Ten 10-Year Album Anniversary Tours We Want In 2014
With album 10th anniversary tours proving to be a viable source of income for bands and nostalgia for fans, we dusted off our back issues of AP to see what could happen this year. Call it a wish list more than anything else, but a magazine can dream (and bother them on Twitter), right?
Underoath – They're Only Chasing Safety
For many 20-somethings reading this, the image of a woman wearing an oxygen mask will forever remind us of Underoath's They're Only Chasing Safety. The iconic cover art was fitting for an album that would define mid-'00s screamo. Incoming frontman Spencer Chamberlain's debut with Underoath led to their commercial breakthrough. Not only would he remain a member until their breakup in 2013, but he'd fill the shoes of clean vocalist Aaron Gillespie after his departure in 2010.
Taking Back Sunday – Where You Want To Be
On their most recent headlining tour, the songs from Taking Back Sunday's first two records evoked an overwhelming crowd response. With a successful TAYF10 run and resulting live album already in the books, it should be a no-brainer for them to follow suit with a salute to their sophomore album this year. There's just one little problem: Fred Mascherino has been long removed from active duty as Adam Lazzara's sidekick. We'll need the “one time only” gods to work in our favor for this one to ever happen.
The Killers – Hot Fuss
Brandon Flowers' synth lights up “Smile Like You Mean It” brighter than the strip; regret sounds delightful in “Believe Me Natalie;” they sleaze out the '80s in “On Top” and wear the Smiths on their sleeves in “Change Your Mind.” If radio ruined “Somebody Told Me” for you, hopefully you still have love for “Mr. Brightside” and “All These Things That I've Done.”
Eighteen Visions – Obsession
Eighteen Visions dove headfirst into the mainstream with Obsession, writing dark modern-rock songs in the hardcore spirit of early AFI. There are choruses and melodies previously unexplored by the band, while chunky rock 'n’ roll breakdowns and the occasional horror chord kept their diehards in line. Their visual influence alone deserves royalties, with legions of new bands gothed-out in makeup and scene hair. Some even went as far as naming themselves in tribute. (“Motionless And White” was an 18V song first!.)
Misery Signals – Of Malice And The Magnum Heart
It's hard to believe this album is 10 years old considering metalcore still struggles to be this aggressive, melodic and interesting. That said, it isn't hard to believe that Misery Signals' debut album was the gateway drug for many who entered the genre's gates. >>>
Alexisonfire – Watch Out!
Would people go see Alexisonfire's sophomore album played in its entirety? Considering they sold 1,000 discography vinyl boxsets at $250 a pop last month, we think yes.
Dead Poetic – New Medicines
Coming from the previous generation of post-hardcore, Dead Poetic's contemporaries were more Finch, Beloved and Emery than Dance Gavin Dance, Of Mice & Men and D.R.U.G.S. That mid-'00s movement of bands captured the energy and crowd involvement of hardcore shows without the risk of a stray fist to the face. They went on to release one more album, 2006's Vices, before disbanding the following year.
Senses Fail – Let It Enfold You
As a whole, this one may be a stretch, but the debut album from Buddy Nielsen and co. had its share of screamo delights. “Rum Is For Drinking, Not For Burning” broke onto MTV's airwaves as the band sailed across a sea of CGI. “Lady In A Blue Dress” showed off their melodic sweetness as Nielsen displayed his sour side (“Don't try to be cute with me/Because I know you hate yourself”). You know they'd bring the house down with “Buried A Lie,” leaving an older crowd gasping for their teenage breath halfway through.
Jimmy Eat World – Futures
The fifth studio album from Jimmy Eat World actually changed producers in the midst of recording when Mark Trombino was replaced by Gil Norton, who had just worked on Dashboard Confessional's A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar the year prior. Although it was a tense turn of events at the time (Trombino had previously worked with JEW on Static Prevails through Bleed American), everything turned out fine. We think an anniversary tour would seriously—wait for it—”Kill.”
Converge – You Fail Me
Out of Converge's two decades of existance, not many lines stick out more than when frontman Jacob Bannon cleared his throat to declare “This is for the hearts still beating!” on You Fail Me. Sitting somewhere in the middle of their discography, it was the band's first release for Epitaph Records and would help define their modern sound. They added dramatics to their eternal darkness (the title track) and slow-cooked smash parts to their blistering beats (“Eagles Become Vultures”).
