Tag Archives: Nathaniel Rateliff

Posted on by

Top 100 Songs Of 2016 (Part 10) Songs 10-1

FOR THE FIRST NINE LISTS CLICK BELOW.

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

 

10. “Ain’t No Man” – The Avett Brothers

The first release off The Avett Brother’s ninth studio album, True Sadness, was the soulful sing along, “Ain’t No Man.”

Bassist Bob Crawford told Consequence of Sound that “Ain’t No Man,”… there is a higher level to it. I’m trying to avoid the word ‘religion’ and ‘spiritual,’ but there is something about finding your place in the universe, or being able to put your finger on where you sit in this life, whatever your religion is or your worldview is.”

Regardless of how you interpret the song there is no denying that it is fun as hell and one of the Avett Brother’s most catchy songs in their extensive, and impressive catalogue.

9. “Pride” – American Authors

American Authors scored a top 10 spot on last year’s “Top 100 Songs of 2015” with their hit “Go Big Or Go Home”, and the boys from Boston have followed that up this year with their ultra fast paced, “Pride.”

I’ve had a few moments of pride in 2016, but learning the tongue twisting chorus to the American Author’s single has to be near the top of the list.

The first time I heard the song, I knew that I would not let myself sleep until I was able to sing along flawlessly. To this day, I still give a little fist pump each time I nail the vocals. It may have taken my entire commute to and from work, but I accomplished my goal, and nobody can never, ever, ever, never, ever, take away my pride.

8. “Roll Up” – Fitz and the Tantrums

Fitz and the Tantrums burst onto the scene in 2010 with their debut studio album, Pickin’ Up the Pieces, and I’m 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.

7. “Talk Too Much” – COIN

“Talk Too Much,” about one’s inability to leave it unsaid, was the first track that Nashville rock band, COIN wrote for their still unreleased sophomore album. “The song came easier than any other song I’ve ever written,” says lead singer, Chase Lawrence.

If “Talks Too Much,” is any indication of how good the new album will be, 2017 will be the biggest year yet for the Nashville foursome.

 

6. “Put Your Money On Me” – The Struts

If The Struts next album is a fraction as good as Everybody Wants, their debut studio album, they will solidify themselves as one of the best new bands in the past 20 years. With last year’s “Kiss This” and “Could’ve Been Me,” combined with this years “Only Just A Call Away,” and “Put Your Money On Me,” they have proven they are a massive force to be reckoned with.

“Put Your Money On Me” is 80’s, 90’s and modern alt rock all rolled up into one song that is as addictive as the band themselves. If I were a gambling man, which I am, I will put all of my money on The Struts to be releasing gems like this for a very long time to come.

 

5. “Cleopatra” – The Lumineers

Recently the Lumineers revealed on Facebook the real story behind their summer hit, “Cleopatra.”

“It’s inspired by a true story about a female taxi driver who, when was younger, was proposed to. But her father had just passed away, so she didn’t give her boyfriend an answer. So he left the village broken-hearted and rejected, and never returned again. He was her great love and she wouldn’t wash the footprints off the floor after he left.”

If that doesn’t make you appreciate the song than you need to check your pulse. Paired with their massive radio and chart topping hit, “Ophelia,” The Lumineers are cruising into 2017 after accomplishing their most successful year yet.

4. “Supermassive Automatic” – Kick the Robot

I can’t exactly recall how, when, or where I heard this song for the first time, but I am forever grateful that I did. “Supermassive Automatic” by the Atlanta trio, “arena garage rock” band, Kick the Robot, is badass.

It is the definition of rock and roll, and far and away the most underrated song of the year. The fact that this song isn’t the most requested song on every major radio rock station in the country, is nothing short of a travesty.

Of the 50+ people I have personally sat down and forced to listen to this song, every single one of them (fans of all types of genres) were thoroughly impressed. I implore you to spend the next four minutes rocking out to this track. The last minute and five seconds is without question the best ending of any rock song this year, or in recent memory.

3. “I Need Never Get Old” – Nathaniel Rateliff and the Nightsweats

Nathaniel Rateliff burst into the spotlight last year with his hit “S.O.B.” And this year, not only did he continue to stay in the spotlight, he shone even brighter.

“I Need Never Get Old” is a song that everyone can relate to no matter what age you are. I recently had the pleasure of seeing Rateliff and the band in concert, and their performance of this song was one of the most electric performances I have ever seen in my many years of concert going. Every ounce of all of their bodies are performing, and their energy is as contagious as the black plague.

Additionally, their appearance on Late Night Jimmy Fallon is in the top 5 late night performances I ever recall seeing. I dare you to watch it and not get the chills.

<div itemprop=”video” itemscope itemtype=”http://schema.org/VideoObject”><iframe src=”//player.theplatform.com/p/NnzsPC/widget/select/media/guQgsV_l9MJp” width=”480″ height=”270″ frameBorder=”0″ seamless=”seamless” allowFullScreen>

 

2. “You and Me” – The Hunna

https://youtu.be/pjXX8uyjkRY

If you have not caught onto The Hunna train yet, you better hop on now before you’re left in the dust. The four piece band from London had a breakout year in the States much in part to the wildly addicting “You and Me.” I am not exactly sure that the hell a hunna tree is, but my mission in 2017 is to find one and smoke underneath it.

“You and Me” is meant to be played in an arena, and after this year The Hunna is well on their way to being able to fill that arena with adorning fans. Their other US release, “Bonfire” was amazing, but “You and Me” is easily one of the most memorable songs of 2016.

1. “Spirits” – The Strumbellas

I’m certain that I could just attach the video, and no words would be necessary for why this is the song of the year. If you’ve heard this track already, you know how catchy it is, if you have not heard it yet… what the hell were you doing with your life in 2016?

The Strumbellas, formed in 2008, are from Ontario, Canada, and made up of a six piece band. After 8 years, they have struck radio gold with “Spirits.” The inspiring song that reminds you to live your life to the fullest, will have you in deep thought about whether or not you are enjoying life as much as you should be.

“….And I don’t want a never-ending life
I just want to be alive, while i’m here.

And I, don’t want to see another night
lost inside of our own life, while i’m here

.”

With the success of “We Don’t Know,” “Shovels & Dirt,” and specifically “Spirits,” it is undeniable that 2016 was the year of The Strumbellas.

 

Top 10 Playlist

Top 100 Songs of 2016 Playlist 100-1

Posted on by

Top 100 Songs of 2016 (Part 6) #50-41

FOR THE FIRST FIVE LISTS CLICK BELOW.

#100 – 91       #90-81     #80-71       #70-61       #60-51

50. “Singing In The Rain” – Simple Plan

Canadian rock band, Simple Plan released their 5th studio album this year titled Taking One For the Team. Their second single off the album, “Singing in the Rain” is a story of how no matter how shitty life may be, they will not let anything drag them down.

“I got a song in my heart and I’m bulletproof,
There’s nothing in the world that’s gonna kill this mood.
No matter what life wants to throw my way,
I’ll be singing, I’ll be singing in the rain.”

His car won’t start, his girlfriend broke up with him, a fortune-teller tells him that he is doomed, but he doesn’t care because there is a storm coming and he is going to sing in the rain and make the best of his awful, miserable life.

Whenever you are having a bad day, “Singing in the Rain” will help you realize that you need to man up, move on, and make the best of what you have.

49. “You Look Like I Need A Drink” – Justin Moore

One of the most clever breakup songs of the year is Justin Moore’s “You Look Like I Need A Drink.” It’s country, rock and pop all rolled into one incredibly fun song.

When his girlfriend walks into the house Moore can tell something is up, and has a feeling that he is about to be dumped. His response: “you look like I need a drink.” This will now be my go to phrase whenever I feel as though I am about to get bad news. Or good news. Or any news at all, I suppose.

 

48. “Soundcheck” – Catfish and the Bottlemen

“Soundcheck” is the first single off Catfish and the Bottlemen’s second studio album, The Ride. It is a tale of the lead singer of a band being so in love that he rushes through his soundcheck just to be able to catch his girl on her fag break. Needless to say, Catfish and the Bottlemen are Welsh.

“And I raced through soundcheck
Just to meet you on your fag break
And you convinced me
To put life aside and want you.”

The song is pure rock with a catchy melody and fist-pumping chorus, which makes it one of, if not the best Catfish and the Bottlemen song to date.

47. “Peace Of Mind” – The Killers

“Peace of Mind” was recorded ten years ago when The Killers released Sam’s Town, which in my opinion is the greatest album of all time, and many believe to be the most underrated album of the decade. But, then again, I am very Killers biased as they are my favorite band.

“Peace of Mind” never made the album, but when the band re-released the album for the ten-year anniversary, they included the bonus track of “Peace of Mind.” And of course it is, like everything else The Killers do, perfect.

46. “Figuring It Out” – SWMRS

SWMRS formed after drummer Joey Armstrong (son of Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong) and lead singer Cole Becker watched the movie School Of Rock together in school.

“Figuring It Out” is one of the most infectious songs of the year, and by the second or third time you listen to it, you will be singing along. The song is punk rock meets rock and roll, with a dabble of very tolerable pop. It is anthemic and meant to be played as loud as your radio (or iPhone) can go.

The band may be young, but it sure seems like they are figuring out this whole music thing with ease. Expect to hear much more from SWMRS in the coming years.

45. “Parlor” – Nathaniel Rateliff and the Nightsweats

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Nightsweats could sing about boiling water and make it into one of the most addictive songs of the year. Case in point, “Parlor” is insanely fun and begs for you to get up and dance. You won’t care what Rateliff is saying, nor what the song is about because you will be too busy pushing loved ones aside as you make your way to the dance floor if you ever get invited to another wedding in your life.

44. “Life Itself” – Glass Animals

Glass Animals had a huge year in 2016 thanks to their breakout hit, “Life Itself.” The band told Variance magazine back in May that the song was about “a “guy who was born a bit strange, and struggles to become part of society. Because of that, he spends more time alone in his own head, getting stranger, and it becomes an awful cycle of doom.”

I can’t get a job so I live with my mom/I take her money but not quite enough/I sit in the car and I listen to static/She said I look fat but I look fantastic

Yikes! That sounds way more depressing that one would assume based on how fun and catchy the song is. So next time you have a huge smile on your face while bee- bopping around to this infectious track, remember the sad story of what it is about and have some decency, you insensitive jerk.

 

43. “Not Easy” – Alex Da Kid

Alex Da Kid may be a newcomer in terms of being known as a solo artist, but he has produced many hit songs for some of the biggest names in music. The 34-year-old out of England has produced massive hits for artists like Dr Dre, Enimem and Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Imagine Dragons, just to name a few.

“Not Easy,” released just a few weeks ago, is about to take the world by storm and will surely be one of the biggest hits of 2017. It is about breaking the heart of someone you love and feeling awful about it. Alex Da Kid is about to be a household name, and “Not Easy” will put him on the map as the solo artist that all others will strive to be.

42. Glitter & Gold – Barns Courtney

Much like “Fire,” Barns Courtney’s other song that made this year’s countdown, “Glitter and Gold” is about overcoming rejection and not giving up on your dreams. Whatever Courtney did to help him get over his rejection from a record label worked because 2016 was his biggest year yet with two radio hits that are equally enjoyable.

It may sound terrible, but let’s all hope that Barns Courtney gets rejected more often so he can reward us with more incredible music in the new year. No offense Barns.

41. “The Driver” – Charles Kelley feat. Dierks Bentley

“The Driver” is far and away this years best song with the use of multiple perspectives. The song tells the insanely beautiful story about a musicians life on the road.

Stage 1 is from the perspective of the driver of the equipment.

“I’m the driver, bringing their circus to town
First one in and the last rolling out, shutting down
The up all-nighter, all the stars and sunrises I’ve seen
Every corn field and town in between
West to east”

Stage 2 is from the perspective of the “dreamer.” The fans that attend the shows and wait for hours to get in the first row.

“I’m the dreamer, soaking up every line
Searching for truth all the time, oh yeah
The believer, that music can save a soul
The one who’s at every show in the front row, singin'”

And the final stage is the perspective of the singer. The star of the show that used to be exactly where the dreamers are standing.

“I’m the singer, pouring out all that I had
Every love song and heart break gone bad
And looking back, when I was younger
Sitting right there where you are
Sending a prayer to the highest star
And here we are”

The song is all tied together with a chorus so beautiful that it will send chills down your spine. Charles Kelley (with the help of Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay) hit the ball out of the park on this track, making it one of the best country songs of the year that even a rock and roll guy will appreciate.

Top 40 coming this week!

Top 40 coming this week!

Posted on by

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.