Tag Archives: Twenty One Pilots

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Top 100 Songs of 2017 (50-41)

Click here for songs 100-51

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

d only logically be about screwing up while on tour with a band, but it could be tied to any relationship.

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.

 

Songs 40-31

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Top 100 Songs of 2016 (Part 7) #40-31

FOR THE FIRST SIX LISTS CLICK BELOW.

#100 – 91       #90-81     #80-71       #70-61       #60-51
#50-41

40. “Freakin’ Me Out” – The Mowglis

As if the song itself isn’t fun enough, this original video from Flood Magazine will get you through your day the next time you run out of “your” prescription Xanax. With a catchy upbeat track and the spot-on harmonies that The Mowglis have become known for, “Freakin’ Me Out” will undoubtably make your day a little brighter.

39. “Favorite Liar” – The Wrecks

According to their Twitter account, The Wrecks are “5 kids who snuck into a recording studio to self-produce their debut EP.” But after listening to their first track, “Favorite Liar,” they sure as hell could have fooled me.

The song, about being in a rocky relationship and knowing that your significant other (or ex) is a liar, but you still have feelings for them anyway, will get your blood pumping and heart racing. For maximum enjoyment listen to it on full blast while driving down the highway and singing at the top of your lungs (while pretending that is not what you are doing every time you drive by a car.)

38. “Live While I Breathe” – The Moth & the Flame

Easily one of the most passionate and dramatic songs of the year, “Live While I Breathe” by The Moth & the Flame is so unique that it almost seems futuristic. With a hauntingly beautiful melody and deep soulful lyrics, “Live While I Breathe,” is the brightest light yet for The Moth & the Flame.

37. “Ride” – Twenty One Pilots

Unless you have been in a coma or possibly on a deep-sea ice fishing trip in Antarctica for the last year, you are certainly familiar with the band Twenty One Pilots and their hit song, “Ride.”

In fact, if you still haven’t tired of hearing the song, I dare you to not sing along with the oooooh, ooooooh, oooooh, oooooh, oooooh, ohhhh part, as I am pretty sure it is impossible to not sing along to. Even if you don’t want to. But love it or hate it, you can’t deny that Twenty One Pilots have become hit making machines, and “Ride” was one of the biggest and most catchy songs of the year.

 

36. “Red Dress” – Magic!

From the first few notes of the song, it is obvious to any music fan familiar with Magic! that “Red Dress” is from the Canadian reggae band.

The song is about a pain in the ass woman who takes forever to choose what she wants to wear to dinner while her man waits patiently while growing more and more hungry. But when she finally makes up her damn mind and walks out wearing her red dress, he quickly forgets that he is famished and his focus changes from eating to his attraction to his woman.

Reggae meet rock meets pop in this Magic! track that will make sales of short little red dresses quadruple in numbers.

35. “King of the World” – Weezer

“King of the World” is the old school Weezer you have been waiting over ten years to hear again. It is the story of a man who compares what life is actually like, to what life would be like if he was king of the world.

“If I was king of the world
You’d be my girl
You wouldn’t have to shed one single tear
Unless you wanted to
‘Cause yeah I know what it’s like
If I was king of the world
Yeah, girl
We could ride a Greyhound all the way to the Galapagos
And stay for the rest of our lives”

After being a fan of Weezer for over 20 years, I have decided to no longer question Weezer on their otherwise nonsensical lyrics. Now that I have decided to do this, I somehow have an urge to put “ride a Greyhound all the way to the Galapagos” on my bucket list. If it is good enough Rivers Cuomo, it is good enough for me.

34. “Bury It” – CHVRCHES

CHVRCHES (pronounced Churches) the Scottish synthpop band from Glasgow, have been described as Indietronic, Indie Pop, and even electronic pop. And while their latest hit, “Bury It,” may be all of those things, it is also downright rock.

One of the most memorable songs of the year by a female lead, “Bury It” will help you to push down all those feelings that are dragging you down, and enable you to rise above. Try running to this infectious track, and every time you feel like you are going to keel over and die, just “bury it, and rise above” and you will be surprised at how far you can go.

33. “Fire Escape” – Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

While the fun-loving pop rock song itself is more than deserving of a spot in the top 40 songs of the year, it is the hysterical video that you will first fall in love with if you are unfamiliar with the latest track by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, “Fire Escape.”

The concept of the video is following around two starry-eyed inflatable wavy armed dancers, the kind that you may find in a used car lot to bring in customers. From their first date all the way until the birth of their first inflatable child, you will see their budding romance grow. You will not only fall in love with the inflatables, but you will fall in love with this killer song by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness.

32. “My Church” – Maren Morris

Frontrunner for Best New Artist of 2016, Maren Morris not only broke into the country music world, but made a name for herself outside of the genre as well. While “My Church” is as country as it gets, even the biggest opponent of the genre would be lying if they said they didn’t find the song catchy as hell. Music fans of any genre will be able to appreciate the fact that the song is about a girl who is so at peace with driving down the highway and listening to her beloved music that she likens it to being her church.

While Morris had other hits this year, “My Church” will be the song that gets the ball rolling for her inevitable progression into the world of pop and rock music.

31. “Critical Mistakes” – 888

Denver, CO band, 888, urges listeners to “come wake me up before I die, and I never get to live” in their rock gem, “Critical Mistakes.”

“I want a house on the hill by the ocean, I’d let the tide wash away all my critical mistakes” is one most memorable lines of 2016, and some of the best use of imagery any rock band has used all year.

888 has come out swinging and 2017 will be a “critical” time for them to build on their well deserved success from “Critical Mistakes.”

For songs 30 – 21 click here.

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Top 100 Songs of 2015 (5-1)

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   Songs 10-6

5. Sedona, Houndmouth

For some reason Houndmouth does not seem to receive a substantial amount of radio play. It would be a crying shame if this beauty of a song fades into obscurity without getting the recognition it deserves. A true tale sign of a reamarkable song is when it takes you on a roller coaster of emotions. The first half of “Sedona” is so easy going, thanks to lead singer, Matt Myers’ voice, which is so soothing, that you could listen to it while falling asleep at night, and you would likely drift into a blissful slumber.

At the 3:00 mark, however, “Sedona” transitions from a happy-go-lucky ditty, to an all out rock anthem. The contrast between the first three minutes to the last 45 seconds, is what makes this a true Alternative Rock masterpiece, and makes Myers and Houndmouth, a force to be reckoned with.

4. Tear in My Heart, Twenty One Pilots

Despite the fact that “my taste in music is your face” is one of the most bizarre and confusing lyrics of the year, “Tear in My Heart” is so good that it is easy to forgive that ridiculous line.

The song, rumored to be written about vocalist Tyler Joseph’s wife, is about how he let her in to his emotional side, which led to a tear in his heart. Regardless of its sentimental attachment, “Tear In My Heart” will pump you up and leave you wanting more. With the success that Twenty One Pilots found in 2015, it is very likely that fans will not have to wait very long for them to get back in the studio and ride their wave of momentum to further success.

 

3. First, Cold War Kids

https://youtu.be/SZzJ78FWjl8

Formed in 2004, Cold War Kids have had a very long road to get to where they are today. But after 11 years and 5 albums, their song “First” was by far the most successful single to date, and finally allowed them to get the recognition they deserve. Living up to its name, “First”, was the bands first number one track on the US Alternative charts.

“First” is a modern day anthem for teenagers everywhere. Teenage years are full of many, many “firsts”, and what better song to have as the soundtrack to your life than this pop-punk-rock gem.

2. Boom, Simple Plan

If you’re between the ages of 25-40 you probably remember Simple Plan, the fun-loving Canadian pop-punk-rock band that took the world by storm with their 2002 debut album, No Helmets, No Pads, Just Balls. 

Well, the best thing to come out of Canada since, uh……. ever, is back, and just as fun and catchy as ever. Now in their mid-thirties, the guys from Simple Plan may be feeling a bit more sore the morning after a video shoot, but you certainly wouldn’t be able to tell from their enthusiasm.

“Boom” is one of the most energetic songs of 2015 and should have you singing along by the end of the first time you hear it. If you don’t start fist pumping, dancing, or singing “bo bo bo bo bo bo bo” to “Boom” than you are bo bo bo bo bo bo bo boring.

1. Could Have Been Me, The Struts

The Struts, an English rock band from Derby, England, formed back in 2010, and released their debut album Everybody Wants last year. “Could Have Been Me” has made its way to the States this summer, and after hearing roughly 20 seconds of the track on Alt Nation, I purchased the track on iTunes before the song was even over.

The Struts have dubbed their style as “Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll” after the song by The Killers. Not only are The Struts glamorous, party animals that could hang with AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses in their prime, they are full-on rock stars with the ability to get your 90 year old grandmother out of her rocking chair, and ready to get the party started.

“Could Have Been Me” is a epic rock anthem that will make you want to practice rolling your r’s, so you can properly sing along to this killer track.