Top 10 Records of 2015!

It's always fun to reflect back on the year and think about all the amazing music that came out considerably somewhat a short time! Unfortunately I'm still playing catch-up with a lot of the music that came out in 2015, so hopefully I won't change my mind twenty times over about this! Based on what I have managed to hear, I'd say these are my top ten:

Korpiklaani's, "Noita"

1. Korpiklaani- Noita: Korpiklaani always brings something interesting to the table with their unique brand of Humppa-infused heavy metal-- and it's usually musically in the form of a wooden pint foaming full of crushing riffs, soaring melodies, and above all extremely well crafted tunes! For die-hard fans or newcomers to the band, the Finnish folk-metal masters have done it again!

2. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin- The High Country: After reading about this record and enjoying their previous albums, I was surprised by their approach on their latest album in contrast to the past few-- it seemed intentionally more simplistic than the previous album, "Fly By Wire" and simultaneously just as, (if not more) beautiful a record. Fuzzy indie garage rock pop gems to get lost in, a soundtrack to a summer to remember!

3. Night Birds- Mutiny at Muscle Beach: With their Fat Wreck Chords debut, Night Birds really hit one out of the park again! They didn't quite out-do themselves with this, but it certainly tied their last effort, "Born to Die In Suburbia" and it doesn't disappoint! This record proves them an exciting band to keep your eye on and will certainly be pleasing their older crowd while gaining them so many more fans along the way! Can't wait to see what is next up their sleeves!

Melt-Banana's, "Return of 13 Hedgehogs"

4. Hop-Along- Painted Shut: I had the privilege of seeing this band open for the War on Drugs at the Norva one night, and was instantly blown away; I dare say they stole the show that night (man was their drummer incredible!) I had to rush out and scoop up this great album and then review their past releases too after that show! Indie-rock that oozes with spirit and their latest record that captures the intensity of their live show! Don't you dare miss out on this one!

5. Melt-Banana- Return of 13 Hedgehogs (MxBx Singles 2000-2009): Normally this would've made #1, this isn't really new--- it's just the second installment/part two of a compilation of all their various EP's, miscellaneous compilation tracks, B-sides, rarities, etc. on another disc--- nevertheless, as per usual- Melt-Banana is still the best craziest band you've probably never heard and still my all-time personal favorite!

6. Taraf De Haidouks- Of Lovers, Gamblers & Parachute Skirts: Once again proving that Taraf De Haidouks are a force to be reckoned with: an album of the finest musicianship with mind-blowing speed, exquisite Balkan melodies, and of course an impeccable sense of style! The Romanian gypsy folk masters simply can't run out of steam!
 

The latest from the Taraf De Haidouks!

7. Beirut- No No No: Zach Condon and company have done it again!  Condon seems to have slightly gone even further in the direction, "Rip Tide" coupled with the soft electronic quality of his Real People project. A beautiful record of indie-pop gems consisting their usual bright melodic flare.

9. Joanna Newsom- Divers: Joanna Newsom continues to blow audiences away this wonderfully progressive indie-folk record, her trademark harp playing, and her increasingly expansive songwriting. Every note is gorgeous from start to finish. Another masterpiece in the amazing catalog of her discography.

10. Swallow the Sun- Songs From the North I, II, & III: Three LP's of truly crushing, beautiful, and powerful doom metal-- it's laid out in a fantastic manner, almost like a play- Act I pummels you with riff after riff, Act II calms things to beautiful acoustic passages just before the storm, and Act III all hell breaks loose! A massive doom metal epic from these Finnish masters!

*Other notable albums of 2015:
Amorphis- Under the Red Cloud
Belle & Sebastian- Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance 
Jello Biafra & the New Orleans Raunch & Soul All Stars- Walk on Jindals Splinters 
Bixiga 70- III
Bjork- Vulnicura
Children Of Bodom- I Worship Chaos
Deeradoorian- The Expanding Flower Planet
Destroyer- Poison Season
Father John Misty- I Love You, Honeybear
Horrendous- Anareta
Joanna Gruesome- Peanut Butter
Slayer- Repentless
Young Husband- Dissolver
Youth Brigade- Demo re-release

Kickin' Out the Jams w/the Fighting Jamesons

@ Shamrockfest 2015.

We spent the end of February having a blast in Indiana at all three of the 9 Irish Brothers locations in Lafayette as well as the new one in Indianapolis. Leading into March we zipped out to Charlotte, North Carolina to perform at Amos Southend. After that we went to Salisbury, Maryland to play at the brand new Headquarters Live venue-- they have a really unique and fun setup; a converted firehouse turned into a music venue and bar, we had a wonderful time and those folks are definitely putting Salisbury on the map for concert-goers-- we can't wait to return!

We came back home to Norfolk after Salisbury to play Shamrockin' In Ghent; the Deloreans kicked off the night with their stylish 80's tribute set. Despite the weather, the rain and cold wasn't holding anyone up-- Colley Avenue was filled with people ready to party, and we had a blast jamming out for the St. Paddy's celebration.

The next day we were quite busy in Raleigh, North Carolina-- luckily the rain stopped just in time for us to play-- though the wind and runoff water from the roof of the stage provided a serious challenge, we prevailed. We opened for Carbon Leaf at the festival during the day, then we had the honor of closing out the night, as they had been having numerous groups all day long; with a full set later that night a Tir Na Nog. The house was packed full of people and they were most definitely a fun wild crowd that night: full of moshers, happy boozers, and people pumped up for the pre-St. Paddy's celebration! We had a killer night, and were glad to see some new faces as well as folks who had came to see us before.

@ Tir Na Nog

For St. Paddy's this year we performed at the National in Richmond. Born Crooked opened up the night with their bluesy hard-hitting brand of rock' n roll. They remind me a bit of the White Stripes and the Black Keys. It was refreshing to have something that fit the bill with us, it's great to have a band opening for us that is particularly different from us and adds variety to the lineup for the night. They came along and played with us once more when we rode out to play at the Southern in Charlottesville. Unfortunately the Newport News show was cancelled, however stay tuned as we will be doing a make-up date for it in the near future.

Then we set off for Shamrockfest 2015 in Washington D.C. where we took to the Dewey Beach stage after the energetic Go Go Gadget and gave D.C. an hour of our finest raging celtic-punk tunes; we did a set consisting of some classic Irish folk covers as well as some original material from both the first and second album. Our bassist Ryan Ware and our buddy Cooper even met up with some of the dudes in Reel Big Fish while walking around! Afterwards we came back home to Viriginia Beach to play the Shamrock Marathon and the marathon's after-party at Murphy's as well.  

Fairly recently we added several new shirt designs to our merchandise catalog-- so be sure to check that out at our online merch store (personally, the new fist logo design is my favorite!)-- we've got some exciting plans ahead-- so stay tuned to our Facebook, Twitter, and our official website for the details to come.