Change the Rotation's Albums of the Year Bracket Field 2018

It's the end of another year, which means it's time for us at Change the Rotation to decide on our favorite albums of the year. Then, it's time to pit those 32 albums against each other in a merciless contest for our album of the year title. This, of course, is our end of the year bracket. Today, we reveal this year's field with one twist. Below are our top 34 albums of the year, but there are only 32 spots on the bracket. The last four selections will compete in a play in round for the final two spots on the bracket. As usual, Change the Rotation's top albums are chosen by Dave Anians, Danny Collins, Steve O and myself. We each submit a list of our favorite albums. Any album appearing on at least two of our lists automatically makes the cut for the bracket. The remaining spots on the bracket are divided evenly between the four of us. We had a number of spots leftover which was not divisible by four, which is how we ended up with a play in round this year.

During the coming days, look out for some guest "best of 2018" lists from people in the punk music community. I'll post my "best EPs and other releases" list (only full-length albums are eligible for the bracket). And of course we will reveal the results of our annual bracket showdown.

Below, click through to listen to each of our picks for the best albums of 2018. Below the list, you can see how the bracket matchups shake out.

The Antidon'ts - We Reap What You Sow
La Armada - Anti-Colonial Vol. 1
Bad Moves - Tell No One
Bleach Party - NOLA
Brendan Kelly and the Wandering Birds - Keep Walkin' Pal
Cloud Nothings - Last Building Burning
Direct Hit - Crown of Nothing
Dog Party - Hit & Run
Dollar Signs - This Will Haunt Me
Fucked Up - Dose Your Dreams
Gouge Away - Burnt Sugar
HIRS - Friends, Lovers, Favorites
The Interrupters - Fight the Good Fight
Jeff Rosenstock - POST-
Kodakrome - Kodakrome
The Kreutzer Sonata - The Gutters of Paradise
Laura Jane Grace and the Devouring Mothers - Bought to Rot
Negative Scanner - Nose Picker
Night Birds - Roll Credits
Peach Kelli Pop - Gentle Leader
Rent Strike - IX
Retirement Party - Somewhat Literate
Sick of It All - Wake the Sleeping Dragon
Sloppy Jane - Willow
Super Unison - Stella
Surfbort - Friendship Music
Turnspit - Desire Paths
UGLYBoNES - Sunshine
War on Women - Capture the Flag
Zeal & Ardor - Stranger Fruit

Play in Round:

Blind Adam and the Federal League - Blind Adam and the Federal League
Ship of Fools - A Perfect Place for Harmony
CHEW - Feeding Frenzy
Press Club - Late Teens

Below are the bracket first round matchups. Each album was randomly drawn into its position on the bracket. The first blank space will be filled by the winner of the CHEW v. Press Club play in round matchup. The second blank space will be filled by the winner of the Blind Adam and the Federal League v. Ship of Fools play in round matchup.