25.)
Insomniac (1995)Artist: Green Day
Label: Reprise
Favorite Song:Brain Stew/Jaded
Mad that the club you've played at for years kicked you out for be sell outs? Well then make a record that is much harder than the record that made your gatekeeper fans mad. That's exactly what Green Day did in response to getting kicked out Gilman's in the Bay Area after the released Dookie. The song "86" directly references this exile. As for the rest of the record it's a big departure with the exception of "Tight Wad Hill" is eerily similar to "F.O.D' on Dookie.
24.)
Forget and Not Slow Down (2009)Artist: Relient K
Label: Mono vs Stereo
Favorite Song: Part of It
Unlike anything they had done before, part of it stemmed from the many changes going on in Matt Thiessen's life. The band had left Gotee Records, longtime drummer Dave Douglas had left, and Thiessen had his engagement broken off which led him to isolate himself in a trailer in Tennessee for three months. Side note about Thiessen's love life, he once dated a pre-famous Katy Perry, which is just a weird pairing. Anyway he emerged from his seclusion with a deeply personal record which is why I think the next record is the only one that Thiessen didn't write himself. There's a bunch of segue tracks that don't seem out of place and it flows well across the board. Apparently, they recorded this album at the same time Aaron Gillespie was recording The Almost record Monster Monster, which enabled Gillespie to due guest vocals, which was an exciting pairing for me.
23.)
Dog Problems (2006)Artist: The Format
Label: The Vanity Label
Favorite Song: Dog Problems
The music video for "Dog Problems" changed the way I looked at hands and the song itself is one in my Top 10. This song also makes a allusion to "The First Single", saying "When I said I hate what I've become, I lied, I hated who I was." Their second and final LP, The Format fill this record with fun songs that transition well into the other and even re-recorded one of my other favorite songs from them, "Snails". They would break up shortly after and honestly with their song "The Compromise", the writing was on the walls.
22.)
From Under the Cork Tree (2005)Artist: Fall Out Boy
Label: Island
Favorite Song: Sugar, We're Going Down
The album that fully launched Fall Out Boy on the path to fame they would ride over the next ten years. Personally this is the last full album that I enjoy as parts of its follow-up, Infinity on High, start to go off the rails and anything after that is all but useless to me. I'll still hear "Sugar, We're Going Down" on the radio and it reminds me of how this song and FOB were everywhere in 2005. The video for "A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More 'Touch Me'" features a who's who of stars from the Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance crew that filled up stereos back in the day.
21.)
Please Come Home (2007)Artist: Dustin Kensrue
Label: Equal Vision
Favorite Song: Please Come Home
The solo debut from Thrice lead singer Dustin Kensrue is a collection of eight songs that showcase his singer/songwriter talents. Whether its love ("Pistol"), commentary on our vices ("I Knew You Before", "Blood and Wine"), or retelling of parables ("Please Come Home") there are no misses on this record. His follow up solo albums have more to do with his association at Mars Hill Church, which he would leave in 2015 after a scandal involving the head pastor Mark Driscoll, who was forced to step down and the church dissolved shortly after. For me it worked out, because then he went back to making Thrice records.
20.)
Take This to Your Grave (2003)Artist: Fall Out Boy
Label: Fueled By Ramen
Favorite Song: Chicago is So Two Years Ago
It's a Fall Out Boy sandwich! The Chicago pop punk quartet burst onto the scene with their debut full length. I was all about this album in high school and still can do most of the words. Songs like "Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy", "Saturday" and "Dead on Arrival" are forever etched in my brain. However, it's "Chicago is So Two Years Ago" that does it for me the most, with Motion City Soundtrack's Justin Pierre lending his vocals to the bridge. It should also be noted that the name stems from a minor character on "The Simpsons", the sidekick to the comic book character "Radioactive Man".
19.)
Dookie (1994)Artist: Green Day
Label: Reprise
Favorite Song: She
No album has changed the landscape of punk quite like this did in 1994. Alongside The Offspring's Smash, these two albums helped break down the doors for many bands to come as a more mainstream audience was introduced to this sound. The mid-90's was the perfect time with the explosion of grunge and other alternative music for people to branch out. "Basket Case" currently has over 400 million plays on Spotify while the next closest from the record, "When I Come Around", has nearly 200 million listens. Additional singles like "Longview" and the re-recorded "Welcome to Paradise" also boosted the album reputation. For me it's Mike Dirnt's bass line in "She" that takes the cake.
18.)
The Artist in the Ambulance (2003)Artist: Thrice
Label: Island
Favorite Song: The Artist in the Ambulance
The first song I heard off this record was "Under a Killing Moon", followed by the singles "All That's Left" and "Stare at the Sun". This had me interested in more and the opening track "Cold Cash and Cold Hearts", tackles the idea that those living in wealthy nations refuse to help those less fortunate around the world because they might have different cultures, religions, or skin color. From there it kicks into high gear and doesn't let up. The title track is just phenomenal both musically and lyrically.
17.)
They're Only Chasing Safety (2004)Artist: Underoath
Label: Solid State
Favorite Song: It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door
The first song I heard from Underoath came from their third lineup change in five years. I saw the video for "Reinventing Your Exit" and wanted more. I had experimented with hardcore/screamo music before, but mostly to annoy my sister. The more I started to play songs like "The After Dinner Payback" by From Autumn to Ashes or "Memphis Will Be Laid to Waste" by Norma Jean, that I realized I actually enjoyed them. The addition of Spencer Chamberlain is the role of unclean vocals and more clean Aaron Gillespie vocals made this version of Underoath more appealing not just to me, but many others as well. "The Blue Note" is even an enjoyable instrumental break.
16.)
I and Love and You (2009)Artist: The Avett Brothers
Label: American
Favorite Song: Slight Figure of Speech
I remember the first time I heard The Avett Brothers, I hated them. It was something off one of their first two albums that I still have a hard time getting into, but when I heard "Murder in the City", I changed my tune. When I heard, "Slight Figure of Speech" and "Kick Drum Heart", I was fully onboard. Working with legendary producer Rick Rubin, this is peak Avett Brothers. There's not a miss on this record and it goes from light and poppy, to folk, to just plain old slow down. This is especially true on the opening opus "I and Love and You", which begins with solely a piano, adds strings slowly, then drums, and finally a full accompaniment to bring it home. "Three words that became hard to say: I and Love and You".
15.)
Enema of the State (1999)Artist: Blink-182
Label: MCA
Favorite Song: Going Away to College
If The Avett Brothers are the rational, adult part of my brain, Blink-182 is surely the man-child portion that still has way too much control this late in life. "What's My Age Again" paired with its video made Blink a household name and it was the first time they made it onto my radar. "All the Small Things" catapulted them to even more fame thanks equally to the video that made fun the boys bands at the time. They even made an appearance in the film American Pie, alongside a monkey, during the infamous video chat scene while their song "Mutt" plays in the background. Fast, catchy, and fun, albeit immature, is what makes this album so enjoyable.
14.)
Bleed American (2001)Artist: Jimmy Eat World
Label: Dreamworks
Favorite Song: A Praise Chorus
This record had the unfortunate timing of being released shortly before 9/11 which led to eventual rebranding as simply Jimmy Eat World with the title track being changed to "Salt, Sweat, Sugar". I had originally heard it as "Bleed American" and eventually it would go back to its original title. That song kicks off an amazing first half of the record that is just top shelf songs back-to-back to back. They exploded into the music world with their single "The Middle" which is seemingly loved by everyone and its 315 million plays on Spotify show it. In fact if you have someone in your life that doesn't like that song, just cut them out, because you don't need that negativity. The song "Sweetness" can also be found before getting on one of the rides at Kings Island, which is much better than having to listen to Sammy Hagar's "Right Now" before getting on the Drop Tower.
13.)
Vheissu (2005)Artist: Thrice
Label: Island
Favorite Song: Of Dust and Nations
I usually love the singles more than most songs on a record and can be a very good measure at what songs might be used as a single. This is not the case for this record. While "Image of the Invisible" and "Red Sky" are great, the album is chalked full of too many amazing songs to let those two shine above the others. I get lost in songs like "Atlantic", "For Miles", and especially in the solo during "Of Dust and Nations". I had a chance to see them play that song live and it was a dream come true.
12.)
Define the Great Line (2006)Artist: Underoath
Label: Solid State
Favorite Song: Writing on the Walls
The summer this came out, I can't think of anything else that was displacing this record from my car CD player if I was alone. One of my favorite on the road CDs, these guys kept me awake and probably damaged my vocal chords along the way. "Returning Home Empty Handed" is a song I get lost in when driving on the road. Aaron Gillespie's double bass drums pound their way through the speaker, especially on songs like "You're Ever So Inviting". None compare to their initial single from the CD, "Writing on the Walls", which I practiced learning the words repeat listen after repeat listen.
11.)
Mmhmm (2004)Artist: Relient K
Label: Gotee
Favorite Song: I So Hate Consequences
As the previous CD dominated 2006-07, Mmhmm took up a good chunk of late 2004 and into 2005. The boys from Canton are at their best with "Be My Escape", "I So Hate Consequences", and "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been". Even if "The One I'm Waiting For" might borrow a bass part from Blink-182's "Adam's Song", it's still a great opener to this record.
10.)
Dude Ranch (1997)Artist: Blink-182
Label: MCA
Favorite Song: Josie
After hearing Enema of the State, I actually went to the back catalog for Blink-182 and found an even better record. The last album with their original drummer, Scott Raynor, you can see all the makings of stars with this one. From the opener "Pathetic" to the finale "I'm Sorry", this fast hitting, sometimes joking record comes from my golden age of music, the year 1997. After I was in a musical my friends and I decided we were going to try and start a band with the first song we tried to cover being "Dammit". How we thought we could play that in front of the school seems like a failed plan from the get go. My band career was short lived, having only briefly attempted about five runs of the song before giving up. "Josie" is also one of those songs that I most associate with that pretty lady that lives in my house when she's not working.
9.)
American Idiot (2004)Artist: Green Day
Label: Reprise
Favorite Song: Holiday
After a four year break in between albums, Green Day was really banking that you wanted to hear a concept album with 8 minute songs from them. Currently there are four songs off this record that have over 200 million plays on Spotify with the lowest song well over 20 million. 10 years after they exploded with Dookie they reached a whole new group listeners and eventually this was spun off into a broadway musical. For the record, my wife hates this album.
8.)
Ocean Avenue (2003)Artist: Yellowcard
Label: Capitol
Favorite Song: Ocean Avenue
At first when I heard Yellowcard, I thought the song "Way Away" was good not great, but then the follow up single was the title track and that's how it started. Ocean Avenue is a must listen for any summer at least two or three times. They have have the distinction of being one of the few bands that can write songs that make my eyes get watery. The song "Believe" after a first responder going back in to rescue people knowing his likely fate hits home with my dad being a firefighter. The same thing happens when I see videos of parents surprising their kids after returning home from war. Yellowcard also has a song called, "Ten" about a little boy, which blindsides you when he sings "You would be ten." What do you mean would be? 😭
7.)
Nimrod (1997)Artist: Green Day
Label: Reprise
Favorite Song: Jinx/Haushinka
The record that was someone how in everybody's house. Seriously, my elementary principal at a Catholic School had this in her office. The reason is because parents and kids alike, enjoyed "Good Riddance", the quintessential song for graduation slideshows in the late 90's and early 2000's if you chose not to go with Vitamin C's "Graduation Song". While I laugh every time about the "F" bomb that gets dropped before "Good Riddance" starts, unbeknownst to those unfamiliar to its existence, this song is great, but not my favorite. Like "Brain Stew" has to be played with "Jaded" from Insomniac, I have to listen to "Jinx" immediately followed by "Haushinka" otherwise I feel unclean.
6.)
Whatever and Ever Amen (1997)Artist: Ben Folds Five
Label: 550
Favorite Song: Kate
I remember hearing "Brick" and loving it despite not having any idea that it was about abortion. Apparently a hot topic back in 1997 as it's also the meaning behind The Verve Pipe's hit The Freshmen, which I also liked without having any idea. I was an oblivious 10 year old. After that I really hadn't listened to this record and kind of forgot about them until Ben Folds put out "Rockin' the Suburbs". This led me to dive back in and I discovered the recipe for success in my head. Piano rock + 1997 = instant classic.
5.)
Acoustic (2006)Artist: Bayside
Label: Victory
Favorite Song: Megan
Who's in charge of the rules around here? That's what you might be asking since this is considered by some to be an EP, is full of songs that are acoustic remakes, covers, and one live song. Well all the acoustic songs are original recordings, the covers were unreleased, and it features an original song about the loss of their drummer. John "Beatz" Holohan died when Bayside's tour bus crashed after skidding on ice. The song "Winter" is about how the band should move on without him. Silverstein, who was also was on that tour with Bayside, wrote "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" in his memory. The reason I include this record is the same reason I had Ben Folds Live. Everything is greatly improved upon the original and they stand alone. It's simply too good to leave off this list.
4.)
Rockin' the Suburbs (2001)Artist: Ben Folds
Label: Epic
Favorite Song: Fred Jones Pt. 2
"Y'all don't know what it's like, being male middle class and white." A spoof on all the angry white boy rockers who were mad at their dads, the title track is full of the humor that pops up throughout Ben Folds' work. There are so many great songs on here and overcome "The Ascent of Stan", which is even a little too goofy for me. "Carrying Cathy", "Annie Waits", and "Zak and Sara" are among those that I would most recommend outside of "Fred Jones Pt. 2". There is no "Fred Jones Pt. 1", but it's simply a sequel to the character created in the song "Cigarette" off of Ben Folds Five's album Whatever and Ever Amen. The one that most people listen to off this album is "The Luckiest", which Folds autographs copies of the music sheets and sends them out for people to give their significant other on Valentine's Day.
3.)
Give Up (2003)Artist: The Postal Service
Label: Sub Pop
Favorite Song: Such Great Heights
A hard left from anything I was listening to at the time, this found me at the right time. Right around the time I got into Death Cab for Cutie, I was listening to Ben Gibbard's side project equally, if not more. "Such Great Heights" is one of my favorites of all-time; I once used "Brand New Colony" as my ringtone; and "Clark Gable", "We Will Become Silhouettes", and "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" are all must listens. If you get the 10 year anniversary disc, then check out "A Tattered Line of String", it's a fun tune to listen to.
2.)
Blink-182 (2003)Artist: Blink-182
Label: Geffen
Favorite Song: Stockholm Syndrome
This CD for the longest time held the top spot and I've listened to this so many times I've lost track. It actually starts a little slow for me until we get to "I Miss You", then into "Violence" and then "Stockholm Syndrome", my favorite song of all-time. "Always", "Asthenia", "Down", "Easy Target", "Here's Your Letter", it doesn't matter, I love them all. This has been the standard for Blink records for me and only Neighborhoods has even come remotely close.
1.)
Commit This to Memory (2005)Artist: Motion City Soundtrack
Label: Epitaph
Favorite Song: Time Turned Fragile
This was always a favorite for me, but I think it jumped to the top spot when I saw them do a 10-year anniversary show and they played it from start to finish. That whole show was non-stop fun and there were stories and explanations behind the songs and the one that got the biggest bump and one of my favorites to hear live anyway was "Time Turned Fragile". The song is actually written from the perspective of his dad watching him grow up and his concern for his well being. "Hold Me Down", "Everything is Alright", and "Attractive Today" are also elite songs. If you might be concerned at how much I love Blink-182 and didn't have them at the top spot, well Mark Hoppus actually produced this record and provides guest vocals on "Hangman", so I guess they've still got a part of it.
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