American Television's Top Albums of 2020

Kill Lincoln - Can’t Complain

Jerred: I’ve known the lads in Kill Lincoln for a long time, they’re hometown heroes, like comfort food. But they also put out my favorite record this year. If there’s one common connection that keeps me coming back to certain bands, it’s the presence of self deprecating humor and sarcasm used to describe the existential dread and the disappointment in humanity we’re all feeling. Especially now. Can’t Complain does not disappoint in this department and the occasional double time drum beat doesn’t hurt either! The intricate horn lines cut through the mix with laser-like precision and the ups and downs take you on a journey through the land of checkered flags and circle pits. Seriously though, that baseline in “Confession Obsession,” I’m dead. There’s a lot to get lost in, but that’s the beauty of it. A word of advice... if you plan on giving this one a listen you’d better be ready to dust off your dancing shoes.

Laura Jane Grace - Stay Alive

Edwin: This is such a great album, stripped back to just an acoustic guitar which absolutely benefits the songs. Laura’s voice truly shines through as she sings about what the vast majority of us have felt and experienced through the pandemic, while still trying to maintain that little bit of optimism.

Bacchae - Pleasure Vision

Bryan: This album perfects the indie synth-punk sound to me. It’s just so good. It’s a fun record, despite some heavy subject matter and I’m always impressed when bands can make such personal topics so accessible. The songs are great and the recording by J Robbins is top notch.

Maxwell Stern - Impossible Sum

Steve: This album came out in late September. It feels like the songs were written for that time of year; when fall is offering up crisp mornings and you can throw on a hoodie to enjoy a coffee on the porch. The lyrics paint vivid pictures in my mind's eye, as Max's words often do. In what has been a depressing year, this album had the power to make me feel whole for a moment.

Spanish Love Songs - Brave Faces Everyone

Edwin: 2020 in a nutshell. This is probably the most relatable album I’ve listened to this year. Lyrics dealing with depression, anxiety, and the sad state of current affairs delivered by Dylan’s raw and cathartic vocals absolutely grab your attention every moment. This is definitely a special album; one that left me thinking not to give up, but to put on a brave face and, with that tiny glimmer of optimism, hope things will get better.

Mercy Music - Nothing in the Dark

Jerred: I absolutely fell in love with “Until The End Of Your World” when it came out in 2018. So when I found out Rob (who has an ear for bands like none other) was putting out their latest release on Wiretap, I was beyond stoked. Their self described brand of “sad bastard power pop” really comes to life within the ten songs on this heartbreakingly beautiful record. Brendan Sholz’s melodic vocal delivery and piercing guitar work is the driving force behind the themes of loving and losing and all the feelings in between. The obvious musical chemistry within the trio is displayed throughout. Despair never sounded so good. If the title track doesn’t give you goosebumps, you might wanna check your pulse.

Ways Away - Ways Away

Bryan: This is what melodic punk is supposed to sound like. When you see the list of other bands that the members are in, you get a pretty good idea of what this will sound like. Then the record exceeds those expectations when you listen. Catchy, yet powerful with just such well written songs.

Bashful - Driving

Jerred: I’m a sucker for self loathing pop punk and its instant relatability, but the surprising thing about this record is that it’s easy to forget that’s exactly what you’re listening to. It’s full of bright, poppy melodies and sugary sweet harmonies that pair incredibly well with a perfectly paced rhythm section. It’s catchy as hell, plain and simple, but it’s not until you get sucked into singing along that you start to realize just how dark the subject matter really is. It’s not every day you find yourself relating to an album from front to back but we all know the euphoria that comes along with it when you do. This record wasn’t written for me, but it sure as hell feels that way

Bad Cop/Bad Cop - The Ride

Edwin: The Ride is a solid album all around. I’ve heard some say that their anger and rage has subsided a bit, but it makes way for that sense of hope and wanting to come through the other side if we can keep it together.

Hum - Inlet

Bryan: I’ve been waiting for this record for 20 years. I’ve been a fan of the band since they appeared on Beavis and Butthead, even though only the intro to Stars was played. Hum takes the noisiness of shoegaze and adds melody and heaviness like few other bands do. The songs are devastating, but pretty at the same time. I can’t help but be affected emotionally because they affect you physically, whether you feel their live performance in your chest (remember live shows?) or the album is shaking the rearview mirror in your car.