| |
Red's Best of 2014: The YECA (Top Singles, 50-31, Page 19)
Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,973
|
110) The Black Keys - Gotta Get Away
109) Coldplay - A Sky Full of Stars
107) U2 - The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)
102) Milky Chance - Stolen Dance
|
|
|
|
ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
|
The YECA: Top 100 Singles of 2014 (70-61)
 
| Here's the first of three Chevelle singles in this top 100, and the only one guaranteed to have any chance of making this same list in 2015. In fact, the only reason why this song is so "low" is because it only really became a single late in the year. But I knew after listening to the album that "An Island" is one of the best songs off of Chevelle's latest album, and that only bodes well for its chances next year. And my love of the song is only growing. The opening riff is absolutely wonderful, while the chorus uses that same riff to great effect, creating probably the catchiest moment on La Gargola, if not one of the best. |
| No, this song is not better than "Ordinary People". Let's just get that out of the way before we even talk about John Legend's biggest hit, "All of Me". There's no comparison, really. Ten years later, "Ordinary People" is even MORE potent. Does this mean that there's no value in "All of Me" because of that? Of course not. In a way, "All of Me" is the love letter version of "Ordinary People", right down to Legend's voice and his piano being the only instruments to be found in the track. And while the piano playing isn't the best of John's career, and yes, the lyrics are cheesy and kind of stupid at many points, the vocal performance is right up there with "Ordinary People". It's so soulful and sincere that, at least to me, it's impossible to feel cynical about it. I'm sure there's reason to be cynical when it comes to "All of Me", but I'm not going to be the one to fire the shots. |
| it seems as if "I Bet My Life" is incredibly divisive amongst Imagine Dragons fans. I've seen some praise the song and others absolutely detest its existence. To the latter, I say...um, are we even listening to the same song? Because what I'm hearing is great! If anything, it gives me hope that Imagine Dragons are going to rise above being just the "Radioactive" guys and become something more. How could anyone hate a song that has a chorus as soaring and as powerful as this song does? In many ways, this is Imagine Dragons as they should be, which makes it all the more baffling that some people absolutely despise this song. Okay...your loss, then. Oh, and as for "I Bet My Life"...I'll be seeing (or listening to, I guess) more of you in 2015. |
| It's going to be so odd putting this on my 2015 list, when "Crystallized" is clearly a 2014 single. How am I going to get away with that? Well, Alt radio here in the US is going to play it in 2015. That's the only justification that I have. No matter, though. As with Chevelle earlier, this is the first of three Young the Giant singles to make this list this year, and the only one that has a chance of making this list in one year's time. And, honestly, it has a REALLY good chance of doing just that. I probably even like the song more than at least one of the the other two Young the Giant singles that is higher on this top 100. Of course, I also got into "Crystallized" and its gorgeous atmosphere way too late, hence its low placement here. |
| Oh look, it's the band that dominated the alternative scene in 2013! The first of two Arctic Monkeys singles, "R U Mine?" is much more in tune with previous Arctic Monkeys singles, especially songs like "Crying Lightning" and "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor". And honestly, if the song winds up being as great as "R U Mine?" is, I don't think I can really be upset about that. Alex Turner carries over the cool and lackadaisical vocal tone that can be found throughout AM over to this track, which definitely helps to prevent this song from becoming too much of a retread, and it even gives the song an added punch it would have lacked otherwise. Songs like "R U Mine?" just reinforce how cool the Monkeys have been during this era. |
| When this song appeared on the 2013 version of this list, I said, and I quote, "It may not be higher than 'Sweater Weather', but I think that I'm going to like 'Afraid' more in the long run." Well, it's been a year since I said that about The Neighbourhood's two defining songs, and...yeah, I'd say that I do like "Afraid" more. "Sweater Weather" is probably more catchy, but I get more enjoyment out of the more difficult to grasp "Afraid". I just love the atmosphere of the song, an atmosphere that "Sweater Weather" just lacks. I just want more songs that immerse me into its atmosphere like "Afraid". Is that too much to ask for, Neighbourhood?! IS IT?! |
 | Why must you be such a douche, Billy Corgan? I want to enjoy and love your new music, but you make it so difficult with your attitude toward the classic Pumpkins tunes. If you don't know what I'm referring to, in December, the Pumpkins (or, really, Corgan and some background musicians) played at KROQ's annual show Almost Acoustic Christmas. Whenever Corgan played the new songs, like "One and All", he seemed to be very into the songs and ecstatic to play the new songs. But when he DID give the fans what they want in the classic Pumpkins songs, he seemed genuinely hurt and angry, to the point where he started MOCKING the fans for wanting those old songs. Never mind that every other big artist at the event was playing almost all hits and MAYBE one or two new songs. Long story short, I lost a LOT of respect for Billy on that night. It's a shame, because "One and All" is a quality song, but as much as I try, I can't get past Billy Corgan hating his fans for wanting to listen to the classics. |
| "Over Your Shoulder", the first song released from Chromeo's new album White Women, was underwhelming and, honestly, substandard Chromeo. "Jealous", on the other hand, is Chromeo to a t. It's so funky and alive, which makes sense, given the fact that we're supposed to be getting the 21st century Hall & Oates, not...whatever band was playing on "Over Your Shoulder". I find it difficult not to tap my feet or dance on command whenever I play this song. The beat practically demands you to shake your tailfeather, even if you are surrounded by a bunch of people who are not interested in dancing. It's the kind of song that I go to whenever I feel down, because it's a guarantee that, even for a couple of minutes, I'm going to feel happy. |
| I want to like The Pretty Reckless more than I do. I really like the mission statement that Taylor Momsen and her boys are trying to follow with their music. The problem is that they only seem to succeed part of the time. Most of the time, it just doesn't really work for me. But when the Reckless get down to business and focus solely on rocking out, that's when I get really excited. "Goin' Down" is a great example from their first album, Light Me Up. It's so energetic, and Taylor is at her cynical best. "Follow Me Down" almost feels like a sequel to "Goin' Down", especially in the sense that it rocks just as hard as its predecessor. I don't care for The Pretty Reckless when they slow things down, either for ballads or even mid-tempo rockers. When they go balls to the wall like they do on "Follow Me Down", though, look out. |
| I REALLY wanted to like this era for Foster the People. The issue is that I always find myself comparing Supermodel to Torches, and that's going to be a losing battle for the former. Torches, from top to bottom, is catchy song after catchy song, and all of the songs are precise and tight. Any subsequent Foster album was probably going to be a step down, and Supermodel is a step down. But man, when the songs hit on that album, they hit just as hard as they did on Torches. Case in point, "Best Friend". Good god, just listen to that opening bass riff! That riff is just sexuality personified. And that chorus is wonderful, reaching the heights of Torches and its awesome choruses. I just wish that there were more quality songs like this on the album. |
|
And with that, madonnas' favorite set has been posted. 
The bad news is that I didn't really follow through on what I wanted to do and I posted 70-61 basically in the same manner that I did 70-61 last year: Nearly a week after the previous set. As some of you know, I didn't finish this thread last year after 70-61.
Well, this year, we're changing that. How do I know this? Well, I've already begun work on the next set, which is 60-51. I hope to get it posted tomorrow, I really do! In that set will be the only single from a pop artist who gave us one hell of an album, the only single from...a pop artist who gave us one hell of an album, the second and final single from another artist who gave us one hell of a pop album, a single from a famous Red Crush, and the second of three singles from a band that just appeared in this set. LEGGO!
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 12/25/2008
Posts: 14,110
|
I Bet My Life is pretty amazing 
All of Me is my favorite os this set 
|
|
|
|
ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 7/23/2007
Posts: 35,994
|
8/10
An Island + R U Mine? + Crystallized + Follow Me Down + Afraid + One and All + I Bet My Life <333
|
|
|
|
ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/24/2009
Posts: 70,975
|
6/10
Afraid, I Bet My Life, Crystallized 
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 27,248
|
I don't hate I Bet My Life, but I thought it was so disappointing. 
Afraid and Best Friend are flawless 
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 4/7/2009
Posts: 34,961
|
I slept on Imagine Dragons and Young The Giant this year. My taste and what I'm in the mood for really changes every year, I don't know why. I lose interest one album and then gain it back with the next. Let's see if they'll reel me in with their next releases. I'll check out YTG's album again later.
R U Mine?, All of Me, and Best Friend - Great
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 10/2/2011
Posts: 43,174
|
I Bet My Life it's not what I expected from them but that doesn't mean it's not a great song.
I agree with your write-ups on All of Me and Best Friend.
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 7/22/2009
Posts: 13,429
|
All of me and I Bet My Life
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 2/17/2012
Posts: 33,611
|
Oh, I guess I'll reply to your post here, I do like Ordinary People and Green Light, but his other stuff....  And yeah his vocals are good on All of Me but I still hate it lol.
Jealous is amazing.
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 5/18/2007
Posts: 18,745
|
I didn't know Chevelle has a new single
Favorites: Crystallized & Best Friend
9/10 
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 2/13/2012
Posts: 62,082
|
Arctic Monkeys I don't know a ton from this set but I like many of the artists 
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 6/24/2008
Posts: 21,950
|
AM here
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 1/9/2004
Posts: 9,558
|
R U MIIIIIINE
R
U
MEIN
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 2/5/2014
Posts: 29,111
|
Sadly my laptop broke yesterday and it won't be up and running until tomorrow at the earliest, until then I've been banished to mobile.
I didn't want to miss any updates here, but can't necessarily see all the updates. Through the power of deduction / other peoples comments you have Arctic Monkeys R U Mine here. By far the best song sharing is title with a valentine candy heart released last year I actually love the monkeys and have since Favourite Worst Nightmare. They can do no wrong.
I'm also a can of Chevelle and John Legends All Of Me. People come for AOM for being cliche, but that's the point of the song right? John laid his heart on the table cliches and all.
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 10/8/2009
Posts: 8,118
|
John Legend, Imagine Dragons and Chromeo 
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 8/27/2010
Posts: 3,636
|
9 | 10
Amazing set
Crystallized and Best Friend are amazing 
|
|
|
|
ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 4/3/2014
Posts: 34,134
|
Quote:
|
No, this song is not better than "Ordinary People".
|
I agree with this one. 
I like I Bet My Life although it's sounds a lot like a song that The American Authors (Imagine Dragons' tribute band) would make.
I also like R U Mine? and Afraid. 
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 3/18/2008
Posts: 25,896
|
Chevelle will always have a place in my musical heart...
All Of Me 
Afraids whole vibe is just
Best Friend  LOVED it
|
|
|
|
ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
|
Quote:
Originally posted by holyground
I don't hate I Bet My Life, but I thought it was so disappointing. |
Well, compared to some ID fans, your reaction to the song is borderline calm. 
Quote:
Originally posted by MP2K
I slept on Imagine Dragons and Young The Giant this year. My taste and what I'm in the mood for really changes every year, I don't know why. I lose interest one album and then gain it back with the next. Let's see if they'll reel me in with their next releases. I'll check out YTG's album again later.
|
Young the Giant really, REALLY took me by surprise this year. I didn't even really care for them all that much before this year, honestly. I totally get it.
Quote:
Originally posted by madonnas
Oh, I guess I'll reply to your post here, I do like Ordinary People
|
You could have just said that and would have been fine (though I always welcome more words! ). Hell, as long as you like "Ordinary People", that's all that really matters.
Quote:
Originally posted by Ghostlysnaker
I didn't know Chevelle has a new single
|
They had three! And a new album! And they're all awesome! I can't stop using exclamation points!
Quote:
Originally posted by Bloomers
Sadly my laptop broke yesterday and it won't be up and running until tomorrow at the earliest, until then I've been banished to mobile.
I'm also a can of Chevelle and John Legends All Of Me. People come for AOM for being cliche, but that's the point of the song right? John laid his heart on the table cliches and all.
|
The land of mobile. It can be quite the difficult beast to navigate.  And yeah, really, "All of Me" is a song full of cliches, and I guess that really is the point. Though, really, even without the lyrical content, the reason I love the song is the vocal performance. That's all I really need.
Quote:
Originally posted by Amaloner
I agree with this one.
I like I Bet My Life although it's sounds a lot like a song that The American Authors (Imagine Dragons' tribute band) would make. |
American Authors wish they could make a song as good as "I Bet My Life".
Okay, I said that I would try to update this as soon as possible, and hey, what do you know? The next update is coming up shortly! Oh, and Jorge, don't worry, I plan on commenting on your year-ender soon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
