Top 10 songs of 2022

 Now time to unleash my top 10 songs for 2022. Also added them to a spotify playlist with an additional 10 songs. Last year I did top 10 songs under 5 minutes and top 10 songs over 5 minutes. But this year I didn't think or find as many good songs over 5 minutes hence just put them in one list.  But it was still a great year for music and top 10 albums will be coming next week.  Have a great Christmas folks :-)

1. Daylight by Shinedown

2. Bad Things by I Prevail

3. Bad Life by Sigrid & Bring Me the Horizon

4. The Steeple by Halestorm

5. This is Why by Paramore

6. Fable of the Silent Son by Alter Bridge

7. Foxglove by Boston Manor

8. Dignity by Porcupine Tree

9. I Don't want to go to Mars by White Lies

10. Just Pretend by Bad Omens

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4L8C5zAinVQ7xGtqY7M9Dh?si=peyDzQJrRjKFuZFTKfzSAw

White Lies - As I Try Not To Fall Apart

 

"As I Try Not To Fall Apart" is the 6th album by UK indie alternative act White Lies.  I have been into this band right from when their debut album "To Lose My life" dropped in 2009.  I have always compared them to the likes of Interpol and Editors.  But I feel although those bands may have peaked slightly higher. In terms of consistency of output White Lies have outdone them both.  Another thing which sets them apart from these bands is their use of keyboards as well as guitars.  Put that on top of Harry McVeigh's unique vocals it does put them in a place in today's music scene which differentiates them.

The band released 4 singles prior to album release and while they are all brilliant.  I really feel they have delivered quite thought provoking and timely titles in the world we live in at the moment.  Let's look at them.  First the title track "As I Try Not To Fall Apart".   Now to me this song was born out of lockdowns during the pandemic and possibly an insight into the band's mental state either during the pandemic and/or recording this album.  I think everyone can relate to the struggles at some point.  But the lyrics are met with such a warm, uplifting melody it's like they have overcome these struggles and lifting themselves out of a hole.

Next track "Am I really going to die" is another quite impactful title again delivered with a warm melody.  Undoubtably something everyone thinks about at some point too.  For me though their best thoughts brought through by lyrics are on "I don't want to go to Mars".  Straight off the bat you know exactly what the song is about and it's pretty opinionated which is what I like about it.  Many bands express their views on politics and love etc through lyrics. But you don't often get opinions about random topics like going to mars that often. So, it is quite refreshing.  The chorus although serious is quite funny.  "I don't want to go to Mars, what kind of brainwashed idiot does?"  Don't hold back there Harry. lol.  And it's like that the whole song.  On Twitter every time they mention the song, they tag Elon Musk too who wants to send people to Mars which is the bands way of telling him it's a waste of time and money.

Plenty of other stuff going on in this album too. The highlight for me is "Roll December" which comes in around 7 minutes.  They did do a track on their last album called "Time to give" which was around 7 minutes too, but I think that's the only time they have done this.  "Roll December" is a great track.  While being long I wouldn't call it an epic or prog rock track.  It feels like they have taken a 5-minute track, then went, right, let's plug in the electric guitar and have a jam.  And because they don't do that often it feels special, and they pull it off magnificently.

Now, I normally get annoyed with bands who have penultimate tracks which sound like they are meant to close an album.  So, when I saw a track called "The End" being the second last track that did annoy me.  Then, however I went to Tim's Twitter listening party where they did a playback of the album and tweeted during it. It turns out they did this just for a laugh.  And suddenly, I saw the funny side too! Absolute genius.  "There is no cure for it" is the track that finishes off the album.  This is a great, edgier track which finishes the album well.  At the end it does finish very abruptly which leaves you thinking "That's that then!".

And overall, what a ride this album is.  It has grown on me each time I listen to it and keeps up that great consistency they have of delivering great albums time after time.  I haven't even mentioned the likes of "Blue drift", "Breathe", "Ragworm" and "Step outside".  But this is a complete album with no bad tracks.  One which you should be checking out.

White Lies - Five

White Lies return with their imagitively titled fifth album "Five". I have followed this band near enough right from the outset. In fact I have seen them live 3 times, all round about the time of their first album "To Lose a life". The one thing which has really struck me about this band through there first four albums is the consistentcy shown through all the albums.  They are a band which many of their fans would argue are very underrated considering the quality they deliver time after time. But what about "Five"? Does that meet that bar they have set so high through their previous albums? Let's get into it!

"Time to Give" was the first single to drop from this album and is also the first track off the album.  One thing which grabs you straight away is the fact this is a 7 minute tracks which must make it one of their longest and arguably most ambitious tracks to date.  By releasing this track first it must be of the mindset that you aren't going to get much radio play and relying on the existing fan base you have already built to spread the word about the quality of this track.  It did take a while for me to get into it but now I love it.  The one key thing for me that shows the sign of a good long song is that it doesn't feel like a long song and that time seems to fly by. This is what this track does and to me that shows what a good track and thus what a good album opener this is.

One thing I got the impression before this album came out was the band were building this record up to how different the album was and how it was the best album they have ever done etc. I understand that bands do this to sell records and they probably are genuine and do believe in what they are doing and that it is the best thing they have ever done. But in my opinion, while this is a good record, I wouldn't say they have gone off the beaten White Lies track in any shape or form. Yes they have made a track on this which is slightly longer. Yes they have made tracks which differ from tracks that they have made in the past. But it has that White Lies sound all over it which they have been honing more and more over the years.

2 of my other favourite tracks off the album are "Finish Line" and "Tokyo" which they also released as singles/videos.  "Finish Line" has a lovely acoustic opening and the vocals in places are spot on.  "Tokyo" is an absolute tune and has a good feel to it all the way through.  Overall again the consistency/quality of the songs is a good standard but one track I find a bit of a let down is album closer "Fire and Wings".  To me here they are going for the epic album closer. But it just doesn't quite get going and ends up a bit stale. Another slight gripe is that its 9 tracks.  To me unless its a track full of 10 minute plus songs, then albums should be 10-15 tracks. So slightly short changed but maybe I would have been talking about another not very good song on this album if they had made it 10 tracks so lets leave it there.

Overall this is a strong album and I would say they have just about kept there consistency going. There are some real classics on here and it is an album I will come back to for more listens.  I must also give kudos to the band for raising money for RNIB and producing a lyric book in brail.  A nice touch.

White Lies - To Lose my Life

"To Lose my Life" is the debut album by London based band, White Lies. In 2009 White Lies were arguably one of the hardest working bands in Britain. With sources counting up to 31 festival appearances, a support slot on Coldplay's stadium tour and a headline tour of their own. I saw them twice in 2009 and both times I wasn't there to see them. T in the park I was waiting to see someone else and the other time I was seeing Coldplay. I thought they were ok but would've helped if I had heard the album beforehand. Well now I've got it and the survey says...

This album is absolutely magnificent. 10 tracks and not one bad song on it. Each track is a crowd pleasing anthem. Easy comparisons can be made to Editors and Interpol's more accessible stuff. But the reality is each of these songs have the White Lies stamp on it.  Obviously though like any album, there are going to be some tracks you like better than others. It's just in this case the other tracks still rank pretty high.

If I had to choose my favourites it would probably be "Death", "A place to hide", "Unfinished Business" and "Fair well to the fairground". Yes I know that's 40% of the album but I just love these tracks. They represent just why they have been invited to so many festivals. These are catchy tunes which are easy to sing along to; exactly what you want at a festival! I think the biggest variable with bands is the singer. Although you can get many degrees of talent with different instruments. The singer's voice can be the big differentiators which is definitely the case with Harry McVeigh. He does sound a bit like Tom Smith from the Editors but with the different feel of the songs making White Lies stand out.

Now the other tracks, I have tried to look for flaws in these tracks, even the more downbeat "Nothing to Give". But I can't because it adds a new dimension to the album and works so well! I think its one of those albums you'll either love all of it or hate all of it.

Overall this is by far the best debut I have heard in 2009 and is definitely in my top 10 albums of 2009. Each lyric is sang with such purpose and meaning and everything else combines to make this absolute belter of an album.  The only thing is, where do they go from here for their second album? No idea but looking forward to it already!

White Lies - To Lose My Life

'To Lose my life' is the debut album by London based White Lies. In 2009, White Lies were arguably one of the hardest working bands in Britain. With sources counting up to 31 festival appearances, a support slot with Coldplay and headline tours of their own. I saw them twice in 2009 and both times I wasn't there to see them. T in the Park I was waiting to see someone else and supporting Coldplay where I always like to check out the support acts. I thought they were ok but would have helped if I had heard their album beforehand. Well now I've got it and our survey says...

This album is magnificent! Comprises of 10 tracks and there is not one bad song on it. Each track is a crowd pleasing anthem. Easy comparisons can be made to Editors and Interpol's more accessible stuff. But the reality is each of these songs has got the White Lies stamp on it.

Obviously though like any album there are going to be some tracks you like better than others. Its just in this case the others still rank pretty highly. If I had to choose my favourites it would be 'Death', 'A place to hide', 'Unfinished business' and 'Farewell to the fairground'. Yes I know that's 40% of the album but I just love those tracks in particular. They represent just why they have been invited to so many festivals and even though this is their first album they are coming on stage later and later as they move up the bills. I think the biggest variable with any band is the singer. Although you can get many degrees of talent with people playing different instruments. The singer's voice can be the big differentiator which is definitely the case with Harry McVeigh. The good thing about him as well is that the singing is not forced like some and just seems like his natural voice which of course means he sings well live. He does sound a bit like Tom Smith from Editors but with the difference in the tunes it makes WL stand out..

Now the other tracks; I have tried to look for flaws in these tracks even the more downbeat 'Nothing to Give', but I can't because it adds a new dimension to the album therefore giving the album a nice balance between upbeat and downbeat tunes. I think its of those albums you'll either you'll love it all or hate it. If you don't like one song I would not go any further in investigating the album. However if you like just one tune a bit, that song and the rest of the album will just grow and grow on you.

Overall this is by far the best debut album I have heard in 2009 in my opinion and is definitely in my top 10 albums of 2009. Each lyric I sang with such purpose and conviction and each note strum and till its note perfect. The only thing is where do they go from here, for their second album? No idea, but looking forward to it already!