Friss Zene: Valencia

It's that time again! I present to you my annual end-of-year post. As I have done the past several years, I am concluding 2009 with a countdown of my favorite songs of the year. These songs have helped to define 2009: personal anthems, clubbangers, you name it. It was a great year in music, and so many better songs. Oh, and those marked with "*" may have not reached their peak yet, so they have the potential of charting in 2010. Enjoy the list!

The Top 99 of 2009 by @Rrrraaay

99: Black Wedding - Meg & Dia
98: Empire State Of Mind - Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys
97: Boy Meets Girl - Evan Taubenfeld
96: Welcome To Wherever You Are - Ten Second Epic
95: Come Back To Me - David Cook
94: We Are Golden - Mika
93: Her Words Destroyed By Planet* - Motion City Soundtrack
92: Outta Here - Esmee Denters
91: Save You - Simple Plan

90: Sex On Fire - Kings Of Leon
89: Friday I'll Be Over You - Allison Iraheta
88: For Always, Forever - Every Avenue
87: New Perspective - Panic! At The Disco
86: Welcome To The World - Kevin Rudolf feat. Kid Kudi
85: Waking Up In Vegas - Katy Perry
84: Anywhere But Here - Mayday Parade
83: Haven't Met You Yet - Michael Buble
82: Free - Valencia
81: Here Standing* - The Saturdays

80: Kabul Shit - Lily Allen
79: Blame It On The Changes - Dashboard Confessional
78: Good To You* - Marianas Trench feat. Kate Voegele
77: Lucky - Jason Mraz feat. Colbie Caillat
76: Bulletproof - La Roux
75: Battlefield - Jordin Sparks
74: Story - Maroon 5
73: Learning* - Green River Ordinance
72: Fire Bomb* - Rihanna
71: I Don't Believe You - P!nk

70: TiK ToK* - Kesha
69: Get To You - James Morrison
68: Run, Don't Walk - Hey Monday
67: Heartbreak On Vinyl - Blake Lewis
66: America's Suitehearts - Fall Out Boy
65: A Little Faster - There For Tomorrow
64: Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart* - Alicia Keys
63: It's Only Natural - The Higher
62: Telephone* - Lady GaGa feat. Beyonce
61: Acadia - Marianas Trench

60: It's All Your Fault - P!nk
59: Part Of The List - Ne-Yo
58: Happy - Leona Lewis
57: I Wanna - The All-American Rejects
56: Saviour - Lights
55: Show Me What You're Looking For - Carolina Liar
54: Getaway - Holiday Parade
53: Broken - Lifehouse
52: In-N-Out (Animal Style)* - We The Kings
51: Come Back When You Can - Barcelona

50: Until I Met You - The Sunstreak
49: I Do Not Hook Up - Kelly Clarkson
48: Confusion Girl - Frankmusik feat. Tinchy Stryder
47: Love Drunk - Boys Like Girls
46: Heaven Can Wait - We The Kings
45: Whatcha Say - Jason Derulo feat. Imogen Heap
44: Halo - Beyonce
43: Thinking Of You - Katy Perry
42: Art Of Love - Guy Sebastian feat. Jordin Sparks
41: Outta My Head* - Leona Lewis

40:I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
39: You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift
38: Everything - The Veronicas
37: Carry On - Valencia
36: Doesn't Mean Anything - Alicia Keys
35: Broken Strings - James Morrison feat. Nelly Furtado
34: All The Right Moves - OneRepublic
33: Fireflies - Owl City
32: I Got You* - Leona Lewis
31: Looking Up* - Paramore

30: Mad - Ne-Yo
29: Insomnia - Craig David
28: Out Of My Hands - Green River Ordinance
27: Waves - A Bird A Sparrow
26: Unwound - The Real You
25: You Found Me - The Fray
24: Closer To Love - Mat Kearney
23: Down - Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne
22: Hey, Soul Sister - Train
21: Losin' It - Fallbrooke

20: Backwards - The Hoodies
Great song by a little-known, indie pop-punk band from Rochester, New York. This one's a perfect anthem to accompany ringing in the new year.

19: When Love Takes Over - David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland
A Destiny's Child alum gets her breakthrough with this Europop romp spearheaded by French DJ and producer David Guetta.

18: Never Leave You - Tinchy Stryder feat. Amelle Berrabah
A hit collabo by a Sugababe and an English rapper - Stryder brings a distinct rap performance while Amelle contributes her beautiful voice to the instantly memorable chorus. You may not have discovered this hip-pop gem stateside yet, and do it now.

17: Live Like We're Dying - Kris Allen
This past year's AI winner debuts with a song by The Script but improves upon the original with an inspired and strongest vocal delivery yet by Allen. Song has huge crossover potential, enough to satisfy the wide audience (i.e. Christian, folk, acoustic rock fans, teenyboppers) who voted for him.

16: The Fear - Lily Allen
Allen's sophomore album It's Not Me, It's You is chock full of amazing ditties, including its lead single, in which she marries ironic, brutally honest lyrics about the pitfalls of fame and fortune, with a dreamy, electronic beat.

15: Weightless - All Time Low
Preceding the release of their sophomore disc Nothing Personal, Weightless heralded an excitement by the pop-punk community as a positive sign of things to come. Coming of age angst? Check. Bombastic vocals? Check. A sing-a-long anthemic chorus? Check. All that, with a hopeful outlook for the future.

14: Keri Hilson feat. Ne-Yo & Kanye - Knock You Down
Talk about a super collaboration between two of R&B's popular artists and --and until this past year's MTV Video Music Awards-- hip hop's go-to rapper. After being featured as a guest artist or songwriter for past hits, Hilson finally gets to keep one for herself. The beat is hypnotizing.

13: Bonfire - Third Eye Blind
There's always that one song off of every album that I obsess over: "Blinded" off Out of the Vein and now "Bonfire", the second single off of Ursa Major, the much-awaited return album from San Francisco-based Third Eye Blind. Much like their previous work, the songs touches upon a bit of '90s nostalgia, packaged as a cool, more laid-back track but it still channels the distinct 3EB sound.

12: Quietdrive - Birthday
Although not officially released as a single, the song is one of the standouts in their indie 2008 release Deliverance. Birthday packs a power-pop punch courtesy the amazing vocal drive of lead singer Kevin Truckenmiller. Regardless of what the haters say, this is an example of what the band does best: write catchy as heck songs, this time with searing, kiss-off lyrics about forgetting your girlfriend's birthday because you were piss-ass drunk. Brilliant!

11: Bad Romance - Lady GaGa
Love her or hate her, she undeniably leaves a memorable impression on you. That said, Bad Romance is all kinds of bizarre. Judging from the dark, subversive beat and a head-scratching melodic opening line, this had the potential to be disastrous. But never underestimate the hit-maker, as it ultimately works in her favor. What is even more impressive is how it seems to even top itself with several memorable footstomping hooks.

10: Under Control - Parachute
Who knew you could fall in aural lust w/ a tune from a commercial? It happened with this band with this tune (original album version!) off of a Nivea ad -- an interesting, but fitting marketing strategy for the up-and-coming band from Virginia who aims for mainstream success. Aside from the bouncing piano throughout the song, the vocals of blue-eyed soul frontman Will Anderson help hit home the song's earnest, wistful lyrics of love from a far.

09: Release Me - Agnes Carlsson
Sweden's most recent pop export came in the form of one of their past Idol winners. Agnes has received wider acclaim for her album Dance Love Pop and breakthrough hit. Apart from the frenetic energy of the techno beat, it is the elegance of a string section that adds another dimension to the song. It broke out this past summer all over Europe and had light success in the USA. The kids are missing out on this Leona doppelganger. The club-banger of 2009.

08: So Close, So Far - Hoobastank
According to my last.fm playlist, this is my most-played song of 2009. That sounds about right. It is Doug Robb's impassioned voice that sells this power ballad about being away from the ones you love. Hoobastank is one of many underrated bands out there.

07: Come On - Green River Ordinance
As you can probably tell, I am a huge fan of melodic, anthemic, big arena rock. So it wasn't that big of a shocker that I instantly became attached to GRO's major label debut Out of My Hands, a collection of the most catchy pop-rock with melodies that swell and lyrics that break your heart. Come On is one of the highlights, and features the amazing lead vox of Josh Jenkins -- whose voice reminds me of a more refined Dan Layus of Augustana. I wouldn't be surprised if they amass a huge following in 2010.

06: Stay - SafetySuit
This is one of those rock songs that simply works because of its great melody and a powerful, moving chorus. A single off their latest A Life Left To Live, the constant guitar riff also helps to create an almost a subterranean feel, which I guess is appropriate, given their cover art portrays the quartet under water. Also, the accompanying video was a mainstay on VH1 for good reason. Lead singer Doug Brown plays an undercover cop who becomes the love interest of a runaway robber, of whom he is in pursuit.

Someday (5th favorite song of 2009)
5: SOMEDAY - Rob Thomas
The great thing about Rob Thomas is his craftsmanship in penning a song with a purpose, whether pop or rock, solo or his band Matchbox 20, political statement or life observation. For Someday, off his second solo disc Cradlesong, it is an optimistic message that is sent to the listener. At certain points, you feel like it is time for the waterworks. At others, you want to smile because his words are comforting, hopeful, especially at the chorus, although simple, hits right at the core of it: that someday soon things will get better. Thank you, Mr. Thomas, for giving me a cathartic 4:08.

4: MY LIFE WOULD SUCK WITHOUT YOU - Kelly Clarkson
If there would be one female to break up the all-male band party, it would deservedly be this chick. Clarkson's mainstream comeback single has an the ingredients for a bonafide hit: a catchy tempo courtesy Dr. Luke and Max Martin, a stick-to-your brain, sing-a-long chorus, the instant recognition that American Idol fame brings, and a brow-raising song title.

All To Myself (3rd favorite song of 2009)
3: ALL TO MYSELF - Marianas Trench
I am bestowing the honor of Best pop-punk album of 2009 to a band little-known to people living below the 49th parallel. Vancouver-based Marianas Trench, led by Josh Ramsay, is the next-new thing in Canadian pop-punk, an heir apparent to Simple Plan and Sum 41 (not that they were ever gone, all's I'm saying), when listening to their disc Masterpiece Theatre. Every single song on the album is a great piece of pop-punk art, and the grand finale, a true fit to its namesake. Every song is so well-crated, from the deep slower ballads, to catchy-as-fuck songs like All To Myself, where Ramsay's falsetto shines in the chorus.

Use Somebody (2nd favorite song of 2009)
2: USE SOMEBODY - Kings of Leon
Epic. Kings of Leon finally got the recognition they righly deserved in 2009, after making the leap stateside from their popularity in Britain. Which is rather odd, because KOL is an American band from Tennessee, who first found success abroad rather than at home. Their breakout hit from Only By Night opens with the haunting but memorable "Whoa, ooh" wail that instantly sets the song's mood. Next frontman Caleb Followill gritty/soulful/southern rock voice adds a intimate dimension to the song. Add the guitar riffs by the rest of the Followill clan and you can really feel Caleb's pain. This song was heard everywhere, covered by Paramore and Kelly Clarkson and even used during the Victoria's Secret fashion show. Who knew an apology to his band members would result in such a massive hit?

Where Did You Go (My favorite song of 2009)
1: WHERE DID YOU GO - Valencia
Valencia's voice via frontman Shane Henderson is all at once, heartbreaking and exuberant. As a result of the tragic death of Henderson's girlfriend in a car accident, many of the songs off of Valencia's major label debut on Columbia Records, We All Need A Reason To Believe, deal with the major stages of grief, loss, and in this standout track, acceptance. Although taken face-value, Valencia may be one of the many pop-punk bands in the scene, one needs to really give a listen to their music to realize they are truly a cut above their counterparts largely due to a depth and maturity shown in their lyrical content. They also manage to manneuver through would-be depressing subject matter with refreshing bits of optimism, especially with Henderson's voice during the bridge and the instantly memorable chorus. Let's not forget the amazing drumming by Max Soria, crunching guitars courtesy JD Perry and Brendan Walter, and bass via George Ciukurescu. The quintet has created an amazing song. Beyond moved every time I listen to it. Where Did You Go - my favorite of 2009.

So, what do you think?! Do you agree with my choices?

Alright. Bring on 2010.

Let me formally introduce you to Valencia. I've never been to any of their shows (although I would love to) but they are a band that I have been digging since I got a hold of their music. This relatively young quintet started out in 2004 and were originally on indie label I Surrender and now has a home on the major label turf of Columbia.

The band: Shane Henderson (vocals, top left), JD Perry (guitar, top middle), and George Ciukurescu (bass, bottom left) are 23, Brendan Walter (guitar, top right) is 22, and the elder statesman of the group is (Filipino/Pinoy!) 26-year-old drummer Maxim Loria (bottom right).

I've listened to a good chunk of pop-punk bands and so I can't fathom how a band as good as Valencia managed to escape my ears last year as they released their remarkable sophomore album (and major label debut) We All Need A Reason To Believe late last summer. I guess it is a case of sooner rather than later, since the album is full of pop-punk gems that are reminiscent of another Philadelphia band's latest album -- The Starting Line's Direction. Like the latter, the former is full of thoughtfully-written lyrics, wrought with emotion, and brought to full-force impact through anthemic rock choruses and power melodies.

Aside from my first love of "Free", the end trak on WANARTB, I gave Valencia's latest single, "Where Did You Go?" a listen and instantly found it as a track I could literally listen on a loop for a month. It is that powerful.

The song's message is indicative of the general themes of WANARTB: maturation, reflection, and mourning. In interpreting the song's lyrics, Shane tells the story of a man who is coping with the difficult end of a relationship. I later learned that Shane's girlfriend was killed in an accident in 2006 so this revelation does enhance the meaning of the song as the subject mourns the loss of his lover with his last words to her:

And it feels like this is the last chance I have to say every word that I've been fighting / Well, I have finally decided to hold my head up with pride and accept the way life takes you through these changes / 'Cause when you reach the stars, you've made it

Max's drumming throughout the song, the crunching guitars, and Shane's vocals all contribute to the song's message in the chorus: I get a little down on myself but when you came around, my whole world felt new / I opened up my eyes to the light and I saw deep inside of a love I felt was true / And if I ever let you go, I'm hoping that some time will show / That you're the one, You're the one for me

Check out their video, in which the band pays tribute to their hometown of Philly. The video may look low-budget (which makes me question the amount of money Columbia actually invested in promoting this band, alas I digress) but the song and this amazing band far makes up for it.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

99 songs of '09 - Year-end countdown

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Top 20 Playlist for March 1, 2009

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Love At First Listen - Valencia's "Where Did You Go?"

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Top 20 Playlist for February 22, 2009

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Top 20 Playlist for February 15, 2009

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