A Perfect 10:
10 Years of 10 Years
Post-grunge, alternative rock band 10 Years from Knoxville, Tennessee, recently reached the ten-year anniversary of The Autumn Effect, their third studio album, and the second with their current lead vocalist Jesse Hasek. This coincides with the release of their seventh studio album From Birth to Burial, released April 21st of this year.
In that ten-year period were three other albums, Division (2008), Feeding the Wolves (2010), and Minus the Machine (2012). In total, these five albums make-up what I consider to be one of the best bands in rock ‘n’ roll today. I’ve chosen ten of their best songs—two from each album—to show the best these past ten years of 10 Years have had to offer.
In that ten-year period were three other albums, Division (2008), Feeding the Wolves (2010), and Minus the Machine (2012). In total, these five albums make-up what I consider to be one of the best bands in rock ‘n’ roll today. I’ve chosen ten of their best songs—two from each album—to show the best these past ten years of 10 Years have had to offer.
The Autumn Effect
"Wasteland"
Reaching the number one spot on the US Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks list and the number two spot on the US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks list, “Wasteland” had a profound impact on the rock music world. The song features the ‘classic’ 10 Years sound: Hasek’s hypnotic vocals floating over the drum’s and guitars’ increasing energy till the chorus hits and the song takes on a harder rock mood.
“Wasteland” does not demonstrate the heaviest of 10 Years, but it’s not one of their ballads either. Catchy and beautiful, it’s worthy of a top-ten spot in 10 Years’ best songs.
“Wasteland” does not demonstrate the heaviest of 10 Years, but it’s not one of their ballads either. Catchy and beautiful, it’s worthy of a top-ten spot in 10 Years’ best songs.
"The Autumn Effect"
Starting with a simplistic guitar sequence, the albums’ title track soothes the ears into a dream-like trance. Hasek’s voice is at its best in this song, with the guitar perfectly complimenting his singing as he moves up and down his vast range. At about 1:20, the song reaches the chorus, where the drums, bass, and guitar line up in a mood-shifting rhythm. I find this part particularly addicting, and would gladly listen to “The Autumn Effect” day in and day out. It’s number one on my 10 Years list.
Division
"Russian Roulette"
Just as the soothing soup of guitar chords leads you into comfortable relaxation, the entrance of the bass’ syncopated rhythm quickly joined by a forward-moving guitar riff makes you want to bounce your leg, bang your head, or move in general.
The song’s lyrics are equally brilliant, the addiction talking to the addicted. In the first verse, you view the beginning of an addiction:
The song’s lyrics are equally brilliant, the addiction talking to the addicted. In the first verse, you view the beginning of an addiction:
At first glance your instinct says
This stranger is a little dangerous.
The cat was killed from curious thrills.
This stranger is a little dangerous.
The cat was killed from curious thrills.
In the chorus, the addiction is speaking to the addict as the addiction is taking hold, saying:
Welcome to your vice,
Good luck with life,
‘Cause you can’t, you can’t, you can’t
Kill me that easily.
Good luck with life,
‘Cause you can’t, you can’t, you can’t
Kill me that easily.
In the last verse, the addiction is saying it’s not its fault, it’s the addict’s fault:
The battle you picked was so one-sided
Now to pin it on me
The one you invited.
Now to pin it on me
The one you invited.
Then, these lines, which say that the addict can try to ask for forgiveness from the people surrounding them, but the addiction won’t automatically go away, because it doesn’t care what you want.
Beg, plead, scream
For redemption, for forgiveness.
Beg, plead, scream,
Sorry I’m not listening.
For redemption, for forgiveness.
Beg, plead, scream,
Sorry I’m not listening.
"11:00am (Daydreamer)
From the best album by 10 Years comes a song that can resonate with a lot of listeners. It speaks to the people submitting to a boring, easy life, letting the comfort of routine suck their dreams of a different future away. It addresses all the people who work “nine to five in a suit and tie,” who always wanted more with their life, the people who daydream at work at 11:00am.
Hasek tells his listeners:
Hasek tells his listeners:
Take a step back and find a way out of here.
Can’t you see that the answer is loud and clear?
Can’t you see that the answer is loud and clear?
Feeding the Wolves
"Don't Fight It"
“Don’t Fight It” is a beautiful example of the ballad side of 10 Years, featuring Hasek’s soothing vocals gliding over the calming guitar chords swimming underneath.
The lyrics capture the emotions behind a desperate loving plea for someone’s lover to come back, to not fight the feelings if they won’t go away, or return.
The lyrics capture the emotions behind a desperate loving plea for someone’s lover to come back, to not fight the feelings if they won’t go away, or return.
"Now Is The Time (Ravenous)"
Feeding the Wolves contains a greater number of 10 Years’ harder songs including “Shoot It Out,” “Chasing the Rapture,” and “Fade Into (The Ocean),” but “Now Is The Time (Ravenous)” is by far the best, showing off the exemplary musical skills of all the members of the band.
The music industry can be a place of great frustration for many dedicated musicians, including 10 Years, who in this song (and “Shoot It Out”) angrily fights their label and the industry through lyrics. 10 Years reassures fellow musicians to stay who they are, not to mold into what the industry wants.
The music industry can be a place of great frustration for many dedicated musicians, including 10 Years, who in this song (and “Shoot It Out”) angrily fights their label and the industry through lyrics. 10 Years reassures fellow musicians to stay who they are, not to mold into what the industry wants.
These ravenous bastards always get what they’re after.
Minus the Machine
"Battle Lust"
Another addicting ballad I’ve probably listened to over fifty times, “Battle Lust” spends a lot of time in Hasek’s upper vocal range, where it takes on an indescribably quality. The sound is unique, like honey dripping down the blade of a knife.
I also love the first line of the song:
I also love the first line of the song:
The fact is your opinion’s wrong.
It’s very funny. :,)
"Knives"
Probably the heaviest song on Minus the Machine, an album that features the ultimate mix of 10 Years ballads (“Forever Fields (Sowing Season),” “…And All The Other Colors,” and “Writing On The Walls,” to name a few), “Knives” already stands out in the anthology of 10 Years. Add that to the polished sound and fun music video, and you have a new favorite to your list that you’ll never be able to delete.
From Birth To Burial
"From Birth To Burial"
A fascinating music mix that owes its existence to Fort Minor and Linkin Park, the title track from 10 Years’ recent release marks a new growth in their sound. Whether it’s a small twig sticking out from the tree, or the direction 10 Years is headed, I don’t know. All I know is that “From Birth To Burial” is brilliant.
Everywhere from synthesizer to rap to melodious piano can be found in this song, leading many critics to ask, Where is 10 Years going with this? Other songs, including “Crimson Kiss,” include screaming in a vein that hasn’t before been tapped by them, and my ears haven’t adjusted to that change yet. People minds move with inertia, they fight change, and this transitional phase that 10 Years is in pushes the opposite direction of many of their fans. They are straying from their trademark sound, and people don’t want that.
Everywhere from synthesizer to rap to melodious piano can be found in this song, leading many critics to ask, Where is 10 Years going with this? Other songs, including “Crimson Kiss,” include screaming in a vein that hasn’t before been tapped by them, and my ears haven’t adjusted to that change yet. People minds move with inertia, they fight change, and this transitional phase that 10 Years is in pushes the opposite direction of many of their fans. They are straying from their trademark sound, and people don’t want that.
"Selling Skeletons"
Sorry, I couldn’t find a video with audio for this song! A more traditional 10 Years song, “Selling Skeletons” tied with “Vertigo” and “Survivors?” for best song on From Birth To Burial. Hasek’s voice slices ice with a sugary razor blade, Brian Vodinh’s base drum pounds roundly like a wine barrel, and Ryan “Tater” Johnson’s guitar cries and screams chords, spinning stories through its vibrating wires.
It was extremely difficult to choose these ten songs because 10 Years is too awesome to narrow into just a few tunes. If you want to broaden your knowledge of 10 Years, here are a few more of my favorites to listen to:
“The Recipe” from The Autumn Effect
“Beautiful” from Division
“Drug of Choice” from Division
“So Long, Good-bye” from Division
“…And All The Other Colors” from Minus the Machine
“Forever Fields (Sowing Season)” from Minus the Machine
“Fade Into (The Ocean)” from Feeding the Wolves
“Waking Up the Ghost” from Feeding the Wolves
“Chasing the Rapture” from Feeding the Wolves
“Vertigo” from From Birth To Burial
“Survivors?” from From Birth To Burial
“Beautiful” from Division
“Drug of Choice” from Division
“So Long, Good-bye” from Division
“…And All The Other Colors” from Minus the Machine
“Forever Fields (Sowing Season)” from Minus the Machine
“Fade Into (The Ocean)” from Feeding the Wolves
“Waking Up the Ghost” from Feeding the Wolves
“Chasing the Rapture” from Feeding the Wolves
“Vertigo” from From Birth To Burial
“Survivors?” from From Birth To Burial
Zoe Adler is a music journalist from Long Beach, California. Besides her website, which is her pride and joy, she works with the GRAMMY Foundation and the Long Beach Independent. Additionally, Ms. Adler is a musician, spending half of her time playing the flute, piccolo, trombone, and marching baritone. She has been with TeenView Music since the very start and hopes to make something of it in the future. |