Seems like every time I pick up an issue of a UK music magazine there's a feature story on the "Best Punk Albums Of All Time". And month after
month the same magazine will run the same feature reviewing the same '77 era albums over and over. How many different ways can you say
"London Calling" and "Nevermind The Bollocks" are great albums? Likewise it seems like every time I pass by MTV or VH1 and they're not airing
a reality show, they're playing a countdown. So I wanted to write my own list; and here it is...my opinion of the top 115 punk albums of the past
fifteen years. I'm basing this on my own thoughts, not record sales, MTV plays or grammy nods..cause really; when did punk rock start caring
about any of that stuff? To be clear as to what this countdown is limited to...no comps, no splits, no EP's, and no re releases. No hardcore, no
straight up ska. In the past few years there's been an explosion of "emo" / "screamo" bands, those aren't included either unless they have a
noticeable punk influence or punkish sound. Likewise I'm not going to include bands like the almighty Fugazi, Quicksand, or Dashboard
Confessional. And I'm sure there's bands that I unintentionally overlooked and I'm sure there's a lot of great bands that put out killer releases in
the past 15 years that I haven't heard. This isn't written to degrade any band by a lower rank than another or by not listing them at all. There's
been a lot of punk cd's put out over the past 15 years, and it becomes a bit tricky for one person to come up with their opinion of the 115 best.
. Let's begin.
114 Total Chaos - "Pledge Of Defiance"
The Epitaph Records debut from these Pomona
Valley, California punks. Fast in your face street
punk featuring the song "riot city". The album
remains one of the most politically controversial
albums Epitaph ever put out. When the band toured
to support this album with The Mighty Mighty
Bosstones, riots broke out in several cities
113 Anti Heros -"unpretty"
Grungy anti conformity pop punk
from the Ontario band
115 Blink 182 -" Dude Ranch"
The major label debut from the melodic
punk trio which included the coming of
age song "dammit". Simple and honest
and in my opinion the band's best record.
I don't think any of us at their shows in the
mid '90s thought the band would explode
into the mainstream the way they did.
110 Fluffy - "black eye"
All female glammish punk from
England full of melodies.
112Fear- "have another beer"
2000 release from the veteran LA
punk who were among the best in the
1980's, played on SNL and had
members including Flea of the Red Hot
Chili Peppers. Fast, angry street punk
111 88 Fingers Louie - "Back On
The Streets"
Debut full length from these Chicago skate
punks released on Hopeless Records. Catchy
melodic punk, some poppy punk and some
heavier stuff for good measure. Frequently
compared to Lagwagon.
107 Assorted Jelly Beans-
"assorted jelly beans"
Very fast poppy ska punk. Almost like Less
Than Jake on speed
109 US Bombs - "The World"
Angry and humorous with a bit of a
retro British punk feel. Includes the
songs "I'm Proud To Be American" and
"Yanks and Rebs"
108 Against All Authority - "All Fall
Down"
Catchy politicized ska punk from this
Florida band.
106 No Use For A Name - "Making
Friends"
1997 Fat Wreckords release featuring the debut
of ex Face To Face bassist Matt Riddle.
Includes an appearance by Dicky Barrett. Songs
include "invincible" and a cover of Kiss' "beth"
105Green Day - "Insomniac"
Green Day's 1995 release which was a bit
grimier that their previous ones. Includes the
songs "jaded/brain stew", "geek stink breath",
"stuck with me" and "walking contradiction".
104 Violent Society - "separation is
killing us"
1999 release from the Philly based street punk
band. Straight up, no gimmicks, with a bit of a
hardcore edge and good lyrics.
102 Goldfinger - "goldfinger"
Formed from the ashes of '80s band Electric
Love Hogs, Goldfinger delivers a pretty good
ska punk album as their debut full length
which features the songs "mabel" and "here
in your bedroom"
101 Ramones - "acid eaters"
Full length of cover songs from the Rock
and Roll Hall of Famers and arguably the
greatest punk rock band ever
103 Pulley - "60 Cycle Hum"
The band's second album released in 1997 on
Epitaph. Vocalist Scott Radinsky use to be the
frontman for Ten Foot Pole and also has
eleven years of Major League Baseball
experience. He's currently a relief pitcher for
The Florida Marlins.d
99 Jiker - "An Eh For An Eh A Toque For A Toque"
Westchester County based ska punk band (despite rumors of them being
Canadian pirates) serve up their only full length cd which was released by
Elevator Records. Catchy music with a bit of a sarcastic over tone.
Included songs like "crash the prom" and "I hate cool guys, wish they'd die".
100 .The Buzzocks - "modern"
Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle return for a new album.
One of the greatest punk bands of all time. This album
is great although it's just not the same as the old stuff.
98 Pinhead Gunpowder - "Jump Salty"
You've probably heard their Joni Mitchell cover of "Big
Yellow Taxi" and thought it was Green Day..which is a
common mistake considering Billie Joe Armstrong shares
vocal duties
97 Screeching Weasel - "boogada boogada boogada"
Very raw sounding album from the pop punk masterminds
packed with lots of humor.
95.Pennywise - "Unknown Road"
Fast, uptempo punk Pennywise style. This album sorta bridges
between old school Pennywise and the band's later sound.
96 Green Day - "American Idiot"
This album won "best rock album of the year". Green Day's
'rock opera' includes the songs "boulevard of broken dreams",
"american idiot", and "wake me up when september ends."
93 Alli With An I - "long story short"
Heartfelt emo/punk in the vein of early Taking Back Sunday.
94 .Strung Out - "Suburban Teenage Wasteland
Blues"
Fast, angry 1996 Fat Wreckords release.
91The Muffs - "blonder and blonder"
I never thought I'd use the phrase "good bubble gum punk", but
that seems to apply to this female vocal led release.
92 .Squirtgun -"another sunny afternoon"
Pure hopeless romantic catchy Lookout! style pop punk..
90 Face To Face - "face to face"
1996 release proves these guys haven't lost their touch as they serve
up a dozen songs including "walk the walk", "ordinary", "blind" and "I
Won't Lie Down".
.
89 MxPx - "Life In General"
Pop punk classic includes "chick magnet" and "move to
bremerton"
87 .Mr T Experience - "revenge is sweet and so are you"
Pop punk classic from these Lookout! masters.
88 . All - "greatest hits"
Compilation of 22 songs from previous All releases. All is The
Descendents with a different singer. Catchy pop punk.
85 NOFX -"heavy petting zoo"
1994 release by the veterans. Slower melodies than previous
releases. Includes the songs "philthy phil philanthropist" and
"august 8".
86 Lifetime - "hello bastards"
Upbeat, melodic, aggressive, and memorable
84 .Squirtgun -"squirtgun"
Lookout Records style pop punk from this awesome band who's
members would go on to join Screeching Weasel. Includes the
song "social" of Mallrats fame
83 Latex Generation - "boys rock"
Poppy punk with sing a longs including the song "21" from this
now defunct NJ band.
81Bad Religion - "recipe for hate"
1993 release from the legends. Includes a guest appearance by
Eddie Vedder on the song "American Jesus" .
82 Pennywise - "full circle"
The fifth Epitaph release from Pennywise and the first post
late bassist Jason Thirsk. Raw high energy..
80 Ash "1977"
Catchy poppy punk rock with a bit of an indie/alternative
influence. Includes the songs "kung fu" and "jack names the
planets" which were featured in the movie Angus.
79 Bouncing Souls - "hopeless romantic"
Can't say anything bad about this band. They're one of the all time
best. Personally this is my least favorite of their albums, but it's
still awesome. ..
78 Blanks 77 "tanked and pogoed"
1997 release from the east coast oi/punk band. Old school style in
your face straight up punk rock..
77 The Riverdales -"riverdales"
1995 release. Ben Weasel's side project serves up another great full
length of Ramones/Screeching Weasel sounding tunes.
76 Bouncing Souls -"anchors aweigh"
The most recent album from the NJ punk rock band. Catchy clear
vocals with contagious melodies to back it up
75 Unwritten Law - "The Oz Factor"
Pure hopeless romantic catchy pop punk..
73 Dropkick Murphy's - "do or die"
Break out the whiskey. Oi punk rock with the Murphy's original
vocalist.
74 Social Distortion "white light, white heat, white trash"
1996 release from the veterans including the song "I Was Wrong".
Distinctive Mike Ness style that rocks with emotional content.
71 .The Misfits - "famous monsters"
If you didn't know this was The Misfits, you might not upon hearing it.
Second and final full length with Doyle on guitar and Graves on
vocals. Different than The Misfits of old but still catchy in its own right.
72 .The Bruisers - "singles collection"
Cd is a "best of" The Bruisers that was released in 2003. Vocalist
is Al Barr of Dropkick Murphys. Good old fashioned oi street punk.
70 Dropkick Murphy's - "the gangs all here"
First full length with singer Al Barr. Catchy oi punk..
69 Goodwill - "that was a moment"
2003 emo punk release in the vein of Taking Back Sunday.
Catchy album..
68 Lifetime - "jerseys best dancers"
NJ punk rock from this now defunct band who was rumored to
have been paid $100,000 to do a reunion show at CBGB's in 2005
67Ann Beretta - "to our fallen heroes"
Catchy sing along punk rock in the vein of Screeching
Weasel meets Rancid meets The Clash..
66 The Offspring -"offspring"
The band that got a lot of attention for their "pretty fly for a white guy"
video started back in 1985. This was originally released in 1989.
Includes the song "Jennifer Lost The War" which was featured on the
original Punk O Rama comp. Basically this sounds like a good, raw, lo
fi version of future Offspring releases without any gimmicks.
65 AFI -"shut your mouth and open your eyes"
1997 release from A Fire Inside featuring "third season". This
release is heavier than the band's newer stuff that gained
MTV play. Catchy, raw, and melodic.
63 Latex Generation - "360"
Poppy punk with an edge. A lot more lo fi sounding than the
band's "boys rock" album. Pure and honest..
64 Avail - "4 am Friday"
Catchy, sing a long punk rock with a hardcore edge. This VA
band serves up another great album.
61 Plow United - "goodnight sellout"
Westchester PA band serves up a collection of catchy
garage poppy punk songs with occasional breakdowns.
62 D Generation - "through the darkness"
The third and final release from the Jesse Malin led NYC punk
rock band. Catchy, honest, and heart felt.
60 Leftover Crack - "mediocre generica"
First release from the post Choking Victim outfit. Gutter punk
mixed with some ska and heavier parts.
59 Ten Foot Pole - "rev"
T1994 Epitaph release. Vocalist Radinsky is a professional
baseball player and went on to sing for the band Pully.
Catchy "skate/punk" if I can getaway using that term.
57 The Distillers - "distillers"
14 song indie punk rock release led by the female vocal attack
of Brody Armstrong.
58 Bad Religion - "the gray race"
1996 Bad Religion release without Brett Gurewitz. Very catch
with thought provoking lyrics. Includes the song "walk".
56 Bad Religion - "the process of belief"
2001 release marked the return of Brett Gurewitz. Amazing
full sound with lots of harmonies. Brian Baker provides lots
of great guitar work.
55 NOFX- "ribbed"
1990 release from NOFX, minus El Jefe. Old school style NOFX.
Nuff said.
54 .Guttermouth - "teri yakimoto"
Catchy ska punk in the vein of NOFX with a bit of a heavier
edge at times.
53 Snuff - "snuff said"
1996 release from the legendary melodic punk band. Poppy
punk with angst and speed..
51 The Offspring -"smash"
After it's release it became the top selling independent album of all time.
Songs include "self esteem", "get away", and "come out and play " (which
bares a striking resemblance to Murphy Law's "panty raid" at times.
52 Dance Hall Crashers -"lockjaw"
Female vocal led ska punk. Very catchy band that Tim
Armstrong and Matt Freeman were once part of.