Special: 2021 In Review: Best EP's of 2021

15. Story Untold - Nx Future

Choice Cut: Gxne by 23

14. rationale. - If The Problem Persists

Choice Cut: Market Scheme

13. Eve 6 - Grim Value

Choice Cut: I Wanna Bite Your Face

12. Heart Attack Man - Thoughtz & Prayerz

Choice Cut: Leap Year

11. First and Forever - Let This Love Lie Dead

Choice Cut: One More Time

10. KennyHoopla - Survivor's Guilt: The Mixtape

Choice Cuts: Estella//, Hollywood Sucks//

9. Homesafe - Nervous Reaction

Choice Cuts: Nervous Reaction, With You

8. We The Kings - Saga

Choice Cuts: No 1 Like U, Turn It Up

7. Hot Mulligan - I Won't Reach Out To You

Choice Cuts: Featuring Mark Hoppus, Pop Shuvit (Hall Of Meat, DUH)

6. The First Rock Band On Mars - The First Rock Band On Mars

Choice Cuts: The First Rock Star On Mars, Rockstars Of The Universe

5. Boston Manor - Desperate Times, Desperate Pleasures

Choice Cuts: Desperate Pleasures, Carbon Mono, I Don't Like People (& They Don't Like Me)

4. Against The Current - Fever

Choice Cuts: Jump, That Won't Save Us, Weapon

3. Real Friends - Torn In Two

Choice Cuts: Teeth, Spinning, Nervous Wreck

2. Meet Me @ The Altar - Model Citizen

Choice Cuts: Now Or Never, Feel A Thing, Never Gonna Change

1. Hot Milk - I Just Wanna Know What Happens When I'm Dead

Choice Cuts:  I Think I Hate Myself, The Good Life, Woozy

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: 50 - 41

PREVIOUS

50. Cartel - Perfect Mistake


49. These Kids Wear Crowns - Skeletons


48. Paramore - Playing God


47. Anti-Flag - Trouble Follows Me


46. Panic! At The Disco - Victorious


45. Against The Current - Young & Relentless


44. blink-182 - Darkside


43. Roam - Alive


42. Homesafe - Vanilla-Scented Laser Beams


41. Brighter, Brightest - Everyday


NEXT

Special: 2019 In Review: Best Songs of 2019: 100 - 91

100. Jonas Brothers - Sucker


99. Story Untold - Mental Breakdown


98. Grayscale - Baby Blue


97. Homesafe - Without Warning


96. Marianas Trench - Don't Miss Me


95. Prophets Of Rage - Pop Goes The Weapon


94. Katy Perry - Never Really Over


93. Belmont - By My Side


92. New Found Glory - Let It Go


91. Fever 333 - Animal


NEXT

Special: 2018 In Review: Best Songs of 2018: 20 - 11

PREVIOUS

20. Neck Deep Ft. Sam Carter - Don't Wait


19. Panic! At The Disco - Hey Look Ma, I Made It!


18. Hawthorne Heights - Just Another Ghost


17. Anti-Flag - Trouble Follows Me


16. Real Friends - From The Outside


15. Homesafe - Vanilla-Scented Laser Beams


14. Good Charlotte - Self-Help


13. Sleep On It - A New Way Home


12. Story Untold - In Or Out


11. Against The Current - Strangers Again


NEXT

Special: 2018 In Review: Best Songs Of 2018: 90 - 81

PREVIOUS

90. Weezer - Africa


89. Broadside - Summer Stained


88. I Don't Know How But They Found Me - Do It All The Time


87. Homesafe - Run


86. Paramore - Rose-Colored Boy


85. Like Pacific - In Spite Of Me


84. Story Untold - Chasing Feelings


83. Arkells - Relentless


82. MxPx - Best Life


81. 5 Seconds Of Summer - Youngblood


NEXT

Top 10 Countdown: August 18, 2018

10. As It Is - The Stigma (Boys Don't Cry)
Last week: NEW!


9. Panic! At The Disco - Hey Look Ma, I Made It
Last week: NEW!


8. New Found Glory - Heaven Sent
Last week: 9.


7. Knuckle Puck - Want Me Around
Last week: 8.


6. Homesafe - Vanilla-Scented Laser Beams
Last week: 2.


5. With Confidence - That Something
Last week: 7.


4. Real Friends - From The Outside
Last week: 5.


3. Neck Deep Ft. Sam Carter (Architects) - Don't Wait
Last week: 4.


2. New Found Glory - Call Me Anti-Social
Last week: 3.


1. Against The Current - Strangers Again
Last week: 1.

Top 10 Countdown: August 11, 2018

10. State Champs - Our Time To Go
Last week: 10.


9. New Found Glory - Heaven Sent
Last week: NEW!


8. Knuckle Puck - Want Me Around
Last week: 9.


7. With Confidence - That Something
Last week: 8.


6. Mayday Parade - Piece Of Your Heart
Last week: 3.


5. Real Friends - From The Outside
Last week: 7.


4. Neck Deep Ft. Sam Carter (Architects) - Don't Wait
Last week: 5.


3. New Found Glory - Call Me Anti-Social
Last week: 4.


2. Homesafe - Vanilla-Scented Laser Beams
Last week: 1.


1. Against The Current - Strangers Again
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: August 4, 2018

10. State Champs - Our Time To Go
Last week: NEW!


9. Knuckle Puck - Want Me Around
Last week: 10.


8. With Confidence - That Something
Last week: NEW!


7. Real Friends - From The Outside
Last week: 8.


6. State Champs - Dead And Gone
Last week: 2.


5. Neck Deep Ft. Sam Carter (Architects) - Don't Wait
Last week: 7.


4. New Found Glory - Call Me Anti-Social
Last week: 5.


3. Mayday Parade - Piece Of Your Heart
Last week: 1.


2. Against The Current - Strangers Again
Last week: 4.


1. Homesafe - Vanilla-Scented Laser Beams
Last week: 3.

Top 10 Countdown: July 28, 2018

10. Knuckle Puck - Want Me Around
Last week: NEW!


9. Mayday Parade - It's Hard To Be Religious When People When Certain People Are Never Incinerated By Bolts Of Lighting
Last week: 9.


8. Real Friends - From The Outside
Last week: 10.


7. Neck Deep Ft. Sam Carter (Architects) - Don't Wait
Last week: 8.


6. As It Is - The Wounded World
Last week: 3.


5. New Found Glory - Call Me Anti-Social
Last week: 6.


4. Against The Current - Strangers Again
Last week: 5.


3. Homesafe - Vanilla-Scented Laser Beams
Last week: 4.


2. State Champs - Dead And Gone
Last week: 1.


1. Mayday Parade - Piece Of Your Heart
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: July 21, 2018

10. Real Friends - From The Outside
Last week: NEW!


9. Mayday Parade -  It's Hard To Be Religious When Certain People Are Never Incinerated By Bolts Of Lighting
Last week: 10.


8. Neck Deep Ft. Sam Carter (Architects) - Don't Wait
Last week: 9.


7. Knuckle Puck - Twist
Last week: 7.


6. New Found Glory - Call Me Anti-Social
Last week: 8.


5. Against The Current - Strangers Again
Last week: 5.


4. Homesafe - Vanilla-Scented Laser Beams
Last week: 4.


3. As It Is - The Wounded World
Last week: 3.


2. Mayday Parade - Piece Of Your Heart
Last week: 2.


1. State Champs - Dead And Gone
Last week: 1.

Top 10 Countdown: July 14, 2018

10. Mayday Parade - It's Hard To Be Religious When Certain People Are Never Incinerated By Bolts Of Lighting
Last week: NEW!


9. Neck Deep Ft. Sam Carter (Architects) - Don't Wait
Last week: NEW!


8. New Found Glory - Call Me Anti-Social
Last week: 9.


7. Knuckle Puck - Twist
Last week: 8.


6. Hawthorne Heights - Just Another Ghost
Last week: 2.


5. Against The Current - Strangers Again
Last week: 7.


4. Homesafe - Vanilla-Scented Laser Beams
Last week: 5.


3. As It Is - The Wounded World
Last week: 4.


2. Mayday Parade - Piece Of Your Heart
Last week: 3.


1. State Champs - Dead And Gone
Last week: 1.

Top 10 Countdown: July 7, 2018

10. Panic! At The Disco - Say Amen (Saturday Night)
Last week: 10.


9. New Found Glory - Call Me Anti-Social
Last week: NEW!


8. Knuckle Puck - Twist
Last week: 9.


7. Against The Current - Strangers Again
Last week: 8.


6. Story Untold - In Or Out
Last week: 3.


5. Homesafe - Vanilla-Scented Laser Beams
Last week: 7.


4. As It Is - The Wounded World
Last week: 6.


3. Mayday Parade - Piece Of Your Heart
Last week: 4.


2. Hawthorne Heights - Just Another Ghost
Last week: 1.


1. State Champs - Dead And Gone
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: June 30, 2018

10. Frank Turner - Little Changes
Last week: NEW!


9. Knuckle Puck - Twist
Last week: 10.


8. Against The Current - Strangers Again
Last week: NEW!


7. Homesafe - Vanilla-Scented Laser Beams
Last week: 8.


6. As It Is - The Wounded World
Last week: 7.


5. Panic! At The Disco - Say Amen (Saturday Night)
Last week: 2.


4. Mayday Parade - Piece Of Your Heart
Last week: 5.


3. Story Untold - In Or Out
Last week: 1.


2. State Champs - Dead And Gone
Last week: 4.


1. Hawthorne Heights - Just Another Ghost
Last week: 3.

Top 10 Countdown: June 23, 2018

10. Knuckle Puck - Twist
Last week: NEW!


9. Frank Turner - Blackout
Last week: 5.


8. Homesafe - Vanilla-Scented Laser Beams
Last week: 9.


7. As It Is - The Wounded World
Last week: 8.


6. The Gospel Youth - Bloodlines//Love Stopped Me Coming Home
Last week: 4.


5. Mayday Parade - Piece Of Your Heart
Last week: 7.


4. State Champs - Dead And Gone
Last week: 6.


3. Hawthorne Heights - Just Another Ghost
Last week: 3.


2. Panic! At The Disco - Say Amen (Saturday Night)
Last week: 2.


1. Story Untold - In Or Out
Last week: 1.

Top 10 Countdown: June 16, 2018

10. All Time Low - Afterglow
Last week: NEW!


9. Homesafe - Vanilla-Scented Laser Beams
Last week: 10.


8. As It Is - The Wounded World
Last week: NEW!


7. Mayday Parade - Piece Of Your Heart
Last week:8.


6. State Champs - Dead And Gone
Last week: 7.


5. Frank Turner - Blackout
Last week: 5.


4. The Gospel Youth - Bloodlines//Love Stopped Me Coming Home
Last week: 1.


3. Hawthorne Heights - Just Another Ghost
Last week: 4.


2. Panic! At The Disco - Say Amen (Saturday Night)
Last week: 3.


1. Story Untold - In Or Out
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: June 9, 2018

10. Homesafe - Vanilla Scented Laser Beams
Last week: NEW!


9. Frank Turner - Make America Great Again
Last week: 9.


8. Mayday Parade - Piece Of Your Heart
Last week: NEW!


7. State Champs - Dead And Gone
Last week: 8.


6. Waterparks - Not Warriors/Crybaby
Last week: 1.


5. Frank Turner - Blackout
Last week: 6.


4. Hawthorne Heights - Just Another Ghost
Last week: 5.


3. Panic! At The Disco - Say Amen (Saturday Night)
Last week: 4.


2. Story Untold - In Or Out
Last week: 3.


1. The Gospel Youth - Bloodlines//Love Stopped Me Coming Home
Last week: 2.