Special: 2020 In Review: Top 100 Singles Of 2020: 100 - 91

100. Pup - Anaphylaxis

99. You, Me And Everyone We Know - F.I.N.E.

98. 5 Seconds Of Summer - No Shame

97. Mest - Masquerade

96. Green Day - Meet Me On The Roof

95. The Used - Paradise Lost, A Poem By John Milton

94. Less Than Jake - Keep On Chasing

93. The Dangerous Summer - Fuck Them All

92. Taylor Swift - The Man

91. Run The Jewels Ft. Greg Nice & DJ Premier - Ooh La La

NEXT

Special: 2020 In Review: Top 10 Music Videos of 2020

10. Katy Perry - It's Not The End Of The World

Why? Katy Perry is off raising a baby though we do get a quick glimpse of her at the beginning of this music videos that sees aliens wanting to abduct Katy Perry. The only problem? Doppleganger Zooey Deschanel is nearby and gets taken instead. Both celebrities lean into the meme that they look alike as Zooey ends up needing to act like Katy to save the world by unplugging the internet? Weird but still funny they did this.

9. Bring Me The Horizon - Parasite Eve

Why? Bring Me The Horizon's return to heavy music also coincided with this dark video which features the band seemingly turn into the monsters from the game Parasite Eve which was the inspiration behind the song in the first place. It's also impressive that they did this cohesive of a video without the band members needing to be near each other and as for the parasite looks? Those aren't special effects. The band had someone make masks that intense!

8. Run The Jewels - Walking In The Snow

Why? As noted in the previous section, COVID played a big part in music videos in 2020. Most bands could not get together to do music videos and RTJ is a perfect example of this, having to resort to animated, green screen and lyric videos to promote RTJ4 but none were as good as the Walking In The Snow video because lets get real... If you do a music video with toys you're probably going to make it on this particular list of mine.

7. Anti-Flag - The Disease

Why? And right after that we get a band that filmed a video pre-COVID so throw out everything I just said. Released at the turn of the new year, Pittsburg punks Anti-Flag gave us a great video referencing cult hit movie They Live where a pair of sunglasses allows a regular man to see aliens hiding in normal people's bodies. Of course Anti-Flag doesn't deal with aliens so in their version the sunglasses allow the wearer to see the true meaning behind ads, government and media. 

6. The Ghost Inside - Aftermath

Why? Thus far we've stuck to music videos that look cool but if you've seen these lists in the past you know that generally videos that make you feel something gets ranked up high and The Ghost Inside released one such video this year earning them this spot. The band was involved in a scary bus accident in late 2015 which left 3 members in the hospital in critical condition including the drummer who was in a 10 day coma and lost a leg. The band returned to play a show in July 2019 and this year Aftermath became their first new release showing the band struggling to get better, enjoying playing shows again and screaming at the edge of the highway where the accident took place.

5. Pup - Anaphylaxis

Why? Alright enough with the mushy stuff. Canadian punk-rockers PUP released Anaphylaxis as a stand alone single early in the COVID days, only to be bored and record some new songs and release an EP in late 2020, but the best part of that album is the video for Anaphylaxis. Like RTJ's toys above if you have the balls to do a claymation video, even in COVID times, you deserve a top 5 video. Sure it's a little crude looking but it's punk rock dude. It's not supposed to be polished.

4. You Me At Six - Make Me Feel Alive

Why? We hit the part of the list where movie making is A+ which gets these next two up so high. First up is UK rockers You Me At Six with their comeback single Make Me Feel Alive which is through the POV of lead singer Josh Franceschi which is cool enough, except he gets mugged in an alley and they take out his fucking eye! We then get a split screen look where on the left we have the criminal with the missing eye and on the right Josh's mission to get his eye back, add in a Bladerunner esque look and you have the makings of an amazing video.

3. Taylor Swift - The Man

Why? Another early 2020 video where groups of people could actually gather. The Man sees pop sensation Taylor Swift take on the roll of, well a man. Taylor is completely unrecognizable in this video as she acts like a pompous man would and gets praised for the behaviour. Incredible hair and makeup aside we also get a cameo from normal Taylor as the director of the video asking her male self to be more "likeable" and we find out the voice of male Taylor is no other than Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

2. Story Untold - From The Outside I Seem Just Fine

Why? Alright let's get serious here before getting to the #1 pick. Big props to Story Untold for releasing my #2 video of the year despite having no budget as an unsigned band. Like TGI above videos should make you feel something and this one has the singer of Story Untold having a miserable time and ignoring texts from his bandmate as he contemplates suicide. In the end right before he goes through with the act he reads one last text which triggers a series of good memories which makes him not go through with it. The moral of the story kids is always reach out to your friends, especially in times like these to make sure everyone is alright.

1. Eskimo Callboy - Hypa Hypa

Why? Okay, it's silly time again. Eskimo Callboy is a total meme band, they know it, we know it but goddamn if I can't get over these Germans in mullets doing ridiculous choreographed dance routines in even more ridiculous outfits. If there was a metalcore version of Psy's Gagnam Style this would be it, video and all and becouse of it's sillyness Eskimo Callboy gets the 1st place trophy for best video of 2020.

Special: Christmas CD 2020

2020 has been some kind of year but it's almost done so let's enjoy the holiday season with some holiday tunes. I've linked previous installments of my What's A Partridge? What's A Pear Tree? Compilations below. As always I claim no ownership to the music listed.

What's A Partridge? What's A Pear Tree? Volume 12:

1. Dallon Weekes - Sickly Sweet Holiday
2. blink-182 - Not Another Christmas Song
3. Patent Pending - Jingle Bells Mazel Tov (Dreidel Song)
4. Bowling For Soup - Father Christmas
5. Relient K - Silver Bells
6. Senses Fail - Donde Esta Santa Claus
7. Story Untold - Silent Night
8. Butch Walker - Last Christmas
9. Jonas Brothers - Like It's Christmas
10. Dropkick Murphys - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
11. Goldfinger - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
12. New Found Glory - December's Here
13. We The Kings - The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting)
14. Reel Big Fish - Mele Kalikimaka
15. Taylor Swift - Christmases When You Were Mine
16. Good Charlotte - Let The World Be Still
17. Plain White T's - That Christmas Feeling
18. Dave Melillo - All I Want For Christmas Is You
19. MxPx - Punk Rawk Christmas
20. The Rocket Summer - O Holy Night

LINK

What's A Partridge? What's A Pear Tree? Volume 11:

1. Aly & AJ - Greatest Time Of Year
2. Goldfinger - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
3. Echosmith - Baby Don't Leave Me (All Alone At Christmas)
4. Panic! At The Disco - Feels Like Christmas
5. Butch Walker - Frosty The Snowman
6. I Don't Know How But They Found Me - Merry Christmas Everybody
7. Set It Off - This Christmas (I'll Burn It To The Ground)
8. Creeper - Fairytale Of New York
9. Plain White T's - Do You Hear What I Hear
10. Patent Pending - A Better New Year
11. Fight Fair - Going Nowhere
12. Relient K - O Holy Night
13. Bowling For Soup - Miss You Most On Christmas
14. Taylor Swift - Christmas Must Be Something More
15. Carousel Kings - We Wish You A Merry Christmas/Auld Lang Syne
16. The Rocket Summer - Elf Creep
17. The Summer Set - This Christmas
18. Broadside - Wish List
19. MxPx Ft. Emily Whitehurst & Pierre Bouvier - December
20. Reel Big Fish - Whatever U Celebrate

LINK

What's A Partridge? What's A Pear Tree? Greatest Hits Volume 1:

1. Anberlin - Baby Please Come Home
2. From The Top - Hot Chocolate Stains And Candy Canes
3. All Time Low - Fool's Holiday
4. A Change Of Pace - Christmas On The Coast
5. Plain White T's - Christmas Won't Be The Same Without You
6. Sunrise Skater Kids - 12 Days Of A Pop Punk Christmas
7. These Kids Wear Crowns Ft. Vital - You're My Mrs. Claus
8. Artist Vs. Poet - Airplanes And Candy Canes
9. Man Overboard - Decemberism
10. Unwritten Law Ft. Sum 41 - Unwritten Christmas
11. The Matches - December Is For Cynics
12. Relient K - Santa Claus Is Thumbing To Town
13. Divided By Friday - All I Want For Christmas Is You
14. The Summer Set - Love By Our Side
15. Bayside - Angels We Have Heard On High
16. Suckerpunch - This December
17. .fun. - Sleigh Ride
18. All These Lights - Christmas Wish
19. Hawk Nelson - Up On The Housetop
20. Good Charlotte - Last Christmas

LINK

Previous 10 Volumes

Special: First Listen Thoughts: Neck Deep "All Distortions Are Intentional", Broadside "Into The Raging Sea", Taylor Swift "Folklore"

Neck Deep - All Distortions Are Intentional

Label: Hopeless Records

Press release: This latest set is more conceptual in nature, following the story of a loner named Jett who lives in a place dubbed "Sonderland," which is viewed as a combination of "Wonderland" and the word "sonder" which is the realization that everyone else may be living a life as complex and rich as your own. “It’s that strange existential realization that you are not the entire world,” explains singer Ben Barlow. “Everyone around you feels and lives the same way that you do. You’re just an extra in their story.”

My thoughts: This record is definitely different but still enjoyable. There's no certified bangers after one listen but there's enough to enjoy. The singles thus far have all been great choices and the only songs I'm not into is Quarry (big yikes) and Little Dove.

Broadside - Into The Raging Sea

Label: Sharptone Records

Press release: Broadside will release their new album Into The Raging Sea on July 24 via SharpTone Records. On the new album, frontman Ollie Baxxter shares: “All of the people I’ve idolized always say songs just flowed out of them, not because they wanted them to necessarily, but because they had to. Up until recently, that didn’t feel realistic for me. I didn’t think I was capable of creating art with that pureness of spirit.“

My thoughts: Outside of the closer which is a snoozer after one listen, this is a solid album top to (almost) bottom. I was worried they were going extra dark and melancholy on this release with the singles they've released and with the signing to Sharptone, however Broadside keep the punchy guitars and upbeat bangers like Dancing On The Ceiling and Overdramatic.

Taylor Swift - Folklore

Label: Republic Records

Press release: Surprise 🤗 Tonight at midnight I’ll be releasing my 8th studio album, folklore; an entire brand new album of songs I’ve poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into. Before this year I probably would’ve overthought when to release this music at the ‘perfect’ time, but the times we’re living in keep reminding me that nothing is guaranteed. My gut is telling me that if you make something you love, you should just put it out into the world.

My thoughts: Taylor, I love your pop sensibilities but this record completely lacks that. Maybe I'll come around on some tracks eventually but as of now the standout that I'll come back to is The Last Great American Dynasty.

Special: Stargirl, Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn, Miss Americana Mini-Reviews

Stargirl:

Synopsis: Leo Borlock is an average student at Mica High School. He gets decent grades, is a member of the school's marching band and has always been content flying under the radar. But all that changes when he meets Stargirl Caraway, a confident and colorful new student with a penchant for the ukulele, who stands out in a crowd. She is kind, finds magic in the mundane and touches the lives of others with the simplest of gestures. Her eccentricities and infectious personality charm Leo and the student body, and she quickly goes from being ignored and ridiculed to accepted and praised, then back again, sending Leo on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

My thoughts: Disney used this as a starring vehicle for Grace Vanderwaal who won one of those reality talent shows so she was a known commodity for most but not me and that inexperience shines through at times but the chemistry between the cast works well. The movie overall was good as it would rank somewhere in the middle of John Hughes filmography which is clearly the feeling Disney was going for.

Final verdict: 3.5 ukuleles out of 5.

Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn:

Synopsis: You ever hear the one about the cop, the songbird, the psycho and the mafia princess? "Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)" is a twisted tale told by Harley herself, as only Harley can tell it. When Gotham's most nefariously narcissistic villain, Roman Sionis, and his zealous right-hand, Zsasz, put a target on a young girl named Cass, the city is turned upside down looking for her. Harley, Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya's paths collide, and the unlikely foursome have no choice but to team up to take Roman down.

My thoughts: I was on the borderline with my rating for this one as I was comparing it to Sonic and in the end I went with the higher one here as I just kept remembering how much fun this flick was. From the off the wall set pieces to colourful costumes to go along with slick action choreography and jokes for days to go along with the bone crushing assaults all the while backlit by a fantastic cast. These birds are worth your time.

Final verdict: 5 oversized mallets out of 5.

Miss Americana:

Synopsis: Miss Americana is a raw and emotionally revealing look at one of the most iconic artists of our time during a transformational period in her life as she learns to embrace her role not only as a songwriter and performer, but as a woman harnessing the full power of her voice.

My thoughts: I like most Taylor Swift music so I was interested in this doc however I don't follow the media around her so most of the negative stuff that came up about her in the film I had just learned so I felt a bit out of the loop. Overall it tells the story well enough through Taylor's eyes but I like docs that actually show several points of views which we don't get here. Only Taylor and the media through past broadcasts. Overall it was fine but not sure it's something I'd revisit.

Final verdict: 3 political stances out of 5.

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


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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


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Top 10 Countdown: July 6, 2019

10. Hawthorne Heights - Starlighter (Echo, Utah)
Last week: NEW!


9. Taylor Swift Ft. Panic! At The Disco - ME!
Last week: 9.


8. New Found Glory - This Is Me
Last week: 1.


7. Sum 41 - Out For Blood
Last week: 8.


6. blessthefall - Welcome Home
Last week: 7.


5. Mayday Parade - Never Sure
Last week: 5.


4. Simple Creatures - Adrenaline
Last week: 6.


3. Carousel Kings - Lock Meowt
Last week: 4.


2. I Prevail - Hurricane
Last week: 3.


1. Seaway - Pleasures
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: June 29, 2019

10. Grayscale - If I Ever See You Again
Last week: 3.


9. Taylor Swift Ft. Panic! At The Disco - ME!
Last week: NEW!


8. Sum 41 - Our For Blood
Last week: 10.


7. blessthefall - Welcoem Home
Last week: NEW!


6. Simple Creatures - Adrenaline
Last week: 8.


5. Mayday Parade - Never Sure
Last week: 7.


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


3. I Prevail - Hurricane
Last week: 4.


2. Seaway - Pleasures
Last week: 2.


1. New Found Glory - This Is Me
Last week: 1.

Special: 2018 In Review: Best Songs Of 2018: 60 - 51

PREVIOUS

60. Taylor Swift Ft. Ed Sheeran & Future – End Game


59. Seaway - Just What I Needed


58. New Found Glory - Heaven Sent


57. Frank Turner - Little Changes


56. Good Charlotte - Prayers


55. With Confidence - Jaded


54. As It Is - The Stigma (Boys Don't Cry)


53. Beartooth - Fire


52. Grayscale - Fever Dream


51. State Champs - Our Time To Go


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Top 10 Countdown: April 7, 2018

10. Taylor Swift Ft. Ed Sheeran & Future - End Game
Last week: 3.


9. The Wonder Years - Sister Cities
Last week: NEW!


8. Blessthefall - Melodramatic
Last week: 9.


7. Waterparks - Not Warriors/Crybaby
Last week: 8.


6. Grayscale - Forever Yours
Last week: 7.


5. We Were Sharks - Hotel Beds
Last week: 6.


4. Anti-Flag - Finish What We Started
Last week: 5.


3. Senses Fail - Gold Jacket, Green Jacket...
Last week: 4.


2. Silverstein - Whiplash
Last week: 1.


1. Seaway - London
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: March 31, 2018

10. Jule Vera - Bad Company
Last week: NEW!


9. Blessthefall - Melodramatic
Last week: 10.


8. Waterparks - Not Warriors/Crybaby
Last week: 9.


7. Grayscale - Forever Yours
Last week: 8.


6. We Were Sharks - Hotel Beds
Last week: 7.


5. Anti-Flag - Finish What We Started
Last week: 5.


4. Senses Fail - Gold Jacket, Green Jacket...
Last week: 4.


3. Taylor Swift Ft. Ed Sheeran & Future - End Game
Last week: 3.


2. Seaway - London
Last week: 2.


1. Silverstein - Whiplash
Last week: 1.

Top 10 Countdown: March 24, 2018

10. Blessthefall - Melodramatic
Last week: NEW!


9. Waterparks - Not Warriors/Crybaby
Last week: 10.


8. Grayscale - Forever Yours
Last week: 9.


7. We Were Sharks - Hotel Beds
Last week: 8.


6. We Were Sharks - Stay
Last week: 2.


5. Anti-Flag - Finish What We Started
Last week: 6.


4. Senses Fail - Gold Jacket, Green Jacket...
Last week: 5.


3. Taylor Swift Ft. Future & Ed Sheeran - End Game
Last week: 4.


2. Seaway - London
Last week: 3.


1. Silverstein - Whiplash
Last week: 1.

Top 10 Countdown: March 17, 2018

10. Waterparks - Not Warriors/Crybaby
Last week: NEW!


9. Grayscale - Forever Yours
Last week: NEW!


8. We Were Sharks - Hotel Beds
Last week: 9.


7. Boston Manor - Drowned In Gold
Last week: 3.


6. Anti-Flag - Finish What We Started
Last week: 7.


5. Senses Fail - Gold Jacket, Green Jacket...
Last week: 6.


4. Taylor Swift Ft. Future & Ed Sheeran - End Game
Last week: 5.


3. Seaway - London
Last week: 4.


2. We Were Sharks - Stay
Last week: 1.


1. Silverstein - Whiplash
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: March 10, 2017

10. Fall Out Boy - Wilson (Expensive  Mistakes)
Last week: 10.


9. We Were Sharks - Hotel Beds
Last week: NEW!


8. Neck Deep - Parachute
Last week: 4.


7. Anti-Flag - Finish What We Started
Last week: 8.


6. Senses Fail - Gold Jacket, Green Jacket...
Last week: 7.


5. Taylor Swift Ft. Future & Ed Sheeran - End Game
Last week: 6.


4. Seaway - London
Last week: 5.


3. Boston Manor - Drowned In Gold
Last week: 1.


2. Silverstein - Whiplash
Last week: 3.


1. We Were Sharks - Stay
Last week: 2.

Top 10 Countdown: March 3, 2018

10. Fall Out Boy - Wilson (Expensive Mistakes)
Last week: NEW!


9. Anti-Flag - Digital Blackout
Last week: 2.


8. Anti-Flag - Finish What We Started
Last week: 9.


7. Senses Fail - Gold Jacket, Green Jacket...
Last week: 8.


6. Taylor Swift Ft. Future & Ed Sheeran - End Game
Last week: 7.


5. Seaway - London
Last week: 6.


4. Neck Deep - Parachute
Last week: 1.


3. Silverstein - Whiplash
Last week: 5.


2. We Were Sharks - Stay
Last week: 3.


1. Boston Manor - Drowned In Gold
Last week: 4.

Top 10 Countdown: February 24, 2018

10. With Confidence - Waterfall
Last week: 3.


9. Anti-Flag - Finish What We Started
Last week: 10.


8. Senses Fail - Gold Jacket, Green Jacket...
Last week: NEW!


7. Taylor Swift Ft. Future & Ed Sheeran - End Game
Last week: 9.


6. Seaway - London
Last week: 7.


5. Silverstein - Whiplash
Last week: 8.


4. Boston Manor - Drowned In Gold
Last week: 5.


3. We Were Sharks - Stay
Last week: 4.


2. Anti-Flag - Digital Blackout
Last week: 2.


1. Neck Deep - Parachute
Last week: 1.

Top 10 Countdown: February 17, 2018

10. Anti-Flag - Finish What We Started
Last week: NEW!


9. Taylor Swift Ft. Future & Ed Sheeran - End Game
Last week: 10.


8. Silverstein - Whiplash
Last week: 9.


7. Seaway - London
Last week: 8.


6. We Were Sharks - Beyond Repair
Last week: 2.


5. Boston Manor - Drowned In Gold
Last week: 6.


4. We Were Sharks - Stay
Last week: 5.


3. With Confidence - Waterfall
Last week: 1.


2. Anti-Flag - Digital Blackout
Last week: 4.


1. Neck Deep - Parachute
Last week: 3.

Top 10 Countdown: February 10, 2018

10. Taylor Swift Ft. Future & Ed Sheeran - End Game
Last week: NEW!


9. Silverstein - Whiplash
Last week: 10.


8. Seaway - London
Last week: NEW!


7. Knuckle Puck - Gone
Last week: 3.


6. Boston Manor - Drowned In Gold
Last week: 7.


5. We Were Sharks - Stay
Last week: 6.


4. Anti-Flag - Digital Blackout
Last week: 5.


3. Neck Deep - Parachute
Last week: 4.


2. We Were Sharks - Beyond Repair
Last week: 1.


1. With Confidence - Waterfall
Last week: 2.

Special: 2016 In Review: 100 Best Songs of 2016 Part 2 (90 - 81)

PREVIOUS

90. A Loss For Words – Existential Crisis At The Flask 'n Flagon


89. Taylor Swift - New Romantics


88. Pierce The Veil - Dive In


87. Pvris - Mirrors


86. Forever Came Calling - Wish You Well


85. With Confidence - Take Me Away


84. Against The Current - Wasteland


83. Rarity - Stranger


82. Hands Like Houses - Degrees Of Separation


81. Neck Deep Ft. Chris Carrabba - December


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