SHREDnews

Steph Mirsky is a music lover and Shred News became just the place for her. Steph originally started working at Shred doing promotions. But after deciding to change career paths, promotions was something she didn’t want to do anymore. Though she wanted to stay apart of Shred so she became a writer. Known for doing her “Know Them Before They’re Famous” article series, which features not-so-well-known artists. Can you guess who Steph is mistaken for often? Find out in her staff interview posting later this month!

10. Craig Owens – With Love

Stepping out of the Chiodos norm and into a more personal artistic area, Craig Owens has crafted one of the most genuine and beautiful albums of this year.  His piercing vocals blend perfectly with the softer acoustic sound to create what is known as With Love.

9. The Dangerous Summer – Reach for the Sun

The Dangerous Summer achieved a level of strength on Reach for the Sun that was only hinted on their debut EP.  The command of AJ Perdomo’s vocals is such that every song pulls at the listeners emotions and draws out raw emotion.

8. Tegan and Sara – Sainthood

Although the twin duo deviated from their normal song-writing formula on this album, their collaborative efforts were successful.  The sound of Sainthood is musically distinct from Tegan and Sara’s earlier work, but it is still a strong album that eludes angst and produces a true indie rock sound.

7. Mae – (M)orning

(M)orning is the first part to a larger project by Mae, but it is a great indicator to how the rest of the project should play out.  This album is a comprehensive, continuous album that touches on inspiration from a multitude of genres.  On (M)orning, Mae deviated from their traditional harder rock sound and employed some acoustic, some electronic, and a lot of well written melodies.  This album is truly beautiful and inspirational on so many levels.

6. Owl City – Ocean Eyes

Ocean Eyes is the album that put Adam Young onto the airwaves and into the ears of almost every “scene” adolescent.  This album has a heavy electronic sound that borders powerpop, but never crosses into the rock genre.  This is absolutely Owl City’s best synth and lyrical work to date.

5. Parachute – Losing Sleep

Parachute is a band that seemed to pop up over night; producing a remarkable mature full-length before any EPs.  The musical diversity on this album ranges from hard alternative rock, to acoustic, to poprock.  However, the band delivers beautifully on all of the tracks and

4. Paper Route – Absence

On this first full-length, Paper Route demonstrated their maturity as a band and originality as musicians.  The instrumental techniques employed are some that have never been seen before.  Absence opened the alternative scene to another sub genre that blends the lines between indie rock and synth rock.

3. Switchfoot – Hello Hurricane

Hello Hurricane, the band’s seventh album, exudes all the raw power of earlier Switchfoot.  The lyrical themes contained within this album are commonplace for the band, but the way in which they are disseminated is as never before.  The uplifting lyrics and powerful melodies demonstrate that after 12 years, Switchfoot is still producing original music that is truly life changing.

2. Passion Pit – Manners

With a vocal range comparable to Anthony Green and Craig Owens, Passion Pit front man Michael Angelakos has taken his band to a remarkable level in only two short years.  Manners became the band’s defining album as it hit the radio with an electronic indie rock sound the redefined genre lines.  The raw electronic power coupled with a softer indie progression makes this album a chart topper.

1. Paramore – brand new eyes

By taking this album out of the context of paramore’s entire discography, it is clear that brand new eyes is an exceptional stand-alone album.  It is the perfect blend of the darker All We Know Is Falling and the powerful RIOT!.  This album demonstrates the band’s maturity both musically and emotionally and translated beautifully on the stage.