50. “LA Devotee” – Panic! At the Disco
“LA Devotee,” the latest single from Vegas band, Panic! At the Disco, is based on lead singer (and the bands only current member,) Brendon Urie’s admiration of Los Angeles. It’s about someone being so in love with the city that they would do anything it takes to survive there.
“LA Devotee” is exactly what one would expect from Panic! as it is loud, catchy, and a hell of a lot of fun to sing along with. Apparently there is no need to Panic!, Urie seems to have this band thing down all by himself.
49. “World Gone Mad” – Bastille
“World Gone Mad” is the most appropriate song of the year, as it is about the mess of a world that we are currently living in. For the most part, 2017 was a complete disaster, and Bastille summarized it perfectly in just 3 minutes and 16 seconds.
48. “Sober Up” – AJR (feat. Rivers Cuomo)
https://youtu.be/J518lHntgow
The happiest-go-luckiest song ever written about trying to get sober is thanks to Weezer frontman, Rivers Cuomo, following Ryan from AJR on Twitter. This led to a discussion of AJR being big Weezer fans, and next thing you know, “Sober Up” was born.
In summary… AJR is really making a well deserved name for themselves in the alt-rock world. And Rivers Cuomo is a living legend in the alt-rock world.
47. “Heavydirtysoul” – Twenty One Pilots
The “House of Gold” that Twenty One Pilots sang about a few years back better be gigantic because everything they touch, turns to gold. “Heavydirtysoul” is yet another notch on their belts, which helps solidify them as the current day gods of alternative hip-hop.
46. “Reverend” – Kings of Leon
“Reverend” is arguably Kings of Leon’s best song in nearly a decade. While it is very radio-friendly, it is not over-produced, nor does it seem “pop-ified” to make it radio-friendly.
I could give my interrpretation of what the song is about, but q interviewed the Followill brothers to ask them specifically about the meaning of the song. Listen to the interview below.
http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/864162883854/
45. “I Don’t Wanna Dance” – COIN
Nashville natives, COIN explore the art of grungy/country Nashville for the second single off their sophomore album How Will You Know If You Never Try.
Their 2016 hit “Talk Too Much” did its job of putting COIN on the map in the alr-rock world. “I Don’t Wanna Dance” is their way of proving to that same world that they are not just “that band with that one song.”
44. “Edge of Darkness” – Greta Van Fleet
Led Zeppelin + The Darkness + Guns N’ Roses = Greta Van Fleet
“Edge of Darkness” is the epitome of pure rock and roll. If Greta Van Fleet (which consists of three Kiszka brothers and a friend) were around back in 1969 not only would they have performed at Woodstock, but they would have been able to close the show with this epic, powerhouse track that you can easily enjoy no matter what generation you are a part of.
If this band doesn’t become a household name by the end of 2018, I give up all hope for music, and for the world.
43. “Mercy” – Lewis Capaldi
You heard it here first, folks. Lewis Capaldi, the 21-year-old Scottish lad, is about to explode on the pop-rock scene in 2018.
With a raspy, gritty voice, powerful lyrics, and enough emotion to make even the biggest Scrooge sympathize, you can’t help but believe that Capaladi is begging for mercy. Show this young lad the mercy he deserves and support his music.
42. “We Fight” – Dashboard Confessional
I was cautiously optimistic when I heard Dashboard Confessional was dropping a new album in nearly a decade. After all, their 2004 masterpiece “Vindicated” is one of my favorite songs of all time.
Dashboard not only met my expectations, but surpassed them. “We Fight” is a rock anthem much like many of the songs that made me fall in love with the band back in the early 2000’s.
At 42-years old, lead singer Chris Carrabba is still as sickeningly as perfect as he was when he was in his mid-twenties.
41. “63 Days” – Atlas Genius
“A lot can go wrong in 63 days if you’re not focusing on what matters,” says Keith Jeffery, lead vocalist and guitarist in the three brother band Atlas Genius.
“63 Days” is about learning from past mistakes, and not messing up again. It woul
I’ve had stuffy noses last more than 63 days, so if you don’t think you can handle not screwing up a relationship in 63 days, maybe it’s not a relationship you should be in anyway.
I, however, am quite literally the last person you would want to take relationship advise from. So, listen to the Jeffery brothers’ suggestion, and just behave yourself for 63 damn days.