50.)
Five Score and Seven Years Ago (2007)Artist: Relient K
Label: Gotee
Favorite Song: I'm Taking You With Me
As mentioned near the end of the last list, Relient K polished their sound more and more over time and this record has some of the catchier songs in their repertoire. Something I didn't think would happen did when I saw them a third time in concert. At the close of this record is an 11 minute song about a man who relives his whole life on his "Deathbed", and atones for his sins and then upon his death talks to God/Jesus which is performed by Switchfoot's Jon Foreman, who just so happened to be the headliner for the evening and came out to sing the final part. Now I just need to learn how to play "Crayons Can Melt On Us for All I Care" on piano and my bucket list for this album will be set.
49.)
Fight the Tide (2004)Artist: Sanctus Real
Label: Sparrow
Favorite Song: Alone
This is the final appearance for the boys from Toledo and its capped with a record that I went to the release party for. They played two shows that night, including an intimate acoustic set with about 100 people or so. I haven't listened to them since their lead singer left and their last two albums sounded more like songs that would played on 89.5 FM, which was always the bad contemporary Christian music station, whereas 88.5 YESFM played all the "cool stuff", but now it just plays Christian Rap. Anyway this one holds a special place for me with all the memories associated with it. I'm sure other people have that band that they've always cheered on from start to finish and were excited to watch them grow.
48.)
Siren Song of the Counter Culture (2004)Artist: Rise Against
Label: Geffen
Favorite Song: Swing Life Away
With Rage Against the Machine breaking up, I needed someone to fill the angry political void left in my heart. Rise Against did just the trick and with this record it kicks you straight in the teeth right off the bat with "State of the Union". I had heard a couple of songs off their previous record and while waiting for an oil change at Walmart decided to use all this expendable money I apparently had to buy CDs with all the time. No skips on this one and I even used lyrics from "Swing Life Away", in my graduation speech, because nothing says fight the system like speaking at your graduation.
47.)
The Alchemy Index Vol. III (Air) and IV (Earth) {2008}Artist: Thrice
Label: Vagrant
Favorite Song: A Song for Milly Michaelson
So back in the late 2000's, Thrice had the idea of making songs that played off the four elements. They released Vol I. (Fire) and II (Water), with Fire presented as this raging aggression and water as a digital and quieter feel. That's a fine record, but the Water section can, like the oceans, be a bit spacious and never ending. Of the two here, I find Air to be the superior selection of songs. These are both great though because they showcase Dustin Kensrue's vocals against acoustics and lighter drums that make his solo work so successful. From Earth my favorite song would be "Moving Mountains", with "The Earth Isn't Humming" a close second. Air features a song called "Daedalus" which is the second song in their catalog to deal with the story of Icarus ("Melting Point of Wax" being the other).
46.)
The Beautiful Letdown (2003)Artist: Switchfoot
Label: Columbia
Favorite Song: On Fire
I remember the first time I heard "Meant to Live" and was immediately hooked. It leads off the album and instantly improves on their previous release Learning to Breathe, which also shares the track "Dare You to Move". On their major label debut, Switchfoot makes all the necessary strides to crossover from Christian radio to become mainstays in the secular music world as well. 2003 was a great year for musicians from San Diego to drop a record as this is one of two on this list. As far as my favorite track, it's a neck-and-neck race with "On Fire" and "Twenty-four" which are both slower tracks, but equally strong.
45.)
I Am the Movie (2003)Artist: Motion City Soundtrack
Label: Epitaph
Favorite Song: My Favorite Accident
The debut LP from Motion City Soundtrack had me hooked when I watched the music video for "The Future Freaks Me Out", on a DVD that accompanied Punk-O-Rama 9. The 2003 Warped Tour comp added "My Favorite Accident" which instantly became one of my favorite songs to hear live. Like "Baby Blue" for The Early November, I cannot help by yell, "Skin!, Skin! Please Let Me In!", when it comes up. "Capital H" and "Red Dress" are fast and fun tracks. With their second appearance on this list, there's still plenty more to come from Minnesota's favorite sons.
44.)
Good Mourning (2003)Artist: Alkaline Trio
Label: Vagrant
Favorite Song: Blue Carolina
If you've been annoyed with all the mentioning of Christian bands than may I offer a counterbalance with these members from the Church of Satan. I'm not actually that concerned with a bands religious beliefs as long as the songs are good, which is why so many "blasphemous" bands like Bad Religion and NOFX end up on my iPod. Good Mourning is full of macabre and sinister story lines that are grooved brilliantly with the trios fast play. The big single off this record was "We've Had Enough", but one of the softer songs content wise, "Blue Carolina", has always drawn my fancy. With Dan Andriano taking vocals from Matt Skiba for this one, "Blue Carolina" features an oft used lyric, "You know all my favorite singers have stolen all of my best lines." While this is their only appearance on this list, Crimson and From Here to the Infirmary also get their fair share of listens. Andriano would go on to add some solo work as did Skiba, but he's best know for now as the newest member of Blink-182.
43.)
Hello Hurricane (2009)Artist: Switchfoot
Label: Atlantic
Favorite Song: Hello Hurricane
A brilliant blend of upbeat tunes, rocking anthems, and slowed down reflections, Hello Hurricane is the final entry on the list for Switchfoot. The title track almost seems like a restart of the record as much like "Needle in Haystack Life" seems like the perfect opener for a record. "Your Love is a Song" gets the most airplay, but whoever is in control of the transition to commercial songs for college football on ABC clearly has a similar taste in music as me, since they used "Island" by The Starting Line and from this record, "The Sound (John M. Perkins' Blues)" in their broadcasts.
42.)
Lonely Avenue (2010)Artist: Ben Folds (Lyrics by Nick Hornby)
Label: Nonesuch
Favorite Song: Practical Amanda.
This record got a lot of play on my way to work after moving to Cincinnati. The concept for the album is that Nick Hornby, author of such works as About a Boy and High Fidelity, wrote all the lyrics and gave an idea of what he wanted the songs to sound like and Ben Folds created them. However, for "Practical Amanda" is not about Hornby's wife, movie producer Amanda Posey, despite what he says are glaring similarities. Throughout the record are short stories about a girl in the hospital on New Year's Eve, a song from the perspective of Levi Johnston, the guy who knocked up Sarah Palin's daughter while she was running for Vice President, and in the final act, a song about a singer who pleads for his ex's forgiveness. If it wasn't for the atrocious "Doc Pomus" this would be a Top 25 record.
41.)
Stop Doing Bad Things (2005)Artist: Spitalfield
Label: Victory
Favorite Song: Building a Better City By Design
In my opinion, one of the most overlooked bands from the scene in the early 2000's. I remember first hearing them on a Victory sampler from their first record and then bought this without even listening to a song off the album. A risky gamble that paid off as I was immediately sucked in by the opening riff for "So I Heard You Joined a Convent". For whatever reason, J.D. Romero's drumming on this record has always stood out. I had a chance to see them perform on their farewell tour in a very underrated lineup of The Graduate, The Forecast, and Spitalfield. There couldn't have been more than 200 people at that venue and it was fantastic.
40.)
Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004)Artist: My Chemical Romance
Label: Reprise
Favorite Song: The Ghost of You
Well since I've already upset people with where I put Abbey Road, I might as well upset the MCArmy. I'm not afraid to say that this is superior to The Black Parade even if it has a stupid interlude right in the middle of it. It starts with "Helena", which is an emo classic, and of course the first song I ever heard from them, "I'm Not Okay (I Promise), which has one of my favorite videos. I remember seeing them play at Warped Tour and almost dying in heatwave from all the bodies packed together. I saw them a few months after that for my first show at the EMU Convocation Center and immediately realized I was the only one who didn't know every word of this record. But all those girls didn't know any of the words for Reggie and the Full Effect or Alkaline Trio, so who's more scene😂
39.)
Ben Folds Live (2002)Artist: Ben Folds
Label: Epic
Favorite Song: Emaline
I can hear it now, how can a live album make it's way here? Why not just put a greatest hits record? Well those are fair points, but when I think of live albums, this is the standard for me. Most songs are actually improved in these recordings and it perfectly captures what it's like to see Ben Folds in concert. The first time I heard at least half of these songs came from this record as I was only a casual Ben Folds fan before my wife showed me this record. There's even a cover of Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" to go with his phenomenal body of work. No apologies.
38.)
Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! (2006)Artist: Hellogoodbye
Label: Drive-Thru
Favorite Song: Here (In Your Arms)
Speaking of people who put on fun shows, Hellogoodbye brings their electric performances to their first full length LP. Bouncy, catchy, and quick, these 11 tracks speed through at break neck pace of 35 minutes. The most popular song off this record is "Oh, It is Love", which not only made an appearance at my wedding, but is also the theme song to the show 16 and Pregnant. Also if you want a hyped up version of the classical song,"Ode to Joy", then check out "I Saw It On Your Keyboard".
37.)
Anhedonia (2007)Artist: The Graduate
Label: Icon MES
Favorite Song: Surround Yourself
As previously mentioned I watched these guys open for Spitalfield and it was the first time that I was introduced to their sound. Shortly after I bought the record from an FYE for $5 (which is a sentence that makes me feel old) and loved it. I used to walk around campus playing "Sit and Sink", "Anhedonia", and "Surround Yourself" as I took in the sites around me. They would go on to put out just one more LP in 2010 before disbanding.
36.)
Coming Home (2006)Artist: New Found Glory
Label: Geffen
Favorite Song: Hold My Hand
An album that was absolutely hated on by the fan base when it was initially released has now fallen into a cult classic. For me though, Coming Home came at the exact right moment as it hits on relationships, long distance love, and of course coming home. All great for someone constantly shuttling back and forth between college, home, and 5-hour road trips. My roommates no doubt resented my choice to use "On My Mind" as my ringtone, since I often forgot my phone in the dorm. I once again bought this on a whim alongside Senses Fail's Still Searching and Sugarcult's Lights Out, with me never hearing a single track off all three, but apparently wanting to spend money at a Meijer in Ypsilanti. Shockingly, this is the last entry for the Florida pop punk outfit.
35.)
The Places That You Have Come to Fear the Most (2001)Artist: Dashboard Confessional
Label: Vagrant
Favorite Song: The Good Fight
Another export from Florida, and yet another band my wife is responsible for, Dashboard Confessional begin to fully hit their emo stride with their second LP. If EP's were included on this list So Impossible would surely make this list as well. Fun fact, I once got to see them open for Panic! At the Disco for free since no one would answer a call from the radio station I helped run in college, so we just divvied them up amongst the people who were in the room. The big song from this record is clearly "Screaming Infidelities" which was previously on their first album.
34.)
Artist: Death Cab for Cutie
Label: Atlantic
Favorite Song: What Sarah Said
I first heard Death Cab for Cutie when I purchased my iPod, it came with a free sampler from Atlantic Records that included "The New Year" off their soon to be seen album Transatlanticism. "Soul Meets Body", "Crooked Teeth", and "I'll Follow You Into the Dark", are all amazing songs, but the six minute piano driven "What Sarah Said" takes the cake for me.
33.)
Transatlanticism (2003)Artist: Death Cab for Cutie
Label: Barsuk
Favorite Song: The Sound of Settling
When I was totaling up all the data for each record, these two albums scored the exact same. What gives this the slight advantage is how much more I enjoy the bottom tier songs compared to Plans. "Title and Registration", "Death of an Interior Decorator", and "The Sound of Settling" are all must listens. For me songs can fill a niche need that I didn't know existed. If I was driving at night while looking out the window, then "Passenger Seat" would be my favorite song of all-time, but I don't often do that and so it is not, but it is a beautiful song nonetheless.
32.)
Revolutions Per Minute (2003)Artist: Rise Against
Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Favorite Song: Last Chance Blueprint
I remember hearing "Heaven Knows" and "Like the Angel" on samplers and being blown away Joe Principe's bass playing. These both were superseded by "Last Chance Blueprint" which is the only song that I know to incorporate scenes from the movie American Beauty, which is one of my personal favorites. Also Principe is all over that song, bass lines for days. "To the Core" was also one of the first songs I ever purchased through iTunes, so there's that.
31.)
Direction (2007)Artist: The Starting Line
Label: Virgin
Favorite Song: Island (Float Away)
A mature outing from emo pop punkers that was so maturing that Kenny Vasoli wanted to be known as Kenneth. This album is just chalked full of beautiful songs that bring me so much enjoyment. They would break up shortly after this outing before releasing an EP nearly 10 years later. I try to pick songs to recommend, but I would feel like it's a slight to rest of the record to mention all 12 tracks. I just feel good when I listen to this album.
30.)
Leaving Through the Window (2002)Artist: Something Corporate
Label: Drive-Thru
Favorite Song: The Astronaut
The first full length from the SoCal piano rockers, Leaving Through the Window is full of pop punk tracks like "Punk Rock Princess" and "Hurricane" to go along with goofy songs like "iF U C Jordan" and "Drunk Girl". But where they really shine is in their thoughtful slower tracks like "The Astronaut", "Cavanaugh Park", and "Globes and Maps".
29.)
Neighborhoods (2011)Artist: Blink-182
Label: Geffen
Favorite Song: Heart's All Gone
How excited was I that Blink-182 was ending their 8 year hiatus after Travis nearly died in a plane crash, well I stayed up all night to await the release of (wait for it), "Up All Night". I bought the deluxe copy of this record, but like all the other albums on this list, I am solely judging based on the original release and not any deluxe or anniversary editions. That greatly benefits this album, because the four extra songs could have been left off and I probably wouldn't have cared. The ten songs that are left are fantastic and blend what Tom was working on with Angels and Airwaves and what Mark and Travis had done with +44 to go along with some classic Blink. They would put out another EP before going on hiatus again and then eventually replacing Tom with Matt Skiba. Don't expect to see California or Nine on this list.
28.)
Weezer (Blue Album) {1994}Artist: Weezer
Label: Geffen
Favorite Song: My Name is Jonas
Recently a kid at the high school I work at did a segment for the a school show about how everyone should listen to this album. I couldn't agree more, although I sense that some out there might be swearing again at how low this falls on the list. Weezer exploded onto the scene with "Buddy Holly" and that opened the floodgates for their now 25 year career. I distinctly remember my friend bringing over this record and "Dookie" from his brother's collection. "My Name is Jonas" is a great song to open the album and also a special shoutout to "Surf Wax America".
27.)
Even If It Kills Me (2007)Artist: Motion City Soundtrack
Label: Epitaph
Favorite Song: Last Night
This is one of those that has gained more traction over time than it's initial release. While I really liked it when it first came out, in particular, I've really gotten into the song "Last Night" which is great song describing a break-up after a fight. I'm not sure why I enjoy break-up songs because it's not something I have a ton of experience in, but if it happens in the future, I've sure got a stockpile of sad songs to turn on. Mostly I think it's because I love things that conjure up emotions and are authentic feeling, especially in film.
26.)
Warning (2000)Artist: Green Day
Label: Reprise
Favorite Song: Waiting
A record that was nowhere near the critical success as their previous record Nimrod and certainly nowhere near their follow-up American Idiot, Warning is the forgotten piece in Green Day's catalog since they burst on the scene in 1994. Experimenting with their sound, including more acoustic guitar and laid back tracks, it's their lowest reviewed and purchased album in the ten year span between Dookie and American Idiot. There's plenty to love here though as "Waiting", "Warning", and "Macy's Day Parade" are among my favorite Green Day songs while "Misery" and "Blood, Sex, and Booze" are some of their more experimental songs.
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