Special: 2021 In Review: Best Albums of 2021

30. 3OH!3 - NEED

Choice cut: I'm So Sad

29. Escape The Fate - Chemical Warfare

Choice cut: Lightning Strike

28. You Me At Six - Suckapunch

Choice cut: MAKEMEFEELALIVE

27. Weezer - Van Weezer

Choice cut: The End Of The Game

26. Dropkick Murphys - Turn Up That Dial

Choice cut: L-EE-B-O-Y

25. Trash Boat - Don't You Feel Amazing

Choice cut: Silence Is Golden

24. The Offspring - Let The Bad Times Roll

Choice cut: This Is Not Utopia

23. Ice Nine Kills - The Silver Scream 2: Welcome To Horrorwood

Choice cut: Rainy Day

22. A Day To Remember - You're Welcome

Choice cut: Last Chance To Dance (Bad Friend)

21. Mayday Parade - What It Means To Fall Apart

Choice cut: Notice

20. DE'WAYNE - Stains

Choice cuts: I Know Something, Stains

19. Angels & Airwaves - Lifeforms

Choice cuts: Rebel Girl, Losing My Mind

18. Rise Against - Nowhere Generation

Choice cuts: Broken Dreams Inc, Nowhere Generation

17. Turnstile - Glow On

Choice cuts: Turnstile Love Connection, Holiday

16. Every Time I Die - Radical

Choice cuts: Planet Shit, Sly

15. Spiritbox - Eternal Blue

Choice cuts: Yellowjacket, Hurt You

14. With Confidence - With Confidence

Choice cuts: What You Make It, Anything

13. Beartooth - Below

Choice cuts: Skin, Dominate

12. Like Pacific - Control My Sanity

Choice cuts: Waste Of Breath, Hallow Tears

11. Hawthorne Heights - The Rain Just Follows Me

Choice cuts: The Rain Just Follows Me, Holy Coast

10. Mod Sun - Internet Killed The Rockstar

Choice cuts: Karma, Betterman, Annoying

9. Calling All Captains - Slowly Getting Better

Choice cuts: Tailspin, Undone, Collapse

8. Architects - For Those That Wish To Exist

Choice cuts: Black Lungs, Little Wonder, Animals

7. Waterparks - Greatest Hits

Choice cuts: Violet!, Numb, Fuzzy

6. The Dirty Nil - Fuck Art

Choice cuts: Doom Boy, Done With Drugs, Elvis '77

5. jxdn - Tell Me About Tomorrow

Choice cuts: Think About Me, So What!?, Better Off Dead

4. The Maine - XOXO: From Love & Anxiety In Real Time

Choice cuts: Sticky, Pretender, Lips

3. We Were Sharks - New Low

Choice cuts: Shameless, Over This, Ashley Pt. 2

2. Chunk! No, Captain Chunk - Gone Are The Good Days

Choice Cuts: Blame It On This Song, Complete You, Marigold

1. Grayscale - Umbra

Choice cuts: Carolina Skies, Dirty Bombs, Babylon (Say It To My Face)

Special: 2021 In Review: Top 100 Singles of 2021: 90 - 81

PREVIOUS

90. Like Pacific - Ketamine Jesus

89. Hawthorne Heights - Tired And Alone

88. The Dirty Nil - Elvis '77

87. New Found Glory - The Last Red-Eye

86. PhaseOne Ft. Shane Told (Silverstein) - Enemy

85. Green Day - Pollyanna

84. Against The Current - Jump

83. Simple Plan - The Antidote

82. Beartooth - The Past Is Dead

81. Jetty Bones - That's All

NEXT

Top 10 Countdown: October 30, 2021

10. Ice Nine Kills - Rainy Day
Last week: NEW!

9. Hawthorne Heights - Tired And Alone
Last week: NEW!

8. Stereos - Hands Off You
Last week: NEW!

7. Real Friends - Nervous Wreck
Last week: 1.

6. Bring Me The Horizon - Die4u
Last week: 7.

5. Real Friends - Teeth
Last week: 6.

4. State Champs - Just Sound
Last week: 5.

3. Grayscale - Dirty Bombs
Last week: 4.

2. Hot Milk - I Think I Hate Myself
Last week: 3.

1. Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! - Complete You
Last week: 1.

Special: First Listen Thoughts: Hawthorne Heights "The Rain Just Follows Me", Andrew W.K. "God Is Partying", Homesafe "Nervous Reaction"

Hawthorne Heights - The Rain Just Follows Me

Label: Pure Noise Records

Press release: Hawthorne Heights have announced that their eighth album, the cheerily-titled The Rain Just Follows Me, will be released in September. The follow-up to 2018’s Bad Frequencies sees frontman TJ Woodruff going to lonely places, not because of the pandemic, but the distance between himself and his family while on tour. “The most unbelievable part of this story is that this entire album was written and recorded before the pandemic,” he says. ​“All of this darkness and turmoil is basically a summation of the coldest and loneliest nights I’ve tried to reconcile for the past 17 years.” 

My thoughts: Hawthorne Heights previous offering was one of my favourites and I still listen to it regularly. I'm happy to report that The Rain Just Follows Me has the same vibes. Sad to say most people only listen to Hawthorne Heights first 2 records but they've been remarkably consistent (except maybe that EP era) at writing good songs with strong instrumentation and excellent melodies.

Andrew W.K. - God Is Partying

Label: Napalm Records

Press release: Hark, disciples of partying – the long wait is finally over! Napalm Records and ANDREW W.K. are thrilled to announce the impending release of the iconic Party God’s fifth full-length studio rock album, God Is Partying. The long-awaited nine-track opus of maximalist rock grandeur is set for release on September 10, 2021. Hovering in the fluorescent spotlight of his legendary party power, God Is Partying sees ANDREW W.K. ransack the corners of the human psyche, reaching a triumphant apex in his catalogue, 20 years after the release of his chart-topping 2001 full-length debut, I Get Wet. Emotive yet steadfast, ominous yet invigorating, God Is Partying embraces both the break-ups and break-downs of life, and ANDREW W.K. once again provides his audience with the perfect soundtrack to celebrate life in all its perplexing and euphoric intensity.

My thoughts: Andrew W.K. continues to be Mr. Positivity 20 years into his career and one might imagine they'll be even more positivity coming his way given his new relationship with MCU star and 2 Broke Girls alum Kat Dennings. His talent is undeniable as he does everything for each record from playing the instruments, to writing the lyrics, to producing. His co-creator simply handles the engineering and some of the mixing. That being said a lot of these songs didn't have me partying as much as I would have liked as the artist seems to of found an appreciation for goth ballads which drives most of the record.

Homesafe - Nervous Reaction

Label: Self-released

Press release: Chicago punks Homesafe will be self-releasing a new album, Nervous Reaction, this Friday (9/3). The band's earlier material channelled high-strung pop punk, but this new album takes their sound in a few new directions, embracing grungy alt-rock riffs, power pop hooks, and sunshiney Britpop harmonies.

My thoughts: If you like generic pop-punk, Homesafe is probably not the band for you. But the Chicago 3 piece, now unsigned, get to make the music they want without label pressure especially when your members other band (Knuckle Puck) is at the top of the modern pop-punk game. Homesafe has always been more of a "I love a few songs" types of bands for me rather than "I like this whole album" but Nervous Reaction may switch that for me. We'll need to see after a few more listens but the end of summer vibes this album gives me is undeniable.

Special: A Decade In Review: Best Songs of the 2010's: 70 - 61

PREVIOUS

70. City Lights - Trophy Room


69. The Swellers - The Best I Ever Had


68. Angels & Airwaves - Rebel Girl


67. Hawthorne Heights - Crimson Sand


66. Valencia - Dancing With A Ghost


65. Fireworks - Detroit


64. Taylor Swift - 22


63. Handguns - Stay With Me


62. Breathe Carolina ft. Danny Worsnop (Asking Alexandria) - Sellouts


61. The New Cities - Mugshot


NEXT

Special: 2019 In Review: Best Songs of 2019: 20 - 11

PREVIOUS

20. Angels & Airwaves - Rebel Girl


19. New Found Glory - This Is Me


18. Sum 41 - 45 (A Matter Of Time)


17. Simple Plan & State Champs Ft. We The Kings - Where I Belong


16. The Story So Far - Proper Dose


15. As It Is - The Fire, The Dark


14. blink-182 - Darkside


13. Mayday Parade - Looks Red, Tastes Blue


12. Simple Creatures - Adrenaline


11. Hawthorne Heights - Starlighter (Echo, Utah)


NEXT

Special: 2019 In Review: Best Songs of 2019: 70 - 61

PREVIOUS

70. Beartooth - Afterall


69. Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties - Runnin' Toward The Light


68. Alexisonfire - Familiar Drugs


67. With Confidence - Paquerette (Without Me)


66. Jimmy Eat World - All The Way (Stay)


65. Our Last Night - Bury The Hatchet


64. Taylor Swift Ft. Brendon Urie - ME!


63. Hawthorne Heights - Hard To Breathe


62. The Interrupters - Gave You Everything


61. Waterparks - Dream Boy


NEXT

Top 10 Countdown: December 21, 2019

10. Anti-Flag - Hate Conquers All
Last week: NEW!


9. Simple Creatures - One Little Lie
Last week: NEW!


8. Waterparks - Easy To Hate
Last week: 9.


7. Hawthorne Heights - Hard To Breathe
Last week: 7.


6. New Found Glory - Accidentally In Love
Last week: 8.


5. Bearings - So Damn Wrong
Last week: 1.


4. State Champs - Real World
Last week: 5.


3. The Menzingers - Strangers Forever
Last week: 4.


2. Grayscale - Young
Last week: 3.


1. Sleep On It - Under The Moment
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: December 14, 2019

10. Locket - Hunnie
Last week: NEW!


9. Waterparks - Easy To Hate
Last week: 10.


8. New Found Glory - Accidentally In Love
Last week: NEW!


7. Hawthorne Heights - Hard To Breathe
Last week: 9.


6. blink-182 - Darkside
Last week: 1.


5. State Champs - Real World
Last week: 8.


4. The Menzingers - Strangers Forever
Last week: 5.


3. Grayscale - Young
Last week: 4.


2. Sleep On It - After Tonight
Last week: 3.


1. Bearings - So Damn Wrong
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: December 7, 2019

10. Waterparks - Easy To Hate
Last week: NEW!


9. Hawthorne Heights - Hard To Breathe
Last week: 10.


8. State Champs - Real World
Last week: 9.


7. Weezer - The End Of The Game
Last week: 7.


6. Angels & Airwaves - Rebel Girl
Last week: 1.


5. The Menzingers - Strangers Forever
Last week: 8.


4. Grayscale - Young
Last week: 5.


3. Sleep On It - After Tonight
Last week: 4.


2. Bearings - So Damn Wrong
Last week: 3.


1. blink-182 - Darkside
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: November 30, 2019

10. Hawthorne Heights - Hard To Breathe
Last week: NEW!


9. State Champs - Real World
Last week: 9.


8. The Menzingers - Strangers Forever
Last week: 8.


7. Weezer - The End Of The Game
Last week: 7.


6. Waterparks - Watch What Happens Next
Last week: 1.


5. Grayscale - Young
Last week: 6.


4. Sleep On It - After Tonight
Last week: 5.


3. Bearings - So Damn Wrong
Last week: 4.


2. blink-182 - Darkside
Last week: 3.


1. Angels & Airwaves - Rebel Girl
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: September 14, 2019

10. Sleep On It - Under The Moment
Last week: NEW!
https://youtu.be/MGGhGatu4G8

9. Too Close To Touch - F.I.N.E.
Last week: 10.
https://youtu.be/kEU0Vi7EqLE

8. Roam - I Don't Think I Live There Anymore
Last week: 9.
https://youtu.be/tF8bl6KgTFE

7. Sum 41 - 45 (A Matter Of Time)
Last week: 8.
https://youtu.be/cxXKiDylfBo

6. Hawthorne Heights - Starlighter (Echo, Utah)
Last week: 1.
https://youtu.be/pz8rvDJSCh8

5. Grayscale - In Violet
Last week: 7.
https://youtu.be/mjmULx_VwJI

4. Neck Deep - She's A God
Last week: 5.
https://youtu.be/zdFF849j_NY

3. Marshmello Ft. A Day To Remember - Rescue Me
Last week: 4.
https://youtu.be/lPDw1QexVy4

2. Mayday Parade - Looks Red, Tastes Blue
Last week: 3.
https://youtu.be/yrJhZmtcdkA

1. State Champs - Frozen
Last week: 2.
https://youtu.be/JPQkTuIyqnQ

Top 10 Countdown: September 7, 2019

10. Too Close To Touch - F.I.N.E.
Last week: NEW!


9. Roam - I Don't Think I Live There Anymore
Last week: 10.


8. Sum 41 - 45 (A Matter Of Time)
Last week: NEW!


7. Grayscale - In Violet
Last week: 9.


6. Grayscale - Painkiller Weather
Last week: 2.


5. Neck Deep - She's A God
Last week: 6.


4. Marshmello Ft. A Day To Remember - Rescue Me
Last week: 5.


3. Mayday Parade - Looks Red Tastes Blue
Last week: 4.


2. State Champs - Frozen
Last week: 3.


1. Hawthorne Heights - Starlighter (Echo, Utah)
Last week: 1.

Top 10 Countdown: August 31, 2019

10. Roam - I Don't Think I Live There Anymore
Last week: NEW!


9. Grayscale - In Violet
Last week: NEW!


8. The Story So Far - If I Fall
Last week: 8.


7. Courage My Love - Teenagers
Last week: 3.


6. Neck Deep - She's A God
Last week: 7.


5. Marshmello Ft. A Day To Remember - Rescue Me
Last week: 6.


4. Mayday Parade - Looks Red, Tastes Blue
Last week: 5.


3. State Champs - Frozen
Last week: 4.


2. Grayscale - Painkiller Weather
Last week: 2.


1. Hawthorne Heights - Starlighter (Echo, Utah)
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: August 24, 2019

10. Issues - Tapping Out
Last week: NEW!


9. Sleeping With Sirens - Leave It All Behind
Last week: 9.


8. The Story So Far - If I Fall
Last week: NEW!


7. Neck Deep - She's A God
Last week: NEW!


6. Marshmello Ft. A Day To Remember - Rescue Me
Last week: 8.


5. Mayday Parade - Looks Red, Tastes Blue
Last week: 5.


4. State Champs - Frozen
Last week: 4.


3. Courage My Love - Teenagers
Last week: 7.


2. Hawthorne Heights - Starlighter (Echo, Utah)
Last week: 2.


1. Grayscale - Painkiller Weather
Last week: 1.

Top 10 Countdown: August 17, 2019

10. WhoHurtYou - Wish We Never Met
Last week: NEW!


9. Sleeping With Sirens - Leave It All Behind
Last week: 10.


8. Marshmello Ft. A Day To Remember - Rescue Me
Last week: 9.


7. blessthefall - Welcome Home
Last week: 4.


6. Simple Creatures - Adrenaline
Last week: 2.


5. Mayday Parade - Looks Red, Tastes Blue
Last week: 8.


4. State Champs - Frozen
Last week: 5.


3. Courage My Love - Teenagers
Last week: 7.


2. Hawthorne Heights - Starlighter (Echo, Utah)
Last week: 3.


1. Grayscale - Painkiller Weather
Last week: 1.

Top 10 Countdown: August 10, 2019

10. Sleeping With Sirens - Leave It All Behind
Last week: NEW!


9. Marshmello Ft. A Day To Remember - Rescue Me
Last week: NEW!


8. Mayday Parade - Looks Red, Tastes Blue
Last week: 9.


7. Courage My Love - Teenagers
Last week: 8.


6. Sum 41 - Out For Blood
Last week: 3.


5. State Champs - Frozen
Last week: 6.


4. blessthefall - Welcome Home
Last week: 2.


3. Hawthorne Heights - Starlighter (Echo, USA)
Last week: 5.


2. Simple Creatures - Adrenaline
Last week: 1.


1. Grayscale - Painkiller Weather
Last week: 4.

Top 10 Countdown: August 3, 2019

10. Carousel Kings - Lock Meowt
Last week: 5.


9. Mayday Parade - Looks Red, Tastes Blue
Last week: 10.


8. Courage My Love - Teenagers
Last week: NEW!


7. Beartooth - Afterall
Last week: 7.


6. State Champs - Frozen
Last week: 8.


5. Hawthorne Heights - Starlighter (Echo, Utah)
Last week: 6.


4. Grayscale - Painkiller Weather
Last week: 4.


3. Sum 41 - Out For Blood
Last week: 3.


2. blessthefall - Welcome Home
Last week: 2.


1. Simple Creatures - Adrenaline
Last week: 1.

Top 10 Countdown: July 27, 2019

10. Mayday Parade - Looks Red, Tastes Blue
Last week: NEW!


9. Eat Your Heart Out - Carousel
Last week: 9.


8. State Champs - Frozen
Last week: NEW!


7. Beartooth - Afterall
Last week: 10.


6. Hawthorne Heights - Starlighter (Echo, Utah)
Last week: 7.


5. Carousel Kings - Lock Meowt
Last week: 1.


4. Grayscale - Painkiller Weather
Last week: 5.


3. Sum 41 - Out For Blood
Last week: 4.


2. blessthefall - Welcome Home
Last week: 3.


1. Simple Creatures - Adrenaline
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: July 20, 2019

10. Beartooth - Afterall
Last week: NEW!


9. Eat Your Heart Out - Closer To The Sun
Last week: 10.


8. Seaway - Pleasures
Last week: 4.


7. Hawthorne Heights - Starlighter (Echo, Utah)
Last week: 8.


6. I Prevail - Hurricane
Last week: 1.


5. Grayscale - Painkiller Weather
Last week: 7.


4. Sum 41 - Out For Blood
Last week: 6.


3. blessthefall - Welcome Home
Last week: 5.


2. Simple Creatures - Adrenaline
Last week: 3.


1. Carousel Kings - Lock Meowt
Last week: 2.