Last year on Thanksgiving I posted A Five Albums with Cobra with myself. It was mainly because I hadn’t posted one in a few months, so I decided to do one myself. Which was going to happen eventually. The topic I chose was five albums released by Columbus artist that I was thankful for. I thought it was a good read. So I have decided to do that again. It might as well become an annual thing now.

While thinking about the five this year, it got me thinking about my place here in Columbus and the world. Columbus is not home but it is my adopted home. And over the years a lot of the people I have met, I have because of the local music scene and some of them have become family even. So on days like today, some of them always reach out to me because they know I’m not with my family home in Georgia. And I always appreciate that. The people in the bands that make up this years five, some of them are some of the best people I’ve met and some are indeed “Family” and I’m thankful for all of them. So thank you for being part of my world. So here are Five Local Albums I’m thankful for in 2019.

Forever Unknown-Study Hall: The five teenagers that make up this band are on a mission to save rock and roll and let me tell you, they very well may. The talent and heart in this band are unmatched. It’s always great seeing a group of kids with passion and when it’s music I’m all the more excited. Lol. If this release is any indication, then we are going to be seeing this name for a long time. And I hope they are ready for what 2020 has in store for them because this year was only the beginning.

Wandering Stars-The Minor Fall: I truly don’t know where to start here. Derek Christopher is one of the people that have become family for me. And I am so excited about what he is doing with his music. The Minor Fall was his second release of 2019 and his 5th in a year. He has become a machine. He actually already is working on his next release. One of the things I admire about him is the passion in his voice when he is talking about what he is working on and one can’t help but get excited as well. I ran into him last week and he was talking about his next release and man, it’s going to be something great.

Ritual Eulogy-Lost Solace: I recently posted my review of this album and wow is it amazing. If any album is going to be credited with getting me back into metal, it’s this album. It’s truly that good. If you are a metal fan, please go listen to this album. With these guys, it’s for sure more than music. Mike Houck is my nerd buddy. When I want to talk all things Star Wars, Legos, and Funko Pop Vinyl, he is my go-to guy. And Jordan Sloan very well might be my musical soul mate. If I ever started a band, Jordan would be the first person I asked to join.

Odd Promise-This Changes Everything: Early 2000s post-hardcore is back and here in Columbus, Odd Promise is leading the charge. This release had me pulled in from the very first listen and I haven’t stopped listening yet. YOU will probably see this album again next month when I post my Favorite lists of 2019. The nostalgia here is real and I’m all for it. I’m thankful that this release reminds me of home in the early 2000s and going to shows and hanging with my friends. So if bands like Greely Estates, Chiodos, early Emery, Hawthorne Heights, and Saosin are your poison, then listen to these guys.

Overgrow-The Name We Share: If you live in Columbus, or Ohio, or just the Midwest as a whole, then this is a name you should know already. If there is one act my friends and I talk about a lot, it’s Overgrow. Jake Ciccotelli has an amazing way with words and I can’t count the times I have put this album on and just cried. And sometimes maybe I just needed a good cry at that time and what Jake was saying hit home, I don’t know. Alls I know is I absolutely love this release. And the release show for it was easily in my top 3 this year. It was a who’s who of local talent. And the fact that I got to share that evening with so many close and wonderful friends made it all the better. I can’t wait to see what 2020 has in store for Overgrow.

And in closing, I hope all of you had an awesome year. And no matter where you are, support your local scenes. We are all we have.