"And the countdown rolls on ..."
12. The Steps by Haim.
"And if you go left
And I go right
Hey, maybe that's just life sometimes."
13. Phase by Pinegrove.
"That night when I lifted my head up
And I was seeing what was trembling there
On the edge of my restless eyelid
On the tip of horizon's lash
On the lip of collapsing letter
In the lap of confusing moon
I'm reduced to an estranged illusion
I'm consumed by all the shit in my room."
The fourth consecutive year on the list for the band from New Jersey (including my favorite song of 2017, and third favorite of all the 2010's, Old Friends). The above lyrics are among my favorites this year, which is not surprising given my admiration for Evan Stephens Hall's songwriting. I also recommend to you Dotted Line and pretty much everything else from Pinegrove's latest album, Marigold.
14. Alter Ego by Kaleo.
"You feel the rush in your head
This is the time to attend
There's nothin' holdin' you back
Now, go ahead."
A dollop of The Black Keys, a dash of AC/DC and voila! rocking magic from ... Iceland? Yep, like last year's entry from Junius Meyvant, Kaleo hail from the Land of Fire and Ice. Mjog gott!
15. A Thousand Words by Jay Som.
"Remember to call me when you're feeling blue
Don't follow the rules, go on and speak your truth
I've got you playing on my team
With the kind of people who sweep you off your feet
Writing a thousand words."
A bit of a rocker by Melina Mae Duterte's (aka Jay Som) standards, an artist who lives the cliche and makes music largely in her bedroom. I love the crescendo outro.
16. Strangers by Mt. Joy.
"I guess I'll have to fall in love with strangers
Go ride through New York City like I'm famous
And I did not want our love to be erased, but
Lord knows we chased it, love just rearranged us."
So, is her really over her? I think not. Hearing echoes of The Lumineers in this song, who, according to Seth Myers in the video, they were touring (or supposed to be touring) with. You know, before the world ground to a halt.
17. Circle the Drain by Soccer Mommy.
"It's a feeling that boils in my brain
I would dial back the flame
But I'm not sure I'm able
I'm wobbling out on the wire
And the lights could go out
With the break of a cable."
It was inevitable, wasn't it, that a song by Soccer Mommy (aka Sophia Regina Allison) would appear on the list sooner or later? Although I'm sure this song was written pre-COVID, it certainly describes what a lot of us have been going through at various times this year.
18. Who's Gonna Love Me Now by Cold War Kids.
"All those times when I imagined
What'd be like to have my freedom
Not be so uptight, live my best life
Oh, what a fool, I was only dreamin'."
A little Kings of Leon, a little White Stripes, a little Black Keys. I like how the Cold Ware Kids roll.
19. Automatic by Houses and Dawn Golden.
"Another bleached out, black hole
with nothing to lose
Another paywall, shopping mall
coming for you."
This marks the third straight year Houses has had a song on the list. I guess that officially qualifies me as a fan.
20. Come On Out by The Airborne Toxic Event.
"Black lungs, headlights
Heading off to the city tonight, out the
Front door, turn right
I was alone, alright, alright, alright."
One of those songs that I think says more with its music and "mood" than its lyrics. Those voices! That lead guitar!
21. Wrestling by Cartalk.
"Dance around what I want to say
Clear performance in my mind
Star at hands like a saving grace
Are they gonna catch me alright?"
Likely the most obscure song on this year's list, if YouTube hits are the measuring stick. Another retro-sounding, catchy tune that seemed in vogue this year.
22. Beautiful Anyway by Judah & the Lion.
"That's what makes this life so wonderfully awesome
and horribly awful
Yet somehow it's beautiful anyway."
The boys are back with another life-affirming anthem that we all really need. The video's pretty darn fun too.
Stay tuned for the top 11 songs!
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