Posted on by

Top 100 Songs of 2015 Part 2 (90-81)

Click here for part 1 (100-91)

90. State of My Head, Shinedown

After a brief hiatus, Shinedown is back and as intimidating as ever (see above video.) While they seem to be having a bit of a difficult time finding the radio success of their earlier work, Shinedown’s latest album Threat to Survival is packed with radio friendly hits like “State of My Head.”

Some hardcore Shinedown fans are a bit put off by the band “going soft,” as they have been known as one of the more successful hard rock bands to emerge in the past ten years. But for the majority of Shinedown fans, “State of My Head,” as well as a handful of other tracks on Threat to Survival confirm that their favorite hard rock band is still capable of releasing catchy, adrenaline pumping rock music.

89. Kick the Dust Up, Luke Bryan

“Kick the Dust Up” is another instant classic party song from Luke Bryan. If “Kick the Dust Up” doesn’t make you wish that you lived in the mid-west where you had corn fields easily accessible to you, than I don’t know what will.

The song focuses on the awfulness of going to a crowded bar, waiting in long lines, having no personal space, and paying way too much for a drink. Why would any country-folk put themselves through that if they could go out in the fields and have their own party? I don’t know about you, but I have already begun searching for flights to Nebraska for a relocation.

88. The Next Storm, Frank Turner

“The Next Storm” is the first single off Frank Turner’s sixth studio album, Positive Songs for Negative People. If you are saying to yourself “SIXTH ALBUM? I’ve never heard of this guy,” then you have been missing out on some brilliant music. Might I strongly recommend starting with “The Way I Tend To Be” and going from there.

When asked about the inspiration of “The Next Storm” Turner says…

“Emerging from a storm shelter to find that, while the tornado destroyed the town, you and your family survived, the sun is out, and you can start rebuilding.”

Frank Turner is rock, folk and punk all tied together and blended beautifully. Throw in his past experience as the lead vocalist of the post-hardcore band Million Dead, and you have a recipe for success. Turner continues to write relevant, inspiring music that is effortless to enjoy.

87. I Was Me, Imagine Dragons

“I Was Me” is no ordinary Imagine Dragons mega-hit. It is a charity single that the band wrote for the One4 Project with all proceeds going to the UN Refugee Agency to support fleeing refugees in the Middle East.

The guys in Imagine Dragons continue to use their fame to make positive changes in the world. First they created the Tyler Robinson Foundation to raise money for young people battling cancer, then they release this beautiful track to help fleeing refugees, and just a few weeks ago they helped Miss Piggy by appearing on her talk show on ABC’s “The Muppets.” These guys are full-on, modern day Mother Teresa’s.

86. I Feel Love (Every Million), The Dead Weather

Supergroup The Dead Weather is composed of members from The Raconteurs, Queens of the Stone Age, The Kills, and other successful bands. While the most notable member of the band is Jack White, it is lead singer Alison Mosshart that makes “I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)” instantly unforgettable. The track, however, should come with a warning tag cautioning listeners that they may experience sudden outbursts of rage.

Not many other bands in music today can compare to the uniqueness of The Dead Weather. “I Feel Love” is angry, jaded, and meant to be played at maximum volume: a true rock and roll gem.

85. Up Up Up, Waters

Unlike the previous song, “Up Up Up” is an upbeat pop-rock track that will improve your mood rather than darken your mood such as the aforementioned “I Feel Love”.

Formed in Oslo, Norway back in 2011, Waters have recently found success in the States and have the potential to tear up the alt rock charts in 2016. While “Up Up Up” barely got any radio play, the band clearly has the ability to produce radio friendly music. After just one listen, Waters will have you singing up up up up up up up up up a storm.

84. Uma Thurman, Fall Out Boy

“Uma Thurman” left people scratching their heads more than any other song this year. Is it even about Uma Thurman? Is it about Pulp Fiction? Is that the theme from The Munsters?

Regardless of what the song is about, it is incredibly catchy and impossible to get out of your head.

83. Do You Wanna Get High?, Weezer

Despite the fact that Weezer currently has no record label, and there are no plans for a new album, the band released two songs last month. And “Do You Wanna Get High?” is classic Weezer.

Rivers recently admitted that the song is about a former girlfriend that he had around 2000. This was also the same time that he was hanging out with Fred Durst quite often. Anyone that hung around Fred Durst “quite often” in 2000 and is still alive to write songs about it deserves the utmost respect and recognition.

82. Run, Coin

The fact that the video for Coin’s “Run” does not come with a DO NOT TRY ANY OF THIS AT HOME warning is mind boggling. But other than that, these hooligans, who refer to themselves as “products of the 90’s” are the real deal.

After recording their debut album in Nashville, Coin released this track, “Run” as their first single. In a March 26, 2015 interview with Billboard Coin describes the song as..

“‘Run’ is the story of our post-teenage [and] pre-adulthood ambition: the freedom of moving out of our parents’ house, the angsty idea of ‘anti 9-5,’ and the possibility, although unlikely, of attaining success.”

What twenty year old will not consider “Run” perhaps the most relatable song of the year?

81. High Dive, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

Last year Andrew McMahon re-introduced himself to alt rock fans with the wildly popular “Cecilia and the Satellite,” a tribute to his daughter. McMahon, the former lead singer of the bands Something Corporate, and Jack’s Mannequin, followed up “Cecilia” with this year’s “High Dive.”

“High Dive” is a “what if?” scenario about his relationship with his wife. Unlike his first single, “High Dive” is a pop-rock track that will make you w

ant to dance. McMahon has proven that he can be a stand alone artist, and just as successful as he was when he had the support of his bands. Hopefully McMahon has a few more family members that he can write some killer songs about.

Songs 80-71 will be released on Wednesday 12/9/15

 

Posted on by

Top 100 Songs of 2015 Part 1 (100-91)

To any music fan, the best part about the end of the year is not holidays, vacations, or time spent with family and loved ones: it is the end of the year countdowns. This year, to commemorate the 6th year of Ryans Countdowns “Best Songs of the Year”  there will be a Top 100 Songs of 2015 Countdown.

Each list of 10 songs will be released every 3 days throughout the month of December, until the reveal of the #1 Song of 2015, which will be revealed on New Years Eve.

While the Top 100 Songs of the Year are all Rock based, there is a wide array of genres represented in this years countdown. Of course the list is littered with Alt-Rock songs, including Indie Rock and Folk Rock. There is, however, also a significant showing from Pop-Rock songs, Country-Rock songs, Hard-Rock songs, and even a dusting of Electric-Rock songs.

Certainly the lines of what is considered “Rock” may be blurred, but each of these listener friendly songs, were either released in 2015, or near the very end of 2014, making them ineligible to make last years lists.

This is NOT a list of the best selling or most popular songs of 2015 (sorry Adele and Taylor Swift.) This IS a list of the best “rock” songs of the year, some of which were massive hits, but many of which were shamefully overlooked by pop culture. Either way, there is guaranteed to be at least one song you have never heard, and will instantly fall in love with.

And when the ball drops on New Years Eve, you can be confident that you did not let 2015 pass without appreciating some of the best music of the year.

TOP 100 Rock Songs of 2015…

 

100. Electric Love, BØRNS

When “Electric Love” first came on the airwaves back in the Spring, conversations about the new “Florence and the Machine” song began sprouting up around the alt-rock community.
However, despite the fact that “Florence” did indeed release new music in 2015, this was not one of her songs, nor was it even a female. Not believing my ears, I looked up the video to see for myself that this voice was coming out of a man (and I still could not tell until the final 5 seconds.) After intensive research, I can confirm that BØRNS is certainly a man. The bad news: music does not have the next “Florence and the Machine.” The good news: the next Hozier could bless us with more buzz-worthy tracks in 2016.

WARNING: Video may cause seizures. Or at least the sensation of being higher than Willie Nelson at Woodstock in 1969.

 

99. Song for Someone, U2

An accompanying 7-minute short film featuring Woody Harrelson as a prisoner being released from a high security prison is just about the only thing that could make “Song for Someone” any better. Luckily for U2, their wish was Woody’s command.

“Song for Someone” is possibly U2’s best song since 2000’s “Beautiful Day.” In fact, the only person that has any right to dislike it is Bono’s wife, Alison, who the song is actually about. Poor Ali has to share the spotlight with any woman whose husband is not as cool as Bono (A.K.A. every guy in the world). I suppose the alliteration has a much better ring to it than “Song for Ali” so you are forgiven this time Bono.

98. Way Too Much, Wavves

“Way Too Much” is the debut single off Wavves’ fifth studio album, appropriately titled, V. Apparently Wavves lead singer Nathan Williams got into a heated argument with their label as to the logistics behind releasing “Way Too Much”, which teeters on the verge of punk-rock, and is about the long search to finding a purpose in life. “Here I am, I’m just stumbling and I’m looking for a purpose.”

Hopefully the long battle between the band and their label will give the guys in Wavves more material and determination to get back in the studio and give us more great music in 2016.
Regardless, “Way Too Much” has given me my most quoted line from a song this year, as I have ended numerous painful conversations by abruptly singing “this conversations getting boooooringggg,” thus ending said conversation and allowing me to get back to listening to Wavves.

97. Sugar, Maroon 5

On December 4th, 2014 Adam Levine and the boys of Maroon 5 spent the day going around LA , surprising newly married couples during their wedding receptions and preforming “Sugar” for them. Unfortunately the cameras stopped rolling before we could see the brides leave their own receptions and run after Levine’s car, but I’m sure it happened at least once. As a groom, the last person you want appearing at your wedding reception is a recipient of People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive award, but I digress.

“Sugar” has nearly 900,000,000 views on youtube. For those of you that can’t read that number, that says 900 MILLION. Nearly a billion views.

Levine’s voice is one of the most distinct voices in the history of rock and roll, and “Sugar” puts his flawless falsetto under a microscope. While the song is catchy enough on its own, and would have been a hit regardless, Maroon 5 hit it out of the park with their unique video that took the internet by storm.

 

96. Time Machine, Ingrid Michaelson

It has been 10 years since Ingrid Michaelson released her debut album, Slow the Rain and since then she has steadily released album after impressive album. Her newest effort, Lights Out, released in April of 2014, spawned one of her biggest hits to date, “Girls Chase Boys“, which received massive radio airplay and saw her highest chart success since 2007’s “The Way I Am.”
Despite its lack of commercial “success” however, “Time Machine” may be Michaelson’s best track yet, as she offers advice to her past self and wishes she had a time machine to encourage herself to run away and never get involved with someone that would alter the ending to their would-be love story.

“You slammed that door and left me standing all alone
We wrote the story
We turned the pages
You changed the end like everybody said you would”

Michaelson, a self-proclaimed “feminist since birth” breaks the hearts of the star studded cast of comedic actors in one of the best videos of 2015. It is clear that after 10 years in the music industry, Michaelson has made her mark, and become one of the leading ladies in the singer-songwriter scene. Perhaps more importantly, she has made her mark as my favorite “feminist since birth” of all time.

95. Suicide Saturday, Hippo Campus

Rolling Stone named Hippo Campus the best newcomers at Lollapalooza 2015 and after seeing the video for “Suicide Saturday” it is easy to see why. The boys of Hippo Campus are only 20-21 years old, but clearly their age is not a factor when performing. “Suicide Saturday” sounds like is it from a band with years of experience, not four college aged hipsters. After a few listens, try to not sing along with the “Ooooh Oooooh” part, and you will surely fail.

Bottom line: Hippo Campus is One Direction for grown men that actually like One Direction, but are too embarrassed to admit it. Expect big things from these hipsters in 2016.

94. Don’t Wait Up, Robert DeLong

Robert DeLong is capable of playing more instruments than I can name off the top of my head. In addition to vocals, DeLong, the 29 year old “electronic musician” from Bothell, Washington plays the keyboards, drums, sampler, and about a zillion other nob-like “instruments” in the impressive video for “Don’t Wait Up.”

“Don’t Wait Up” is a party song for the biggest of party animals, despite the fact that DeLong isn’t “leaving with the light” because he was partying, but rather because he was working; on his music. In an interview with iHeartRadio Delong says of the songs meaning….

“We (fellow musicians Youngblood Hawke) were talking a lot about the fact that we’re the kind of people that like to lock ourselves in our studios, and we’ll lose track of time, and it’ll be nine in the morning, and we’ve been working all night, and our girlfriends will come walking in, and be like, ‘Hey, it’s time to get breakfast, what are you doing?’

DeLong goes on to explain the process as “creative insomnia.” That is great for musicians and all, but I am still going to go ahead and relate the song to a night of partying, and instead of the line “I stumble out of my home,” insist on singing “I stumble INTO my home.”
It is a much more fitting line for all the party animals that will use “Don’t Wait Up” as their anthem.

Read more: http://news.iheart.com/articles/trending-471311/interview-robert-delong-talks-new-album-13946988/#ixzz3t7BOxTuK

93. Brazil, Declan McKenna

Declan McKenna, the new kid on the block (literally kid, as he is only 16 years old) will likely be on many critics “Rookie of the Year” lists. “Brazil” is McKenna’s debut single about the 2014 World Cup and the corruption within FIFA. Not only is McKenna’s voice mature for his age, but his music has the depth that typically only a seasoned musician could achieve.

Most kids McKenna’s age can not even write a proper sentence, let alone a meaningful song about a controversial current event.

Regardless of what he is singing about, his voice is velvety smooth when it needs to be and effortlessly screechy when it needs to be. Even if McKenna decides to write a song about petty high school woes in 2016, expect it to be delivered flawlessly. If he can maintain his momentum in 2016, this Brit could have an even better year ahead, and the beginnings of a potentially life-long music career.

92. Failure, Breaking Benjamin

In precisely the same way that marijuana is supposedly a “gateway drug” to more addictive and dangerous drugs, so is Breaking Benjamin a gateway band to hard rock music. They have proved their staying power and shown that are in it for the long hall. Breaking Benjamin can be so intense and persuasive, that “Failure” is sure to leave you feeling one of two ways:

a) You feel superb, and above all else. You’re not the failure, those loser friends of yours are.
b) You consider yourself a failure and always have. This song makes you want to jump off a bridge.

That alone, is the true tale sign of an amazing song.

91. Hallelujah, Panic! At the Disco

For all you sinful boys and girls out there, fear not, Panic! at the Disco has released a song for you in place of having to go to confession: “Hallelujah!”
Panic! has been around for years, but not since 2006’s “I Write Sins, Not Tragedies” has a Panic! song been so successful.

“Hallelujah!” will make you sing, dance, and throw your hands in the air faster than the front row of an Ellen Degeneres audience during her Christmas week giveaway extravaganza.

Bottom line: Panic! at the Disco can do no wrong, and “Hallelujah” proves that after 11 years, they are better than ever.

 

Comment below with your favorite of the ten songs. Or if you are an alien and hate them all, tell me that too.

Songs #90-81 coming Sunday 12-6

Posted on by

5 Songs You May Have Missed This Past Year, But Need to Hear Right Now

Due to modern technology and the vast resources that are available for us to hear new music, now, more than ever, we are likely to miss out on some songs that deserve our attention. Because of your local radio stations, you may be unaware that artists besides Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and Adele have released music this year. Here are 5 songs you missed, and need to be a part of your playlist. Better late than never.

5. “The Money”, Charlie Mars (released September 2014)

Everyone has dreamed about winning the Powerball and never having to worry about financial woes ever again. And we have all heard the phrase “money doesn’t make you happy” or variations of it. I don’t know about you, but I am certainly the happiest on pay days (well, pay day nights, after about 2pm.)

Charlie Mars, a singer-songwriter from Mississippi, is here to tell us once and for all, that money can not buy happiness in this folk-rock, laid-back jam.

“I thought when we got the money we could buy the pain away. But then we got it, and when we got it, the money, it wanted to stay…”

Mars crushes the vocals with his smooth, flawless voice that makes you want to lounge by the pool, sip on a cocktail and never get up.

Who will like this track? Fans of Dispatch, Jason Mraz, Ryan Adams etc.

4. “Kiss This”, The Struts (released April of 2014)

The Struts are a rock band from Derby, England, and have had a massive year expanding their fandom to the States with their hit “Could’ve Been Me” which was released way back in 2013 in the UK, and not until the summer of 2015 in the States.

The band has dubbed their style as “glamorous indie rock and roll” in reference to The Killers song by the same name (which is itself a must hear track.)

“Kiss This” is the definition of a rock track. It is so full on rock that it almost comes across as scary, which is what rock and roll is meant to be. If Freddie Mercury was still alive, he would be lead singer, Luke Spiller, which is meant as a massive compliment to both men. “Kiss This” will get your fists pumping and ready to take on the world.

Who will love this track? Fans of The Darkness, Stone Temple Pilots, Against Me! and classic rock lovers.

 

3. “I Was Me”, Imagine Dragons (Released October 12, 2015)

https://youtu.be/UcYzxv0KFk8

I know what you’re thinking. The last modern rock band in the world that needs promoting is Imagine Dragons. The last three years their hits have littered the airwaves and were being sung by both old and young.

But “I Am Me” is no ordinary Imagine Dragons mega-hit. It is a charity single that the band wrote for the One4 Project with all proceeds going to the UN Refugee Agency to support fleeing refugees in the Middle East.

The guys in Imagine Dragons continue to use their fame to make positive changes in the world. First they created the Tyler Robinson Foundation to raise money for young people battling cancer, then they release this beautiful track to help fleeing refugees, and just a few weeks ago they helped Miss Piggy by appearing on her talk show on ABC’s “The Muppets.” These guys are full-on, modern day Mother Teresa’s.

Photo Credit: TVGuide.com

Photo Credit: TVGuide.com

 

You can hear a solid thirty second clip in the attached video, which also shares more details on the exact cause the charity single is supporting. Go buy it on iTunes. It will be the best $1.29 you spend all day, and it goes to a great cause. Don’t be a cheap bastard.

Who will like this track? Fans of Imagine Dragons and modern rock in general.

 

2. “Cool Kids”, The Eeries (released as an EP on December 9, 2014)

Not only do The Eeries look like they are straight out of the early 90’s Seattle grunge scene, they have the sound to fit right in. Tell me Kurt Cobain would not write these lyrics….

“Here comes the weekend/hanging out with my best friend/wish I was a cool kid/wish I was a cool kid…… aspartame/I like the buzzing in my brain.”

The Eeries have yet to release a full length album, but from the sound of their 5 track EP, they have potential to make some big waves on the rock charts in the coming years. There are not many better songs to play when you get out of work on a Friday. In fact, I am sure I get some strange looks from co-workers (and students) when I am screaming along with HERE COMES THE WEEKENDDDDDDD, YEAH!, and still in the parking lot.

This acoustic version of “Cool Kid” is fantastic (the music starts at :40), but the studio version is where it is at.

Who will love this track? 90’s rock fans, anyone that loves the weekend, cool kids, not cool kids, and Kurt Cobain

1. “Sing It All Away”, Walk Off the Earth (released June 12, 2015)

I don’t just listen to “Sing It All Away”, I actually feel “Sing It All Away.” The repeat button is always on when this track gets played. Walk Off the Earth have got to be the coolest, laid back band in music today. Who knew that Canadian’s could be so cool?

“Sing It All Away” seems to be about going to a bar with your buddies to forget about all your troubles. Is it even humanly possible to sing it all away at karaoke while throwing back some beers with your friends and still be weighed down by daily burdens? I certainly don’t think so.

“Oh oh oh
Sing it all away, sing it all away my darlings

I know a place that will take you away
Your troubles no longer remain from the day
I found a love there it’s hard to escape
It cures me at night, but it hurts when I wake

There’s no judge and the jury’s at bay
‘Cause this is our house where melodies play
If worries still linger my friends and I say
Top up your cup and let’s sing it all away”

Walk Off the Earth, if you are ever in New England and feel the need to sing it all away, I know a guy that will close the bar down with you.

Who will love this track? Everyone.

Follow the Spotify Playlist of all of “Songs You Need to Know”