It’s no secret 2020 has been a rather lackluster year. The music coming out this year, however, has been anything but that. Here’s 20 songs that rocked my 2020. Turn them up LOUD.
KennyHoopla- “Plastic Door”
KennyHoopla didn’t let 2020 keep him down. He’s been blowing up the radio charts, working with Travis Barker, and even Elton John posted about how much he loved this song. “Plastic Door” is one of those songs that hits on all the emotions and is the perfect song for any situation you may find yourself in. I was honored to have Kenny on my radio show earlier this year and I have to say this couldn’t be happening to a nicer dude. KennyHoopla is a return to real and honest music and we need that now more than ever.
Moaning- “Ego”
Moaning quickly became one of my favorite bands in 2018 when their debut self titled record came out so needless to say I was HIGHLY anticipating “Uneasy Laughter”( so much so I braved going to the record store back in March when we weren’t sure how safe things were or not just to help them have a big release day, and I would gladly do it again). Moaning is such a unique band, and I can’t wait to hear “Ego” live, hopefully next year.
Kreeps- “Swallowed Tooth”
Kreeps followed up 2013″s “Spirit Clinic” with “Moon Stand Still Us Fools Prefer Darkness” earlier this year and it was WELL worth the 7 year wait. No one else sounds like Kreeps and they are just a magic band in that sense. This record is perfect front to back and I remember playing it a lot in March and April while I drove up to the dark radio station in uncertain times. This record will get you through all the ups and downs and in between. Also one of my personal highlights of the year was getting a “Thank You” in the record. Meant the world to me and you better believe it’s framed on my wall.
The Lees of Memory- “Lonely Everywhere”
The Lees of Memory” blasted 2020 away with “Moon Shot”. I had John Davis of The Lees on my radio show back in May and he jokingly said he wanted this record to be the record he was remembered by and one listen front to back of the record and you can see he was 100% serious. It really is a perfect record front to back with rocking peaks and emotional valleys only The Lees can tap into. I know agree with Davis that THIS is the record I will show people when they ask me “So WHO are The Lees of Memory?”.
Soul Asylum- “If I Told You”
Soul Asylum released “Hurry Up And Wait” early this year and it quickly became one of my favorite records of theirs. It has all the things I love about the band but somehow it’s new. Soul Asylum are one of those bands that have always been true to themselves and the honesty shows through. Ironically the band toured before the record was released (Dave Pirner came on my show in February and said he was confused as to why they’d tour before it’s released), which seemed to be some sort of genius move as they couldn’t have toured after it’s release. I’m thankful I saw them live at The Cowan in February and got to hear “If I Told You” live.
Loose Fang- Blips
When I heard one of my all time fav drummers, Ian Browne, had a new band called Loose Fang the name alone intrigued me. The band released 3 singles this year and they were all different and perfect in their own way. This is one band I can’t wait to see live hopefully next year. “Blips” has become the song I go to when I want to sit back and think, and honestly when a song can make you do that, you know its special. Live shows please come back and Loose Fang please tour asap.
Ryan Adams- “I’m Sorry And I Love You”
Ryan Adams putting out new music at the tail end of 2020 was one of the highlights of the year. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was so pumped to find out what he’d been up to. “I’m Sorry And I Love You” is one of those songs only Ryan Adams can pull off. When it comes to raw and honest emotion in music, no one has ever done it better than Adams, and it’s great to have him back. Hopefully 2021 leads to more releases from him and some tour dates because I’d love to hear this song LIVE.
Flight Attendant- “Man Of Chaos”
I remember the second I heard “Man of Chaos” I said out loud, to myself, this is going to be one of my favorite songs of the year and here we are. No one else sounds like them and I LOVE that about this band. There’s a true honesty in their music, their look, their sound, videos, all of it. They’re one of those bands that are going to start a movement and other bands will start trying to copy them. 2021 is going to be huge for this band and I will die on this hill.
Middle Class Rut- “Hum”
Middle Class Rut released a two song single this year and both songs rocked as hard as anything the band has ever put out if not more. I’ve always felt MCR was the most underrated 2 piece band in rock n roll and I still feel that way. They have their own sound and a live show that sounds like 10 dudes on stage with just the 2 of them. When I heard they covered “Hum” by The Sheila Divine I was so stoked to hear it. Zack Lopez of MCR said on my radio show back in June he had always been a fan of that song and thought it would be fun to cover and you can feel that in the recording. MCR has always done exactly what they want and it shows in their music. Will forever love this band.
Vera Bloom- “Breathe”
Vera Bloom came out swinging in 2020 with 2 killer singles, “Breathe” and “Love Like Knives”. Both songs couldn’t be more different but both are uniquely her. Every so often an artist comes out with a sound that you know is them the second the song kicks in and Vera Bloom is absolutely one of those artists. “Breathe” caught my attention with the low fi rock sound and then the honest and heavy lyrics caught my ears. I can’t wait for her full release in 2021 and hopefully tons of live shows.
Cowboy Mouth- “Last Sad Song”
Cowboy Mouth have always been known for their radio hits and their insane live show. Both are very much deserved and true, but sometimes I feel Fred’s songwriting gets overlooked. Some of my favorite songs of theirs are their slower songs. “The Last Sad Song” hits hard in all the feels. Musically and lyrically it’s a sad song that somehow provides hope at the same time, which is an art Fred and the band seemed to have mastered time and time again.
Year Of October- “Black Widow”
It’s not every day you get to say you’ve watched a band really grow, and I feel fortunate to have watched Year Of October grow into what they have this year. A band known for constant touring had to come off the road in 2020, but they came back with a vengeance releasing “Wastelands”. The band has truly found it’s found on this record and the first single , “Black Widow” really proved that. The guitar sound and vocals are all their own and I can’t wait to watch all the other bands start to mimic this sound. Its gonna be October all 2021 long .
Hum- “Step Into You”
When Hum surprised us all with a brand new record, it seemed like 2020 was finally being nice to us. The band has always flown under the radar as one of the most influential bands and honestly one of my all time favorite bands. So much so, Matt Talbott even produced a record for a band I was in back in 2003 and I was a fan boi the entire time. Hum never truly got the credit they deserve but it’s never seemed to bother them one bit. They know who they are and they make the music THEY want to make, which is what makes this band Hum, and I am HERE for it.
Wanderers- “Medication”
Wanderers took on the task of releasing a song a week for 6 weeks straight back in April and somehow each song was as good if not better than the last. There’s a creative powerhouse inside that mind of Zach Ryan and I feel like he’s one of the prolific artists of our generation. I remember in the mid 2000’s when it was shocking to see a label put out 3 Ryan Adam’s records in one year and they were all amazing. I feel like Zach Ryan is one of those artists. I might just start my own record label so I can be the label putting out album after album of amazing Wanderer’s material.
Fitness- “Anvil”
Fitness quickly became one of my favorite bands in 2018 when they released the song “Matter Of Time”. This band can say so much by saying so little somehow. When they released “Anvil” earlier this year it had the exact same effect on me. This band has a way of hitting on something and the world seems to finally be catching on. I’m hoping 2021 brings Fitness back to the stage so we can hear this song live, then you’ll all know EXACTLY how this band hits you from the stage.
Framing Hanley- “Bubbles”
Framing Hanley released their latest album, “Envy” and had a huge sold out release show for it at Exit In right before the music industry shut down. Personally I think it’s the band’s strongest work of songs they’ve ever put out. The album touches on a lot of darker topics and you can feel the emotion in Nixon’s voice. This band has always been honest, which is something I’ve always loved about them, but this album in particular feels like we’re reading his very own journal during a painful time. “Bubbles” is my favorite song off the record and has a vibe we could all use right now. Honest, pure, and unapologetic just like rock n roll should be.
The By Gods- “Blurry”
The By Gods have always been a band I find to be criminally underrated. 2020, however, seemed to bring the band exactly to where they should have been all along. Their album, “Goldy” was their strongest album to date and people are taking notice. Even John Davis of Superdrag, The Lees of Memory and Tim McCord of Evanescence have praised the band. The By Gods are one of the bands I miss the most live on stage. No one makes music like The By Gods and I hope 2021 gives us more of it.
Beach Slang- “Tommy In The 80s”
Is there a band cooler than Beach Slang? I mean honestly this band is the kinda band you see live and they make you wanna go home and practice to be AS cool as them. “Tommy In The 80s” came out with a swift punch of rock to the face, and it’s RAD that Tommy Stinson of The Replacements played bass on this record. Beach Slang are one of those bands that anyone that hears them immediately becomes a massive fan and their fans mean business. They have the kind of fans all band’s want and I know speaking as a fan, I can’t wait to see them live in 2021.
Wheatus- “My Music @ Work (LIVE)”
I’ve been a fan of Wheatus for years now. My old band even played some shows with them in the mid 2000s and it was such an honor to see them every night. When I saw they covered my all time Tragically Hip tune, “My Music @ Work” for their new live album, I had to stop what I was doing and turn it up right away. They stick true to the genius of the Hip’s version all while making it Wheatus. I love this band and how they’ve always stayed true to themselves. Their legacy seems to show that in the sense that they seem as popular as ever with their fans. Real music always breaks through, and Wheatus are proof of that.
Anchor Thieves- “Cyclopede”
Last year the Anchor Thieves closed out the year with a show to celebrate 10 years of being a band. One could ask what a band should do after something like and in typical Anchor Thieves fashion, they went back into their studio. This band is so prolific. They can put out album after album and there is never a bad song. It’s honestly kinda unreal. There used to be a phrase called “career artists” in the industry and if that industry still existed, Anchor Thieves would be THAT band. It’s never easy to point which direction their sound is going, but if “Cyclopede” is any indication, 2021 is gonna be massive for the boys.
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