I have to start by saying that I find Morrissey an absolutely reprehensible human being. That said, he has a way with words that occasionally taps into great sentiment. And the main hook of “How Soon Is Now?” (“I am human and I need to be loved…”) is one of the great lyrics in rock… Read More “How Soon Is Now?” by The Smiths (1984)
Apparently, Thom Yorke doesn’t like “High And Dry”. What is with this guy and his best songs? Anyway, don’t listen to Thom Yorke. “High And Dry” is one of my favorite Radiohead songs, and it’s from what I consider the second most essential Radiohead album, 1995’s The Bends. It’s certainly the song (and the album)… Read More “High And Dry” by Radiohead (1995)
I’ve toggled back and forth on my rating of “Celebrity Skin” since…well, at least since we were in the “C”s. I think my final decision is that it belongs here with the rest of the songs that I consider perfect. It’s a kick ass three minute rock song with a killer guitar riff, a wink-smirk… Read More “Celebrity Skin” by Hole (1998)
The first time I heard “Head Like A Hole”, I was blown away. I’d never heard anything like it before. The aggression in Trent Reznor’s voice was something I’d only maybe heard from Chuck D at that point. I knew nothing of metal at this point other than the “hair” variety, and even Axl Rose,… Read More “Head Like A Hole” by Nine Inch Nails (1989)
Let’s get this out of the way: yes, Ryan Adams is a fucking creep. I have no intention of going to any of his shows in the future or buying any of his albums. However, let’s also face this fact-plenty of creepy folks make great art. My enjoyment of someone’s music is an endorsement of… Read More “Harder Now That It’s Over” by Ryan Adams (2001)
“Halley’s Waitress” is a song by the “Stacy’s Mom” guys. It actually comes from the same album (Welcome Interstate Managers) as “Stacy’s Mom”. However, it sounds absolutely nothing like “Stacy’s Mom”. Not that I hate “Stacy’s Mom” at all, but the average music fan more than likely has no frame of reference for Fountains of… Read More “Halley’s Waitress” by Fountains of Wayne (2003)
For the life of me, I couldn’t tell you how I discovered Edwyn Collins. My best guess is that I was home one day (or night), glued to MTV, and the video for “A Girl Like You” came on. I was immediately smitten. “A Girl Like You” had a lounge-y throwback vibe that was pitched… Read More “A Girl Like You” by Edwyn Collins (1995)
I don’t have a ton of indie cred and I won’t pretend to. I discovered Modest Mouse the way most music fans discovered them-via “Float On” being ubiquitous on the radio and VH-1 during the summer of 2004. I’d heard the name Modest Mouse before in passing, but didn’t develop an interest until I was… Read More “Float On” by Modest Mouse (2004)
I discovered The White Stripes through MTV-while watching the 2002 Video Music Awards, to be exact. It was right around the time all of the “The” bands were super big-The Hives, The Strokes, The Vines, The White Stripes. I already knew about The Strokes, but that night introduced me to the other three bands and… Read More “Fell In Love With A Girl” by The White Stripes (2001)
Sure, we can blame the soundtrack of the forgettable film Judgment Night for spawning the rap/rock movement that gave us Korn and Limp Bizkit. We can also laud it for commendably bridging what were thought of as two disparate musical worlds (save for the Beastie Boys, who defy all logic); alternative rock and hardcore hip-hop.… Read More “Fallin'” by De La Soul & Teenage Fanclub (1993)
Five Star Jamz 