The punk-rock band I Am Committing A Sin (IACAS) is based out of Burlington, Ontario and known for their deep lyrics, catchy riffs, and musical aggression. They recently released their debut album Grow Past Their Promises, in September 2009, to solid reviews. Paul and Kevin, the two lead guitarists from IACAS, have supplied us with playlists of their top 10 songs.

If you have iTunes installed on your computer, each link will take you directly to the listed song, album, or artist.

Paul’s Playlist: The top 10 songs he’s learned to love.

1. Flume, by Bon Iver from the album For Emma, Forever Ago

   I thought the vocals were stupid. I remember saying that, too. I was in my friends car and he insisted that I hear the record. With nowhere to run, I obliged but immediately hated the first song. Then I heard the second song and understood it all. Then I heard the third song and apologized. Now I’m making it public. One of my favorite records from recent years.

2. The Strangers, by St. Vincent from the album Actor

   The same friend forced this record down my throat as well. I tried a few times to like it, turns out that doesn’t work. I tried to figure out why I didn’t like it and I couldn’t find any reason, and upon realizing that something deep within my brain or heart or lungs (or wherever opinions come from) must have twisted itself around. I’m hooked on this song right now and I never want the ride to end.

3. Everything by Regina Spektor.

   As far as I know, I hated Regina Spektor for my entire life just because some overdressed pretentious pseudo-music nerds liked her in high school. Two months ago I was driving our van overnight somewhere in the Northwest United States and myself and Daniel decided to roll the dice. Jackpot! I don’t know if there is a Jackpot in dice, actually. Snake Eyes! Whatever. Point is I love her now.

4. Ebolarama, by Every Time I Die from the album Hot Damn!

   I saw this video, you know the one. Roller rink, combat hat, etc. I thought the vocals were annoying and maybe still do, but I’ve come to realize they are the best kind of annoying.

5. Some Red-Handed Sleight of Hand, by Cursive from the album The Ugly Organ

   I bought a magazine once that reviewed The Ugly Organ. It gave it like 15/10 stars. I listened to it and thought it was completely ridiculous. Two years later, I forgot about all that and bought that same record on impulse. I listened to the whole thing on the drive home and music was never the same for me. I know that’s a tired thing to say. Every asshole says that. “This Jay Z record really changed my life” or “Oh, yeah of course that Hall and Oates record made me who I am today”. Those people are lying. I am not. 100000/10 stars.

6. Living Daylights, by Kid Dynamite from the album Shorter, Faster, Louder. This track is not available on iTunes; the link is to a cover of the song done by the group: No Secrets Between Sailors.

   I always skipped this track because the beginning sounds like U2. Right after that it sounds like Kid Dynamite. This is for anyone who does the same thing. Hold hope, brothers! The song is still good!

7. The Royal We, by Silversun Pickups from the album Swoon

   Finally realized that I could get past the drumming. As soon as I did, everything else made way more sense. Then I started to appreciate the drumming. Weird how that works.

8. Transatlanticism, by Death Cab for Cutie from the album Transatlanticism

   Girls ruin everything, then the girls go away and you can listen to music again. I’m talking about the whole record, I think.

9. Mordecai, by Between the Buried and Me from the album The Silent Circus

   I was young and stupid. Nothing not to like.

10. American Hearts, by Piebald from the album We Are the Only Friends We Have

    I heard I would like Piebald. I listened to the song once and decided the person who referred me to it was an idiot. It was only a matter of minutes before I realized I was the idiot. ‘We Are The Only Friends We Have’ is still one of my favorite records.

Kevin’s Playlist:

1. The opera Tristan und Isolde, by Wagner
2. Tonto, by Battles from the album Mirrored
3. Panasonic Youth, by The Dillinger Escape Plan from the album Miss Machine
4. Big Bang, by Cursive from the album Happy Hollow
5. Goliath, by The Mars Volta from the album The Bedlam In Goliath
6. Blood of a Young Wolf, by Buck 65 from the album Secret House Against the World
7. In Cauda Venenum, by The Dear Hunter from the album Act III – Life and Death
8. Dirty and True, by Hawksley Workman from the album (Last Night We Were) The Delicious Wolves
9. Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue (BWV 903), by Bach
10. I Belong to You / Mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix, by Muse from the album The Resistance

To learn more about IACAS, you can visit their MySpace page, follow them on Twitter, or check out their blog.