December is one of my favorite months. Family, friends, and presents take center stage of course. It’s also my favorite because I start thinking about which albums kept me going through the year. With how 2020 went, I wasn’t quite sure we’d make it, but here we are. We made it! The hellscape affectionately known as 2020 is finally wrapping up and I can start thinking about presents and music again.
As bad as 2020 was, it brought us some great music to help entertain us while we sat home all year long. From planned releases to surprise releases, early releases, and releases recorded during the height of the pandemic, my Top 20 list has a bit of everything. The albums discussed below helped keep me sane this year. They are the best of the best and deserve some recognition.
I’m including bandcamp links wherever possible. If any of the bands aren’t on bandcamp, then I included a link to purchase their music by other means. With the music industry being so reliant on streaming these days, touring and merch sales are some of the only ways these bands have to make a living. Touring revenue was taken away this year, so if you’re so inclined, drop a couple bucks and buy some of their albums.
Before I get things rolling, a short note on the criteria I used when adding albums to my Top 20 Albums List:
- The albums have to be released in calendar year 2020.
- The albums are full-lengths with a majority of original material.
- Cover albums, EPs, live albums, and singles are not eligible.
- Soundtracks are only eligible if they include original music
That covers it. Without further ado, I give you my Top 20 Albums of 2020.
20. The Weeknd – After Hours
Admittedly, I’ve only ever really been a casual listener of The Weeknd up until now. When I heard “Blinding Lights” this year, I was hooked. After Hours is filled with heavy synth, dream pop, soul, and R&B. This album has such an eclectic batch of songs, that there’s a little something for everyone. Now, I need to go check out his other albums.
19. Run the Jewels – RTJ4
Run the Jewels feels a bit more serious this go round. Lyrically, they’re still painting a big bullseye on social and political issues, but they’re doing it with less of the humor their previous releases contained. Major themes on RTJ4 include racism and police brutality in America, as well as fighting against the ruling clash. Killer Mike and El-P belt out another call to action with RTJ4, but it’s more of a thinker. It’s not all protest and politics. The duo still know how to have fun too, like on “ooh la la,” which features guest appearances by Pete Nice and DJ Premier.
18. My Life in Black and White – Built For This
My Life in Black and White has been around for 15 years now, and they just keep getting better. Built For This is just some straight-forward rock-n-roll with melodic punk and folk undertones. Their songs touch on life and loss, with a heavy dose of Americana thrown in for good measure. It’s almost criminal that these guys aren’t as well-known as they should be. If you enjoy bands like Tim Barry, Hot Water Music, or The Menzingers, then give this album a try. You won’t be disappointed.
17. Anti-Flag – 20/20 Vision
I’ve been listening to Anti-Flag for over 20 years now, and 20/20 Vision is the first time I ever remember them writing songs that directly attack and criticise a president. 20/20 Vision finds these Pittsburgh punks at their most pointed and most polished. They don’t just focus on Trump here, but also the side effects of the Trump presidency. On “Christian Nationalist” for instance, they indict far-right white nationalists. It’s not all doom and gloom here though. Songs like “Don’t Let The Bastards Get You Down” offer up a dose of hope and optimism as we move forward as a nation.
16. The Bombpops – Death in Venice Beach
It’s amazing to hear how much The Bombpops have grown as a band since 2017’s Fear of Missing Out. This is their first album since that debut full-length. They’ve grown as a band, and as people, since then. Because of that Death in Venice Beach marries their infectious brand of pop punk with more mature songwriting. There’s an interesting dynamic going on here because The Bompops play very upbeat pop punk music, but the songs this go around are darker and more introspective. Poli specifically focuses on life as a Type 1 Diabetic and having a life-threatening diabetic seizure on tour in “Double Arrows Down.” Poli’s alcoholism is also a topic that is brought up multiple times on the album. In fact, while the album was in post, Poli checked into rehab.
15. Get Dead – Dancing With the Curse
Good things come to those who wait. Get Dead took two years to record and release Dancing With the Curse. One of the best things about Get Dead is that none of their albums sound the same. They started as a hardcore band. Their next album after that was an acoustic punk album. This album doesn’t have a signature “sound” to pinpoint. Instead, it’s a nice melting pot of punk, hardcore, acoustic, ska, and even hip-hop. The through line is singer Sam King’s raspy vocals.
14. Days N’ Daze – Show Me The Blueprints
The main focus on Days N’ Daze’s Fat Wreck debut is mental health and addiction. Like any good folk punk album, you’ll also hear about some heartache too (“Fast Track”). The band use their infectious blend of acoustic folk, bluegrass, punk, and hardcore to showcase their longing for something better in life. The heart of the album takes those things the band wants in life, and the struggles to get them. Duel lead singers Jesse Sendejas and Whitney Flynn switch between rapid-fire lyrics to guttural screams on almost every track. Add in trumpet, washboard, and gutbucket, and you’re ready to party.
13. PEARS – PEARS
Mix good old fashioned American hardcore, gang vocals, melodies, and blistering punk rock. What you’ll get is PEARS. While the songs are catchy, Quinn and the gang touch on some pretty mature topics. On “Traveling Time,” the band drops the hardcore and writes a full-on pop song about getting older. “Daughter” is a bittersweet tale of potentially never having a family. There’s a lot to digest on this one. The musicianship is worth calling out too. While they’re primarily a hardcore band, you’re also going to hear pop, prog, grunge, and rock.
12. Crazy Baldhead – Go Oasis
Agent Jay has been a prominent figure in the New York ska scene since the early ‘90s. While most known as the guitar player for The Slackers, Agent Jay heads up Crazy Baldhead as well. With Crazy Baldhead, Agent Jay calls on some amazing guest vocalists like frequent collaborators Maddie Ruthless and Vic Ruggiero (lead singer of The Slackers). The music on Go Oasis is heavily influenced by the early days of Jamaican ska, reggae, and dub music. There’s a definite ‘70s psychedelic vibe happening that sets it apart from previous Crazy Baldhead efforts.
11. The Lawrence Arms – Skeleton Coast
It’s been six year since The Lawrence Arms graced us with their last full-length. Skeleton Coast picks up right where they left off, and is a crowd pleaser for all of the fans they’ve amassed in their 20 plus years as a band. As usual, Brendan Kelly and Chris McCaughan take turns on lead vocal duties, and sound as good as ever. At this point, The Lawrence Arms is like a fine wine, they just get better with age. Musically, they’re firing on all cylinders. Lyrically, they’re just getting better with each release.
10. The Darcys – Fear & Loneliness
The one constant with The Darcys in their almost 15 year career is reinvention. Fear & Loneliness is their most ambitious album to date. It’s also a perfect culmination of the band’s evolution into what they are today. Fear & Loneliness is a bold concept album that tells of the trials and tribulations of a lonely cowboy trying to make it in Hollywood. Expect a healthy dose of danceable synth pop, moody instrumentals, and mature songwriting.
9. AJJ – Good Luck Everybody
Releasing in January of this year, Good Luck Everybody ended up being relatively prophetic about 2020. This is folk punk band AJJ’s most overtly political album to date. Their trademark offbeat humor still exists, but it has a bite to it this time around. While the album feels bitter, pessimistic, cynical, sarcastic, and sad on the surface, Good Luck Everybody also espouses hope for the future. It’s basically 2020: The Album.
8. Call Me Malcolm – Me, Myself, And Something Else
Call Me Malcolm’s new album proves that ska music doesn’t need to fit that goofy party music stereotype. Sure, the songs are melodic and super danceable, but one close listen to Me, Myself, And Something Else reveals a more serious subject matter. The album is filled with songs about struggling with depression and anxiety in a world gone mad. The band wears their feelings on their sleeves, and the music is better for it. Melodic punk, blasting ska, three part harmonies.
7. Jeff Rosenstock – No Dream
In true Jeff Rosenstock fashion, No Dream came out in the middle of the year with no real advance warning. He just dropped a 40 minute sonic grenade on all of us. Touching on socio-political topics and personal anxieties alike, No Dream is tight musically and lyrically. There’s absolutely not a skippable song on the album, and some songs even feature Laura Stevenson sharing vocal duties. It’s really a beautiful pop punk album. Jeff Rosenstock is a national treasure.
6. Grey Matter – Climbing Out
Grey Matter may just be the spiritual successors to prominent ska core band The Blue Meanies. Blending ska, jazz, emo, punk, hardcore, and even a little funk, this band out of Lansing, Michigan find a way to pack so much into their music without making it feel bloated. If you want to hear one of the more unique ska albums of 2020, look no further than Climbing Out. The album is raw and filled with pure energy. It also takes on some pretty important topics like gender identity, transphobia, racism, and believing in yourself.
5. Bad Cop/Bad Cop – The Ride
Bad Cop/Bad Cop’s previous album Warriors was always going to be a tough act to follow, but The Ride easily lives up to that challenge. Lyrically, The Ride is the California punk quartet’s tightest album. Stacey Dee, Jennie Cotterill, and Linh Le have never sounded better together. They share lead vocals like usual, and they each bring something special to the album. Songs about perseverance, support, and pushing through make up the majority of the album, but the band isn’t afraid to touch on xenophobia, racism, and political unrest either. This is the best BC/BC has sounded.
4. Kill Lincoln – Can’t Complain
It’s been five years since Kill Lincoln has graced the world with a full-length. Can’t Complain was worth the extended wait. With Can’t Complain, Kill Lincoln hit us with an 11 track ska punk masterpiece. It clocks in at just around 30 minutes and can go up against any of the ska punk staples from the mid ’90s, while also sounding completely fresh. And, with what is a staple with bands on Bad Time Records, Can’t Complain doesn’t just have 30 minutes of fluff. Since it was written and recorded right before 2020 blew up, you can expect songs about the socio-political issues still plaguing our society to this day.
3. The Suicide Machines – Revolution Spring
It’s been 15 years since The Suicide Machines have released an album, which means Revolution Spring marks the recording debut of “new” guitar player Justin Malek. Even though he’s been in the band since 2009, this is the first time we’re exposed to his contributions to new Suicide Machines tunes. If you’re familiar with this Detroit ska punk band, then you know exactly what to expect on this album – a hard-hitting blend of ska, punk, and hardcore. Singer Navarro and crew absolutely pull no punches on this one. They tackle topics like police brutality, the Flint water crisis, racism, and infighting within the progressive movement. Fifteen years later, the Machines haven’t lost a step. Instead, they sound better than ever.
2. Bad Operation – Bad Operation
This album came out on December 18th and made it all the way to my top three of 2020. That should tell you just exactly how good it is. For the uninitiated, Bad Operation is a new ska band out of New Orleans, Louisiana. They’re also about to change the state of ska music for years to come. It’s pretty clear the folks in this band hold ska music near and dear to their hearts. Musically, they’re calling their brand of ska, New Tone. This debut captures the energy and passion of the Two-Tone era, along with early ska punk, and a little NOLA grittiness. Bad Op’s self-titled debut has all the makings of being a ska classic for years to come. There’s just something special about it, and I want everyone to listen to it.
1. The Homeless Gospel Choir – This Land is Your Landfill
Up until this album, The Homeless Gospel Choir has been a solo acoustic punk act by Pittsburgh’s Derek Zanetti. This Land is Your Landfill is his first album after recruiting some friends and forming a full-fledged loud electric punk rock band. Throughout this year, I’ve told many people that I think This Land is Your Landfill may just be one of the most important records to come out in a long time.
Derek has such a clever way of writing music that touches on politics, mental health, and the human condition. Even though life is tough at times, you can’t but help be drawn into the infectious ways The Homeless Gospel Choir tackles these issues. There have been many times this year that I’ve felt anxiety, self-doubt, or anger. There’s a song on this album to help pull you out of anything that’s plaguing you. This is the perfect album for 2020. It acknowledges that life isn’t always going to go how you want it to, but it encourages you to keep fighting.
Thanks for taking the time to check out my Top 20 Albums of 2020. If you’re curious about what some of the other writers for BGM thought, check out Coop’s list here and Brandon’s list here. Spoiler alert – you won’t find any ska on their lists.