Category Archives: Music

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5 Alt Rock Songs You Need to Hear Right Now (October, 2015)

In the mood for a feel good love song? Feel like throwing a rager because you just dumped your significant other? Want to drown your sorrows alone in your bedroom while drinking a bottle or two of wine? Ready to hit the bars on a Friday night and need a tune to pump you up? Want to dedicated a karaoke song to your homies for always being there when you are too incoherent to make logical decisions?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you need to hear these songs right now.

5. “Uh Huh”, RØMANSLooking at the lyrics to this song you would think Adele has come out of the cave she has been living in for the past 4 years. But, fear not, this is no sappy break up song. If you gave Sam Smith a healthy dose of acid, I would imagine that this would be the type song that he would create. In fact, I challenge you to not think of Sam Smith high on acid when giving this a listen.

The song begins with a deeply saddened RØMAN, a 29 year old British singer, songwriter who recorded this track in his parents basement. When the calypso beat kicks in around the :55 mark, you quickly realize that this is no Adele/Sam Smith protégé and is in fact a unique, up and coming bloke from the other side of the pond presumably desperate to get out of his parents basement before reaching his thirties.

 

4. “Another Night on Mars”, The Maine 

If you listen to this and can not, or have never been able to relate to it, then you need to contact me immediately, and I will remedy that unfortunate situation. The Maine is an American rock band that formed in Tempe, Arizona back in 2007, and release American Candy, their fifth studio album on March 31, 2015.

Whether you are in high school, college, your thirties, sixties, or anywhere in between, “Another Night in Mars” should resonate with some group of friends you have had during your life. Hopefully, they have not been forced to hold your hair back or drag you into/out of the shower one too many times, and came to the conclusion that being your friend may not be worth all the hard work and baby-sitting.

“Another Night on Mars” is a fun track that begs for a group of friends to form a circle, drape their arms across each other’s shoulders, and sway back and forth while completely butchering the words.”

 

3. “Listen to the Man”, George Ezrahttp://

George Ezra, the 22 year-old (!), yes that voice is coming out of a guy that was born in 1993, has found massive success in the States for his smash hit “Budapest” and more recently, “Blame It On Me”, which itself is a must hear song if you are not familiar with the track.

“Listen to the Man” was “technically” released nearly a year ago, but that was in Britain, and not the States, and we all know that if it hasn’t been released in the States, it basically doesn’t even count as a song.

Ezra shows his playful side in the video that is reminiscent of Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al”, which coincidentally enough was released 4 years before Ezra was even born.

“Listen to the Man” comes across as a little “ditty”, but in true “ditty” form, is so pleasant and fun that if you don’t find Ezra to be a charming, young lad with the potential for a major music career ahead of him, you are a cold human being.

 

2. “Nothing Compares to You”, Chris Cornell

It has been way longer than 7 hours and fifteen days since you first heard this song back in January of 1990. In fact, it has been 25 years and 9 months since Sinead O’Connor found massive success and blessed us with one of the most depressing songs ever written. And if anybody on this planet can make you more depressed than Sinead O’Connor, it has got to be Chris Cornell.

After a quarter of a century, “Nothing Compares to You” is still as relevant as it has ever been, and Sinead O’Connor has gone down as one of the greatest one-hit wonders the past thirty years. (If ONE person mentions “The Emperor’s New Clothes” to me, you will be immediately and permanently deleted from my life.)

Chris Cornell has done many amazing things in his career, and this cover has got to be one of the most best covers of any song in recent memory. Nobody can portray the pure emotion that one must feel to love somebody so much, and be so depressed when they leave you that even eating dinner in a fancy restaurant doesn’t make you feel better, the way Cornell does.

Also, how do I get the name of O’Connor and Cornell’s doctor’s. Just ONCE I would love for my Dr. to tell me that “I better have fun no matter what I do.” I would follow that Dr.’s orders so hard that they would want me for clinical studies.

Regardless, you may think you know this song, but until you listen to Cornell’s version, you are woefully mistaken. With the exception of the missing background vocals, which I enthusiastically replaced with my own vocals, I am making the bold claim that Cornell does this song as good, or even better than O’Connor.

 

#1 “Boom”, Simple Plan

If you’re between the ages of 25-40 you probably remember Simple Plan, the fun-loving Canadian pop-punk-rock band that took the world by storm with their 2002 debut album, No Helmets, No Pads, Just Balls. 

Well, the best thing to come out of

Canada since, uh……. ever, is back, and just as fun and catchy as ever. Now in their mid-thirties, the guys from Simple Plan may be feeling a bit more sore the morning after a video shoot, but you certainly wouldn’t be able to tell from their enthusiasm.

“Boom” is one of the most energetic songs of 2015 and should have you singing along by the end of the first time you hear it. If you don’t start fist pumping, dancing, or singing “bo bo bo bo bo bo bo” to “Boom” than you are bo bo bo bo bo bo bo boring.

 

 

 

 

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5 Alt Rock Songs You Need to Hear Right Now

A stark contrast to the last list of songs you need to hear, this group of artist are relatively new to the scene, with the exception of one band. For some, these tracks are an opportunity for a follow up single that is as successful as their predecessor. For others, this is their chance to launch a successful music career. Either way, you need to know these new artist, and you must listen to these 5 tracks right now.

 

5. Dreamers, “Wolves” –

https://youtu.be/CmQy6qgV2cM

It’s not clear whether or not the girl this song is devoted to should be offended, or  flattered.

You got me brainwashed
You got me so lost
You got me f*#@* up
Like you

“Wolves” is about how a man feels brainwashed, lost, and f’ed up, because of the girl that he has fallen in love with. But, he is saying that she is also brainwashed, lost, and f’ed up. These guys are basically the modern day Romeo.

Either way, it is a catchy track, and fun as hell to sing along to.

 

4. Hozier, “Jackie and Wilson” –

This is for all the naysayers who doubted that Hozier would be anything other than a one hit wonder after the smashing success of last year’s “Take Me to Church”. Not only has Hozier followed up “Church” with “From Eden”, “Work Song”, and the recently released “Someone New”, this gem of a song has not even officially been released as a single, but it is still getting radio play.

“Jackie and Wilson” is Hozier’s homage to the late R&B singer, Jackie Wilson, whom he idolizes.

“We’ll name our children Jackie and Wilson, raise them on rhythm and blues” is as much of a compliment an artist can give to their inspirations. In fact, if Hozier can record another album as phenomenal as Hozier, I may feel the need to have a child and name him Hozier, and raise him on, well, Hozier.

 

3. The Struts,  “Could Have Been Me” –

The Struts, an English rock band from Derby, England, formed back in 2010, and released their debut album Everybody Wants last year. “Could Have Been Me” has recently made its way to the States, and after hearing roughly 20 seconds of the track on Alt Nation, I purchased the track on iTunes before the song was even over.

The Struts have dubbed their style as “Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll” after the song by The Killers. Not only are The Struts glamorous, party animals that could hang with AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses in their prime, they are full-on rock stars with the ability to get your 90 year old grandmother out of her rocking chair, ready to get the party started.

“Could Have Been Me” is a epic rock anthem that will make you want to practice rolling your r’s, so you can properly sing along to this killer track.

 

2. Elle King, “America’s Sweetheart” –

Unless you have been in a coma for the past two months, you are probably quite familiar with Elle King and her breakout hit of the summer, “Exes and Ohs.” Being the real life daughter of Rob Schneider may have left some wondering if her father’s connections has helped Elle launch her music career, but after “America’s Sweetheart” is released as a single, Elle will prove to the world that she is not a one-hit wonder, and she is a bonafide rock star, regardless of her dad being Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo.

In “America’s Sweetheart” Elle shares with the world all of her imperfections, and flaws. She drinks too much, has a chip in her front tooth, and has awful tattoos. Elle breaks boys’ hearts, and couldn’t care less. She is unapologetic for who she is, and does not care what the world thinks of her, because she has never claimed to be America’s sweetheart.

“What do you want from me? I’m not America’s sweetheart
So beat the drum with me, I’m not America’s sweetheart
Well, they say I’m too loud for this town
So I lit a match and burned it down
What do you want from me, I’m not America’s sweetheart
But you love me anyway”

BUT, despite all of her traits, and her inability to play the role of America’s sweetheart, Elle promises that we are going to love her anyway, and she could not be any more right. She is certainly not “America’s Sweetheart”, but America has fallen in love with Elle King.

 

 

1. Third Eye Blind, “Get Me Out of Here” –

Not only is “Get Me Out of Here” one of Third Eye Blind’s best songs in years, it has the potential to be one of their best videos in their nearly 20 year career.

Stephen Jenkins and the boys put their acting abilities to the test in “Get Me Out of Here”and despite Jenkins being his typical overly-dramatic self, they make it work. The video is a tribute to the 40th anniversary of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”, , which helps the band relay their intended meaning of the song, which is “a personal story of introspection after a dark beginning.”

Even without the music video, “Get Me Out of Here” is an anthem. It is epic. And it is Third Eye Blind at its best.

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Pop Star Angers Locals as She Moves Into Town

A little over two years ago, mega pop star, Taylor Swift purchased a mansion in Westerly, Rhode Island for nearly eighteen million dollars. At the time, Westerly residents were thrilled that their new neighbor was going to be one of the biggest celebrities of the century, and welcomed her with open arms.

 

The home Taylor purchased, located in the Watch Hill village of Westerly, sits on a popular public beach that Westerly residents have been enjoying for generations. Swift’s new residence was previously known as the Holiday House, or simply, the Harkness House by locals. Named after the previous owner, Rebekah Harkness, heir of Standard Oil, the house has been cherished by the citizens of Westerly since it was built in 1931.

 

After less than 6 months of being a Westerly resident, however, rumors among Westerly residents began swirling that their beloved new neighbor, Swift, was planning on changing the beloved landscape of their cherished Watch Hill beach.

 

Swift ordered construction of a seal wall around her estate, which prevents locals from fishing, swimming, and surfing in the place that has been their favorite area for such activities.

 

Taylor Swift's house, in Westerly, RI, and the new sea wall she built. (photo credit: Ryan Jacobson)

Taylor Swift’s house, in Westerly, RI, and the new sea wall she built. (photo credit: Ryan Jacobson)

 

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The new sea wall, and fence is an “eye sore” for locals. (photo credit: Ryan Jacobson)

The neighbors of the Swift mansion, and the protected fence. (photo credit: Ryan Jacobson)

The neighbors of the Swift mansion, and the protected fence. (photo credit: Ryan Jacobson)

The sea wall and fence sitting at the end of the public beach, and at the bottom of the Swift residence. (photo credit: Ryan Jacobson)

The sea wall and fence sitting at the end of the public beach, and at the bottom of the Swift residence. (photo credit: Ryan Jacobson)

The beach is not inaccessible to the public due to the sea wall build by Swift. (photo credit: Ryan Jacobson)

The beach is not inaccessible to the public due to the sea wall build by Swift. (photo credit: Ryan Jacobson)

The "No Trespassing" sign at the foot of the Swift residence hill, is a turn off for many locals that grew up on that very beach. (photo credit: Ryan Jacobson)

The “No Trespassing” sign at the foot of the Swift residence hill, is a turn off for many locals that grew up on that very beach. (photo credit: Ryan Jacobson)

No one was more upset than Watch Hill resident Shane Daly. Daly, along with many other residents, was outraged that a celebrity could move in to town, and change the landscape that has been a part of his town for generations.

 

“The majority of my summer days were spent in that area of the beach that is no longer assessable to us now that Ms. Swift has built her sea wall”, says Daly. “Since I was a little boy, I have been visiting that beach to enjoy quality time with family and friends. My father taught me to swim there, I learned to surf there, and I taught my boy how to fish there.”

 

Daly is certainly not alone with his anger towards the 25-year-old pop star. In addition to the beach area being inaccessible to the public now, neighbors in the Watch Hill area are irate about the sea wall, and accompanying fence being an eye sore.

 

“The entire landscape has changed, and will never be the same, my father would roll over in his grave if he could see this new addition to his backyard”, says a neighbor of Swift, who preferred to not be mentioned by name in this article.

 

When asked about whether or not Swift has the required permits to build the sea wall, Laura Dwyer, spokesperson from RI Coastal Resources Management Control said, “Swift did not need a permit to build the wall. Everything is on level, and they haven’t done anything wrong.”

 

Despite the sea wall, Daly admits that Swift is not all bad for his hometown.

“She seems to be a wonderful young lady, and has been perfectly gracious with us locals. She brings in tourists who drive in for the day just to catch a glimpse of her house, and she is always shopping in the area’s stores, and supporting local businesses. All us residents want are answers as to what the exact regulations are for beachfront owners. We have heard many times that Swift has followed all necessary measures to be allowed to build the wall, but we just do not have any proof that she did not receive any special treatment because she is a celebrity. We just want to all have the same rights, and the same guidelines, celebrity or not.”

 

If you are in the Westerly, RI area, and want to check out the Swift mansion, or head to the public beach to check out the sea wall for yourself, head to 16 Bluff Avenue, Watch Hill, RI.

Watch Hill Mansion