Big Wheel Magazine Top 9 Records of 2010

2010 is almost over and like every year here is Big Wheel Magazine's Top 9 records of 2010.

The list is made up of albums that were released throughout 2010 and there were certainly a lot of excellent records that were released this year. So without any further stalling for time...in no particular order...Big Wheel Magazine's Top 9 Albums of 2010!

 

 

Off! - First Four EPs

If you have ever got the feeling in life that you were gypped out of something, well thankfully OFF! has taken that all away. This was truly one of the most exciting records to emerge in 2010 and hands down is a favorite across the board. Keith along with the talents of fellow true believers, Dimitri, Mario and Steven bring the aggression and brut force of what many have compared to the missing link in Los Angeles' Punk rock linage. Short, fast and to the point songs that leave you feeling like you got your ass kicked for 17 plus minutes without a break.

It is seriously doubtful that you would have found another record that came out this year that wound you up as hard as this one.  www.myspace.com/off

 

Street Dogs - Self Titled

This self-titled release is one that never stops playing once you listen to it. Your attention is immediately captured right from the start with the fist-pumping sing-along's that last throughout the album. It's hard to say which songs are best because every song is just as awesome as the others. The album artwork shows a number of different Street Dogs tattoos, proving just how dedicated their fans are. This album truly defines the Street Dogs and their music.

It's pure Punk rock from the beginning to the end.  www.myspace.com/streetdogs

 

Gaslight Anthem - American Slang

There's a period after one's youthful fire expires that allows for a more mature perspective on the surroundings. The Gaslight Anthem kidnapped our heartstrings with their inspiring sounds and tales of do-or-die relationships with The '59 Sound. The boys followed it up with what happens when that adolescent conflagration becomes smoldering embers with smoking remnants of times past on American Slang. Like a great Scotch, The Gaslight Anthem are only getting better with age and are fast carving their name into the historical American landscape.  www.myspace.com/thegaslightanthem

 

Off With Their Heads - In Desolation

Off With Their Heads are no stranger to top 10 lists, their 2008 album "From the Bottom" having done well in year-in reviews all over. For some bands that sets the bar too high, and they are destined to fade into obscurity for no reason other than failing to live up to the hype. Not so for these guys. While it would be difficult for an album to be more anticipated, not only the next in a line of stellar releases, but also the band's Epitaph debut, the album more than lives up to the promises the band made on previous releases, and with their frenetic stage shows. This album has everything, the anger, the hate, the love, the terror, and the utter abandonment that make up life, all set to music that will relentlessly pound in your skull and raise your fists in the air.  www.myspace.com/offwiththeirheads

 

Ceremony - Rohnert Park LP

Named after the town where several members of the band grew up, Ceremony's Rohnert Park EP provided fans with a sampling of their third album before it was released earlier this year. The EP is a significant release for Ceremony, mainly because it displays the band moving in a new direction and exploring a fresh territory while staying true to their older sound and elements. Although the EP only contains two tracks, "Sick" and "Life is a War", both succeed in demonstrating vocalist Ross Farrar's snotty growl and how the band is aggressive and pugnacious, yet catchy and imposing. Rohnert Park EP paved the way for the Rohernt Park LP and full length album and secured Ceremony's place as one of the most relevant bands in the Punk and hardcore scene.  www.ceremonyhc.com

 

G.B.H. - Perfume and Piss

Another great album from G.B.H.! Perfume and Piss has everything you'd want to hear from them. It contains 13 loud, fast paced songs with ripping guitar solos and snarling vocals. Although it's just a bit different from past G.B.H. releases, it still preserves the sound of fierce punk rock that we all possess to hear from G.B.H. After years and years of playing, coming out with new records and slightly altering their sound, they came out with what they do best. This album is proof that old bands don't always retire their style but can still maintain it just like they did when they started.

It's a must have from records released in 2010!   www.myspace.com/gbh

 

Bouncing Souls - Ghosts on the Boardwalk

Ghosts on the Boardwalk was released in the beginning of 2010 to coincide the Bouncing Souls' 20th year as a band. Ghosts of the Boardwalk is compiled of the singles they released during 2009 and truly shows the variety of the group. The album starts off on a high note, giving older fans nostalgic of the "Anchors Aweigh/ How I Spent My Summer Vacation" days. It wraps up with a more melodic and profound sound, similar to the 2006 release "The Gold Record".

Like all of the Bouncing Souls discography, Ghosts on the Boardwalk comes straight from the heart and speaks to the soul, pleasing fans new and old.  www.myspace.com/bouncingsouls

 

Motorhead - The World is Yours

With 35 years and 20 records under their belt Motorhead prove to the world once again that they are a rock and roll institution. With absolutely no signs what so ever of showing their age or writing music for mature audiences, Lemmy and Co blast through 10 ripping tracks of brutal dirty Jack Daniels influenced Rock N Roll. Their reality is simple, if it ain't broken, don't fix it, and that is exactly what Motorhead continue to do with albums that aren't departures from previous works, its a cycle that has confirmed their formula a success. Fans of Motorhead new and old will have an appreciation for this release as it will teach the young kids a thing or two about rocking with soul and a balls to the wall approach that's unquestionably one of Motorhead's strongest points as a band. And once again old fans are re-assured that their favorite band has put out an album that is consistent in every Motorhead kind of way.  www.myspace.com/motorheadofficial

 

Masshysteri - Self Titled

We are sure that if you have listened to this album at all this year, you would expect to see it on one of these best of lists and you are right to expect that. Masshysteri's most recent album, simply titled "Masshysteri", pick up where their previous album "Vår Del Av Stan" left off and topped it. This album carries a nice pace of fast rocking tunes as well as slower, yet energetic melodic tunes. Never mind the fact that the record is sung is Swedish; the native tongue of this band, it only makes you wish that you could speak the language so you could understand what they are saying and sing along. If you were at all familiar with the Swedish band "The Vicious" this band is comprised of former members as well as a few new additions. If this hasn't become your favorite album in 2010, give it a listen and it will sure to be your favorite of 2011.   www.myspace.com/masshysteri

 

 

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