Spring is officially here, the weather is warmer, school is ending and the concert calendar is steadily growing. To accompany the season I dug deep to bring you a variety of songs. There’s no theme this month, just five more songs to add to your music library. Ranging from various release dates, genres, and styles; however, each is equally as good and relevant to music today.
MONIQUE'S 2 CENTS:
Gym Class Heroes – “Viva la White Girl”
I’m sure by now you've heard “Taxidriver”, “Clothes Off”, and “Cupid's Chokehold”, but have you heard my all-time favorite Gym Class Heroes song, “Viva la White Girl”? If not, please download, borrow, or Google “As Cruel as Schoolchildren”. “Viva la White Girl” is unlike any GCH track as it is more like an R&B rap song than an energetic rock rap song. This song can only be described as chill. As soon as it starts, the worries of the day sail away with the smooth flow of Travis’ voice. Contrary to what you may be thinking, the song is not about doing drugs, but the love of music. Keep that in mind while you let your soul drift.
Line of choice: “Take your razor break down my line, put your nose to the speaker now breathe in”
Proof that Fueled by Ramen isn’t just one sound –“As Cruel as School Children”
Other notable tracks: “The Queen and I”, “7 Weeks”, “On my Own Time (Write On!)”, & “Shoot Down the Stars”
Forever the Sickest Kids – “Give and Take Remix”
First and foremost, “Underdog Alma Mater” is probably not what you are expecting it to be; however, that doesn’t mean that this album isn’t good. All it means is that this isn’t the EP you’ve been rocking for a year. Once you can accept that and listen to the CD with an open mind, you will enjoy it much more. The song I am most excited for on “Underdog Alma Mater” is also the first new song FTSK released, I feel in love the first time I heard it. “Give and Take Remix”, initially released as “Drama Club Romance Remix Short Version”, is an extremely catchy, hip-hop influenced ditty, which will instantly be stuck in your head. The lyrics are “ziggy ziggy ha ha”, that alone should entice anyone to give it a listen. That’s so bizarre you have to hear for yourself. No worries, if you didn’t buy the Best Buy edition of “Underdog Alma Mater”, you can still find the song on their purevolume page.
Line of choice: “We were the best of friends, ziggy ziggy ha ha”
Not just an extension of “Television Off, Party On” –“Underdog Alma Mater”
Other notable tracks: “Whoa Oh! (Me Vs. Everyone)”, “Phone Call”, & “That for Me”
Ashley Parker Angel – “Let U Go”
Yes Ashley Parker Angel is that one guy from O-Town, but don’t hold that against him. I’m sure you’ve done something in the past damaging to your cred, as well. “Soundtrack to Your Life” is a high-quality entertaining debut pop rock album that would probably do just as good, if not better, if released in 2008. “Let U Go” starts very dark and then explodes into an anthem-like chorus. The mixture is a good balance and seems almost mandatory once knowing the subject matter. “Let U Go” is about breaking up: the struggle to stay together despite the fighting and ultimately deciding that things are better separate. A lot of us can relate to that.
Line of choice: “You’re the one mistake I really didn’t mind, so beautiful, unmerciful it took me down”
Can’t judge a book… –“Soundtrack to Your Life”
Other notable tracks: “Soundtrack to Your Life”, “Apology”, & “Beautiful Life”
Sing It Loud – “Bite Your Lip”
Sing It Loud is a pop punk band, signed to Epitaph Records, from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sound familiar? That’s where their comparison with Motion City Soundtrack ends, even though Joshua Cain produced their EP. This band has mastered to capture the carefree, young, fun, pop sound without being cliché, annoying and repetitive. If you have the opportunity to catch a Sing It Loud performance, be sure to seize it. They are one of the few bands out that appear to be having fun during their set. When “Bite Your Lip” begins, you instantly want to start clapping and dancing and that feeling carries throughout the entire song, making it very easy to overlook its subject matter. If you stop to pay attention to the lyrics, you’ll see that it is all about enticing a girl. The manner in which this song is produce does not make it any less sensual, it is however not as overt and suggestive as the majority of songs with the same message. If this EP is any indication of what is to come, I expect big things for Sing It Loud!
Line of choice: “While I’m still talking about what I can’t get with both hands around your hips”
You’ll wish for more –“Sing It Loud”
Other notable tracks: “No One Can Touch Us”, “Come Around”, & “Best Beating Heart”
Emery – “Studying Politics”
Emery has always stood out amongst the bands they are often compared to, especially during their live show. They have a way of taking over the stage and giving the best performance of the night, on any bill. Although “The Question” is several years old, this album is still incredible and timeless. “Studying Politics” is the song I associate with Emery, not only because it was one of the earliest singles, but also it is one of the most unique songs of the post-hardcore genre. To describe “Studying Politics” in a few adjectives I’d say it is haunting, intense, raw, catchy, and attention getting. This song has an incredible amount of energy and drive; it makes you want to jump up and get things done. If you never gave Emery a chance before, it’s never to late to hop on the bandwagon.
Line of choice: “Your words always cut when they’re cliché, but here’s my knife because I came for the buffet”
Overlook that it was released in ’05 –“The Question”
Other notable tracks: “So Cold I Could See My Breath”, “The Terrible Secret”, & “Left with Alibis and Lying Eyes”