Category Archives: Music

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Top 100 Songs of 2015 (10 – 6)

Songs 100 – 91     Songs 90-81     Songs 80-71     Songs 70-61     Songs 60-51                   Songs 50-41         Songs 40-31     Songs 30-21     Songs 20-16    Songs 15-11

10. Go Big Or Go Home, American Authors

Adding to their list of hit songs that are impossible to not sing along with, Boston band, American Authors hit it out of the park this year with “Go Big Or Go Home”. The ultimate song about living life to the fullest, “Go Big Or Go Home” will get the party started and help justify having one more beer…. before having one more beer…… before having one more beer…. before going home.

9. Blame It On Me, George Ezra

George Ezra, the 22 year old singer-songwriter from the UK, is known for his big vocals, and deep voice. His 2014 hit, “Budapest” became a worldwide smash hit, and launched his musical career. “Blame It On Me,” however, shows off his musical range even more, and confirms that this kid is the real deal.

The amount of passion Ezra is able to exude through his voice is well beyond his years. Combine that with his likability and sense of humor (as portrayed in his music videos) and a new singer-songwriter superstar is on the horizon.

 

8. Get Me Out Of Here, Third Eye Blind

Not only is “Get Me Out of Here” one of Third Eye Blind’s best songs in years, it has the potential to be one of their best videos in their nearly 20 year career.

Stephen Jenkins and the boys put their acting abilities to the test in “Get Me Out of Here”and despite Jenkins being his typical overly-dramatic self, they make it work. The video is a tribute to the 40th anniversary of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”, which helps the band relay their intended meaning of the song, which is “a personal story of introspection after a dark beginning”.

Even without the music video, “Get Me Out of Here” is an anthem. It is epic. And it is Third Eye Blind at their best.

7. Someone New, Hozier

Just when you think this song could not get any better, Hozier releases the music video featuring Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer (AKA Margaery Tyrell) as an ultra sexy vixen that trots around town and falls in love with every person she meets. If the Oscars awarded trophies to the Best Actress in a music video, Dormer has my vote.

At an iHeart Radio live event, Hozier says the following about “Someone New”….

“This next song is a fun one, it’s about love at its most… futile and shallow and useless,” he said. “And, awkwardly, I wrote it with an ex-girlfriend.”

“Someone New” is so lighthearted and carefree that even people with the coldest, blackest hearts, will fall in love with it.

6. Songs I Can’t Listen To, Neon Trees

There are few lead men in Alternative Rock today that are more genuine than Tyler Glenn, lead singer of Neon Trees. While you should never wallow in someone else’s relationship mishaps, any true rock fan secretly thanks the Lord that Glenn has had less than amicable breakups. “Songs I Can’t Listen To”

is the latest end-of-relationship rock gem from Neon Trees, and who does not have at least one song makes you sweat because it reminds you of someone from your past that you no longer are on speaking terms with?

“And it’s all because of you. I got a list of songs, I can’t listen to. And it’s all because we’re through, I got a list of songs I can’t listen to.”

While it will be difficult for Neon Trees to attain the worldwide success they had with “Everybody Talks”, they continue to produce fun, energetic music, and have solidified their place in the world of alt. rock.

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Top 100 Songs of 2015 (#15-10)

Songs 100 – 91     Songs 90-81     Songs 80-71     Songs 70-61     Songs 60-51                   Songs 50-41         Songs 40-31     Songs 30-21     Songs 20-16

15. Shots, Imagine Dragons

Like the apology tour that needs to be taken after a night of heavy drinking, Shots is about saying you’re sorry for everything you’ve done.

Imagine Dragons frontman, Dan Reynolds may need to apologize for the things he has done when he was younger, but since Imagine Dragons bursted onto the music scene a few years back, he has absolutely nothing to feel remorseful about; especially this catchy track that only gets more and more enjoyable after each and every listen.

14. Everything Is Easy, Third Eye Blind

It was a long, grueling six years for die hard Third Eye Blind fans, but Dopamine was worth the wait. Their first single, “Everything Is Easy” is 1997 Third Eye Blind blasted 18 years into the future at warp speed. It is fun, upbeat, and as catchy as anything they have released since the 90’s. In a press release for their latest album, the band says the following…

“Employing signature guitar riffs and rock arrangements, Dopamine is vintage Third Eye Blind – a body of work whose songwriting details the personal relationships that have come and gone and the rapidly changing world we live in. A lot can change in six years, and while the sound has progressed, the recordings retain the endearing sentiment Third Eye Blind fans new and old have come to love.”

Despite “Non-Dairy Creamer” being a mild radio success, it has been 12 years since the band has had a bonafide radio hit. “Blinded” reached #35 on the Alternative Rock chart back in 2003, and you would have to go all the way back to 2000 to see Third Eye Blind’s name on the Billboard Top 100, with their hit “Deep Inside of You.”

Rumors have been swirling that this may be the last album by the band, but if I know Stephen Jenkins, he will get the itch to be back in the spotlight soon, and the long wait for the next album will begin. Hopefully the wait will be worth it, the way it was for “Everything Is Easy,” and the entire Dopamine album.

13. Still Want You, Brandon Flowers

Brandon Flowers’ sophomore album, The Desired Effect, was widely regarded as one of the most anticipated albums of 2015, and he did not disappoint. Flowers, the mastermind behind the rock band The Killers, has garnered more positive reviews than just about any other album in 2015.

“The best straight-up pop album made by a rock star in recent memory.” – Rolling Stone

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/brandon-flowers-the-desired-effect-20150519

“The other predicted effect of the album? A desire to play it repeatedly.”

http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/05/18/review-brandon-flowers-the-desired-effect/cwsLI5M7AZIH9VNtBaVcGN/story.html#

“It’s Flowers’ unique presence–equal parts Wild West underdog and glitzy glam messiah–that really transforms Effect’s Reagan-era throwbacks into forward-thinking Instagram-age rock.”

http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/05/18/review-brandon-flowers-the-desired-effect/cwsLI5M7AZIH9VNtBaVcGN/story.html

Every track on the album could be considered a “must listen to song,” but the song, “Still Want You” is so much fun that it was released as a single with an accompanying music video. “Still Want You” uses the most negative societal issues as a contrast to how much he still loves his subject. Despite all of these awful, terrible things that the world is going through, I still want you, says Flowers.

“Time is passing by
I still want you
Crime is on the rise
I still want you
Climate change is dead
I still want you
Nuclear distress
I still want you
The Earth is heating up
I still want you
Hurricanes and floods
I still want you
Even more than I did before”

As critics and fans agree, Brandon is still very much wanted, even more than he ever was before.

12. SOB, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats

One of Alt-Rocks breakout acts of the year is Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats. SOB is rock, country, soul, gospel, r&b, and folk all rolled into one energetic song about drinking.

Pushing the limits of what is considered “radio friendly,” SOB grabs listeners attention on the lyrics alone, but holds the listeners attention throughout due to Nate & the Night Sweats energy, enthusiasm, and uniqueness.

11. Mercy, Muse

Muse, easily one of the most epic bands of the past 30 years, has released yet another song that is an adventure to just listen to it. “Mercy” is like a 4 minute broadway musical with enough highs and lows to make Andrew Lloyd Webber quiver.

“Mercy” is dramatic, it is scary, it is emotional, and it is one of the best songs that Muse has ever released in their wildly successful career.

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Top 100 Songs of 2015 – Part 9 (Songs 20-16)

Songs 100 – 91     Songs 90-81     Songs 80-71     Songs 70-61     Songs 60-51                    Songs 50-41         Songs 40-31     Songs 30-21

20. Nothing Without Love, Nate Ruess

The debut single from Nate Ruess, “Nothing Without Love,” proved that this guy has the ability to shine as a solo artist while his band, Fun, is on hiatus. With one of the most distinctive voices in the business, it is obvious from the first few notes that it is Ruess passionately perfecting the vocals on this memorable track.

19. I Am, AWOLNATION

Awolnation’s latest track, “I Am” was born from the rejection lead singer, Aaron Bruno felt upon initial feedback of their recent album, Run. 

“I Am” is about being an individual, and standing out from the crowd. Fittingly, the song was used in a Red Bull commercial about athletes excelling in their sport. “I Am” will pump you up and get you motivated to face your fears and take on the world.

18. Ditmas, Mumford and Sons

Mumford & Sons finally released Ditmas as a single right at the end of the year, making it the third Mumford release in 2015, and the third to make the top 40 in this countdown. Named after a neighborhood in Brooklyn where the track was recorded, Ditmas is a stand out track on an album that is filled with gems.

If someone has been hibernating for a year and not heard any of the new tracks on Wilder Mind, “Ditmas” would be the first track I would play for them, as it fully embodies the new direction that the band is taking. Gone are the days of banjo heavy tracks. Say hello to the new electric, rock and roll Mumford & Sons. A very, very warm welcome indeed.

17. Jackie & Wilson, Hozier

This is for all the naysayers who doubted that Hozier would be anything other than a one hit wonder after the smashing success of last year’s “Take Me to Church”. Not only has Hozier followed up “…Church” with “From Eden”, “Work Song”, and the recently released “Someone New”, this gem of a song has not even officially been released as a single, but it is still getting radio play.

“Jackie and Wilson” is Hozier’s homage to the late R&B singer, Jackie Wilson, whom he idolizes.

“We’ll name our children Jackie and Wilson, raise them on rhythm and blues”, is as much of a compliment as an artist can give to their inspirations. In fact, if Hozier can record another album as phenomenal as Hozier, I may feel the need to have a child and name him Hozier, and raise him on, well, Hozier.

16. Can’t Deny My Love, Brandon Flowers

“Can’t Deny My Love,” the debut single off Brandon Flowers’ sophomore solo album, The Desired Effect, is synth-pop rock at its very best. Not many people can pull off epic, the way Flowers can, and “Can’t Deny My Love” is a perfect example.

Brandon Flowers, arguably the most talented front man in music today, has proven that he can do it all, from writing killer (pardon the pun) songs, and flawlessly nailing vocals, to playing the keyboard, and even being the lead actor in his music videos.

All you Killers fans can take a deep breath, because they are expecting to begin work on their fifth studio album in 2016, and Brandon Flowers is sure to lead the guys to continued success.