Cassidy Archives - Ryan's Countdowns

For part 1 of the countdown click here. #100 – #91

Continuing with the next ten songs…..

90. “Way Down We Go” – Kaleo

The best thing to come out of Iceland since Björk’s swan dress, Kaleo, burst onto the American music scene this year with the massive hit, “Way Down We Go.” Leave it to a band from Iceland to take their video to the next level and film a live performance at the bottom of a volcano. Which volcano, you ask? Well, it was filmed in Príhnúkagigur, obviously. What other volcano would it have been filmed in?

The epic video just adds to the grit and passion that exude from Kaleo. It may have been a pain in the ass setting up shop at the bottom of a volcano, but way down they went, and it could have been any more perfect.

89. “Dark Necessities” – Red Hot Chili Peppers

It may have taken six months, but “Dark Necessities” finally grew on me. 25 Years after their 1991 release of Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic and the Chili Peppers are still rocking just as hard as they did when they were kids.

In 1991, if someone asked me to envision what a Red Hot Chili Pepper’s video would look like in 2016, I would have imagined this video for “Dark Necessities.” A shirtless Anthony Kiedis flailing around, Flea playing guitar while sitting in a kitchen sink, presumably naked, teenagers skateboarding at night, and a bunch of middle aged men doing things that middle aged men shouldn’t be doing for fear of pulling out their backs.

The song itself starts with a bass line that is immediately recognizable as Flea. And quickly follows with Kiedis’ million-words-a-minute rap rock. Kiedis says that the lyrics to the song “speak to the beauty of our dark sides and how much creativity, growth and light actually comes out of those difficult struggles that we have on the inside of our heads that no one else can see.”

Think of all the great music we would have missed out on over the past 33 years if the Chili Peppers didn’t have interpersonal struggles and dark sides. One thing is for sure, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are not going to let their ages stop them from being the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

88. “Cassidy” – Brett Dennen

Just in time for lounging around the pool on a hot summer day, Brett Dennen released his sixth studio album, Por Favor back in May. “Cassidy”, is an easy listening, carefree, laid back track that Brett Dennen is known for.

Unfortunately we are not able to spend all day, every day laying by the pool and sipping on Piña Coladas, but thankfully Brett Dennen is around to help us get through the less enjoyable life moments when we are not doing such enjoyable things. “Cassidy” is the musical equivalent of day drinking on a blow up raft in the warm summer sun and without a care in the world. The way life should be.

87. “Over And Over” – Goo Goo Dolls

The Goo Goo Dolls are back with their 11th studio album, Boxes, and the first single, “Over and Over” is exactly what you would come to expect from the band. To be honest, when I first heard they had a new album out, I couldn’t have cared any less. And this is coming from a guy that couldn’t be spoken to when any song from A Boy Named Goo or Dizzy Up the Girl was playing.

It would be easy to lump Goo Goo Dolls into the same category as a band like Nickelback, but that would not be fair to them. They may be older, but they are significantly less cheesy than Nickelback, and if you don’t write them off as a 90’s band struggling to find their place in 2016, you may realize they actually have some solid tracks, with “Over and Over” being one of their best in years.

86. “White Flag” – Joseph

Joseph is three sisters from Portland, OR. There sophomore album, I’m Alone, No You’re Not, was released in August of this year, and contains their biggest track to date, “White Flag.” The song is about facing your fears, and not letting your fears get in your way.

“…I’ll be an army
no you’re not gonna stop me getting through
I’ll sing a marching song and
stomp through the halls
louder than you

I could surrender
but I’d just be pretending
no I’d rather be dead than live a lie
Burn the white flag!
Burn the white flag!”

Only sisters can harmonize as beautifully as Joseph does. And the chorus is so catchy and inspirational that it makes me want to go out and conquer all my fears. Except for my irrational fear of birds. I have absolutely no desire to conquer that fear. Birds suck.

85. “Fire” – Barns Courtney

Barns Courtney, a Brit turned Seattleite, turned Brit, had a breakout year in 2016. Courtney wrote “Fire” after being dropped by a record label. He told radio.com that the song is “an appeal to myself to remember why I got into music and what it was all about and to hold on to whatever that spark was.” The song is a great reminder that the hard times you go through are temporary, and to never give up on your dreams.

The chorus of “Fire” will get your adrenaline pumping and your blood flowing. Put this song on repeat when you go for a run, and you are sure to break your previous pathetic personal best running time.

84. “Coming Alive” – Kodaline

The Irish lads from Dublin are back with their latest track off their 2015 album, Coming Up For Air, “Coming Alive.” 2016 marks the 4th consecutive year, Kodaline has had a song make the end of the year countdown. “All I Want” in 2013, “High Hopes” in 2014, “The One” in 2015 and now “Coming Alive” in 2016 are all examples of why Kodaline are major players in the alt rock world.

“Coming Alive” is a love song. It is so much of a love song, that it could bring a tear to your eye for one of two reasons. One reason may be that the song reminds you of your signification other, and how much joy they bring into your life. Or another reason, the song reminds you that you are alone, and will likely remain alone for the remainder of your days.

“From the morning sun to the midnight hour
From the break of day to the dark of night
You’re in my head and my heart and it feels much better
Yeah, it feels so good and it feels so right.”

Thanks Kodaline for the reminder that I think about wine the way that normal people think about their significant other.

83. “Wish I Knew You” – The Revivalists

The Revivalists are a seven piece rock/soul band from New Orleans. They found massive success in 2016 with their hit “Wish I Knew You,” which has such a unique sound that proves that The Revivalists are in a class of their own.

Jazz, soul, funk and rock combine to create one of the most fun and colorful songs of the year. “Wish I Knew You,” which sounds like a perfect blend of 2 parts Alabama Shakes, 2 parts JJ Grey & Mofro, and 1 part Maroon 5, becomes even more fun when paired with the video of the New Orleans Septet jamming on stage as an older crowd of fans rip it up on the dance floor.

82. “Wake Up Call” – Nothing But Thieves

Released back in 2014 in the UK, “Wake Up Call” finally made its way over to the States in 2016. The band Nothing But Thieves, out of Essex, England, has said of their music, “We try not to say too much about the lyrics……One of our favorite things is for someone to say to us ‘oh I think the song is about this.’ It’s not, but that’s so nice for us to hear.”

So don’t go over analyzing this modern rock anthem. Take it for what it is; a killer track from one of the England’s best up and coming bands that could easily be on track towards becoming the next Radiohead or Muse.

81. “Bonfire” – The Hunna

One of the best surprises of the year is the band The Hunna, yet another k

iller new band out of England. “Bonfire,” though released in 2015 in the UK, was released just a few weeks ago here in the States. The Hunna’s first single to hit the US earlier this year was the unbelievably catchy “You And Me.” And with the release of “Bonfire” the band proved that they were more than just one hit wonders.

“Bonfire,” quite possibly the breakup song of the year, is fast, loud, and in your face. Exactly what you want from a breakup song.

Come back Friday for the next ten songs on the countdown. #80-71

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In what is clearly the most eclectic 7 songs to have ever been compiled on Ryan’s Countdown’s “Songs You Need to Hear Right Now”, the following seven songs will satisfy music fans of all genres. The countdown represents a remarkable 7 different genres; Alt Rock, Folk Rock, Electronic, Pop Punk, Indie Pop, Country, and Metal.

I know what you’re thinking…… I hate “Metal”, or “I despise country music.” Or maybe even, “what the hell is Electronic and Indie Pop.” But, all I can say is that if you “hate” metal, the metal song on the countdown could quite possibly be your favorite metal song of all time. Same goes with electronic, country, etc.

Point being, it would be very difficult to DISLIKE any one of these songs, even if you are strongly opposed to the musical genre to which they belong. Think of them all as a gateway drug to broadening your musical horizons.

7. Cassidy, Brett Dennen (Folk Pop)

Just in time for lounging around the pool on a hot summer day, Brett Dennen released his sixth studio album, Por Favor just last month. “Cassidy”, is the classic easy listening, laid back track that Brett Dennen is known for.

Unfortunately we are not able to spend all day, every day laying by the pool and sipping on Piña Coladas, but thankfully Brett Dennen is around to help us get through the shitty life moments when we are not doing such. “Cassidy” is the musical equivalent of day drinking on a blow up raft in the warm summer sun and without a care in the world. The way life should be.

6. Happy Pills, Weathers (Alt Rock)

Quite possibly the happiest song about being sad since Third Eye Blind’s “Semi-Charmed Life”, the jolly track about ones decent into crystal meth addiction, “Happy Pills” will almost certainly brighten up your most dreary, depressing days. Weathers, the young rock quartet from LA perfectly summarizes the continuously rising trend of taking “happy pills” to deal with your problems.

Not only will you find yourself singing along to the catchy chorus…

“I take my pills and I’m happy all the time, I’m happy all the time, I’m happy all the time…”

But you will also find it impossible to not sing along with the “LA LA LA LA LA LA’s” even more enthusiastically than the Smurfs do after yet another victorious encounter with their rival Gargamel.

5. Sing Me To Sleep, Alan Walker (Electronic)

Norwegian electronic dance producer, Alan Walker, is just 18 years old and already has proven he is a force to be reckoned with in the genre. His latest track, “Sing Me to Sleep”, features Iselin Solheim, a Norwegian singer-songwriter who is also just 18 years old.

Solheim’s soothing vocals and Walker’s catchy, up tempo beat, blend beautifully together to create a radio friendly, electronic dance track that even non EDM fans can get behind.

4. What the Hell Did I Say, Dierks Bentley (Country)

The all too relatable, “What the Hell Did I Say”, is Dierks Bentley’s second video in his 4-part series about a pair of secret lovers. After Bentley’s 2014 super hit, “Drunk On a Plane”, he became one of the biggest names in country music due to the fact that the song resonated to fans of all genres, because, you know, who doesn’t like to get drunk on a plane?

What could possibly be a follow up to the lovable, drunk plane passenger’s journey, “What the Hell Did I Say”, tells a story about drunk dialing, and the regrets one may feel upon waking up in the morning after a night of heavy drinking.

Just a much a pop-rock song as it is a country song, Bentley has a knack releasing tracks that are catchy as hell, and make you forget the fact that you have claimed that you have hated country music since you were an adolescent.

3. Rabbit Hole, Blink 182

Blink 182’s second album in the last 13 years is just weeks away from being available to the public, and from the two tracks that have already been released, it seems as though the album will not disappoint longtime fans.

“Rabbit Hole”, the second track from the bands upcoming album, California is everything one would have expected 2016 Blink 182 to sound like if you imagined their future sound back in 1999. Swap out lyrics about sex, nudity, drinking, and poo, and replace them with more adult issues, such as learning from your mistakes, and relationship woes, and Blink 182 is still the same band they were back in their heyday.

While the band may have lost guitarist, Tom DeLong, his replacement, Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba doesn’t miss a beat, and is a welcome addition to modern day Blink. It may be too early to tell, but California certainly has the potential to put Blink 182 back in the spotlight and prove all the naysayers wrong that thought 182’s days were numbered.
2. Let It Burn, Volbert (Metal)

If you’re like most people, simply the thought of metal music scares the hell out of you. And a Danish, Heavy Metal band… forget it, that is the stuff that nightmares are made of.

But fear not, Volbeat is here to take everything you thought you knew about metal music, and drop it on its head. “Let It Burn”, the new track off the bands sixth studio album, Seal the Deal & Let’s Boogie is a metal track that even your grandmother could rock out to. The catchy vocal melody, and inspiring lyrics, coupled with a killer guitar solo, combine to deliver what may very well be your favorite “metal” song since “Mama, I’m Coming Home”, you know, the only other “metal song” you have ever liked in your life.

1. Roll Up, Fitz and the Tantrums (Indie Rock)

https://youtu.be/czyZcagQo84

Fitz and the Tantrums burst onto the scene in 2010 with their debut studio album, Pickin’ Up the Pieces, and I am convinced that they have not taken a day off since. Not only have they released two additional incredible albums, but each track they release continues to be better than the previous one.

“Roll Up” is arguably Fitz’s best effort to date, and has enough energy “rolled up” into three minutes and thirty eight seconds to get even the most miserable buzz kill you know to start tapping his feet and pumping his fists.