This isn’t some list about events that took place in musical history… this is about actual sonic awesomeness that occurs in your speakers when music emerges from them. I have no real motivation behind this besides the fact that I wanna let my ego run free and spend some time telling you exactly what music you should be listening to. So here it goes! (Note: the order in which they appear do not signify classes of better or worse)
#1- the Bridge to Monkey!!! Knife!!! Fight!!! by Minus the Bear- This is the song that made me decide to do this list in the first place. Whenever this bridge comes on, I always feel the need to not only blast it, but definitely give it my full attention. And if I missed it while stepping out of the room or I was talking or something? I will always go back and listen to it. It’s THAT cool. The simplistic drums combined with one fucking cool-ass palm-muted guitar riff is musical sex.
#2- The Harmonies in Constant Knot by City & Colour- Really, this whole song is gorgeous. When I played it late at night while on tour, my bandmates fell in love instantly. A certain beautiful, melancholy mood overtook the van. The thing about it that will honestly send shivers down your spine and make you crawl with goosebumps are the harmonies though. The only other song I can think of that has even as good as harmonies is the song Somethin’ Special by Colbie Caillat.
#3- Dallas Green’s voice on Charlie Sheen Vs. Henry Rollins by Alexisonfire- It’s pretty much Dallas Green for the win today, ladies and gents. While this song is fucking intense and super awesome to begin with, it’s when Dallas starts singing that depending on your gender you’ll either get hard as fuck or be soaked like a tree in a rainstorm. I wish I could better describe this vocal phenomenon, but just take my word for it.
#4- the Explosive Bridge/Build-Up in Double Vision Quest by Minus the Bear- This song, on the whole, is right in between being mellow and a heavy hitter. Everything up until the bridge is pretty mellow, however the airy, crunching guitars do signal a certain dark ominous tone in the chorus. Then sure enough the drums start getting really heavy, doing a hot build-up rhythm. The guitars are then being melodically chaotic, seriously preparing for something heavy as fuck. At the most perfect moment everything just explodes- and I mean EXPLODES. Shit goes crazy and we’re launched into a second half that is undeniably upbeat and rockin’.
#5- All of This by blink-182- Just listen to this whole song with good headphones on. The amount of crap going on at once, pleasing your ears is incredible. It’s the true point when you can say the guys of blink are masters of art.
#6- the Bridge on Plastic Bubble by ALO- Okay, yes, it seems that the bridges are the coolest parts of music… but that’s just how you write a song. You write a great song that’s catchy and/or sends a message or something to get the listener to really connect with it, then it’s in the bridge you can let yourself be very experimental, hence why “cool” shit happens so often in bridges. Listen to this one and notice a) that it’s an amazingly feel-good beat and b) the production values are amazing. Everything is mixed perfectly- the drums, acoustic guitar, bass, and piano all feel like a music bed almost they’re so well put together. It’s one of my favorite things to listen to ever.
#7- The Intro to Love Like Rockets by Angels & Airwaves- The instrumental intro is seriously one of the coolest things to ever exist. I don’t even know what instrument it is that’s being used. But you really just have to turn it on to understand.
#8- Keep On Pushin by BLKTOP Project- Just listen to this song. It reeks of cool. From the bass line to the guitar to the kick ass horn section, you’ll feel like a million dollars listening to this. You may even throw on a dark suit and sunglasses just to enjoy this to the fullest.
#9- the Ending to Good Morning Kaia by BT- It’s hard to even try explaining just how evocative Good Morning Kaia is. The whole song is pretty simplistic, with really only a minimalistic piano line driving it. There are some ocean waves.. some stringed instruments ringing in the background every so often… but then it’s the ending that erupts with distorted guitar and heavy, cinematic drums that really feels like a complete experience more than anything else. The impact really comes from how well produced it is- everything sounding as seriously full as can be, but there truly are very few musical journeys that feel as profound as this.
#10- the Intro to Always Be by Jimmy Eat World- It’s a mix of two guitars and a perfect drum rhythm that makes this beginning to a rather solid song seem so fucking appealing.
But okay, there are ten new songs you need to be listening to! I’ll stop here for now. For anyone reading this, if you’ve enjoyed what I’ve shared and would even go as far to say that you’d like more recommendations just leave a comment saying so! I’ll happily add more to the list + make up new lists.
Cheers!
