Top 10 Records of 2011: Si Rutherford (Watch Commander)

Preaching the Sunday sermon is Si Rutherford who sings and plays guitar in Watch Commander.

Wrote a sentence or two for each one, not sure if that's what you were after but it's done so F U. 

No particular order:

Touché Amoré - Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me

20 minutes of pure expression, recorded in a live setting, capturing all the power and honesty that music should. 

Red City Radio - The Dangers of Standing Still

Perfect singalong punk rock from Oklahoma, with enough woahs and vocal harmonies to last all year. Enjoyable from start to finish.

La Dispute - Wildlife

An hour of beautifully bleak soundscapes, lyrically and musically awesome. 

Balance and Composure - Seperation

Patiently put together, being miserable sometimes pays off.

Crazy Arm - Union City Breath

A band the UK punk scene should be proud of. Unique and powerful, brilliant folkpunk songcraft.

Polar Bear Club - Clash. Battle. Guilt. Pride.

Despite thinking half of this album drifts into mediocrity, the first half of this record is musically up there with the best they've done and easily beats most others.

I Am The Avalanche - Avalanche United

I actually don't like this album that much, I started to see it as kind of adolescent (I'm obviously pretty shit at putting together this list). Regardless, they put together a classic straight up mainstream punk/rock record.


Defeater - Empty Days and Sleepless Nights

Still setting the hardcore standard in terms of thoughtfulness and relevance. 

Spraynard - Funtitled

Charming and fun, soundtrack to a good day. 

Captain, We're Sinking  - The Ballad of Ichabod Crane 

Yeah it's an EP, but those three songs are fucking great.

Notables - Banner Pilot, Fucked Up, Seahaven

UK notables - Bangers, Great Cynics, Living Daylights, Basement