Red Hot Chili Peppers

Single handily the best alternative rock band to come on the scene ever. This band combines the greatest elements rock, funk, punk, psychedelic, and jamming to create a sound that is solely their own. This is band that’s sound and lyrical content can't be matched or replicated by any band today. Their thirty years in the business has given us some of the best music of all time and a career equal to bands like The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. However my favorite element of this band is Anthony Kiedis and his ability to pour out his soul and the hardship he has gone through into every song he sings. I could go on and on about this band but after ten studio albums, an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and busty bank account this band needs no help showing that they are extremely talented.

The early stages of the band might seem unfamiliar to people like me who started to listen to the Peppers' 90's and 2000's music. Their sound had a lot less rock and hard guitar riffs and more psychedelic sounds with a funky beat. I suggest that lovers of funk and weird psychedelic rock check their early stuff, especially their debut album.

The later stages of the RHCP are my personal favorites. This is when they fell into their iconic fast beat, hardcore songs. The later periods also seem to be the bands personal reflections on the past and the problems they are dealing with today. The band also had many spurts of deep meaning songs that people like me gravitated to. Overall the band had a shift from psychedelic and funk to a hard rock sound.

 

I give the Red Hot Chili Peppers 5 out 5 stars. This is an iconic band that continues to develop their sound and put out better music every time. You really can't ask for more than what the Red Hot Chili Peppers can produce, even for people my age their older stuff still connects to us the same as the newer songs. I suggest you take a listen to any of their albums and especially the song below.

 



Jimmy Eat World

A band I got turned on to very recently and absolutely fell in love with. I preceded immediately to get 5 out of their 7 albums and listen to them all. This Arizona band is known and loved for being able to create great punk and rock songs while not having a depressing tone. Another great thing about Jimmy Eat World is that after almost 20 years being together this band continues to create great music and hasn't been forced to change their sound to stay popular.

A look at their early albums shows their punk sound. Their songs have the great combination of a punk attitude like Green Day along with little bits of screaming. This punk sound is what got Jimmy Eat World on to the scene and unlike many punk bands their music wasn't just stupid anti norm rambling, their songs have a real meaning and message to them which I personally love.

 

 

 

Later in their career Jimmy Eat World settled into their own sound and lost a little bit of their punk sound. The band started to adopt new sounds including synthesizers and new vocal effects. Yet the band didn't lose their punk identity which can be found in their lyrics. Overall the band started to take advantage of great producing and new instruments to deliver their great music.

 



 

I give Jimmy Eat World 4 and half stars out of 5. This is just one of those bands that keeps coming out with music that captivates you and songs that you immediately fall in love with. I suggest along with these videos you listen to the albums Futures and Bleed American. Also just as a little side note, if you are in to really long songs I suggest you take a listen to Goodbye Sky Harbor which tops out at 16 minutes.



Taking Back Sunday

This has to be one of my favorite alternative rock bands of all time. Taking Back Sunday came out of a small town in Long Island and has combined influences in screamo, emo, and hardcore rock to develop their own sound. What I love about this band is that they can scream and not give you a headache because they just keep going for no reason. The band also has great lyrics, hooks, and some of the best guitar playing to come out of early 2000's bands.

The band’s sound has also evolved in their career. In the early days of the band you could really hear their influences from the powerful screams that they got from 90's screamo bands. You could also hear their emo influence in their very dark sometimes super symbolic lyrics.

 

 

Yet later in their career Taking Back Sunday started putting out a different sound. Even though the screaming and dark lyrics have stayed, they seem to be a little toned down. The band has also added songs with very catchy choruses along with more fast pace songs. Overall the band has shifted from the emo sound to more hard rock. However, I think from the early albums to the newest ones all have that great sound that got them on the charts.

 

 

I give Taking Back Sunday 4 out of 5 stars. This band is great for those seeking a middle ground between emo rock and screamo rock. However their newest album seemed to lack those heavy lyrics fans like me fell in love with. Also many of their songs have the same pattern making them sound very similar. Yet I still recommend you give this band a listen and check out their album New Again. It's the perfect middle ground of their two sounds and has some amazing songs on it.



Born Ruffians

Oh Canada there is so many things we have to thank you for- hockey, Canadian bacon, and of course the great indie rock band Born Ruffians. This band has been able to create some of the best indie rock music I have ever heard period. From the crazy artwork on many of their albums, the very rangy and somewhat weird singing style of lead singer Luke Lalonde, lyrical focuses in songs, and very southing guitar and bass playing make this band its own breed.

I give the Born Ruffians four and a half stars out five. First reason for this rate is because I haven’t heard a lead singer sing the way Luke does and the lyrics always seem to get me thinking which is always a bonus for me. Second is that they are a band that continues to evolve their sound and not just stick to the same old tunes, including their album Birthmarks that drops this year. Finally, if you’re a fan of creepy and odd music videos, this is defiantly a band to check out and highly suggest you watch I Need A Life. I also suggest you check out their albums Say It and Red, White & Blue.

Harvey Danger

One of my favorite bands from the late 90's and early 2000's. This Seattle indie rock back is one of  the few bands that can have a great almost Ramones’s pace song, calm it down for a few seconds, drop a hilarious reference in the middle of the song, and still sound perfect. Harvey Danger combines great classic rock style guitars, drums, and the great singing ability of Sean Nelson. Many American Pie fans will probably remember their hit song " Flagpole Sitta" from the first installment of the series and maybe like me watched the credits just to find this amazing band.

I give Harvey Danger 4 out of 5 stars. This rate is because some of their songs sound too similar but if you’re like me you fall in love with everyone like the one before it. Another reason for the lower than perfect rate is because this band only put out three studio albums and their last album lacked their iconic sound.  I suggest you all take a look at their albums Where Have all the Merrymakers Gone? and King James Version which contain some of my all-time favorite songs. Also if you’re in the market for some hilarious music videos I suggest you watch Save it for Later and Sad Sweetheart of the Rodeo.

Harlem Shakes

No I'm not talking about the latest flash dance crave to hit the scene. I'm talking about the amazing but short lived New York indie band. I'm quite positive that if this band wasn't to have disbanded in 2009, they would be playing on every radio station. The band has a very different sound by focusing on the use of many different instruments including saxaphones, synthesizer, video game sounds, random guitar bits, and great drums. The band also has great vocals by more than one member of the band and combines ramones like speed lyrics with Beatles style instrumentals. Yet, with the disbanding we are left with so little music by this great band with the potential to produce much more.

I give the Harlem Shakes three and a half stars out of five. The major reason for this is that the band only put out one full length album, Technicolor Health, and most likely will not be ever producing music again. Another reason for the rate is that this band is synthesizer heavy and for those who like just a rock and roll sound will be left with little to listen to. Yet even with only one album, their sound is very special and makes them stand out from the crowd. I highly suggest everyone take a look at this band for a breathe of fresh air from all the cookie cutter songs on the radio.

Louiston

I'm still amazed that Lou Dipietro and Louiston isn't a household name yet. His voice and overall sound is extremely pure and simple. Louiston has a very acustic sound along with upbeat lyrics that i can say have helped me get out of some of the most depressed ruts in my life and can surely do the same for you. I suggest you all take the time and listen to "BMX Bike Ride" and try to not think of happy thoughts and good memories.
I give Louiston 4 and half stars out of five. The only criticism i have for this extremely gifted musician is the length of his albums. Literally, all of his albums are under twenty minutes long and can be like having a small candy and wanting more of that taste all day. However, even with his albums being short in time, the impact of the songs can stay with you all day. Lou's voice along with upbeat lyrics and instrumentals that have their own distinctive acustic sound. I highly suggest you take 13 minutes out of your day and listen to Ragged Sampler, one of my all time favorite albums by any artist. Also, I suggest Fall Creak EP, even though this album has a more sad tone it is till a beautiful album.

To listen to any of his music check out his website http://www.loudipietro.com/ or look him up on Sound Cloud, which is a leader for promoting new artists.

Soundgarden

Another example of the great grunge bands to come out of the Seattle area, Soundgarden is one the greatest grunge bands of all time. Soundgarden was the leader of getting grunge music out of just the Seattle area to the national media by being the first grunge band to sign with a major record label. And for good reason, Soundgarden blew up the grunge scene with its amazing album Superunknown. Also to the pleasure of fans the band has reunited and has started touring with their new album.

I suggest that everyone go and pick up a copy of Superunknown. This album kept my attention and forced me to listen from start to finish. The singing or better yet beautiful screaming of Chris Cornell along with the dark and powerful instrumentals makes this the ultimate grunge album. I also suggest that any 90’s music lover pick up tickets to the upcoming North American tour leg!

I give Soundgarden 5 out of 5 stars. The bands impressive sound, ability to create great albums, and the fact that after sixteen years off the scene they can create and tour like it was yesterday. I’m excited to see what else this great band can create and hear their new album King Animal.

Stone Temple Pilots

One of the best grunge bands that was not formed in the Seattle area.However,this San Diego band defiantly deserves its place as one of the best grunge bands in the 90's and deserves more credit than given. This band was able to create a grunge sound yet one that sounds much like music of current day alternative rock bands.

I suggest this band to anyone who is looking for great grunge instrumentals with deep lyrics. However being a fan of this band can be very frustrating due to the band breaking up, coming back together, and if Scott Weiland is a front man or not. Also if you’re want any new music by this band you are out of luck due to recent news that band is in a major feud again. Yet even with these problems Stone Temple Pilots still can be loved for the music they have produced.

I give the Stone Temple Pilots 3 stars out of 5. This is because even though the band has had some great hits it seems that they don’t have a lot of music to offer and that they make more headlines then great tracks. I suggest listeners check out the albums No.4 and Core because they contain some of their greatest tracks on them.

Pearl Jam

It is hard to classify this band as either grunge or rock but I will stick to just their grunge music for this review. However it is safe to say this is my favorite grunge band for a couple of reasons. First is that they do have a grunge sound but are not singing about how awful life is in all of their songs. Second is the great vocals of Eddie Vedder, his voice has a powerful affect on listeners in any of his songs, espically ones with a slower beat.The greatest example of this is the impact he had on my thinking of suicide with the song "Jeremy" Finally is that their sound enters into rock and country style which gives them a different grunge feeling.
I give Pearl Jam a 4 out of 5 stars. This rating is because some of their songs just don't fit the vibe of the entire album and can throw off people who enjoy listening to whole albums. Also many of Pearl Jam songs can seem too similiar and too slow for some listeners. I suggest listening to their early albums Ten and Vs and also for those Pearl Jam lovers out there Backspacer is also an exceptional album.

Nirvana

It would be absolutely impossible to talk about 90's grunge, alternative rock, and music in general with out talking about the trio from Seattle of front man Kurt Cobain, bassist Krist Novoselic, and drummer Dave Grohl. This band literally put grunge on the music scene with their hit song "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and continued to not care what people wanted to hear but to just put out their own sound. From the smooth bass playing to flaring guitar rifts and of course Kurt's singing style and lyrics really separate this band from all others.It is heartbreaking that such a talent like Kurt Cobain had to be ended so quickly with his suicide and the soon after split of Nirvana in his respect.

I give Nirvana 4 and half stars for all their work and their grunge sound. Some points have to be taken off for In Utero that really tested fans and made people have to 100 percent love the band to enjoy the album. Albums I suggest any grunge or 90's fan to listen to are Nevermind and especially Nirvana's MTV Unplugged in New York which is the closet anyone from my generation can get to hearing them live. Finally songs i suggest you download soon include Come as You Are, Lake of Fire (live) and You Know You're Right.

Jimi Hendrix

The final artist in this week's genre of psychedelic music is my all-time favorite artist Jimi Hendrix. It’s impossible to think of all the music this artist could have produced and even more amazing is the music he did in only four short years in the public eye. Without a doubt he is the best guitar player of all time and the sounds that he can make with a guitar are outstanding.

I would suggest you buy all his albums since he had only put out four in his life, and especially Electric Ladyland. This album incorporates two of my favorite songs, Voodoo Child and All Along the Watch Tower, which shows off his guitar playing and his very poetic lyrics. I would also suggest for anyone who hasn’t heard it yet to listen to his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner and listen how he can portray an antiwar message during Woodstock by playing his guitar to sound like bomber planes.

I give Jimi Hendrix 5 stars for a multitude of reasons. First is the fact that his music has stayed this strong for so long after his death that people my age can still appreciate it is amazing. Second was his strict musical talent is incredible and that a sound like his is impossible to replicate. Finally is the fact he produced such great music, made political and social impacts, and influenced many artists after him in a such a small time period. Future artists should strive to produce music like Jimi's and try to keep pace with this 27 club legend.

KiD CuDi

   A man that his taken his music to an entirely new level with combining the great musical effects of psychedelic  instrumentals with deep meaning rap lyrics. Personally he is my favorite "rapper" in all music and I have many deep connections to his music. His first studio album Man on the Moon:The End of Day truly showed what he could do with all the resources he wanted and had the potential to create great tracks. This album along with Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager are very unique in the fact that they are broken up into acts like plays and at the beginning and end of songs small acts are added to it.
   Yet his full musical skill is found on the album WZRD that showed that he can translate into the world of psychedelic rock with a hint of hip hop. And here i found my favorite song Efflictim that with a simple guitar and lyrics that bring you to rethinking your whole life created a great listening experience. After this i'm extremely excited to get his newest albums Indicud and Man on the Moon III that are projected to drop soon this year.

   I give Kid CuDi 4 and a half stars because of two reasons. First is that he has some awful pop songs with GOOD music and some of his choices for partners on songs have been bad. However, even this would not prevent me from highly suggesting listening to his music becasue his mojo is so dope.

Pink Floyd

    It would be impossible to talk about psychedelic rock without mentioning this great English band.The acid trip version of the Beatles have always stayed true to their style of music and seamless flowing song tracks on their albums.Albums that are pure classic albums, you have to take the time to appreciate and listen to the whole album from start to finish. In three decades this band produced some of the greatest albums including my favorites The Wall, Dark Side of the Moon, and Wish You Were Here.
   Some interesting things to point out about these albums are that Dark Side of The Moon syncs up with the Wizard of Oz (this is because I've tried it many times) and Wish You Were Here was partial tribute to former Floyd member Syd Barrett after his decline from mental illness due to long term acid use.
  Overall I give this band 5 stars for their incredible sounding instrumentals along with creative and deep lyrics.No other band I've heard in my life did what this band has done with a synthesizer and great guitar playing to created their own outer world sound.Even vocals on songs like Money and Comfortably Numb struck deep at the imagery and thinking of its listeners  My favorite vocals on a song however is The Great Gig in The Sky because all the singing has zero words but the lack of words allows the listener to fill that in with their own personal feelings.
To conclude this band portrays all the aspects of not only a great psychedelic rock band but a band in general.

Music Background

These rates are for fellow music lovers like me who have a craving for new artists, genres, songs, and albums. So rather than you going through the hassle I go through, endlessly downloading whatever you find, taking friends cd's and sneaking them back into their homes, and having a computer of endless music files i'll try to show you ones worth while.Each week will have a dedicated genre with that genre’s great artists on them. These artists range from famous ones to artists you probably have never heard about that deserve their shot.With that will be a 5 star rating system, great albums and songs along with the low down on each artist.Through this i hope to open up your musical tastes and show the greatness of the music around you. So read on and let the good times roll.