A Decade Under The Taking Back Sunday Reference Part V

The final volume of this retrospecticus maximus (haHA sophistimacation!) will act as a bit of a dumping ground for the albums that I either really liked at one point but do not care for as strongly anymore, believe are notably significant but should not necessarily be considered one of the best of the decade, or just simply cannot be bothered writing about.

Straylight Run - Prepare to Be Wrong

After their debut album was a melancholy letdown, this EP rectified hopes that former Taking Back Sunday member John Nolan had not in fact lost his edge. As well, this EP incorporates electronic loops before the mainstream began to overindulge in the practice. There is even a Bob Dylan cover for Moses' sake!

Emily Haines and The Soft Skeleton - Knives Don't Have Your Back

When I first heard the frontwoman of Metric was to release a solo album, I anticipated a dance-pop shitshow. Rather, Haines crafted quite the opposite of that, an introspective album of haunting piano numbers.

Wintersleep - Untitled

Good things do happen on Canada's East Coast. "Indie" rock with an art-rock angle, but devoid of any pretentions. Also, spasmodic percussion that makes you question the supposed altruism of mathematics.

Thom Yorke - The Eraser

Trip hop and glitch electronica as perceived by musical mastermind Thom Yorke. Both sonically haunting and idiosyncratically danceable.

The Mae-Shi - Terrorbird

Words do not suffice in describing this album of madness. Take standard song structure, melody, and overall principles and chop them up with a butcher knife, then add a dash of saffron and put the fleshy, succulent pieces back together however you see fit.

Death From Above 1979 - You're a Woman, I'm a Machine

Intercourse! It may have appeared that I was shit-talking this album when I spoke such heavenly words of Sebastien Grainger's solo debut. Do not misinterpret my comparison. This album still kicks bum-ass.

The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

Huge band. Lots of instruments. Massive critical acclaim. Occasionally bilingual lyrics. Reportedly a favourite of David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen. That all sounds like too much to me. If someone was to simply use the previous sentences to describe a band I would politely say, "Fuck off, I hate this band on principle, you dubious ruffian." Moving past all of that, this is a carefully crafted album by a talented collective of musicians that defies strict categorization.

Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism
I watched The OC. I did! I fucking did! I even enjoyed it (Season 1 anyway). The show killed emo (and Marissa!) and brought this band far too much attention from unworthy, unsavory, undeveloped (breast-wise) teenie-boppers. Oh well.

Rx Bandits - ...And The Battle Begun

Ska music can be unbelievably fun, but it generally feels like a gimmick to me. It is not music I will sit and analyze while riding the subway. This album changes that. Prog-ska? I suppose. Meaningful lyrics, impressive musicianship, but still enough jumpy upstrokes to keep your head bopping.