The Best of the 10's - Danny's Best Rock Music of the Decade!

THE BEST ROCK ALBUMS OF THE 2010's:

Note: I decided to try something a little different here. Typically, in my Best of the Year lists, I look at the best songs of the year. But now, looking back at the decade, I thought it'd be appropriate to look instead at the best albums. Because any band can have a great song or two - but putting out a really great album? Even in the age of streaming, that's what cements a band as legend and creates fans for life.


1. Daft Punk - Random Access Memories (2013)

- I actually didn't really love Daft Punk's landmark album at first listen. I was coming off of their Tron Legacy soundtrack and wanted more of the same. But over time, I came to appreciate just how great Random Access Memories really was. From uber-catchy dance songs to cosmic techno and everything in between - this really is a modern classic.


2. Twenty One Pilots - Vessel (2013)

- With its earworm songs and exciting combination of rap, rock, and techno, Twenty One Pilots' breakout album was a game-changer.


3. Foxy Shazam - The Church of Rock and Roll (2012)

- Full of bombastic rock, Foxy Shazam showed they had what it takes to be the next great rock band with this 2012 album. If only they'd stayed together!


4. Daft Punk - Tron Legacy Soundtrack (2010)

- Want to hear the soundtrack to the electro-future of your dreams? Look no further than the instant-mood-setting of Daft Punk's seminal score to Tron Legacy.


5. Scorpions - Sting in the Tail (2010)

- Doubt me if you want, but Scorpions' Sting in the Tail is a late-career epic from the classic rock stalwarts, that came nearly fifty years into the band's career. From "Raised on Rock" to "The Best Is Yet to Come," this one is chock full of killer rock anthems.


6. The Darkness - Hot Cakes (2012)

- After a long hiatus, The Darkness returned in 2012 with a kick-ass comeback album that's filled with fist-pumping rockers.


7. Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare (2011)

- The spiritual sequel to one of the all-time great rock albums did not disappoint. Sure, old-school fans may have been shocked to see Alice Cooper collaborate with the likes of Kesha, but true fans know that one of the secrets to Alice's success is that he's always evolving.


8. Greta Van Fleet - Black Smoke Rising (2017)

- While Greta Van Fleet may have suffered from overexposure, there's also no denying that this debut EP absolutely ripped. From start to finish, it's full of new songs and covers that evoke mystical, magical 70's-era rock.


9. John Carpenter - Lost Themes (2015)

- The soundtrack to so much of my writing in recent years, legendary movie director (and film score composer!) John Carpenter blessed us with two albums of all-new music this decade. The instrumental songs evoke his trademark foreboding, synth-y style.


10. Slash - Slash (2010)

- Before Guns n' Roses improbably reunited to tour again, GnR guitar legend Slash came out with this killer album. Filled with collaborations with everyone from Ozzy to Fergie (and eventual bandmate Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge), this one took you to paradise city and back.


THE NEXT BEST:


11. Rush - Clockwork Angels (2012)

- Rush's final album was one hell of a farewell. A steampunk-themed concept album, Clockwork Angels was jam-packed with killer prog-rock anthems filled with geeky-awesome imagery.


12. The Dropkick Murphys - Signed and Sealed in Blood (2013)

- Boston's favorite sons are nothing if not reliable - but Signed and Sealed is one of their best. Quite simply, it's loaded with great songs that will have you belting out the lyrics like it's last call at the pub. The boys, as they say, were back.


13. The Offspring - Days Go By (2011)

- By the time this album released, The Offspring were struggling to get rock radio airplay - the world had moved on from their brand of catchy punk rock. But that's a shame, because this was a great album, mixing vintage Offspring-style tunes ("Slim Pickens ...") with super-fun experiments ("Cruising California (Bumpin' in My Trunk")).


14. Kesha - Warrior (2012)

- I've always liked Kesha's rock n' roll attitude, and this album featured everything from iconic dance-pop tracks like "Die Young" to rock collaborations ("Dirty Love") with the likes of Iggy Pop.


15. The Interrupters - Fight the Good Fight (2018)

- The Interrupters' most recent album is a testament to just how good this band is - one of the best new bands of the decade, in fact. From new punk-rock anthems like "She's Kerosene" to more contemplative fare like "Room With a View" - this is statement album. Statement being: there's a new sheriff in town.


16. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Hypnotic Eye (2014)

- Tom Petty and his legendary band continued to put out incredibly good albums up until the singer's untimely death in 2017. Their 2014 effort is the final Heartbreakers album, but it shows a band still near the top of its game - from the mesmerizing "Shadow People" to the rockin' "Forgotten Man."


17. Weird Al Yankovic - Mandatory Fun (2014)

- How great was 2014, aka the year that Weird Al took over the world (again!)? This album was the culmination of a glorious period in which Al dropped new songs/music videos online every day for several days in a row. The songs were creative, unique, and oftentimes hilarious. A true national hero.


18. Charly Bliss - Guppy (2017)

- If, in the 10's, you were missing 90's-style grungy power-pop, Charly Bliss was there to fill that void. This female-fronted rock group's breakout album was full of catchy, crunchy alt-rock goodness.


19. Joan Jett - Unvarnished (2013)

- Another great album from a classic rocker with, perhaps, something to prove - Joan Jett's 2013 album showed a legend still kicking ass and taking names. Just listen to "Any Weather." If that doesn't strike you as a new rock classic, then I don't know what to tell you.


20. Andrew WK - You're Not Alone (2018)

- Andrew WK's best album since his seminal 2000 debut, this one had a number of songs that were Andrew WK at his infectiously-positive, hard-rocking best. 


21. Paul McCartney - New (2013)

- Between this and his more recent Egypt Station, McCartney had a pretty good decade - and that's saying something. Seriously, how is Sir Paul still cranking out amazing pop-songs in his 70's? I don't know, but I do know that the title track on this one is up there with his best. 


22. Rise Against - Endgame (2011)

- Rise Against entered this decade as one of the breakout bands of the 2000's. They continued their hot streak with their 2011 album, which gave us more of their epic rock stylings - including one of my favorite songs of theirs, "Make It Stop (September’s Children)."


23. The Interrupters - The Interrupters (2014)

- The Interrupters' debut album was a true monster of punk-rock awesomeness. From the anthemic "Take Back the Power" to the funky stylings of "This Is The New Sound" - this signaled the emergence of a great new band.


24. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Mojo (2010)

- Another good one from Petty, this album marked a return to recording with the Heartbreakers after Petty's previous solo effort. I could go through all of the solid-to-excellent songs on this album, but I'll simply say: listen to "Something Good Coming." It's one of the best songs Tom Petty ever sang.


25. AC/DC - Rock or Bust (2014)

- And then there was AC/DC. One of the most consistent bands in the history of rock did not disappoint with 2014's Rock or Bust - despite health issues that sidelined founding member Malcolm Young. But man, what other band could churn out a late-career album with this many instantly-iconic tunes? For those about to rock, AC/DC continues to salute you.

THE BEST OF 2018 - The Best ROCK Of The Year

- I listened to a lot of great music in 2018 - new music from long-time favorite bands, new music from recent-favorite bands, and new music from new (or at least new to me) bands that could become future faves. It definitely felt like rock music was on the upswing in terms of pop-culture presence this year. One of my favorite bands from 2017, Greta Van Fleet, became a full-blown sensation in 2018. A band I've been a big fan of for a few year s now, The Interrupters, blew up in 2018 ('bout time!) with their kick-ass song "She's Kerosene." And classic rock was everywhere, be it a well-received new album from Sir Paul McCartney or the smash-hit movie Bohemian Rhapsody that celebrated the life of Freddie Mercury and the music of Queen. A couple of new albums from staples like Weezer disappointed - but at the same time, there were some real surprises ... like Smashing Pumpkins' coming out with a pretty rocking new album that evoked their 90's heyday. Music is weird now - you mostly have to proactively seek out the good stuff, and good curation can be hard to find. But I still find taking time to follow favorite bands and to seek out new ones to be rewarding. Discovering a great new song is always an awesome experience.

- I was also lucky to see some fantastic live music in 2018. I didn't go to quite as many big concerts as I did in 2017, but I did see some real gems. Maybe the best one was seeing the man, the myth, the legend - Weird Al Yankovic - as part of his The Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour (yes, it really was called that). I'd seen Weird Al in concert a few times already, but man, seeing him at a smaller venue - the Ace Hotel in downtown LA - playing only (mostly) his original songs and more obscure tunes ... it was awesome, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. I mean, I got to hear songs like "Albuquerque" and "Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota" live. Amazing. I also saw an all-time favorite rock band - The Scorpions - live once again, but this time at an outdoor venue (The Five-Points Ampitheater in Irvine). I took friends who'd never seen them live, and man, it was a great show. The Scorpions always rock like a hurricane, and I will never not nerd out when they do their classic "Coast to Coast" performance, with all members of the band wailing in sync on the most epic of epic guitar solos. I also saw another all-time fave - Alice Cooper - once again, this time at the famed Greek Theater in LA. I've seen some amazing Alice shows before, but this one was up there with the best I've seen. Alice was in rare form, and guitarist Nita Strauss was absolutely phenomenal - there were clearly a lot of fans there to see her as much as to see Alice, and with good reason: she freaking rocks. It was also really cool to see former KISS member Ace Frehley open the show - seeing him perform "New York Groove" live was a rock n' roll dream come true. Finally, I finally did the LA bucket-list thing that any LA resident worth his or her salt has to do ... I saw Jeff Goldblum's live jazz show! This is a must-see treat for anyone living in or visiting LA ... you get the full Goldblum experience, with tons of patently oddball audience interaction and a guaranteed photo with the man himself. Plus some cool jazz music to boot, courtesy of Goldblum and The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. Like I said, you must, uh ... find a way ... to see - nay, *experience* - this, if you can.

So without further ado ... here are my top rock picks of the year. And for those about to rock in 2019, I salute you.


DANNY'S TOP ROCK SONGS OF 2018:


1.) The Interrupters - "She's Kerosene" / "Room With a View"

-  I first became aware of The Interrupters a few years back, when I saw them open for The Offspring. They killed it at that show, and I was an instant fan (even more so when I realized that their lead singer was actually Aimee Allen, who I'd been a fan of since college when she did the kick-ass theme for the quickly-cancelled Birds of Prey TV show). The Interrupters just deliver simple, classic, catchy punk rock anthems like nobody's business - and that feels even more special in a world where this sort of music just isn't made that much, and definitely doesn't enter the mainstream consciousness. But you know what? When the music is this good, this undeniable ... it will rise to the top of the charts. And "She's Kerosene" is quite simply an instant-classic rock song. You can't help but love it from the first second you hear it. I actually really loved the band's latest album as a whole, and so I'll also give a shout-out to "Room With a View" - the rare punk rock song that's genuinely both rocking and emotional - a feat rarely accomplished since the days of The Ramones. Anyways, I can't say enough about this band, so if you're not already onboard the bandwagon - jump on it.

2.) Andrew WK - "Music Is Worth Living For" / "Ever Again"

- It was a long time coming, but with his latest album You're Not Alone, Andrew WK has finally produced a worthy follow-up to 2001's breakout I Get Wet. I Get Wet is a top-to-bottom modern classic, but You're Not Alone has a number of vintage WK rockers (it also has some odd spoken-word motivational mini-sermons, but I'll reserve commentary on those). Notably, "Music Is Worth Living For" is the kind of epic, earnest, joyful rock ballad that only Andrew WK could create. It's awesome. Similarly, "Ever Again" is another concentrated dose of motivational rock that that personifies the album's message of using the power of positivity to life oneself up from the lowest of lows. Corny? Maybe. Party-worthy rock that demands to be played as loud as possible? Most definitely.

3.) Greta Van Fleet - "Brave New World" / "When the Curtain Falls"

- I'll cut to the chase - as a whole, Greta Van Fleet's first full album of original music - Anthem of the Peaceful Army - feels like a bit of a step down from their holy-$%&$-this-is-good debut EP, From the Fires. That said, there are still some real gems to be found on it - namely, in my opinion, the hard-driving rocker "Brave New World." It's a slower and more methodical song than we're used to from the band, but man, it's got some power behind it. "When the Curtain Falls" is more the speed that GVF fans are used to - and it's a catchy barn-burner in their classic, Led Zep-tribute style. And hey, to those who've been hating on the band of late - please. Maybe this album isn't quite the sonic force of nature as From the Fires was, but these guys are still doing more to re-popularize rock n' roll than anyone. And they can play. I am still very much a fan, and can't wait to see what they do next.

4.) Ghost - "Dance Macabre"

- Ghost is a crazy goth metal band that I was turned onto this year. And while I don't know that I would have become an uber-fan based on their past output, their most recent album - full of 80's-tinged rockers with more of a pop-feel, hit a lot of my rock music sweet spots. I'm guessing some of their longtime fans may not love "Dance Macabre" - as it's a dose of pure, synth-accompanied 80's hair-metal cheese. But man, do I dig this song. It's the throw-your-hands-up-and-dance goth-rock anthem I didn't know I needed, but glad we got.

5.) Meg Myers - "Numb"

- I discovered this one late in the year - but man, what a great song. Meg Meyers has a unique, powerful voice and style to burn. And this song captures an 90's alt-rock style that you don't hear much of anymore ... this song would have been HUGE back in the day, but I'm glad I discovered it here in 2018. I hope to hear more from Meg Myers, and I hope that this isn't just a blip ... give us more great alt-rockers and I will be there for them.

6.) Dead Sara - "Unamerican "

- Dead Sara has been one of the best rock bands out there for several years now, and they're a band whose new music I always look forward to. And "Unamerican" is a return to the loud, angry, pull-no-punches vibe that first put them on the map with "Weatherman" a while back. Not only that, but it's one of the first big rock songs to directly and angrily go after Trump. It felt like this song - or a song like it - has been a *long* time coming. So if you're feeling some rage about the current state of America (and who isn't?), this is the song you've been waiting for.

7.) Paul McCartney - "Come On To Me"

- It's sort of amazing that Paul McCartney, after all this time, is still making really, really good rock music. In fact, I'd argue that his last couple of albums have been genuinely excellent in a way that his music, prior, had not been in quite some time. I mean, give a listen to "Come On To Me" - this is a great pop-rock song, the kind of song that in a different era would probably be (and probably should be) a huge crossover mainstream hit. I think there's also something to be said for Sir Paul's unwavering positivity - now is an era when I think many of us long for the utopian dreams of the Beatles' 1960's - and with songs like this one, Sir Paul is keeping those dreams alive.

8.) The Raconteurs - "Now That You're Gone"

- Late in the year came a nice surprise: Jack White's garage-rock band The Raconteurs were back, with new songs and an upcoming all-new album. I quickly gave a listen to - and really dug - the song "Now That You're Gone." It's exactly the kind of bluesy rock song that made me a fan of Jack White and his various musical projects to begin with. As a bonus - the music video for this one is super cool - a stylish film-noir odyssey that is a great compliment to the song.

9.) The Smashing Pumpkins - "Solara"

- People are often quick to write off Billy Corgan - and I get it, the guy is not exactly the easiest person to like or to root for. And the various dramas around his band make it easy to be skeptical about their music. But I dare any fan of classic Smashing Pumpkins to listen to their new song "Solara" and tell me that it's not exactly the kind of grunge-y, goth-y rocker that made you a fan of the band in the first place. It totally is. This song rocks.

10.) Twenty One Pilots - "Jumpsuit"

- I was an uber-fan of Twenty One Pilots' debut album - but I definitely think there have been diminishing returns since then. For whatever reason, the band seems intent on drastically changing up their musical style with each new album - even as I'd love to see them return to the unique, up-tempo, ear-worm blend of rock, rap, and techno that characterized their early songs. That said, I give credit to the song "Jumpsuit" from the band's third album - if their goal is to pioneer a new sound with each new album, then this one definitely has an undeniable sound-of-the-future vibe. There's an apocalyptic theme to the new album, and this song fits in with that to a T - it's a dystopian banger that starts methodically but ends in full-on screamo panic. It's the kind of song that we're going to see in a lot of movie trailers next year.

THE BEST OF 2017 - The Best ROCK Of The Year

- 2017 was an interesting and hopeful year for rock n' roll, but a sad one as well. First, let me talk about Tom Petty. Petty is up there for me as one of my favorite musical artists of all time - and I know that's true for many of you as well. And so his loss was very, very hard to take ... and I'm still feeling it a few months later. Somehow, as fate would have it, my brother and I ended up seeing his final concert ever, at the Hollywood Bowl in September. I'd seen Petty a few times before, but this one was, I think, special for many reasons. It was, in my view, one hell of a show. Here's what I wrote on Facebook after hearing of Petty's passing:

" ... I am devastated to hear that Tom Petty has passed away. My brother and I just saw him and the Heartbreakers put on an amazing show this past Monday night at the Hollywood Bowl. And he is one of my all-time favorite musicians. He had a moment right as I was becoming an MTV junkie and a classic rock fan in the early 90's and "Mary Jane's Last Dance" came out. I loved that song and that video. I still do. It took me down a rabbit hole of Tom Petty's greatest hits - the kind of songs that, not to sound too cheesy, are just quintessential "life-soundtrack" songs. Iconic, yes - but also the songs of a hard-working, blue-collar man - an eternal wanderer who scraped and clawed his way through life. He broke down, free-fell out into nothing, learned to fly, and wouldn't back down. He taught us that "even the losers get lucky sometimes." I was lucky to see Tom Petty in concert several times - all in the LA-area that was popularized by so many of his songs. When I first moved here, I knew many an LA location from a Tom Petty lyric. I've bought every new Tom Petty album sight-unseen for years. His songs told stories, and I always wanted to hear them. They were stories from a man who knew that life could be hard, but also knew that there just might be a light at the end of the tunnel. Last Monday night was a celebration of 40 Years of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. Petty gave his trademark, enthusiastic "thank you - thank you all very much" after each round of applause. The band was still damn good, the best in the biz. Hearing those songs live - it was amazing every time. They were the human experience. I will never get tired of those songs, or their lyrics, or their stories. I am just sad that their brilliant creator is no longer with us."

There were some big losses this year in the rock world - from Tom Petty to Malcolm Young of AC/DC to Chester Bennington of Linkin Park. Chris Cornell of Soundgarden. And the godfather of rock himself - the legendary Chuck Berry. 

And yet ... there was some exciting new blood that came to fill the void and keep the rock n' roll torch burning. I'll talk about them more below, but hearing the amazing first album from Greta Van Fleet was a moment. These guys sound like the second coming of Led Zeppelin, and they're just barely out of their teens. It was awesome to see them enjoy strong commercial success as well. Yeah, I know - no one ever wants to see their favorite band make it big. But rock music needs some wins, and it needs to be heard. So this was cool. 

In addition to Tom Petty's final show, I saw some other memorable concerts this year as well. I saw a dream concert in Queen. Sure, the frontman was Adam Lambert and not Freddie Mercury - but Lambert surprised me with how great he was, and it was truly incredible to see the legendary Brian May and Roger Taylor perform so many iconic songs live. I never thought I'd get the chance. I saw Metallica for the first time ever, and had a blast rocking out to their hits and new stuff at the Rose Bowl. I also saw Green Day at the Rose Bowl - as the band once again re-affirmed that they're one of the all-time best live acts. I saw The Scorpions (an all-time favorite) with opening band Megadeth, the Red Hot Chili Peppers for a second time, and even a nostalgia-fueled show put on by Styx and REO Speedwagon. In a year that was tough on many levels, music was an escape - it was a call to arms, an inspiration, and a reminder of what unites us.

So here are my top rock picks of the year. And here's hoping for a rockin' 2018.


DANNY'S TOP ROCK SONGS OF 2017:


1.) Greta Van Fleet - "Black Smoke Rising" / "Safari Song"

-  I could honestly list just about every song from Greta Van Fleet's debut album, From the Fires, here and call it a day. It's one of the few albums of the last several years where I can simply say: if you're at all a rock fan, just go buy it immediately, and you will probably love it. This is just a concentrated blast of straight-up rock n' roll. It immediately calls to mind Zeppelin, but there are some dashes of Rush and other prog bands in there as well as moments that give the classic-sounding tunes a more modern twist. That said, everything from the album art to the song lyrics evoke times past - and there is an immediate comfort level with these songs. But they are so damn good, you can't write them off as mere homage. My two favorites are the opening track, "Safari Song" and the closer, "Black Smoke Rising" - as strong a one-two-punch as we've seen on any rock album in a long while. But it's just a great album from top to bottom - all fist-pumpers, toe-tappers, and songs ready-made to sing along to - no filler at all. I don't know, maybe I'm reading too much into it, but to me there's something poignant about a new generation rediscovering rock n' roll at a time, arguably, when it is needed most. As GvF sings on "Black Smoke Rising" - "Many people are dividing / And a world apart / With just one heart / Is bound to keel and fade away." And so let there be rock.

2.) Alice Cooper - "Paranormal" / "Paranoiac Personality"

- And then there was Alice Cooper - the last rock legend standing. I'm a longtime Alice Cooper fan, but I went on a deep dive through his extensive catalog this year and discovered gems like the drugged-out new wave album Flush the Fashion. I am continually amazed at how Cooper has evolved over the years and how he's made great music in so many rock subgenres. All the while, here in 2017, he's still putting out great new music. His latest album, "Paranormal," is legit great - full of fun, often darkly funny songs that span a variety of styles - from straight-up rockers to rockabilly and blues. The opening track, "Paranormal," is an atmospheric, horror-tinged tune that should make next year's Halloween playlist. "Paranoiac Personality" is a great classic-sounding rock song that is the album highlight. Cooper still rocks, and thank god for that.

3.) Paramore - "Hard Times"

- Paramore long ago stopped being a hard-rocking alternative rock band. And yeah, that's sort of a shame. But there's also no denying that Hayley Williams and company have become one hell of a pop-rock band, putting out catchy, dance-ready anthems that always bring something a little different to the table. And that's why "Hard Times" is so great - it's got some layers, lyrically and sonically. It rises above the pack.

4.) The Killers - "The Man" 

- Speaking of ultra-catchy pop-rock, it was nice to finally have The Killers back in 2017. While I didn't love their latest album overall, I did quickly take to their song "The Man' - a satirical dance-rock tune that brings The Killer's trademark future-disco sound to a different sort of song than what we're used to from them. 

5.) The Darkness - "Japanese Prisoner of Love" / "Happiness"

- I love The Darkness, so I always have super high expectations for their new albums. Overall, their latest felt like a slight letdown vs. their previous output - whereas I've unequivocally loved all the previous Darkness albums from top to bottom, Pinewood Smile was a mixed bag. Some songs were great, vintage Darkness. Others felt a bit phoned it, and a bit *too* cheeky for their own good. The band has always toed the line between serious homage to classic rock and winking parody, but something like "$&%%ing Out Solid Gold" definitely felt like a step too far. That said - there are some real standouts. First is the fast, loud, and utterly kickass rocker "Japanese Prisoner of Love," - one of the most metal tunes the band has yet put out. Second is "Happiness," - an 80's-style fist-pumper that reminded me of classic Cars. 

6.) The Foo Fighters - "The Sky Is a Neighborhood" 

- The Foo Fighters are now the old reliable engine of the rock world - a band that's managed to stay on top and keep churning out hit albums that rarely disappoint. Personally, I've definitely grown a bit tired of the band over the last several years - the songs started sounding same-y, and it had been a while since I felt like they'd delivered a true classic. But this year, the Foo's won me back a bit. Maybe it was them jamming out on Jimmy Kimmel this Halloween with Alice Cooper, backing him up on The Ballad of Dwight Fry. Maybe it was Dave Grohl patching up old wounds and rocking with Slash on stage. And maybe it was partly the pretty exceptional songs on their latest album, which reminded me that the band can indeed be pretty great. "The Sky Is a Neighborhood" is my favorite track from the album - an epic rocker that builds and builds towards a huge sing-along chorus. Good stuff. 

7.) Kesha (featuring The Eagles of Death Metal) - "Let 'Em Talk"

- You've got to love Kesha (now sans dollar sign). Aside from making some ridiculously fun dance-pop songs over the years, she's also a woman who knows how to rock. Over the years, she's collaborated on songs with the likes of Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop - and her latest album features a pair of songs created with The Eagles of Death Metal. "Let 'Em Talk" is an instantly likable tune - fast, fun, and insanely catchy. And it continues her album Rainbow's powerful message of empowerment. After going through hell with all of the Dr. Luke stuff, after being prevented for years from making new music - Kesha's triumphant return is one of the year's best comeback stories, and something every music fan can get behind. Let 'em talk indeed.

8.) U2 - "The Blackout"

- Similar to the Foo Fighters, its easy to take the always-prolific U2 for granted. But after giving their latest album, Songs of Experience, a listen-through, I found it to be really solid. It's got some great songs. My favorite is "Blackout" - a pretty epic rock track that's got a pointed political message, but doesn't sacrifice anything musically to put it out there. The song's got killer guitar riffs and a clap-along chorus that's got that trademark U2 sense of scale. I dig it.

9.) Charly Bliss - "Westermark"

- It seems like late 90's / early 00's-style pop-punk might be making a little bit of a comeback. And that's a good thing - I mean, who doesn't miss the days when bands like Sugarcult, Wheatus, etc. were on every college freshman's must-download-on-Napster list? In any case, if you're jonesing for a burst of Veruca Salt-esque female-led pop-punk, Charly Bliss is your ticket. The infectious bubblegum rock of "Westermark" is like hanging out with an old college friend. 

10.) Alice Merton - "No Roots"

- This one is getting a lot of radio play of late, and it's easy to see why. It's a dark, sort of haunting, yet very catchy song with a great beat - that also happens to feel very of-the-moment. Alice Merton's deep voice combines with a progressively more complex techno-beat to create something very unique sounding that stands out from the pack. "I've got no ROOTS!"