Top 10 of 2011: Hailey Hill's Picks

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Top 10 of 2011: Hailey Hill’s Picks

Maybe you’ve noticed, maybe you haven’t… Positivexposure was, for the most part, in hibernation in 2011. But taking a break from sharing music doesn’t mean taking a break from discovering and taking it in! If you’ve been following Hailey’s reviews this year, this list will not surprise you, but you may discover some albums you missed this year.

#10 England Keep My Bones // Frank Turner
I have much respect for Frank Turner, who is an excellent song writer and an intelligent person. England Keep My Bones would have to be my favourite release of his. Turner is sincere and honest, as always, which is a quality I respect in people and music. “If Ever I Stray” is my favourite Turner song at the current moment; very relatable, catchy and blends acoustic and full band moments superbly.

My pick: “If Ever I Stray”.

#9 Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me // Touché Amore
Short, fast, loud, passionate and honest. No song reaches the 2:30 mark on Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me, giving the term “short and sweet” a clear definition.

My pick: “Pathfinder”.

#8 Radiosurgery // New Found Glory
New Found Glory have produced what I think is their catchiest record yet. Although it lacks the heaviness of last release Not Without A Fight, Radiosurgery is classic New Found Glory; a band who cannot do a thing wrong.

My pick: “Summer Fling, Don’t Mean a Thing”.

#7 Winter Forever // Seahaven
I’m quite a lazy person. I try not to be when it comes to checking out new bands but with an influx of potentially brilliant new bands it’s hard to keep up. Due to my behaviour, I didn’t give Seahaven’s last release enough of a shot. Thankfully, I showed a bit more initiative when it came to Winter Forever because from start to finish I was given 10 tracks of brilliance which I have listened to at least once a day since its release. Very underrated.

My pick: “Save Me”.

#6 Listen and Forgive // Transit
Transit have mellowed out a little on their first release on Rise Records but the passion and talent is still there, just fine tuned. Having the vocalist from my all time favourite band, Patrick Stump feature on the track “All Your Heart” was a perfect shock and an undeniable stand out song for me.

My pick: “All Your Heart”.

#5 Under Soil and Dirt // The Story So Far
This full length is such a progression from The Story So Far’s previous releases in every respect. I’m yet to show it to someone who hasn’t been blown away. It’s honest and angry and most importantly for pop-punk, incredibly catchy. Perfect modern day pop-punk. (You can see my review of Under Soil and Dirt here).

My pick: “High Regard”.

#4 Heartbound // Dream On, Dreamer
I wasn’t too happy with many Australian releases this year apart from Skyway’s full length and releases from The Smith Street Band and The Getaway Plan. My favourite however, was the debut full length from Dream on, Dreamer. It’s everything I thought it would be; heartfelt, eloquent and simply better than every single band in their scene. The use of synth binding songs together rather than an annoying 30 second blast in each song is also to be noted as a huge positive. The six piece are excellent people who deserve the very best so I’m incredibly excited for them to be playing all over the world, only two years on from playing in very small and average venues around Melbourne.

My pick: “For What You Believe in”.

#3 Separation // Balance & Composure
Throughout the year I’ve struggled to string words together about this album. As we near the end of 2011 I’ve still only reached a one word description: flawless. Balance & Composure have always been a melodic and raw, yet polished band. This trend is continued on Separation. The use of three guitars still works incredibly well, especially in the live spectrum. Best live band of 2011 for me. “I Tore You Apart in My Head” can be grouped in the category Fireworks’ “the Wild Bunch” falls in.

My pick: “I Tore You Apart in My Head”.

#2 Gospel // Fireworks
Fireworks took a different direction in comparison to their last full length All I Have to Offer is My Own Confusion but Gospel is simply a step up in every respect. “The Wild Bunch” would have to be one of my favourite songs of the year, if not ever. The Detroit five piece have clearly taken influence from their entire combined CD collections and mixed it together with classic Fireworks to produce one of the most unique pop-punk records in 2011. I’d happily place Gospel in a genre of its own though.

My pick: “The Wild Bunch”.

#1 Suburbia I’ve Given You All and Now I’m Nothing // The Wonder Years
I’ve probably never had such high expectations for a record in my life. The Wonder Years not only met, but exceeded them. Suburbia follows on from last release, The Upsides, but in a, for lack of a better word, matured manner. Musicianship and lyricism are perfect. The lack of editing on Soupy’s vocals was an excellent idea. Fantastic concept album. (You can see my review of Suburbia here.)