Mixtape 2008

1. The Offspring – Half-Truism

The Offspring’s latest album “Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace,” is not a spectacular outing for the band. However, the band can still write songs like “Half-Truism” that rock like it’s 1994 all over again.

2. Trever Keith – Cross Your Heart and Hope to Die

The Face to Face frontman’s solo-debut sounds a lot like the band’s more progressive work on “Ignorance is Bliss.” However, the track “Cross Your Heart and Hope to Die” is every bit as good as the songs on Face to Face’s self-titled disc.

3. Norma Jean – Self Employed Chemist

This is how hardcore becomes metalcore and doesn’t fail like Haste the Day.

4. Funeral for a Friend – Kicking and Screaming

The lead single off Funeral for a Friend’s best work yet is full of emotion and hooks. It’s hard to pick a favorite track.

5. Rise Against – The Dirt Whispered

“The Dirt Whispered” sounds like it came off a re-recorded “The Unraveling.” It’s the most fun you can have in song form all year.

6. Jack’s Mannequin – Crashin’

Andrew McMahon is a great songwriter. Sometimes he writes insanely catchy piano parts. See the bridge of “Crashin'” to understand the sheer awesomeness.

7. Alkaline Trio – Love Love, Kiss Kiss

Alkaline Trio sticks it to the person everyone knows who hates relationships. If you’ve ever gotten dumped by someone that’s afraid of commitment, this song is for you.

8. Bullet for My Valentine- Take it Out on Me

BFMV seems to have a love-hate relationship with the metal crowd. The band’s catchy songs tend to push away the “brutal” metal fans. However, when BFMV hits, they hit it out of the park. “Take it Out on Me” will not be a single, but it’s one of the most appealing tracks on the album. Additionally, it has the year’s most ambitious bridge section.

9. Senses Fail – Map the Streets

I still haven’t gotten over the fact that Senses Fail is a good band now. “Map the Streets” is one of the best songs released in 2008. Like many Senses Fail songs, “Map the Streets” may take a few spins to really appreciate.

10. Finch – Chinese Organ Thieves

Finch reunited this year and released a fantastic EP. The band’s sophomore album received harsh criticism for being so different from the debut. Logically, Finch would regress to their debut album’s sound. However, they didn’t. Thank you, Finch. “Chinese Organ Thieves” is as epic as “Ender” and as crushing as “Bitemarks and Bloodstains.”