Last year was tough. I couldn't go to concerts for the last 8 months. Bands couldn't record their music, and I think the general unease of the world handcuffed songwriters as well. Within 2 or 3 months of 2021 I realized that this year's Countdown was going to have bigger and better songs on it, just because people are finally getting back into the swing of making great music. That's not to knock the songs that made the list last year, but it just felt different this time around.
Of course, it seems like with each of the last 3 or 4 years I reach a point where I say "could this be the last time I do the Top 20 Countdown?". It's a curious thing to pose to myself, but at the end of the day I never saw this thing spanning over a decade, much less into year 13 as we are now. I still remember making notes and hastily scribbling down new releases way back in 2010 trying to make the 2nd Countdown something really official. Nowadays there are full paragraphs, entire pages dedicated to song, etc. It looks nothing like it did, but I'm glad I'm still doing it.
Let's take a look back at 2020's final list.
20. Seether - Dangerous
19. The Broken Relics - Goodbye Tennessee
18. Little Hurt - Alaska - Alaska
17. Corduroy Brown - To My Younger Self
16. Sir Sly - Material Boy
15. The Unlikely Candidates - High Low
14. The Anix - Renegade
13. Slimfit - Pineapple Pizza
12. Alright Years - Something I Can Dance To - Show Me Something
11. Nightwish - Harvest
10. Loathe - Two-Way Mirror
9. Apollo LTD - You
8. Ships In The Night - Lost Times
7. King Princess - Ohio
6. TRVSS - All The Bugs
5. Empathy Test - Monsters
4. Forever Unknown - Bury Me
3. White Reaper - Real Long Time
2. Purity Ring - stardew
1. Lilieae - Level
I can honestly say that I've never seen a list quite like that. Only one returning artist (Purity Ring), and almost everyone on the list was someone that I hadn't really ever listened to before. It was a serious change-up from 2019's veteran heavy list. 2 of the top 5 are locals, 3 of the top 5 female fronted, and a decent mix of genres to boot.
Having an Ohio band at the top again is pretty cool, and if we look back on previous years we can follow the trend of locals gaining high grades. 2019 had #2 in The Broken Relics, '18 had Vesperteen and Curse of Cassandra at 3 and 4 respectively, and of course 2017 had Morning Theft taking the first local #1. I think it adds to the uniqueness of this Countdown.
We start 2021 where we always do, with the songs that just missed the cut.
The Band CAMINO - 1 Last Cigarette
Album: The Band CAMINO
The opening riff and handclaps on this song are just what 2021 needed to break free from the doldrums of the year prior. The video is as chaotic as their debut record, but it's a fun song with a great sing-a-long chorus.
Beartooth - Hell of It
Album: Below
We last saw Beartooth in 2014 when they landed at #13 with "Beaten In Lips" from their debut record Disgusting. Their last two albums have been pretty good, but Below turns the vitriol up an extra notch with Caleb Shomo's signature agonized screams. Other bops on this album include "Skin" and "Fed Up". Definitely one of my favorite records of the year.
Turnstile - Mystery
Album: Glow On
One of the last bands to catch my ear with a new release this year was Turnstile, who was recommended to me by several friends. After listening to the record, I was disappointed that I hadn't caught on to it earlier. The drums drive forward and the song has an old school HxC feel to it, with some alt-rock twists. Another solid full length LP to check out if you haven't already.
Best Foot Back - Give It A Go
Album: Give It A Go single
The first local offering of the year quite literally came out of nowhere. Michael from BFB reached out to me about doing an interview, and we got together for one of the first in-person offerings I had written all year. The song is one of those that you genuinely cannot listen to just once. It's fun, catchy and upbeat, and features a great solo for those who need one of those as well.
Uncreated - Hand Grenade (ft Mark Hockings of Mesh)
Album: Symbiosis
You put Mark Hockings on a song, chances are it's gonna be a banger. Although he's a little repetitive in his writing, his stuff is super poignant and he has one of the best voices in electronic music. Uncreated only just dropped the album Symbiosis which I suppose means something from that could make the '22 Countdown... only one way to find out!
Honorable Mentions: Black Birch - Boxhead; Rhapsody of Fire - I'll Be Your Hero; Blutengel - Forever Young; Foo Fighters - No Son Of Mine; Goodnight Fear - Write My Own Story; April Art - Break the Silence; Spiritbox - We Live In A Strange World; The Scratches - Inside Out; The Protest - Greater; Jade Bird - Headstart
Countdown goes live tomorrow at noon! Stay tuned!
