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With Slam Dunk just a month away, here’s a list of our favourite Against The Current tracks! See if you agree with our choices, then have a go at the activity at the bottom of the page!
20. ‘Chasing Ghosts’
As romantic as a 19th Century novel, ‘Chasing Ghosts’ is the sound of the past and the present colliding, of the wind roaring through the city streets. Profoundly beautiful.
19. ‘blindfolded’
The song that served as a doorway into ATC’s new ‘Nightmares & Daydreams’ era. It promises to be the most heavyweight phase of the band’s career.
18. ‘Strangers Again’
From the very first moment this song hit the airwaves, we were completely back in love with Against The Current. As shiver-inducing as it is poptastic, ‘Strangers Again’ captures the sound of a heart breaking. Then breaking again. Then breaking again.
17. ‘again & again’
As frenetic as any of Against The Current’s most fast-paced tracks, ‘again and again’ proves how brilliant Chrissy Costanza and co. are at being simultaneously heartfelt and hotfooted.
16. ‘Blood Like Gasoline’
This is ATC at their most fiery. But, then, that should probably be no surprise, given the whole blood and gasoline thing! Nonetheless, it’s a fine example of the band’s ability to be both as black as night and as light as the moon.
15. ‘Another You, Another Way’
How has it been a decade since we first heard ‘Another You, Another Way’? Given how fun this song is, I guess time really must pass faster when you’re having a lovely time. Listening to ATC’s earliest material remains such a joy.
14. ‘wildfire’
It’s easy not to notice that the people who are meant to be looking out for you aren’t actually looking out for you. Against The Current’s ‘Wildfire’ is a lesson in taking control before you stop noticing that you have none.
13. ‘Wasteland’
ATC have a real talent for appearing really shiny and polished but actually being pretty dark and desperate. Do you dare to dive below the band’s surface? ‘Wasteland’ is a good place to start. Listening to it as exciting as watching a great film.
12. ‘Dreaming Alone’
Okay, so Chrissy Costanza and gang aren’t short on love songs, but they do them soooooo well. This is the completely irresistible sound of a summer romance in song form.
11. ‘Running With The Wild Things’
Remember that scene in The Lost Boys when David says: ‘You don’t have to beat me, Michael; you’ve just got to try and keep up’? It feels like this ATC number comes embedded with the same message. It’s supercharged and you’ll never overtake it, but you’ll have the most exciting time trying. Sing loud. Dance harder.
10. Paralyzed
If you’ve never seen ATC live, then make sure not to miss them at Slam Dunk 24. Fast and furious and full of passion, ‘Paralyzed’ remains a set highlight.
9. ‘lullaby’
This would be most bands’ absolute best song. That it only just makes it into this trio’s top ten should serve as clear evidence of ATC’s incredible catalogue. ‘lullaby’ is a moody and melodic anthem.
8. ‘Talk’
Like so many of ATC’s songs, ‘Talk’ is an absolute smash hit – it’s a number one pop song that somehow never made it to number one. At some point in the future, of course, the band’s records will be topping the charts. But that only makes us treasure these moments, when the band still feel like they belong to us, all the more.
7. ‘Gravity’
Maybe it’s the handclaps, that are in action from the off here, but there’s definitely something about this song that means it’s pretty much impossible to listen to it without moving around and singing along like you’re at an Against The Current gig and not in front of your mirror with a hairbrush.
6. ‘Legends Never Die’
The best known of ATC’s songs, this League Of Legends soundtrack couldn’t be more epic. Listen to it just once and you’ll be ready to take on the world.
5. ‘that won’t save us’
ATC’s lament for the perfect world we grew up dreaming about isn’t just a song – it’s fuel for a generation still intent on saving the future!
4. ‘Voices’
Sure, the noises might be up to Chrissy Costanza’s neck, but, NO, they are not going to win. And, NO, the singer is not going to stop fighting. ‘Voices’ is a song that will inspire us to always keep our nerve. A huge track!
3. ‘Outsiders’
The fact that the American trio could leave this off their debut album is testament to the number of massive songs they have at their disposal. Both its title and huge, catchy chorus act like batlights for all those searching for a place to belong. This is music to make you feel as significant as you definitely are.
2. ‘weapon’
The unsettling ‘weapon’ is as much a wrestling match as a song. In the ring are Chrissy Costanza and her anxieties – anxieties that, as people living in the 21st Century, we TOTALLY relate to.
1. ‘Brighter’
This one’s pretty aptly titled. Its chorus is certainly brighter than any other object on the planet and it’s probably the most uplifting song ever written.
As much as the write-ups are short reviews of the 20 ATC songs in question, they also serve as neat summaries of each track.
Now, have a go at completing one or both of the activities below:
- Create a list of your own top 5, top 10 or top 20 songs. Choose whichever band/singer you want to! Write a short review (no more than 120 words) of each.
- Write a short summary (no more than 120 words) of each of the texts you’re studying at school. You could even put the list into oder – positioniong the text you’ve enjoyed most at number 1!
Do send your work in! We want to publish the most exciting writing!