GlassPipeMurder is a staff reviewer for Punknews.org - ed.
No, I didn't see Inception, so don't ask. I only saw one movie this summer, and it was Dinner for Schmucks. It was pretty good. More importantly, I quit
eating meat and my blood pressure went from 134/70 a year ago to 118/64 with no other changes in diet, exercise or stress levels. I'm not gonna use this space to platform for vegetarianism, but if you were looking for reasons other than saving the environment or "our animal friends" as Ted Leo puts it, the health benefits are bountiful and often
overlooked. Anyway, there was a lot of good music this year, huh? So much, in fact, that I feel like I may have missed something here and there in the midst of the busiest
work and music schedule I've ever maintained. So instead of focusing on what may be lacking in my list, check out some of my recommendations and let me know what you think!
P.S. Up the punks.
Top 20 full-length albums

20
Sick of It All: Based On A True Story
Century Media
Sick of it All, Agnostic Front and Madball have been among the most successful bands to bridge the gap between old-school NYHC and contemporary hardcore. Of those, Sick of It All has delivered the most consistent albums for the past 20 years, and continue to do so with Based on a True Story.

19
Jaguar Love: Hologram Jams
Fat Possum
Even without a drummer, ex-Blood Brothers Johnny Whitney and Cody Votolato craft a dizzying blend of electro-punk. Whitney calls it "Daft Punk meets New
Order meets Black Flag," but most of Jaguar Love's music defies definition. Catchy, shrill, and aggressive, Hologram Jams leaves no doubt that Fat Possum has expanded far beyond its conception as a blues label.

18
Short Changed: Short Changed
Rodent Popsicle

17
Born to Lose: The Dreams of Kids
Altercation

16
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists: The Brutalist Bricks
Matador

15
Cruel Hand: Lock & Key
Bridge Nine
One of the better modern hardcore albums of the year, Cruel Hand doesn't rely on an opulence of breakdowns or posturing to craft a record that's successful in their
scene. Dynamic riffs, grooving rhythms and a constant touring schedule put Cruel Hand at the forefront of contemporary American hardcore in 2010.

14
Adams Dagger: Adams Dagger
Durty Mick

13
The Hold Steady: Heaven Is Whenever
Vagrant

12
Refuse Resist: Socialized
Thorp

11
None More Black: Icons
Fat Wreck

10
Comeback Kid: Symptoms + Cures
Victory
Progression is a terribly tricky task in hardcore. It can be perilously polarizing, and most bands who make the attempt either just go metallic or exit the genre altogether. Symptoms + Cures isn't my favorite Comeback Kid album, but it might be the most impressive thus far in its ability to demonstrate a purposeful and competent progression from a band who has been a staple in hardcore since their first release.

9
The Queers: Back to the Basement
Asian Man
When I saw the track listing, I didn't want to like this album. I wanted the Queers to say something slightly intelligent and maybe even political, like "Monkey in a
Suit" off their previous release. Instead, we get "Fucked in the Head," "Outta My Skull" and "Psychadelic Mindfuck." But Back to the Basement is so insanely catchy and fun–and with an affinity for Black Flag–there's really no way to avoid this infectious disease–I mean release.

8
Bad Religion: The Dissent of Man
Epitaph

7
Street Dogs: Street Dogs
Hellcat

6
The Gaslight Anthem: American Slang
SideOneDummy

5
The Slackers: The Great Rock-Steady Swindle
Hellcat

4
Off with Their Heads: In Desolation
Epitaph

3
Ceremony: Rohnert Park
Bridge 9

2
The Arrivals: Volatile Molotov
Recess

1
The Hollowpoints: Old Haunts on the Horizon
Sailor's Grave
Top 5 EPs

5
The Mongoloids: New Beginnings
Six Feet Under

4
Hardside: Welcome to Hell
Lionheart
I'm not sure what I like about this guilty pleasure from San Antonio, Texas. It's goofy hardstyle hardcore punk with simple lyrics and riffs, but it has some nice grooves
and they've branded themselves effectively, aligning with skateboarders and graffiti writers alike.

3
United Nations: Never Mind the Bombings, Here's Your Six Figures
Deathwish

2
The Manix: Van Activities
Whoa Oh

1
Swingin' Utters: Brand New Lungs
Fat Wreck Chords
Top 3 Disappointments

3
Tokyo Police Club: Champ
Mom & Pop Music Co.
I was a huge Elephant Shell booster (one of my favorite albums of the last five years), and likewise had big hopes for its successor. Is Champ good?
Yes, but it's nothing close to the band's Saddle Creek offering. Champ lacks the cohesion and genuine sense of wonderment, and the weird synth rock like "Bambi"
and "Gone" seem a little forced. Like the first spot on this list, the main reason this release appears here is because of the overwhelming brilliance of its predecessor and not because it's actually bad.

2
Symbol Six: Monsters 11
self-released

1
The National: High Violet
4AD
Top 3 Reissues/Retrospectives

5
Mouth Sewn Shut: 2009
Rodent Popsicle

4
Suicidal Tendencies: No Mercy Fool!/The Suicidal Family
Suicidal

3
Shang-a-Lang: Collection
Silver Sprocket / Facepalm

2
Attitude Adjustment: The Collection
Taang!

1
Smoking Popes: It's Been a Long Day
Asian Man
Top 3 Various Artist Compilations

3
Germs of Perfection: A Tribute to Bad Religion
MySpace / Spin
It's a Bad Religion tribute with Guttermouth, the Weakerthans and Ted Leo. 'Nuff said.

2
Past Present: Breaking Out the Classics
Revelation
