Rockin' Times

"If it's illegal to rock and roll, throw my ass in jail!" -Kurt Cobain

[alternative-rock]

The Black Keys - Heavy Soul (cover)

A cover of one of my favourite Black Keys songs, hope you guys like it!

[alternative-rock]

Led Zeppelin

What can I say. These four men changed the face of music. No words will ever give justice to the music they have created.

By far one of my favourite bands. I can't even express how fucking amazing their music is so I'll just stop rambling on (see what I did there) and shut up now.

If you want to hear music in its purest form, go listen to Led Zeppelin kids.

[alternative-rock]

Kurt Cobain 

I chose this picture of him because I figured since he passed of suicide, it would be nice to be reminded that although he was troubled, he still had moments of hope. You can see the look in his eyes, he still had dreams. 

I'm currently reading a biography on him and it truly saddens me to see someone so talented have such a twisted mentality. He honestly did not think like the average person but that's what makes him and the music he created so good, it's that it wasn't ordinary. Nirvana's music is so raw and powerful and speaks to so many different audiences.

You can truly hear Kurt's vocals on the brink of breaking in several songs just proving that he gave it all every performance. I was born two years after he passed but I feel like I knew him. It's weird, I feel like he was so relatable to several different people which is why everyone loved him. He may not have known this but he was loved by many.

Thank you Kurt, for blessing the world with your music. You will always be a rock hero. Rest in peace.

1967-1994

[alternative-rock]

Jack White

Definitely in my all time top 3 bands/artists. My favourite stuff from his comes mostly from the Raconteurs but don't get me wrong I love the White Stripes and his solo stuff as well. But it was the Raconteurs that I heard first that made me fall in love with his music. 

Honestly though…. I truly am at a loss for words when I think of how talented he is. What he can do on a guitar is phenomenal, its absolutely insane. Not to mention his solos, which are in a whole other level of their own. 

I hope to one day be lucky enough to see him live. To all Jack White fans out there please check out ALL his stuff, not just his stuff with the White Stripes because it's all quality music. And to who ever is interested, he was in a documentary called It Might Get Loud which is very good, so go check that out.

[alternative-rock]

Muse

Can we all take a moment to appreciate how talented these three guys are. I saw them in concert a little less that a year ago and it was probably the best night of my life. Their music puts you in a trance, it's so hypnotizing. I don't know what more to say I just freaking love their stuff and I'm so glad I was lucky enough to see them live. 

[alternative-rock]

Cake - Frank Sinatra

Not many people know this band and I truly believe those people are missing out big time. Cake is a very alternative band with a very different sound from most bands in the rock scope. A band that experiments with different instruments such as the trumpet, a recurring instrument in many of their songs. If you are tired of the same old sounding rock bands, I strongly suggest checking out Cake.

This is an extremely talented band covering a wide variety of instruments. This is because of their individuality and ability not to get drowned in the ever so big sea of alternative rock music. I believe the key to their music is that they know just what notes to play without over doing it. The band members share a remarkable musicianship with each other where none of their respective instruments sound washed out. It's the opposite, each sound compliments the other. I mean what rock band do you know that incorporates a freaking trumpet into their songs and makes it sound badass?

The only downside with is this band is because of their inability to appeal to a general audience, many people have never heard of Cake before. Which is why only die heart music fans like myself will truly appreciate this band.

If your interested in checking out this band, here are some of their more popular songs that I recommend listening to first to get your feet wet: The Distance, Short Skirt Long Jacket, Mustache Man, I Will Survive.

Enjoy.

[alternative-rock]

Anthony Kiedis - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Over the years, Anthony Kiedis' voice along with the general sound of the Chili Peppers has changed. You can definitely say that his voice and and their sound has matured as they got older.

In the first few albums, he rapped more where as in Stadium Arcadium he resorted to a more melodic and softer voice. Many will argue that he is not a good singer. Can he hit notes like Whitney Houston? No. But that's not what funk/rock music is about. It's about feeling the music because if the artist believes in what they do, the listeners will as well.

I remember when I read his autobiography that Flea and Hillel questioned his ability to lead the band as a front vocalist. He definitely proved he had it. Without a doubt he has a very distinct and recognizable voice and can make some interesting sounds. I mean look where they are now, the band has achieved international success, they've been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and they gave us music lovers great songs to listen to.

Definitely one of my all time favourite bands.

Finally, happy birthday Anthony. I hope you have a great birthday!

[alternative-rock]

Arctic Monkeys - Crying Lightning

The first time I heard this song was the first time I would hear about the Arctic Monkeys. This was about 5 years ago. This was the day that changed the way I viewed alternative rock music in general. The first time I heard this song, I didn't like it very much. It took me a few times to listen to it in order for me to like it. Once I was able to appreciate its uniqueness, I became obsessed with the Arctic Monkeys. This is now my favorite song by them.

For me, the lyrics, the drums and the guitar are what stand out the most. I can't think about one other song or band that sounds anything like this song. Which considering how much music is out in the world, is pretty remarkable. Over this course of their five albums, each one has a different sound. As they experimented and changed their sound, they have done it well, which is what so many bands struggle with.

This song is slowed down and has a darker and heavier feeling to it than their first album. It shows a turning point in early Monkey history, a more mature group of men with remarkable talent. To this day, this has been my favourite Arctic Monkeys tune and every time I hear it it just leaves me wanting more.

[alternative-rock]

Amy Winehouse, 1983-2011

Such a talent. This is just my personal opinion but I think along with Kurt Cobain, Michael Jackson and Elvis, she was one of the most influential artists in the music industry. The tone she has in her voice will forever be impossible to replicate. Talent like she had can't be taught; you either have it or you don't. Unfortunately, she was gone too soon and I believe she just scratched the surface in discovering what her voice can truly do.

R.I.P.

[alternative-rock]

"Music is my religion." -Jimi Hendrix

Do I even need to said anything? I think the legacy speaks for itself, so lets let his music and guitar playing do the talking. The talent that lied within his fingers is something out of this world. God on guitar.

Woodstock, 1969.

[alternative-rock]

Franz Ferdinand - Walk Away

I was lucky enough to see them yesterday in concert and it was one of the greatest shows I've been to. All I can say is they truly love what they do, they couldn't stop smiling while they were playing! Not only do their songs rock but they're great to watch live, sounded really good and were very entertaining. Nothing new here, just another British alternative rock band putting out some quality music for the world to listen to.

As for this song; I feel it it such a strong song lyrically and melodically. If you truly listen to the lyrics you will see how wonderfully the phrases contradict each other, "I love the sound as you walk away." The way the music, the vocals and especially the guitar in the opening riff overlap each other add a timeless element to this song.