Monthly Archives: December 2017

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Top 100 Songs of 2017 (50-41)

Click here for songs 100-51

50. “LA Devotee” – Panic! At the Disco

“LA Devotee,” the latest single from Vegas band, Panic! At the Disco, is based on lead singer (and the bands only current member,) Brendon Urie’s admiration of Los Angeles. It’s about someone being so in love with the city that they would do anything it takes to survive there.

“LA Devotee” is exactly what one would expect from Panic! as it is loud, catchy, and a hell of a lot of fun to sing along with. Apparently there is no need to Panic!, Urie seems to have this band thing down all by himself.

49. “World Gone Mad” – Bastille

“World Gone Mad” is the most appropriate song of the year, as it is about the mess of a world that we are currently living in. For the most part, 2017 was a complete disaster, and Bastille summarized it perfectly in just 3 minutes and 16 seconds.

48. “Sober Up” – AJR (feat. Rivers Cuomo)

https://youtu.be/J518lHntgow

The happiest-go-luckiest song ever written about trying to get sober is thanks to Weezer frontman, Rivers Cuomo, following Ryan from AJR on Twitter. This led to a discussion of AJR being big Weezer fans, and next thing you know, “Sober Up” was born.

In summary… AJR is really making a well deserved name for themselves in the alt-rock world. And Rivers Cuomo is a living legend in the alt-rock world.

47. “Heavydirtysoul” – Twenty One Pilots

The “House of Gold” that Twenty One Pilots sang about a few years back better be gigantic because everything they touch, turns to gold. “Heavydirtysoul” is yet another notch on their belts, which helps solidify them as the current day gods of alternative hip-hop.

46. “Reverend” – Kings of Leon

“Reverend” is arguably Kings of Leon’s best song in nearly a decade. While it is very radio-friendly, it is not over-produced, nor does it seem “pop-ified” to make it radio-friendly.

I could give my interrpretation of what the song is about, but q interviewed the Followill brothers to ask them specifically about the meaning of the song. Listen to the interview below.

http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/864162883854/

45. “I Don’t Wanna Dance” – COIN

Nashville natives, COIN explore the art of grungy/country Nashville for the second single off their sophomore album How Will You Know If You Never Try. 

Their 2016 hit “Talk Too Much” did its job of putting COIN on the map in the alr-rock world. “I Don’t Wanna Dance” is their way of proving to that same world that they are not just “that band with that one song.”

44. “Edge of Darkness” – Greta Van Fleet

Led Zeppelin + The Darkness + Guns N’ Roses = Greta Van Fleet

“Edge of Darkness” is the epitome of pure rock and roll. If Greta Van Fleet (which consists of three Kiszka brothers and a friend) were around back in 1969 not only would they have performed at Woodstock, but they would have been able to close the show with this epic, powerhouse track that you can easily enjoy no matter what generation you are a part of.

If this band doesn’t become a household name by the end of 2018, I give up all hope for music, and for the world.

 43. “Mercy” – Lewis Capaldi

You heard it here first, folks. Lewis Capaldi, the 21-year-old Scottish lad, is about to explode on the pop-rock scene in 2018.

With a raspy, gritty voice, powerful lyrics, and enough emotion to make even the biggest Scrooge sympathize, you can’t help but believe that Capaladi is begging for mercy. Show this young lad the mercy he deserves and support his music.

42. “We Fight” – Dashboard Confessional

I was cautiously optimistic when I heard Dashboard Confessional was dropping a new album in nearly a decade. After all, their 2004 masterpiece “Vindicated” is one of my favorite songs of all time.

Dashboard not only met my expectations, but surpassed them. “We Fight” is a rock anthem much like many of the songs that made me fall in love with the band back in the early 2000’s.

At 42-years old, lead singer Chris Carrabba is still as sickeningly as perfect as he was when he was in his mid-twenties.

41. “63 Days” – Atlas Genius

“A lot can go wrong in 63 days if you’re not focusing on what matters,” says Keith Jeffery, lead vocalist and guitarist in the three brother band Atlas Genius.

“63 Days” is about learning from past mistakes, and not messing up again. It woul

d only logically be about screwing up while on tour with a band, but it could be tied to any relationship.

I’ve had stuffy noses last more than 63 days, so if you don’t think you can handle not screwing up a relationship in 63 days, maybe it’s not a relationship you should be in anyway.

I, however, am quite literally the last person you would want to take relationship advise from. So, listen to the Jeffery brothers’ suggestion, and just behave yourself for 63 damn days.

 

Songs 40-31

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Top 100 Songs of 2017 (60-51)

Click here for songs 100-61

60. “Rhythm & Blues” – The Head and the Heart

The Head and the Heart’s “Rhythm & Blues” is a happy-go-lucky track that will put a smile on your face. The Head and the Heart have mastered the art of feel good alt-rock, and “Rhythm & Blues” is no exception.

59. “Perfect” – Ed Sheeran

If Eric Clapton wrote “(You Look) Wonderful Tonight” in 2017, it would be “Perfect.”

Perhaps the most appropriately titled song of the year, “Perfect” is as close to perfect as a song gets.

58. “Sign of the Times” – Harry Styles

“Sign of the Times” is the debut single from former band One Direction’s most well known member, Harry Styles.

If “Sign of the Times” is a sign of what Style’s has up his sleeve, he could be on track to becoming the biggest boy band solo success story since Justin Timberlake.

Call it pop, rock, glam rock, or whatever the hell else you want to call it, but if this is what post boy band sounds like, I am in full support of forcing all boy bands to dismember and go their own ways.

57. “Cocoon” – Milky Chance

With one of the most unique sounds in music today, there is no denying that “Cocoon” is Milky Chance at their best. Putting an end to any neysayers that said they were one hit wonders after the massive success of 2013’s “Stolen Dance,”Cocoon” is fun, catchy, and pure enjoyment.

56. “30 Seconds” – Vinyl Theatre

“30 Seconds” is only the second song I have heard from by Wisconsin-based band, Vinyl Theatre. Their 2014 hit “Breaking Up My Bones” was good, but “30 Seconds” is great.

Wisconsin, I now appreciate exactly three things from you. Beer, cheese, and Vinyl Theatre.

 

55. “The Day I Die” – ISLAND

Without question, one of the best vocals of the year, UK newcomers, ISLAND is the biggest artist to watch out for in 2018. Their debut album Feels Like Air doesn’t come out until April of 2018, but if the album is as good as “The Day I Die,” expect them to be all over every Best Music of 2018 countdown.

54. “Life Changes” – Thomas Rhett

Nobody does country-pop-rock like Thomas Rhett. Also, nobody else tells a story like Rhett.

Rhett’s music can fall into many categories, country, country-rock, or pop-country, but there is no denying that at the young age of 27, he is dominating the niche that he is so damn good at.

“Life Changes” is a relatable, feel-good song about welcoming the curve balls that life throws our way: making lemonade out of lemons, or whatever the hell that stupid saying is.

53. “Forget Me Not” – Brian Fallon

Brian Fallon, the former lead singer of Gaslight Anthem is back with one of the most fun, energetic, and upbeat songs of the year. “Forget Me Not” is about wanting to be remembered, despite the fact that the relationship ended.

“Could you promise me something? If you find someone, that you forget me not.”

Despite how much of a jerk you are, sometimes, when relationships end you want to be anything but remembered by your ex. However, if things end on a positive note, being remembered fondly is as much as you can ask for.

A Gaslight Anthem reunion is still up in the air, but no matter what happens with the band, Brian Fallon makes it very easy for us to “forget not” what a legendary band they were, and what a complete stud he is.

52. “Remember That Night” – Grouplove

Grouplove’s new track, “Remember That Night” is a perfect reminder that they are one of the best additions to the alt-rock world in the past ten years.

Despite which group member is taking the reigns of any given track, Grouplove has perfected the art of creating uplifting, jovial songs, and in “Remember That Night” co-vocalist and keyboardist Hannah Hooper delivers some of her most impressive work to date.

On a related note: I would love to say I remember that night back in 2011 when I first saw Grouplove live. But, I had been drinking for about 13 hours straight before the show, and therefore barely “remember that night” at all. But I am sure it was a hell of a great show.

51. “The Next Time We Wed” – The Fratellis

Glasgow, Scotland band The Fratellis have been out of the spotlight for a little while. But with this year’s “The Next Time We Wed” they have shown the world that they were not hibernating, they were working on one of the most fun, dance-worthy tracks of the year.

The Fratellis are back and just as good as they have ever been. Their new album In Your Own Sweet Time will be released on March 9th, and if I know the Fratellis, they have some more tricks like this gem up their sleeves.

 

Songs 50-41

 

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Top 100 Songs of 2017 (70-61)

Click here for songs 100 – 71

Cont…

70. “Agnes” – Glass Animals

“Agnes,” the final track released from Glass Animals’ second album, How To Be A Human Being, is quite different from the rest of their light-hearted hits.

Frontman Dave Bayley says of the track…

“But there is one song that stands apart from the rest. That song is ‘Agnes’. ‘Agnes’ is the one. It’s my favorite song on the record, and the saddest song I will ever write.”

“Ageless,” about dealing with the loss of a loved one, is a song that, everyone, unfortunately, can and will relate to at many points during their life. And the best track yet from the Oxford band.

69. “Los Ageless” – St. Vincent

Anne Clark, the 35-year-old from Tulsa, Oklahoma, that goes by the name of St. Vincent, released her fifth studio album, Masseducation this year. Her second track off the album, “Los Ageless,” is a dance-rock, electronic, gem that gets better with each listen.

The repeated line “How can anybody have you and lose you, and not lose their minds too?” will linger in your minds just as long as St. Vincent’s hauntingly beautiful voice and the track’s unforgettable video.

68. “Revenge” – P!nk (featuring Eminem)

P!nk is far and away my favorite female artist of all time, and Eminem is far and away my favorite rapper of all time. The two of them could collaborate on a new jingle for a Burger King Whopper! and I would probably fall in love with it.

With that being said, “Revenge” is exactly what you would expect from a P!nk/Eminem track… lots of swearing, anger, and doing whatever it takes to get back at a partner that has cheated on you. So if you ever find yourself in a committed relationship with P!nk or Eminem, I highly suggest remaining faithful, and not pissing them off.

67. “Over and Over Again” – The Used

Former emo band, The Used, released their self-titled debut album 15 years ago, which is extremely depressing because I vividly remember buying the album, even despite the fact that the vast majority of my college memories are blurred, foggy half-recollections.

The Used have grown and matured not only as individuals, but also as a band. “Over and Over Again” is a solid alt-rock track that is exactly what one would expect from emo-twenty somethings that have had a decade and a half to evolve into mid thirty-something grown men.

66. “Peace Sign” – The Front Bottoms

Childhood friends Brian Sella and Mat Uychich formed The Front Bottoms back in 2007 and after ten years, have released their most impressive album to date with October’s Going Grey. 

“Peace Sign” is catchy, fun, indie-rock that makes you want to sing along, while flashing a peace sign, immediately followed by a middle finger.

More than one time I have been driving down the highway and unable to control myself, sang along while pantomiming to the song, and got caught flipping the bird to unsuspecting drivers that assumed I was directing the gesture to them.

So, be sure you exercise caution while listening to this hell of a fun track.

65.”The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness”-The National

After nearly twenty years together as a band, and a successful career together, The National has released what may be their most radio friendly album yet, with Sleep Well Beast.

Their lead single, and the most interesting song title of the year, “The System Only Dreams In Total Darkness,” highlights lead singer, Matt Berninger’s baritone perfectly, and is a lullaby for adult rock fans.

Just like The National’s predicament in “The System Only Dreams In Total Darkness,” I can’t explain it any other way,” but this track is friggin’ amazing.

64. “You & Me” – Marshmello

“You and Me” by electric dance producer and DJ, Marshmello, is a pop-punk dance track that could have fit perfectly on Now! That’s What I Call Music 5 back in 2000, but also works just as well as a 2017 hit.

Lyrically, the song is about wanting to be in a relationship, and doing your best to prove to your crush that you would be a perfect match for them.

But let’s face it, if you are trying that hard and still can’t get him/her, I’m going to go ahead and assume that they are way out of your league.

63. “Golden Age” – Late Night Episode

“Golden Age” is a friendly reminder that we are living in the age where the internet has completely overtaken many of our lives. While it is one of the most important inventions in modern history, many of us let our lives pass us by while we are busy looking at what everyone else is doing.

“We’re all living on the internet
Oh well, everybody missed out
Sometimes you’re looking at someone else
When you’re searching for yourself”

With those four small lines, Late Night Episode summed up an entire generation.

62. “Can’t Get It Out” – Brand New

Just like Brand New, “I got a positive message, sometimes I can’t get it out.

Now is one of those times.

… But “Can’t Get It Out” is what I’ve come to expect from Brand New; effortless to enjoy.

61. “All On My Mind” – Anderson East

Anderson East is far and away the most underrated musician of the year, and his vocals on “All On My Mind” are Grammy worthy.

You don’t become buddies with Ed Sheeran and date Miranda Lambert unless you are the real deal.

Anderson East should be on all of our minds in 2018, because he is, indeed, the real deal.

 

Songs 60-51