2013 was quite an interesting year in music. It wasn't the best, not by a large stretch, but it was still quite good. You had so many new bands that made strong debuts, some experienced bands that finally broke through, and you had others that just fell flat. That's the tide of music though; it rides extreme waves of inconsistency, and that's what is so great about it. What I don't like will be cherished by someone else, and vice versa; when I say inconsistency, it shouldn't be perceived as a negative, but rather something that is unique.
I'm someone that listens to pretty much anything, and this even includes the more mainstream music. In addition to the bands that aren't played on radio, I make an earnest effort to give everything I have a shot, more so this year than in years past. It's been a mixed bag, to be perfectly honest; there have been some awful, awful songs that I've heard this year, like Drake's "Started from the Bottom." There have, however, been some surprises that I wasn't expecting, such as the quality of Jesse Leach's return for Killswitch Engage or the addition of Tilian Pearson in Dance Gavin Dance.
At the end of the day, it's irrelevant if this post will mean absolutely nothing to the common viewer. Heck, it doesn't even matter if someone rips on this list, for the simple reason of "how do you argue an opinion?" The fact is, you can't for the most part. The best you can do is explain yourself, but that doesn't necessarily constitute a compelling or convincing argument. As I previously stated, music is one of the most inconsistent mediums out there, and that's what is so great about it. In a crowd of several hundred, not one person will have the exact same taste as the other. You've already seen the title, and are probably hoping your favorite song will be on here; *spoiler alert* it probably won't be.
But, I must say, I love music. All of it, even the terrible stuff. If not for that, the standard in which "good" is measured becomes entirely different; we have to have a measuring stick of sorts. It's keeping all of this in mind that I've decided to compile a list of my top 15 favorite songs this year. Last year, in 2012, I had a definitive #1 song, "45" by The Gaslight Anthem. This year, there was none. Not because the music was any worse, but I genuinely didn't have that song that was so definitive. That being said, I love music, and I love all the songs I'm about to say.
Enough delay, here are my Top 15 Songs of the Year for 2013:
15. Citizen - Roam the Room
I don't have an incredible amount to say here; if you are a Citizen fan you will definitely love this song. As a former drummer, the song is really revolved around them, which is a rarity in any sort of genre. It drives the song truly, rather than just accompanying it. The beginning of the song is a good indicator for what is to come the rest of the track, and it certainly doesn't disappoint.
14. Polar Bear Club - Upstate Mosquito
I am a pretty huge Polar Bear Club, and was incredibly excited when they signed to Rise Records. I thought, "this will be their big breakthrough and they'll finally be recognized." That happened.... sort of. See, what ended up occurring was a slight shift in style, along with a dramatic shift in vocalist Jimmy Stadt's voice. Most fans are used to his rough, gruff-style of singing, and he abandoned all of that to become cleaner.
I didn't mind this change too much, but it didn't stand out like it used to. When they finally released Death Chorus, I wasn't too impressed, but over time it grew on me. I really appreciated it for what it was, a solid album with some standout tracks. Enter the closer, "Upstate Mosquito."
What I love about this song is that it delves into a relatively common topic, feeling small insignificant, and using quite a delicate metaphor. The motif of "dying for dead dreams" is something that can ring true for many individuals, and this is something that did not in fact change with the band. Jimmy's voice is fantastic here, and is the main reason why this song succeeds the way it does. There are many musical shifts during the song, in terms of tone, speed, and overall feel. It was one of the best closers I heard all year, and definitely earned a spot on this list.
13. Wale - Bad
Wale was always a someone I felt was unfairly diagnosed by the public as just another "mainstream rapper." He has that look, and some of his guest features have that feel, sure, but when he wants to release a good song, he's certainly capable of it.
Is he the most lyrically competent? No. Does he have the best flow or cadence? Certainly not. Are his lyrics even that complex? A big no. All of that, and especially relevant to "Bad," contributes to his greatest quality, which is his earnestness. That seems to be a buzz word in the music world, excusing relatively boring songs. I mean it here ("earnest," if you will), though, he gets his message across in a way that not a lot of these "better" rappers could have done, just because it seems that he is being very thoughtful and sincere in his music.
"Bad" discusses how people rush into relationships for the sake of not being alone, sacrificing a potential lifetime of happiness to avoid getting hurt. He criticizes the social norm for dating, how we tend to go for the opposites, those who will make us feel bad about ourselves. Wale additionally doesn't come across as sexist at all, which is usually the problem for most of these types of songs; he carefully chooses his words so that he says that "hey, it's both of the sexes' problem, not just one side." He discusses how sometimes we play it safe in order to avoid being hurt, something that all of us have done.
This would have definitely been higher if not for one thing, and that's the annoying appearance of bed springs in the song. I get why they're there, but it can be so obnoxious sometimes. Still, though, the strong lyricism of Wale in this song was a pleasant surprise; I can only hope his future material is more like this.
12. The Story so Far - Things I Can't Change
Pop-punk is my favorite genre; always has been, always will be. I love the togetherness it brings, the whole philosophy of us putting aside our differences and just enjoying the music. Every pop-punk show, even if the crowd isn't active, they're usually extremely nice to one another. It's just the camaraderie that I feel whenever I think about pop-punk when I think about it.
The genre has seen a rise lately, most notably through bands such as The Wonder Years and The Story so Far. Gone are the days of running around naked in the middle of the street (blink-182), and ushered in is an era of a more mature albeit more melodramatic form of pop-punk. The feeling is still the same to me, though.
Here's the thing about me: even if I don't agree with the lyrics, if I feel that the singer was being sincere enough I can always be down with that. (As an aside, if I think they're being sincere and they aren't, then I'm straight up wrong. End of story.) Here's where "Things I Can't Change" comes into play. To me, it's the best song the band has ever written, bar none. Most will disagree with me, but the musicianship on this song, for a pop-punk song, a genre infamous for its simplicity, is incredible. There are so many subtleties with the way the guitarists and drummer work together, complemented by Parker Cannon's ever-improving vocals. He doesn't have the best reputation, but there is no denying that he might be one of the best pop-punk vocalists that picked up a mic. He has what it takes to become huge, and that's uncommon for a rock band these days.
Like I said, I am not a personal fan of the lyrics in the song, but Parker seems to really mean it when he sings. I can't argue with that; honesty is really the best quality in lyricism. The instrumental portion of the song is what really did it for me, though, nothing is too complex but the way is meshes together reeks of a band with maturity.
11. State Champs - Elevated
Here is the complete other end of the pop-punk genre, the happy-go-lucky band. State Champs has been gaining popularity slowly, and since their debut album The Finer Things took off, they've been doing very well. The main reason is that the lead single from that album, "Elevated" really took the pop-punk world by storm.
The lyrics are undoubtedly positive, accompanied by a main guitar riff that does the mood justice. There's just too much to like in this song, and there are barely any negatives. It was a very impressive debut single for a band that hadn't even released a full-length album yet. Hopefully, they are able to build on this. Not too much to say here as well, other than the fact that State Champs is a really likable band and I hope they stay that way.
10. Daylight - Life in a Jar
It's been too long since we've had a truly great grunge band. Of course, time has changed, but grunge is really what changed rock after the disaster that was hair metal (seriously, how was that even a thing). Daylight fits this mold perfectly, though, and it looks like they've gotten the attention of everyone.
You know that band that always seems like it's about to push into mainstream charts at any moment? Daylight seems like it's poised for that breakthrough any day now. They have this great mix of Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Chevelle wrapped up into one. Now, mind you, I think Nirvana and Soundgarden are two of the greatest bands that ever lived, so Daylight has to live up to some huge names. They have the potential to do so, though.
Just listen to "Life in a Jar" and tell me you're bored. Everything is interesting about it; it's an incredible mix of old-school grunge with new-school hard rock. By the way, they may just have one of the best drummers in all of rock today; the way he brings up the anticipation of a song is reminiscent of a younger Dave Grohl. If any band is going to change the direction of modern rock, keep an eye out for Daylight; it's only a matter of time.
9. A Loss for Words - The Kids Can't Lose
I have to admit, up until a week ago, I didn't care for this song. That was, until I saw their (admittedly) cheesy music video, and finally bothered to listen to it. It's about depression and thinking about ending it all; nothing new but I like the way they tackle it. They don' try to get too cute by trying to become overly metaphorical; a song like this calls for something more direct. That's what was delivered here, and it serves as one of the perfect songs for someone feeling down.
It seems really cheesy, and it probably is, but sometimes that what people need: a song to pick them up while down. Little things like that, with positive messages spread throughout the song, can go a long way for some individuals. I'm perfectly fine with that, and at the end of the day can only help someone.
Musically, it's a typical pop-punk song, only more cohesive. It's nothing special, but in a song that revolves around a message, you really don't need intense musicianship. I like how aggressive it sounds compared to many of their other songs on their 2013 release Before it Caves. Mind you, I like the album a lot, but this song is definitely my favorite on there. It took "The Kids Can't Lose" to make this album stand out, and that certainly deserves some recognition.
8. Killswitch Engage - In Due Time
I've always been a huge Killswitch Engage fan. Like, a really big one. Too big, actually. They're my favorite band, after all. I like every album they've ever done to varying degrees, and more importantly I'm a fan of both vocalists they've had: Jesse Leach and Howard Jones. Leach was on-board for the first two albums, Jones the next three, and finally Leach again on this years' release Disarm the Descent. Personally, I'm a bigger fan of Leach because I find his voice more versatile, but I always respected and loved Jones as well.
That was the big debate coming into this album, more specifically when the lead single "In Due Time" debuted. It had been about 10 years since Leach first departed from the band and Jones took over, propelling the band into mainstream territory. Would Leach be able to succeed? Succinctly, yes.
It's one of the more aggressive songs they've written, and considering this is a metal band, that's saying a lot. The lyrics concern expanding your horizons and self-improvement, a fitting song for such a veteran band. Everything sounds great, from the drummers to the guitars. Leach is really what makes this song special, though. I always thought he was great on the first two albums, but he really shone bright here. His screams have perfect pitch, and his clean vocals are even better. It just sounds so smooth and natural, something that metal bands often struggle with. I was incredibly impressed with how Leach was able to take a fairly standard (although quite good) Killswitch Engage song and turn it into possibly their best effort.
The album itself is one of my favorites this year, but that just may be my bias. Killswitch Engage, mostly due to this song, has become my favorite band. Jones leading them, Leach, I don't care; this band has always been at the front of the modern rock scene; this song should allow them to continue their popularity, and it is well deserved.
7. The Wonder Years - Dismantling Summer
I'm a big believer in second chances. Whether it be in music, personal life, or general things I really believe that everything deserve at least a second look. With that in mind, let's talk about The Wonder Years. Yes, I know another pop-punk song made it on here. Shocker. Hey, it was the biggest year for pop-punk in nearly a decade, you knew this would happen.
They were known for their oft-goofy lyrical style, but really resembled pop-punk at its roots. Over time, though, this started to change as the band matured. They ditched the silly lyrics and became more serious, much to the chagrin of many fans. It did, however, allow for them to broaden their range, and this is where I truly believe they've capitalized on.
I'll always like The Upsides better than anything they'll ever put out, but to be fair that album is a pop-punk classic. As long as they release good music, comparisons are going to be irrelevant. Keyword: good. I hated "Dismantling Summer" when it came out. Like, absolutely loathed it. I thought this band was done for after such an atrocious song.
Being the believer in second chances, I really tried to let this song grow on me, and wow it really did. I don't know what happened, but I've never seen a bigger transformation in a song than with this song. Maybe it's because I've changed as a person, maybe it's because I overlooked something? I'm not sure, but this is another one of those songs I can't really explain. It just seems like everything came together on this track: vocals are flawless (as usual), the drumming really complements the tone of the song, the guitar riffs drive the attitude of the song. It's a pretty emotional song, too, so it was important to have everything perfect. I'd say they succeeded in that department.
The lesson here, kids: second-chances are important, because you won't ever question what you missed out on.
6. Echosmith - Cool Kids
I wish I was cool. Sometimes. At least in the conventional sense. I've been a misfit all my life; I never could stick with one group. This isn't sour grapes or anything; that's just how I am as a person. I have friends, many actually. This is probably the only time in my life, I've fit in with an actual group of friends, so yeah I've been there.
This is a running theme of "Cool Kids" by Echosmith, off their debut album Talking Dreams. It's really Silversun Pickups-esque, which isn't an insult by any means. In fact, lead singer Jamie Sierota (they're all siblings in the band, of course) sounds amazing in this song. Her falsetto is so subtle yet so charming. The vibe in this song is so relaxed, but it remains interesting in its entirety.
Considering that all the band members are quite young, they have so much time to develop as artists. This song is great, considering that only two of the four of them are really adult-aged. They have time, is what I'm saying, to build on such a strong song. Please, executives at Warner Bros., don't screw up Echosmith like the executives in Fueled by Ramen did with Paramore. What makes Echosmith awesome is that it feels like a genuine band, not three dudes and a female singer. They'll become popular off their music itself, there's no need to overexpose Jamie to the spotlight like what happened with Hayley Williams.
5. B.o.B. - John Doe
I'm probably as surprised as you are to see this here. I don't even like the majority of B.o.B.'s music, at least the music he puts on now. Sure, I was a fan of "Nothing on You" and "So Good," but I find "Ray Bands" to be terrible. I guess the only way I can consider myself a fan of B.o.B. is if his songs are more meaningful, and less shallow.
So, let's make a song about addiction! That's not a cliche topic at all! That's probably the normal reaction to have here, but I was shocked by how good it was. There are so many layers to the topic of addiction, that it really becomes multi-dimensional. It goes through the perspective of the person who's an addict, and eventually goes into a concerned loved one.
The main hook of the song is "John Doe, I just want the John I know. Once you put the drinks on hold, maybe you can come back home." Home in this case is both a literal and figurative noun, a very popular poetry technique. That's what this song reminds me of: very poignant and meaningful poetry. You feel that B.o.B. had someone close to him almost ruin his life due to an addiction. The emotion in this song is strong, because it illustrates exactly how we feel about someone with an addiction.
It isn't just "oh I'm mad that he/she is an addict," it explains why people can succumb to these pressures. It never excuses it by any means, but it serves as an understandable explanation. The guest star Priscilla was the perfect choice for this song, as her voice is strong but not obnoxious; it really fit the song well. B.o.B. did a great job of playing addict, loved one, and psychologist. The inclusion of multiple perspectives and personalities is what really drove this song up the list. I really hope that this is a sign of things to come, because I feel B.o.B. has the potential to become the next big rapper.
4. Dead Celebrity Status - Dancing on the Sun
Most of you have never even heard of them, and it's easy to see how They were starting to get some steam in 2004-2005, but did not record another album until this year. Their sophomore effort, entitled The Throwaway Kids, really felt like they finally had an identity. It was a great album, one of the best I heard all year (I'll deal with that list in another post).
All of the songs were fun to listen to, but this one stands out to me. I'm usually a sucker for anthems, and this is no different. It's blatantly about fighting for what you believe in, and rectifying the past mistakes. Funny thing, this was originally at 15, but I decided to make it jump all the way to number 2.
So the natural question is, what changed?
Simply put, this is one of those really "special" songs, where everything comes together. It starts off with a really calm guitar riff and someone singing over it; you really don't know where it's going from there. The two main rappers in Dead Celebrity Status are Yas and Booby, and they sound so aggressive here. The topic is a criticizing of the ignorance, the apathy of modern society, how we must fight for what we deserve. It's something that is a universally relateable subject.
In addition, the beat is pretty hard on the bass, which fits the song perfectly. DJ Dopey does a great job of subtly adding synths to the song without distracting from it. The lyrics, the unpredictability, the beat, the overall experience made this a pleasure listening to. Seems like 7 years was well worth the wait.
3. Macklemore - Can't Hold Us
******Note: this song was released in 2011, the album in 2012, but the song finally charted in 2013, so this pick gets to hold for me******
There's no way I can justify this right? Macklemore? A number-one hit in the country for two months? One of the most overplayed songs of the year? Surely, Ashwin, you jest.
I really don't know how to explain myself clearly though, I just get really amped whenever I hear it. Isn't that the idea of the song though? It does its job perfectly. It's supposed to get you excited for everything, and it isn't like Macklemore is a bad rapper to begin with.
He is a fresh face in such a shallow mainstream hip-hop scene. Ryan Lewis and Macklemore are independently producing all of their songs, and the fact that they have become so popular is so indicative of their work ethic. That is so admirable, even if I absolutely can't stand "Thrift Shop."
You know what makes this song amazing? That chorus. That. Awesome. Chorus. Ray Dalton better be a star soon, because the man can sing. That's really what propelled this almost to that #1 spot, because it's hard to think of a lot of songs I immediately fell in love with like this one. (Obviously by its placement there is one more I like more than this.. Speaking in hyperbole in fun though.) It's a fairly long song too, so for a nearly 5-minute song to keep you interested is no small feat.
I don't care if this song was overplayed, I don't listen to radio anyway! The bottomline is that this is one of the best pop songs I think I've ever heard. Macklemore's flow in this track is nearly flawless. Flawless. Think about it; I really can't gush enough about how much I like this song. The lyrics could have been about how awesome baby ducks are for 10 minutes and I still would have loved it. That's how good the producing, the flow, the chorus, the interludes, the atmosphere of this song is. I can't understate it enough, how awesome I feel whenever I hear this track.
Probably will get so much dissent for this, but I honestly could care less. Why? Because I'm listening to this song right now, and I feel really good about myself for keeping it this high up the list. Any song that can successfully pull off a Bob Barker reference will always be great in my book. This is one of those tracks we'll be talking about years from now when we reminisce about the 2010's decade.
2. Dance Gavin Dance - Acceptance Speech
Really, though, any one of the songs from the Acceptance Speech album could have taken this spot. It's that good of an album. Probably my favorite of the year, but I'll decide if that's really the case at a later date.
If you haven't noticed, the running theme in this blog post is cohesiveness and how well everything meshes together. Look no further than Dance Gavin Dance, a band in constant lineup turmoil since their inception, largely due to their unstable former vocalist, Jonny Craig. He nearly left the band for dead once, in 2007, and again in 2012, the latter of which nearly dismantled the band. When they hired Tilian Pearson, I was not a huge fan of his work, so I easily dismissed it. However, a closer look into Tides of Man and Tilian's solo album really gave a newfound appreciation, eventually making him my favorite vocalist.
The title track is really good. Really, really good. I've played it between 100-200 times since Acceptance Speech the album came out, and I haven't gotten sick of it once. Not once. Why is it on here, and not something like "Jesus H. Macy," which may be a better song overall? Honestly, it's just due to the fact that this is the most aggressive song that Dance Gavin Dance has ever written.
Jon Mess, the screamer, just sounds angry in this song, while Tilian's soothing clean vocals provide an equilibrium. In the past, Jon's screams were more chaotic than serious, but with this new sound, he is simply fired up. It makes for some great moments, such as after Tilian's first verse, when the song slows down. Tilian was great on this song as well, no need to further elaborate.
Dance Gavin Dance is notable for their intricate guitar-work, led by longtime member Will Swan, and equally intricate drumming led by Matt Mingus. This song has all of that, but again the shift into a more dark tone was much needed here, and it was something I wasn't expecting. The great bands keep their listeners on their toes at all times, and Dance Gavin Dance delivered here.
By the way, that uplifting ending "I'm the one, I'm the one with my hands around the gun, I am not afraid, I am not afraid," and later on combined with the lyrics "So what I'll die alone, all right." It serves for a fearless call to arms, something that this band, through all they've been through, deserves to do. Having been an enormous fan of this band for over 7 years, it was something that I really felt along with them, even if I wasn't emotionally, mentally, or physically there with them. It speaks volumes about a band's work when they can make a listener feel with them.
So, if you've read all this, congratulations. We're almost there.... or you can just scroll. Do whatever you want; it's your internet browser, after all! Here are some honorable mentions with some quick takes on each song:
Honorable Mentions
The Swellers - Becoming Self-Aware: Fun song, love the drum work.
I'm someone that listens to pretty much anything, and this even includes the more mainstream music. In addition to the bands that aren't played on radio, I make an earnest effort to give everything I have a shot, more so this year than in years past. It's been a mixed bag, to be perfectly honest; there have been some awful, awful songs that I've heard this year, like Drake's "Started from the Bottom." There have, however, been some surprises that I wasn't expecting, such as the quality of Jesse Leach's return for Killswitch Engage or the addition of Tilian Pearson in Dance Gavin Dance.
At the end of the day, it's irrelevant if this post will mean absolutely nothing to the common viewer. Heck, it doesn't even matter if someone rips on this list, for the simple reason of "how do you argue an opinion?" The fact is, you can't for the most part. The best you can do is explain yourself, but that doesn't necessarily constitute a compelling or convincing argument. As I previously stated, music is one of the most inconsistent mediums out there, and that's what is so great about it. In a crowd of several hundred, not one person will have the exact same taste as the other. You've already seen the title, and are probably hoping your favorite song will be on here; *spoiler alert* it probably won't be.
But, I must say, I love music. All of it, even the terrible stuff. If not for that, the standard in which "good" is measured becomes entirely different; we have to have a measuring stick of sorts. It's keeping all of this in mind that I've decided to compile a list of my top 15 favorite songs this year. Last year, in 2012, I had a definitive #1 song, "45" by The Gaslight Anthem. This year, there was none. Not because the music was any worse, but I genuinely didn't have that song that was so definitive. That being said, I love music, and I love all the songs I'm about to say.
Enough delay, here are my Top 15 Songs of the Year for 2013:
15. Citizen - Roam the Room
I don't have an incredible amount to say here; if you are a Citizen fan you will definitely love this song. As a former drummer, the song is really revolved around them, which is a rarity in any sort of genre. It drives the song truly, rather than just accompanying it. The beginning of the song is a good indicator for what is to come the rest of the track, and it certainly doesn't disappoint.
14. Polar Bear Club - Upstate Mosquito
I am a pretty huge Polar Bear Club, and was incredibly excited when they signed to Rise Records. I thought, "this will be their big breakthrough and they'll finally be recognized." That happened.... sort of. See, what ended up occurring was a slight shift in style, along with a dramatic shift in vocalist Jimmy Stadt's voice. Most fans are used to his rough, gruff-style of singing, and he abandoned all of that to become cleaner.
I didn't mind this change too much, but it didn't stand out like it used to. When they finally released Death Chorus, I wasn't too impressed, but over time it grew on me. I really appreciated it for what it was, a solid album with some standout tracks. Enter the closer, "Upstate Mosquito."
What I love about this song is that it delves into a relatively common topic, feeling small insignificant, and using quite a delicate metaphor. The motif of "dying for dead dreams" is something that can ring true for many individuals, and this is something that did not in fact change with the band. Jimmy's voice is fantastic here, and is the main reason why this song succeeds the way it does. There are many musical shifts during the song, in terms of tone, speed, and overall feel. It was one of the best closers I heard all year, and definitely earned a spot on this list.
13. Wale - Bad
Wale was always a someone I felt was unfairly diagnosed by the public as just another "mainstream rapper." He has that look, and some of his guest features have that feel, sure, but when he wants to release a good song, he's certainly capable of it.
Is he the most lyrically competent? No. Does he have the best flow or cadence? Certainly not. Are his lyrics even that complex? A big no. All of that, and especially relevant to "Bad," contributes to his greatest quality, which is his earnestness. That seems to be a buzz word in the music world, excusing relatively boring songs. I mean it here ("earnest," if you will), though, he gets his message across in a way that not a lot of these "better" rappers could have done, just because it seems that he is being very thoughtful and sincere in his music.
"Bad" discusses how people rush into relationships for the sake of not being alone, sacrificing a potential lifetime of happiness to avoid getting hurt. He criticizes the social norm for dating, how we tend to go for the opposites, those who will make us feel bad about ourselves. Wale additionally doesn't come across as sexist at all, which is usually the problem for most of these types of songs; he carefully chooses his words so that he says that "hey, it's both of the sexes' problem, not just one side." He discusses how sometimes we play it safe in order to avoid being hurt, something that all of us have done.
This would have definitely been higher if not for one thing, and that's the annoying appearance of bed springs in the song. I get why they're there, but it can be so obnoxious sometimes. Still, though, the strong lyricism of Wale in this song was a pleasant surprise; I can only hope his future material is more like this.
12. The Story so Far - Things I Can't Change
Pop-punk is my favorite genre; always has been, always will be. I love the togetherness it brings, the whole philosophy of us putting aside our differences and just enjoying the music. Every pop-punk show, even if the crowd isn't active, they're usually extremely nice to one another. It's just the camaraderie that I feel whenever I think about pop-punk when I think about it.
The genre has seen a rise lately, most notably through bands such as The Wonder Years and The Story so Far. Gone are the days of running around naked in the middle of the street (blink-182), and ushered in is an era of a more mature albeit more melodramatic form of pop-punk. The feeling is still the same to me, though.
Here's the thing about me: even if I don't agree with the lyrics, if I feel that the singer was being sincere enough I can always be down with that. (As an aside, if I think they're being sincere and they aren't, then I'm straight up wrong. End of story.) Here's where "Things I Can't Change" comes into play. To me, it's the best song the band has ever written, bar none. Most will disagree with me, but the musicianship on this song, for a pop-punk song, a genre infamous for its simplicity, is incredible. There are so many subtleties with the way the guitarists and drummer work together, complemented by Parker Cannon's ever-improving vocals. He doesn't have the best reputation, but there is no denying that he might be one of the best pop-punk vocalists that picked up a mic. He has what it takes to become huge, and that's uncommon for a rock band these days.
Like I said, I am not a personal fan of the lyrics in the song, but Parker seems to really mean it when he sings. I can't argue with that; honesty is really the best quality in lyricism. The instrumental portion of the song is what really did it for me, though, nothing is too complex but the way is meshes together reeks of a band with maturity.
11. State Champs - Elevated
Here is the complete other end of the pop-punk genre, the happy-go-lucky band. State Champs has been gaining popularity slowly, and since their debut album The Finer Things took off, they've been doing very well. The main reason is that the lead single from that album, "Elevated" really took the pop-punk world by storm.
The lyrics are undoubtedly positive, accompanied by a main guitar riff that does the mood justice. There's just too much to like in this song, and there are barely any negatives. It was a very impressive debut single for a band that hadn't even released a full-length album yet. Hopefully, they are able to build on this. Not too much to say here as well, other than the fact that State Champs is a really likable band and I hope they stay that way.
10. Daylight - Life in a Jar
It's been too long since we've had a truly great grunge band. Of course, time has changed, but grunge is really what changed rock after the disaster that was hair metal (seriously, how was that even a thing). Daylight fits this mold perfectly, though, and it looks like they've gotten the attention of everyone.
You know that band that always seems like it's about to push into mainstream charts at any moment? Daylight seems like it's poised for that breakthrough any day now. They have this great mix of Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Chevelle wrapped up into one. Now, mind you, I think Nirvana and Soundgarden are two of the greatest bands that ever lived, so Daylight has to live up to some huge names. They have the potential to do so, though.
Just listen to "Life in a Jar" and tell me you're bored. Everything is interesting about it; it's an incredible mix of old-school grunge with new-school hard rock. By the way, they may just have one of the best drummers in all of rock today; the way he brings up the anticipation of a song is reminiscent of a younger Dave Grohl. If any band is going to change the direction of modern rock, keep an eye out for Daylight; it's only a matter of time.
9. A Loss for Words - The Kids Can't Lose
I have to admit, up until a week ago, I didn't care for this song. That was, until I saw their (admittedly) cheesy music video, and finally bothered to listen to it. It's about depression and thinking about ending it all; nothing new but I like the way they tackle it. They don' try to get too cute by trying to become overly metaphorical; a song like this calls for something more direct. That's what was delivered here, and it serves as one of the perfect songs for someone feeling down.
It seems really cheesy, and it probably is, but sometimes that what people need: a song to pick them up while down. Little things like that, with positive messages spread throughout the song, can go a long way for some individuals. I'm perfectly fine with that, and at the end of the day can only help someone.
Musically, it's a typical pop-punk song, only more cohesive. It's nothing special, but in a song that revolves around a message, you really don't need intense musicianship. I like how aggressive it sounds compared to many of their other songs on their 2013 release Before it Caves. Mind you, I like the album a lot, but this song is definitely my favorite on there. It took "The Kids Can't Lose" to make this album stand out, and that certainly deserves some recognition.
8. Killswitch Engage - In Due Time
I've always been a huge Killswitch Engage fan. Like, a really big one. Too big, actually. They're my favorite band, after all. I like every album they've ever done to varying degrees, and more importantly I'm a fan of both vocalists they've had: Jesse Leach and Howard Jones. Leach was on-board for the first two albums, Jones the next three, and finally Leach again on this years' release Disarm the Descent. Personally, I'm a bigger fan of Leach because I find his voice more versatile, but I always respected and loved Jones as well.
That was the big debate coming into this album, more specifically when the lead single "In Due Time" debuted. It had been about 10 years since Leach first departed from the band and Jones took over, propelling the band into mainstream territory. Would Leach be able to succeed? Succinctly, yes.
It's one of the more aggressive songs they've written, and considering this is a metal band, that's saying a lot. The lyrics concern expanding your horizons and self-improvement, a fitting song for such a veteran band. Everything sounds great, from the drummers to the guitars. Leach is really what makes this song special, though. I always thought he was great on the first two albums, but he really shone bright here. His screams have perfect pitch, and his clean vocals are even better. It just sounds so smooth and natural, something that metal bands often struggle with. I was incredibly impressed with how Leach was able to take a fairly standard (although quite good) Killswitch Engage song and turn it into possibly their best effort.
The album itself is one of my favorites this year, but that just may be my bias. Killswitch Engage, mostly due to this song, has become my favorite band. Jones leading them, Leach, I don't care; this band has always been at the front of the modern rock scene; this song should allow them to continue their popularity, and it is well deserved.
7. The Wonder Years - Dismantling Summer
I'm a big believer in second chances. Whether it be in music, personal life, or general things I really believe that everything deserve at least a second look. With that in mind, let's talk about The Wonder Years. Yes, I know another pop-punk song made it on here. Shocker. Hey, it was the biggest year for pop-punk in nearly a decade, you knew this would happen.
They were known for their oft-goofy lyrical style, but really resembled pop-punk at its roots. Over time, though, this started to change as the band matured. They ditched the silly lyrics and became more serious, much to the chagrin of many fans. It did, however, allow for them to broaden their range, and this is where I truly believe they've capitalized on.
I'll always like The Upsides better than anything they'll ever put out, but to be fair that album is a pop-punk classic. As long as they release good music, comparisons are going to be irrelevant. Keyword: good. I hated "Dismantling Summer" when it came out. Like, absolutely loathed it. I thought this band was done for after such an atrocious song.
Being the believer in second chances, I really tried to let this song grow on me, and wow it really did. I don't know what happened, but I've never seen a bigger transformation in a song than with this song. Maybe it's because I've changed as a person, maybe it's because I overlooked something? I'm not sure, but this is another one of those songs I can't really explain. It just seems like everything came together on this track: vocals are flawless (as usual), the drumming really complements the tone of the song, the guitar riffs drive the attitude of the song. It's a pretty emotional song, too, so it was important to have everything perfect. I'd say they succeeded in that department.
The lesson here, kids: second-chances are important, because you won't ever question what you missed out on.
6. Echosmith - Cool Kids
I wish I was cool. Sometimes. At least in the conventional sense. I've been a misfit all my life; I never could stick with one group. This isn't sour grapes or anything; that's just how I am as a person. I have friends, many actually. This is probably the only time in my life, I've fit in with an actual group of friends, so yeah I've been there.
This is a running theme of "Cool Kids" by Echosmith, off their debut album Talking Dreams. It's really Silversun Pickups-esque, which isn't an insult by any means. In fact, lead singer Jamie Sierota (they're all siblings in the band, of course) sounds amazing in this song. Her falsetto is so subtle yet so charming. The vibe in this song is so relaxed, but it remains interesting in its entirety.
Considering that all the band members are quite young, they have so much time to develop as artists. This song is great, considering that only two of the four of them are really adult-aged. They have time, is what I'm saying, to build on such a strong song. Please, executives at Warner Bros., don't screw up Echosmith like the executives in Fueled by Ramen did with Paramore. What makes Echosmith awesome is that it feels like a genuine band, not three dudes and a female singer. They'll become popular off their music itself, there's no need to overexpose Jamie to the spotlight like what happened with Hayley Williams.
5. B.o.B. - John Doe
I'm probably as surprised as you are to see this here. I don't even like the majority of B.o.B.'s music, at least the music he puts on now. Sure, I was a fan of "Nothing on You" and "So Good," but I find "Ray Bands" to be terrible. I guess the only way I can consider myself a fan of B.o.B. is if his songs are more meaningful, and less shallow.
So, let's make a song about addiction! That's not a cliche topic at all! That's probably the normal reaction to have here, but I was shocked by how good it was. There are so many layers to the topic of addiction, that it really becomes multi-dimensional. It goes through the perspective of the person who's an addict, and eventually goes into a concerned loved one.
The main hook of the song is "John Doe, I just want the John I know. Once you put the drinks on hold, maybe you can come back home." Home in this case is both a literal and figurative noun, a very popular poetry technique. That's what this song reminds me of: very poignant and meaningful poetry. You feel that B.o.B. had someone close to him almost ruin his life due to an addiction. The emotion in this song is strong, because it illustrates exactly how we feel about someone with an addiction.
It isn't just "oh I'm mad that he/she is an addict," it explains why people can succumb to these pressures. It never excuses it by any means, but it serves as an understandable explanation. The guest star Priscilla was the perfect choice for this song, as her voice is strong but not obnoxious; it really fit the song well. B.o.B. did a great job of playing addict, loved one, and psychologist. The inclusion of multiple perspectives and personalities is what really drove this song up the list. I really hope that this is a sign of things to come, because I feel B.o.B. has the potential to become the next big rapper.
4. Dead Celebrity Status - Dancing on the Sun
Most of you have never even heard of them, and it's easy to see how They were starting to get some steam in 2004-2005, but did not record another album until this year. Their sophomore effort, entitled The Throwaway Kids, really felt like they finally had an identity. It was a great album, one of the best I heard all year (I'll deal with that list in another post).
All of the songs were fun to listen to, but this one stands out to me. I'm usually a sucker for anthems, and this is no different. It's blatantly about fighting for what you believe in, and rectifying the past mistakes. Funny thing, this was originally at 15, but I decided to make it jump all the way to number 2.
So the natural question is, what changed?
Simply put, this is one of those really "special" songs, where everything comes together. It starts off with a really calm guitar riff and someone singing over it; you really don't know where it's going from there. The two main rappers in Dead Celebrity Status are Yas and Booby, and they sound so aggressive here. The topic is a criticizing of the ignorance, the apathy of modern society, how we must fight for what we deserve. It's something that is a universally relateable subject.
In addition, the beat is pretty hard on the bass, which fits the song perfectly. DJ Dopey does a great job of subtly adding synths to the song without distracting from it. The lyrics, the unpredictability, the beat, the overall experience made this a pleasure listening to. Seems like 7 years was well worth the wait.
3. Macklemore - Can't Hold Us
******Note: this song was released in 2011, the album in 2012, but the song finally charted in 2013, so this pick gets to hold for me******
There's no way I can justify this right? Macklemore? A number-one hit in the country for two months? One of the most overplayed songs of the year? Surely, Ashwin, you jest.
I really don't know how to explain myself clearly though, I just get really amped whenever I hear it. Isn't that the idea of the song though? It does its job perfectly. It's supposed to get you excited for everything, and it isn't like Macklemore is a bad rapper to begin with.
He is a fresh face in such a shallow mainstream hip-hop scene. Ryan Lewis and Macklemore are independently producing all of their songs, and the fact that they have become so popular is so indicative of their work ethic. That is so admirable, even if I absolutely can't stand "Thrift Shop."
You know what makes this song amazing? That chorus. That. Awesome. Chorus. Ray Dalton better be a star soon, because the man can sing. That's really what propelled this almost to that #1 spot, because it's hard to think of a lot of songs I immediately fell in love with like this one. (Obviously by its placement there is one more I like more than this.. Speaking in hyperbole in fun though.) It's a fairly long song too, so for a nearly 5-minute song to keep you interested is no small feat.
I don't care if this song was overplayed, I don't listen to radio anyway! The bottomline is that this is one of the best pop songs I think I've ever heard. Macklemore's flow in this track is nearly flawless. Flawless. Think about it; I really can't gush enough about how much I like this song. The lyrics could have been about how awesome baby ducks are for 10 minutes and I still would have loved it. That's how good the producing, the flow, the chorus, the interludes, the atmosphere of this song is. I can't understate it enough, how awesome I feel whenever I hear this track.
Probably will get so much dissent for this, but I honestly could care less. Why? Because I'm listening to this song right now, and I feel really good about myself for keeping it this high up the list. Any song that can successfully pull off a Bob Barker reference will always be great in my book. This is one of those tracks we'll be talking about years from now when we reminisce about the 2010's decade.
2. Dance Gavin Dance - Acceptance Speech
Really, though, any one of the songs from the Acceptance Speech album could have taken this spot. It's that good of an album. Probably my favorite of the year, but I'll decide if that's really the case at a later date.
If you haven't noticed, the running theme in this blog post is cohesiveness and how well everything meshes together. Look no further than Dance Gavin Dance, a band in constant lineup turmoil since their inception, largely due to their unstable former vocalist, Jonny Craig. He nearly left the band for dead once, in 2007, and again in 2012, the latter of which nearly dismantled the band. When they hired Tilian Pearson, I was not a huge fan of his work, so I easily dismissed it. However, a closer look into Tides of Man and Tilian's solo album really gave a newfound appreciation, eventually making him my favorite vocalist.
The title track is really good. Really, really good. I've played it between 100-200 times since Acceptance Speech the album came out, and I haven't gotten sick of it once. Not once. Why is it on here, and not something like "Jesus H. Macy," which may be a better song overall? Honestly, it's just due to the fact that this is the most aggressive song that Dance Gavin Dance has ever written.
Jon Mess, the screamer, just sounds angry in this song, while Tilian's soothing clean vocals provide an equilibrium. In the past, Jon's screams were more chaotic than serious, but with this new sound, he is simply fired up. It makes for some great moments, such as after Tilian's first verse, when the song slows down. Tilian was great on this song as well, no need to further elaborate.
Dance Gavin Dance is notable for their intricate guitar-work, led by longtime member Will Swan, and equally intricate drumming led by Matt Mingus. This song has all of that, but again the shift into a more dark tone was much needed here, and it was something I wasn't expecting. The great bands keep their listeners on their toes at all times, and Dance Gavin Dance delivered here.
By the way, that uplifting ending "I'm the one, I'm the one with my hands around the gun, I am not afraid, I am not afraid," and later on combined with the lyrics "So what I'll die alone, all right." It serves for a fearless call to arms, something that this band, through all they've been through, deserves to do. Having been an enormous fan of this band for over 7 years, it was something that I really felt along with them, even if I wasn't emotionally, mentally, or physically there with them. It speaks volumes about a band's work when they can make a listener feel with them.
So, if you've read all this, congratulations. We're almost there.... or you can just scroll. Do whatever you want; it's your internet browser, after all! Here are some honorable mentions with some quick takes on each song:
Honorable Mentions
The Swellers - Becoming Self-Aware: Fun song, love the drum work.
Tilian Pearson –
Someday: I love Tilian's voice.
Streetlight Manifesto
– Ungrateful: Streetlight is back, and so is ska!
Direct Hit! - The
World is Ending (No One Cares): I care.
August Burns Red -
Provision: August Burns Red makes a better album than Messengers?
And now, what I believe was the best song of 2013:
1. A Lot Like Birds - Next to Ungodliness
I've had very intricate and detailed explanations for the 14 other songs on here. Ranging from beautiful lyrics to tight musicianship, I've said it all on here. There was one small thing I left out though: I love balls-to-the-wall, crazy, chaotic music that makes me absolutely fired up. Last year's list was full of that: I had a song by NOFX and Every Time I Die each on there, but here I didn't really have that.... until now.
A Lot Like Birds is probably the most underrated band out there right now, probably because of their massive infusion of styles. Post-hardcore, experimental rock, post-rock, progressive, metal, alternative, punk, all of these combine into what is considered to be one of the top bands right now. What I'm saying is, every member of this band is musically competent, so when they make the music they make, there is always a reason for that song to have that sound. For example, they might make a ballad not because there has to be a ballad on the album, but because that's what the lyrics or the mood call for. They're really smart artists is what I'm saying here.
In this case, chaos is the running theme. "Next to Ungodliness" is not only fulfilling in that, but also is an incredible piece of art. There is nothing bad I can say about it, nothing at all. It has everything you could ever want: perfect screams, great clean vocals, complex drum and guitar work, creative bass lines, a key change, tempo change, all of it. There is not one moment when the user can relax, because there is always something changing in the song. This song is the definition of entropy, a concept that I entirely am a fan of, especially in music.
On a grander scale, let's just ignore how crazy this song is. For all the aspiring musicians out there that are trying to learn and get better, this song should serve as a great indicator. As I mentioned earlier, there are so many musical elements to this song mainly because of 1) A Lot Like Birds' versatile repertoire, and 2) the constant shifting in this song. Song writers, take note, you don't have to make an aggressive song like this, but keep things interesting and engaging like with "Next to Ungodliness."
Lyrically, A Lot Like Birds has always revolved around metaphors and analogous statements. Here, it's discussing change seen through objects such as a "crystal ball" and an "uneven mirror." It's about introspection, changing your frame of mind in order to get better at the game of life. Coping with your inner self constantly changing, just like the song is. The person wants to stay the same way, and is not ready and uncomfortable dealing with this change. From a psychological perspective, this is such an interesting topic to discuss and research. It's so interesting how they took something so simple like changing, and made it into this grandiose statement of self-awareness and looking deep into your consciousness.
Bottom line, there are so many moments that I can point out and say, "there it is, that's why it's #1." That spoils the fun for you, though. Even if you aren't a fan of screaming, pay attention to just how dynamic this song is; even if the vocals don't excite you, the appreciation for the song won't cease to exist. I had a lot of trouble choosing a good #1 for this year, but without a doubt in my mind "Next to Ungodliness" by A Lot Like Birds was that song. Everything about it is amazing, and I can only hope that you will consider listening to it.
Well, that's my list everyone. It was quite a long read, and an even longer write. Still, though, music is quite an interesting beast. It's probably the one thing you can never stop talking about, and that's what makes writing lists like these so fun for me. I hope that you had fun reading this list, and maybe get interested in some of the artists that I mentioned on here. Cheers to an even better 2014!
