top of page
TOP TEN
"Best Punk Albums"
This is my "Top Ten" list for the Best Punk Albums of All Time. This is not a list of the best "bands" and their body of work, it's a list of the best "albums". And although I do love me some original punk, like The Misfits, Ramones and The Sex Pistols, I am a product of my upbringing, which is mostly 90's punk rock. As always, EP's, Live Albums and Greatest Hits albums are not eligible for this list. Nor is any repeat bands.
#10
TEN FOOT POLE
"Rev"
Thoughts: 1994 was one of the greatest years in the history of punk rock music. So this album by Ten Foot Pole may have gotten lost behind the likes of Green Day's "Dookie", and NOFX's "Punk In Drublic", but simply put, this record deserves respect and is rock solid from front to back.
#9
SCREECHING WEASEL
"My Brain Hurts"
Thoughts: Screeching Weasel just makes me happy. There's something about their tone and energy that makes me want to go for a long drive with with the windows down and the sun shining in. All smiles and sunshine right here.
#8
DESCENDENTS
"Somery"
Thoughts: This was not a typo. Yes, I chose Somery over Milo Goes to College and yes, it's only #8 on my list. Both Descendents records are worth their weight in gold, but Somery takes the cake for me. Perhaps it's because it just reminds me of more awesome times and great memories, or maybe it's because I get more bang for my buck (having 28 songs rather than 15). Either way, it's a dope record and it features "Clean Sheets". C'mon. So good!
#7
FACE TO FACE
"Don't Turn Away"
Thoughts: Choosing between Face To Face albums is like choosing your favorite child. So difficult, but I had to do it. And based on it being their debut album, I went with Don't Turn Away. Not one bad song on this record.
#6
NOFX
"Punk In Drublic"
Thoughts: Another epic 1994 release that happened to be the soundtrack of my high school shenanigans. With 13 studio albums from NOFX, it was another difficult process trying to narrow it down. However, opening with a Hall Of Fame track like "Linoleum" puts it over the top for me.
#5
STRUNG OUT
"Exile In Oblivion"
Thoughts: Strung Out was consistently putting out records throughout the 2000's when punk rock might've been taking a back seat to emo/screamo, but instead of regressing like most bands, Strung Out kept developing and improving their sound and the pinnacle of that process was Exile In Oblivion. Seriously, the way this band has evolved and the growth between Another Day In Paradise and Exile is substantial, and certainly incredible. Every song on this record is flourishing with excellence and power.
#4
LAGWAGON
"Trashed"
Thoughts: Once again, another radical release from 1994. And since Trashed made it onto my "Top Ten Deserted Island List", I had no choice but to put it on here as well. But, you can't really go wrong with any Lagwagon album; this one just hits home with me. And like I've commented before, everything going on in that album cover of Trashed is what was going on in my life. Booze, Condoms, Soccer, AC/DC. Boom! Even some Snapple. I love Snapple, and this record.
#3
THE OFFSPRING
"Ignition"
Thoughts: Along with Green Day and Blink-182, The Offspring are responsible for making punk rock mainstream. But prior to Dookie and Smash selling 31 million copies worldwide (and both being released in 1994), The Offpsring had a lesser known 12-song LP titled Ignition. Once again, this record made it on my "Top Ten Deserted Island List", so it's no surprise to be ranked here at #3. Front to back, this record is pure gold.
#2
OPERATION IVY
"Operation Ivy"
Thoughts: Oh man. This album is a beauty. But at first I was concerned with whether or not Operation Ivy was punk or ska or skapunk or whatever. Because of this, I was strongly considering replacing this album with Rancid's epic record ...And Out Come The Wolves. But then it hit me... Operation Ivy is punk. They're as punk as it gets. I mean, without Op Ivy, there is no Rancid. And the fact that they only have one legendary album is even more punk.
#1
BAD RELIGION
"No Control"
Thoughts: Bad Religion are the godfathers. And I'll probably get shit for not picking Suffer (which is certainly a killer album), but once again, it's No Control that speaks more to me. Plus, my favorite BR song of all time is "Billy". If you can spare 2-minutes, click play above and listen to that punk rock beat.
Honorable Mention
UNWRITTEN LAW
"Blue Room"
Thoughts: Another epic 1994 release and Unwritten Law killed it with Blue Room. Being from Poway, I have a lot of memories and friends (aka Crazy Poway Kids) attached to this record and it's certainly one of my all time favorites.
bottom of page