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”Gods of Rapture” - Meshuggah

I don't care what anyone says, early Meshuggah is kick ass! Before they fully found their footing they came in with a red hot sound more leaning into a thrashing groove metal sound than the more extreme sound they’re known for later down the road. I love how you can still taste they’re gonna be breaking new ground in due time. That intro always has me turning up the radio each time I hear it. Shit makes me wanna speed while driving and I hardly ever speed so that’s saying something. Don’t you love how music can control the body and soul? Even if that is of anger and the desire to do something as thrilling as what your ears are taking it. Aside from “Bleed” this EP None is what really sold me on Meshuggah and I haven’t fallen off the buzz these bastards give me each time they play across my speakers. I’m glad the band found their footing as they went but I do wish I got just a little more of this sound before they moved on to better bigger things. This song and EP are forgotten often when talking to Meshuggah fans, which is understandable since the band had a big hand in helping shape future metal so people tend to want what they already want and expect out of the band. Doesn’t stop me from loving the EP and this track especially, one I never seem to get sick of.

​Year Released: 1994
EP: None (1994)
Genre: Groove Metal, Progressive Metal
Mood: Exhilarating, Heavy
Perfect For: Driving fast, Working out
Where To Next: “Davidian” - Machine Head
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Rating: 9/10

“Familus Horribilus” - Pop Will Eat Itself

Kind of a stand out track from my collection. I like what I like no matter what genre or style but still this one will stand out just a little. I mean not really, it’s like 4 genres mixed into each other and the chaos matches that statement. Good flow that worked great while driving around in the heat in more traffic than I would have liked. I really dig industrial rock and metal so I guess it isn’t all that odd it grabbed me as it did. That and having a little ditty from a Black Sabbath track (“Symptom of the Universe” 4:23 mark) being sampled in the background the whole time was a nice touch. I always dig that part of that song, and if anyone knows me they know I’m a Black Sabbath fanatic, can’t get enough of the band. Speaking of bands, Pop Will Eat Itself is a band that I just barely started getting into while deep diving thousands of songs from the 1990s. I’m in 1994 now hence why this song appeared, I found a couple of tracks I liked off of their Dos Dedos Mis Amigos album. I’m excited to back track and give their other albums a run through, that and see what is still coming from them. They for sure had a unique sound that stood out from the 1800 rock songs I’m doing for 1994. Shit just happened to also come along at a great time while I was driving. It’s funky, it’s fun, it’s fast, and just an all around good time.

Year Released: 1994
Album: Dos Dedos Mis Amigos (1994)
Genre: Alternative Rock, Industrial Rock
Mood: Fun, Energetic
Perfect For: Driving in the city
Where To Next: “We Must Awaken” - KMFDM
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Rating: 7/10

“Woodstock” - Matthew’s Southern Comfort

​Been a long time fan of this track, be it the original from the beautifully sung Joni Mitchell or my favorite version from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. So when I stumbled across this version from Matthew’s Southern Comfort I was more than pleased. In a lot of ways it almost beats the other versions. There’s a special mysticism found in this version that’s not heard in the same way in the CSNY version. Aside from this track I haven’t really dived into the band, though this one track certainly makes me kick myself for not doing it right now. Though I suppose I should type this shit out first. Anyways Joni Mitchell is a stellar lyricist, so you know you’re in safe hands when you see her credits on a track. The psychedelic touch to the song almost sells its lyrics all that more, while the original feels like a narrator this feels like the boy that’s in the story. I love the instrumental section too, has you floating away until it smoothly moves back into that haunting chorus. This song was chosen while driving around, I was having one massive allergy attack so my head was already in the clouds.

​Year Released: 1970
Album: Later That Same Year (1970)
Genre: Folk Rock
Mood: Dreamy, Peaceful
Perfect For: Hot summers drive, walking, hiking
Where To Next: “Cowgirl in the Sand” - The Byrds
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Rating: 8/10

“Funky Monks” - Red Hot Chili Peppers

If there is one album that’s followed me for fucking years and has always gave a good time it is the chili peppers Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Funky as funky can be with a damn good atmosphere throughout the album. So we will probably see the album plenty of times if you stay tuned to this corner of Caleb. Anyways today the choice was “Funky Monks”, which by the way sounds damn good in my vehicles sound system. Though for once it seems it wasn’t chosen in my vehicle. I just remember waking up still feeling hollow from losing my cat, he would always help me wake up with forcing me to give him pets then food. So I woke up for work, first work day after losing him, and I look around in my half awake state for a cat. Then all I hear is this track doing that haunting “you are all alone”. Couldn’t help but chuckle, shit was fitting enough. So I gave it a listen again on the way to work since I honestly think Flowerz would have dug RHCP. Sadly I’m sure that memory is gonna stick with this track but that’s fine with me. The song is awesome, I cannot put into words how much I fucking love this album. Shit it might have been one of the first albums I listened to from start to finish back at the prime age of 6 or 7. I mean my mom and my dad both had this CD, though it’s one I heard from my mom more. Once I got my first CD player I’m pretty sure it was this album and my sisters copy of the Gorillaz Demon Days which if I recall right I played religiously up until it just gave out one day. Can’t forget License to Ill by the Beastie Boys too. Anyways, so this album and all the track remind me of childhood, teenage years, and my young adult years. One that I’m gonna be proud to pass down to my kids if I ever have any.

Year Released: 1991
Album: Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)
Genre: Funk Rock
Mood: Funky, Fun
Perfect For: At home jamming
Where To Next: “We Care a Lot” - Faith No More
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Rating: 8/10

“The Killing Road” - Megadeth

The more I type this shit out the more I realize that most of my “song of the day” choices are while in motion. Something about driving makes music so much better, and when there’s not much to do but drive around it leaves a lot of opportunities for stand up tracks to… well stand out. So there I was driving home after helping my sister move into her new apartment. Burned out from labor and the creeping summer heat finally showing its stinky head. Then I hear this all too familiar intro to one of the best tracks off of Megadeth’s 1994 kick ass album Youthanasia. There’s something in this track I can’t get enough of, each time I stop to focus on what each instrument is doing I get chills. With a catchy as fuck chorus and that Megadeth zest that makes almost all their tracks killer I was glad to hear it as I was fighting traffic on Memorial Day. Seemed a fitting way to end the day, so I decided to just listen to as much of the album I could on my way home. Youthanasia is a kick ass album though it doesn’t get the love it deserves from me when in comparison to their 80s thrash attack and their groundbreaking 1992 masterpiece Countdown to Extinction. I like it when an album comes back for revenge and that’s just what happened. It’s easy to see why Megadeth is one of the biggest names in metal music, their brand of metal always gets you pumped.

Year Released: 1994
Album: Youthanasia (1994)
Genre: Thrash Metal
Mood: Invigorating
Perfect For: Fast driving, solo drinking, working out
Where To Next: “Hollywood Black” - Dio
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Rating: 7/10

“Streetlife Serenader” - Billy Joel

​Everyone loves giving the nickname of the “piano man” to Billy Joel but I like “street life serenader” a lot more. He has a whole bag full of these stories he tells of common folk, criminals, and all those lost in this American “dream”. Be it the character he pens for “Piano Man”, “Zanzibar”, or “The Ballad of Billy the Kid”. While this is classic Billy Joel he doesn’t do this fun singing style often, so it really helps the track stand apart from his other massive hits. I remember the first time I heard this track I wasn’t super fond of it but before I knew it the track was stuck in my head for days. It always seems to come out of my speakers at just the right time, it doesn’t show up when hanging out with friends or just lounging around. Seems it wants to appear when I’m in a spot of reflection especially when driving around. It’s a pretty song that says it’s piece and then fades and leaves you feeling content. Aside from “The Entertainer” it’s one of the tracks that pulls together the album of the same name. Still in the early days of Billy Joel, where his story telling comes in strong and that pretty playing on those keys.

​Year Released: 1974
Album: Streetlife Serenader (1974)
Genre: Soft Rock
Mood: Laid back
Perfect For: Driving
Where To Next: “Blues for Baby and Me” - Elton John
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Rating: 8/10

“I Feel Speed” - Love and Rockets

​Back a little ago when I was sifting through thousands of songs from the 1980’s I came across Love and Rockets and honestly they were one of the best hidden gems I found while I went through the countless albums. “I Feel Speed” instantly grabbed me with the atmosphere and that lyrical content that while it is simple it’s about riding motorcycles which is another favorite pass time of mine. So if I can meld two of my favorite pass times and have it sound this damn good I will. Since then I have came back to Love and Rockets each time I want a trippy alternative band to just sit back and kick my feet up. I haven’t tried the song out while riding a motorcycle yet though the season just fully kicked off this year so I’m sure it’ll have its chance. I wonder what will be the best time of day to do it, I’m honestly thinking once it gets a little chillier and going for a night ride. Maybe a road of 45-55 MPH with not many curves, just a straight shot. Hopefully I remember this shit, I could set a reminder on my phone but I will be quite confused when the time comes and will disregard. Would it help to have a reminder for a reminder? Anyways, the song is kick ass it has this nice spacey atmosphere that borderlines psychedelia. Anyone who likes alternative rock, 80s music or shit even some indie can get behind this track. The whole album caught be off guard honestly.

Year Released: 1989
Album: Love and Rockets (1989)
Genre: Alternative Rock
Mood: Calming, thoughtful
Perfect For: Night drives on a lonely highway, staring off
Where To Next: “Russian Roulette” - Lord of the New Church
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Rating: 7/10

“In My Hour of Darkness” - Gram Parsons

This song will forever bring me sorrow, already a sad song to start but I used it as the final song for my cat Flowerz. Flowerz was one kick ass cat man, unique as a cat can be and equally as stubborn. I had him 10 or more years but his time finally came around. If there’s one duo that can sing you to tears it is Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris. Emmylou Harris especially, she is one of the finest female singers to hit all of music as far as I’m concerned. I was glad to hear them there singing my emotions after putting Flowerz down. While I’m not religious, the religious undertones were understandably fitting. This has been a long time favorite of mine from Gram Parson's catalogue including all his work with his other groups. None the less I’m glad I used this pretty song as the send off, though I’m not glad to the circumstances. Death is one of those things that no matter who, we all understand the emotion. It’s understood more from those that have lost someone obviously but even children understand the sadness from it. So if you bundle that raw emotion up with 2 singers with a pretty backing ground then you have yourself a grand song. It’s even more haunting knowing that Gram Parsons passed before this album released. I hope Flowerz knew how much his ass meant to me, even when he was a bad cat I loved him so. Some things leave a heavy imprint on you, this is one of those for me. Rest in peace Flowerz, I will never forget you nor will my god damned carpet.

​Year Released: 1974
Album: Grievous Angel (1974)
Genre: Country
Mood: Sad, Introspective, Loss
Perfect For: Driving, healing, crying, dying
Where To Next: “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1971)
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Rating: 9/10

“You and Me” - Johnny Cash & June Carter

​Johnny Cash and June Carter have always been “relationship goals” for me. Not saying their relationship was perfect but that’s just it, through their imperfect selves it made it possible to be perfect together. “You and Me” is one of my favorite country love songs and there is a massive catalogue to choose from. This song is cute and embodies the emotion that goes into love. A song more for those that have survived the test of time of true love, not the flings or puppy love stage of relationships but the pure union that 2 humans can feel for one another. I cannot help but think of my precious Alesha as this song plays on. Much like my life itself, Johnny Cash has followed along my love life as well. Me and Alesha both are big fans, and pretty well any playlist I make for her has some Johnny Cash. When we drive through the hot deserts of Utah there is Johnny Cash playing. When hung over there is Johnny Cash, on a lazy Sunday morning there’s Johnny Cash playing. So easy to say that “You and Me” is one I fondly play for her, since it is good being loved by such a remarkable woman. This track stands out from a lot of Cash’s 70’s work. There’s not much humor or story telling, just simple emotion and love.

​Year Released: 1978
Album: Gone Girl (1978)
Genre: Country
Mood: Romantic, Calm
Perfect For: Spending time with the one you love, lazy mornings
Where To Next: “Once You’ve Had the Best” - George Jones
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Rating: 8/10

”Smugglers Blues” - Glenn Frey

Like the Beatles the Eagles split off into a bunch of solo work following the closure of their legendary band. Also like the Beatles they take what they learned in their previous band but expanded upon that sound or took away a piece here or there. As for Glenn Frey he takes on a sound that still holds the later sound of the Eagles but polished it up and sent it out as a straight forward rock sound with no frills. So here I was walking into the gas station and I hear the song and honestly was shocked to hear it coming across their speakers. I live in Utah where the Mormons control the air you breathe so hearing a song about smuggling dope was shocking, some songs like “Semi Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind hides it decently behind a pop façade but with “Smugglers Blues” Frey straight up says the things they’re smuggling. I was glad to hear it though, took me out of my minorly oppressive area just for a second while I bought my AriZona tea. Anyways in all honesty Glenn Frey is usually my last Eagles solo work that I seek out but there are many times I’m taken back by the quality of the tracks when I do give them a listen. A nice story telling track that’s easy to have forefront and center and also for background music.

​Year Released: 1984
Album: The Allnighter (1983)
Genre: Rock
Mood: Calm, Easy going
Perfect For: Hot summers drive, casual listening
Where To Next: “Tweeter and the Monkey Man” - Traveling Wilburys
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Rating: 6/10

”Everything I’ve Known” - KoRn

KoRn is one of the few bands out there that has a special way of forcing you to let out repressed emotions. Probably cause the music is the embodiment of repressed emotions. From depressive thoughts, to rage drunk actions KoRn is the king of calamity. While KoRn can come around at any time and I’ll enjoy myself, I mainly seek them out when I’m in a foul ass mood. I’ll forever love KoRn, lyrically the music speaks to me more than it should. It’s easy to see why KoRn was able to stay around for so long and spread their name far and wide. They speak of things that are taboo but so fucking real. Jonathan Davis has lived the trauma that makes Korn have that feeling to it, and he packages it and sends it into your ears. Years of rage, years of sorrow, and now sweet release with a band that is as funky as they are heavy. I’ve met few that can resist KoRn's pull, aside from the lame sort but I honestly avoid them to start so maybe I’m not the best person to be saying it. Still, even if you aren’t into metal or harder music KoRn can still grab you. It’s the emotion that’s in the music, only the deaf can’t feel it and honestly even they might be able to. KoRn still holds up today too which is even better, wonder when the hell they will slow down. KoRn has been there with me since childhood, both of my parents were big fans. I remember my dad had this CD and See You On the Other Side sitting next to his bed when we lived in Texas. I would listen through those two albums almost daily for a whole summer. Not to mention his abuse of the albums for the following years since he used to get one good CD and listen to it for literally years straight, which is awesome but it’s also a good way to burn out songs for dear Caleb. Anyways, the album is great as is the song.

​Year Released: 2003
Album: Take a Look in the Mirror (2003)
Genre: Nu Metal
Mood: Angry
Perfect For: Heavy music at home, cleaning
Where To Next: “Needles” - System of a Down
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Rating: 7/10

“Pilot” - Blue Cheer

Man oh man Blue Cheer never disappoints, their garage rock sound is stuff of legend. Many pen them as one of the first heavy metal groups out there, now don’t expect to hear Slayer or Gojira but something that came out of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Pure guitar fury laced with blues and psychedelia. Blue Cheer in modern times gets criminally forgotten, not only their kick ass assortment of songs but for the impact they had on music as a whole. “Pilot” is the winner of today’s song of the day, off of one of their last mighty albums during their prime years. This isn’t per se the same stuff that we hear on their groundbreaking album Vincebus Eruptum but it is still well worth any rockers time. It has a kick ass vibe to it, almost spacey and incorporates one of my favorite lyrical themes, rambling and traveling. It’s good that Blue Cheer changed their sound a touch since garage rock was falling out and giving way to hard rock and the 70s rock n roll that we know, love, and respect today. Certainly a hidden track from a band that, in my opinion, is built upon their hidden tracks. I picked up Blue Cheer 12 years back and I still make sure they get a special place in my playlists and certainly within my heart.

Year Released: 1970
Album: The Original Human Being (1970)
Genre: Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Mood: Fun, Spacey
Perfect For: Driving, Hanging out with good time friends
Where To Next: “Never in My Life” - Mountain
”Long Way From L.A.” - Canned Heat
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Rating: 8/10
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“Welcome to Hard Times” - Charley Crockett

​Charley Crockett is one of the musicians I am immensely glad I stumbled across. I love that old country sound and that sound got lost for a good 30 years aside from a musician here or a band there. Then there are guys and girls like Charley Crockett that bring it back and still somehow keep an original sound. He’s a fun musician, the way he sings is real as they come. One thing I love about some country music is it feels real, music for the common people and few do it better in the modern day than Charley Crockett. I love the analogies he uses to explain the simple hard truth that is life and how pretty well all of us walk a path of hard times. Each new song he releases makes me fall deeper and deeper in love with his music. The age of the traveling man might be over for most but some still keep up the tradition. He will be coming into town this year in August and I’m hoping to go see his show. Though on that note of hard times I’m hoping I can scrape the cash together to do just that. That gamblers touch on how he explains life as if it’s a game is perfect, especially in a day and age when all the young can’t get ahead and the old seem to be fixing the game for their gain. Shit I can hardly blame the older generations, I blame the simple greed and selfishness that what feels like in 10 years time has become something that nobody can contain. Shit is disgusting, so we needed a simple and cool voice explaining just that and it doesn’t hurt when there is some pretty music to back it up. A damn fine track, one that most any country fan new and old can get behind. Check this track out and many of his other songs, he is a testament that singer songwriters aren’t gonna be silenced in the roar of this greedy world.

​Year Released: 2020
Album: Welcome to Hard Times (2020)
Genre: Country
Mood: Sinful, Bittersweet
Perfect For: Traveling, Smoking a cigarette, drinking a beer, walking
Where To Next: “Jeremiah” - Sierra Ferrell
”Nobody Has to Know Your Mind” - John R. Miller
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Rating: 9/10

“Wake Me Up When September Ends” - Green Day

Green Day is a band that honestly might be the band that has been with me the longest, them or the Offspring or maybe the Beastie Boys. None the less it’s easy to say that they mean a lot to me. Especially the songs off their groundbreaking album American Idiot. I remember listening to this track on repeat on the music videos section of Comcast On Demand before YouTube went full swing and before we had a computer at home. Even when I was 7 or whatever age I was I felt a sadness in this song I haven’t yet experienced in other music up to that point. Not even sure what that kind of sorrow was, now I know it is loss. Probably one of the worst sadness we can ever go through. The song is written for singer Billie Joe Armstrong’s late father which died when he was 10, the name of the track is what he told his mother after the funeral before locking himself away. You can feel an aged aching sadness in the track that really wrecks you. It isn’t shocking it is one of the tracks that survived the test of time from Green Day’s impressive collection of massive hits. For sure the kind of song you gotta be in the mood for, cause it brings the mood right down even when the driving force of guitar and drums cuts into the song. A powerful track, one of the best to come off of American Idiot and that’s saying something since that album is pretty well perfect from start to finish. Green Day didn’t have all too many ballads on the market at this point, I am glad they found the power of them though. You can never go wrong with having a wider array of styles, especially if it’s a wider array of styles that the band pulls off excellently. This is one of those tracks for the history books that I doubt will ever fade.

Year Released: 2004
Album: American Idiot (2004)
Genre: Alternative Rock
Mood: Sorrowful
Perfect For: Fuckin’ Cryin’
Where To Next: “Stay Together for the Kids” - blink-182
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Rating: 10/10

“City of Azure Fire” - Caladan Brood

​Today we are going for a deeper cut into a band that has honestly impressed me though they only have one album on Spotify from 2013. A perfect melding of atmospheric black metal and folk metal. I knew from the album cover I was gonna dig it and the atmosphere that is held in the album and especially this song is kick ass. Coming in at 10 minutes it may dissuade those that don’t really appreciate the atmospheric black metal scene or long tracks built upon repetition and gloomy atmospheres. This little song of the day section is left and right and then up and down but a well defined palette is what a music fan should strive for and day by day I take on a broader selection of styles. It honestly did take me a couple of years before I fully got sucked into this style but now that I’m here I couldn’t be happier. Perfect for a rainy day or a gloomy spaced out drive home. Well worth the time for anyone who appreciates all walks of metal but especially for those that like black metal, folk metal, and even stoner metal. This song and album seriously deserve some love. Especially since I found out they are from my home state of Utah.

Year Released: 2013
Album: Echoes of Battle
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal, Folk Metal, Epic Black Metal
Mood: Gloomy, Epic
Perfect for: Rainy drives, reflection, playing fantasy video games
Where to next: “Forgotten Paths” - Saor

Rating: 7/10

“Mister Love” - Toadies

This one honestly came out of left field for me, I have abused “Possum Kingdom” and “Tyler” for years but for some odd reason I never took the dive to listen through the album which those songs came off of Rubberneck. So there I was cruising down the freeway in rush hour and this song came in clutch right off the bat along side the other kick ass tracks that fill the album. I felt the fool once the album came to an end and I realized I’ve been sleeping on a gem of hard rock and 90’s alternative rock. The song comes in like a truck hauling logs, heavy and hard and not being shy when it comes to loudness. You know… in modern day Toadies really don’t get the respect they deserve and honestly I was part of the problem listening through their hits and staying there for years. I suggest anyone who digs their hits to give this album a go. I mean there was a track or two that I could take or leave but the ones I did sleep on blew me away. “Mister Love” is chaotic and electric, and fits the stress of traffic like a glove. Lyrically it isn’t anything to gawk at but the song as a whole sends you on a fast paced hell ride.

Year released: 1993
Album: Rubberneck (1994)
Genre: Grunge / Hard Alternative
Mood: Chaotic
Perfect for: Fast driving and high energy activities
Where to next: “Stain” - Nirvana
“You Think I Ain’t Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionaire” - Queens of the Stone Age

Rating: 8/10

“You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory” - Johnny Thunders
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I have always been a sucker for melancholy songs, ones that feel sun worn and can easily have you feeling the way the singer feels. “You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory” is a perfect fit into that. I always loved Johnny Thunders work when he was with the Heartbreakers and with the New York Dolls though it took me a good while until I started taking on his solo work. This one track is probably the most recognizable song from his solo discography and for a good reason. Has something as timeless as the human soul, heartbreak. Many great songs are written in its name but only half of them do a good job of expressing the left behind feeling that Johnny Thunders pulls off in this gem. Strangely enough the first time I heard the track was from the Motley Crue movie The Dirt since then it has been on rotation when I’m wanting something punk leaning but not the spit and spunk we know and love. When it was used in The Dirt it still lead me to believe the song was about heroin but that claim has been disproven. Still be it a strung out song or one about a break up it is a stand up track. 1978 was a massive point of expansion and expression in all of music especially in rock and punk though and this track does show off that punk started changing its labels to be a broad category instead of a one trick dog. It’s worth checking out the album it came off of fittingly enough titled So Alone.

Year released: 1977
Album: So Alone (1977)
​Genre: Punk Rock, Rock
Mood: Melancholy
Best listened to when: Late night or early morning insightful drives preferably with a pack of coffin nails on the ready
Where to next: “Free Money” - Patti Smith

Rating: 8/10

“Born On the Bayou” - Creedence Clearwater Revival

Now, I might have already mentioned this or maybe I’ll mention it more later but there are few moments that let me appreciate music as much as taking a piss in a bars bathroom. Something about the lively energy and the drink really makes the transition between being in public then still being in public but in a sacred zone of “no eye contact, no verbal contact” seem so different then entering any other room or space. You can hear a muffled song or if you’re in a nicer joint they have speakers playing the song. Well there I was with a buzz going on going to the bathroom since I take 50 trips due to my love of beer and my baby bladder, and here came the eerie and twangy intro to “Born On the Bayou”. I love that damn intro, it’s nothing too special but something about it grabs your attention before Fogerty jumps in with his iconic vocals. Man CCR really is a one of a kind band, you can pick them up no matter what the track might be. Besides most of their albums stand up as their damn greatest hits, a feat that aside from Zeppelin isn’t very common. Anyways “Born On the Bayou” came in clutch at that moment as it has many times and will many times more. So next time you are at your local watering hole maybe throw a dollar at the jukebox and then go take a pee. You’ll see god… or rather a rarely cleaned pisser, who knows maybe they’re one in the same.

​Year released: 1969
Album: Bayou Country (1969)
​Genre: Rock
Mood: Eerie, Swampy, Rootsy
Best listened to when: Taking a piss it seems, Summer drives
Where to next: “The Emperor of Wyoming” - Neil Young
”Witchy Woman” - Eagles

Rating: 10/10

“Ol’ 55” - Eagles

While I’m all for the Eagles straight cut rock sound and all their glory I do have a soft spot for their calm ballads. There’s few finer of their ballads than “Ol’ 55”. It pleases my ramblers soul and being a fan both of country and of rock I love seeing them mixed in such a damn fine way. That lonesome sound is embodied perfectly in this track. While the original from Tom Waits has that bar room feeling I personally feel that the Eagles blow it out of the water in their version. They do a good job of making you fade into a dream where you’re driving away with tears and a tank of gas, in that old 55. I love when songs can take you away from where you’re sitting and teleport you elsewhere. I’m a natural born dreamer so I’m always lost in the clouds anyways so it’s probably just easy for me to fade away even when midconversation. Shit, even while I was typing this out I saw myself barreling down a highway just when the sun creeps out to greet the morning. This song always has that effect but let’s be honest most of the tracks from the Eagles has that affect. Anyways, a classic from the band, a track that doesn’t get the limelight it deserves but it has some pretty steep competition so I can't be all too mad. One of the only driving songs that I think are better when not driving, it’s really good for driving too but the first 3 tracks from On the Border do a better job for that. I’m sure each will get their chance to be song of the day soon enough.

Year Released: 1974
Album: On the Border (1974)
Genre: Country Rock
Mood: Thoughtful, Real
Perfect For: At home dreaming, driving
Where To Next: “Anyway Bye Bye” - Poco
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Rating: 7/10

“Chicken in Black” - Johnny Cash

One of Johnny Cash’s humor tracks but honestly few do humor tracks better in my opinion. This one covers the story of Johnny Cash getting a brain transplant due to his giving out on him. He got the brain of a bank robber that recently got killed in Manhattan and as he soon finds out and he wants the ol' thinker back he finds his went into a chicken that is touring as Johnny Chicken or better yet the chicken in black. A silly song that I discovered a little later than I did from his other stuff, mainly since it’s not on an album and was just released as a single. My lovely girlfriend was talking about it and you can’t just talk about a song near me without me being compelled to play it over the speakers. So there we were enjoying some Johnny Cash and his goofy lyrics backed by a classic country sound we would expect to come out of 1984. The 1980s is arguably one of the weakest periods in Cash’s career but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still some great songs to come out of that decade. I think most of the country stars of yesteryear had a hard time surviving the mass expansion music was going through at the time. None the less, a good hidden track from Johnny Cash. I guess it was trending on TikTok but I might was well be an old man when someone talks about that with me. Glad to see the song getting some recognition and gathering more listeners, especially being released as only a single. In the modern tongue a fan has to sift through those, it’s great how TikTok and a lot of social media can be used to bring notice to great songs that people otherwise wouldn’t have came across.

Year Released: 1984
Single: The Chicken in Black / Battle of Nashville (1984)
Genre: Country
Mood: Silly
Perfect For: Driving, Drinking, Good Times
Where To Next: “Boa Constrictor” - Johnny Cash
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Rating: 7/10

“Plowed” - Sponge

​I've always heard the name Sponge and seen this albums cover countless times but it wasn’t until this day that I gave it a burn through and I was impressed by the amount of stand up tracks especially (I just discovered) their best known song “Plowed”. If Social Distortion went down a more mainstream rock sound I figure it would be close to this track. Another song that I was listening to while getting through the fools and jerk offs on I-15. I had a crazy buzz going on due to starting smoking again after leaving it behind for maybe a month and a half. Just having one of those shitty days and feeling sorry for myself due to giving into addiction and “Plowed” came on by Sponge and it really matched the mood I was in. The song is over as fast as it starts which is usually a good sign since it’s keeping your attention locked in. I’m glad I finally came around to listening to the band and hearing some of their well respected work. I can’t decide if the album cover makes sense to the sound or if it isn’t fitting. I think it’s sort of fitting also very 90s which helps the situation.

Year Released: 1994
Album: Rotting Piñata (1994)
Genre: Grunge, Alternative Rock
Mood: Kick ass (is that a mood?)
Perfect For: Driving, Relaxing at home
Where To Next: “Reach for the Sky” - Social Distortion
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Rating: 7/10

“I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man-Live at Newport 1960” - Muddy Waters

​Happy Birthday Alesha! Now typically we would be doing something fun or romantic befitting for a birthday though this is an odd year. You’re across the country enjoying the weather of Maine so my song of the day isn’t really gonna match the day. Though there’s always time for Muddy Waters and the other legendary blues men. Always a pleasure to listen to, his simple vocals take over the room each time. I chose this track just while working, but I have yet to listen to this live version so it certainly grabbed my attention. Gotta love the Blues cause be it live or studio they’re always equal if not live being better more often than not which isn’t usually something you say for any other genre. Well he sails through the track with the same bravado that I have come to love Muddy Waters for. I first came across this track from a cover, Steppenwolf has been a long time love of mine and their version was the first one I came across. Steppenwolf wasn’t shy with blues covers much like most of the 1960s rock artists. Not sure which version I like more since I certainly have a bias of early love towards Steppenwolf. Though they gave me an entry point to Muddy Waters and other blues men and I have loved every minute of it for these many years.

​Year Released: 1960
Album: Muddy Waters Live at Newport (1960)
Genre: Blues
Mood: Bold, Cool
Perfect For: Drinking
Where To Next: “I Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Steal My Jellyroll” - Taj Mahal
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Rating: 8/10

“Georgy Porgy” - Toto

Man, I cannot express how much I love this track. Being a self penned Casanova when growing up makes the nursery rhyme of Georgie Porgie one that has always struck well with me.

Georgie Porgie, pudding and pie
Kissed the girls and made them cry
When the girls came out to play
Georgie Porgie ran away

So when I was a good amount older I came across this track and it got me lost in all the escapades of chasing chicks. Now don’t be looking down on me, I was always respectful and just wanted fun though fun certainly has a cost that someone had to pay and it wasn’t often me. Now I’m older and colder and all I desire is not getting ran over on my motorcycle and the loving arms of my loving (hopefully for life) woman. Times change as does the man, but still I laugh at once was. Back to the track, this is a favorite of mine for driving around at night time. Perfect amount funky and its repetitious nature has a way of getting stuck in your head for years straight. Even if it had different lyrics and theme I would still be head over heels for this song. Probably my favorite Toto track or maybe the second favorite since “Hold the Line” is simply too powerful. A kick ass track I plan to carry with me throughout life, I knew that right when I heard it for the first time probably 8 years back.

Year Released: 1978
Album: Toto (1978)
Genre: Soft Rock
Mood: Night Fever
Perfect For: Driving at night, City lights
Where To Next: “Brother Louie” - Stories
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Rating: 10/10

“Are You Drinkin’ With Me Jesus” - Jello Biafra & Mojo Nixon

As soon as you see those two names you know you’re in for something odd. Dead Kennedys front man Jello Biafra mixed with the psychobilly comedy man Mojo Nixon is asking for trouble. Now, this song is comically addictive and strangely well written for its simple nature. A fun sing along and it has become a classic for when drinking at home. It has a good bar room atmosphere which should be expected since it’s a song about being either a feller potentially drinking with Jesus or it could be he was too drunk and saw some long hair at the bar when he was already soused. A fun song none the less, and one that has no right being as down right catchy as it is. I chose this track while just at work, and realizing it didn’t get enough time in my collection of songs it should have an honorary placement in one of my monthly playlists. Well here it is and I’m glad it’s livening up a playlist that already is full of true zingers.

Year Released: 1994
Album: Prairie Home Invasion (1994)
Genre: Cowpunk
Mood: Fun, Intoxicated
Perfect For: Drinking
Where To Next: “Jesus and Tequila” - Minutemen
”Carmelita” - GG Allin
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Rating: 8/10

“Add It Up” - Violent Femmes

The Violent Femmes were really ahead of their time, or maybe they just had a special sound nobody really touched up until that point. Don’t even ask me what that sound is but there were few that maybe even got close to their sound in 1983. Some tracks could have came out of the British beat days then some tracks sound like they for sure came out with the quirky tracks of the 90s but nope. A truly original and addictive sound coming out of 1983. “Add It Up” was the first track I knew from the band from the kick ass song list that comprised Tony Hawks Underground 2, one of the best skating video games I have ever played. I mean all the Tony Hawk games are known for their kick ass song lists, in some ways it is what made the games so damn good. Music compliments everything in life, video games are no different and this song complimenting me doing things that defy the laws gravity is no different. Since then I have loved this song and the band, this whole album has one of those track listings that I can honestly say I never get sick of. “Add It Up” is an odd track lyrically but that adds to its desperate and slightly perverted atmosphere. Shit is fun to sing along to and can always make the mood no matter where it plays, like many of the tracks coming off this album. I would taunt friends that weren’t as lucky with the better sex with this track, cause it’s funny but also so damn real. The song in a lot of ways is cut into two parts, one with whimsical lyrics and a fun rhythm then it cuts into an even more desperate sound as the song evolves, I guess lust has two very different sides. Violent Femmes dip their feet in many different genres, but still don’t really match any of them. They’re like the Velvet Underground of the 1980s. Not quite sure what they are other than damn good! Gordon Gano is also strangely really good at writing lyrics, they’re clever and fun without feeling like they’re trying too hard. Also his singing really sends it home along side his chaotic guitar playing. This track is classic and I will forever cherish it, if y’all haven’t heard the song hopefully you found a new one to cherish.

Year Released: 1983
Album: Violent Femmes (1983)
Genre: Alternative Rock, Folk Punk
Mood: Longing, Desperate
Perfect For: Driving, Relaxing at home, Drinking, Shit almost anything you can think of
Where To Next: “Debaser” - Pixies
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Rating: 9/10