2018 has been jam packed full of albums from bands in the alternative, rock, pop punk music scene. I figured the best way to wrap up 2018 is to review what albums were some albums I couldn’t stop listening to this year.
The Dangerous Summer by The Dangerous Summer.
The Dangerous Summer was released January 26, 2018 via. Hopeless Records. This album was one of my most highly anticipated albums of the year. The group broke up in 2014 and got back together in 2017. The group released its self titled album, and I felt that was the best way to dive back in the music scene. For me, I feel that a self titled are songs that showcase a band, and The Dangerous Summer did a phenomenal job doing that. The Dangerous Summer is one of the first bands I listened to that got me into alternative, rock, and pop punk music. Here is the album track list:
- Color
- This Is Life
- Fire
- Ghosts
- Luna
- Wild Again
- Valium
- When I Get Home
- Live Forever
- Infinite
My favorite songs listening to the album for the first time were “Fire” and “Luna” and my current favorites are “Color” and “When I Get Home.”
I was fortunate to talk with Ben Cato, drummer of the Dangerous Summer, about the band’s evolution. I made the session into a podcast that you can listen to here.
The American Dream by Trophy Eyes
https://twitter.com/trophyeyesmusic/status/1026937711238631424
The American Dream was released August 7, 2018 via. Hopeless Records. This is the third album the group has released and the most “different” sounding album. Here is the album track list:
- Autumn
- Something Bigger Than This
- Friday Forever
- More Like You
- A Cotton Candy Sky
- You Can Count On Me
- Broken
- Tip Toe
- Lavender Bay
- Miming In The Choir
- A Symphony Of Crickets
- I Can Feel It Coming
“In Return” was the first song I heard on a Glamour Kills music sampler and I really liked the sound of the group but never got the change to truly indulger in the music. This year I got into Chemical Miracle and fell in love with The American Dream. Trophy Eyes has shown dramatic growth throughout the years.
Some stand out songs to me include “Friday Forever” and “Tip Toe.”
Sunnyland by Mayday Parade.
Sunnyland was released June 15, 2018 via. Rise Records. Mayday Parade signed to Rise Records from Fearless Records in 2018 and released its first album this year. After Black Lines (2015) Mayday Parade went back in the studio and created an album that he was proud about, according to an interview Derek Sanders did with Rock Sound. Here is the album track list:
- Never Sure
- It’s Hard To Be Religious When Certain People Are Never Incinerated By Bolts Of Lightning
- Piece Of Your Heart
- Is Nowhere
- Take My Breath Away
- Stay The Same
- How Do You Like Me Now?
- Where Are You
- If I Were You
- Satellite
- Looks Red, Taste Blue
- Always Leaving
- Sunnyland
I enjoy that the album is almost like a “self titled” album without having to be a self-titled album. Mayday Parade always has a timeless sound, and I feel that it’s showcased on this album.
My favorite songs include “It’s Hard To Be Religious When Certain People Are Never Incinerated By Bolts of Lightning,” “Take My Breath Away,” and “Looks Red, Tastes Blue.”
Nearsighted by Speak Low If You Speak Love.
Nearsighted was released January 19, 2018 via. Pure Noise Records.I discovered Speak Low If You Speak Love when I went to see Neck Deep on “The Peace And The Panic Tour.”
Here is the album track list:
- Have I Changed
- Enough
- Contrasting Colors
- Ever Yours
- Your Love It Runs
- Safety Net
- Hatsuyume
- Circle Spinning
- Cannot Have It All
- Mystery’s Gone
- Hold Me Now
- Swell
I absolutely love the fact each track flows nicely into each other. The styling is similar to Copeland’s album Ixora. Aaron Marsh, vocalist of Copeland, produced Nearsighted. This album has been one that I’ve had on repeat in my car for months.
My favorite songs off this album when I first heard Nearsighted include “Contrasting Colors” and “Cannot Have It All.” My current favorites are “Have I Changed,” “Swell,” and “Mystery’s Gone.”
What were your favorite albums of 2018? Let me know on Twitter @ovictoriamedia.
Rock on, stay humble, and be positive!
-ovictoria
*Want to go to a concert? Check out the Winter Tours To Attend In 2019.
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