Ten Songs You Won’t Hear

First and foremost thank you to those of you who were brave enough to comment on my last blog. (And those of you who will in the future.) That’s some serious stuff, and commenting only puts you out there for judgment. This next blog is for the musically inept. Not politics. I’m speaking to the sheltered people of the music realm. I made a list of ten amazing songs you won’t hear on the radio. But when I say amazing! I don’t mean blow your face off rock ballads, or easy listening. When a musician makes an album they are forced to pull away from the mainstream and, in my opinion, make true music. Mainstream music can get boring, so I’m here to help. Download/buy these songs, I personally guarantee that all are family friendly and you will love five of them. This will stretch your music tolerance. If you frequent my blog you will find your name next to the song I think you’ll like the most. Enjoy.

Ten Songs You Won’t Hear on the Radio:
1. Vultures- John Mayer He’s a jerk, but dang it he can play guitar. Said to be the next King of Blues, John Mayer shreds in this funk flavored song allegedly aimed at record companies. A good listen and possibly my favorite next to Gravity on his latest in studio album Continuum.

2. Spoon- Dave Mathews Band Most likely the best jam band of all time, DMB with co-writer Alanis Morissette proved that teaming up two different genre’s always spells success. One of the first to do so and not get recognized, the two put together an amazing piece. Before These Crowded Streets would most likely go on the “If I were stranded on a deserted island” list. Carter Beauford their drummer is the most under rated drummer of all time.

3. Viva la Vida- Coldplay They’ve come a long way from their first music video hit Yellow in 2000. (Wow, was I in junior high?) Part of the New Age British Invasion, Coldplay kept it basic in their most recent tune. I think it’s too new to be popular on the radio, or too good. It’s compilation of synth, percussion, and ambiance is one of musical brilliance. They are certainly revolutionists in music, but way too weird for my taste. Plus Rolling Stone labeled lead singer Chris Martin the “Uncool Jesus” which made me super uncomfortable. What does that even mean? A good listen for fans of the synth strings.

4. Jenny Was A Friend of Mine- The Killers The Killers are truly their own breed. If you’re into synthesized music you need to get into the Killers. They sound like no one and no one sounds like them. I can only categorized them as synthetic funk. Another good song by these purveyors of fat beats would be All These Things That I’ve Done. It contains one of the best musical bridges wrapped in the best lyrical conundrum I’ve ever heard. Unfortunately (All These Things That I’ve Done) didn’t make the list because of its popularity on the radio.

5. Come All You Weary- Thrice Thrice is still new to me, but their last two albums (containing four cd’s in all) has blown me away. Their prowess in breaking the walls of genre is astounding. Come All You Weary is featured on Earth, the fourth of all four elements covered in their latest compilation. (All four being Fire, Water, Air, Earth) They have so many Christian undertones I’m not sure why they won’t come out and say it. This song, derived from Mathew 11, has breathtaking harmonies but rocks your face off with a 6/8 swinging time signature. (Also see Child of Dust, aka the Prodigal Son)

6. Amie- Damien Rice Mr. Rice is a man among boys in the music world. He refuses to use digital perfection for his voice. Although losing perfect tone and pitch, I believe he gains a realistic feel to the majority of his music. You have to be careful with him though, some songs of his are off color, ask before finding more songs and I can help you avoid this. Are you a sucker for the strings? You’ll like Damien.

7. A Song for You- Ryan Adams Getting back to my southern roots Ryan Adams fills every need of the south with only the absence of gravy on my mashed potatoes and corn bread. If you want a contemporary southern singer who hasn’t fell into the mainstream of what country music is today, you need Ryan Adams. This is what country started out sounding like, and how it should sound. Suckers for harmony must download this song.

8. Broken- Secondhand Serenade (Paige) Come all ye young teen angst lovers. This solo project of John Vesely’s has teenagers all over the nation crying into their pillows with songs of lost love and vulnerable states of the heart. His voice is that of a small girl, but boy! he can sing. His inner studio workings are jam packed with layered harmonies that will blow your mind. Cry your heart out teens.

9. Let That Be Enough- Switchfoot Teamed with Jars of Clay, Switchfoot wrote this song in 2000. Another Junior High favorite apparently. I found this song about two years ago and haven’t turned back. The song elaborates on feelings had by most Christians; it’s a prayer to God to let love be enough to make us know that He’s there. A good listen if you ask me.

10. Forever- Ben Harper (Laurie) if you like Jack Johnson, Ben Harper will be a very very close second. They’re two beach bums who play beach bum music. Just a bongo and a guitar are all Ben needs to tell his significant other what “forever” means to him and other people. His interpretation is inspiring, and enough for me to include it on this list.

Honorable Mention
1. Indiana- Jon McLaughlin Collectively, if you’re from Indiana you’ve already come to grips with what is all around you, maybe even cursed it a time or two. Here, the Anderson University grad makes what seems frustrating at times, a message of uniqueness and love for his home Hoosier state. This song will make you proud to be a kid of the corn.

2. Famous Last Words- My Chemical Romance What I believe to be Queens remake, this band’s hard rock song falls among the harder for my list. MCR and their vocal capability plus their produced layers of awesome instrumentals make them an awesome awesome studio band. However live performances might taint this preconceived notion of awesomeness. Additionally this song by them is an awesome composition. No matter how you slice it this song is brilliant on every scale possible. Hold onto your face or the dynamics will kill you.

3. Slither- Velvet Revolver (Rod) ROCKERS ONLY. The love child of Grammy award winners Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum make an awesome rock baby. If you can keep your head from banging in this song I’ll give you a dollar and a cool-low five because for me it’s impossible. Disappointingly every other song they’ve put together is next to garbage, therefore leaving them off of the top ten. Sorry Gun ‘n’ Roses, I’m shooting your flower down.

Stay Fly.