1. Night Birds - Born to Die in Suburbia
There isn't much to be said about this album that hasn't been said before. It is a perfect mix of old school hardcore, surf, and punk rock. High energy riffs, catchy hooks, and great songwriting make this album easy to listen to over and over.
2. Violent Affair - Cockroach Theory
I haven't been huge into street punk in a while, but this year was pretty big for some great street punk bands. Oklahoma City's Violent Affair released their first full length in years, and it shows exactly how much this band has progressed over the years. The music brings in influences from metal and thrash, but keeps the aesthetic of over studded spiked screaming street punks.
3. Chemicals - Chemical Livin'
This album was a sleeper for me. I had never heard of the band until I downloaded their album. It's full of catchy songs about getting your kicks one way or another. It's snotty, trashy punk rock at its finest.
4. Rough Kids - The State I'm In
Good jangly punk rock album. Give it a listen, that's better than any description I can give on here.
5. Combat Crisis - System Rats
I mentioned street punk having a good year, and this album is another reason why. Philadelphia's crusty Combat Crisis came out with another solid set of aggro female-fronted punk rock. The thing that makes this album even more fun to listen to is the fact that this band really know how to make street and crust punk sound like their own. Every time a CC song comes on shuffle, you know who it is.
6. Streetlight Manifesto - The Hands That Thieve
I'm a pretty big Streetlight fan, and I always get excited when SM puts out new material. This album left a lot to be desired for their last release, but it is still a solid album by any other measure. I rarely listen to ska/punk these days, but this one tops the genre for the whole year and is worth a listen for any fan of good music and quality songwriting.
7. Radioactivity - Radioactivity
This is probably the catchiest album I heard all year. Pop punk garage rock at its finest.
8. Sir Reg - 21st Century Loser
Irish folk punk from Sweden shouldn't sound this good. Irish emigrant Brendan Sheehy shows off his songwriting skills on their latest album.
9. Against the Grain - Surrounded by Snakes
Speedy punk rock and roll that sounds a lot like Motorhead on uppers.
10. Iron Reagan - Worse Than Dead
Thrash/crossover from one two of the guys in Municipal Waste.
EP/Single/Demos
1. Red Dons - Notes From the Underground
Art punk is rarely this fun to listen to. Apart from being slightly obsessed with Wire's Pink Flag album, the genre doesn't really get too much attention in modern punk scenes. This EP is definitely worth at least a few listens. I found the stylish riffs repeating for a few listens on multiple occasions.
2. Larry/Cobra Skulls - Split 7"
This split sold out quickly, with Larry, etc. getting more and more popular. Luckily Asian Man Records found an unsold box, otherwise I would have missed out on this. I was not a huge fan of By the Lamplight, but the song on this split is just perfect for LAHF fans. It combines gruff aggressive vocals, similar to something Matt Freeman would belt out, with some nice harmonies and folky punk. Oh, and the Cobra Skulls song is pretty good too.
3. Violent Affair – Pressure is Rising
You got their 7" songs, a new track, and a Blitz cover all from Oklahoma's street punk band. The only thing that made this better was ordering the package with the cool T-shirt.
4. They Stay Dead - Bruise Banner Single
The band tried to slip this one past everybody. Good thing I subscribe to them on Soundcloud. Bruise Banner marks the return of one of the best Oklahoma acts. They got Dave back from his stints with Black Flag/Good for You, signed with Jailhouse Records, and announced their first full length with cover art by Chris Shary. 2014 might be a big year for these guys.
Listen and download for free here
5. Tenebrae
Mark Unseen's new thrasy Boston hardcore punk band.
6. No x Thanks - Demo '13
OKC straight edge hardcore. That may not sound appealing to everyone, but the demo is something you need to check out at least once if you're into old school hardcore.
7. Altered Boys - Left Behind single
8. Streetlight Fight
I don't know if this was an official release, with songs just being posted on Reverbnation for free download. These guys are one of the Tulsa punk scene's most underrated bands. You're not a member of the Tulsa punk scene until you see Joe Myside throw beer cans at people outside the venue or scream obscenities at his own fans. Now they have some good recordings to go along with their live chaos
Listen and download here
9. War Party - Demo
10. Dirty Mugs - Wildfire demos
These demos are only at number 10 because they aren't finished yet, and aren't really an official release. The final product, the band's first full length electric album, will be something to look for in 2014.
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