The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 410

Album No. 19:



Real Friends: Composure

Over the years I have really started to drift away from pop punk. It had a time and place in my life and served as a sort of soundtrack, but things change, we grow up and have children of our own and the topics and sound of a lot of these bands don't exactly age well. The exception to that rule is when these bands evolve and grow up with us. I think the new Real Friends album, Composure, does just that. Yes, it still has a foot firmly planted in pop punk but they also took a step in the alt rock/pop rock territory and I can safely say it has worked out very well for them. This is a band I have had some ups and down with in regards to their discography but I believe this is their strongest one yet. It helps that this record came at a time in my life where the lyrical topics fit perfectly. The overall theme of the album is about facing your stressors head on instead hiding behind some imaginary wall. 2018 has been an emotional rollercoaster for me to say the least:

Moving 14 hours away? Check!
Starting a new job? Check!
Having a second baby? Check!
Buying a new house? Check!

But I don't regret a thing and I am glad I am embraced these challenges head on instead of running or hiding from them. If you feel this way at all, this album is for you. On top of that, their lead single, From the Outside, is just fantastic.

RIYL:
Pop Punk
Pop Rock

 

Here comes album #7. This album is Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour.



I don't usually listen to much Country music, but this album took me by surprise. It is a chill, catchy album, that is a kind of mix between old and new Country. And then you have the song High Horse that has a R&B feel to it. Sitting outside this summer listening to this album was great.

Recommended tracks: Slow Burn, Lonely Weekend, Butterflies, Love is a Wild Thing, Space Cowboy, High Horse, Rainbow.

Previous AOTY posts:
Fall Out Boy - MANIA: The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 401 • forum.chorus.fm

Senses Fail - If There Is Light, It Will Find You: The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 402 • forum.chorus.fm

Hawthorne Heights - Bad Frequencies: The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 406 • forum.chorus.fm

Les Trois Accords - Beaucoup de Plaisir: The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 408 • forum.chorus.fm

The XCERTS - Hold On To Your Heart: The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 408 • forum.chorus.fm

The Fratellis - In Your Own Sweet Time: The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 409 • forum.chorus.fm

 

The thing about the old way is that it sucks when the person you’re paired with never spends the time to write up at least a few lines on the album that was assigned to them.

This happened to me enough times that I wouldn’t go back to the old format ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

Dude, I agree and this has happened to me a lot as well. Trust me, I've felt cheated on reviews on stuff I've recommended. I personally think that's going to happen regardless of the format unfortunately. I think stricter rules would help for sure.

 

For my metal heads, I haven't really gotten to check out much metal this year outside of the Ghost record. What were some top notch metal albums this year I should probably check out ?

 

I think some people didn't want to do a bad review for an album that the other person loves so they just didn't do any.

 

Eh, I think that's kind of a cop-out, but I suppose that could be the case in some instances.

plus I never assign bad albums ;)

 

I still have some reviews I didn't do, but it's because I was busy in the summer and then the club died.

 

I never had an issue writing a bad review.

 

There is nothing wrong with not liking an album and being open about it. There is a polite way to do it instead of ripping the album apart. It is frustrating when people don't do a write up on your album but at the same time I am glad I have my album to review and don't mind writing it without reciprocation. Although, it did happen a lot. There are pros and cons to all the arguments presented.

 

Check out the Holy Roar records website and their records released this year. They have had a VERY good year.

 

I’m not arguing anything - just saying that I’m not interested in returning to the old format

 

My only issue with sharing an album for the whole group to review it is i know a certain person won't like it because let's say they are way more into pop music or electronic and I offer a metal album. I feel like they won't give that metal album the time of day.

 

@bachna84 and @Larry David won't quit raving about the new Atreyu, but you should check out Even the Trees and Parkway Drive.

 

Delete this

 

Hey, for the record, I hate the most recent Atreyu album.

 

vein - errorzone is probably my favorite metal album of the year

 

I mean if you're that pigeonholed in genres that you won't even listen to one album that is recommended for everyone one week then really why would you even be participating?

I really think the one album for everyone is a much better method to go. Seeing a bunch of scattered thoughts about like 20 different albums is a little much. Having a focused discussion on one album is much more beneficial

 

Also, Atreyu is bad

 

I first suggested everyone reviewing the same album and I am always right

 

Whatever method is agreed upon I'm in either way.

 

I believe we could have an album of the week and have the individual albums trades simultaneously. That way you can participate in any way you feel comfortable.

 

I think having both would make it insanely cluttered and confusing at times

 

Alright I did this thing. Largest list I've ever done but there were things I loved about all of these. I would say there were more albums I really liked this year and fewer that I really fell in love with. That might have been partly because I tried hard to stay current on everything and as a result I didn't spend a crazy amount of time with anything. So much good music in 2018.

1. The Wombats - Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life
2. Death Cab for Cutie - Thank You for Today
3. Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness - Upside Down Flowers
4. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Wrong Creatures
5. The Neighbourhood - The Neighbourhood
6. The Night Game - The Night Game
7. Now, Now - Saved
8. The 1975 - A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships
9. You Me at Six - VI
10. David Ford - Animal Spirits
11. S. Carey - Hundred Acres
12. The Fratellis - In Your Own Sweet Time
13. Against the Current - Past Lives
14. Snow Patrol - Wildness
15. Handsome Ghost - Welcome Back
16. Our Lady Peace - Somethingness
17. Editors - Violence
18. Black Foxxes - Reiði
19. Dear Rouge - Phases
20. Fall Out Boy - Mania
21. Basement - Beside Myself
22. Pale Waves - My Mind Makes Noises
23. Steve Moakler - Born Ready
24. Panic! At the Disco - Pray for the Wicked
25. Weathers - Kids in the Night
26. The Republic of Wolves - Shrine
27. Kodaline - Politics of Living
28. Hellogoodbye - S'Only Natural
29. Fitness - Karate
30. The Maple State - The Things I Heard at the Party
31. Boston Manor - Welcome to the Neighbourhood
32. Good Charlotte - Generation Rx
33. Jukebox the Ghost - Off to the Races
34. Thrice - Palms
35. Elder Brother - Stay Inside