my top pick of 2009

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#5. Iron Front- STRIKE ANYWHERE

After the mediocre effort of their last release Dead FM, STRIKE ANYWHERE has move on from FatWreckChords to full-fledge hardcore indie Bridge Nine Records.

This new release finds Thomas Barnett & Co combining their trademark socio-political insight with their most infectious hooks yet...'The Crossing' and 'Summerpunks' are goat-damned awesome songs that would bleed the ear

#4. The People or the Gun- ANTI-FLAG
Sincerely i was quite suprised with this release, considering the dud previous effort of over-produced 'Bright Lights of America' (not their fault really, maybe major label RCA try to sell 'em out)

Now at SideOneDummy, ANTI-FLAG has written their best record since 2001's 'Underground Network' for my money... "Sodom, Gomorrah, Washington D.C. (Sheep in Shepherd's Clothing)" ,"The Gre(A)t Depression" and "You're Fired" are gritty, furious, and poppy (in the good way) punkrock tunes


#3. They Came From The Shadows- TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET
Best described by FatWreck on their website:
"The most rocking thing to come out of Wyoming since, well… everTEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET has taken pleasure in showing everyone just how potent and exhilarating that fresh, gimmick-free punk rock can be.
The release of their third full-length, They Came From the Shadows, marks their first FatWreckChords release, and easily their most anticipated offering to date. Comprised of 14 straight forward punk rock gems, laced with the unforgettable melodies that have become the calling card of TBR"
 

What more i could say about PROPAGANDHI? the Canucks are among the biggest institution in punkrock since i'm in high skool, and i always respected their views and activsm in anarchist causes, human rights violation. animal liberation etc

With 'Supporting Caste', Chris Hannah & Co has created a hugely significant full-length from a band that have proven, yet again, that they are still the crème de la crème of punkrock, with their usual brash of punk/hardcore/progressive trash all moulded into one...definititely a welcome addition to their already super-impressive discography
Watch Propagandhi and other great gigs on Moshcam.

#1. The Unquotable A.M.H-  SHOOK ONES

Shook Ones's The Unquotable A.M.H is the numero uno of 2009 for me
Yes, the comparison with the legendary Kid Dynamite and Lifetime is inevitable, but on this particular full-length the five-piece from Seattle has created their own brand of melodic hardcore: 


11 catchy, infectious, bouncy, anthemic musical and vocal assault. "For Collards", "Birds On Ice", "Silverfish" and "For Flannel" are among my favourite songs of the year.
Shook deserve respect and recognition, and i look forward for their future release, and certainly wouldn't mind slamming into their moshpit, maybe one day