I’m still not using the word best, even though the ordinal ranking system might suggest otherwise. I’m going with my gut here, and the effects the albums had on me. There is nothing remotely scientific about this. Even more than 2006, music kept me sane and kept me from coming undone or keeping from becoming [...]

Scranton, PA’s TIGERS JAW play a style of indie rock that eschews comparisons. Others have said they are similar to THE WEAKERTHANS, early WEEZER, SUPERCHUNK, PAVEMENT, and even THE GET UP KIDS. I think the fact that these comparisons are all over the spectrum of the genre signifies the uniqueness of the bunch. What I can tell you is that the band’s self-titled full-length is chock full of addictive songs with jammin guitars, crashing cymbals, and beautiful vocal melodies. They’ll even occasionally throw in a few killer keyboard notes, as they do in the spectacular “Arms Across America.” If you’re looking for some great indie tunes, check out the band’s MySpace for three tracks from their latest album. Unfortunately, the label that released their album currently has their record shop closed, so you can use the above MySpace link to message the band with your order inquiry should you be interested in purchasing the disc. Enjoy!

Connecticut melodic rockers SELF MADE SOUL have a brand new demo song titled “Warcry” posted on their MySpace page. The four piece group released The Future Belongs To Us in late 2008, and has been compared favorably to since bands as ANBERLIN, JIMMY EAT WORLD, and MOMENTS IN GRACE.

- This is a bit heavier than their prior works. I like the change in direction.

The Netherlands’ JUSTICE are really into former Revelation Records post-hardcore all-stars SUPERTOUCH. Reaallllllly into them. Live and Learn is the band’s five song sign-off – the likely end to one of the brighter European hardcore lights of late, and is also the endpoint to the band’s 80s/90s evolution that diligently tracked the arc of the [...]

Top 20 Albums Of 2007 20. JENA BERLIN – Quo Vadimus (Jump Start)A terribly passionate album from a band that knows how to play gritty, raw, inspired punk/post-hardcore with the best of them. Although short on incredibly memorable songs, it showed enough heart to round out my list this year. 19. DEAR AND THE HEADLIGHTS [...]

- Along with POLAR BEAR CLUB’s Somethings Things Just Disappear, MILLENCOLIN’s Machine 15 juuuuuust missed the cut on my Best of 2008 list. MILLENCOLIN have been tinkering with their melodic punk sound for well more than a decade now with varying degrees of songwriting success. Machine 15 rarely moves away from a solid mid-pace run, and because of that, the band isn’t distracted from trying to wear too many hats. Just listen to “Done is Done” and appreciate the skill!

We’ll be posting the Pastepunk Staff’s various Best of 2008 lists and round-ups in the coming days. I started off the action here with my annual Top 25.

MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN have a brand new tune posted on their MySpace page titled “From Out of the Ground.” The song will be on the indie/dance/funk band’s next full-length, due out sometime in 2009. The group will be playing their last “full band performance” on Monday, December 29th at the Blender Theatre, in New York City.