Songs You Should Listen To Part One

I've decided that since Music is my first love, I'm going to keep a running journal of songs you should be listening to. Since I have such a huge music collection and diverse tastes in music, it only makes sense to do this installments whenever I feel like it, but probably weekly. I hope you'll take the time to check out some of the deserving songs I post each week!

This song, originally off of their amazing acoustic EP, Jar of Flies (Columbia, 1994), is so melancholy and beautiful. The lyrics are about the media's obsession with the vocalist (the late Layne Staley) and, even though I generally scoff at celebrities being annoyed by their celebrity (and even though the rumors regarding Staley's drug use were ultimately true-- he died of an overdose in 2003.), the eloquence and passion in his voice is incredible and Alice in Chains remains one of the most underrated bands of the 90's. Although they're still going strong with a new singer, they recently lost original bassist Mike Starr to an overdose. This song is sad and beautiful. I've included the live version here.

"We chase misprinted lies. We chase the path of time."

Toad the Wet Sprocket was one of the premier folk/alternative acts of the 90's and, quite frankly, I could have picked any number of songs from monster hits like Walk on the Ocean and All I Want to Something's Always Wrong and When Will We Fall Down . But, you've probably heard these songs so I decided to include the opening track to my favorite Toad The Wet Sprocket album, Dulcinea (Atlantic 1994), Fly From Heaven . Like most Toad songs, the lyrics are powerful and poetic and they tell a good story, this one seemingly about a frriend or family member who has gone and joined a cult.

"Like water through my Hands, You'd give him any ending. But if he's all you say, would he fly from heaven, into this world again."

Philadelphia, Pa's Thursday is one of the premier screamo bands and they're still making quality records. The record that introduced me to the genre and remains with me the most if Full Collapse (2001, victory) and the song that kicks the most ass on that record is the super intense Understanding in a Car Crash. Geoff Rickley's typically slightly off pitch vocals (he is nicknamed Tone Geoff), the cymbal happy drums and schizophrenic guitars cannot be ignored. Neither can this song.

"The broken watch you gave me turns into a compass"

Boston's preeminent skacore band, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones wrote catchy, politically charged agressive ska punk songs, and put on one hell of a good live show. 1994's Question the Answers remains one of my favorite albums of all time, in any genre and the highlight of that album is this one, Hell of a Hat, which is about the silliness of gangster fashion. it comtains some f bombs but they're so catchy and creatively done, you don't really notice, and if you do, you don't care. I don't mind cussing if it's done well and is not gratuitous. The video attached is edited..

"That's a hell of a hat that you're wearing, it goes really well with the earring."

This is the first song played after my wife and I got married, during the recessional. That's all I need to say about it.

"I just had to trust my imagination, my heart going boom boom boom."

Sticking with my wedding theme, this was our first dance. It's on youtube, if you really wanna see it. We have a cute little dance to do. Plus no one does blue eyed soul quite like Hall and Oates. If I had to pick only one band to listen to for the rest of my life, Hall and Oates might be an option. This is a just a fun 80's dance song, and it's a little creepy.

"Private eyes are watching you, they see your every move."

I'm going to get this out there. I HATE the White Stripes. They are annoying and kitchy and obnoxious. That being said, Jack White is a great musician and as such, he should be able to write a good song. He does that here, and this song will always make me smile because it opens the film Napoleon Dynamite (MTV films, 2003). It's about going to school and making friends. Who doesn't like that? You will never hear me praise White Stripes again, so enjoy the novelty. I couldn't find the original Napoleon Dynamite starting, so I used this one. Enjoy!

"Teacher thinks that I sound funny, but she likes the way you sing."

They began in Florida as a true death metal band and released two fairly successful albums in this genre (Living Sacrifice and Nonexistent ) before original vocalist, DJ left the band to go do a very un-death metal thing and move to Africa to work at an orphanage. Bruce Fitshugh (guitarist) moved to vocals and rhythm guitar and band transformed into a more commercial thrash sound. On 1997's Reborn (Tooth and Nail), they explode with crunchy guitars, insanely powerful and intricate drums and brilliant cookie cutter vocals. This song is still in favorite rotation for me and proved to me at their reunion tour in 2009, that they can still rock the hell out of the younger bands.

They also have a guy named Lance and no one named Sven or Thor and they all have short hair and drink tea. Yet, they remain very metal.

"Given new life, boldness engulfs my every word."

I did a blog about Big Wreck as a band you've probably never heard before. If you have, you know how great they were. If you haven't, click the video link below and you will. They were a fantastic prog/hard rock band based out of Boston. In Loving memory Of... is a top 25 album, for me and That Song is my personal favorite off the record, though I could have chosen any of them and been okay. Singer Ian Thornley sounds something like Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave) and has gone on to a successful solo career.

"You Love My whisper but did you hear me scream at the top of my lungs?"

One of the original 90s' emo bands, Sunny Day Real Estate has broken up and reunited several times. Their debut album, Diary ( Sub Pop 1992) lists the band as being broken up, but they have gone on to release three other studio albums and a live album. They also played a new tune on their reunion tour, so who knows what the future holds. Singer Jeremy Enigk has released four solo records and Drummer William Goldsmith and bassist Nate Mendel went on to become millionaires in the Foo Fighters. Don't let the emo tag scare you, this band is great, this song is great.

"Trust in me. Throw myself into your door."

I hope I've helped you find some new songs for your Zune or IPOD. Until we meet again, enjoy!

Thanks for Reading.

A FREELANCE WRITER, HONORS STUDENT AND GOVER PRIZE FINALIST, JUSTIN W. PRICE (AKA, PDXKARAOKEGUY)IS A POET, SHORT STORY, BIOGRAPHY AND HUMOR WRITER. HIS POETRY COLLECTION, DIGGING TO CHINA, WAS RELEASED FEBRUARY 2ND, 2013 BY SWEATSHOPPE PUBLICATIONS AND IS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM, BARNES AND NOBLE AND THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOOKSELLER.

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All rights reserved. Copyright Justin W. Price, October 24th, 2011.

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