Music Love

This is going to be a hard, thought-provoking post.

I was thinking about who my favorite bands and musical artists are. So thought I’d jot them down as I ponder. These are my favorites of ‘all time’ — not just current, but who I’ve loved throughout the years. It’s funny to think that the first CD I ever owned was Vanilla Ice! Wow, how times do change. I remember it like yesterday — rockin’ to Vanilla as I watched the neighbor boys skate on a half-pipe. Vision Street Wear + Vanilla Ice = pretty cool kid in 1990. So let’s take a look at the now twenty+ year span of musical influences and see what I rank as the best. The list is in no particular order — now that would be WAY too hard.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• Led Zeppelin – this was my first concert (seeing Jimmy Page & Robert Plant). My sis took me to see them in Knoxville when I was in high school. I will never forget what Kashmir sounded like live with the orchestra jamming out with them.
• The Pixies – have liked this band as long as I can remember … my sis being the main influencer here. I caught on to them, from her, in high school and have been a big fan ever sense. I got to see them live couple of years ago and it was amazing!
• The Cure – another band where I was influenced by my sis. The song Close To Me is one of my all-time favorite tunes … amongst many others. Robert Smith, the lead singer, is extremely unique and his voice resonates such a unique sound. Love them.
• Pink Floyd – another all-time fave of mine. I was first introduced to them by my first love, my freshman year of high school. I remember, like it was yesterday, me driving his car around on dirt roads (him trying to teach me how to drive a stick-shift) and listening to Floyd. Good times.
• Radiohead – another token band I guess, but I see them as the Pink Floyd of our generation. They are a super influential band that continues to break the mold and come up with innovative tracks and albums, and will continue do so, for years to come. Thom Yorke’s vocals are simply irreplaceable.
• Arcade Fire – an excellent Indie band the broke the mainstream a couple of years ago by winning a Grammy … when no one had ever heard of them. From Montreal, their album Funeral is hard to top and one of my absolute favorites that I can listen to anytime — it never gets old.
• Johnny Cash – seriously, need I say more?
• The National – another Indie rock band with a super distinctive sound. The lead singer’s (Matt Berninger’s) deep vocals are undeniably some of the best out there. Brooklyn NY based, their song writing skills are well over par … as their albums hold some of the deepest, meaningful lyrics I’ve ever heard.
• Bon Iver – a Grammy-award winning folk style indie band led by singer/song-writer Justin Vernon. His songs are completely beautiful and elegant. I heard they are wonderful live but am still yet to see them.
• Bob Marley – I definitely can’t get by with leaving Bob out. Although I went through a huge reggae phase in college, Bob will always be dear to my heart. He brings back memories of great times shared with great friends. And is another one where there’s no denying his legendary status.

*** Listen to Pink Floyd’s Echoes – one of my favorite songs by the band ***