Top 10 Songs of October

Just a Guy’s monthly music article includes the hottest songs of October 2013. The restrictions are simple, the album or the song must have been released during the month in review and to encourage diversification, we only select one song per album. With all the rules out of the way, let’s get started with the best songs from October!

Panic! at the Disco – Miss Jackson

Panic! at the Disco seems to be trending in a more pop friendly direction and “Miss Jackson” is a perfect example. As the lead single off of their new album Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die! “Miss Jackson” is just catchy enough. The lyrics, sung by Brendan Urie (pictured right), aren’t as clever as anything off of A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, but it works. It has taken Panic! a number of albums to figure out where they were going and where they are headed, but “Miss Jackson” seems to settle them into a nice groove and could be a sign of things to come for the band.

Eminem – Rap God

Eminem’s latest album, Marshall Mathers LP, is a vulgar display of talent. The lyricism and rhyme scene for every song is very carefully put together and that is no different with the hit single, “Rap God”. The third verse contains what Em calls, “supersonic speed” and it’s a simple reminder of his talent and how mesmerizing he truly can be. This track, along with a number of others, hail many and various throwback references to either older Eminem material or even older pop culture items.

Korn – Never, Never

“Never, Never” comes from Korn’s The Paradigm Shift which features the return of original guitarist, Brian “Head” Welch. It’s the first single from the album and rocks pretty hard. The song only contains two verses but the message is quite clear. Jonathan Davis sings that he doesn’t want to deal with hard relationships anymore. The song is rounded out by these lyrics and a heavier dark rock feel.

Alter Bridge – Cry of Achilles

I’m a sucker for great songs that open an album, and “Cry of Achilles” is the six and a half minute opener on Alter Bridge’s Fortress. The band unleashes a bit on “Cry of Achilles,”  Myles Kennedy’s voice is as distinct as ever as the rest of the band mashes through the song (Tempo changes! Tasty bass line! Intricate guitar work!). I don’t listen to a lot of Alter Bridge (sue me) but “Cry of Achilles” sets you up nicely for the rest of Fortress.

Cage the Elephant – Come A Little Closer

If you haven’t heard Cage the Elephant’s “Come A Little Closer” than you live under a rock. A highly popular song, primarily because of it’s catchy tune and repetitive lyrics is a phenomenal single from their album Melophobia, which humorously enough means the fear of music. Alas, there’s nothing to fear with this track as it will assuredly get stuck in your head.

A Day To Remember – Life Lessons Learned the Hard Way

A Day To Remember is a heavy band, both musically and lyrically. “Life Lessons Learned the Hard Way” is a song that is quite short and to the point. The lyrics are how everyone should go after demented people, who emotionally abuse others and how those people should feel worse than the people they terrorize. The lyrics, “it’s on your hands, when everyone knows your face, nothing’s safe. You’ll live your life as a f****** target” emphasize this hardcore thought.

Arcade Fire – Afterlife

Such a great song. Acade Fire released a brilliant album and “Afterlife” is a standout track from it. The lyrics take your mind in different directions, is the song about dying or ending a relationship? That’s up to you. Sonically, the band went in a new direction this album and “Afterlife” is a great example of them getting it right.

Fall Out Boy – Caffeine Cold

Fall Out Boy released PAX AM Days in October which is basically a 15 minute EP where they went all punk rock on us. “Caffeine Cold” is the longest of the eight tracks at 2:41. It’s probably the most “Fall Out Boy” of all the tracks, if FOB was still in high school playing at VFW halls. It’s great to see a band loosen up and have some fun.

Pearl Jam – Sirens

The second single from Pearl Jams newest album Lightning Bolt, “Sirens” is a distinctly Pearl Jam sound. Lightning Bolt is Pearl Jams 10th studio album and guitarist Mike McCready referred to a number of influences on the album. He specifically mentioned a heavy Pink Floyd influence on Sirens and that definitely shows through in its demeanor. Pearl Jam fans are sure to enjoy their newest album and non-fans might even find something they like.

AFI – I Hope You Suffer

“I Hope You Suffer” is a dark and ominous song, driven by imposing drums and Davey Havok’s quiet/loud back and forth lyrics. And it works, because Burials can be a pretty heavy album in spots. It’s not as pop (I guess) as Decemberunderground was and that’s not a bad thing. AFI keeps moving on and if it keeps sounding like “I Hope You Suffer” then I’m on board.

Honorable Mentions

Paul McCartney – New

Avett Brothers – Another is Waiting

Did your favorite artist, album, or song not make the cut? Let us know in the comments below. Got a song that you think deserves to make in next month’s list? Hit us up on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+ and let us know.

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