Author Archives: Ryan Jacobson

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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

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Top 100 Songs of 2017 (80-71)

Click here for songs 100 – 91
Click here for songs 90-81

Cont…

80. “Weak” – AJR

Well, if this isn’t the story of my life, I don’t know what is. “Weak,” by New York based, Indie-pop band AJR, is about fighting the urge to give in to temptation. For anyone like me, that has the self-control of a four year old with a severe case of ADD, “Weak” will resonate with you and put you at ease knowing that you are not the only adult that needs a full-time babysitter.

 

79. “Call the Police” – LCD Soundsystem

“Call the Police” is LCD Soundsystem’s lead single off their fourth studio album, American Dream. Clocking in at just over seven minutes, it at times feels like LCD has me on an LSD psychedelic trip.

Don’t worry about not being able to sing along, however, as “call the police” is about the only words that I can make out, which directly relates to why I have no clue what the song is about. Nor do I care.It is a relaxing, laid back track that will make your mind wander free as a bird.

*Also, just for the record, mom, I have never been on an LSD psychedelic trip, I am just imagining that this song would be perfect playing in the background if I ever decided to pick up the habit.

78. “The Day I Die” – The National

Only The National’s lead singer, Matt Berninger, can sing about death and dying, yet have such a soothing, calming voice that makes the song almost happy and uplifting.

In “The Day I Die” Berninger mentions his deceased Great Uncle Valentine. A “sweet and happy” bachelor who loved his pizza and beer. However, when he had too many beers he got cranky and didn’t want to hang out with family, so he always pulled an Irish goodbye and snuck out the door when nobody was looking.

You hear that nephews, Andrew and Liam? One day when you start writing and performing music, I expect a song written about being a sweet, happy man that loves pizza and beer, but gets loud, annoying and wildly inappropriate when he drinks to much at family gatherings.

 

77. “Miracle” – Story of the Year

Story of the Year just released their first album in seven years, and they picked up right where they left off. “Miracle” is pop, punk, alt-rock, emo, and hard-rock all rolled into one four minute track.

Story of the Year has matured since their massive hit “Until the Day I Die” back in 2003, but they still have the distinct sound that make them stand out from many of the bands that have come and gone since the early 2000’s. Hopefully “Miracle” is a sign that the band can be the rock comeback “story of the year” in 2018.

76. “Every Day’s the Weekend” – Alex Lahey

Alex Lahey, the twenty-five year old singer-songwriter from Melbourne, Australia quickly became the international breakout star in the alt-rock world this year.

“Every Day’s the Weekend” is a fun, energetic rock track about the beginning stages of a relationship, and the feeling of only wanting to spend time with your significant other, and do nothing else.

Lahey says the track has a “oh I’m just going to pull a sickie and hang out,” kind of vibe. Who doesn’t love “pulling a sickie” when they are not “sickie?” I am welcoming this Aussie to the States with open arms.

75. “Seven Sticks of Dynamite” – AWOLNATION

“Seven Sticks of Dynamite” is the latest single off AWOLNATION’s upcoming third studio album, Here Come the Runts. And if “Dynamite” is any indication, we are in for yet another killer album from the band.

The track begs to be sung along to, and after watching the video, I am pretty sure I need to recruit six friends, sit at a bar, and put the song on TouchTunes until we nail every last lyric.

Also, if Duff McKagan from Guns N’ Roses agrees to appear in your video, you know it has to be a pretty damn solid rock track.

74. “Back in Your Head” – Tegan and Sara (feat. Ryan Adams)

Back in October, Canadian indie rock duo, Tegan and Sara released The Con X: Covers, which is a track by track reworking of their 2007 album, The Con. 

Each song is covered by a different artist, and “Back in Your Head” had the honor of being remade by the king of covers himself, Ryan Adams. Like just about everything Adams touches, “Back in Your Head” is pure gold and dare I say, is even better than the original.

 

73. “Bedroom Floor” – Liam Payne

2017 was the year of former One Direction guys, and perhaps the most surprising success story is that of Liam Payne. Payne, often regarded as the least recognizable of the One Direction guys, had three hits including “Strip That Down” and “Get Low.”

But it was “Bedroom Floor,” his third single, that confirmed him as a legit solo artist, and gave reason for Payne to be in the conversation about the best solo act from the former boy band.

“Bedroom Floor” tackles the issue of infidelity in a relationship, and showcases Payne’s ridiculously impressive falsetto. “Bedroom Floor” is solid proof that Payne could easily become the Timberlake of One Direction.

72. “Sit Next To Me” – Foster the People

Foster the People sure know how to get the party started. If “Sit Next To Me” doesn’t get you shaking your shoulders and swaying your hips, you’re either dead, or even worse, a complete dud.

Not since we were asked to “stomp our feet” in 1900’s “If You’re Happy and You Know It” has a song about sitting down gotten our blood flowing like “Sit Next To Me.” In fact, I’d be willing to bet money that this may be the most dance-worthy song about sitting down in the history of music. Brilliant, Foster the People. In summary, to quote your revolutionary predecessors, “Sit Next To Me” makes me very happy, and I know it.

71. “The Death of You & I” – Isaac Gracie

The first time you hear “The Death of You & I” by UK artist, Isaac Gracie, you are going to have to do a double take to make sure that the station didn’t change, or your Spotify didn’t skip to the next song.

In fact, “The Death of You & I” is like three songs all rolled into one thrilling 5-minute track. Based on the hauntingly, almost hypnotizing opening minute and twenty seconds, you would never suspect the full-on electrifying rock scream-o, mosh-pitter’s dream song it quickly becomes. Throw in some Eddie Vedder’esque rock/rap/spoken word brilliance towards the end, and you got an epic song that begs to be played to a sold out arena.

 

70 – 61 

 

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Top 100 Songs of 2017 (90-81)

Click here for songs 100 – 91

Cont….

90. “Broken” – lovelytheband

No song this year encapsulates the ole’ saying “misery loves company” better than lovelytheband’s debut single, “Broken.”

Vocalist, Mitchy Collins says of the track, “This song is about finding someone who is just as f—ed up and lost as you are, but somehow you make it work together. Everyone is a little bit broken inside, nobody’s perfect. This song is an ode to the broken ones.”

I can imagine if you are broken and lonely, the last person you want to fall in love with is someone that is not broken or lonely. It seems to me as though comparing yourself to your superior partner would just make you even more broken, and consequently, more lonely. Lovelytheband may be on to something here.

Even if you are not broken or lonely, you should certainly be looking forward to hearing much more of lovelytheband in 2018.

89. “The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home” – Declan McKenna

Declan McKenna may be the most mature 18 year old that has ever existed. Over the past two years he has released more deep-thinking, soul-searching, politically charged songs than most people that have been in the business for decades.

McKenna says “The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home” is a song I wrote about being a young person in the modern world. It’s about wanting to challenge fears and be part of a movement of change, and looking for hope despite a lot of dark and horrible things happening around the world.“

I fully support McKenna’s musical career, but should it not pan out for him, I would also fully support his political career.

88. “On Hold” – The xx

If you have ever let someone carelessly slip away from you, “On Hold” by The xx will bring back all of those feelings of self-hate and regret. If you want to have a pity party for yourself, this song needs to be on repeat all night.

87. “Sweat” – The All American Rejects

What better way for the All-American Rejects to “swing, swing” back onto the scene five years after their last album, Kids In The Street, than to have an 11 minute music video of lead singer Tyson Ritter playing a high-heeled prostitute.

I can’t think of any.

“Sweat” embodies the fun, catchy, anthemic rock that All-American Rejects have been known for since their self-titled album was released over 15 years ago.

86. “Holy Mountain” – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds

Not since Cain and Able have two brothers not been able to get along as much as the Gallagher brothers.

And to be honest, as long as they both continue to put out music as addicting as they did this year, I don’t care who’s fault it is that Oasis can’t get back together. “Holy Mountain” is proof that sometimes two bands may be better than one.

85. “Galway Girl” – Ed Sheeran

Not since Scarlett O’Hara’s “fiddle dee dee” outburst in 1939’s Gone With the Wind has the use of the word “fiddle” been so prominently featured in pop culture.

As if you needed any assurance, “Galway Girl” is proof that Ed Sheeran can sing about anything and turn it into a pop-rock masterpiece. This song happens to be about a girl from Galway, Ireland that plays a fiddle in an Irish band. But I am fairly confident that Sheeran could sit down for a pint of Guinness and by the time he was finished have written the next Billboard chart toping hit about a guy from the Australian aboriginal region of Nitmiluk that excels at playing the didgeridoo.

This aboriginal Australian man playing the didgeridoo could very well be the inspiration for the next big Ed Sheeran hit. (photo cred: wikipedia.)

 

84. “Breaking Free” – Night Riots

Upon first listening to “Breaking Free,” one would be certain that the latest hit from the California rock band, Night Riots, is about going through a messy break up.

“You’re not my savior, just someone I used to see
I am broken
Something’s wrong inside of me
I feel violent
Like I’m dying
I feel broken
Maybe I’m just breaking free”

However, using my journalistic detective skills, I cannot help but make a very strong correlation between the lyrics to this song, and how I feel during the work week.

See for yourself…

My thoughts while at work:

Monday: I am broken, something’s wrong inside of me
Tuesday: I feel violent
Wednesday: Like I’m dying
Thursday: I feel broken
End of work on Friday: I’M JUST BREAKING FREE!

Any way you slice it, the song is pretty damn intense, and some of Night Riots best work yet.

83. “Love Me Better” – Love Thy Brother (feat. Ariel Beesley)

While technically released in 2016, “Love Me Better” by sibling duo, Love Thy Brother gained popularity in 2017. In my opinion, however, it is a travesty how little exposure this song has received so far. It has some of the best vocals of the year (with special guest singer Ariel Beesley,) a hell of a great beat, and a “bloody” interesting music video.

I’m prepared to riot in 2018 if Love Thy Brother release more gems only to be relatively ignored by mainstream radio.

82. “Cross My Mind” – A R I Z O N A

Technically “Cross My Mind” by A R I Z O N A could be considered a “break-up song,” but it is more of an “I’m sorry that I was such a jerk that you were forced to break up with me – can we please get back together – I promise I will be better” song.

“Cross My Mind” is a little bit rock, a little bit electronic, and a little bit of whatever the hell Matisyaho is.

More than just about any band on the countdown, I am most excited to see what A R I Z O N A will bring to the table in 2018, as they seem to be at the beginning of a potentially very long career in the rock-electronic-Matisyaho world of fantastic music.

81. “Machine” – MisterWives

What do you get when you throw 2 parts Shakira, 2 parts Dolores O’Riordan (of The Cranberries,) and 1 part Gwen Stefani into a blender? The result is a delicious “Machine” frozen cocktail powerful enough to knock you on your ass.

MisterWives’ lead singer Mandy Lee passionately belts the message that they will not be part of anybody’s machine. It’s a song about individuality and the freedom to express yourself, and could not be a more perfect song to sum up 2017.

(On a side note: how much fun does hanging out with MisterWives look like? I may have to sneak my way backstage at their next New England show and go on an epic, Mad Max-style road trip with them.)

 

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