| Guitar legend | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Weak
presence of electric guitar |
|
|
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| 1 |
Country Song |
Seether |
| I well remember the
first time I heard it on the radio. Without knowing that it was
Seether, I immediately saw the potential of this song, with its
surprising mix of somewhat "country" riffs and solid rock, combined
with a solid voice. I loved it from the first time I heard it, and I
kept on listening to it the whole rest of the year as a track that
could be my annual #1. That is now done! Note that it is the 3rd time in the past 10 years that Seether propels a song to my top 3, after Fine Again in 2003 and Fake it in 2007. It is currently the only artist who can boast that achievement, the only other two to have made it twice being System of a Down (Question! in 2005 and Lonely Day in 2006) and Alice in Chains (Check my Brain and A Looking in View, both in 2009). |
||
| 2 |
Face to the Floor |
Chevelle |
| The Chicago-based
band starts having such a successful career in the
post-grunge. They would now have enough hits to release an album of
their greatest hits. This one, Face
to the Floor, is possibly their best, more or less equally with Jars and ahead of The Red. It is nothing genius,
neither at the musical level and even less for the texts, but we jump
into this rousing track right at the first note, and the intensity
inside me remains practically constant until the end! Perfect
equilibrium between guitar and bass (although a bit more powered by the
distortioned bass than by the guitar) for an extremely round sound,
that catched me up from the first time I heard it. |
||
| 3 |
Not Again |
Staind |
| Really impressed!
Staind has gained a lot of maturity at various levels, the most
striking for me being the voice of singer Aaron Lewis. I was also
conquered by some little gems in the lyrics, mainly "Denial isn't the way to forgiveness"
and
"What an intricate web you're
weaving, again and again.". Certainly the best song of their
whole career. No, we definitely don't want to go back to the times of It's Been a While! |
||
| 4 |
Rope |
Foo Fighters |
| Without a doubt, the
rock song by excellence of 2011. Confortable at the #1 of the Billboard
Hot Rock Songs of 2011, and I would be the first to admit that it is
technically superior to the previous three tracks in my personal chart.
In fact, it was my #2 until a last-minute change, telling myself that I
probably had a little bit
deeper pleasure with Face to the
Floor and Not Again
even though I find Rope
superior. What a solid rock track! The play of the 3 guitars
(plus the bass), Taylor Hawkins' full of variations drumming, the
stereo effects, the play with voice tracks (in my humble opinion, at
least 2 voice tracks of Dave + 1 voice track of Taylor
Hawkins), etc. Congratulations, again and again! Dave Grohl, you are
re-becoming my idol!... |
||
| 5 |
The Ballad of Mona Lisa |
Panic! At the Disco |
| What a return for
Panic! At the Disco! Wow! A song that is remarkably well-built from one
end to the other, practically flawless. Without the shadow of a doubt
the best in this band's career to date. Oh yes, The Only
Difference Between Matyrdom and Suicide is Press Coverage and I Write Sings Not Tragedies were
excellent alternative rock songs, but they were not contenders for the
#1 of the year as The Ballad of Mona
Lisa... |
||
| 6 |
Up All Night |
Blink 182 |
| Thumbs up for a
defunct band that reunites to test a new sound and not to come back
with auto-plagiarism just for money
(hello AC/DC!) ! Blink goes completely out of its cumfortable pop punk,
and the result is extremely positive! Very surprising guitar riff for
some Blink 182, wise use of the two voices (has Tom finally understood
that he cannot do everything alone and that he badly needs Mark'e
voice?), varied and surprising drum beats, etc. It would have
just needed a melody for the guitar in the verses, it is its main
downside that makes it rank only 6th, which nonetheless remains an
excellent place to be in such a good year as 2011. |
||
| 7 |
On Va S'Aimer Encore |
Vincent Vallières |
| Slight infringement
to the rules: this one was initially released in November 2010, but
discovered by Powhertz around early January 2011, and the song was
still on the charts in the summer of 2011! By far, very far, the
French-language song of the year. The ultimate achievement for this
Montreal artist, who had been his thing for over 10 years, collecting
several small hits, but never "THE song". It is now mission
accomplished! Average music, let's admit it, but the touching lyrics
and performance like so few did in music history! For me, it is still a
clear level under Ginette Reno's L'Essentiel,
but
a major level above 99% of
other songs of that category! It was my vote the for award for song of
the year de l'année at the Gala de
l'ADISQ, and I'm very proud that Vincent won it. Fully deserved award! Note: it is only the 2nd appearance ever of Vallières in my yearly chart, after Ti-Guy qui s'détruit in 1999, although Je Pars à Pied has once been my #60 of 2006 before getting expelled of the top 60 one week later because of another song that had been forgotten. |
||
| 8 |
Not Your Fault |
AWOLNATION |
| For a second single
from a debut major album, it is huge! What a nice, well-built track,
constant from the beginning until the end! I found it even better than Sail, which is not a small thing!
And as it wasn't enough, it is the nicest music video of the year
according to me.
To be watched absolutely! |
||
| 9 |
The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie |
Red Hot Chili Peppers |
| Once again,
Flea has found the most catchy bass melody, which would be sufficient
to support the track alone, but that's actually not all! There is also
a very catchy guitar melody in the choruses! One of the songs I had the
most often in my head in 2011. |
||
| 10 |
Sail |
AWOLNATION |
| Strong debut for the
new American band! A well-built song, a well-polished sound, a good
finale... This one too, is one of the songs I had the most often in my
head in 2011. |
||
| 11 |
Sunset in July |
311 |
| Not the best in the
Nebraska-based band's long career, but another good rock song that adds
to their long list and that got stuck in my head all summer long!
Very summery despite the sometimes a little loudy guitars. |
||
| 12 |
Mein Land |
Rammstein |
| Not very original,
respecting the sound of the Liebe
ist für alle da album and even more Rosenrot's
(in particular songs Te
Quiero Puta! and Zerstören),
but it's still very good.
The brass help a lot to up the track's level. |
||
| 13 |
Irresistible Force |
Jane's Addiction |
| Simply beautiful,
with its choirs and its greatful sonority like a symphony orchestra.
They must have worked hard to reach to that sound. With such a sound
accessible to all, I don't understand that Irresistible Force was not one of
the greatest hits of the year, all kinds of music together. |
||
| 14 |
Panic |
Sublime With Rome |
| Certainly the most
rousing song in Sublime's nice career! In a weaker year like last year,
it would have made the top 10. |
||
| 15 |
Make Some Noise |
Beastie Boys |
| I don't like the
boastful lyrics and even less the rebel video, but it remains
nonetheless the best rap song in years!! We just lost the habit of rap
with true music included! ;) We must admit, the presence of
the legendary Beastie
Boys in the market remains essential in 2011. |
||
| 16 |
Rabiosa |
Shakira & Pitbull |
| Very successful
blend of latino and dance music, this very sexy song is one more
success in the Columbian singer's career! The same caliber as last
years' Waka Waka. |
||
| 17 |
Count me In |
311 |
| Another catchy song
from 311! I really like the choruses' lyrics, as simple as they are: "Count me in,
I've made a decision. Count me in, if you're in I'm in. I know what
you're thinking, you know I'm with you. Count me in, if you do I do". Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any video for this song. |
||
| 18 |
The Sound of Winter |
Bush |
| Surprise, a comeback
of Bush!!! Gavin Rossdale's band is obviously no longer exactly the
grunge band it used to be, but it still able to lay some very good
songs into its new sound.
A somewhat banal song at first sight, that progressively becomes very
catchy with time. |
||
| 19 |
Whirring |
The Joy Formidable |
| New band from the
United Kingdom, inoffensive at first, but we end up finding a nice
intensity there. Sometimes compared to The Smashing Pumpkins, the band
has very varied influences, that are not easy to detect in their music.
Anyway, Whirring, which was
looking to simple at first, has ended up pleasing me a whole lot after
all. But warning! Very important to listen to the full version as on
the The
Big
Roar album or in the video, with its long jam at the end, which
is my favorite part of the track! The song playing on the radio is too
restrictive. |
||
| 20 |
Tonight |
Seether |
| Reminding Rise Above This, a single from the
previous album, but in much better in my opinio. I just find sad that
the lyrics, that start so well ("I'm
not gonna waste this, this
opportunity's mine. I'm sick of complaining about a beautiful life.
[...] I feel so alive tonight. You got me feeling sublime. I want to
yell it from the rooftops down."), end up badly at the end of
the chorus with a "Until it's over,
and we're older"... Whatever, it is not a truly great song, but
I like it. |
||
| 21 |
Lost in You |
Three Days Grace |
| Nice song, but I
don't really have any comments to write on it. No video... |
||
| 22 |
Y'a Personne sur Twitter |
Gab Roy |
| Humor song or legit
song? In theory, humor songs are not admitted in this chart... I think
it is acceptable as a "true" song. And it does so much good to hear
that!!! In the meantime that the Twitter fashion ends, let's rejoice
together of this nice acoustic song! :-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzJsYnTaUFk |
||
| 23 |
So Far Away |
Avenged Sevenfold |
| A bit
"old-fashioned" and predictable, but I must admit that I often had it
in my head anyway. It probably just played too much on the radiom but
regardless, I grant it the position it deserved. http://youtu.be/A7ry4cx6HfY |
||
| 24 |
The Cave |
Mumford & Sons |
| Faithful to the
style that made us discover this fascinating new band last year with Little Lion Man, this new song The Cave brings a lot more emotion.
A nice song. http://youtu.be/3KkUeRPjc-Y |
||
| 25 |
Around my Head |
Cage the Elephant |
| Far from their best
ones, but it's still interesting. |
||
| 26 |
Monarchy of Roses |
Red Hot Chili Peppers |
| More "trash" than
the
average RHCP, probably not for everybody, but personnally I had no
problem with that. http://youtu.be/qOgFHMEJMeY |
||
| 27 |
Lonely Boy |
The Black Keys |
| To date, my favorite
from this new band that strongly occupied the charts in 2011. http://youtu.be/a_426RiwST8 |
||
| 28 |
What You Want |
Evanescence |
| Obvious lack of
inspiration! Not only a lack of originality, a lack of... inspiration.
I particularly hate the beginning of the choruses, with the "Hello
hello,
remember
me?
I'm
everything
you
can't
control" and I at least hope she is not again referring to her
ex-boyfriend Shaun Morgan (Seether singer), because at some point, let
go, girl!! I also found that the symphony orchestra was badly
integrated, coming from nowhere late in the song with a weak melody.
But then, if everything is so negative, what does that song makes at my
#28 of the year?!? Well, it's necessarly because there is a little
positive too! I like the verses, and as ever, Amy Lee's precious voice. http://youtu.be/wVWazHTunSI |
||
| 29 |
Mustache Man (Wasted) |
Cake |
| Very late release
that possibly has cost it a few spots in this chart, but anyway, it's a
good one for Cake, which continues to align good songs under its unique
style. There doesn't seem to be an official video for this song, so here's a live performance on Google's campus: http://youtu.be/4VlXMu2b7Fk |
||
| 30 |
Camouflar |
Galaxie |
| Galaxie is probably
the best new artist of the year in
Québec. In this track, I honestly don't like the lyrics, but I
really like the music. The video is interesting as well. http://youtu.be/aJnUqXTfcBs |
||
| 31 |
Under and Over it |
Five Finger Death Punch |
| Very loud! Reminds
me Slipknot a lot, with a touch of Mudvayne. Not very original, but
it's without compromises, and I appreciate it! http://youtu.be/ZLk75fFXqH4 |
||
| 32 |
Tighten Up |
The Black Keys |
| A song I first
discovered in a beer ad, and then re-discovered on the radio! A little
light, but nice sonorities. http://youtu.be/mpaPBCBjSVc |
||
| 33 |
Aberdeen |
Cage the Elephant |
| http://youtu.be/bZBmcSBoRAE |
||
| 34 |
These Days |
Foo Fighters |
| This third single
from the Wasting Light album
does well. Obviously way inferior to Rope
(1st single), but I appreciated it a lot better than Walk (2nd single), which was
somewhat reminding me their shameful Learn
to Fly. Nice lyrics. Another song that may have been a little
disadvantaged by its very late release in the year. There doesn't seem to be an official video, but the following video in concert is very interesting, with Nirvana's Krist Novoselic on the accordion! http://youtu.be/diz2OdFrNhg |
||
| 35 |
Dark Horses |
Switchfoot |
| http://youtu.be/5_5oE0ijhKg |
||
| 36 |
Warrior |
Disturbed |
| Inferior to
Disturbed's average, but it's still some typical Disturbed, hence
automatically not completely negligible neither. |
||
| 37 |
Take it or Leave it |
Sublime With Rome |
| http://youtu.be/a6RAr7k2MDo |
||
| 38 |
Paris-Montréal |
Les Cowboys Fringants |
| 39 |
A Warrior's Call |
Volbeat |
| http://youtu.be/rSmtHBMjXLU |
||
| 40 |
Buried Alive |
Avenged Sevenfold |
| Song heard only once
at the very end of 2011, that will certainly continue to gain value in
2012. http://youtu.be/6PRfDJQY_Y8 |
||
| 41 |
My Body |
Young the Giant |
| http://youtu.be/qQYpF2pCkLI |
||
| 42 |
Gold Cobra |
Limp Bizkit |
| A comeback from Limp
Bizkit?!? Who would have guessed that? They've been criticized a lot,
but honestly, isn't Gold Cobra
of a very similar level to Limp Bizkit's old hits? No, it is not the
best in their career, but it's at a pretty similar level. I am not shy
of granting it a place at my #42. http://youtu.be/_i_qxQztHRI |
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| 43 |
Crystalline |
Björk |
| Deceiving overall,
but I enjoy very much the hyperactive part that comes out from nowhere
at 3:00, a surprise explosion! http://youtu.be/MvaEmPQnbWk |
||
| 44 |
Party Rock Anthem |
LMFAO (ft. Laurent Bennett & GoonRock) |
| Let's settle
something immediately: that is not a great song!! It sounds very
"cheap", a sound of the '80s with little bad raps of late '80s / early
'90s style, except for the more electronic parts inspired by The Black
Eyed Peas' The Time / Dirty Bit
and a whole music movement in general that's been on for at least 4-5
years. I've just, like everybody I suppose, catched up on the now
legendary concept of "Everyday I'm
shufflin"! :-) http://youtu.be/KQ6zr6kCPj8 |
||
| 45 |
Shotgun |
Limp Bizkit |
| Track somewhat
wasted by the lyrics, while already being average from the start, but
the shotgun sounds have been brillantly integrated to the song, in a
relevant and original way,
giving some interest to the final product. http://youtu.be/Hjah56gj-AM |
||
| 46 |
Underground |
Jane's Addiction |
| Never heard on the
radio in 2011! I don't understand why, it's pretty good actually...
Would have probably made my top 40 if it had played more often. http://youtu.be/OeN5ynn22as |
||
| 47 |
The Legacy |
Black Veil Brides |
| Avenged Sevenfold
and
Bullet for my Valentine start spawning some kids! Not mature yet, this
young band will definitely worth getting watched closely in the future.
They have a lot of energy for sure! http://youtu.be/OsO9wGRf5hI |
||
| 48 |
Get Up |
Korn & Skrillex |
| I obviously like
less Korn's new style with Skrillex than the "real" Korn that produced
so many absolutely memorable songs (Got
the Life, Falling Away from me,
Make me Bad, Somebody Someone, Here to Stay, Thoughtless, Twisted Transistor, Coming Undone, etc.), but Get
Up still managed to enter my head and definitely deserves its
place in my top 50 nonetheless. http://youtu.be/cK8YSsjIaDs |
||
| 49 |
Riptide |
Sick Puppies |
| http://youtu.be/CFOtX3VkG88 |
||
| 50 |
Howlin' for You |
The Black Keys |
| Not bad, but it's
just not conceived to be a radio single! It should have remained a very
good transition song on the album, without being sent to the radios. We
always wait for the rise, which never comes and we end up left a bit
dry... but the track nonetheless has a very nice sound. http://youtu.be/TLSpj7q6_mM |
||
| 51 |
Thick as Thieves |
Cavo |
| http://youtu.be/XPI_Vdwe_5M |
||
| 52 |
Comme Avant |
Marie-Mai |
| Not the style she
masters best, but the result is still pretty good. Lyrics not bad
neither. http://youtu.be/J5uQoFrXOOY |
||
| 53 |
Narcissistic Cannibal |
Korn & Skrillex |
| Similar to the 1st
single Get Up, but in clearly
less catchy. http://youtu.be/CUOlc_j4rMA |
||
| 54 |
Mettez des Bombes dans mes Oreilles |
eXterio |
| A last tribute to
the Quebecker band, which retired after this very last radio single,
following a 19-year-long career. http://youtu.be/_NFDZY2Sdvs |
||
| 55 |
Storytime |
Nightwish |
| Clear impression of
déjà-vu (compared to Nightwish's previous work but not
compared to other bands!), I have not hooked up on
Storytime yet, but it's
probably going to come... It's pretty low ranking is also due to the
fact that I haven't heard this song a single time in 2011, I only
discovered it in January 2012, two months late... In theory, I would
not even have the right to rank it, but I will make a little exception
and grant it a spot at the tail of the chart. http://youtu.be/5g8ykQLYnX0 |
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