5 Songs to Get You Through the Week #94

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. Roll Over Beethoven, by Electric Light Orchestra

It's not often that a cover can maintain the same spirit or even outdo the original, but I think in the case of Electric Light Orchestra's cover of this Chuck Berry classic it's safe to say that this is one of those times. It has that raw driving sincerity to it, but at the same time it has that clever progressive and orchestral vibe that only Jeff Lynne can make happen. Somehow symphony and rudimentary rock n' roll manage to come together seamlessly here.

2.  High and Humble, by Steepwater Band

If you want something a little more down to Earth and grooving, then this is the route you want to take. Definitely some top notch blues rock guitar playing here. I like that the vocals have a lot of that Lyrnd Skynrd southern soul type vibe to them without trying to rip off Ronnie Van Zant. Definitely a solid track. If you're needing something to get you pumped and going, then definitely put this tune on 11.

3.  California Girls, by David Lee Roth

Normally I don't post tracks on here for you to have a laugh at the artist's expense, but I couldn't resist making this one exception. David Lee Roth covering this Beach Boys classic is probably one of the most amusing things you'll hear all week. Somehow though, considering how much of a California beach bum Roth was known for being back in the day I'm not really surprised that he decided to make this one of his debut singles as a solo artist.

4. Cold as Ice, by Foreigner

Can't go wrong with this Foreigner classic, especially if you've just recently had your heart broken by someone cold hearted prick. It has power, emotion, and true gritty soul. The way they take such rudimentary bluesy piano playing and turn it into something so much more powerful and grand is something that not just anyone can manage to do. Takes a certain magic and finesse to one's ability as a songwriter and musician and Foreigner clearly has that.

5.  Martyr, by The Last in Line

This band made of original members of Ronnie James Dio's solo band with Andrew Freeman stepping in for the passed on metal legend put out an album this year chocked full of brand new material. You can definitely hear that the group still has that old musical chemistry that they had in the 80's - especially in the ripping and running track Martyr. It's upbeat, rumbling, and has much of that lightning quick fret board precision the old tunes had, though with Freeman's own form of vocal moxy pouring through like an open floodgate.