- Christopher Bahn
- Andy Battaglia
- Aaron Burgess
- Andrew Earles
- Scott Gordon
- Marc Hawthorne
- Jason Heller
- Steven Hyden
- Trevor Kelley
- Genevieve Koski
- Gregg Lagambina
- Michaelangelo Matos
- Chris Mincher
- Josh Modell
- Noel Murray
- Sean O'Neal
- Keith Phipps
- Nathan Rabin
- Kyle Ryan
ANDREW EARLES
1. Thurston Moore, Trees Outside The Academy (15)
Thurston Moore has spent most of his extra-Sonic Youth career either making free jazz and noise or critically exalting the free jazz and noise of other musicians. (He also edited a book, Mix Tape: The Art Of Cassette Culture, which can be found in the "Books For People That Don't Read" section of your nearest Urban Outfitters.) It's a shame that Moore hasn't directed more energy toward a skill he's well-suited for: writing the perfect pop song. Those who fondly remember his previous solo rock set, 1995's Psychic Hearts, will be nothing short of blown away by the more personal Trees Outside The Academy.
2. Electric Wizard, Witchcult Today (15)
Amazingly, this album bests Electric Wizard's own Dopethrone, released in 2000. These violent hippies might or might not be the heaviest band on the planet, but they certainly know how to simultaneously make heavy music exhilarate and terrify.
3. Bear In Heaven, Red Bloom Of The Boom (15)
"Slow Gold" by Bear In Heaven
Surprise! A band with an animal in its name has made a fascinating record out of Ambrosia, The Alan Parsons Project, Final Cut-era Pink Floyd, and This Heat.
4. Jesu, Conqueror (15)
Jesu may be the heaviest band on the planet, or at least the heaviest pop band on the planet. If they ever surpass Conqueror's title track or "Medicine," heads will explode.
5. Liars, Liars (10)
"Plaster Casts Of Everything" by Liars
6. Mouthus, Saw A Halo (10)
This duo saves the free-noise genre by operating outside of its strict confines. "Your Far Church" is the most haunting song recorded in 2007.
7. The Ponys, Turn The Lights Out (5)
8. Pelican, City Of Echoes (5)
The most boring live band ever can still make a nice mood piece, and made a more rocking one this time out, thankfully.
9. Big Business, Here Come The Waterworks (5)
"Grounds For Divorce" by Big Business
Download MP3 (right-click and save)
10. Shocking Pinks, Shocking Pinks (5)
The world won't be lucky enough to experience a widespread revival of mid-to-late-'80s Flying Nun Kiwi-Pop, but Shocking Pinks are trying, bless their hearts.
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