Best of 2023: from Ricky Frankel
BEST OF 2023 by Ricky Frankel
It’s list season! My favorite time of year. And this is a special one because this is my tenth published best of the year list!
2023 was pretty unique in terms of new punk releases. There was a ton a great music that came out, but in the latter half we had this mini pop punk revival where Blink-182 released their best album in literally 20 years, Sum 41 released a fantastic single for their upcoming double album, and Green Day released two great singles. While I have always given their new material a chance, I haven’t been stoked for a new Green Day album since ‘American Idiot’ came out all the way back in 2004. I’m still a little stunned that I actually preordered a new Green Day record.
I’m definitely looking forward to both the new Green Day and Sum 41 albums to come out next year. Those are two bands that really got me into punk rock and that I still have a soft spot for. I am a bit sad to see Sum 41 call it a day though.
As it goes every year, I really hope Dead To Me’s album ‘American Son Of Cholo’ will get released after waiting so long. Also, just like they did for the 30th anniversary of ‘Dookie’ earlier this year, I’m really hoping Green Day releases a boxset for the 20th anniversary of ‘American Idiot’ in the coming months. I didn’t jump on the ‘Dookie’ boxset, but I would absolutely get the ‘American Idiot’ one, which I realize to some is a bit of a spicy take. I’m also really interested to see what Jesse Michaels and Tim Armstrong release with their new band, Doom Regulator and what Jay Navarro will release with his new band, The Boreouts. I’m excited to hear Laura Jane Grace’s upcoming solo album, the new Mean Jeans LP, and The Chisel’s second full-length as well. A few other bands that are recording new music are The Last Gang, Omnigone, Hot Water Music, and possibly The Circle Jerks(?!). So hopefully we’ll get some new stuff from them as well and more in 2024.
Finally, I also want to emphasize, as I have in several of my reviews for PWV, that 2023 was another year where the Australian scene specifically released some stellar albums. You can see what I mean when below. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for which release received the coveted Best Album Art Of The Year Award as well!
(BAND – ALBUM TITLE – FAVORITE TRACK)
20. The Dirty Nil – Free Rein To Passions – “Free Rein To Passions”
19. The World/Inferno Friendship Society – Valhalla, Definitely – “Carnival At My Back”
18. The Menzingers – Some Of It Was True – “Try”
17. J Navarro & The Traitors – All Of Us Or None – “Casket”
16. Brokedowns – Maximum Khaki – “UK82 Pt. 2: The Olds Are Not Alright”
15. Blink-182 – One More Time… – “Dance With Me”
14. Rat Cage – Savage Visions – “Nothing’s Sacred Anymore”
13. Paint It Black – Famine – “Dominion”
12. The Dwarves – Concept Album – “Terrorist Of Love”
11. Omnigon – Against The Rest – “Communities Of Collaboration”
10. C.O.F.F.I.N – Australia Stops – “Cut You Off”
9. Frenzal Rhomb – The Cup Of Pestilence – “Tontined”
8. MESS – Under Attack – “In The City”
7. Bruise Control – Useless For Something – “Taxman”
6. Brutal Youth – Rebuilding Year – “Moonstones”
5. Public Serpents – The Bully Puppet – “When Pigs Lie”
4. Gel – Only Constant – “Attainable”
3. Beerwolf – Common Grief – “Grief Tourists”
2. Private Function – 370HSSV 0773H – “I’m This Far Away (From Being The Worst Person You’ve Ever Met)”
1. Clowns – Endless – “Formaldehyde” [BEST ALBUM ART OF THE YEAR]
(BAND – EP/SINGLE TITLE – FAVORITE TRACK)
10. FEAR – Nice Boys (Don’t Play N’ Roll) 7-inch – “She’s A Leech”
9. The Raging Nathans/Mikey Erg – Gauntlet of Knives 7-inch – “Mediochrist” (by The Raging Nathans)
8. The Flatliners – Between Our Teeth [single] – “Between Our Teeth”
7. Broadway Calls/Countdown To Life – Songs About Pipe Bombs [split digital EP] – “Dead Before I Hit The Ground” (by Broadway Calls)
6. Pity Party – Sick Sad World Survival Guide – “Suicide Handbook”
5. The Menzingers – Bad Actors [digital single] – “Bad Actors”
4. Leatherman – Telephone/Tryin’ 2 4get 7-inch – “Tryin’ 2 4get”
3. Direct Hit!/Decent Criminal split 7-inch – “Wasteland” (by Direct Hit!)
2. OFF! – FLSD EP – “Keep Your Mouth Shut”
1. Fucked Up – Cops 7-inch – “Cops”
Honorable Mentions: (In Alphabetical Order)
Cop/Out – All Together Now
Decent Criminal – There’s More To It Than Climbing – “Soothe”
Fear – For Right And Order
Hi-Standard – I’m A Rat
Hot Water Music/Muff Potter – split 7-inch
Instant Ruin – Christian Fascist [single]
Kicker – Boycott Numbers
Minor Threat – Out Of Step Outtakes 7-inch
NOT – Stop The World
PUP – How To Live With Yourself/Smoke Screen (B-Sides)
Rancid – Tomorrow Never Comes
Tabarnak – Hok Ha Shalosh
Teenage Bottlerocket – So Dumb/So Stoked 7-inch
Tightwire – Head Full Of Snakes
The Drowns/Plizzken – split 7-inch
Thirsty Guy – …Out To Lunch!
Useless ID – Live In Tel Aviv
Various Artists – Punk Rock Vinyl Vol. 1
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If you agree or disagree and want to tell him, just email Ricky Frankel!
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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