| Band |
Votes |
2026 Album |
Connors' Comments |
| Beyond Cruelty |
0 |
Beyond Cruelty - EP |
Mar26. My first album of 2026 to comment on takes us to the Netherlands. Described as hardcore punks on Bandcamp, I don't hear a lot of hardcore (except for second half of Sensibility) but they are a punk band more in line with NOFX's heavier songs. I'd say more skate punk. They share some sounds with bands like Bodyjar too - especially the guitars. Whoah, even Magic Dirt in Good For Me. The singer reminds me of another punk vocalist, but I cannot think who right now. The sound is solid, but little leaps out at me. The bass-lines in some songs like All or Nothing are good. Fav4: Solid Ground, Good for Me, Sensibility and All for Nothing. Hard to pick four when there are five actual tracks and all are good. A Good+ punk EP. 4.5/7 |
| BLVCKHELICOPTERS |
0 |
By Any Means - EP |
Mar26. You know when you go to a band's website and it has a manifesto that this is serious shit. The album title might also give that away and the lyrics certainly have an impact. This is electronic music I can get behind. Most songs thump along with a punk pace with yelled vocals and electronic beats. The riffing is awesome too, even if it is not real guitars (I have no idea). The punk parts reminded me of Bad Nerves which was weird. The impact of the lyrics was what really got me coming back for more. I love singing along to this and I love listening to socially aware music throwing flame on rich arseholes in charge. So spot on about how the common people need to unite instead of letting the rich media and fuckwit leaders divide us. This takes me back to how I felt when I first heard Fever 333. If you like Rage Against the Machine-level heaviness in sound and lyrics then check this out. There is also a heavy rap feel to songs - think NWA and darker side of Public Enemy. The first three tracks are absolute fire. Things drop off a bit from there and the impact is a little lost with all seven songs screaming about the same evils. I have heard other songs by BLVCKHELICOPTERS (actually the brainchild of one guy, Michael Maus) and some were not as heavy - maybe one lighter song here would have been a good breather. I'm not sure how I feel about song five, but the rest are awesome anger put to music. Fav4: Join the Cult, Propagandized, Unite Die and Misdirected Violence. If you want full on rage and want to vent, put this EP on! 5.5/7 |
| Taker |
0 |
Sons & Daughters |
Mar26. I have played this many times in the background whilst writing and working. This is in my alley. I guess it is Ramonescore, as a lot of it reminded me of The Methadones. Four songs stood out on all those initial plays and they were not all the ones with the most plays. It was mostly the melodies that stood out to me. Game of Pricks starts out like a The Menzingers song, but then goes all alt-rock - almost Dinosaur Jr-like. Then album closer Divider, which is a cracker boogie track actually starts with a Motley Crue riff. I am thumbing more songs on this listen. I have heard people say there is a lack of variety on here, but I hear quite a bit of change in pace and song lengths vary too. Fav4: For You, Town, Divider, and We Don't Call, but Reach Out is stiff to miss. I enjoyed this. Jun26. I have listened to this a lot more since writng the above and I love any time one of these songs come on in my 2026 playlist in fact, all songs from the album are in there now). I have added more songs and some of them are sitting quite high on my list. 6/7 |
| New Found Glory |
0 |
Listen Up! |
Mar26. I have a confession to make. I don't really know any New Found Glory albums. Sure, I know a lot of their hits and everytime I hear a song (even from recent albums) they tend to go into my lists, but I have never dived deep into albums and could not even tell what album most of their big songs are from. Well, I heard 100% as a pre-release single last year and thought the same will happen again. But then I had a first listen to this album along with the Punk Rock Radar guys for something to do. Well, I thumbed every track bar one on that very first listen. Having heard a lot of these songs several times since (as they are in my very short at this time of year 2026 playlist) and most are getting better with each listen, including 100%. Unlike the Punk Rock Radar guys, I loved the "Whoooahs' in You Got This - such a catchy song. I would love to hear this live and chant along. The album starts well with Boom Roasted and its pisstake on bands just out to boost their social media profile and make money. Things stay strong with 100% into Laugh It Off with its Sum 41-like, heavier riff. Things don't let up there, either. Albums often fall-off through the middle or second side, but this one does not. A Love Song also has a great riff and is not a slow ballad and Beer and Blood Stains is an instantly likeable track with its distorted riff not a world away from bands like The Story So Far (who I am sure modelled themselves on bands like NFG). We even get some alt-rock and fantastic bass in Medicine which brings some The Offspring fun and references another band (which always gets my attention, and it is Unwritten Law again). I am just loving it more every time I hear it and keep finding new favourites. This really is one of those albums where a Fav4 is hard, but here they are today: You Got This, 100%, Laugh It Off and A Love Song, but shit, there are least three very stiff not to be in there. 6.5/7 |
| Forgetaboutit |
0 |
Orchestrated World |
Mar26. A few songs from this album made their way into my 2026 playlist early in the year and I have been loving them. After a few plays through the whole album I am loving them even more. This sounds like peak 1990s skate punk - the best bits. And the band is from Oslo, Norway - not my usual go-to for punk bands (unlike their neighbours). That awesome buzzsaw guitar kicks off the album at a blistering speed. But they do know how to mix up the pace. Second song Dead Alive alone has several changes. What Went Wrong? and No Way Out are going straight to the top few songs of my 2026 list, but I just found out the former was released as a single at the end of 2024, so, happy for it to be in both lists. Both absolute cracker anthems about how shit humanity can be. Standing out is the change-ups in the songs and often the second half have the best bits. Reminds me of what I wrote for No Fun At All's The Big Knockover. Sure, they do straight-up skate punk, but then on songs like Still Running there is a real My Chemical Romance vibe. Disorder and Dismay has a cracking Bad Religion-like finish. There are Pulley sounds: One Way Ticket reminds me of a cross of them and F.O.D.. Rise Against guitars kick off Point of No Return. The singer sometimes sounds like Feldman from Goldfinger (when that band plays heavier stuff). Not all subject matter is serious. Like the 90s punks before them, they have songs about drinking, the punk rock scene and wasting time. I was wondering whether the band could fire across a whole album, as sometimes I wish bands would put out amazing EPs instead, but that is not the case here. This album rips until the end, including the last, long track - helped by a short song prior to it. Fav4: What Went Wrong?, No Way Out, Disorder and Dismay, and One Way Ticket but just about any song here could take those last two spots, including the longer album title track. I love every song and sound on this album. Top20 album for the decade so far! Jul27. Back here already to state I am all in for the album. Album of the first half of the year for me and it will take some beating. I am hearing awesome fun moments on every track. Check out What went Wrong for a sampler. Those change-ups in the second half, including changing the chorus lyrics are awesome. One Way Ticket has moved into the third spot but any song after that could fill the fourth spot of my Fav4. Point of No Return has shot up as the most likely contender. Still Running too. I have moved this album up to #4 for the decade so far and the three above it are 7+ and i am very tempted to add that '+' to this, but restraining for now. Still, a perfect album for me. 7/7 |
| Bladders |
0 |
Bloody Guy - EP |
Mar26. Before I start: cool name for a band and fantastic album cover. When I first heard the opening chords on this I thought I had a metal album, but they soon settle into the melodic skate punk lane - and this new to me band from Spain do it well. They approach hardcore in parts including the last track. This is a cracker of an EP. Check out that riff and pace of second song Continental Breakfast. I love the shouted and slightly husky vocals too. The title track has a cool bass intro. I love my EPs and this one has 5 songs clocking in at 10 minutes. That is awesome, but the songs are so good I was hoping for more. Fav4: Continental Breakfast, Bloody Guy, Broken Glass and Just Pray but I thumbed them all. Excellent EP. 6/7 |
| Bodyjar |
0 |
R.A.R.E. - EP |
- |
| Social Distortion |
0 |
Born to Kill |
May26. From that extended opening riff, I was all in on the title track when I first heard it. It still sits in the #1 spot on my 2026 song list. I have heard some luke-warm comments on this one, but I love it. Those opening lines say it all: "Well some people said, yeah, it couldn't be done, but revolution can sure be fun." Brilliant. Although a bit repetitive in the chorus, No Way Out has become another favourite. I must say I have really connected with Mike's lyrics on this album. Maybe it is that realisation of getting old(er). And I sure love a song that 'takes me back in time', especially to childhood and young adult memories, and The Way Things Were ticks all the boxes for me. After a song where the chorus is quite repetitve we get a song that does not have one lyrically (as some lines are changed each time), just the line "and we said goodbye to the way things were" at the end of each verse. So, three very good tunes to start an album, and it continues with the bluesy Tonight with those distinctive guitars. I could hear Johnny Cash belting this one out with Mike if he was still around. Up next is the second single, Partners in Crime. This is also a cracking tune. I love how those bridges just build, and again barely a chorus to be seen (just the 'Aahhhs') and the guitars really shred on this one. Things slow down for the honky-tonk of Crazy Dreamer. Not a favourrite, but I like it, especially the inclusion of female vocals and piano. Their cover of Wicked Game suits their style and they do a fine job but things pick back up for me with Walk Away. The chorus reminds me of popular 80s pop-rock and Never Going Back Again opens with a stomp that reminds me of the Angels. Don't Keep Me Hanging On with its sappy lyrics and repeated chorus could be the most accessible Social Distortion have sounded. Then they finish with the cool Over You that channels some 70s rock 'n' roll-influenced punk. Is that some cool boogie piano in the second half? Yeah, this is a fun end to the album. This song is stiff to miss my Fav4. Fav4: Born to Kill, Partners in Crime, No Way Out and The Way Things Were. A great first half and end to an overall very good album. Right now, it is a tad better than Very Good in fact. 5.5/7 |
| Bonny Lad |
0 |
Hard-Fought - EP |
Jul26. I have really enjoyed these first few plays of this EP (that @Stormclaw reviewed on Twitter). Another English punk band for me to like - I have discovered so many these past few years. These guys have more of a skate-punk feel than most British punks, but the snotty vocals are unmistakenable. They also clearly fall into the melodic hardcore genre and I would bet were inspired by a lot of 90s punks. Disclosure is a ripping start after a spoken-word intro. Cut the Rope reminds me of someone: Flatliners? Strung Out? Nostalgia Critique has a Pennywise-like riff to open and continues into a very cool song with changes of pace and some brilliant bass work. The Centre is a cracker too, reminding us that taking no action and not having a vision at all is not helping what is going on with the world. Despite great sounding guitars, No Fret is the weakest track to me on these initial listens. Fav4: Nostalgia Critique, The Centre, Disclosure and Cut the Rope but this order could easily change with more listens. I really enjoyed this EP. 5.5/7 |
| Grade 2 |
0 |
Talk About It |
Jul26. Now over to the band that delivered my favourite album of 2023. I even rated their self-titled album above The Hives awesome album for that year (and as I write this Grade 2 sits at #5 album of the decade so far for me). I have liked all initial listens to this album and the several singles I played prior to release. The albums starts on fire. The first 6 songs could easily all be singles. This is more British punk inspired by 90s punk it seems. I heard a lot of people compare their last album to Rancid (and Tim was involved in production and writing I think), but I did not immediately notice that influence. When they break out the organs and slow their beat down I think more of bands like Snuff. Their upbeat tracks are fun and fantastic, soundling like if the The Chisel backed off a bit. Cut Throat World is a blistering start and the next four songs are a little slower but all killer. Talk About It really brings that turned lip, almost oi! punk feels to the album. I love the boogie piano accompaniment too. The bass sounds awesome on all songs and I love this style of shouted-snarled vocals. The guitars rip and I really like them in the second half of Crash and Burn. The very short Smuggler's Haven and Wasteland bring a bit of Soft Play-like fun to the second half of the album. Rotten brings the Rancid vibes - what a cool fast song with great chanted lyrics and that bass. Then The Otherside makes for a catchy end to a bloody good album. I thumbed every track and choosing a Fav4 is hard, but here goes at this stage: Standing in the Downpour, Cut Throat, Hanging On To You, and Talk About It. These guys have delivered again and this album will be up there come end of the year. Right now, I have it slightly behind their previous album. 6.5/7 |
| The Menzingers |
0 |
Everything I Ever Saw |
Jul26. Early impressions, but I have had this album going non-stop since release. My fears are confirmed. As is the case with a lot of my favourite bands, and inevitably with age, The Menzingers have fully stepped into mid-paced and slower songs being the norm. Their last album lacked enough songs with bite for me and that is the case here. That is not to say this is a bad album. I just lament the loss of the harsher and more punkier tracks being the majority. The songs are very good and the song-writing superb. Many would say they are the top of their game in this regard. I just want shorter, punchier tracks to keep my interest. All song lengths have crept out and even the song titles remind me of the Some of it Was True album. Things start off well with Chance Encounters. A good start with a bit of bounce and the harshness in the vocals is right on the edge at times. Better Angels is quite upbeat in parts, but settles into a crooning, slow chorus that could easily have been on Some of it Was True. Romanticism has some fun moments for sure - and several changes of pace and pauses. The piano opens Other People's Money with an almost electronic beat behind it (probably is) and we head into slow territory already. I like the "Whoahs" in it and in isolation it is a nice track. Another one of my fears too is the increasing electronics in their sound. These open Gasoline & Matches too, but the acoustic guitar is the main driver of the song. Again, a nice song, but it is here I was praying that the rest of the record does not go down this lane. Although the electronics do continue, at least the pace picks up on The Fool - this was a clear early favourite for me. Still lacking any hint of punk, but more upbeat and a catchy bounce is enough. Then we get the lovely Nobody's Heroes, one of the pre-release singles that was already planting the seed for me not to expect much punk or even screaming, ala The Obituaries, here. The few emphasised, almost-shouted vocals here are as close as we are getting. Still, the vocals are awesome on this one and it is certainly worthy of a single. Breathe with Me enters too much into jangly 80s pop-rock for me, but I do like when the pace picks up. When She Enters My Dreams really is modern, keys-driven pop-rock. Probably deserves to be a hit, but it comes at the point where I was just waiting for something to melt my face. Parade Day is a bit of filler and then we get more of the sounds that define present day The Menzingers. At least the closing title track approaches shouting and has some more rocking moments. A good closer with excellent vocals in the chorus. So, unfortunately, this is everything I expected on their next album. Rather than a return to the old punk sound, they went further into slower paced, longer songs with more electronics (but not enough to really put me off). I did like the use of organ in parts. Some songs could definitely have been cut back a little. This needs a couple of shorter, punchier numbers. Fav4: Chance Encounters, Everything I Ever Saw, The Fool and Nobody's Heroes. So, just like the last album, I am starting at Very Good and this may go up as I come to grips with the subtleties or go down as I just get sick of the songs. I have very high expectations for this band. They released a run of 3-4 of my favourite post 90s albums. I just can't see this one joining those, despite being another quality effort. 5/7 |
| The Casualties |
0 |
Detonate |
Jul26. Despite being into punk for many years, I can't say I have really given this band much of a listen. I know very little about them to be honest. I thought they were a UK band, but turns out, they are from New York. It looks like they recently got a new singer after their long time one retired from touring. I have listened to this album quite a few times and I like it. It seems to be hardcore punk with a bit of street and oi! mixed in to keep things interesting. It sure gets off to a cracking start. In fact, the front half is bloody good. I even hear some Pennywise moments in there, especially on tracks like 'Ashes of War' and the lyrics of 'Allies and Assassins'. The bass and chant by numbers start to 'Brick by Brick' is also very Pennywise-like. There are plenty of 'Whoah -ohs' across the tracks to bring a 90s vibe to proceedings. Most songs also have a group vocal, which does wear a little thin across the album. I like most of what I hear on here though. The riffs are cool and most songs are solid, but it is going to take many more listens for some favourites to stand above the rest I think. I will select a Fav4, but there are several songs on a par for me. Fav4: 'Detonate', 'Now and Tomorrow', 'Power Over People', and 'Allies and Assassins', today. Bloody good album. 5.5/7 |
| The Strokes |
0 |
Reality Awakes |
Jul26. Okay, I recall reading something about the shitty effects on Julian's vocals for this album, and yeah, wow. They are fucken terrible on opening track 'Psycho Shit'. Sounds like a fucken computer singing. Not only that, the song is a pretty boring start to the album. I was hoping Rick Rubin would have swayed them towards a more grittier sound, but this sounds anything but that. 'Dine N'Dash' is too electronic and sounds like The Petshop Boys to me, with crappy spoken word parts. I did not really like anything until track 5, 'Going to Babble On', and it is not great. Just a nice, catchy pop-rock song. 'Going Shopping' would be as good, but the shitty vocal effects are back and they they go all mellow and sound more like Vampire Weekend than The Strokes. 'The Fruits of Conquest' is all sorts of awful. I was seriously hoping for a smashing finish, but 'Tyrants of the Yellow Moon' returns to the computer voice singing and the music is boring. After Is This It? I liked less songs over the next 2-3 albums and then completely lost touch with this band. There is nothing here to entice me back. This sounds like what record companies do to any pop artist these days. This is everything I hate about Auto-Tune. And I have read reviews stating they are being experimental using Auto-Tune. What the fuck? It is what every popular artist is doing. The only thing The Strokes are missing here is a rapper coming in for the third verse or songs 'featuring' someone famous. What has happened to one of the last bands to lead a rock revivial? No wonder there is no rock in the charts. Wow. This was just so disappointing and such a sad metaphor for popular rock music in general. This is like Blink-182's NINE, only worse. I thought one song was okay and there is no chance of a Fav4. I have zero interest in listening to this again. Sad face. 1/7 |
| Seahaven |
0 |
Seahaven |
Aug26. I have no idea how this band got into my 2026 list. I have a couple of songs in there and I don't mind them, but I have tried the album a few times and just don't gel with it. It certainly starts slow and is too nice-pop-leaning until that cool riff of 'Midnight Hour', but when to vocals start it disappears for more pop noodling. The build in the chorus is good though, so overall a decent song, but I am removing it from my playlist. Things get real slow and boring through the middle. These guys remind me of someone popular I just can't think of right now. The most played song, 'Million Ways' is oddly placed at track 8. It is one I have had in my playlist - I like the bass and chorus - and I will keep it there for now. At least the drummer has a better time in the second half of the album too. 'Tidal Waves' has its moments and then the song I have played the most comes in at track 10. 'Long Goodbye' is no less pop or commercial than anything else on here but I really like the rhythm of the chorus and the build into it is very cool. A good song and it definitely should have taken the album out instead of returning to more slow, electonic, boring songs to end the album. At least my Fav4 for this one is easy: 'Long Goodbye', 'Million Ways', 'Tidal Wave' and 'Midnight Hour'. Not really my thing. Easy-listening modern 'rock', but it had some catchy parts (unlike the new The Strokes album - which this is not a world away from, stylistically). 3.5/7 |