17. He Is Legend "I Am Hollywood" (2004)

What it is: I'm just gonna say Hard Rock
Favorite Track: You Think I'm Pretty?

I love those bands that seem to combine elements of other bands you like, and that is the case with He Is Legend. They combine the heavy southern edge of Maylene with the pretty singing and post-hardcore atmosphere of Alexisonfire, and at the same time have their own idiosynchrasies. The end product is a very enjoyable hard rock album.

The reason I choose this album over 2006's "Suck Out The Poison" is partially because this is the last album with Schuylar Croom aforementioned pretty vocals, which are almost completely absent from that album (as HIL have stated is because of his excessive smoking). This

One weakness I have continually noticed with He Is Legend is their songwriting. It's not terrible, but it's quite simple. However, the excellent vocal delivery makes up for that. Schuylar Croom has fantastic screaming, singing, or whatever he decides to do with his voice. He certainly has a way around a vocal riff.

Most of the tracks on the album use the same formula. Fast rhythm, screaming/clean singing shifts, many guitar riffs, but you know the old saying, if it ain't broke...

I've posted this before...

16. Alexisonfire (2002)

What it is: Post-hardcore
Favorite Track: .44 Caliber Love Letter

There had to be an Alexisonfire album on my list, but the problem is, which one? Every time I sat down and thought about which album was my favorite, I ended up more clueless than I was before. At first I was pretty certain that it would be 2006's crisis, due to the accessibility of it and the great songs. But finally I settled on their self-titled debut album, and here's why.

"Alexisonfire" is rawer, less structured, more intense/energetic, and far more passionate than anything they released after. "Crisis" and "Watch Out!" have more standout tracks sure, but Alexisonfire works better as an album, and that is the point of this thread, is it not? So I shoved aside the accessibility of the other two, and decided that the sound of a young hardcore band making their first record is a far more interesting listen.

The sound of Alexisonfire on this album is sharp and angry. They take a lot of influence from hardcore punk, but some odd structuring and complexity say otherwise. There is tons of screaming here, probably 90% of the vocals are screamed. The singing doesn't strike me as pretty, nor does it aim at producing a hook, like it does on the other two albums, but it's more just an instrument in the chaotic mix. It's a sound that is tight, together, and no part seems to stand out more than another. The production is quite low-end, but that doesn't take away from the album at all, but instead adds to it. As I said before, it's very sharp.

Alexisonfire have produced a hardcore masterpiece with this album, and their rawness, passion, and punk rock vibes set them apart from the whole hottopiccore thing, a trend which they are often wrongly associated with.

It be my music and film collection.

15. Bob Dylan "Bringing It All Back Home" (1965)

What it is: Bob Dylan
Favorite Track: It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)

In November I had the pleasure of seeing Bob Dylan live in London, Ontario. This was my first ever concert, and the only reason I got to see it is because my dad is a huge Dylan fan, he has been since high school. I'm pretty sure he has all of his pre-1990 albums on vinyl, and he's got Modern Times and the Essential Bob Dylan on CD (he plays the crap out of them). So anyways, there's my Bob Dylan background. I grew up hating him because that's all my dad would listen to and I couldn't stand the voice, but in recent years I have come to appreciate and enjoy his music and lyrics.

Soon after the concert, I decided to actually give Bob a good listen. So I obviously started with his "holy trinity" (and to be honest I haven't downloaded much by him since). The album that stood out for me was this one. I'm a lot for familiar with this album than the other two. It contains many songs I already knew from previous experiance with Dylan. Subterranean Homesick Blues, Mr. Tamourine Man, and It's All Over Now, Baby Blue were favorites of my dad, and apparently a lot of people. It's Alright, Ma was wonderful live, even though he turned it into a blues song.

I feel that this album sounds more like Dylan. There's a more folky feel here than the other albums, and my favorite Dylan songs are his more folk-oriented ones. I can't give It's Alright Ma enough praise. Everything about it, the mood, the delivery, and especially the lyrics are fantastic. Actually scratch that, all the songs on the album have fantastic lyrics. Dylan amuses me with his words just as much as any rapper does. Maggie's Farm and Subterranean Homesick Blues are especially good examples of what I'm talking about.

I now look back at my former self and snicker at how ignorant and close-minded I was. See, I wanted to listen to hard rock, something that I was forbidden to do at the time, taboo even, so when I heard this folk-rock stuff all the time it was really annoying. But now that I'm older I can finally enjoy Bob Dylan... even if my dad continues to overplay him.

And now a classic video...

14. Lagwagon "Let's Talk About Feelings" (1998)

What it is: "The SoCal Sound"
Favorite Track: Change Despair

Ahh Lagwagon, been rocking them since Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. That'll be the second band (and album for that matter) that I was introduced to through that video game. Viewing its hideous and juvenile-looking album art and title, and taking into account my description "SoCal Sound" one might assume that Lagwagon are just a poor-man's NOFX. If we're talking about their musical aspects, then you'd be somewhat correct.

While there's the silly short song "Hurry Up and Wait", Lagwagon have a more mature and laid back tone than NOFX, and there's something about them that doesn't scream of "pure shit". It's almost an authenticity thing. They don't think they're all "punk rawk" like NOFX, and their focus is not to be crude, but to write songs about everyday life. These things make Let's Talk About Feelings the perfect pop punk record.

Musically, Lagwagon uses elements of most skate punk bands. Fast tempo, technical guitar, and often changing tempos. For a punk band, their (and I guess most bands like this) instrumentation is complex, but at least they don't hide their skill because it's not tr00 punx.

The most common theme here is annoyance with other people:
but there's also moments of an encouraging attitude
Joey Cape is one of my favorite songwriters, regardless of how arguably simplistic his songwriting may be.

One of the best aspects of "Let's Talk About Feelings" is that there's not a single song on here that I don't like. The overall sound is very smooth and together. There's a lot of catchy moments, a lot of really fast streaks, and some well played effects or samples that add to the experience.

I know most of you would probably dismiss this album, but if you want a fun, enjoyable experiance try this album. It's twenty-five minutes of (for the most part) upbeat poppy, overall perfect punk rock. How anyone can dislike it is beyond me, but to each his own.

Watch this video. Lagwagon was one of the bands that made Warped Tour worthwhile. I don't think they'll be back.