I'm a true blue music-lover if you really, really know me. Music is just so... powerful.
But, again, as you know, I really love Rock. Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Rock and Roll, Heavy Rock, Christian Rock, Light Rock, whatever the Rock it is. (I just call it Rock. Plain and simple.)
If you're not acquainted with that FACT, well, here's a link that will show you how much I LOVE Rock. Gawd it feels like I wrote it a year ago.
There's a new list but of course that doesn't mean I don' love the old ones in the link anymore. I love my Rock equally ^_^
Here are my current faves (feel free to rave!):
Sheesh I don't know where to start...
1. Phantom Planet
They came to fame when the (once) hit show The O.C. used their song "California" as the theme song. I should tell you, "California" isn't the only noteworthy song in their history. In fact, I think ALL their songs have great quality - voice, melody, Rock essence - and more. The lead singer's (Alex Greenwald) voice is so versatile. He can evoke appropriate emotions AND his vocal variations are superb. He can make a song sound melancholy and hopeful (like in "Anthem" and "Lonely Day") and then shift to something that's loud, energetic and bold (like "Always on My Mind", "
Hey Now Girl" and "Somebody's Baby"). He can go dark too ("In Our Darkest Hour").But seriously, what makes them really unique to my ears is the weirdness of the sound itself. Take "Wishing Well", for example. If you listen to its intro (and its ending), you'd hear the weirdest sound effects in the universe. The vocal effects combined with the sound is amazing - cue "Leader" and "Do the Panic". They know how to play with their music instruments - cue "Dropped". Their uniqueness appeals to me. Other than that, they just really make me feel nostalgic, creative, bright... bittersweet - in short, they make me FEEL which is something that modern songs fail to do.
One more thing, the lyrics. Listen to "Anthem" - they make sense, don't they?
And of course, I love the lead singer's voice.
Applause to them. They're on my Top 3, really. I love them.
Favorite Songs: Well, I love all of them. Nuff said.
Latest Album: Raise the Dead
2. Rooney
Just a coincidence after having mentioned Princess Mia from the Princess Diaries, the lead singer in Rooney (Robert Carmine) played Michael Moscovitz (the male leading character) in the movie with Anne Hathaway.
Other than that, I bet you've heard the band if you used to watch The O.C.
Rooney's sound leans to the 70's era's Rock. But don't get me wrong - they're not those stuck-up hippies. They're like a cool, contemporary version of The Beach Boys (especially when they use the tremevin - a stringed instrument resembling the guitar).
They keep on making these repetitive sounds that I don't know how to describe. In short, they play with their voices.
Favorites Songs: "When Did Your Heart Go Missing", "I'm Shakin'", and "I Should've Been After You"
Latest Album: Calling the World
3. The White Tie Affair
Here's another band from Chicago (a la Panic At the Disco and Fall Out Boy)!
Their sound is rock plus dance plus alternative combined. This suits my taste perfectly. But the songs are more perfect for parties.
Their lyrics mostly contain angst/hostility towards an ex-lover (OUCH!). In a nutcase, the most significant thing about the band is their sound - vocals, rhythms, and all that.
Favorite Songs: "Allow Me to Introduce Myself... Mr. Right", "Scene Change", "Candle Sick and Tired" and "If I Fall"
Latest Album: Walk This Way
4. Plain White T's
They sprang into Hollywood/Music Industry fame when they released "Hey There Delilah", allegedly the most romantic lov
e song ever. But I don't see what the fad with "Hey There Delilah" is. I don't really like it. In fact, out of all of the band's songs, "HTD" is my least favorite.Well, you gotta give props to Plain White T's for the marvelous lyrics - dedicated to a girl named Delilah whom the lead singer (Tom Higgenson) claims to be the "most beautiful girl" he's ever seen. Awwwww.
Btw, the girl only went out with him after the single went popular worldwide. >>>>>> Delilah with Tom
What I like the most about the band is that they have the requisite Rock Essence. I think I've mentioned what the Rock Essence is before. Rock Essence - it is lyrics plus sound plus voice. Tom Higgenson's voice sounds so nasal - this works to their advantage 'cause their songs require that kind of voice - emotional, melancholy and super sentimental.
Their lyrics, however, delve into love and romance - every girl's favorite.
Favorite Songs: "1,2,3,4" - so romantic and sweet: "There's only 1 thing 2 say, 3 words, 4 you... I love you...", "Shine" - I think it's about a drinking/sobriety problem but the lyrics are brilliant. "So Damn Clever" - it's one of the fast songs, perfect, "Natural Disaster" - love the guitar works, the drums, everything!
Latest Album: Big Bad World
5. Jack's Mannequin
I've just recently listened to this band - but I've been hearing their name since forever so I thought why not try to listen to them? So I did.
Their sound is a combined "The White Tie Affair" and "Boys Like Girls", at the same time it's kind of John Mayer meets Jason Mraz. That's the only way to put it since I don't know much about this band yet. They have meaningful lyrics and they do possess the Rock Essence.
I heard that this band was formed by Andrew McMahon - a musical genius, if I may say so. Their sound is bold, kind of like a strong coffee early in the morning. Their sound is so vivid.
As for feelings, their music usually evokes a bright mood. It's best played during long roadtrips - loud in your iPod.
Favorite Songs: "Spinning" - love this!, "The Resolution", "Into the Airwaves"
Latest Album: The Glass Passenger
Whew, there goes my Rock IQ prowess!
Remember...
PEACE, LOVE, ROCK AND ROLL!
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