Anyone that knows me, or has been following my newsletter, knows just how excited I am to finally add this one into the collection. Not only one of my favorite pop-punk albums ever, but an album that’s has come to define the changing of the weather for me. As winter fades and we march into spring, my soul craves the bounce in these songs. A joyful throwback to the smell of freshly cut grass, sun soaked skin, and carefree nights.

It’s not quite summer, but I can feel it sneaking through the clouds.

#vinyl #newfoundglory

Walking into the weekend with a new one: this fantastic fast melodic punk album from A Wilhelm Scream. I’ve long thought of this band as one of my all time faves, and a big reason is that they just don’t miss. Album after album of incredible adrenaline pumping jams, and no matter how much time they take between albums I always know they’re going to deliver.

#vinyl #awilhelmscream

Haven’t posted anything for a while since I was spending most of my nights working on an album review the past week or so. But this week has me diving back into a whole bunch of Ace Enders and The Early November tunes and it’s a … looks at camera … real gold rush of quality tunes. Running the gamut of genres, from rock, to soft and introspective, there’s something for literally every mood. Tonight has me spinning this one and it’s working well for these early evening spring showers.

#vinyl #icanmakeamess #aceenders #theearlynovember

I look outside on this beautiful Friday evening as the sun hovers just above the city line, and I can feel summer right around the bend. The air aching for BBQs, long walks, sunglasses and flip-flops. I’ve spilled many words about Yellowcard’s ‘Ocean Avenue’ over the years and the impact it had on a young boy setting off for college in California. Leaving behind friends, family, and relationships led to the album’s themes seemingly mirroring my new life. But tonight, I’m reaching for the acoustic version of the album and the subdued renditions of these perfect pop-punk gems. If the original was made for sunny summer days, the acoustic soundtracks these warming nights — the change in weather peeking between a calming cool breeze. Cold hazy beer in hand, sitting here and remembering those college years, when all I wanted in my life is what I now have right here. A healthy life, a cold beer, and great music.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

#yellowcard #vinyl

I thought we were moving toward spring and then all of a sudden we have snow and the return of the rain here in Portland. Perfect weather to break out some Copeland. All of the band’s albums have been very attached to specific seasons for me, usually when it’s softer out, colder. And they make me want to sit by a warm fire, pour a stiff drink, and just get lost in their beauty. So I think I will.

#copeland #vinyl

When I saw this re-press go up for sale last year, I had to pick it up. Then I forgot I ordered it until it finally showed up last week. I still think this is my favorite of Tom’s solo projects; I love the energy, the drums, and the production.

Fun story: Before the album was released the label invited me to this first listen party thing in Hollywood. My college roommate and I drive up to it, and it’s in a bar. We are still underage. I’m unsure if the label had any idea I was some dumbass kid writing from my dorm room (reading the “review” I wrote about this, and I find it hard to believe anyone thought I was out of my teens). So we ended up getting admitted with giant black X’s on our hands. They opened by playing the new New Found Glory album for the small group (Sticks and Stones) and then played this twice. I left thinking it was awesome and I couldn’t wait to hear it again, but was also blown away by the new NFG. Many, many nights that freshman year spent listening to those two albums in my headphones as I drifted off to sleep, and a fun memory that my college roommate and I still laugh about.

#vinyl #boxcarracer #blink182 #tomdelonge #travisbarker

Here’s one from the collection I haven’t posted before, but when I talk about albums that once held the pop-punk “Championship Belt” this is undoubtably one of them. A master class in songwriting, hooks, and vocal prowess — it really doesn’t get much better.

I remember driving to the Militia Group offices to pick up an advance copy and driving back to campus with it blaring the whole way; I knew it was special immediately and I wanted to tell the world. We had the pleasure of debuting this album on the website before it was released and it was before the days of easy streaming systems like SoundCloud. So, I hacked together some Flash player to make it work and crossed my fingers the server wouldn’t crash.

(And, for fun, the live version is also spectacular.)

“Cause our days were numbered by nights on too many rooftops
They said we’re wasting our lives
But, oh at least we know
That if we die
We lived with passion…”

#vinyl #cartel