I’m, like, SUPER bad at ranking things. I’m always second-guessing my decisions and it’s just, well… stressful. As such, I’m going to just pick my five favorite albums of the year, my five favorite songs of the year, and then some general praise and/or griping. Enjoy!
My favorite albums of 2021, presented in alphabetical order by artist
Block Parent – Sick Year, Bro!
Indeed it has been, Block Parent. Indeed it has been.
When Block Parent released this back in May (and, of course recorded it earlier than that) they may have been hoping that the worst of COVID was in the rearview mirror. Vaccines were rolling out and it seemed that the shitshow that was 2020 was behind us. Well, it isn’t, for a myriad of reasons. But at least we got this stellar album out of it. I reviewed this album, and (I think) I had nice things to say about it. Well, my estimation of its quality has only gone up since then. There’s a fun, loosey-goosey feel to album, even when the performances are super-tight. Well worth checking out.
L.A. Exes – Get Some
The very first single from this album, “Temporary Goodbye,” was fun but, if I’m being honest, it didn’t really hit me hard enough because I didn’t know what to make of it. I’ve heard a lot of bands play a genre song and release it as a single to garner attention, when it turns out it really isn’t what the band is actually about. But after hearing the subsequent singles “Skinny Dipping” and “Baby Let’s Pretend” I saw that this IS what L.A. Exes are. Once I received the promo copy I was just floored at how well all of the songs were put together.
I’m a bit of a softy in my old age, so considering that the promo copy was the “clean/radio friendly” versions of the songs, I got to play it a lot in the car with my 9yo daughter, who also loves it to death. Anything that helps with daddy/daughter bonding is top notch in my book, but this album is top notch all around.
On A Hiding To Nothing – We’ll Probably Be Fine
This band is likely the best melodic punk band currently flying way under everyone’s radar. I’ve been a fan of theirs since their little label at the time (Umlaut Records) threw a digital copy of the Formaldehyde EP at me in 2017 for a review when I was over at Punknews. I had what I hope was seen as extremely appreciative constructive criticism about a couple of things back on that EP and while my advice probably didn’t do a lick of good, this new album, their first LP, is simply a stunner on every single level. OAHTN has a way of forming catchy hooks and choruses that keep building in energy until you feel you’re going to explode.
If the band has a single fault, it is that they released this album out of the blue with little fanfare. Maybe that was the plan, but a traditional build-up to release may have served them better?
Who knows? But I know that I’ve turned on at least three people to the magic that is On A Hiding To Nothing and, like a virus, that will spread.
Various Artists – Silence is a Dangerous Sound: A Tribute to Fugazi
When I got an email announcing a new benefit comp by Scottish label Ripcord Records, featuring 43 bands covering Fugazi songs with the blessing of the band, I immediately jumped on it to help out however I could. I’m a sucker for benefits (this one being for the Tribe Animal Sanctuary Scotland), but there were also a lot of killer bands on the roster: Authority Zero, Belvedere, Tsunami Bomb, Heart Attack Man and more.
I think there are two reasons this makes my tops of the year. one is that this was the first track-by-track discussion TGEFM did as a team, with some special guest contributors, which was a fun experience because I got to see how Fugazi’s music, and the covers thereof, are interpreted by a bunch of music lovers.
The other, and more important, is hearing just how these bands did (or didn’t) interpret Fugazi’s music. From intriguing adaptations to some straight up covers. There were some hits and some misses, but it made me appreciate even more how influential Fugazi has been to a wide swath of musicians. It also made me appreciate how oddball and unique a lot of Fugazi’s songs are.
Note – Limited edition CDs, as well as digital downloads, are still available. 100% of the proceeds go to the Tribe Animal Sanctuary, so grab a copy!
Teenage Bigfoot – Weapons Against Darkness
Now, I’m NOT including this because Tiffa Vigilante, who is the bassist/vocalist for this band, is also a TGEFM editor. To be honest, whilst working on this album, amongst some other IRL stuff, she wasn’t able to devote as much time to TGEFM news as last year. But that is OK because, frankly, if it comes between TGEFM stuff and making music like this, I’ll take the latter every time.
This album is tight, it’s hard, it gleefully crosses genres. It has a bigger sound than you’d expect from a trio. It’s fast, powerful, and skillfully performed and recorded. Teenage Bigfoot deserves to be big. Let’s hope they’re on their way!
My favorite songs of 2021, presented in alphabetical order by artist
Block Parent – “SUBAR”
Of course tracks from some of my favorite albums would make it onto here.
From the opening BLURP of the bass, I knew I was in for something special. This song is super fucking fast, it’s got super duper changes, and it’s just catchy as hell. The scraggly, sneering vocals add to the pot, and the chorus is just to die for. There is so much to this song from beginning to end (the whoa-oh-ohs near the close… perfection).
Dizzy Sunfist – “Andy”
I still have little-to-no clue who Dizzy Sunfist are, or what their history is. All I know is that I ran into this video and the song is stellar. It may be a bit by the numbers but the delivery, charm, and chorus are all the bomb. TGEFM prides itself on trying to expose Western audiences to punk from outside of our normal sphere, and this one surprised me as much as anyone else. There’s a lot of good punk (and punk-adjacent) going on across the world that we never hear of. This is some of it, and it is a blast from start to finish (plus the video is touching).
Hayley and the Crushers – “Cul-de-Sac”
This song is a mellow ride, but full of energy at the same time. Hayley’s vocal delivery across the board is a delight, the lyrics are a treat, and this song got stuck in my head for weeks. I’d literally wake up in the middle of the night and BAM there’s “Cul-de-Sac” right there, usually in the middle of the song like it was on repeat subconsciously.
Joey Cape – “It Could Be Real”
The Caper is a king at writing heartbreaking music. I love Lagwagon and, likely, will continue to do so to my dying day. But his solo/acoustic work is what often puts his song-writing and lyricism at its best on full display. His warbly voice on this song simply exudes vulnerability. For such a downer sometimes, he can sure write a tune that can cheer you up while bringing you down.
On A Hiding To Nothing – “Try Not To Worry”
Straight up, I’m not lying: this is one of the best melodic punk songs ever. There is so much story to this song, so much humor in the lyrics (depressing, but humorously presented).
One of the best melodic punk songs ever.
Honorable mentions of 2021
Chatowario (aka – Mario Acuña)
This Chilean musician is a treat and must be cherished!
Laura Jane Grace and Brendan Kelly live at Four Seasons Total Landscaping
I went to one, ONE, live show this year. But it was a blast. Laura and Brendan playing a mid-day acoustic set at the exact site of the infamous Rudy Giuliani press conference was simply too good to pass up. The crowd was loving it. I took photos!
The TGEFM team
Once again, I couldn’t do this without the help of the news editors, reviewers, and miscellaneous contributors who help out. You’re all the best!
You
Yes, YOU! Thanks for reading!
Dishonorable mentions of 2021
Anyone and everyone who don’t trust the science
I’m sick and fucking tired of COVID. Wearing a mask doesn’t violate your liberty. Get your vaccines. I’m not a scientist but the missus is and, to quote a Facebook conversation I had earlier this year with some freedumb guy: “I’ll trust her judgment on this matter over (name redacted), the industrial painter, any day.”
Facebook and the Australia news ban
Remember in February when Facebook started blocking news coming out of Australia? I do… because Facebook randomly decided to put TGEFM’s physical location squarely in the middle of the country. I’ve never been to Australia, and none of our contributors up to that time were from there. But Facebook went ahead and prevented any of our posts from being linked to on their site for several weeks. Despite my best efforts it didn’t really get resolved satisfactorily. Facebook just dropped the ban. Sigh.
the white drew carey (aka – Jeff Sorley) is the founder and head editor of TGEFM. He’s lived (outside of) Chicago, Madison WI, (ugh) Penn State, Lyon FR, Oxford UK, central New Jersey, and now within earshot of SFO in the Bay Area. When not scouring the web for more great bands and labels to post about, he also spends time drawing (mostly) silly sci-fi and anime stuff under the name Asplenia Studios.
