Shop Soundtrack. On So Wrong, It's Right (my favorite album), my favorite song is Six Feet Under the Stars. Nothing Personal, their third album, has one of the most moving songs I've ever heard in my entire life, Therapy. If you ever feel under appreciated or misunderstood, listen to this song. Their fourth album, Dirty Work, is considered by most to be their worst album. They moved to a major label, and so it's thought of as their "sell-out album." Even so, it has some great tracks, and my favorite is the last one, Heroes. Their most recent album, Don't Panic, was released at the end of this year. They moved back to their old label, Hopeless, so it isn't a sell-out. My favorite song on that one is a pretty unpopular one, actually, called Paint You Wings.
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| All Time Low |
As you can see, I'm a bit obsessed with music. Blame 2012.
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