17
Avail ... Over the James
Lookout! Records

There is no other music out there that provides a more intense catharsis: loud, fast, hard, bitter, pure punk rock. But there's more, in the most intangible way. I've given dozens of unknown punk bands a chance, and most don't even come close to matching Avail's melodic anthems and passionate parades. Their lyrics are real, thought-provoking, and reflective: but even if you can't understand them through the spit, you'll still feel these songs deeply. A song like "Vine" proves that there's heart and hope in the darkest places. Kudos: All this cathartic energy is even more overwhelming live. I dare you to catch a show and not become a fan.