Sunday, September 6, 2015

5 Songs to Get You Through the Week #42

5 Songs to Get You Through the Week is a feature I run on Young Ears, Fresh Perspective on Sundays/early hours of Monday morning where I pick out 5 tunes that I think are notable and tell you a bit about them. The point is to give you some rocking music to help you deal with your weekday blues. You can either listen to one each day, listen to them all at once, or any other combination that you feel. As long as you can get through the week without the man getting you down, that's all I care about. Without further ado, here are the 5 tracks I've picked out for this week:

1. Sonic Reducer, by The Dead Boys

This is a punk classic that has been covered by countless bands over the years. It's loud, snotty, and in your face; pretty much everything a punk song needs to be. Who knew that some of the best punk rock to ever exist would come out of Ohio rather than the UK, New York, or Los Angeles? That being said, it's a great tune to rip into your week with; especially if you want to feel like you are powerful.


2.  Hotel California, by The Eagles

Overplayed as this song may be, it is done so for good reason. The way it is constructed is pretty elaborate for a radio hit. The guitar work is exquisite as it seamlessly blends 12 string acoustic with deliciously dual harmonized electric guitar solos throughout the song. If you can stand back for a moment and kind of appreciate what the song really is without that feeling of "Ugh... This again?" for a few minutes I think your perspective may change.


3. Crocodile Rock, by Elton John

I know some people for whatever reason absolutely can NOT stand this song, but personally I don't see why. It's cheery, upbeat, and fun. It's everything a rockabilly-esque type song needs to be. I have to dance and sing along every time it comes on. If this doesn't lighten up your weekday blues, then clearly you have no soul because Crocodile Rock kicks some serious ass.


4. Outlaw Blues, by Bob Dylan

To give a bit of change of pace, here is some straight up 12 bar blues from the king of singer songwriters Bob Dylan. This is one of the few times I think that it was perfectly acceptable for him to plug in rather than play acoustically like he is famous for doing. His voice while not known for being that outstanding absolutely suits the blues perfectly. Great harmonica playing too in this particular tune.


5. Love Interruption, by Jack White

Jack White doesn't just write songs; he creates magic. With just an acoustic guitar, an electric piano, clarinets, and a couple of voices Love Interruption is brought to a whole other level of musical ecstasy. It really has some of the tastiest female/male vocal harmony blends I've heard in some time too. Despite the rather unhappy lyrical content, the melody will still have you singing along to it every time.

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