Our favorite albums from 2010-2019

Throughout the decade we saw a lot of changes in the music scene. We saw some of our favorite bands break up and start new, like blink-182. We even saw bands such as My Chemical Romance announce their break up in 2013 and them announce their come back in 2019.  With the music scene always changing, our love for Music never changed.

With all the excitement of a new year, we thought we would reflect on some of our favorite albums released over the last decade.

The Finer Things – State Champs (2013)

I’ve often considered The Finer Things to be the epitome of modern pop punk. The record was released in late 2013 by State Champs consists of 11 powerhouse songs.  This album is nothing but high energy and has a typical, but lovable, pop punk style. It can be argued that Remedy is one of the best pop punks released to date. This album ranks at the top of my 2010s-decade list because it is the reason I was introduced to more current artists in the scene.

The Finer Things was a headstrong starting point to lead an old school punk into a newer sound. State Champs still embody the original energy associated with the genre we cover. Each song has carefree melodies, relatable lyrics, and breakdowns that make fans lose control at a live gig or even on their own. It is because of The Finer Things that State Champs hold such a high position in the pop punk genre. There is so much more to come following this album from State Champs; they have an impressive future ahead of them. -Brett

Dirty Work – All Time Low (2011)

Despite unpopular opinion, All Time Low’s, Dirty Work, record gave fans of ATL a lot to remember and criticize. It brought out the unforgettable visual of “I Feel Like Dancing,” the album also brings light-hearted songs like “That Girl” and bonus track “Bad Enough for You,” to life. The album brings out the poppier side to All Time Low, it shows their ability to explore their potential in different aspects of alternative music making Dirty Work a staple in the decade. –Tabitha

Save Rock and Roll – Fall Out Boy (2013)

Remember that moment when Fall Out Boy finally announced that their hiatus was over and we were getting a new album from them, Save Rock and Roll. The album gave us uniting tracks such as “Alone Together,” and the album’s title track “Save Rock and Roll.” The record showcased maturity along with familiarity of what FOB was before the hiatus. Along with the record came a video series, where hands were lost, and blood was splattered. Fall Out Boy came back swinging a moment of the decade to remember.-Tabitha

The Greatest Generation – The Wonder Years (2013)

The Wonder Years third full-length record, The Greatest Generation is a record that hits you right in the heart as soon as it begins with “There, There.” The album shines a light on The Wonder Years’ capability to write an album full of dynamics. Songs like “The Devil in My Bloodstream” that begins like a ballad before ending in a passionate full-band moment stressing words such as “These frantic rest stop phone calls don’t get answered anymore” and ending with “I wanna be strong/but it’s not easy anymore.” While other songs like “Dismantling Summer” highlights the catchier side of The Wonder Years, intertwined with a hard-hitting topic within the lyrics. All the elements produced in the record makes it a favorite of the decade.-Tabitha

Neighborhoods- blink-182 (2011)

Neighborhoods is the sixth studio album by blink-182. This was the last album written by the trio grew up and loved, Tom, Mark, and Travis. What I found most interesting about this album was the way it was written. This album was recorded in bits and pieces and recorded in two different studios; Tom’s in San Diego and Mark and Travis’ in Los Angeles.

While neighborhoods I wouldn’t consider one of my favorite blink albums, but it’s an important one.
I feel that the song “After Midnight” made the album worth listening to! I have often found the song on repeat. “After Midnight” has such a simple, but catchy in tune makes it not only the best song on the album. It also can  be seen a subtle love song (due to it being deemed as one of the lightest moments on the album) -Bree

California– blink-182 (2016)

California is the seventh studio album by blink-182. This was the first  featuring their new front man, Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio. While this album brought a lot of upset, due to blink was continuing without Tom. I deemed it as the start of a new era with“New Blink” and the “new blink sound”.
“Home is Such a Lonely Place” is a song that truly hits deep for me. Being a mother, it really brings me to tears as I really wish I could “Slow down time, but not enough to slow you down”, home truly is a lonely place without my children around.

With the release of California Deluxe (2017), “6/8”, while it really has a darker tone to it, really talks about the deeper meaning of going through life’s struggles which often are very harsh. My favorite song from the album ,“Bottom of the Ocean”, which uses the imagery of being at the bottom of an ocean going through a time of struggle. It’s refreshing to see your favorite bands speaking out on mental health issues. -Bree

Life’s Not out to Get You– Neck Deep (2015)

Life’s Not Out to Get You is the second studio album for Neck Deep, and one album I felt I could really relate too. The album truly is about life is not out to get you. The song “Gold Steps” has no truer lyrics then the songs course:

“’Cause sometimes things will bend you

But trust me you’ll be fine

‘Cause I’ve been moving mountains that I once had to climb

And life’s not out to get you

Despite the things you’ve been through.”

For anyone who has been through a bad break up or heartbreak “Serpents” speaks volumes. I feel it describes 100% on what it feels like when you give your heart to someone and they just didn’t want it.

Now for the slow acoustic song of the album “December”. Just like “Serpents”, “December” talks about being broke up with. But, what makes it even more personable is how it talks about being left in the cold trying to figure out what happened and  blaming your self for everything. December is one of my all time favorite songs. It was the first song to fully described what happened in my life. I truly did have a “heartbreak in mid-December” and had to start my life over. I blamed myself for everything not working out.

In 2016, December (Again) was released featuring  Mark Hoppus. The new release was made to have more of the “Pop-punk” sound compared to the original acoustic version. December will forever be one of the most important songs in my life and connect to so many memories. – Bree