whoever the son of a bitch is that invented traffic islands. motherfucker i'd settle his hash.
what a stupid idea.
I had some difficulty coming up with a good answer for this section for two reasons: first, there are a good deal of songs I really like, but either don’t know the name of the band or don’t like the bulk of their other work (eg. Fuck Rod Stewart, but goddamn if I’m not blinking back a few every time ‘Have I Told You Lately that I Love You’ comes on - eff!). Second, there are a numerous artists I find myself having an affinity for based less on the merits of their work and more because of events in my own life that I associate with the music. As a result, the following list is NOT intended to be in any way comprehensive, nor is it a ‘top ten’ by any means. It’s more of a general way to round out what I’m looking for in a band.
JORDAN MENEAR – This guy doesn’t even have to be playing an instrument. His body is made up of pure harmonic energy meaning his corporeal self basically IS music. One sideways glance and he could melt your face off or set your soul on fire with a slanderous mambo. You don’t fuck with that. YOU DON’T FUCK WITH THAT!!
EVERY TIME I DIE – This is one of those bands that I can never remember a song title, and I’m lucky to pick out ten lyrics for a sing-along. The only thing that seems to stick in my brain is the smell of shit in my pants every time I see or hear them. This is a really great band and any single album of theirs could keep you in cool msn names for life.
GLASS JAW – I can honestly say that if you don’t like this band and you’re younger than thirty you should probably just give up right now. Turn off the computer, go find or dig a hole that you can crawl in and die.
COHEED & CAMBRIA – What the hell are these guys? It doesn’t seem like they’re exactly punk or pop-punk or indie rock or hardcore or emo or any other genre I could really place them in – but whatever it is it works. And that hair the lead singer is sporting? UN-stoppable.
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE – You wanna act like you secretly don’t like Death Cab tough guy? Fine! But if you can listen to an entire album without being moved there’s something wrong with you – there’s something wrong with your fucking SOUL!
NEIL YOUNG – Remember all the shit the Dixie Chicks took for saying that they where embarrassed to have Bush as their president? Yeah – Neil put out a whole fucking album. When I saw him on tour with CSNY he put up the lyrics to ‘let’s impeach the president’ on a big-ass screen and got the audience of thousands to sing along. Neil’s the original Canadian bad-ass-with-a-heart-of-gold.
NORAH JONES – You wanna call me a faggot? Go ahead - I’ll be the faggot enjoying the SHIT out of this music!
CANCER BATS - Normally I don't go for straight-up punk all that much, but CB is sooo here to party that no one can resist
JOHN MAYER – I had my doubts about this guy the first time I heard him, but this disarming crooner really won me over. The cool thing about JM is the way he plays off his talent like it’s no big deal (see live performances like ‘Any Given Thursday’). At ANY time he could bust out a solo that would collapse your skull in on itself, but he doesn’t because he knows you can’t handle it!
JUDE THE OBSURE – Fuck lyrics!!! A lot of you out there probably don’t remember Jude since they’ve been broken up for a while now. But if you’re in the mood for some homegrown, heavy-as-shit, bite-your-dick-off-and-slap-you-with-it technically progressive metalcore, then they are more than worth your time to check out.
BEASTIE BOYS – I don’t know how anyone makes a movie without having these guys on their soundtrack. You don’t even have to be doing anything, and you’re automatically cool if they’re on. And if you’re listening to them on headphones its even better, because you’re the only one who knows how fucking rad you’re being.
GORILLAZ – COME ON! This is the bestlooking band in the world and they don’t even exist! With how cool the concept is for the Gorillaz, the fact that they sound great just seems like a bonus.
etc...
Ishmael, Choke, Tuesdays with Morrie, This Perfect Day, Lullabye, Survivor, The Celestine Prophecy, Story, The Outsiders, M.S.'s Frankenstein, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, etc.