MID-YEAR FEATURE: Punk

As the usual yearly plaudits go, there are those that claim, in a congratulatory, pat yourself on the back kind of way, 2014 is shaping up to be a stellar year for punk.

On the other side of the fence, there are those that are a little more pessimistic, affirming that most albums that make the early ‘anticipated’ lists have an eventual reality that falls a little short of the mark.

Six (and a bit) months in and punk has delivered everything from clear standouts to unfortunate disappointments. We got a little too excited about The Menzingers’ Rented World and whatever Fucked Up were up to with Glass Boys, and hugged ourselves to Modern Baseball’s heartfelt number two release, You’re Going To Miss It All. We learnt about Gender Dysphoria with Against Me! and squealed with excitement when Taking Back Sunday graced our Spotify playlists once more.

Killyourstereo.com gives you the best and worst of punk’s humble platter (so far) – a mid year report to discuss, debate and offer opinion.

Top five international albums (in no particular order)

The Menzingers – Rented World

Rented World is an album that should need no preamble or explanation. Having become somewhat punk royalty since the release of On The Impossible Past, The Menzingers hit the ball out of the park with their heavily anticipated 2014 release. It’s old-fashioned rock and roll melodies and warm sentimentality, all delivered via an endearing ferocity, brand ‘Rented World’ as a classic in the making.

The Lawrence Arms – Metropole

Veterans of modern punk, The Lawrence Arms made some big changes in 2014; changes like signing to Epitaph Records and releasing their first LP since 2009, that clearly worked well in their favour. Metropole, with its catchy and clever rhythms, is a benchmark album for the band – a comprehensive playlist of all that the band is capable of, and a sure fire reminder that, in their absence, they are sorely missed.

The Hotelier – Home, Like No Place Is There

The Hotelier –previously, The Hotel Year – reinvented themselves in 2014. Something magical must have happened to the band in their time away from the spotlight, because years later, the band is killing it. Fairy Godmother or none, Home, Like No Place Is There, with its vast and varied output of pop, punk and post hardcore, is executed with precision and some might say, near perfection. We really didn’t see it coming, but we’re so glad that it did, because 2014 wouldn’t be the same without it.

Tigers Jaw – Charmer

Having parted ways with more than half of their members, Tigers Jaw have given us Charmer as a parting gift. The announcement of their split came as a heavy surprise, so it’s delightfully peculiar that Charmer is as put together and confident as any of the three albums the band has released in the past. Heralded as a disengagement from pop punk to a heavier, murkier sound, the LP spells exciting things for the band as a two-piece.

Modern Baseball – You’re Gonna To Miss It All

Another band with a tendency to stick out, in the best way possible, Modern Baseball have charmed us with their fickle youth and bold charisma ever since 2013’s Sports. You’re Gonna To Miss it All is absolutely no exception, and, to be honest, we didn’t expect it to be. The sprawling and smarmy song writing is a peculiar take on the world straight from minds of a fresh faced bunch of kids doing it for all the right reasons.

Honorable Mentions: Fireworks’ Oh, Common Life, Neck Deep’s Wishful Thinking, Fucked Up’s Glass Boys and Against Me!’s Transgender Dysphonia Blues.

Top five Australian albums

Luca Brasi – By A Thread

Tassie boys, Luca Brasi exemplify the kind of DIY, community driven ethos of a great Aussie punk band, and that’s exactly what they deliver. Rivaled by none, and loved by many, the band has been turning out rambunctious and explosive tunes since they were in their nappies. Given its attention to melodic detail and lyrical depth, By A Thread is testimony to the kind of devotion and soul that Luca Brasi are recognised for, and as such, leaves a major impact this year.

Postblue – I Hope They’re Praying For Me

Byron Bay’s best kept secret, Postblue may have revived grunge momentarily with I Hope They’re Praying For Me. Breaking ground in ways that their previous offering, Lap Year, only touched on, the LP packs some serious sonic punch and highly intelligent design, in amongst its compact ten song scaffold. The sweet melancholy of ‘Honey’ and hefty grind of ‘Ugly’ makes I Hope They’re Praying For Me one of 2014’s most memorable moments thus far.

RCPD – Nightlife

If you listen to anything from the local Australian quarters of punk this year, it should be Raccoon City’s post hardcore contribution, Nightlife. Surprisingly addictive from the first, the punchy offering from the Adelaide boys is commendable in its boisterous energy, vividness and poignant lyrical audacity. Writing about things that matter, and paying more attention to detail than most, Nightlife is the quality amongst the quantity.

Satellites – In Vein

Sounding a little bit like bands you already know (think Trophy Eyes, A Day To Remember and other easycore selections), In Vein rehashes the punchy, hook driven and explosive routine of its colleagues in a way that is equal parts familiar and refreshing. With their finger on the pulse of the thriving local punk scene around Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, Satellites is a name we’ll hopefully be hearing more of in 2014.

Harmony – Carpetbombing

A peculiar journey in the polarising and the innovative, Carpetbombing’s unconventional song writing and bleak and brooding indie punk mantra is fathered by none other than Melbourne’s cool and quirky darlings, Harmony. Diverging mildly from their revered debut, Harmony have delivered a radical indie masterpiece.

Most surprising/underrated album

The Hotelier – Home, Like No Place Is There: An album that stood out like a conspicuous sore thumb, in the very best way possible, Home, Like No Place Is There catapulted its makers from relatively obscure to being that wildcard on everyone’s lips.

Most disappointing album

Taking Back Sunday - Happiness Is: TBS released ‘Flicker, Fade’ earlier this year to the reception of a virtually unanimously positive response. As such, some of us may have held our breath in unbridled anticipation for the release of Happiness Is, only to be relatively disappointed by the album’s bland pop arrangements and predictability.

Albums to keep an eye out for in the second half of 2014.

1. Rise Against ‘The Black Market’

2. The Gaslight Anthem ‘Get Hurt’

3. Yellowcard TBA

4. Joyce Manor ‘Never Hung-over Again’

5. Blink 182 TBA – Set for a 2014 release (seen some delay due to the side projects of members), self released.