Hey everybody. I’d like to give you all a gift. Well, one you’ll have to buy or steal yourself. Just let me explain. I’m going to write a little review of my summer playlist of 2008. I love music. It drives me. So, I’d like the music I love to drive you too.
In 2003 I discovered a band called Alkaline Trio. They were this emo band with cool, dark lyrics that I was stoked with. Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano complemented one another with their voices. Matt’s voice was a little vicious, and Dan was more of a crooner than anything. This year they released Agony & Irony, and there’s one track that always makes me happy. It’s called Love Love, Kiss Kiss. It’s awesome. Dan’s singing will make you smile, and Matt’s soaring background vocals will give you goose bumps. I figure if I could write a bad boy like that I’d have ladies flocking to me. More so than they already are. Listen and it’ll make sense.
In grade 7 when I first played Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater on the Nintendo 64, the first song on the playlist was called Superman, and it was by a band called Goldfinger. This was my first taste of the doings of John Feldmann, who I’ve since become infatuated with (his music and production, that is). Anyway, Goldfinger is one of my favorite bands, and this year they put out an album called Hello Destiny, which I love. Anyway, there’s one song called If I’m Not Right and I believe that this song is a guarantee to put anybody into a good mood. It’s impossible not to smile while listening. John’s voice sounds flawless, and the horn section is one of the reasons I love John’s band.
Sometimes when I’m tired in the morning I like to play music that really wakes me up, and encourages me to take the day by its horns and ride it until the sun goes down. There’s one song in particular that does this for me: Call To Arms by Angels & Airwaves. Sure, Tom’s lyrics are out there, but that doesn’t take away from the anthemic quality of the song. My favorite part is the bridge, around the 4 minute mark, ’cause Tom does this thing where he yells part of the chorus and it’s so harmonious that it gives me the chills every time I listen to the song. Also, try cruising down the highway as fast as you can (preferably towards the sunset), with the windows down and the music at capacity. You’ll get the full experience. In the words of Rivers Cuomo, “If you don’t like it, you can shove it. But you don’t like it, you love it.” And, if this song doesn’t make you want to march around in your underwear, then I guess you’ll never get to experience such a pleasure.
Last fall I was watching the Seth Rogen episode of SNL and there was a band called Spoon who was set to perform. Little did I know that Spoon would be so good that I’d buy their album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga almost nine months later. It wasn’t that it took me that long to buy it, it’s that I forgot about their performance and that I saw them again on a rerun and remembered how good they were. Yeah, so, Spoon sounded great and one song, The Underdog, was the little beast that hooked me. This song has horn sections, handclaps, and acoustic guitars. Delish. What more could you want?
If there’s one exceptionally rad thing about Rock Band it’s that it’s got Welcome Home by Coheed & Cambria. Huge guitars and gang vocals are the perfect ingredients for a night of drinking in your friend’s basement. Trust me, I’d know.
Perhaps one of my favorite bands out there right now, The Matches of Oakland, California, know how to write superlative music. This is one band where no two songs on any of their records sound the same. If you were to buy any of these songs or albums I’ve discussed here, I think that A Band In Hope is the one you should own. It’s perfect. The opener, AM Tilts, is beautiful. The lyrics and guitars do something to me that not very many bands can. I’m not sure what it is, but that’s why this song is so magical.
Another thing I like about music is how it sometimes makes you feel warm inside, and in the case of Bloc Party’s I Still Remember that is exactly what happens. The guitar riffs soar, and the rhythm is perfectly suited. Bloc Party is without a doubt my favorite musical export out of the United Kingdom, and I’m stoked that they’re coming to my hometown in a little less than a month. I Still Remember is very atmospheric in tone, and although Kele’s lyrics may be about a guy, this is still a timeless love song.
Remember Mr. Feldmann? Well, he produced this song, and the record it’s found on. The song: Navigate Me. The Band: Cute Is What We Aim For. This song just sounds awesome. It’s about doin’ the sex, and that’s why I love it.
This song doesn’t rhyme at all during the verses, but the lyrics are so much fun that it doesn’t even matter. Justin Pierre is one of the best lyricists in the alternative music scene right now, and I think he’s a genius. Just take a look at his hair. Motion City Soundtrack is an excellent band that everybody should know about. Commit This To Memory is one of my all time favorite records and I think you should give Motion City Soundtrack a chance. So, the song is called Antonia, and it’s one of catchiest tracks on the record, Even If It Kills Me. If one band can mention Indiana Jones and Annie Hall in the same song, it’s Motion City Soundtrack.
I’ll make this an even 10, so this is my last choice. I loved this song last summer, and this summer is no exception. The song is called Woe, and the man behind the music is Max Bemis of Say Anything. Max is truly a virtuoso, and I feel privileged to be listening to his music. This song kicks a million asses, and if you don’t think it’s catchy you’ve got something seriously wrong with your ears.
That’s it everyone. Happy listening.
