waterfilters

After I gave this album a listen for the first time, I knew, instantly, that there wasn't going to be a better record in 2009. It's easier to do these lists when Propagandhi releases a record, because they've shown, time and time again, that they can progress as a band and release the best record imaginable.

Propagandhi is one of the few bands playing punk rock these days who excite me. Supporting Caste, which addresses the general idea of living life on the fringe, expands on the melodic, technical punk they'd started performing after John K. Samson left the band to start the Weakerthans.

Where Potemkin City Limits introduced us to more complex arrangements and melodies from the group, Supporting Caste is absolutely dominated by them. Album opener "Night Letters" (which is arguably the best song sung by Todd EVER) constantly shifts time signatures, as the band pummels…