Pop Rocks and A Playlist

Props if you get the Green Day reference.   That one was an obvious give away.  But no there isn't any Green Day song here.

Anywho, to keep this blog alive, let us pour some sugar on it, err music on it.  Remember I was trying to recommend music to people who actually stumbles upon my blog?

I’m not a musician.  I am trying to critic music as far as my Lester Bangs obsession goes.  I am mere fan trying to show the world how the magic of music struck a chord in my life.  And stuff.

So with all the drama being dropped to the ground, here’s me again telling you what music to listen to.  And hopefully you, out there would listen to them as passionately as I do.

Yeah, whatever, here’s this week’s “playlist”:

Quiet Nights in Noisy Neighborhoods –  Ancient History

I don’t get to sleep easy and I often need a soundtrack to lull me to sleep.  That is how I encountered this indie music.  It has the right rhythm and soft beats that you could focus on and sort of brings you to a meditative state.  Listen to this song and you’ll find your eyelids closing as early as its first one minute.  Never mind the cold vocals or the lyrics, this song is the kind of song you listen to not understand or contemplate over.

City of Ice – Br’er

Now if you are looking for a song that has soothing chords but sad vocals, this one’s ideal during those solitary moments.  This is one of those indie songs with choking, raw loneliness that it is almost comforting.  What’s great about this song is the poetry of its lyrics and somehow its music.  I personally like songs that are both lyrical and ‘musical’.   In summation, this song will oddly make you think about a city of  ice.

Heaven’s on Fire – Radio Dept.

“People see rock and roll as, as youth culture, and when youth culture becomes monopolised by big business, what are the youth to do? Do you, do you have any idea?

I think we should destroy the bogus capitalist process that is destroying youth culture.”

When a song opens that way, it wont fail to heighten your eagerness to what extent of rebellion the song will stretch.  This Swedish fuzz-pop musicians have the headstrong idealism of punk, only they sing it less angry.  Not even a whine.  This song is almost not a protest song, just a subtle amount of complaining along with a catchy pop background.

Stranger – Noah and The Whale

Okay, so this song is about a one night stand just to get over an ex.  Powerful story.  It starts off as a sad pop song and ends in a positive “knowing you I’m gonna be happy” tone.   The lyrics is just so intense against a mix sound of melancholy and promise of vindication.

This Must Be Where It Ends – Brett Anderson

What’s with indie rock songs that brings you nostalgia?  This song is just dynamic like an indie song but has the noise of an alternative rock song.

Fuck This Place – A Frightened Rabbit

There is a good story from Scott Hutchinson’s blog about the creative process where this song spawned from:

“This is going to sound like total bullshit, but please don’t exhale a ‘pfft’ and stop reading when I say, this song started off as a dream. I honestly dreamt that i did a duet with a mystery female vocal on it and the ‘I don’t know these buildings’ line was definitely in that dream.

So when it came to the writing, I had two parts in my head all along. I have been a big Camera Obscura fan for a long time and when Tracyanne said she’d be up for this, I was incredibly chuffed and her vocal is just beautiful. It’s fairly obvious what it’s about, though I don’t think it’s necessarily a love story.”

When I saw this song’s title, I’m already sold.  But when I started to listen to it, I surprisingly liked the indie folk melody and the relatable lyrics.  Just like what Scott had experience, its like being lost in a familiar dream, that is what this song makes you feel.

And you can download the whole EP for free here.  Actually, sign up to their mailing list to get it. 

Soothe Me – Yuck

There was a sort of online hype when Yuck previewed this track on their blog.   But sure when there’s a hype there is really something worth buzzing over at.  The song is a beauty with its downbeat slo-mo, almost mellow melody as guitars intertwine over an English accent, choral falsetto.   It just makes you feel what the title says.  If you’re into the indiest indie, well maybe you’ve heard about this song already.

After The Gold Rush – Thom Yorke (Neil Young Cover)

I fortunately came across Sterogum’s list of Radiohead covers and man was I  glad I have drifted into them on the web.  it contains this amazingly delivered  classic.   You know how Thom Yorke’s voice just pierces your soul and it makes you feel bad and good altogether.  His voice gave this song another imagery so vivid that the lyrics just unfolds in front of you when you close your eyes.  Its a different sort of high and nostalgia than the Neil Young version.  This song has a hard theme to interpret tho, but anyhow for sure you’ll find yourself reminiscing and dreaming to this song, on repeat.

Summertime Booze – Turf War

Do you want your own summertime song?  Get ready to loose to this song.  Okay that was lyrics references, no need to call me cheesy and stuff.  This song will actually give you a shot of summer.  With their Tom Pettyish sound and story telling  they are not your average garage punk band.  So, if you love to just drink booze till you drop, then Turf War got you your anthem.

Last Confession – Godchild

Godchild is a chill type of alternative band with John Mayer influences.  If you can’t imagine how it would sound, just click play.   Its an easy to listen and to sing along kind of song making it an lss potential.

So those are the ten songs I have on constant repeat the whole week.   Hopefully I get to share good stuff.

Also, why pop rock and coke?  You might’ve figured it out already.   I’ve been hooked to the cokish goodness of indie- pop that borders to rock.  Or you could have it as pop rocks and coke, but the explosion’s not in your stomach but in your ears.  Yes.