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. 

Pierce the Veil - "Misadventures" Review

It's finally here! The long awaited 4th album from San Diego natives, Pierce the Veil! We "held on till may", and now can finally sit back and enjoy all that is "Misadventures". 

This is our first track-by-track review. Can't guarantee more reviews like this in the future, but if you enjoyed this format let us know! To buy the album on iTunes click this (link). 

Pierce the Veil - "Circles" Single Review

There are only 10 days until Pierce the Veil's new album! The band dropped new single, "Circles" last week, and we've been hooked since then. Excited yet? To read reviews of previous singles, "The Divine Zero" and "Texas Is Forever" click the respective links. 

To preorder the album, click the following (link). And make sure to catch them on tour this June, where they'll be performing "Misadventures" in its entirety, with I the Mighty and Movements. 

Pierce the Veil - "Texas Is Forever" Single Review

After months of wondering and waiting, fans finally got their answer. Pierce the Veil announced their HIGHLY anticipated 4th album, "Misadventures" will be released May 13, 2016. The joke's been overused, but looks as though we'll have to "hold on till may". Click this (link) to get the single on iTunes, or to preorder the album. 

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. 

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**

Best of the Artist - Pierce the Veil

With their highly anticipated 4th album just around the corner, we thought it would be appropriate to countdown Pierce the Veil’s best songs. Keep in mind, everyone has their own opinion. If you think we missed a song, please comment below. If we make anyone butthurt, we’re sorry. To see some other Top 10s, go to out Top 10/Quick Picks page. 

Top 10 Fangirl Frontmen / Bands

Some bands spend months writing albums and touring. Then there are bands that can so much as sneeze and sell out stadiums. Today, we're counting down our picks for bands whose careers have largely been built upon fangirls. The bands featured here are not necessarily bad, we'll let you be the judge of that. And fangirls aren't necessarily bad either, but they can be very influential on a band's success, without knowing the first thing about quality or substance. Click this (link) for more top 10 lists. 

If you think we missed a band, or want to get butthurt then feel free to leave a comment! Or contact us at platypusreviews1486@gmail.com, whatever works. Again, bring on the butthurt! 

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. 

Quick Picks: Favorite "Dynamic Duos" in Music

Sometimes dynamic duos are found outside the pages of comic books. In this edition of "Quick Picks' we've chosen our favorite duos in music. Comment below if you think we forgot a pair. Click this (link) to view our honorable mentions. 

Featured Post - Pierce the Veil

The first post in this series, where I cover the featured band of the month. Talking about lyrics, live shows, and overall likability are just a few things I want to do in this series. Featured band photo is posted on Sunday night, and the featured post on Fridays!

 In this flagship post I'll be writing about San Diego's very own Pierce the Veil. A band that has had ups, downs, highs and lows a plenty. But now they're back with a new single, and an upcoming album, ready to rock fans to their core! If you have a suggestion for a featured band, please comment or email me at platypusreviews1486@gmail.com 

Our Last Night - "Younger Dreams" Review

About two years ago I stumbled across the song "Liberate Me" by Our Last Night. The band had just released their their "Oak Island EP", and I loved the aforementioned single from "Age of Ignorance", so I decided to give the EP a listen. I was floored by what I heard, and the fact that I hadn't already gotten into this band. Their new album, "Younger Dreams", was released on June 16. After a string of successful covers (i.e "Dark Horse" by Katy Perry and "Blank Space" by Taylor Swift), this full length was greatness in the making. This album rides the wave the band started when they made the bold decision to go independent. To buy the album on iTunes follow this (link). 

Pierce the Veil "The Divine Zero - Single" Review

It's finally here! The long awaited first single from Pierce the Veil's upcoming album. After postponing the release last year, the album was set to drop sometime in early 2015. But we all know now that the album will be coming out in the last half of the year. "Collide with the Sky" was nothing short of incredible, solidifying the band's position at the top of their field. So does this new single live up to expectation? Here's a link to buy the new single on iTunes (The Divine Zero)

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.