Top 5 Albums - October 2017

5. My Ticket Home, unReal

It's not uncommon for bands to change their sound throughout their career, one only needs to look in the direction of juggernauts such as Linkin Park and Thirty Seconds to Mars for prime examples. Columbus rockers My Ticket Home are just the latest of a big crowd to undergo a drastic shift in style from their previous album to their latest. However, this one is unique. Instead of embracing the newer pop/electronic sounds that many bands tend to do, My Ticket Home have transitioned from heavy metalcore chock-full of harsh vocals to a grungy, nu-metal outfit reminiscent of 90s stalwarts such as Nirvana and Deftones. And, long story short, it's a success. The guitars are crunchy and pleasing, the vocals are suitably raspy, and there's a general laid back feel to the music while it still manages to retain it's edge.

Rating: B

Recommended Tracks: "Hyperreal", "Redline", "Flypaper" 

4. We Came As Romans, Cold Like War

We Came As Romans last album was a tedious, unsatisfying affair, as the band attempted to broaden their sound and reach a more mainstream audience, losing touch with what made them great in the first place. This time around, the band has realized their mistakes and then some, and on Cold Like War, one of the biggest bands in modern metalcore is firing on all cylinders once again. The vocals are better than ever, by a long long way. Singer (and now DJ/keyboardist) Kyle Pavone has shed all of the highly noticeable effects and correction that marred previous efforts, and his co-vocalist Dave Stephens is back to his heavy, breakneck singing/screaming combo (but mostly screaming). On the instrumental side, the band has reached the peak of their songwriting to date. Everything feels new and fresh, especially after the mishap that was Cold Like War's self-titled predecessor. 

Rating: B

Recommended Tracks: "Cold Like War", "Lost in the Moment", "Vultures with Clipped Wings"

3. Thousand Below, The Love You Let Too Close

A band's debut album is often something that -- while an example of that band at their most raw and sincere -- is also wrought with immaturity and underdeveloped songwriting. So for a band to knock it out of the park on their debut effort is not only surprising, but also extremely satisfying. Thousand Below are one of the newest bands signed by Rise Records, home of greats such as Dance Gavin Dance and Memphis May Fire, and their debut album lives up to the lofty heights set by their label mates. While the album doesn't stray too far from what one would expect of a classic Rise metalcore band, the true strength lies in the lyrics and vocal performance from James DeBerg. The album details his struggles with anxiety and depression, and the weight of such topics comes through with a poignant, emotional performance. 

Rating: B

Recommended Tracks: "Sleepless", "Vein", "The Love You Let Too Close"

2. August Burns Red, Phantom Anthem

Everyone knows what to expect from August Burns Red at this point. Smooth and sexy yet also heavy and blasting riffs from guitar genius JB Brubaker, wonderfully nasty vocals from Jake Luhrs, breakneck drumming from Matt Greiner, and maybe a breakdown or two for good measure. And that's not to discount the contributions of rhythm guitarist Brett Rambler and bassist Dustin Davidson, which are plenty. The metalcore veterans' seventh full-length album provides all of this in spades. While it may not be their best album as a whole (that title still belongs to their previous effort, Found in Far Away Places), Phantom Anthem certainly contains some of the group's best songs to date in "The Frost" and "Dangerous", the latter of which ending with what is probably their most brutal, menacing breakdown yet. Bottom line, it's an August Burns Red album, which can only mean good things for our ears.

Rating: B+

Recommended Tracks: "The Frost", "Dangerous", "Lifeline"

1. I The Mighty, Where The Minds Wants to Go/Where You Let it Go

I've probably already gushed about this album enough on this blog (you can check out my full review of the record here) but I'm gonna do it just once more, at least until its Albums of the Year time. This is the best record that has come out in 2017. It's a beautiful portrayal of whatever shit is going on in the head of Brent Walsh, who it turns out is quite the relatable fellow. Sure, the band has abandoned some of the riff-centric, heavier sound of their previous albums, but when Walsh's vocals (and Dance Gavin Dance singer Tilian's, on lead single "Silver Tonges") are this good, the choruses this catchy, the guitar and bass this smooth and satisfying... who cares? There's really nothing else to say, except that you absolutely must listen to this album. And then listen to it again, and again... and again.

Rating: A+

Recommended Tracks: Every single one. ("Where The Mind Wants to Go", "Silver Tonges", "111 Winchester", "Symphony of Skin")