Top 50 Music Videos Of The Decade

We have seen a lot this past decade, from the rise of Britney to the fall of Britney. From the boy band to just the boys (Justin Bieber), we have so much to talk about, and it can all be summed up in music videos. So here we are, on the verge of 2010 and listing the top 50 music videos of 2000 - 2009. Hope you all enjoy.

50."Leaving Song Part II" - AFI (Dir. Marc Webb)

In this video we see the band playing on an older style stage with just altering shots to people hardcore dancing. Why is this such a great video? Because of the raw energy that you feel between the band playing and the people going crazy in a parking lot. That's what the band wants to transmit in their music.

49."L'Via L'Viaquez" - The Mars Volta (Dir. Omar A Rodriguez-Lopez)

This music video is basically a freak out between sessions of animals flying free and the band jamming out. Overall, this song is exactly what you would expect from this song, and the words "psychedelic freak-out" seem to fit perfectly. The song was cut short for the video due to time restrictions.

48."Chinese Translation" - M. Ward (Dir. Joel Trussell and Eric Johnson)

It's a folk song set to folk images. The video itself is matching the song title and is almost the tale of an old Chinese proverb. Tone of the song is in complete synchronization with the video and if that doesn't make a good video then I don't know what does.

47."Swing Life Away" - Rise Against (Dir. Estevan Oriol)

Just hanging out and having fun playing music is the premise to this video. Rise Against, a typically heavy band, went acoustic for this song and made a damn good music video for it. Hanging out around Chicago and seeing the club scene is what this song is about. How can you not watch this video and get a smile?

46."Alive With The Glory Of Love" - Say Anything (Dir. Kevin Kerslake)

The power of love is the premise to this video as two very young love birds escape a seemingly menacing summer camp to be together. The song itself is somewhat related to frontman Max Bemis' grandparents who were Holocaust survivors. You can see some resemblances of the summer camp when you compare it with Jonestown. Now if grape flavor-aid doesn't scare you, then maybe getting caught by the camp marshal will.

45."Everything Is Alright" - Motion City Soundtrack (Dir. Chris Grismer and Chris Mills)

The video involves a group of mental patients, naturally in a mental facility, being themselves. The group plays this song throughout the video also, and we are constantly switching between the two. What makes this video great is that slowly we are revealed that the sane people (the band) are also insane. Guess we all need to analyze ourselves.

44."Hole In The Earth" - Deftones (Dir. Brian Lazzaro)

Deftones - Headbangers Ball - MTV Shows - Deftones - Headbangers Ball - MTV Shows

The group are slowly tossed around outer space in this video. As the band plays we slowly see that the earth is falling apart because of a hole in it. The effects are well done and doesn't subtract from the song or the quality of the video. It doesn't hurt that it's a damn good song.

43."Everlong" - Foo Fighters (Dir. Michel Gondry)

This video sees frontman Dave Grohl and drummer Taylor Hawkins as a married couple. Intruders get in and cause trouble, but Grohl tries to wake up from his slumber in time to save his wife. This song is phenomenal and the video is both touching and humorous in true Foo Fighters fashion.

42."Paperthin Hymn" - Anberlin (Dir. Chris Sims)

A young band makes a very touching video. Not often do you see that, but that's not what makes this video great. This song stands for sacrifice and the video shows that with the ultimate sacrifice. Most of the video shows the fun times and the hard times as oppose to the finale, which is what we all try to remember.

41."Mercy Me" - Alkaline Trio (Dir. Ben Goldman)

This legendary punk three piece pulls off their greatest video in a mixture of strange artwork, the members of the band, and the band actually playing. There's little to the actual story relating to song and video, but the art style and the looks of this video is simply enjoyable.

40."Holy Diver" - Killswitch Engage (Dir. Brian Thompson)

In this cover of the classic Dio tune, we see almost a shot for shot replica of the original music video. Except this time it isn't Dio who is hero and the damsel is...well...Adam. The song is a great cover, the video is done with great humor, and the mixture of them is just as good as the original version. Plus, you have to give Killswitch props for this, because not many would try after the Pat Boone version.

39."Ms. Jackson" - OutKast (Dir. F. Gary Gray)

It's a soothing song with a very abstract view. The two members of OutKast are in a house where it's storming. Rain keeps pouring in this house where the two guys are left to put buckets to catch the rain. They are joined by many cute little animals to make this a video viewable for everyone.

38."Failure's Not Flattering" - New Found Glory (Dir. Meiert Avis)

In this video we see the band being miniature size compared to the rest of the world around them, very much Alice In Wonderland style. The group goes through this situation and tries to get large again throughout the video. The art direction is great in this video and it is simply awesome to watch this group do everything.

37."I Will Possess Your Heart" - Death Cab For Cutie (Dir. Stewart Ahn and Shawn Kim)

This video is all about the love that one person wants to express to another person. Throughout the video we see a woman traveling and the group playing and then relate that frontman Ben Gibbard is singing this song to the woman in the video. The song's mellow tone matches the video almost perfectly and it is beautiful how it turned out.

36."Sic Transit Gloria...Glory Fades" - Brand New (Dir. Marc Webb)

Another Marc Webb headed video gives us a story of manipulation. We see frontman Jesse Lacey initially running into a bar and finding himself controlling everyone at the bar. Then he runs into a little bit of trouble. This is a well shot video as you would expect from a director like Webb. This one is slightly darker than his usual work, but that's to be expected since it matches the song.

35."Treat Me Like Your Mother" - The Dead Weather (Dir. Jonathan Glazer)

This video is just basically as badass as a Mexican standoff gets. Two band members walk towards each other and start opening fire with fully automatic guns. Some great effects are hidden in this video, be sure to look at the two members as the video progresses. The attention to detail is simply flawless.

34."The Ghost Of You" - My Chemical Romance (Dir. Marc Webb)

What happens when modern emo-punk meets up with World War II? This video. There are two events in this video, one is a USO dance where the band plays and the other is D-Day. We see the band members having a good time and enjoying themselves before they go to battle, then what happens when they are in battle. This video blew me away the first time I saw it and it hasn't lost a step in the three years since I first saw it.

33."Maps" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Dir. Patrick Daughters)

There is nothing obscene or any special effects in this video, this is just a simple concept executed perfectly. The band is simply playing the song in front of a small crowd, as if it was the first time the group has ever played a live show before. The look on singer Karen O's face says everything throughout the song. The anxious look she has is basically what the first show is about.

32."Cute Without The 'E' (Cut From The Team)" - Taking Back Sunday (Dir. Christian Winters)

The video itself is a direct copycat video of Fight Club. Inspired by every scene and every character, this video places members of the band in the movie essentially. It is executed perfectly by recreating many parts of the film with exact replica shots, but instead of Edward Norton and Brad Pitt you see John Nolan and Adam Lazzara. Oh, and the song is good too.

31."Learn To Fly" - Foo Fighters (Dir. Jesse Peretz)

Another one of the fun videos that everyone can enjoy. This video features cameos from Tenacious D as well as roles played by Dave Grohl, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, and Dave Grohl. Some slacker janitors put A LOT of weed in the coffee pot and essentially render the entire plane full of people useless except for the guys in Foo Fighters who do their damnedest to pull a Sully.

30."Seven Nation Army" - The White Stripes (Dir. Alex and Martin)

To go along with the surreal style of most of The White Stripes videos, this is literally jumping down the rabbit hole. Composed of the visual effect that makes it appear that Jack and Meg are growing out of each other while playing their instruments, this video is simply awesome.

29."Shake It Out" - Manchester Orchestra (Dir. Clay Lipsky)

In this video frontman Andy Hull does his best Sylvester Stallone impression. The video follows the story of a truck driver with a kid following him and this truck driver stops in random places to arm wrestle. He eventually makes his way to the championship of a tournament in arm wrestling. Along the way however, he has problems with his woman at home, but don't worry, everything is okay.

28."First Day Of My Life" - Bright Eyes (Dir. John Cameron Mitchell)

This video could possibly be one of the cutest videos ever. It's sometimes amazing to realize that it's just listening that makes you realize things, and that's what this video showcases. Composed of couples and a few single people sitting on a couch listening, you see that this song was meant to unite people, and the reaction from the listeners is adorable.

27."Clint Eastwood" - Gorillaz (Dir. Jamie Hewlett)

Here we see a true virtual band and all of the various activities that they partake in. From playing their music with dancing gorillas to raising the dead, Gorillaz does their best to give us a somewhat spooky video to the tunes of slight hip-hop. The artwork is fun to look at for the entire video so it keeps you entertained through all of the graveyard antics.

26."Otherside" - Red Hot Chili Peppers (Dir. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris)

Red Hot Chili Peppers - New Music - More Music Videos

Usually with Red Hot Chili Peppers we see interesting videos and this song is just another chapter in that story. Composed of essentially a Tim Burton outlook of a town, we see a hero who travels through many trials and tribulations to get to his final destination. Such tests include battling a dragon's head and a silhouette of himself. Oh, did I mention the battle with the giant crow? Yeah, because that is pretty cool too.

25."Go With The Flow" - Queens Of The Stone Age (Dir. Shynola)

Composed of only different shades of white, black, and red; this video is simply fun to watch. The only real plot here is a woman dancing while the band is driving full steam ahead at a gang who is doing the same thing. After a few sexual innuendos, color is restored to the video and we see life and more skimpy layered women in a clearer view.

24."99 Problems" - Jay-Z (Dir. Mark Romanek)

There's a lot going on in this video, but basically conquering adversity is the main theme. Despite the song speaking about how he has 99 problems but a bitch ain't one, the video features many of those bitches. A lot of block parties, Jay-Z walking through various places, and Rick Rubin placed in many places, this video is slowly telling a story which ends in an abrupt halt.

23."Holiday/Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" - Green Day (Dir. Samuel Bayer)

This video is truly the tale of two stories. During "Holiday" we have a fun night out that involves hookers and driving around seemingly intoxicated with a few role reversals involved. Then in "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" we see the hangover of their actions the night before and how lonely the three members of the band are. Because it's a Samuel Bayer video, you know that this is going to be well done, and it is. Plus, each one of these songs was all over the radio.

22."The Denial Twist" - The White Stripes (Dir. Michel Gondry)

In this video we see a bunch of tricks with the bodies of Jack and Meg, as well as the other star of the video, Conan O'Brien. The video starts off with the duo playing on Conan's show, then progresses into them getting into a car and going to their apartment. The art direction is simply neat and they interweave a few subtleties together very nicely that you have to pay attention to see.

21."Time To Pretend" - MGMT (Dir. Ray Tintori)

MGMT - Time To Pretend

Sony Music México | MySpace Music Videos
Another one of those spacey videos that you have no idea what is going on. There's no real plot to this video, just the two guys in the band hunting, eating, surfing, chilling with women, and basically everything else you can think of. All of that done in psychedelic form. This is one trippy video, but it keeps you watching until the end.

20."New Slang" - The Shins (Dir. Jake Neal)

Essentially this video is about the band just hanging out and doing things that guys in bands do. All of that is done on grainy video as if what you are watching is the home videos of some old home movies. You wouldn't think that formula would work but on this song the tone of the song matches the video perfectly and you can't help but smile while watching it.

19."Without Me" - Eminem (Dir. Joseph Kahn)

When somebody unloads in a video just having fun, not many people do it as well as Slim Shady himself. The video involves he and Dr. Dre doing a Batman and Robin style rescue of some kid buying Eminem's album which has the parental advisory sticker on it. Of course, there's many funny pokes at recent events that happened before the video was made. Isn't that what having fun is all about?

18."Bones" - The Killers (Dir. Tim Burton)

No you do not need to readjust your screen, that is THE Tim Burton. So of course this video already has some merit, but it also has substance. In this video there's a couple watching a drive-in movie and the band is playing on an abandoned playground when everyone slowly generates into skeletons. This video is one that you have to see to fully appreciate the execution of it.

17."The Kill" - 30 Seconds To Mars (Dir. Jared Leto)

This video is a direct take from The Shining. It involves the band performing in the hotel, doing numerous things in the hotel and encountering the same problems that happened in the adaptation of Stephen King's novel. One thing that stands out in this video is towards the end they give the illusion that the band is actually playing the ball that Jack attended in the olden days.

16."Crazy" - Gnarls Barkley (Dir. Robert Hales)

Gnarls Barkley "Crazy"

Gnarls Barkley | MySpace Music Videos
The song speaks of someone loosing their mind and asking people for their help in rectifying the situation. Then the singer goes insane and telling everyone else that they are just like him. The premise for the video is the psychiatric splotches all turn into members of Gnarls Barkley. It just needs to be seen to be appreciated.

15."Come On Up To The House" - Tom Waits (Dir. Anders Lövgren)

Who hasn't wrote on themselves with a permanent marker? Well, this guy takes it to the next level in this video when he writes all of the lyrics on his body as the song is playing. It's a neat video with only few effects, but the question I want to know is how did he get some of them erased that well?

14."The Ocean Breathes Salty" - Modest Mouse (Dir. Chris Milk)

This video tells the story of a boy who walks by a few dead crows in a field but when a big one hits in the same field he goes to investigate. The "bird" is actual Modest Mouse's frontman and the boy drags him back to his house so he and his mother can help patch up the injured "bird". Eventually he is back to good health and joins the rest of the band who has suffered the same fate as he.

13."Jesus Of Suburbia" - Green Day (Dir. Samuel Bayer)

Just like the song, the video tells the story of the "Jesus Of Suburbia" who struggles through problems in his life. Either it be in the relationship of a girlfriend, his mother, or himself, he can't find solace in anyone. The boy is played by Lou Taylor Pucci, who if he gets a good part in a good film, will be big.

12."Schism" - Tool (Dir. Adam Jones)

Okay, before you watch this video, I just want to make sure you know what you're getting into. Strange alien creatures do strange alien creature things. There, that's what you need to be looking out for. But it's simply beautiful how it all unfolds and how it somehow relates to the song. Seriously though, watch this.

11."House Of Cards" - Radiohead (Dir. James Frost)

This is another one of those trippy videos. It involves the wiring outlines and a small silicon-esque base of frontman Thom Yorke's face that sings the song. Then it involves the same technology but used on a city's skyline and we see the city slowly fall to pieces. More people show up and it becomes extremely trippy.

10."At The Bottom Of Everything" - Bright Eyes (Dir. Cat Solen)

It starts out as a spoken word narrative by Conor Oberst, Bright Eyes' frontman, which sets the story and the tone of the video. Don't worry, that's actually part of the song too. The story involves a woman on a plane and the fun that they have knowing that the plane is eventually going to crash. You may also notice that a few of the passengers look strangely familiar.

9."Here It Goes Again" - OK Go (Dir. Trish Sie and OK Go)

Only once in a great while do you get a music video that captivates an entire population. That's what this video did. I mean, who ever thought you could do so much on treadmills. The band said that they practiced for hours on end doing this, but it only took them four attempts to pull it all off. Well, everyone has already seen the video, but every time I see it I have to watch it.

8."Knights Of Cydonia" - Muse (Dir. Joseph Kahn)

This video is what happens when you mix the wild west with the future and karate. It's the story of a young cowboy who puts his six shooter away for a fistful of fury. In his quest for vengeance you see some futuristic things start to happen and every rule in the book is thrown out from there. It's such a fun video, you can't help but enjoy it. And if fun doesn't describe it, badass will.

7."Glósóli" - Sigur Rós (Dir. Arni and Kinski)

This video consists of children dressed in old-fashioned Icelandic clothing, migrating towards an unknown destination somewhere in Iceland. The leader, a boy with a drum, directs the group through a land characterized by open fields and rocky hills, all the while picking up more and more children. You just need to check this out, it's worth your time.

6."Fidelity" - Regina Spektor" (Dir. Marc Webb)

In this video we see sweet Regina alone, at least at first. She then is slowly joined by a man. Piece by piece the man comes together throughout the video. Then finally he is whole and the two begin to put color in their only black and white world. By throwing around pastels, paint, and chalk of mulitple colors, the two have a lot of fun while decorating their lives.

5."You Rock My World" - Micheal Jackson (Dir. Paul Hunter)

The king of pop does his final bow in this music video that is simply vintage Michael. He dances and sings his way to a woman's heart and does so in a manor familiar to West Side Story. Michael gets the help of a few very famous friends in this video to play the bad guys that he tries to rescue this woman from. Oh, and he has a famous partner, if Chris Tucker counts as famous.

4."Hurt" - Johnny Cash (Dir. Mark Romanek)

In formula you think that Johnny Cash covering Nine Inch Nails would be awkward, but that's the very opposite in this case. This is so beautiful when Johnny sings it that it is difficult for anyone to not tear up. The video itself is Johnny playing the song, and then flashbacks of his troublesome past. Recording this song and video shortly before his passing, Johnny gave everything he had in the recording sessions to keep himself sane, and this is song and video is proof of that: everything a man has.

3."Days Go By" - Dirty Vegas (Dir. Rob Leggatt and Leigh Marling)

The simple things that we do to try and bring back what we've lost. That's the premise of this video. The story of a breakdancer who's girlfriend leaves him and every year on the same day he goes back to the same place where they met and he dances to bring her back. As we watch the guy dance it flashes back and we see the younger version dance and have a small flashback to him with his woman. This is one of the videos I know I'll never forget, and I hope you all enjoy it.

2."Weapon Of Choice" - Fatboy Slim (Dir. Spike Jonze)

Do you really need more explanation than Christopher Walken dancing around an empty hotel? If you do, then just watch some of the various dance moves that he does. Jumping onto tables, doing flips, flying across clearings, Walken does it all in this highly entertaining video.

1."Fell In Love With A Girl" - The White Stripes (Dir. Michel Gondry)

Everyone as a child played with Legos. Well, this video is proof of what can happen when you take that love for Legos and just run to another atmosphere with it. Made up of all but two shots of entirely Legos, this video features Jack and Meg White trying their hand in nearly forbidden love. This video is simply charming and is the best album of the decade.

Go Big Red News

The Husker game is going to be on in two hours, so I'm going to do this, then get with it. So here's your daily news.

Cobra Starship is going to be releasing a remix album entitled I'm A Hot Mess, Help Me on January 12th to a digital release. If you're into that kind of thing.

You can see the album artwork and pre-order the new Alkaline Trio album entitled This Addiction, right here. Don't be afraid of getting it you collectors, there's going to be a DVD and a bonus 4 tracks on that DVD for a special edition.

According to a tweet by Manchester Orchestra, rapper P.O.S. did a cover of their song "Shake It Out". Right now the file can't be found, so we'll let you know as soon as we can find somewhere to listen to it.

Canada's own Silverstein are going to be throwing a party for their 10th anniversary together. They will be playing a four night stand all over Canada playing old songs, rarities, and some requests.

Following up with more coverage on The Rev's unexpected passing, Yahoo! has reported that the autopsy has come up inconclusive.

Hard rock act Pearl Jam is seeing some turmoil right now. Eddie Vedder is being sued over lyrics he used on the track "Hard Sun" which appears on the Into The Wild soundtrack. The original act that played that song claimed that Vedder changed some of the lyrics which "eroded the integrity of the original composition".

Attention: I just want to say that I sincerely apologize to every metal fan because I have noticed a lack of metal news here. I try to report the variety of music that is popular and relevant. So for now on, expect more metal news. Oh, and finally, GO BIG RED!

Few News Bites

We have some news for you. There's not a lot to report, but just enough to keep you updated.

Dashboard Confessional and New Found Glory went on an acoustic tour a while ago, now they have released the artwork to the acoustic split EP when NFG plays Dashboard songs and vise versa. You can see the artwork right here.

Historic hardcore band Glassjaw have been notorious for only playing songs in their native northeast. That trend has been broken. Glassjaw will be playing at Emo's in Texas right here.

Prog-indie band Portugal. The Man have announced via twitter that their new album, American Ghetto, will be released sometime during the spring.

Avenged Sevenfold drummer James Owen Sullivan, otherwise known as "The Rev", has been found dead. Our thoughts are with his family and the rest of Avenged Sevenfold

Nine Inch Nails have announced that they are working on making a new album to be released in 2010.

On The Rise: Quietdrive

Today, I'm looking at the weather and I notice that Minnesota is suppose to get almost two feet of snow. Now I know that snowfall isn't completely unusual, but two feet is a lot of snow people. A lot of people have never seen two inches of snow, much less two feet. Now why am I telling you this? That's because in Minnesota in 2002, four boys braved the elements to become friends and eventually make a pop-punk band. During their freshman year of high school, Brandon Lanier started telling Droo Hastings that he was a great drummer and that they should start a band with him and his friend Justin Bonhiver. So a band got started with Hastings on vocals, Lanier on drums, and Bonhiver playing guitar. The core of the band put out auditions for singers, to which Kevin Truckenmiller responded and became the band's new vocalist, moving Hastings to bass. Truckenmiller then attended St. John's University with Matt Kirby, who eventually joined the band. The group was eventually named Sneaker 2 Bombs and the group was off to a fast start.

After building up a strong local following in Burnsville, Minnesota, the band who later changed their name to Quietdrive relocated and had much more success in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Just two years after all five members came together, the band played on the 2004 Warped Tour, which got them an audience with an Epic Records A&R man. Those meetings eventually led to the band getting signed by Epic Records, which was the record label that released the band's debut record, When All That's Left Is You. A collection of raw and melodic pop-punk songs, this album is a fine gem in the rough of average pop-punk albums. It's not very often that you get to listen to a band that so early in their lives are on the same page both lyrically and sonically, but these five friends accomplished that. The lyrics are so beautifully sincere that they demand attention with every word, the guitars are chord heavy yet melodic, and the drums are tightly played with well fitting beats.

Among that collection of songs comes a cover song originally done by Cyndi Lauper, the classic "Time After Time". The cover is so eloquently done, the guitars and drums both match the new tone, but the real gem on this cover is the vocals. They aren't Lauper's original nasally vocals, but a smoother and higher pitched singing. All it takes is one listen, and you'll put the pieces of the band together from there. After releasing the album, the band toured the U.S. vigorously for nearly ten months straight, playing nearly every state three times. After finally settling down back in Minnesota, Quietdrive decided to terminate their contract with Epic Records, citing the growing restrictions of the major label industry. To prove they weren't shaken by this ordeal, the group went to the studio to quickly to record their follow-up, 2008's Deliverance. Their new sound came with a more produced and more techno themed sound. With the addition of a keyboard on certain tracks and the occasional drum loop, Quietdrive went for a more mainstream album, but just ended up making a very ambient pop-punk album.

After releasing their second album the band toured just as extensively as they did on their first record, going across the United States to the U.K. and over to Japan to spread their sound. The boys started writing new tunes on that tour actually, and eventually played new songs as early as the fourth month of the tour. The record made its rounds on local circuits, but they could never match the success of When All That's Left Is You. Never to back down, the group kept playing shows and eventually went back to the studio to record their latest EP that is known as Close Your Eyes. This album is more of a return to their older sound like on their debut record and the band has said that this is only a small sample of what they have in store for their next album. Today, Quietdrive are working on that new album while playing a few local shows.

The drums aren't something that will stand out at you, even though I find myself air drumming along with the very fitting and well played fills. The bass lines aren't aggressively driven, but more steady and melodic. Just like the bass, the guitars are melodic, but also very driving at times. On certain songs the guitars are drawn back for a mellow mood, but on others it's a pure pop-punk attack. The vocals are a high pitched wail. Not like some other tenors out there, Truckenmiller's vocals are perfectly in their element without becoming annoying. Amazingly enough they match the melody of the guitars so well that they play off of each other from song to song. It's not very often that you see a band with as much promise as this one, especially so early in their careers. These guys will hopefully doing this for a long time, because we will gladly listen for as long as they're willing to play.

Recommended Listens:
"Rise From The Ashes"
"Maybe Misery"
"Time After Time"
"Motivation"
"Jessica"

Recommended If You Like:
The Smoking Popes
Every Avenue
Muse
Rookie Of The Year
Hidden In Plain View

Post-Christmas News

Happy holidays from us at SYMAL. Here's some post Christmas-early-New Year-news.

Head on over to Rolling Stone.com to check out an interview with Iggy Pop about the Stooges' induction to the hall of fame and the current state of everything Stooges, including a new album.

According to a recent report, Fox has put in an inquisition for extending American Idol. They will do so without the show's most popular judge, Simon Cowell.

Metro Station drummer, Anthony Improgo, has announced his departure from the band. Trace Cyrus and Mitchell Musso are the only remaining members, as reported through a tweet by Trace Cyrus.

Glassjaw played a show at legendary Maxwell's in Hoboken, New Jersey this past week. You can check out the photos and setlist of the performance right here.

Christmas Eve News

Here's some quick hits of news on the music run.

It has been said by the Los Angeles Times' that Tom Waits has started recording his new album. Waits has been quoted as saying “You’re never sure how long it will take. You write two songs and you put them in a room together and they have offspring.”

Athens, Georgia singer-songwriter Vic Chestnutt has died today. The initial reports being suicide. Thoughts are with the family.

Rapper Kid Cudi was allegedly held at gunpoint by Los Angeles police. The L.A.P.D. are saying that it was a case of mistaken identity. Sorry about that mister Thornhill.

According to Metal Underground.com there will be a one-off Misfits Runion special. We can't confirm a source, but it does look somewhat promising.

Small News Flash (December 23)

I've got some more news to report to you. Just in time for the holiday seasons. Feast your eyes people:

It has recently been reported that rapper T.I. has been removed from prison to a halfway house. He is in the middle of the 366 days sentence on gun charges.

Amy Winehouse is back in the news thanks to her "radical behavior" or what I call, being a dumbass skank. She was arrested on alleged assault charges because she picked a fight with the owner of a theater playing Cinderella.

It was recently released that John Lennon's star on the Hollywood "walk of fame" has vanished. But it was confirmed by a source that they moved it next to George Harrison's and Ringo Starr will be joining them in February.

It has leaked by the Grammys that Beyonce and Taylor Swift are the first two artists confirmed to be performing at this year's awards. More artists are to be announced soon, and we'll keep you posted on that.

Band promoting website PureVolume.com has released their list of the Top 20 Unsigned Bands of 2009.

Top 50 Albums of 2009

As another part of the SYMAL awards, we give you the 50 greatest albums of 2009. Expect a decade list before the year's end, as well as many sweet nostalgic reflections.

50.) Self-Titled Album - The Audition
49.) Hazards Of Love - The Decemberists
48.) Adelphia - A Skylit Drive
47.) Phrazes For The Young - Julian Casablancas
46.) Middle Cyclone - Neko Case
45.) The Incident - Porcupine Tree
44.) A Little Faster - There For Tomorrow
43.) Hold Time - M. Ward
42.) Wrath - Lamb Of God
41.) It's Not You, It's Me - Lily Allen
40.) It's Blitz! - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
39.) Veckatimest - Grizzly Bear
38.) Brother's Blood - Kevin Devine
37.) The Eternal - Sonic Youth
36.) Backspacer - Pearl Jam
35.) Carver City - CKY
34.) The Ecstatic - Mos Def
33.) The Great Misdirect - Between The Buried And Me
32.) The Fall - Norah Jones
31.) Old Crows/Young Cardinals - Alexisonfire
30.) Satanic Santists - Portugal. The Man
29.) The Last Thing You Forget - Title Fight
28.) With Roots Above And Branches Below - The Devil Wears Prada
27.) Ordinary Riches - Company of Thieves
26.) Horehound - The Dead Weather
25.) First Temple - Closure In Moscow
24.) Battle For The Sun - Placebo
23.) Merriweather Post Pavilion - Animal Collective
22.) Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Phoenix
21.) Dethalbum II - Dethklok
20.) Armistice - Mute Math
19.) Cage The Elephant - Cage The Elephant
18.) Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
17.) Embryonic - The Flaming Lips
16.) Battle Studies - John Mayer
15.) Ups And Downsizing - The Swellers
14.) Beggers - Thrice
13.) This Will Be The Death Of Us - Set Your Goals
12.) When I Hit The Ground - Ace Enders And A Million Different People
11.) Uprising - Muse
10.) Aim and Ignite - fun.
9.) Constellations - August Burns Red
8.) Not Without A Fight - New Found Glory
7.) Say Anything - Say Anything
6.) Years Of Refusal - Morrissey
5.) Crack The Skye - Mastodon
4.) Mean Everything To Nothing - Manchester Orchestra
3.) Audrye Sessions - Audrye Sessions
2.) Swoon - Silversun Pickups
1.) Daisy - Brand New

2nd Annual SYMAL Awards

Worst Album Covers

Graffiti - Chris Brown

21st Century Breakdown - Green Day

Self-Titled Album - The Audition

Nothing Personal - All Time Low

Deflorate - Black Dahlia Murder

Winner: Graffiti - Chris Brown

Best Album Cover

Farm - Dinosaur Jr

Crack The Skye - Mastodon

Adelphia - A Skylit Drive

Merriweather Post Pavilion - Animal Collective

Dethalbum II - Dethklok

Winner: Adelphia - A Skylit Drive

Honorary "Call It Quits" Award

This years goes to KISS for their lackluster new album. Composed of simply re-recorded hits and b-sides, the album was a complete tank. This band should have called it quits a long time ago when their live show went from "a spectacle" to the equivalent of shooting a bottle rocket with the stereo on.

Indie Album Of The Year

Veckatimest - Grizzly Bear

When I Hit The Ground - Ace Enders And A Million Different People

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Phoenix

Brother's Blood - Kevin Devine

It's Blitz! - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Winner: When I Hit The Ground - Ace Enders And A Million Different People

Alternative Album Of The Year

Swoon - Silversun Pickups

Horehound - The Dead Weather

Audrye Sessions - Audrye Sessions

Mean Everything To Nothing - Manchester Orchestra

Say Anything - Say Anything

Winner: Swoon - Silversun Pickups

Pop Album Of The Year

It's Not Me, It's You - Lily Allen

Battle Studies - John Mayer

The Fray - The Fray

Fame Monster - Lady Gaga

Here We Go Again - Demi Lavato

Winner: Battle Studies - John Mayer

Punk Album Of The Year

Not Without A Fight - New Found Glory

This Will Be The Death Of Us - Set Your Goals

Cage The Elephant - Cage The Elephant

Coaster - NOFX

Ups And Downsizing - The Swellers

Winner: Not Without A Fight - New Found Glory

Metal Album Of The Year

Constellations - August Burns Red

The Great Misdirect - Between The Buried And Me

Crack The Skye - Mastodon

Carver City - CKY

With Roots Above And Branches Below - The Devil Wears Prada

Winner: Crack The Skye - Mastodon

Single Of The Year

"The Fixer" - Pearl Jam

"Party In The U.S.A." - Miley Cyrus

"Ain't No Rest For The Wicked" - Cage The Elephant

"Panic Switch" - Silversun Pickups

"Weightless" - All Time Low

Winner: "Ain't No Rest For The Wicked" - Cage The Elephant

Comeback Album Of The Year

Farm - Dinosaur Jr.

Blueprint III - Jay Z

The Eternal - Sonic Youth

The Ecstatic - Mos Def

Years Of Refusal - Morrissey

Winner: Years Of Refusal - Morrissey

Best New Artist

Company Of Thieves

Republic Of Wolves

Them Crooked Vultures

Audrye Sessions

Closure In Moscow

Winner: Audrye Sessions

Honorary "This Guy Deserves An Award" Award

Chi Cheng of Deftones was involved in a terrible car accident in November of 2008 which left him in a coma. He has yet to awaken from the "minimally conscious state", but while in the hospital he has fought off numerous infections while being in and out of ICU. The One Love For Chi Foundation was founded in efforts to help raise funds and moral support for the family. The foundation has since raised nearly $83,000. We all still keep Chi in our thoughts and prayers, if you're into that kind of thing.

Potential Breakthrough Artist (Who Released An Album This Year)

Alexisonfire

The Swellers

Set Your Goals

fun.

Manchester Orchestra

Winner: Manchester Orchestra

Music Video Of The Year

"Don't Let Her Pull You Down" - New Found Glory

"Snuff" - Slipknot

"Shake It Out" - Manchester Orchestra

"Treat Me Like Your Mother" - The Dead Weather

"Blood On My Hands" - The Used

Winner: "Shake It Out" - Manchester Orchestra

Album Of The Year

Crack The Skye - Mastodon

Daisy - Brand New

Swoon - Silversun Pickups

Audrye Sessions - Audrye Sessions

Mean Everything To Nothing - Manchester Orchestra

Winner: Daisy - Brand New

Some News (December 22nd)

Here's some pretty intense music news to happen on a tuesday. Watching the South Park "Critter Christmas" episode right now, I'll try to not split a side while submitting this news to you. Oh well, here's what we're looking at for news.

E! has reported that Steven Tyler has entered rehab for his addiction to pain pills. Word has been that he will return to Aerosmith when he completes his treatment.

The FBI has released files on Michael Jackson relating to their investigation into the molestation charges. You can read a New York Times' article and indulge your brain on the entire files right here.

More Weezer news to report, this time it has something to do with music. They have officially become free agents. The band has said that they are going to try a new record label after 15 years.

Circa Survive frontman Anthony Green and Mindy White have posted their cover of "Baby It's Cold Outside". I highly recommend this cover version, it is worth your time.

We have some big news to report. It seems that The Receiving End Of Sirens are getting back together and their reunion has been confirmed for Skatefest 2010.

Some More News (December 21st)

I bet that you all are just aching for some music news. Well here it is:

The charity Music Saves Lives will be hosting a punk rock comedy special. All the details needed are at the website given.

Copeland, who announced their break-up in October, have announced the tour dates for their farewell tour. The dates can be found on their website with supporting acts: I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business (Early Novermber's Ace Enders), Person L, and Deas Vail.

It seems like Radiohead are going to be headed to the studio to finish their session that they started in the summer. We'll give you more news on it when it comes in.

You can listen to Hellogoodbye's cover of John Lennon's "Merry Christmas (War Is Over)" at their website. I don't know anyone who would want to, but hey, we just report the news.

Manny and Durijah of Saves The Day have announce their departure from the band to focus on their duties with Glassjaw. More information, as well as a statement from Saves The Day frontman and founder Chris Conley, can be found here.

It was recently announced that Joe Satriani will release his "I Just Wanna Rock" CD/DVD in February. This is a cement purchase for anyone who loves guitar.

Hard rocking act Slipknot have finally released their short film for their song "Snuff". I don't follow Slipknot as closely as the usual fan, but damn this is a good video.

Blast From The Past: Sunny Day Real Estate

Seattle, Washington is placed in the rock & roll history books in the early 1990's for the grunge explosion thanks to bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. The grunge band movement swept the entire nation and everyone was eating it up. So with the swoon of grunge bands, and deservedly so, who would pay attention to a small time alternative emo group? Somebody did, and whoever that is needs an emphatic "thank you".

Foo Fighters - Nirvana = Sunny Day Real Estate

Originally formed in 1992 under the name Empty Set, Dan Hoerner (guitar, vocals), Nate Mendel (bass), and William Goldsmith (drums) started to play at a few small clubs in the Seattle scene and released a demo tape. After the release of their first demo tape, they were forced to change their name to Chewbacca Kaboom, since their was already an Empty Set. After being under that moniker, bassist Nate Mendel toured with another band and allowed the other founding members to shake up the line-up. The band introduced Jeremy Enigk as their singer, and he soon became the permanent frontman of the untitled band. Mendel soon returned and the band had their final line-up and their final name, Sunny Day Real Estate.

The band then released two 7" records, but neither of them garnered much attention. However, it did enough to get a small record deal with Sub Pop Records. What came out of this record deal was one of the greatest debut albums that the world has ever seen. The album Diary, was welcomed with overwhelmingly warm reviews. Sunny Day toured on the record for nearly a year straight and became the buzz of the emo world. The band became known for their increasing exclusiveness from the public. During the tour of Diary, Sunny Day only allowed one publicly released photograph and granted just one interview, even so that interview was conducted with fellow emo band Texas Is The Reason's frontman, Norm Arenas. That exclusiveness is only matched by the fact that throughout their early days, the band refused to play shows in California, still for unknown reasons.

Shortly after the tour was over, rumors swirled only to be confirmed that the band had seen the end of its days. During the recording sessions for the follow-up to their successful debut record, the band was clearly suffering from internal conflicts. Egnik suddenly converted to Christianity and that was long since credited to their main reason why they disbanded, but Sunny Day has since downplayed such a reason. The band got together and several months after their initial disband, Sub Pop released the group's second album that simply bared the name: Sunny Day Real Estate, in November of 1995. It has since been referred to as "the pink album" because there was no linear notes or cover art. When the label asked the band about art, Sunny Day responded with "just make it pink". Sub Pop has referred to the record as LP2 and released it with several recordings from the new session as well as a song that didn't make the cut on Diary.

After that record was released the band decided to call it quits for good. When asked shortly after the break up, as to why they decided to go their separate ways, Egnik summarized it by saying ""We broke up and we just felt like we were done. We put no energy into the artwork or into anything". That quote was confirmed by the rest of the band as the proper reasoning behind the disbanding. Egnik went on to his solo project that released a record in 1996. Hoerner decided to move onto a farm in rural Washington and denied any interviews about the band for many years. Mendel and Goldsmith joined Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl in his new band, Foo Fighters. During recording sessions for Foo Fighters' second album, Goldsmith and Grohl got into a great altercation which resulted in Goldsmith's departure from the band.

In 1997 the band got back together for a quick reunion, without Mendel however, because he didn't want to leave Foo Fighters for what he thought could be a "tenuous reunion". The reunion gave birth to the band's third album, How It Feels To Be Something On as well as a few tours. Fans were shocked by the new mature sound by the band and spoke in a slight outrage. The band then got together for another album that became known as The Rising Tide, released in 2000, which has since became recognized as the band's ultimate downfall. The band successfully toured the country on that album, but on the eve of leaving for Europe their new record label (Time Bomb Recordings) pulled their funding. That was good enough reason for the band to decide to call it quits again. In 2009 Sunny Day reunited again, but talks of a full time reunion have not been serious.

Sunny Day Real Estate's sound has become one of the great mysteries of the world. Mysterious in the ways of its simplicity. The sound grew from very humble beginnings by simple garage band construction of compressed drums, soft guitars, forefront vocals, and a driving bass line. Even at such a young point in their careers, all of the band members had a sense of dramatics and theatrics in their careers. That sound evolved into more produced efforts, but never as emotionally charged as their debut record. The guitars became more polished, the drums became fuller, the vocals had a cleaner tone to them, but Sunny Day could never replicate the fire they had in their first album, which should be owned by everyone.

Recommended Listens:
"Seven"
"Song About An Angel"
"47"
"Killed By An Angel"
"Every Shining Time You Arrive"

Recommended If You Like:
Bright Eyes
Modest Mouse
The Get-Up Kids
Saves The Day
The Promise Ring

On The Rise: Set Your Goals

When you think about the San Francisco bay-area music there is usually one word that comes to mind: hippies. Forty years later, there is a band that is trying to change that. In 2004 there was a group of six merry men that eventually got together to form a band. That band has since gone from San Fran to the doorstep of every hardcore and pop punk scene in the world. When you first see them with a dual vocalists you probably think that shouldn't be seen in the punk scene, but if you were to think that you would get a slap in the face. Overloaded with scene cred, Matt Wilson and Jordan Brown (vocalists), Daniel Coddaire (rhythm guitar), Audelio Flores Jr (lead guitar), Joe Saucedo (bass), and Michael Ambrose (drums) bring a mix of pop punk with melodic hardcore that the entire world will soon be singing along to.

Taking their name from CIV's debut album, Set Your Goals quickly made a name for themselves while on tour. After touring for about two years, the band signed to Eulogy Records. After they first released an EP on Eulogy, they released their debut album, Mutiny!, which was released in July 2006. Set Your Goals toured on that album with the likes of Anti-Flag, Alexisonfire, Big D And The Kids Table, which should say something about the band's diverse sound. Their tour-mate list became more legitimate in the spring of 2008 when they went on the Bamboozle Roadshow with Saves The Day, Armor For Sleep, and Valencia. The boys then played the entire Vans Warped Tour in 2008.

After the Warped Tour, the band got into a complicated battle with Eulogy Records that resulted into a buy-out of their contract. In March of 2009 the band then found a new home on Epitaph Records. While just being new to the Epitaph family, Set Your Goals supported their label-mates New Found Glory on their UK Easy Core tour as well as their Not Without A Fight tour. On July 21st 2009, Set Your Goals released their second full-length, This Will Be The Death Of Us, which was the praise of many critics. Touring in support of that record, the guys played alongside All Time Low, Four Year Strong, The Swellers, and Fireworks.

The group's sound is usually hardcore, sometimes melodic, always sincere. Heavy guitars, aggressive drums, and harmonic vocals set the tone for Set Your Goals. The band's bright future and pure talent is matched only by their sense of humor and the fun that they have on stage. One prime example is during one show they went on as Set Your Grohls and played a set composed of Nirvana and Foo Fighters songs. The fun quality that this band brings every day can be heard loud and clear on the album, but is better experienced with a great live show. With a signature blend of the their dual vocals and anthemic choruses, it only takes one listen to prove that Set Your Goals is on the rise and will soon break it big. So you better see them live, buy their records, and wear their gear, because it won't be long before your entire school is jamming to them.

With so many heavy pop punk bands sporting neon these days, how do you know that this band is better than the rest? All it takes is a single listen to the band's heavy, yet melodic, songs and the hook will be in deep. It doesn't matter where you first listen to them, if it's at Best Buy, at a friends house, or Hot Topic; when you go back to your house you will be singing along and two-stepping to every line and every hook that their records have to offer. Set Your Goals is an enigma in stereo, and it's only a matter of time before it comes through the national airwaves.

Recommended Listens:
"The Few That Remain" (featuring Hayley Williams)
"This Will Be The Death Of Us"
"The Fallen"
"Look Closer"
"Echoes"

Recommended If You Like:
Saves The Day
New Found Glory
Crime In Stereo
Gorilla Biscuits
The Movielife

Big News For Little People

Here's what's happening in the wide world of music:

Kid Cudi has dropped off the tour with Lady Gaga because he punched a fan in the face. Sorry Cudi, you need to be Axl Rose to get away with that.

Friends Or Enemies.com has started auctioning off items to help Jordan Pundik's mother and Help Mend A Heart.

The initial bands that will appear on the Vans Warped Tour have been announced. If anyone else is pissed, please let me know.

It was recently confirmed that Steven Tyler has found new management. The world wonders if this means the end of Aerosmith, I hope it is.

We recently told you that The Flaming Lips are going to perform Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon in its entirety. But we have recently heard that they won't just be performing it. On tuesday the band's rendition of Dark Side will be available for download on tuesday. The album features the same guests that will be performing with them on New Year's.

Amazon.com fucked up and sent out premature copies of Lil Wayne's upcoming album Rebirth. Only about 500 of the records were sent out, so there are some pretty damn fine collectors items.

Here's What You've Missed

Sorry for the lack of updates. Because of finals week and illness, I haven't been able to update. I'll keep you notified further.

It seems that the rumors are true and John Frusciante has officially left the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The band have confirmed this and have gone further saying that there is "no drama".

Your Rock And Roll Hall of Fame class of 2010 has been announced. This year's inductees will include: ABBA, Genesis, The Stooges, and others.

It has now been announced that Flight Of The Conchords are no longer.

Just as previously speculated, indie-grunge godfathers Sonic Youth are now recording their new record.

Surely for a sold out tour, Muse have just released more tour dates for their tour with Silversun Pickups.

The punk gods are crying. Matt Skiba has been said to open for All-American Rejects on both of AAR's Los Angelas tour dates.

Relient K were forced to cancel a few shows when frontman Matt Thiessen left the band to join his mother who suffered a heart attack.

Lil Wayne will drop his next album Rebirth and then spend a year in prison on gun charges. Say "hi" to T.I. and Plaxico please.

A huge congratulations goes out to Anberlin. The band's single "Feel Good Drag" was just confirmed by Billboard to be the #44 most played alternative song of 2009.

In news of mammoth proportions, Deftones have confirmed April 27th as the release date for their next album. I know I'm excited.

Manchester Orchestra have made a small announcement that they are going to head to the studio in June to record their follow-up to Mean Everything To Nothing.

Some "FINAL" news (get it?)

There have only been a few small music news bites out there, so this is what we know:

Guitar World recently reported that Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, and Megadeath will be sharing a stage together this summer. Intrigued? You should be. All the info you need is right here.

There were a few rumors going around that there was going to be another single band centered Rock Band game, and it has been confirmed that they will be making a Green Day: Rock Band.

MTV Shows

We don't know a lot yet, obviously no setlist, but Harmonix released this press release.

It has been confirmed that AFI and Something Corporate will be headlining the two dates of Bamboozle California (formally known as Bamboozle Left). This will be Something Corporate's first show in nearly six years.

Manchester Orchestra will be posting acoustic covers of every song off their album Mean Everything To Nothing once a day until Christmas.

The Academy Is... will be celebrating the five year anniversary of their album Almost Here. They haven't done anything good since.

Underground band The Number 12 Looks Like You have officially disbanded. This comes less than a year after they were called "the next big thing".

Old school band The Juliana Theory have posted two new updates. They are going to be playing a reunion show for the anniversary of their release, Emotion Is Dead. Also, frontman Brett Detar has announced that he is forming a solo project.

Finally, we have some big news that Red Hot Chili Peppers' guitarist John Frusciante has apparently left the band.

Blast From The Past: The Junior Varsity

In the quiet winter times in Springfield, Illinois people would go out to the lakes and ice fish as much as they would go to the local music venue to see a show. The only real noteworthy exports that Springfield had were a few hall of fame football players and Abraham Lincoln. Being the capital of Illinois, there are a lot of cushy government jobs that makes the economy of Springfield a booming one. The scene is set by a surrounding countryside landscape and a small Andy Wildrick, who took his old band, Winner Takes All, and talked to a few friends. All of the original songs wrote by Winner Takes All were eventually re-recorded by the band that would rise from the ashes.

Wildrick would enlist bassist and vocalist Asa Dawson, Sergio Coronado on rhythm guitar, Chris Birch on drums, and Nick Dodson on keyboards for the project that would become known as The Junior Varsity. All of the band members were in college when they released their very first record, The Great Compromise, which was warmly greeted by every critic that came across it. The band toured tirelessly on their debut record, opening for such bands like The Starting Line, Motion City Soundtrack, and Bayside. After the band got off the road they were handed a record deal by Chicago-based label, Victory Records. Right after they signed their contract, they went to work on their follow-up, which would become known as Wide Eyed.

Easily their most mainstream album, Wide Eyed was greeted by a wider fan-base and equally exciting following of critics. The band became subject to a lot of buzz and people believed it was only a matter of time until the band broke it big. With the wider fan base, Victory Records decided to re-release the band's debut album with a DVD and demos of some b-sides. The new fans got introduced to some of the older stuff that original fans in Chicago have been screaming for years. The buzz didn't get to the men of The Junior Varsity, they kept their head to the grindstone and were constantly on the road, doing what it took to get their name out there. By doing so, the band found themselves on the same tours as Good Charolette, Paramore, and Panic! At The Disco.

The band started to get a little road weary and decided to take a few months off. As they were doing that, every one of them started writing songs and different parts for a new record. So as soon as the band finally got back together they already had a great start for their third album, which would become known as Cinematographic. The hard work that everyone put into the record paid off, and the album is still one of the best that NOBODY knows about. But everything that the band put into the album started to implode upon itself. Rumors were confirmed, and bassist Asa Dawson left the band, which caused The Junior Varsity to drop off their tour with Permanent Me. After that tour, the band played one show at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Band relationships started to weather and it was announced that they went on "indefinite hiatus".

Since then, Andy Wildrick joined The Dear Hunter, which is an indie band based in Boston. The rest of the members have gone on to finish school. Talks of shows with even more buzz bands like The Graduate surfaced, but the band never actually committed with their finest line-up. That's where we stand today. Asa Dawson has said that the band have been having talks about getting together for a small tour, but nothing has ever happened in relation to those talks. The Junior Varsity doesn't leave a great legacy of bands and a tall order for bands that they influenced to go up against, all they were was a band that played music that every member loved to play. Just looking at the songs today, a good three years after first hearing of the band, I can tell you that the songs still hit a special spot in my heart.

Sonically, The Junior Varsity started things on The Great Compromise with a very rough and gritty garage band sound. The initial sound was touched up to be more of an alternative-punk sound, but the band still had that element of aggression and unpolished life to it. The band has said that they loved playing songs off of that album because they knew that the crowd would respond well to them and give them a fun show. You can tell when listening to the songs off that record that they just wanted to play music that they loved to play. The songs on their Victory debut, Wide Eyed, had a little more polished sound to them. The band showed that they started to stray away from straight emo-punk to an alternative sound. Sure they had a distinct punk styling, but they implemented different movements and different sounds into their songs. They led a front of emo-ternative sounding bands with that album, which they would improve upon in their final album, Cinematographic.

Guitar riffs, distortion, tones, bass lines, and vocal melodies were the key components that made Cinematographic a great listen. The lyrics on this record were also much improved from the bands previous efforts, which I believe is in reflection of the band growing up both together and individually. It's really difficult to talk about this band in terms of just songs and tones, especially if you have ever listened to them at all. If you can just reach out and have a common ground with the melodies and vocals, then the hook will be deep into you to, and you too will wish that The Junior Varsity would make their return to the world of music.

Recommended Listens:
"Falling Far Behind"
"Get Comfortable"
"The SKY"
"The Greatest"
"Memory Made Easy"

Recommended If You Like:
Reggie And Full Effect
The Get-Up Kids
Motion City Soundtrack
The Early November
Radiohead