Keeping It Fresh

Today I thought we could go back in time, relive some of the glorious 80s and get some old school music back on the map. And to start off, I thought it would be cool to take a look at different artists across various genres in the 80s. Think of it like a series dedicated to the age when big hair, punk rock, disco, and new wave all had a spot in the spotlight. The 80s were a time where bands were starting to embrace instruments like synthesizers and keyboards, where rock music was starting to evolve and change to include these “unconventional” instruments. New wave band, Modern English, was no exception.  It’s interesting to note that Modern English is actually an English band – as were many popular bands during the 80s. I think a little background might add some context on why that is a cool tidbit. Let’s start with the genre – new wave. This is a genre which encompasses some pop music styles and punk rock to create a deliciously catchy dossier of sound. New wave was a shift a...

Today I have music for you that is so incredibly unique and weirdly riveting, that I had to share it with you all! This song is by the American gypsy punk band known as Gogol Bordello. Yeah, that's right. Gypsy punk. I can guarantee that this song is going to be on the stranger side of most people's musical taste, yet, it's the kind of music which you can't pull away from. Gogol Bordello is all about making music that intrigues you and leaves you hooked. The entire sound and reputation of Gogol Bordello hinge on this idea of unorthodox instrumentation and melodies. The vocal melody is just so catchy though that you get completely ensnared by the song and have to hear it out through the end. Even for those of you who don't find it to be your cup of tea, you can't deny the intrigue and odd attraction that the song has to the ears The song starts off with the plucking of a guitar in a melody that is clearly influenced by the common chord progression associated wi...

Today I have some music for you by a punk band that is slowly starting to gain traction, but I have a feeling that they may hit the ground running! Death From Above 1979 is a really cool band because it has a history that is unlike most bands today. They broke up for a period of time after being together for five years. Normally when bands break up though, they don't get back together. However, Death From Above 1979 id reform and has released a new album. Today's song is from that new album and it is a pretty sick song! Fun fact, this song was based on a train wreck that did happen before the age of cellphones and other devices like it. What made this the choice wreck was that no one died. Anyway, when it comes to the song, there are a couple of cool things that mesh together which usually wouldn't. For one, this song has a crazy metal undertone with very heavy guitar work going on. We get a lot from both the electric and bass guitars. The bass guitar is harder to hear un...

Today I have music for you by a punk band out of New Jersey called The Gaslight Anthem. In particular, this song has a really sick vibe to it. There are elements of different kinds of rockers and rock bands in this song. I can hear subtle hints of a Springsteen-esque sound as well as a little bit of The Killers. Now this could also be the way the vocals sound. The vocals in this song have this nice grit and rough sound to them which makes this song have a little bit more of a wild sound to it. I am actually a huge fan of a voice like this. Usually, voices like this don't make it into the spotlight which is a total and complete shame because it is very unique. The Gaslight Anthem is another one of those bands that really draws from old-school rock and takes that older style to mold it into their own sound. However, because The Gaslight Anthem does draw a lot from Bruce Springsteen, there is more light being shed on these guys. And I have to say, it is for a good reason. This band do...

Today I have some interesting music for you by a band whom I never expected to create music like this. The Plain White T's are generally a very sweet sounding band, with more acoustic and guitar oriented music. Their music is more along the lines of contemporary and more of a pop sound. Their most popular radio hits have been romantic ballads accompanied by a guitar and well performed melodies. But this song seems to be much more off the beaten path. Now I guess a precursor to the song is to explain that it was actually created to be a part of the Alice in Wonderland soundtrack. This being said, The Plain White T's had to create a song that was worthy of a Tim Burton film, in other words, something strange and out of the ordinary. And my oh my did they nail it! This song is such a wonderful expression of Tim Burton and his style, making it one of the greatest songs to accompany a movie of this caliber. Alice In Wonderland is a movie about a girl who gets swept into a world of m...

Today I have some music that comes from a band that was a beloved during my early teenage years. The All American Rejects was that band that everyone knew and even though people may not have avidly listened or followed the band, people knew at least one song by the band. This was the time when rock and punk bands were all the rage, and I won't lie, there are days when I really miss that time. But this song is one of the most classic songs by The All American Rejects. One of the things that I really enjoy about this band is their lyrics. This is a band that talks about the personal problems of not liking someone, but do so in a some what comedic way. The lyrics aren't poetic masterpieces or enchanting ballads, but are more blunt and straightforward. The All American Rejects are not afraid of saying exactly what they are thinking and, in a way, that is kind of refreshing! Their utter disregard for any kind of lyric beauty is made up for in lyrical honesty. Part of that comedy als...

Today I have music for you today by one of my favorite bands of all time-Anberlin. It has been quite a while since I have posted a song by these guys, but now I feel is the time for me to start talking about them more.12 years later and 7 studio albums later, Anberlin still remains one of the greatest bands I have ever had the pleasure to encounter. Everything about this band is so smooth and perfect. The vocals, the instrumentation, the background, the name, the lyrics, the members. Everything fits together like puzzle pieces and they form the incredible image of a band that never ever stopped making music that the world can fall in love with. Anberlin is a band that means so much to me and will always have a special part in my soul and mind as one of the things that evolved and molded me into what I am today. But on to the music, this song is off their final album. This is the early side of Anberlin, moving back to the hard rock that we got from  albums like Cities.  This so...

Today I have music for you by a punk band out of New Jersey called The Gaslight Anthem. In particuar, this song has a really sick vibe to it. There are elements of different kinds of rockers and rock bands in this song. I can hear subtle hints of a Springsteen-esque sound as well as a little bit of The Killers. Now this could also be the way the vocals sound. The vocals in this song have this nice gritty and rough sound to them which makes this song have a little bit more of a wild sound to it. I am actually a huge fan of a voice like this. Usually voices like this don't make it into the spotlight which is a total and complete shame because it is very unique. The Gaslight Anthem is another one of those bands that really draws from old school rock and takes that older style to mold it into their own sound. However, because The Gaslight Anthem does draw a lot from Bruce Springsteen, there is more light being shed on these guys. And I have to say, it is for good reason. This band does...

Today I have music for you by a band that was pretty popular in the mid 2000s. The Bravery is a band that has a really interesting mix of being a little punk, a little alternative, and a little old school. There is more electronic work in this than most other punk bands, but there is still that nice human aspect to it. It is so nice to be able to hear a guitar and drums and keyboard being played, giving the song a more down to earth feeling. There is a more raw energy that comes from playing music with your bare hands. This song is definitely more uptempo, more fun, and takes on the more revival age of rock music. I really like that! I have really missed rock songs like this, the kind of songs that have a little bit of a grungier or more garage sound to them. The 90's kind of rock feel. That is what we get with this song.The vocalist Sam Endicott has a voice that is great for this song, although weirdly not what you would necessarily expect. He has this deep and laid back kind of v...

Today I have music for you by a punk band out of New Jersey called The Gaslight Anthem. In particuar, this song has a really sick vibe to it. There are elements of different kinds of rockers and rock bands in this song. I can hear subtle hints of a Springsteen-esque sound as well as a little bit of The Killers. Now this could also be the way the vocals sound. The vocals in this song have this nice gritty and rough sound to them which makes this song have a little bit more of a wild sound to it. I am actually a huge fan of a voice like this. Usually voices like this don't make it into the spotlight which is a total and complete shame because it is very unique. The Gaslight Anthem is another one of those bands that really draws from old school rock and takes that older style to mold it into their own sound. However, because The Gaslight Anthem does draw a lot from Bruce Springsteen, there is more light being shed on these guys. And I have to say, it is for good reason. This band does...

Today I have music from a band out of Canada called Marianas Trench. This song is absolutely phenomenal! They skillfully and artfully combine a pop rock sound with older pop/swing music. This song is so fun to listen to and it always gets you up and dancing. It has that energy that will always pick you up and make you want to go out and go have fun! This band is one that I highly recommend delving deeper into, because they have incredible music and awesome vocals! The lead singer's vocal range is so impressive! Today's instrumental song is a version of a song by the always amazing Olly Murs. It is just as fun and energetic, and I love it! I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!

Today I have some rock music for you. This song by Sublime is possibly my favorite one by them. This is the last song that the original singer of Sublime, Bradley Nowell, ever did. He sadly died right before it was released. But I have to say, this is a great song for him to have as his legacy. In the world of rock, this song is one of the most iconic songs of the 90s. This is one of the songs that brought punk rock to the forefront and made it more of a mainstream sound. Even after Sublime's breakup which happened over 10 years ago, this song persists as a fan favorite and is still around today on all kinds of radio stations. Sublime still remains an immensely popular band across America and is one of the most notable acts of the 90s. Almost everyone who was a kid in the 90s knows Sublime and they all know this song for sure. For being one of the last songs done together as a group, this is surely a knockout. This song features the beachy and coastal sounds that are often associat...

Today I have music for you by a punk band out of New Jersey called The Gaslight Anthem. These guys headlined at Austin City Limits which fits in so well with this week of ACL. In particuar, this song has a really sick vibe to it. There are elements of different kinds of rockers and rock bands in this song. I can hear subtle hints of a Springsteen-esque sound as well as a little bit of The Killers. Now this could also be the way the vocals sound. The vocals in this song have this nice gritty and rough sound to them which makes this song have a little bit more of a wild sound to it. I am actually a huge fan of a voice like this. Usually voices like this don't make it into the spotlight which is a total and complete shame because it is very unique. The Gaslight Anthem is another one of those bands that really draws from old school rock and takes that older style to mold it into their own sound. However, because The Gaslight Anthem does draw a lot from Bruce Springsteen, there is more ...

Today I have some music for you by a punk band that is slowly starting to gain traction, but I have a feeling that they may hit the ground running! Death From Above 1979 is a really cool band because it has a history that is unlike most bands today. They broke up for a period of time after being together for five years. Normally when bands break up though, they don't get back together. However, Death From Above 1979 id reform and has released a new album. Today's song is from that new album and it is a pretty sick song! Fun fact, this song was based on a train wreck that did happen before the age of cellphones and other devices like it. What made this the choice wreck was that no one died. Anyway, when it comes to the song, there are a couple of cool things that mesh together which usually wouldn't. For one, this song has a crazy metal undertone with very heavy guitar work going on. We get a lot from both the electric and bass guitars. The bass guitar is harder to hear unde...

Today I have music for you by a punk band out of New Jersey called The Gaslight Anthem. This song has a really sick vibe to it. There are elements of different kinds of rockers and rock bands in this song. I can hear subtle hints of a Springsteen-esque sound as well as a little bit of The Killers. Now this could also be the way the vocals sound. The vocals in this song have this nice gritty and rough sound to them which makes this song have a little bit more of a wild sound to it. I am actually a huge fan of a voice like this. Usually voices like this don't make it into the spotlight which is a total and complete shame because it is very unique. However, because The Gaslight Anthem does draw a lot from Bruce Springsteen, there is more light being shed on these guys. And I have to say, it is for good reason. This band doesn't have that stereotypical band feel to it. While the music is easily classified as rock, it does not follow the idea of mainstream rock. This song kind of fo...

Today I have music for you by a band that very few people have ever heard of called Acceptance. I have yet to meet anyone who has heard their music, so hopefully this will be new and fresh for all of you! Acceptance has such a great sound because they are capable of giving us a harder rock sound and also a vulnerable side. This can be kind of hard for other genres but I have come to find that for rock musicians, letting that vulnerability show comes to the forefront with some of the most beautiful sounds. Most rock bands are headed by males and it can be hard for them to show their unguarded side, but when they do, we get some incredible music. This song in particular has a really nice mix of both a heavier rock sound and a sensitive nakedness. For starters, the vocals are some of the most beautiful that I have heard. There is a softness and a sweetness to it that still sounds incredible when hitting higher notes and more screaming notes. But the idea that these velvety and flowing voc...

Today I have a great song for you by the band known as The Cab. I am not going to lie, part of me really likes the fact that they are under the radar. Why? Because it then allows them to experiment with their sound while also sounding the same. I love Alexander DeLeon's voice so much because it has such a sweet quality while maintaining a certain strength to it. Its an absolutely beautiful voice and he sounds so incredibly amazing with the guitar work in the background. This is one of those songs that you really feel the mix of emotions and sounds all at once. And the soft guitar solo-just beautiful. Today's instrumental song is from the movie Yes Man. It does have some background vocals but hey! Its all good. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!

Today I have a song from the 80s which actually has no correlation to the "throwback Thursday" nonsense that seems to be circling the internet. Anyway, this song is by a band out of Liverpool called A Flock Of Seagulls. This song has been featured in a few things, and I have to say, one of my favorite incorporation of this song is in That 70's Show. This song is probably their most famous one, and I can see why. It has that heavy synth appeal and bass that was popular in the 80s. It also has a kind of anthemic feel to the verses and chorus. All in all a good song! Today's instrumental is a really good song, kind of a favorite of mine. This song is by Don Henley and is somewhat popular. I just kind of like the overall feel of this song. It's nice! I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!

Today's song is by the ever incredible and dark, Breaking Benjamin. A lot of people seem to know this song pretty well, but it has been stuck in my head for quite some time and I thought it would be something I need to share with everyone who hasn't heard this song. So, a small preface, this song is quite dark and has a heavy use of guitar without sounding like intense and crazy death metal. I love the way Breaking Benjamin composes because they are able to keep the darkness in their music while also sounding very lyrical. Strange but it works! Today's instrumental song is from the movie Hansel and Gretel. Interesting movie to say the least....I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!

Today's song is by the band Marianas Trench! This band is a really good one in that they can have a pop sound without sounding like a typical boy band. What I love about this song in particular is not only the song content but the way the tempo changes. The beginning and verses are slower and then they slowly speed up till you get the bumping chorus. Its a really feel good song and its just a great jam! Today's instrumental song is from the movie The Lion King. Now this is probably the greatest Disney movie of all time. Actually, it is the greatest one. But this is a really happy tune and its a rather funny one as well. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!