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- by Tom Dumarey

TOP 10 ALBUMS
 

1. The Creeps - Beneath The Pines

All I knew about The Creeps was that it was with one of the guys from Crusades. So it made me go into 'Beneath The Pines' with some expectations only to get completely blown away by the band's dark take on pop-punk .

2. Smoking Popes - Into The Agony

On their first album in the original line-up since 1998's 'The Party's Over', Smoking Popes show once again what an amazing band they were and still are. Just check out opening track 'Simmer Down'. It tells you everything you need to know about this band.

3. The Penske File - Salvation

2015's 'Burn Into The Earth' served as a mighty fine introduction to The Penske File. But the second I heard 'Kamikaze Kids', I knew 'Salvation' was going to be even better. And yup, these Canadians more than delivered on album number two.

4. It It Anita - Laurent

I honestly have no idea why Belgium's It It Anita aren't bigger than they are. Everything they have released so far is amazing and with 'Laurent' they have once again upped their game. Let's hope this one finally makes people take notice.

5. Typesetter - Nothing Blues

Typesetter released one hell of an album with 'Nothing Blues'. There is a lot going on throughout these ten songs with different styles, textures, sounds, instruments but it never sounds overthought or overcomplicated. Just a very honest and cohesive set of songs that impress the hell out of me.

6. Late Bloomer - Waiting

With 'Waiting,' Late Bloomer more than live up to their name. Their first two albums were already well worth everyone's time, but this one shows they have grown as songwriters. College rock, emo, alt-rock and punk urgency all crash into one another only to get picked up again by arena-sized choruses.

7. Superchunk - What A Time To Be Alive

What a time to be alive and witness Superchunk drop their best album since... well, the last one actually.

8. Lee Corey Oswald - Darkness Together

Portland, OR's Lee Corey Oswald have been on my list of bands I needed to check out for quite some time. And the release of 'Darkness Together' was a perfect introduction. It's an album that lets the band step out of the darkness and into the spotlights. Wow, that is one awkward attempt to play off that album title!

9. Gouge Away - Burnt Sugar

Christophe couldn't choose between Super Unison's new album and Gouge Away's new album. Neither can I. But since he went with Super Unison, I'm going with Gouge Away.

10. MewithoutYou - [untitled]

Never really got into MewithoutYou on their previous releases. But the second I heard 'Julia (or, 'Holy to the LORD' on the Bells of Horses)', that was it.

CLOSE CALLS (in alphabetical order)

Hot Snakes - Jericho Sirens
New Junk City - Same Places
No Fun At All - Grit
Ogikubo Station - We Can Pretend Like
Second Letter - Cicatrix

TOP 10 BEST MOVIES OF 2018

1. Solo: A Star Wars Story

2. Isle Of Dogs

3. Ready Player One

4. Mission: Impossible - Fallout

5. Black Panther

6. Hereditary

7. Searching

8. Mandy

9. Sorry To Bother You

10. A Quiet Place

TOP 10 WORST MOVIES OF 2018 (in alphabetical order)

Assassination Nation
Maze Runner: The Death Cure
Ocean's 8
Pacific Rim: Uprising
Proud Mary
Sicario: Day Of The Soldado
The 15:17 To Paris
The Equalizer 2
The First Purge
The Predator