Quick Picks: Best Songs of 2016

The best songs, from some of the best artists, from some of the best albums. Please keep in mind, we can only listen to so many songs before our heads explode. We also shy away from "mainstream" songs, so don't expect to see things from Beyonce or the like. 


If you think we missed a song, be sure to check our honorable mentions. Leave a commend to tell us what songs you loved the most this year. To see our other Top 10s of 2016 click this (link). 

Top 10 Albums of 2016

It's always hard to nail down the best albums of the year. They're so many to consider. The list may change in the future, and we'll put a notice on the post if it does. Anyway, here are our picks for the Top 10 Albums of 2016. To read the companion post, "Top 10 Songs of 2016" click the link. 

Please keep in mind, we can only listen to so many albums. If you think we missed one, leave a comment and tell us why you think it deserves to be on the list. Also, check out Honorable Mentions list. We only consider full length albums for this list, not EPs. 

To see our "Top 10 Songs of 2016" click the following (link). And remember, we try to shy away from "mainstream" acts, so don't expect to see Queen B, David Bowie, and the like here. 

Too Close To Touch - "What I Wish I Could Forget" Single Review

Currently taking the U.S by storm on Warped Tour, Too Close To Touch announced their sophomore album, "Haven't Been Myself" this past Monday. Along with it they debuted the music video for the record's lead single, "What I Wish I Could Forget".

To preorder the album on iTunes click the following (link), and be sure to catch the band on Warped Tour this summer!

Quick Picks: Dream Tour Lineups

We all love when two of our favorite bands go on tour together. We know not everyone has the same musical taste, but for some fans the following lineups will prove to be the ideal tour. Some of these bands may have toured together in the past, and we'd love to see them tour again! So read on, and see what are our Dream Tour line ups! 

To see our Honorable Mentions, and read more lists like this please go to our Top 10/Quick Picks page. **THESE ARE NOT REAL TOURS, and are NOT listed in any particular order. 

Hands Like Houses - "Dissonants" Review

Get ready for the best album from Hands Like Houses! Our favorite band from Canberra just released their 3rd album, "Dissonants". It comes highly recommended. If you need a reason to listen, well it's simply exquisite. The band have outdone themselves with this album, and it was worth the wait. To buy their album on iTunes click this (link). 

Featured Band - Hands Like Houses

Hailing from Canberra, Australia's capital city, Hands Like Houses are our "Featured Band" for February. The Aussies will release their 3rd studio album next Monday, so if you haven't already pre-ordered it, and you're a fan, we suggest you go do so. "Dissonants" is set to be the band's finest release thus far, and we're all eager to hear it. 

To get "Dissonants" on iTunes, click this (link). And if you want to read reviews of the album's singles, we have provided links in the full post below. 

Quick Picks: Favorite Collaborations

Bands bring in other artists to work on songs all the time. But few leave an impression as massive as the following songs have. We've narrowed down the field to these five songs, though we could have done a full length Top 10. We decided to keep it short and sweet. 

To view our honorable mentions, and see more lists like this one, go to our Top 10/Quick Picks page via the link under the header of this page. 

Hands Like Houses - "Colourblind" Single Review

Yes times about four thousand. Hands Like Houses' new album, "Dissonants" is shaping up to be one of the best releases of the year. The record's first two singles, "I Am" and "New Romantics" blew us away with their arena sized choruses and sick hooks. Now "Colourblind" has done it again. To preorder "Dissonants" click the following (link). To read reviews of previous singles, "I Am" and "New Romantics" click the respective links. 

Top 10 Songs of 2015

The first of two "Best of 2015" posts, here we're ranking our picks for the best song. Anything single released in 2015 is fair game, even for albums that have yet to be released. Try not too get too butthurt. We've got quite a few honorable mentions, so if you don't see a song below make sure we haven't included it on that list. To view our honorable mentions, and other Top 10 lists, please go to our Top 10/Quick Picks page. 

If you still think a song should be included be sure to comment or email us at platypusreviews1486@gmail.com. We can only listen to so many albums before our brains explode, so we're sorry if we've overlooked someone's favorite tune. Once posted, you'll be able to click this (link) to view our Top 10 Albums of 2015. 

**Revised April 2016**

Top 10 Underrated Bands

Well since we did overrated bands, it's only right that we do underrated too right? On the other side of the coin, there are bands struggling to gain recognition in the vast field. And where some get success due to looks or media coverage, others fight for everything they have. Most, if not all, of these bands deserve more praise than they are awarded. They represent everything right with the music industry, and always put their best foot forward. 

As in our overrated bands post, we'll be stick with active bands, and excluding pop acts (i.e. Katy Perry, Lady Gaga) as we're working on those lists for another time. If you think we forgot a band, comment and let us know. We're sorry if we make anyone butthurt. Top 10s tend to do that to people. Click our Top 10 / Quicks Page to read more lists like this one, and to view our "honorable mentions".  

Quick Picks: Best Acoustic EPs

Isn't it funny how a change of instruments can make or break a song. A growing trend in bands is to release acoustic albums. Originating in the early 10s, now it's become the norm for bands who are between albums. Some albums or EPs tide fans over until the next big thing. Sometimes it works, and sometimes you should just stick to the dropped guitars and heavy bass beats. These are the ones that worked, for us at least. Click our Top 10/Quick Picks page for more lists like this. 

Tonight Alive - "Human Interaction" Single Review

Fans of Tonight Alive have been patiently waiting for the 1st single of their highly anticipated 3rd album. Well it's finally here! "Human Interaction" was released on the band's Vevo account on Oct 30, and that's not the only good news for fans. The band also announced a headlining world tour with Set It Off in early 2015 to support their new album titled "Limitless", and gave a March 4, 2016 release date. Click this (link) to preorder the album on iTunes. 

Hands Like Houses - "New Romantics" Single Review

After premiering the song while on Warped Tour 2015, Hands Like Houses have finally released the second single from their upcoming album, "Dissonants". Though the band hasn't revealed the album's release date, it will be released sometime in 2015. So we have roughly about 3 months left in the year, which means the album is coming very, very soon! You can click this (link) to buy this song on iTunes. And don't forget to catch them on tour later this month with I the Mighty, Lower Than Atlantis and more!

Top 10 Modern Post Hardcore Albums

Screamo, emo, whatever you call it you love it. Traditionally a fusion of hardcore punk and post punk, today it has become more of a blend of metalcore, hardcore punk, pop punk, and various alt. rock off shoots. When we say modern, we're talking 2009 to the present. So if you don't see an album, be sure to check out our "Top 10 Classic Post Hardcore" albums post. 

Go to our Top 10 page to see our honorable mentions. We understand that everyone has their own opinions, and definitions of post hardcore may vary. Keep in mind we can only listen to so many albums before our brains explode, so we've probably overlooked an album or two. If that's the case, we're sorry so please comment and let us know which album you think should be included. 

Hands Like Houses - "I Am" Single Review

Though this single was released back in March, this is one review I've been dying to write. I love Hands Like Houses. Fan or not, you can't deny these guys are talented. Their upcoming 3rd album, "Dissonant", is set for a fall 2015 release date, so here's to hoping we get another single soon! You can check the dates and get tickets for their upcoming tours in AUS, US, and UK by clicking this (link).

Top 10 Debut Albums (2010-2014) Pt 1

Some bands have debut records that miss the mark. Then there are bands who release debut albums so put together, and well written that we wonder where they've been hiding or entire lives. Here are some of the best debuts that were released from 2010 to 2014. The albums aren't listed in any particular order (1 is not the top, 10 is not the bottom). Each entry is accompanied with a mini review and rating. Click the Top 10 page to see our honorable mentions for this list. Click this (link) to see Pt 2 of this list. 

Please keep in mind that I'm only one person, and can only listen to so many albums before my brain explodes. If you think there's a debut that I should listen to, please contact me at platypusreviews1486@gmail.com with the band and their album (for this list the album has to have been released between 2010 and 2014). 

I have excluded bands that were formed after a member's previous band broke up or bands with members who were has previous success in another group (i.e, Of Mice and Men, Beartooth, Falling in Reverse, the many, many Jonny Craig bands, etc). These are bands who are fresh off the rookie circuit, and are cutting their teeth with this release. EPs are off limits, as they are often not good representations of what a band is truly capable of (though there are always exceptions to the rule). 

Too Close To Touch - "Nerve Endings" Review

So last fall Epitaph Records released a single from a new signee, Too Close To Touch. At the time I didn't think much of the release, but after listening to the track, I was hooked on this band. I picked up their "self titled EP" and was completely sold on the band. And 3 months after their debut, I'm still jamming. So here's a full review of their debut, Nerve Endings. Here's a (link) to buy the album on iTunes. I did a brief review prior (which can be found on my deviantart Journal), but I really wanted to expand on it.

I the Mighty - "Connector" Review

Review of I the Mighty's new album "Connector". Click the following link to purchase the album on iTunes (Connector). 

For those of you who aren't familiar with this band, let me give you some background info. I the Mighty is an alternative rock band based out of San Francisco. They've been making music since 2007, but were signed to Equal Vision Records back in 2011. They're first studio album, Satori, was released in 2013. Prior they had a string of EPs, most notably Karma Never Sleeps in 2012.  They've toured with bands like Say Anything, Architects, Hands Like Houses and letlive. Last year they were a part of the Vans Warped Tour. I had the pleasure of seeing their set in Hartford, and it was everything I hoped it would be. Their live performances are just as memorable as their CDs.