Cold War Kids Archives - Ryan's Countdowns

20. “The Gold” – Manchester Orchestra

Manchester Orchestra deserve a gold medal this year for coming out with what may be their best track in their 13-year history with “The Gold.”

“I believed you were crazy you believed you loved me” are some of the most sing-along-worthy lyrics of the year.

No matter what is going on in your life, “The Gold” will take away your worries, and put you at ease with its laid back tone and gentleness; if only for 4 minutes and 37 seconds. Then its back to your miserable existence.

19. “Young & Wild” – The Strumbellas

Quite unlike “The Gold,” The Strumbellas track “Young & Wild” will have you up out of your seat and ready for a dance-off right from the get-go.

I have said it before, and I’ll say it again, The Strumbellas are the best band to come out of Canada in a very, very long time.

At the moment I can’t think of a band I would want to hang out with more than The Strumbellas, and “Young & Wild” is a perfect example of how they are so fun.

You don’t hear this too often, but good work, Canada! And to The Strumbellas….. more music please.

18. “Can We Hang On?” – Cold War Kids

Besides “Auld Lang Syne” is there a song more appropriate for New Years Eve than “Can We Hang On?” by Cold War Kids?

Vocalist Matt Willett says the song “is a hopeful love song that looks back with nostalgia on the good old days but is uncertain about the future.”

There may not be too much to look back on and love about 2017, but as long as the Cold War Kids are still making music like this, the future is looking bright for alt rock fans.

17. “Speak” – Wild Cub

In the past few months I have single handedly introduced “Speak” by Wild Cub, to no less than twenty friends, and each and every one of them instantly loved the uplifting track from the Nashville indie-pop rock band.

And for the most part, my friends wouldn’t know a good song if it slapped them in the face.

“I still remember the reasons why, I remember, I remember” why I almost drove off the road the first time I hear “Speak.”

Because it was that good.

16. “In Cold Blood” – Alt-J

“In Cold Blood” may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is one of the most unique, “out there” songs of the year, and with every listen I began to enjoy it more and more.

The last minute and a half of the song is literally just “la la la’s.” But I have to say, they may be my favorite “la la la’s” of all time. Sorry Ashley Simpson.

15. “Feel Good” – Neon Trees

Tyler Glenn just has a way about making people feel good. That is why “Feel Good” is so believable and infectious.

Most Neon Trees songs are fun, energetic, and catchy, but “Feel Good” encapsulates all three the way that only Neon Trees can.

If Glenn’s only goal is to make us feel good, he passes with flying colors. As usual.

14. “Daisy” – Goodbye June

It will only take you one listen to Goodbye June’s “Daisy” for you to fall in love with the track and started searching the band on wikipedia to see who they are.

Well, let me help, the Nashville trio has been around since 2005, and the band has been described as being “blues-infused rock with hard-driving beats, blistering guitars, and down and dirty vocals.”

“Daisy” is exactly what modern day rock with classic rock influences should sound like. I’ll tell you one thing, my Spotify playlists will not be saying “goodbye” to Goodbye June anytime soon.

13. “Painkiller” – DREAMERS

DREAMERS, the three-piece band from Manhattan, NY has gotten progressivly more impressive since their debut single “Wolves (You Got Me,)” which made the countdown back in 2015 (#37.)

“Painkiller” is loud, fast, and will get you through that part of your run when you feel like you can’t possibly run any longer.

DREAMERS are beginning to make a solid name for themselves in the alt rock world, and seem to be getting more and more confident in their ability to make tracks that all-out rock.

12. “Middle Fingers” – MISSIO

If anybody out there knows of a way to not sing along and actually sticking up your middle fingers in the air while driving down the highway, please let me know. Because no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to not get caught by someone driving next to me as I am sticking my middle fingers in the air and screaming along to the catchy track about not giving an F.

The message MISSIO is trying to deliver, however, may surprise you. In an interview with Billboard the band says “[It’s] definitely based toward an ‘eff this situation’ mode, but the message is about finding the problem you struggle with, and lifting your middle finger with other people.”

So take that, everyone on the road that thinks I am just flipping the bird to you… I am actually on a mission to create solidarity and peace… So F Off and stop giving me dirty looks.

11. “Edge of Town” – Middle Kids

Perhaps the war

mest welcome to a foreign band this year goes to Sydney Australia’s Middle Kids. Their track “Edge of Town” has a tempo change that is so gradual that when they explode at the end of the track, I feel as though my head is going to explode right along with them.

This is the first and only track I have heard from Middle Kids, but as the new year begins, I will make it a mission to make up for lost time, and get to know the Australian band that I had no idea I was missing out on until now.

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5. Sedona, Houndmouth

For some reason Houndmouth does not seem to receive a substantial amount of radio play. It would be a crying shame if this beauty of a song fades into obscurity without getting the recognition it deserves. A true tale sign of a reamarkable song is when it takes you on a roller coaster of emotions. The first half of “Sedona” is so easy going, thanks to lead singer, Matt Myers’ voice, which is so soothing, that you could listen to it while falling asleep at night, and you would likely drift into a blissful slumber.

At the 3:00 mark, however, “Sedona” transitions from a happy-go-lucky ditty, to an all out rock anthem. The contrast between the first three minutes to the last 45 seconds, is what makes this a true Alternative Rock masterpiece, and makes Myers and Houndmouth, a force to be reckoned with.

4. Tear in My Heart, Twenty One Pilots

Despite the fact that “my taste in music is your face” is one of the most bizarre and confusing lyrics of the year, “Tear in My Heart” is so good that it is easy to forgive that ridiculous line.

The song, rumored to be written about vocalist Tyler Joseph’s wife, is about how he let her in to his emotional side, which led to a tear in his heart. Regardless of its sentimental attachment, “Tear In My Heart” will pump you up and leave you wanting more. With the success that Twenty One Pilots found in 2015, it is very likely that fans will not have to wait very long for them to get back in the studio and ride their wave of momentum to further success.

3. First, Cold War Kids

https://youtu.be/SZzJ78FWjl8

Formed in 2004, Cold War Kids have had a very long road to get to where they are today. But after 11 years and 5 albums, their song “First” was by far the most successful single to date, and finally allowed them to get the recognition they deserve. Living up to its name, “First”, was the bands first number one track on the US Alternative charts.

“First” is a modern day anthem for teenagers everywhere. Teenage years are full of many, many “firsts”, and what better song to have as the soundtrack to your life than this pop-punk-rock gem.

2. Boom, Simple Plan

If you’re between the ages of 25-40 you probably remember Simple Plan, the fun-loving Canadian pop-punk-rock band that took the world by storm with their 2002 debut album, No Helmets, No Pads, Just Balls.

Well, the best thing to come out of Canada since, uh……. ever, is back, and just as fun and catchy as ever. Now in their mid-thirties, the guys from Simple Plan may be feeling a bit more sore the morning after a video shoot, but you certainly wouldn’t be able to tell from their enthusiasm.

“Boom” is one of the most energetic songs of 2015 and should have you singing along by the end of the first time you hear it. If you don’t start fist pumping, dancing, or singing “bo bo bo bo bo bo bo” to “Boom” than you are bo bo bo bo bo bo bo boring.

1. Could Have Been Me, The Struts

The Struts, an English rock band from Derby, England, formed back in 2010, and released their debut album Everybody Wants last year. “Could Have Been Me” has made its way to the States this summer, and after hearing roughly 20 seconds of the track on Alt Nation, I purchased the track on iTunes before the song was even over.

The Struts have dubbed their style as “Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll” after the song by The Killers. Not only are The Struts glamorous, party animals that could hang with AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses in their prime, they are full-on rock stars with the ability to get your 90 year old grandmother out of her rocking chair, and ready to get the party started.

“Could Have Been Me” is a epic rock anthem that will make you want to practice rolling your r’s, so you can properly sing along to this killer track.