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ALTERNATIVE ROCK ALBUMS
2024
January 1, 2025 by Nancy Evans
The year 2024 is in that proverbial can with lots to be excited about in the new year. As we like to say here at OC Music News, you have to know where we’ve been to know where we’re headed, so let’s take a look back at the year in music that was 2024.
I enjoy music that has a catchy beat, solid vocals, thoughtful lyrics, and guitar riffs that can peel your eyeballs back. Over the last 12 months we saw some familiar, iconic faces, and got to know some new ones that made 2024 very memorable. Here is my list of the Top 20 Albums of the Year.
Coming in at #20 is Dead Pony and their album, “IGNORE THIS.” This band from Scotland hit it big on alternative radio with their monster track, “Rainbows.”
Despite the title of the album, don’t ignore this band; expect big things from them!
I may get some grief over this, but I am OK with that. As mentioned above, I like my music loud, so you wouldn’t equate that with my #19 pick, Billie Eilish’s “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.”
I know, my punk rock friends may not like this, but good music is good music. In between listening to my typical mix of Ramones, Korn, and Pierce the Veil, one of my guilty pleasures is Billie Eilish. This album is different from her previous work, and the Radiohead and Deftones undercurrent works. Songs to check out include “Wild Flower, “Chihiro,” “Blue,” “Skinny,” and “Birds of a Feather.”
As for #18, same as Eilish, not my normal can of beans, but Olivia Rodrigo can bring it. Her album “GUTS” is just fun.
What can I say – her songs “Bad Idea Right,” “Obsessed,” and “All-American Bitch” speak to me. Another solid effort.
311 is back and killing it with “FULL BLOOM” at #17. The album is the 14th in their illustrious career and by the reception the new tunes got at this year’s KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas, Nick Hexum and SA Martinez are back on top of the music world.
Check out “You’re Gonna Get It,” “Mountain Top, and “Full Bloom” is getting mad radio love everywhere on the planet. These Cornhuskers are nothing short of amazing live, and the electro-Jawaiian stylings are hitting all the right marks with their legion of fans worldwide.
Solid AF, #16 goes to Destroy Boys and their album “FUNERAL SOUNDTRACK # 4.” With an evolving ethos, the entire album has a Debbie Harry vibe.
Not sure what they’re putting in the water in Sacramento, but whatever it is, I’ll take a drink. Check out “Bad Guy,” “Plucked,” “Boyfeel,” and “You Hear Yes.”
The Cure is back and is #15 with “SONGS OF THE LOST WORLD.” For many fans, they could not care less what The Cure puts out because they are so beloved.
Look, it could be crap and they’ll still listen and buy it. Luckily, that’s not the case here.
It’s the band’s first effort in 16 years, and it dives into heavy themes. What else would we expect from Robert Smith?
He has said part two will be released sooner rather than later, but until then, check out “Alone” – it’ll take you places. A solid album from this iconic band.
Next, #14 goes to Bob Vylan and “HUMBLE AS THE SUN.” With the same energy and angst from “The Price of Life in 2022,” this effort from the London duo is an evolution in their vision.
Songs to check out are “Hunger Games,” “He’s a Man,” and “Reign.”
Industry favs, IDLES claim #13 with “TANGK.” The British band brought Nigel Godrich and Kenny Beats along for the ride.
The album is a departure from previous work, but it is a success!
You can feel the music as you dance along at a show, but this album takes IDLES to the next level. Songs to check out are “Dancer” and “Gift Horse.”
The return of Linkin Park and their latest effort, “FROM ZERO,” is #12. By now we all know Emily Armstrong is joining Mike Shinoda to belt out the tunes, and so far, the music has been well received despite some initial hiccups and drama with a new singer roll out.
Radio love is there for “The Emptiness Machine” and “Heavy is the Crown.” So far, so good for LP; a very strong effort on the return of this iconic band.
As for #11, it goes to Sum 41 and their final album, “HEAVEN :x: HELL.” Too bad this is the final album for the band because it rocks. Definitely all killer, no filler as “Landmines” and “Dopamine” are killing it on alt rock radio!
At #10, twenty one pilots slide in with “CLANCY.” For me, the band has departed from that initial sound that drew me in, but like all great bands, they evolve.
As much as I didn’t want to like this one, I did! The entire album is worth a listen, seriously check it out!
When you think alt rock, I am not sure if you would think of #9, but Tyler, the Creator and his album “CHROMAKOPIA” hit all marks.
Yeah, it’s hip-hop and rock adjacent, but isn’t that what alternative is supposed to be? Not the music meant for the masses, and with this album, it checks all the boxes with “Sticky,” “Noid,” “Thought I Was Dead,” “Take Your Mask Off,” and “Like Him.” he also had a single come out in the final days of 2024 called “That Guy” that is raising eyebrows.
A familiar name earns #8; Jack White and his album, “NO NAME.” Who doesn’t love Jack White? This cat does it all! Just pick up the album, you’ll get it.
Check out “That’s How I’m Feeling,” “Old Scratch Blues,” and “Bless Yourself.”
Up next at #7 is the band from the land down under. No, not Men at Work, but a very good facsimile; try Amyl and the Sniffers with their album “CARTOON DARKNESS.”
This band personifies punk, punk, punk, and when I first heard “Security” and “Cup of Destiny,” I was hooked.
If you love punk in its purest from, listen to this album from beginning to end. Thank me later!
Another familiar name nabs #6 – The Offspring and “SUPERCHARGED.” It’s a solid album that goes into themes we are all too familiar with. Most importantly, Dexter and Noodles are back. They look great and sound even better. Songs to look out for are “Light It Up,” and “Make It Alright.”
One of the new faces claims #5, although they are slowly becoming not really that new anymore.
The Linda Lindas have been everywhere in 2024 and they still had time to drop “NO OBLIGATION.”
Even though most of the band is in their teens, this all-girl, kick-ass, alt rock-punk-funk heroine gang take their mastery to another level with the new record. The entire album rocks and “All In My Head” shows these four are here to stay. There is only one word I can think of that describes these ladies: Legit.
“CONCRETE JUNGLE [THE OST]” from Bad Omens earns my #4. This 26-track masterpiece was a self-described “experimental expansion.” The metalcore band has taken the music world by storm and this album features new anthems for their devoted fans with “Health,” “Poppy – V.A.N.,” and “Swarm.”
Hitting #3 is Being Dead and “EELS,” their second effort, and by all accounts this LP guarantees this band may be here for a while. The 16-track album features tunes you just have to check out, including “Nightvision,” “Godzilla Rises,” “Love Machine,” “Big Bovine,” “Problems,” and “Fire Fighters.”
As the list rounds out, 2024 has delivered to the masses the #2 album, and that honor goes to a band from Dublin, Fontaines D.C. and “ROMANCE.” This album is solid from start to finish. It is a combination of all my favorite bands – Deftones, Kitten, Kasabian, The K’s, and Pixies all rolled into one. Just check out “Starburster” and I am sure you’ll be hooked on this band. The future has arrived for Fontaines D.C., seriosly check them out.
Finally, the #1 album goes to Green Day and their masterpiece, “SAVIORS.”
From the beginning, when the album was announced at a pop-up show in Sin City, the album has just put out hit after hit after hit and spawned an enormous tour in 2024.
The band’s 14th studio album belongs in the band’s incredible catalogue and I expect it to stand the tests of time like “Dookie” and “American Idiot.”
The trio of Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tre Cool are officially on another level of greatness.
If you like punk rock with a moral compass, a great beat, and poppy hooks, check out this album. Songs you can’t go wrong with are “Look Ma, No Brains,” “Bobby Sox,” “Dilemma,” “Corvette Summer,” and “The American Dream is Killing Me
That’s it for 2024! See you in 2025…
SID 250101 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
