15. Ryan's Top 10 Albums of 2018

2018 is coming to a close, and it's been quite the whirlwind. A lot of positives have made their way into my life this year, including the release of Haunt in February, which I'm still pinching myself over. It's surreal to put my work out there in a collection; I've had individual poems published in magazines before, but nothing to this extent. I am working on the next effort! I'll post updates when I have them. I'm still in the editing stages. 

Anyway, to end the year, I thought I'd share my thoughts about my favorite music releases of the year. Music is a big motivator for me in terms of writing. So I try to keep up with new releases the best I can and allow those creative juices to flow! Without further ado, here are my top 10 albums of 2018:

10. Basement - Beside Myself

I've been a casual fan of Basement for a few years now, first finding them through their sophomore Colourmeinkindness album. Beside Myself feels a lot less angry; the instrumentals definitely aren't as heavy as they've been in past years, but overall I still enjoyed many of the tracks off this latest release. It is catchy and a lot of fun, without falling too far into the deep end with closer to pop sounds. Notable songs: Stigmata, Be Here Now, Changing Lanes, and Reason for Breathing. 

9. Sevendust - All I See Is War

A band whose sound is positively unrelenting and certainly memorable, Sevendust gives their all again with All I See Is War. It's hard-hitting, and Lajon Witherspoon's voice is unforgettable. They might not be my favorite band in terms of standing out from the crowd, but I've always loved Sevendust's energy. They definitely didn't let up one bit, this time around. Notable Songs: God Bites His Tongue, Risen, Not Original, and Descend. 

8. The Wonder Years - Sister Cities

Bands like The Wonder Years seem to be hit-or-miss for me. But I've enjoyed many of their songs throughout their history as a band, and when Sister Cities dropped, I grew to love it. It's emotional, it's sad, and the writing is poetic and gripping. I always commend them for creating music so honest and personal--that is not an easy feat to accomplish. Notable Songs: Flowers Where Your Face Should Be, Pyramids of Salt, The Orange Grove, and The Ocean Grew Hands to Hold Me. 

7. Alice in Chains - Rainier Fog

Sure, I'm hesitant with every post-Self-Titled Alice in Chains record, and every time I find tracks I love. Rainier Fog is no exception. Dark, gloomy, and roaring, Alice in Chains' latest effort feels just as original and true to the band as ever, reminiscing with those familiar dragged-out guitars and layered vocals. Since the release of the first single, I had a great time listening to nearly every track. Notable Tracks: The One You Know, Red Giant, Never Fade, and Maybe.

6. Younger Then - Bad Life

Younger Then is new to the game, only having released an EP before putting out Bad Life, their full-length debut. I can't get enough of this band, which seems to have brightened their tone a bit since the original EP, which felt grayer in overall theme. Bad Life, although released late in the year, feels like summer, giving off beachy sounds. And Zack Dupuis' unique vocals always leave me wanting more. Notable Tracks: Sara Told Them, Cherry Glaze, Bad Life, and Seasick. 

5. Foxing - Nearer, My God

I'm going to put it bluntly: Foxing makes me ugly cry. Maybe not so much with this latest release, however--but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Nearer, My God is a departure for Foxing, known for their poetic, haunting ballads (and eclectic instrument choices!). Each song on this record is different from the last, making for a variety of sounds that, at least for me, took a few listens each to really get accustomed to. But Foxing succeeds at bending the rules, here, and I'm all for it. Notable Tracks: Slapstick, Grand Paradise, Lich Prince, and Lambert. 

4. Tremonti - A Dying Machine

I'm a huge Tremonti fan. Of all of Mark Tremonti's musical projects, this solo route feels most like he's in his element. A Dying Machine shreds through heavy-hitters and swaying ballads alike. Maybe not my favorite record from his solo career, but this record still serves as a solid board that this band nails down firmly. It surely is a wild ride. Notable Tracks: Throw Them to the Lions, The First the Last, The Day When Legions Burned, and As the Silence Becomes Me. 

3. Halestorm - Vicious

All hail Halestorm! Arguably their best record yet, Vicious is exactly as it sounds. Vocalist Lzzy Hale stands her ground as one of the leading ladies of rock, and louder than ever, this go round. The band tackles themes of sex and self-identity in unapologetic fashion, just as they should. They throw messages out there to be heard, and with Lzzy's voice, they sure will. Notable Tracks: Do Not Disturb, Vicious, Buzz, and Painkiller. 

2. Breaking Benjamin - Ember

Breaking Benjamin surprised me this year. While I thought they hit the mark with their previous record, they crashed through it with Ember. I didn't expect that this band could get heavier than they already had through their long history (long for musicians), but they proved me wrong with a tracklist filled with power and fury. And as usual, Ben Burnley definitely knows how to write a song. While some of the themes feel vague and redundant, each song still sticks out on their own, burning bright. Notable Tracks: Torn in Two, The Dark of You, Tourniquet, and Psycho.

Honorable Mentions

Florence + the Machine - High As Hope
The Dangerous Summer - The Dangerous Summer
The Boxer Rebellion - Ghost Alive 
Young the Giant - Mirror Master
Holygram - Modern Cults
Ellis - The Fuzz
Moose Blood - I Don't Think I Can Do This Anymore

1. Teenage Wrist - Chrome Neon Jesus

Like with Younger Then, I've been following the trajectory of Teenage Wrist since the release of their first few singles and EP. I loved their sound then, and they only added to that with the unleashing of Chrome Neon Jesus. Blending modern emo sounds and shoegaze with nostalgic tones of the grunge era, Teenage Wrist couldn't have put out a better record. Kamtin Mohager's breathy, smooth voice adds to the rough instrumentals, a perfect mix of sweet and savory I didn't know I needed. And yet here I am, knowing from this album's release that it would be my favorite of the year. Notable Tracks: Rollerblades, Dweeb, Swallow, and Black Flamingo.

There you have it! Do you agree with any of my choices? Were there any records I should have listened to that I missed? Leave a comment, and let's discuss! And let's look forward to the new art and music to come with 2019. Have a safe & happy New Year!

- Ryan 

Buy Haunt here. Preview my books here. Find me on social here. ​​​