I thought as I grew “older” or got “older” my taste in music would change. Maybe I’d stop thinking I was 20-something and could stay out at rock shows all night long and such. I might be picker about which bands I throw my money at to see live because mostly I hate crowds, asshat fans and asshat pseudo fans but music taste is still all over the place. Currently, my music taste, has pretty much regressed into my 20s. I go threw music ebbs and flows. Sometimes it’s Jimmy Buffett for few months and sometimes it’s Rammstein for a few months and then sometimes it’s how much jazz can I physically consume into my ear holes. I’m musically moody and it’s never a dull moment. For the last few months, it’s been a lot of rock. Some might call it metal, hardcore, screamo, but whatever, it’s all rock to me.
Guitar ✔️
Drums ✔️
Bass ✔️
Vocals that make you listen ✔️
Lyrics that blood let your soul ✔️
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“We Don’t Have to Dance” by Andy Black
It was these lyrics that made me dig this song: “You’re never gonna get it. I’m a hazard to myself. I’ll break it to you easy. This is hell, this is hell…We don’t have to talk. We don’t have to dance. We don’t have to smile. We don’t have to make friends. It’s so nice to meet you. Let’s never meet again…” As an introvert, I felt these lyrics in my soul.
“My Soul” by Thrice
The new Thrice album is pretty damn good and I just dig how Dustin sings these lyrics: “Are you ready for my soul? What if I’m broken from the start and what if I never heal? Are you ready for my soul? What if I open up my heart and somehow we stumble into something real?” There’s just so much emotion in those words.
“Not Falling” by Mudvayne
This is my favorite Mudvayne song. It makes me want to scream and punch things. Not in a hostile I hate people way. In a release of all that is bottled inside you way. Freedom from the emotions within.
“Black Soul” by Shinedown
Basically, anytime I did something judgy or what I felt was mean and not nice, I sang to myself “who’s the asshole now”? I try to spread Universal light love and magic but sometimes I just have that thoughts of “choke on a bowl of dicks you fucktard”. It’s the little part of my soul that is black. I acknowledge it and know I’m not perfect.
“Numbers on the Board” by Dreams
This fun little number from Daniel Johns (Silverchair) and Luke Steele is a feel good tune. Without looking up the lyrics, I have basically made up my own and find myself laughing hysterically at how god awful they are. Does he sing macaroni in the song? I don’t know but like “the bathroom on the right”, he sings “macaroni” in my version. But having said that, the entire Dreams debut album is pretty good.
“Blackbird” by The Beatles
I went to the MBS (Mind Body and Soul) Festival and as I milled around the stalls selling crystals, angel cards, spirit jewelry and the such, this song was in my head. But as I sang the lyrics to myself, I knew why and it was a message that I need to get to writing my current WIP.
“Love is a Battlefield” by The Amity Affliction
I love, love, love this cover by TAA. The yin & yang of Joel & Ahren’s voice just fucking make this song work and I am fan of the original but damn, this might top it.
“Logout” by Colyer
I wrote about this song at Pretty Vacant One, but it’s just a damn catchy tune. Arctic Monkey fans are going to love Colyer, but this song is an easy breezy sway in the setting sun good…and it’s about logging out and just being.
“Set Me Free” by The Amity Affliction
Seriously, I can’t stop listening to TAA’s album MISERY. There is not one bad song on the album. There was about 14 days of rain here in Sydney and I found myself singing this song every day, especially these lyrics: “I’ve been waiting for sunlight. I’ve been searching for love inside. I’ve been wanting a new life but you are the one who holds it all. Oh God, I’m alone again. On my knees, I hate the way I’m feeling. Heaven, take me now…” While it was raining, I waited for sunlight and there is nothing like trudging through gray rainy days to make you feel like you’re the only person on the street.
“Use Me” by After Touch
This song and band came onto my radar by a tweet from TAA’s Joel Birch. I like when artist talk about music they genuinely like and this song perfectly fits into my current mood of music.
“Getting Read to Get Down” by honeyhoney
I love this duo and am so happy to have new music from them. They are the house band on a little show on TBS called The Guest Book and this song is signature fun and sassy honeyhoney and I can’t get enough of it. Bonus, they do an amazing cover of “Uptown Funk” on the soundtrack too.
“She Loves Control” by The Constellations
New music from The Constellations!?! Sign me up. This song is the “B” side to the single “Dreams of Oneonita” but hot damn it’s a funky and upbeat tune and it’s a blast. It’s reflective of why I love this band. They know how to do infectious tunes. Turn it up to 11 and shake ya ass.
“Tightrope” by Young the Giant
This is my favorite track off Mirror Master. I prefer the “dancier” side of YTG. They’re good at being funky and fresh. This song makes my soul happy and it makes me want to dance.
“1234” Emigrate featuring Benjamin Kowalewicz
New fucking Emigrate! 😱 <– That was legit me when the Facebook posts started flowing into my timeline. NEW. FUCKING. EMIGRATE. For those of you that don’t know, Emigrate is Richard Kruspe from Rammstein. This song features Benjamin from Billy Talent and it’s awesome. But I’m biased. Margaux (bass) & Joe (drum) fucking kill the rhythm in this song.
“Fight My Regret” by The Amity Affliction
One of the reasons I like TAA is their lyrics. They are not afraid to show sides of depression, anxiety, and mental illness that others might try to paint pretty. And it was these lyrics that made scream yes! I have been there and I won’t go back: “I’ve been there, I’ve done that. I’ll probably be back. My heart pounds, my chest hurts. It only gets worse. I’ve been there, I’ve done that. I’ll try not to go back. Death calling, “just collapse”. But I won’t, no fuck that.”
“Rise Up” by Andra Day
New Doctor Who is just damn brilliant. Again, biased. I’m a fan and I love that show even when it’s bad, but Season 11 and the 13th Doctor are just gutting me. I cried ugly tears for the 1st 3 episodes and this song was in the 3rd episode called “Rosa”. It was about the day Rosa Parks became a civil icon. This song was placed so perfectly, it made me cry, it inspired me, as the kiddos would say, I was shook. This song took me church and I can’t thank Andra enough for that.
“Super Hero” by Atreyu
Digging the new Atreyu album and this has been the song I’ve been playing over and over. I wouldn’t call it a ballad but if Atreyu had to do a ballad, it would be like this…it’s just a damn fine song.