The Official 2015 Music Banter Album of the Year List

14232949 · 12-26-2015, 02:03 PM

14.

Album: No Life For Me
Artist: Wavves & Cloud Nothings
Release Date: June 29th 2015
Genre: Garage Rock, Indie Rock
Place in Artist's Discography: First Collaboration between both Artists
Highest Individual List Ranking: 4th - The Identity Matrix

Overall Points - 18

Quote:

The split wasn't at all what I expected, which is fine. I was thinking it would be more like a straight introspective Attack on Memory meets sun-burnt King of the Beach, but was confronted with a record more akin to a darker version of Wavves early output. It was a really cool listen nonetheless.

- Tristan Geoff

Quote:

Well there wasn't much said about this album, but it's 1/2 Cloud Nothings so that's a good enough reason for me to get round to listening to this before the end of the year

- Mankycaaant

13.

Album: Viet Cong
Artist: Viet Cong
Release Date: January 20th 2015
Genre: Post-Punk, Noise Rock
Place in Artist's Discography: *DEBUT LP*
Highest Individual List Ranking: 3rd - Sidewinder

Overall Points: 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfred

This band is great. I saw them this summer at Wayhome festival and "Death" conjured up one of the best mosh pits I've ever been in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidewinder

Viet Cong - "Continental Shelf" (Viet Cong, 2015)
This song still makes me melt, it's like everything I want music to be. Same for "Silhouettes" really.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

I hope they change it to 'Viet Cong Killed Your Grandpappy, You Whiny Bitches'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toe

I used to Jam with Matt Flegels (viet cong singer/bassist) younger brother. Most of the family seemed very musical.

12.

Album: New Bermuda
Artist: Deafheaven
Release Date: October 2nd 2015
Genre: Blackgaze, Atmospheric Black Metal
Place in Artist's Discography: 3rd LP
Highest Individual List Ranking: 2nd - Justthefacts

Overall Points - 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlemagne

I don't like metal, which I guess is why Deafheaven really appeals to me. Although this album is much harder than Sunbather, it still has those beautiful, lush moments that I expect from a Deafhaven record.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overcast

Just finished my first listen and it's pretty damn good. More than a few standout moments and a great middle section. Looking forward to listening to it again to get a better grasp. I haven't listened to Sunbather in what seems like years, but this will probably wind up being my new favorite from them. I'd give it a 4.5 at the moment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exo

Had seriously brutal and punishing moments but ruined the vibe with the various fade outs and tone changes throughout the record. I appreciate the sound they're trying to establish here but I just felt that if you're going to make an album that much more dark and metal, you shouldn't interrupt such an awesome change with these average post rocky instrumentals at the end of songs. It's certainly not bad by any means, but I like Sunbather a hell of a lot more. I guess I just wanted this to go in another direction than it did. I still enjoyed it though.

7/10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfred

It's an easy 9/10 from me and my favourite album of the year so far. I still think I like Sunbather more, but in a lot of ways there's more going on with New Bermuda, despite the fact that it's not as 'big'. Each time I listen, I feel like there's more to uncover. Also, I think the lyrics are stronger on this one.

Really glad Deafheaven didn't rest on their laurels and explored some new territory. In particular, I adore the almost Slayer-ness of "Brought To The Water" and the sorta-post-hardcore closer "Gifts For The Earth" with its Oasis-sounding bridge. The whole album feels like Deafheaven are having fun being a proper metal band.

Zhanteimi · 12-26-2015, 03:27 PM

I think my problem is I dislike most metal and noise rock.

14232949 · 12-26-2015, 03:59 PM

Am I the only one that thinks Deafheaven would actually have quite a cool sound if they just dropped the vocalist. He's easily the weakest part of what they've got going on. Relistening to Sunbather at the moment, and I really dig the more post-metal parts of it. Would dig them if that part of their sound was their primary focus. Might give New Bermuda a go too.

And that Viet Cong album sounds proper legit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mordwyr

I think my problem is I dislike most metal and noise rock.

Don't forget hip-hop.

Zhanteimi · 12-26-2015, 04:11 PM

Oh, right! And most hip hop. But hip hop is different. I dislike most metal and noise rock because of the music. I dislike most hip hop because of the lyrics.

The Identity Matrix · 12-26-2015, 04:37 PM

Glad to see the wavves and cloud nothing collaboration on the list. Really loved the album.

sidewinder · 12-26-2015, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mankycaaant

Am I the only one that thinks Deafheaven would actually have quite a cool sound if they just dropped the vocalist. He's easily the weakest part of what they've got going on. Relistening to Sunbather at the moment, and I really dig the more post-metal parts of it. Would dig them if that part of their sound was their primary focus. Might give New Bermuda a go too.

Vocalists are why I can't listen to most metal anymore.

14232949 · 12-26-2015, 08:26 PM

Yeah, I find a lot of metal music is produced in a way that put vocals front and center, almost like a dirty smudge on an otherwise pretty dress.
Guess that's why my favourite metal releases are of the post metal variety where vocals play little if any part.

Zhanteimi · 12-26-2015, 08:31 PM

This is exactly how I feel about most newly-released metal I've heard. The music is amazing...and then someone starts growling or screaming or both. If there were no vocalists, it'd be much, much better.

Trollheart · 12-27-2015, 05:14 AM

This is really weird, because that's exactly how I used to feel. Check out a new metal release, music sounds great as it goes through the intro, then someone growls, hisses or screams and I hit stop.

But over the three years Metal Month has been running, and with the help of people like Mondo, Frown, Jansz and of course Batty, as well as mythsofmetal and grindy, among others, I've learned not only to tolerate those sort of vocals but to actually enjoy them. This is the whole reason I was able to get into doom, black and death metal, insofar as I did. I'm glad I did, as I would otherwise have been missing out on some amazing music.

Zhanteimi · 12-27-2015, 05:25 AM

Maybe I'll get there someday!

12-27-2015, 05:14 AM	#99 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	This is really weird, because that's exactly how I used to feel. Check out a new metal release, music sounds great as it goes through the intro, then someone growls, hisses or screams and I hit stop. But over the three years Metal Month has been running, and with the help of people like Mondo, Frown, Jansz and of course Batty, as well as mythsofmetal and grindy, among others, I've learned not only to tolerate those sort of vocals but to actually enjoy them. This is the whole reason I was able to get into doom, black and death metal, insofar as I did. I'm glad I did, as I would otherwise have been missing out on some amazing music. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-26-2015, 03:27 PM	#92 (permalink)
Zhanteimi Mord Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tokyo Posts: 4,874	I think my problem is I dislike most metal and noise rock.

12-26-2015, 04:11 PM	#94 (permalink)
Zhanteimi Mord Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tokyo Posts: 4,874	Oh, right! And most hip hop. But hip hop is different. I dislike most metal and noise rock because of the music. I dislike most hip hop because of the lyrics.

12-26-2015, 08:26 PM	#97 (permalink)
14232949 The Big Dog Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,989	Yeah, I find a lot of metal music is produced in a way that put vocals front and center, almost like a dirty smudge on an otherwise pretty dress. Guess that's why my favourite metal releases are of the post metal variety where vocals play little if any part.

12-26-2015, 08:31 PM	#98 (permalink)
Zhanteimi Mord Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tokyo Posts: 4,874	This is exactly how I feel about most newly-released metal I've heard. The music is amazing...and then someone starts growling or screaming or both. If there were no vocalists, it'd be much, much better.

12-27-2015, 05:25 AM	#100 (permalink)
Zhanteimi Mord Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tokyo Posts: 4,874	Maybe I'll get there someday!