Hot Rod Circuit - Sorry About Tomorrow

Hot Rod Circuit's 2002 album Sorry About Tomorrow is a catchy, indie rock album full of wonderful hooks and great choruses. Definitely a sing along album, the band presents a finely crafted record that straddles the line between obscure and mainstream. It's been 4 years since I found these guys, and oddly enough, this is the album that won me over. To be honest, it was the insanely addicting riffs and lyrics of "At Nature's Mercy" the honesty of "Knees." If anything, you can download the album for those two songs and add them to a sweet mixtape to give to your sweetheart...which makes me realize that it takes me longer to make a mixtape for a girl, than the duration of the actual relationship. Either I suck at relationships, or my mixtapes are fucking amazing. Mayhaps I'll post one that you can give to that significant other, and claim it as your own. Standout tracks (other than the aforementioned two): "Cool for One Night," and "Consumed by Laziness." Rating: 9/10

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?b2yqnyzjgha

Owen - At Home With

While I love expanding people's musical horizons, sometimes I feel selfish and want to keep some of the more indie music to myself, to lay a sort of claim to it, like Death Cab before they were on The OC. In any event, I don't think Owen (comprised of guitarist Mike Kinsella) will ever become that popular, so might as well share his musical prowess. His lyrical and acoustic guitar skills are pretty amazing, and to see him play live is even better. Plus he likes great beer. Need to fall asleep? Queue up this album, and hit the pillow. Standout tracks: "The Sad Waltzes of Pietro Crespi" Rating: 8/10

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?a0rl3gjo4ta

Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism

I'm going to assume (much like Sublime) that most everyone already has this album. Ben Gibbard, in my esteemed musical opinion, is one of the best songwriters of my generation. Guitar, bass, synthesizer, and drums...he is a master of lyrics and music. Plus, he created the biggest asshole song ever in "Tiny Vessels." Surprisingly, I'd say it's the most truthful lyrics I've ever heard. Standout tracks: "Title and Registration," and "A Lack of Color." Rating: 10/10

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?fy9dnxfnzs4

Taking Back Sunday - Tell All Your Friends

I wrote a review for this album way back when it came out, and I forget what I said about it, other than it was rad. One of my favorite songs ever is on this album, and while it is punk-emo (perhaps punkemo?), it's great to rock out to. It has an edgier sound than their newer, more popular stuff, but to me, the rougher the tracks, the better it is. If anything (and my friend Benji would agree), download it for "You're So Last Summer." (Other) Standout Tracks: "You Know How I Do," Cute Without the 'E'," and "Great Romances of the 20th Century." Rating: 10/10

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?6zlmd1ndz0n

The Get Up Kids - Something To Write Home About

It's emo, which is short for emotional. If you wanted to listen to emo, I'd highly recommend this album. Thank goodness for broken hearts and Matt Pryor (of New Amsterdams fame). The lyrics are pretty good, and no matter what emotional shit you're feeling, Pryor makes you feel a little better about yourself because he's probably experienced worse. Just a warning, he sings in a whiny voice, which some people may shy away from. But it's emo, so you can't expect much more than that. Standout tracks: "Action and Action," and "I'm a Loner Dottie, a Rebel..." Rating: 10/10

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?3qauphmo9sd

Ramones - Ramones

The "kings/supreme allied commanders/czars/presidents/commander-in-chiefs" of punk. Any style of punk. Any topic, any tempo, anything. Everything you hear today, including every single one of my previous posts (minus perhaps Kanye) can go back to the Ramones. Those CBGB shirts that you see? The Ramones made that hole in the wall famous. U2, Nirvana, Sublime, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, KISS, Green Day, The Offspring, and countless others all claim this band as a heavy influence on their music and their lives. And this album started it all, and is by far their best work. Standout tracks: "Blitzkrieg Bop," "53rd and 3rd," and "Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World." Rating: 10/10

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?9n30zvt4q90

NOFX - Punk in Drublic

Ahhh...NOFX. They're the grandfather's of punk (assuming the Ramones and the Clash are the kings). Plus, they're the oldest bastards still on the Warped Tour, which has become quite the over-commercialized high school hangout. In any case, this album is what opened me up to punk, not pop-punk "I think you're pretty," but punk "what the fuck is wrong society today?" rock. I'd say 8 out of 10 people won't like it. And that's one of the reasons why they're so badass. Standout tracks: "Linoleum," "Leave it Alone," and "The Brews." Rating: 10/10

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?1e51z90d1qd