#tbt - The 2013 Jester One Top 20 Music Countdown

I know it's been just under a year, but lets look back at the 2013 Countdown.

Starting with the songs that didn't make it, of course...

Amaranthe - The Nexus
Not to recapture their glory of 2011, where they placed #16, Amaranthe just slipped out with a similarly good track.
The Neighbourhood - Afraid
Still a garbage album, but it turns out that Sweater Weather was the song that stuck with me longer.
Youngblood Hawke - We Come Running
This is the kind of song that's really really good, but you can't listen to it too often. What a shame.
Soilwork - This Momentary Bliss
This song not being in the Top 20 should tell you something. Soilwork rule.
Shreddy Krueger - Hazel the Apparition
Still the most bad-ass band name in J1 history. This song still crushes. Dat breakdown.

Alright, let's do it! 


20. Grouplove - Ways To Go 

Grouplove are so bad! But they keep cranking out really good singles! What gives, guys? This song is catchy, and Hannah's voice is still the real deal. But man, I cannot stand the male lead. This song stands alone as it did at the time; something really great and terrible, all at the same time.



19. Relient K - PTL
Intriguingly, I was just asked yesterday if Relient K was still making music. The relevance of PTL is that it tells a tale about a girl I can't be in love with, that can't be in love with me. Surprisingly, I'll be hanging out with her in just over a month. Anyways, the more I listen to "Collapsible Lung", the more I appreciate the album that preceded it, "Forget and Not Slow Down". Also, I've spent a lot of time jamming to their "K is for karaoke" disc this year. The guys still have it, and are still kicking it live.


18. Biffy Clyro - Black Chandelier
I read an article last week about the best rock bands in Scotland. I can't remember where I saw it (I wish I could give the credit), but they ended up listing Biffy Clyro as their top rock band, ahead of Garbage and Primal Scream and a few others. I haven't looked back to this song much this year, but any time I do play it, I remember how much I loved it and how solid the album still sounds. It's hard to pinpoint other standout songs, because as a whole it just all comes together and works well.


17. Sevendust - Decay
Sevendust's 2010 album "Cold Day Memory" failed to produce any major splashes (despite being fairly solid) but 2013's "Black Out The Sun" was a thunderous comeback from years of decent-ness. Top tracks include "Murder Bar", "Faithless", and of course "Decay". I don't know when these guys are going to hang it up, but collectively they still know how to crush. I would put "Decay" at their best song released since 2007.  They put out a lovely collection of acoustic songs including 5 new tracks this spring, but as good as it sounds, I still prefer them with their amps plugged in and cranked up to 11.




16. Colossus - Beacons
Arguably the most powerful lyric of 2013 came from "Beacons". "All I am is a broken promise; don't let me disappoint you again. Every sin is another nail in the cross - why do I do this to you? Why do I do this to myself?" Just wow. Even if it wasn't a throttling metal gem, it would make waves just for that line. Colossus got signed and released an album through FaceDown Records this fall, which I just recently picked up and hope to feature in either the 2014 or '15 countdown. Other crushing tracks from the 2013 release include "Transgressor" and "Approaching the Throne".


15. The Features - This Disorder
It took me a long time to get tired of this song. It's bouncy, it's fun, and it sings about a disorder. What's not to like about all that? Sadly, the rest of the album failed to live up to this song's strength, but I'm sure in a year or two they'll drop another disc with another big time since, and you'll be seeing them on this countdown again. Until then, I'll have the skippy bass-line of this little ditty.


14. Atlas Genius - If So
Where Maps & Atlases fell short, Atlas Genius nailed it with the song "If So". I remember listening to this album while walking a lovely nature trail on vacation in Michigan over the summer. I really only listened to it once, and got tired of their sound after 6 or 7 tracks. The first 3 tracks ("Electric", "If So", "Back Seat") show a lot of promise, but the album kind of falters after that. The voice doesn't really work, and it loses a lot of steam as it goes forward. But "If So" is a great track to pump your spirits up and get you moving.


13. The Mowgli's - San Francisco
Yikes. Talk about a sugar overload. This is another one of those 2013 catastrophes. File it under great song: terrible album. There seem to be too many of those in this countdown so far. I was actually watching a Star Trek movie with my parents last month and we were talking about songs from San Francisco, so this song came up. I really hadn't listened to it since 2013, and while it's still a really fun song, holy cow it's too much happy.


12 - Shining - I Won't Forget
Blackjazz. I don't know if I need to say anything else about Jørgen Munkeby and Shining. But I will, just the same. It's a beautiful genre fusion that includes fast-paced metal sounds with electronic elements and... a saxaphone. The sax solo on this song absolutely owns. I cannot wait to hear what this band sounds like on their next release. Other standout tracks include "Off the Hook" and "How Your Story Ends", which opens with a blistering sax solo as well.


11 - Vampire Weekend - Diane Young
Vampire Weekend's "Contra" was actually one of my favorite discs of 2010, despite not tracking a big hit. For one reason or another, I actually did not pick it up until well after it was released, after hearing the song "Horchata" on Pandora at work. It's a tremendous disc, and I was worried that "Modern Vampires of The City" wouldn't live up to it. I remember not being overly impressed at first, but it's a really good disc. "Young Lion", "Hanna Hunt", "Step", and of course the anthem to James Dean and living fast, "Diane Young". I brushed the dust off of the album after hearing the song "Step" be released as a single, and found that it truly was another gem from Ezra and the boys.


10 - The 1975 - The City
The most important thing I can say about this song is that it's probably going to be on the 2014 countdown.  While I loved the Vampire Weekend CD the more I listened to it, I actually liked The 1975 disc less. But "The City" is a tremendous standout track and if the band can ever release anything near that caliber, then they should be fairly well set for the future. "If you wanna find love, you know where the city is" is almost an anthem for this year for me.


9 - Deadlock - The Arsonist
Boy, was I glad I picked up this disc after initially hesitating. Deadlock's previous effort, "Bizarro World" was a glorified pile of trash, and they recycled singers before releasing "The Arsonist". Right off the bat you're hit with the track "The Great Pretender", which let's you know that the band is officially back where they need to be. But it is the title track that truly kicks it to another dimension, if for no reason other than the chanting of "The Arsonist" in the background. But really, it crushes. The band released "The Re-Arrival" in August with 3 new tracks and 12 re-recorded songs, but I'm still living off of "The Arsonist" for now.


8 - Paper Route - Letting You Let Go
This is one of those "remember where you first heard it songs". I just happened to download the Radio U app for my phone and flip on the streaming to see if it worked on my phone as I was cleaning my apartment. This song was the first to come on, and it stopped me in my tracks. It's a great and wonderful track on an album that is plagued by lack of creativity. A lot of people in CCM circles were lauding Paper Route for their production values, but they vastly overshadow the lack of strong songwriting and, well, the singer's voice. He is quite whiny, and sings exactly the same on every song. Eventually I grew tired of his whine, and I really haven't picked this track up since. At the time, it was a massive hit, but over time it's not worth much to me.


7 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - If You Didn't See Me (Then You Weren't On The Dance Floor)
Bouncy, poppy, catchy, exciting. Maybe the best video of the year. This song is a lot of fun, and I'm surprised it took me a dozen listens to really catch on to it. In hindsight, there was no escaping this one, and it's popped up from time to time in my life; whenever I wanted a fun dance-and-sing-in-the-car track. I remember tossing this album not because it was bad, but because nothing else on it was quite like this song. I know they're still touring and they're actually coming to Columbus here soon. I feel like they'd be a better band to see live rather than over the radio. Either way, what a long title. Haha


6 - Tegan and Sara - Closer
This song is still tits, man. I haven't stopped listening to it since the first time I heard it in late 2012. It bounces around and makes every hot thing in your mind come true. Never have synths been so sultry. Never have such immature voices sounded so mature. I don't think I could ever consider myself a fan of T+S, but this song is the real deal. At the time I felt like this was a pretty good album, but I was looking at it objectively as an album as a whole, as opposed to a collection of songs I actually like. The voices are a bit much for me a times, but the music really is great.


5 - Born of Osiris - M∆chine
This. Album. Listening to it again reminds me that there is not a bad track off of it. Last year, I was slamming out "Exhil∆r∆te", "Im∆gin∆ry Condition", and "Mindful". This year it's "Divergency" and "Illusionist". Oh, and of course "M∆chine". I still haven't heard a deathcore song that sounds close to it, and it is by far my favorite metal album since Meshuggah's "Koloss". This song kills, smashes, and weaves solid keys between crushing guitars. This is one of the few 2013 albums still getting tons of play in 2014. I feel like those words are strong enough, and I will leave it at that.


4 - New Politics - Harlem/Goodbye Copenhagen
I don't think any one band was as big as New Politics for me in 2013. I listened to this album until I could no longer listen to it. If not for mp3 players, I would have worn this CD out twice. You get what I'm saying. Obviously, "Harlem" was the big single, and "Tonight You're Perfect" was another minor hit, but it's songs like "Goodbye Copenhagen", "Fall Into These Arms", and "Berlin" that kick this album to another sphere of sonic enjoyment. It truly is a great fun album, and I am very much looking forward to their next effort. Sadly, I was snowed in when they came to Columbus over the winter and am hoping to make it to their show this coming November. FWIW, it's actually "Fall Into These Arms" that I listened to the most this year. But this album is still great.


3 - The Airborne Toxic Event - Timeless
Two albums since the countdown started, and two top ten hits. Not a bad run for a band I never even liked before hearing 2011's "All At Once". Timeless is a woeful ballad that evokes all sorts of emotion and reaches the darkest and saddest parts of my soul. It's perfect, I know. The most gripping and hallowed line of 2013 had to be "I see how they run through the tall grass, such thoughtless minds; I wish I was thoughtless too...". Oof. This song will forever paint a wonderfully dark picture in my soul, if only for that. As far as the album "Such Hot Blood" goes, every time I've listened to is (since spin 1) has been better than the one before. "Elizabeth" is probably my next favorite track, with "The Secret" and "The Fifth Day" bringing up the rear. I feel like TATE take more than one listen to truly appreciate the complexity of their music. I am apprehensive yet excited for anything they bring in the future. They know how to rock through great alternative tracks and know how to slap you with emotion with the best of them.


2 - Aeon Zen - Warning
Where do I begin? I could consider this one of the greatest opening riffs I've ever heard. Usually I scoff at a 6:55 song, but how am I supposed to overlook the blistering two and a half minutes of pure atmosphere and guitar bliss? I enjoyed the first 4 songs on this album as I remember listening to it, but I had to stop and go back after hearing the opening on this track. Most listened to 2+ minutes of the year? Absolutely. Still something that I will drop everything and rock out with? 100%. I should probably give this album another spin, because it seems like every time I do, I find something else to love from it. Well done, Rich Hinks. Other standouts for me are "Downfall" and "Artificial Soul". Truly a diamond in the rough, this one. I think I only downloaded it because I figured with a name like Aeon Zen, how could it not rock?

Well, that's another metal runner up. But 2013 was a one horse race from the moment I heard #1 on. Numbers 6 through 2 are about as good as it gets for a top 5, but there was no denying the top track this year.


1 - Surfer Blood - Demon Dance
Amen to that, brother. Where their previous album left off with a strange amount of sound and pizazz, "Pythons" was a bonafide smash, with fun hits like "Gravity", "Say Yes To Me", and "Prom Song". You were missing absolutely out if you didn't get this one. "Demon Dance" opens with a big happy hook, a pounding snare and morphs into a clean soaring hook and anthemic chorus. It's as fun today as the first time I heard it, though I haven't given it a spin in a few months due to the fact that I absolutely played it to death in 2013. But really, who doesn't love a song that ends with "la di da di da"s? Make it 5 straight for alt-rock. Who knew?

Boom-ba-boom. November 30th will bring the songs that didn't quite make it for 2014. Hope to see you there!

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - Final Recap

 By the numbers...

• 12 alt/rock/ "CD101"
• 6 metal
• 2 christian rock "88.7"
• 0 pop "97.9"
• 19 first time entries.
• 2 resurrected bands from my youth (Sevendust, Relient K)
  
• 7 brand new bands

List

20 - Grouplove - Ways To Go 
 19 - Relient K - PTL
 18 - Biffy Clyro - Black Chandelier
 17 - Sevendust - Decay
 16 - Colossus - Beacons
 15 - The Features - This Disorder
 14 - Atlas Genius - If So
 13 - The Mowglis - San Francisco
 12 - Shining - I Won't Forget
 11 - Vampire Weekend - Diane Young
 10 - The 1975 - The City
 9 - Deadlock - The Arsonist
8 - Paper Route - Letting You Let Go
7 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - If You Didn't See Me (Then You Weren't On The Dance Floor)
 6 - Tegan and Sara - Closer
 5 - Born of Osiris - M∆chine
 4 - New Politics - Harlem/Goodbye Copenhagen
 3 - The Airborne Toxic Event - Timeless
2 - Aeon Zen - Warning
1 - Surfer Blood - Demon Dance


Once again, alt-rock has taken the #1 spot and dominated the countdown. The pop ridiculousness has been completely exorcised and metal took 3 spots in the top 10. As far as my top 10 albums go...

10 - Soilwork - The Living Infinite
9 - Killswitch Engage - Disarm the Descent
8 - Biffy Clyro - Opposites
7 - Colossus - Time and Eternal
6 - Aeon Zen - Enigma
5 - Sevendust - Black Out The Sun
4 - Born of Osiris - Tomorrow We Die ∆live
3 - Fitz and the Tantrums - More Than Just A Dream
2 - The Airborne Toxic Event - Such Hot Blood
1 - New Politics - A Bad Girl In Harlem

Metal was much more prevalent as far as strong albums go. The Fitz and the Tantrums album is rock solid and far better than their first effort, but there wasn't one song that really jumped out and hit me in the face. The lead single "Out of My League" took a long time to grow on me, while non-singles "Spark" and "Break The Walls" were my favorites. "The Walker" and "Fools Gold" round out a tremendous disc. The Killswitch album was also a tremendous return for them and returning lead singer Jesse Leach. Extol, Shining, Ending Tyranny, Fit For An Autopsy, and Living Sacrifice all put out thunderously solid metal discs as well. Another honorable mention goes to IGGY AND THE STOOGES with their first album since '07 and arguably their best since the 70s.


I must say, it was a great year for music, and there were some late released albums that will surely make a splash in 2014 (the 1975, Arctic Monkeys, Living Sacrifice, The Naked and Famous, Jake Bugg, maybe even Boston and Five Iron Frenzy?!). I haven't had a lot of time to look ahead at what's being released in 2014 but once again the Countdown will continue to compile statistics and churn out awesomeness. Thanks again for coming along for the ride!!

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #1

1 - Surfer Blood - Demon Dance

It's possible that the first time I heard our #1 track, I knew it was going to be #1. I just didn't know who the band was. I looked it up after hearing it a few times and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was Florida's Surfer Blood, who was graced my eardrums previously with 2009's hit single "Swim", a noise-pop, alt-rock gem on an album heavy with distortion. It was a huge surprise to find their 2013 effort, "Pythons" void of a lot of the distorted guitars and vocals. In fact, singer John Paul Pitts and co put together a wonderfully polished and clean disc that perfectly fits the indie-pop mold that many alt/rock bands are playing towards. I really didn't like their first album, "Astrocoast" but I found a few of the songs on "Pythons" to my liking, including "Gravity", "Prom Song", "Say Yes To Me" and of course 2013's #1, "Demon Dance".

If you can't figure out why it's #1 by listening to the first 7 seconds, then you really don't know what Jester rock is all about. It's a happy opening riff that leads into a fun song that explodes through a powerful chorus. It's a simple guitar and bass riff that percolates throughout the song and leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy on the inside. I wish I could give it a better description but like many years previous, it's simply the song that made me the happiest day in and day out. I love the line "You and me are apples in trees, don't fall far from me". It's a great fun song all the way through.

The video is absolute nerd-rock. I had no idea that these guys were such nerders. The members find themself in interesting poses while Pitts is singing throughout the track. He's also flirting with the female protagonist of the video from the very beginning, and she seems to have it in for him as well. It's definitely strange, and I'm not entirely sure that it ties in with the song as much as other videos on the countdown. In the end, you find out that it was all just a strange dream, which is actually sometimes what the song itself feels like. Anyways, this song fits perfectly with previous #1's like "My Body" by Young the Giant and  "Song Away" by Hockey.





Title: Demon Dance
Artist: Surfer Blood
Album: Pythons

Previous #1s
2012: Fun. - Some Nights
2011: Young The Giant - My Body
2010: Hockey - Song Away
2009: Morrissey - I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #2

  2 - Aeon Zen - Warning

Let's talk a little bit about an under-the-radar English prog-metal group called Aeon Zen. For all intents and purposes, the band is the brain child of one Rich Hinks, who plays the majority of the guitars, bass and keys throughout the album. Hinks' vocal range is showcased throughout the album, which high-pitched power metal screams in songs like "Warning" and "Survival", while tracks like "Seven Hills" and "Turned to Ash" feature beautiful singing, and even death-growls in "Divinity" and "Eternal Snow". The album, "Enigma", is easily one of the most underrated pieces of 2013 and well worth a spot in my top 5 albums of the year.

I believe I was listening to it while playing Madden 2013 when track #5 came on. The song is about as prog-metal as you can get. A soft, slow building bass-key opening, with a soft acoustic opening at the 30 second mark. This goes on for a full minute until the amplifiers kick in and the song is taken to its second level. But then at 2:12 the song going full metal with the atmospheric background dropping out and a crushing guitar riff taking over. It's almost 2:45 before the vocals even come in, but by then I was so overwhelmed that I started the song over just to listen to the overwhelming instrumental beginning. I probably listened to those 2+ minutes more times than any other song in my arsenal for 2013. I may not be a big fan of slow building songs, but this one absolutely takes the cake.

Heck, we haven't even gotten to the lyrical message yet! Essentially the song is a literal warning not to be complacent with what you have because love can take it all away. "A man with everything he ever wanted, he has nothing, now he's nothing when you're gone. He thinks he's happy and content with his life, I cannot really understand what he has done". It truly is a wonderfully crafted piece of music which is absolutely fitting at the #2 spot, although it's a bit lengthy at 6:55. It actually ends with a sailing solo and kicks right into the next song. The entire album is interwoven together with repeating parts and is a fantastic effort from Hinks. I wouldn't quite put it past the Born of Osiris effort, but it's a wonderful piece just the same. It also bears mentioning that this is the 4th time in 5 years that a metal song has fallen just short of the #1 spot. Who will be #1? Will another metal song take the crown, or will alt-rock continue their reign of dominance? Tune in, 8pm EST for the answer!




Title: Warning
Artist: Aeon Zen
Album: Enigma

Previous #2s
2012:  Meshuggah - Do Not Look Down
2011: Owl City - Galaxies
2010: Periphery - Icarus Lives!
2009: August Burns Red - Rationalist

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #3

  3 - The Airborne Toxic Event - Timeless

 

Well, we made it all the way to #3 to find our first (and only) returning band from the past. The Airborne Toxic Event landed at #7 in 2011 with "All I Ever Wanted" and have returned this year with an explosively devestating track titled "Timeless". I feel it bears saying that with this album, Mikel Jollett has vaulted himself (and his band) up to "All-Time" status among the ranks of bands that I truly love.

First of all, the album "Such Hot Blood" is a fantastic follow up to 2011's "All At Once".  The band first dropped an EP, "The Secret" which features four of the first 5 tracks on the LP, including "Timeless". The single kicks off with a haunting guitar piece, leading into a drowning bass-line and soft building drum bit. Jollett's voice is drenched in pain as he begins to spin a tale of dying love. The video is shot by the seashore in slow motion. The members of TATE are featured prominently on the beach, as well as a girl in a white wedding dress. There are men with briefcases and papers flying around as well. The line that absolutely split my heart in two is found in the 2nd verse - "I see how they run through the tall grass, such thoughtless minds; I wish I was thoughtless too...". All the feels, man. All the feels. And just when you think you've had enough, the guitar solo reaches inside of your soul and wrings you dry.

The album features TATE's usual beautiful use of violins and other stringed instruments, which are a nice switch-up from the usual synth-heavy alt/rock scene. Anna Bulbrook's harmonies work perfectly with Jollett's and can be prominently found in my next favorite track, "Elizabeth". All the way through, there isn't a song that I don't like on this album but it lacks the fun and excitement factor that "All At Once" spun in-between it's heartfelt ballads. It really is a great album and if you've ever felt heartache in your life I'd urge you to pick it up and give it a spin. It's amazing that this song only made it to #3 but it's a testament to the band's staying power that they are the only band to repeat from previous years.




Title: Timeless
Artist: The Airborne Toxic Event
Album: Such Hot Blood

Previous #3s
2012:  Walk the Moon - Anna Sun
2011: Matt and Kim - Good for Great
2010: Fear Factory - Final Exit
2009: Owl City - Fireflies

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #4

4 - New Politics - Harlem + Goodbye Copenhagen

Well well. Aren't you in luck. Last year our two-fer came from Florence and the Machine, while this year it comes from 2013's breakout artist New Politics. I would say this album is almost certainly my favorite for 2013, and it was almost impossible to differentiate which one of these two songs I liked better. The unfortunate thing is that this album is only 10 tracks long, but they are 10 phenomenal tracks, starting with "Tonight You're Perfect" and ending with the gem of "Fall Into These Arms". Throughout the journey, this Denmark trio party and sleeze their way through countries ("Harlem", "Goodbye Copenhagen", "Berlin") and find themselves in different fun situations with many different girls.

The first single that dropped in the US was "Harlem", which opens with hand-claps and cheerleaders and features a video with the band members partying through the city of Harlem. "Goodbye Copenhagen" tells a different (dance-rrific) tale with the lead singer having a difficult time adjusting to the tough life on the road and finding himself wishing he was back home. The only downside I find with New Politics' album is the heavy use of autotune. I also don't think their "party first" lyrical method will last for more than an album or two, but for this album it was absolutely perfect. Thank you New Politics for making 2013 a year to remember! Enjoy this double dose of alternative goodness!










Track(s): a) Harlem; b) Goodbye Copenhagen
Artist: New Politics
Album: A Bad Girl In Harlem

Previous #4s
2012: Garbage - Beloved Freak
2011: Matt Nathanson - Kiss Quick
2010: The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
2009: Alice in Chains - Check My Brain

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #5

5 - Born of Osiris - M∆chine

For my money, Born of Osiris is one of the best deathcore bands in the business right now. Never is that more present than in the track "M∆chine", which is the opening piece to their 2013 gem of an album, "Tomorrow We Die ∆live". The album is chock full of the chugging guitars and crazy time signatures that make BoO who they are in the metal community. This album is easily my favorite metal album on the year, with other standout tracks being  "Exhil∆r∆te", "Mindful", and Im∆gin∆ry Condition". The keys in the album are perfectly placed and the guitars absolutely annihilate your ears and rip your neck right out of place.

The song "M∆chine" starts with a huge opening string-synth buildup, with drums kicking in after 13 seconds to let you know that you are about to be slayed. 25 seconds in, the song kicks into full effect and you realize that your ears are not worthy of what is about the be blasted into them. This song takes you all over the sonic spectrum and reaches it's apex during the second verse but never truly relents on your eardrums. The lyrical theme pounds home the machine-like existance of human beings and our need to break free and overcome. Four minutes and 24 seconds of metal perfection.





Title: M∆chine
Artist: Born of Osiris
Album: Tomorrow We Die ∆live


Previous #5s
2012: The Shins - Simple Song
2011: Cold - The Break
2010: Matt and Kim - Cameras
2009: Michael Bublé - Just Haven't Met You Yet

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #6

6 - Tegan and Sara - Closer

Tegan and Sara Quin are identical twin sisters who have been pumping out albums together since 1999. I was never a big fan of theirs before hearing this year's #6 jam, "Closer". The track dropped at the end of 2012 and was one of my favorite songs through the entirety of the year. The fact that it's only #6 (and I know this is cliche) is solely because there were 5 incredible songs that made a bigger splash in 2013. But right now we're going to focus on the one that was my top track for several months of the year.

If you're going to ask me which one is Tegan and which one is Sara, I truthfully have no idea. Looks, voice, I really am clueless. I honestly hadn't invested much in the twins until I had heard this song. I wasn't a big fan of their voices, but the harmonies presented here are absolutely incredible. It helps that the song is absolutely 100% sexual energy with a driving bass beat with catchy keys and synths being thrown around. The video gives us the girls singing the song karaoke at a slumber party filled with makeup, dancing, kissing, balloons and underwear. It's another fun song with a totally fun video to go along with.

As far as albums go, "Heartthrob" is not my favorite of 2013. Maybe top 10 for me, but that is not to say that it is not a great album. From track 1 to 12, it is a well laid out work of indie-synth pop brilliance. The Quin sisters have found a method of musical genius and have rode it to the top of the alt/rock kingdom this year. Also, the girls are totally gorgeous even as they push into their thirties.




Title: Closer
Artist: Tegan and Sara
Album: Heartthrob

Previous #6s
2012:  Lamb of God - King Me
2011: Nine Lashes - Anthem of the Lonely
2010: Them Crooked Vultures - Mind Eraser, No Chaser
2009: Kelly Clarkson - Already Gone

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #7

7 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - If You Didn't See Me (Then You Weren't On The Dance Floor)

And the award for the longest song title goes to... Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.! Also, the award for the silliest band name and catchiest dance-pop track! I'd say I didn't even like this song the first 5 or 6 times I listened to it, but I picked up the EP realizing that it could be a really solid effort. The song starts slowly with a small banjo part before the synths kick in and the bass starts pumping. The official single starts with the keys and kicks straight into movement. I don't think I really started to love the song until I actually caught on to the lyrical content, which is essentially calling out cliquish clubbers who are more interested in fitting the scene. It's almost a 2013 "Gangnam Style", with the catchy keys to match it.

In the video, the band is seen being chased by two police officers in short shorts. The two band members have a chameleon effect as they blend into their surroundings every time the officers show up. The band finally arrives at "The Dancefloor" where the cops show up to catch them but are then swept into the rave scene. I think the thing I like the most about the song is the singers voice being chopped and looped around as the lead bead in the background. It's wildly catchy and is just a great song to sing and dance around with. But when I picked up the album I was afraid the band might end up like 2011's #9 track from The Limousines ("Internet Killed the Radio Star"). The songs are very similar, but fortunately DEJJ know how to put together a true indie-pop album. The single is probably the most upbeat track, but the strong vocal harmonies resonate throughout and DEJJ do a good job switching between fun poppy tracks and deep slow ballads. But the easy runaway hit is "If You Didn't See Me..."






Title: If You Didn't See Me (Then You Weren't On The Dancefloor)
Artist: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
Album: The Speed Of Things

Previous #7s
2012: One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful
2011: The Airborne Toxic Event - All I Ever Wanted
2010: Iyaz - Replay
2009: This Ending - Machinery

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #8

8 - Paper Route - Letting You Let Go

I say this every year at Countdown time, but there are always songs in life where you never forget the first time you heard the particular jam. For this song, I had just turned on the Radio U app for the first time to catch the Ten Most Wanted, and this was the first song they played. I was actually cleaning my house and stopped to come in and make sure I knew exactly what song was playing. "Letting You Let Go" drives home a heartfelt message of a damaged relationship where the female is unfaithful in the relationship. The singer tells the tale of wanting to stay, but knowing that the pain is not worth the end result.

The Paper Route album, "The Peace of Wild Things" was released in late 2012. It's a decent indie-rock/synth-pop piece, and some of the lyrics cut straight through the heart. As a whole, you'll never forget who you're listening to because of JT Daly's voice and the similar structure that most of the songs are built around. However, the band has toured with heavyweights like Switchfoot, Anberlin, Passion Pit and Imagine Dragons, and have built up a strong following in both the Christian and secular market. I have a feeling their next effort might propel them into a huge spotlight and I'm excited to see just how mature their music becomes. As far as "Letting You Let Go" goes, it definitely cut me down for some previous relationships and reminded me that my own faithfulness in my current relationship was definitely paramount. This is also the highest charting 88.7 song, and it matches the highest charter from last year. Interestingly it breaks a string of 3 straight rock/metal entries at #8.


 


Title: Letting You Let Go
Artist: Paper Route
Album: The Peace of Wild Things

Previous #8s
2012: Demon Hunter - Dead Flowers
2011: Emmure - Children of Cybertron
2010: 30 Seconds to Mars - Kings and Queens
2009: Jordin Sparks - Battlefield

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #9

9 - Deadlock - The Arsonist

To be honest, I had written off Deadlock after their 2011 atrocity of an album "Bizarro World". The band had pumped out 2 great albums with 2005's "Earth.Revolt" and '07's "Wolves", but had been on a downward spiral ever since. A lot of the songs on Bizarro World were slow and painfully dull, but when I heard that lead vocalist and main lyricist Johannes Prem had left the band, I figured I'd give "The Arsonist" a chance. I had no idea just how good the album would be, but it explodes right out of the gate with the track "The Great Pretender". The album punches it's way through a newer heavier sound for the German metallers, but they still find a way to incorporate Sabine Scherer's fantastic voice. The song that hit me the hardest was the title track.

The song opens with keyboards, fast paced drums, and Scherer screaming "Fire, Fire!" The opening guitar riff is catchy enough to propel the song into a fast-paced tempo-shifting fury that is perfected with the female-led chorus and crushing solo. All in all, a fantastic rebound for a band that I had almost given up on. I'm hoping for more of the same in the future. For now, "The Arsonist" will tide me over. 10 good tracks including a solid cover of Bronski Beat's "Small Town Boy". If you had never heard of them before, consider this your brilliant introduction!




Title: The Arsonist
Artist: Deadlock
Album: The Arsonist

Previous #9s
2012: Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks
2011: The Limousines - Internet Killed The Video Star
2010: Dan Black - Symphonies
2009: The Killer and the Star - Living With Musicians

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #10

10 - The 1975 - The City

The 1975 are a relatively new band with a heavy Manchester twang found in singer Matthew Healy's voice. Before releasing their self-titled album they released 4 digital EPs and toured across smaller joints in the US. The crazy thing about this song is that I had won tickets to see the band play in Columbus back in March and I declined to go after hearing their first hit, "Chocolate". Out of the entire album, I think Chocolate is catchy but it's nowhere near as powerful as tracks like "The City".

The opening drum beat lets you know that you are about to hear an absolute powerhouse of a song. It's the perfect lead track to an album and it's a perfect single as well. Crushing synths, dancing guitars and a perfect message of painful lost love create a song that is so amazingly good, it jumped up the J1YE charts to #10 despite only being released in September (and qualifying it for the 2014 countdown). The video for the song is filmed in black and white, and jumps between the band playing and people from "the city" going about their lives in darkened rooms. It is such a strong sound and I'm not surprised that the album immediately jumped to #1 in England (and as high as  #28 in the US). The future is bright for the 1975 as they power through hard topics and smooth songs.



Title: The City
Artist: The 1975
Album: The 1975

Previous #10s
2012: Animal Kingdom - Strange Attractor
2011: FM Static - F.M.S.T.A.T.I.C
2010: Muse - Resistance
2009: Five Finger Death Punch - Bad Company

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #11

11 - Vampire Weekend - Diane Young

Ezra Koenig is a weird dude. I don't know what else more I can say about the band Vampire Weekend that would embody them any more than "weird". They are poppy, they are wacky, and they sure as hell know how to make some pretty songs. They go slow, they go fast, they go all over the place. Synths, guitars, drums, all working together in harmony with Koenig's Paul Simon-esque voice. Their previous album, "Contra", was (IMO) 9 singles and a title track. Unfortunately that led to the disappointment of the new album "Modern Vampires in the City", but nontheless it's a well produced and strongly built album. I think one of the biggest differences is the last album had bubbly synths and this album features a more organ-styled sound. It's a deeper and much less happy album as a whole.

The moment I heard the song "Diane Young" I knew it was going to be a huge hit for 2013. It's so fast and fun and by the time you reach the end you have no idea what the song is about, except for "Diane Young". If saw the title spelled out before hearing the song you'd realize just how clever Koenig is. Nifty nifty. It's a good album and it's a great song as well. The video centers around an artistic theme of "The Last Supper" with cameos and a masked man who is seemingly bored by his surroundings. It's fun and strange and different and so totally Vampire Weekend.





Title: Diane Young
Artist: Vampire Weekend
Album: Modern Vampires of the City

Previous #11s
2012: Swimming With Dolphins - Sleep To Dream
2011: Power Quest - Glorious
2010: Taio Cruz - Dynamite
2009: Kings of Leon - Use Somebody

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #12

12 - Shining - I Won't Forget

Blackjazz, you say? Sounds Jester-ish. I absolutely had to check out their band when I heard about their "style" of music. And I'm certainly glad I did, as this album absolutely does not disappoint. 9 songs and 35 minutes of pummeling dark metal mixed with surprisingly fitting saxaphone pieces. Yeah, you heard me. Saxaphones in metal. Because why not? I got through 2 minutes and 20 seconds of thinking this was a great song before the saxaphone dropped. Just wow. The video is equally powerful, with the band playing in a laboratory that has naked human subjects hooked to a multitude of wires and machines.

The most amazing thing about the band Shining is that they started as a classical neo-jazz band. The sound has developed over the years into an avant-grade metal sound, but the older albums include many different prog-jazz styles and showcase singer Jorgen Munkeby as an incredibly talented multi-intrumentalist. The band has all but abanoned their classically styled roots and produced an album ("One One One") that is mostly extreme metal with brilliant saxaphone twists. It is fun and it is in your face, and just when you think you've heard it all, you encounter the ghost of Bleeding Gums Murphy. 




Title: I Won't Forget
Artist: Shining
Album: One One One

Previous 12s
2012: (tie) Florence and the Machine - What the Water Gave Me; Shake It Out
2011: Fitz and the Tantrums - Don't Gotta Work it Out
2010: Mumford and Sons - Little Lion Man
2009: Breathe Carolina - Show Me Yours

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #13

13 - The Mowglis - San Francisco

If you were looking for the happiest, peppiest song of 2013, look no further. You have stumbled upon The Mowgli's, who are singing about love, peace, and happiness in this bubbly joyous summer anthem. It's an incredibly fun tune that just makes you want to jump up and dance around. The only downside is that it gets to be a little *too* sugar-coated after you listen to it enough times. But after watching the video, you'll be convinced that you've been transported to the 60s, with hearts and flowers being passed out left and right and a mantra of peace and love being spread. Sing along, will you?

The Mowgli's are actually an 8 piece band who describes themselves as "Love-rock". Their album "Waiting for the Dawn" includes tracks like "Love is Easy", "We Are Free" and "Hi, Hey There, Hello". Yeah, you get where I'm going with this. While it was refreshing for one track, it gets a little old when it's constantly smashed in your face. Unless of course you're a hippie, in which case this (and Edward Sharpe) are perfect for you.




Title: San Francisco
Artist: The Mowgli's
Album: Waiting For The Dawn

Previous 13s
 2012: Veil of Maya - Punisher
2011: Red - Feed the Machine
2010: Haste the Day - White as Snow
2009: Gorilla Zoe - Echo

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #14

14 - Atlas Genius - If So

If you had told me last year that Altas Genius would have gone anywhere near my top 20 countdown, I would have told you that you were absolutely insane. Their lead single last year was a track titled "Trojans", which effectively was enough for me to write them off as a snobby, artsy alt-rock group for snobby art-monkeys. In fairness, they are, but the album itself is 10x better than the lead single, which was a huge hit for the band in 2012.

However, "If So" incorporates a catchy bass-line, bouncy guitars and perfectly smooth synths to create a solid indie-rock sound that went great in the summer of 2013. Atlas Genius also has some very pretty melodies, and I was surprised by the albums use of synths, as the lead single (Trojans) was void of most of these characteristics. Anyhow, the video has members of the band walking through artistic scenic split-screens and chasing around a pretty brunette. Nothing of spectacular note, but again; perfectly indie.






Title: If So
Artist: Atlas Genius
Album: When It Was Now

Previous 14s
2012: Metric - Clone
2011: Crystal Castles - Not In Love (ft Robert Smith)
2010: Nevermore - Moonrise (Through Mirrors of Death)
2009: Red - Out From Under

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #15

15 - The Features - This Disorder

The Features, for me, are a love-hate relationship. In 2011 they released an album ("Wilderness") with two great singles, but the album itself was just so incredibly trashy that it detracted from how good the actual songs were. Not to be deterred, they quickly dished out a self-titled effort in '13 that is no better than the one before it. But the moment I heard this song, I knew it was going to be a great jam. Make sure you listen closely for the triangle parts.

The song begins innocently enough with a simple bass-line. Sometimes that's all it takes to launch a great song. As a matter of fact, the guitars don't even show themselves until the chorus hits. The video is absolutely ridiculous. The first half of the song has a man visiting the doctors office, and when the doctor takes a look into his eye he (the man) is transported into a dance-hall where he started breakdancing. Apparently the b-boy has "This Disorder" Very clever, Features. I just hope you can pump out an album next time that is tolerable.




 Title: This Disorder
Artist: The Features
Album: The Features

Previous 15s
2012: A Plea for Purging - Heart of a Child
2011: Texas in July - Magnolia
2010: Day of Fire - Lately
2009: Silversun Pickups - It's Nice To Know You Work Alone

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #16

16 - Colossus - Beacons

Following in the metallic footsteps we find the band Colossus, whose sound lives up to their name (as stated on their Facebook page). All props to the FB group "Christian Metal Kingdom" for turning me on to this band. I'm sure I would have stumbled across them eventually, but I found this song right when I needed it. I was absolutely cut to the core by the line "All I am is a broken promise; don't let me disappoint you again. Every sin is another nail in the cross, why do I do this to you? Why do I do this to myself?" Just wow. Absolutely crushing. "Beacons" begins with a soaring opening riff before the trademark "chugga" sets in.

The first song that turned me to this band, however was a track called "Transgressor" The album's title is "Time and Eternal", and it's packed with crushing metal from top to bottom. Prepare to de-tune your senses! The only downside is that it's only 10 tracks and 31 minutes worth of music, but it's well worth a half an hour of your time. Colossus made many waves in the Christian metal scene and hopefully will follow with another pounding album. I am eagerly anticipating their next release. Of course, you know that any band signed to Facedown is going to crush you.




Title: Beacons
Artist: Colossus
Album: Time and Eternal

Previous 16s
2012: Imagine Dragons - It's Time
2011: Amaranthe - Hunger
2010: Gorillaz - Superfast Jellyfish
2009: Chris Isaak - We Let Her Down

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #17

17 - Sevendust - Decay

 

Sevendust has been one of my favorite bands since high school and their newest effort, "Black Out the Sun" is their best album since they dropped "Alpha" in 2007. The band has had the same core 5 members in every album but two, and they have once again found the way to attack your ears with a metal sound unlike any other. Lajon continues to show that powerful range has a place in metal records with Decay. I read one review that said the song "steamrolled through", which is about as good of a way to describe it as any. The opening riff gets you started and the song never relents.

As far as "Black Out The Sun" goes, it starts with a crushing track called "Faithless" and doesn't give up until the very end. The album took the boys 3 years to write and record, which is an eternity considering they had cranked out 8 albums in 13 years. The craziest part of all that was that all 3 of the stringsmen took parts in writing albums for their own projects in the interim. The guys from 'Dust might be working their way to their 40s, but they've still got the sound that the new generation needs to hear. In the video, the band members are being beaten, tied up and attacked in different ways. Why not, right?



Title: Decay
Artist: Sevendust
Album: Black Out the Sun

Previous #17s
2012: Morning Parade - Headlights
2011: Lonely Island - Jack Sparrow (Ft Michael Bolton)
2010: Slash - Baby Can't Drive (ft Alice Cooper + Nicole Scherzinger)
2009: DevilDriver - Another Night In London

2013 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #18

18 - Biffy Clyro - Black Chandelier

Hailing from Scotland, Biffy Clyro bring a huge powerful alt-rock sound that is just strong enough to be played on some harder rock stations.  Despite being around for 10+ years, they have been quietly bubbling under and have only recently been garnering critical acclaim. I personally wasn't a fan until I heard this song. It starts off slowly but cuts right through the ribs by chorus time. The theme of this song is a broken, dangerous relationship with a "Black Chandelier casting shadows and lies".

The album is a two disc effort that never ceased with powerful, heartfelt ballads and the aforementioned stronger rock formula. It's a fun and unique sound and it was definitely one of my favorite albums of the year. You can just put it on and let it spin and pulse through you. The video has the guys playing, sweaty and shirtless, as a mob of black-painted bodies swarm their location. Personally, I'm hoping Biffy didn't put all their eggs in this two disc basket, and will return soon with another awesome CD.





Title: Black Chandelier
Artist: Biffy Clyro
Album: Opposites

Previous #18s
2012: Santigold - Disparate Youth
2011: House of Heroes - Galveston
2010: Rammstein - Fruhling in Paris
2009: Sick Puppies - I Hate You