Stuff You Should Hear - Part 1

This week I decided to start my "Stuff You Should Hear" articles in the blog. Basically, it means that they will all be songs that in my opinion, you should hear. Another thing I should add is that they won't necessarily be in any kind of special order or have any common theme. So without further explanation, I present to you, Stuff You Should Hear - Part 1.

For the first track on this weeks "Stuff you should Hear," I chose "Untitled" by Interpol. Interpol is an American band from New York, which isn't too surprising when you think about it, even though I assumed that they were British from the way they sounded. Interpol is a very rhythm heavy band. Most of their songs are very driving, with a heavy bass line and a simple yet pushing drum beat. In my opinion, Interpol are the modern masters of layering. The lead vocalist reminds me of a mix between R.E.M and The Tragically Hip's lead singers, which I think is very cool. If you like "Untitled," I would also recommend checking out some of their other songs like "Obstacle 1" or "PDA."

Number two this week is Kasabian's "Fire." I really love this song because of how it transforms so seamlessly between a lot of unlikely combinations of different genres between the verse and the chorus. A lot of their harmonies remind be of The Beatles, but in a grittier, less polished way. I would also recommend checking out the video for "Fire," it's very cool, and it could have been extremely corny. If you enjoy "Fire," check out songs of theirs like "Underdog," "Fast Fuse" or "Take Aim."

Number three is Kasabian's "Vlad the Impaler." Right about now you are thinking "What? He already covered Kasabian! What is he thinking?" Well, once you hear "Vlad the Impaler," you will realize why I put it Separate from "Fire." Vlad is almost like the band is saying "and now for something completely different. You can still hear Kasabian in Vlad, but is done very differently from their other songs. Instead of having a guitar backing the vocals, you have the bass line and an odd collection of synth riffs, which seem to fit together. That's about all I can say about Vlad, just make sure you listen to it yourself.

The fourth song is "The World at Large" by Modest Mouse. Now, if you've heard any songs by Modest Mouse, it's probably "Float On" which is an awesome song in it's own right, but I'm here to try and introduce people to different music, not show you the same stuff. The best part about this song is it's odd simplicity that makes you wish you knew all the lyrics so you could sing along.

Number five is "Baby Please Don't Go" by Them. I didn't really like this song until I heard it while watching "Good Morning Vietnam" a couple of days ago. I think the main reason I didn't like it is because my parents listened to this and other songs by Van Morrison so much that I just got sick of it. The best part of the song is the ever-constant, super-simple bass line.

The sixth song this week is Nirvana's "Scentless Apprentice." This is the song I listen to when I'm driving in the car and I'm mad. This song (and a lot of Nirvana's other songs) has so much pent-up primal energy, you can't help be be drawn into it. You don't even have to know what he's saying to be pulled in. This song is at least a little controlled, whereas in their song "Tourettes" there is no holds barred. I would highly recommend you listening to both of them. Now, I have a hunch some of you might be writing off Nirvana right now because of these two songs not being your style. I really thing you would be doing yourself a favor by checking out some of their other stuff, or at least don't completely write them off.

For the Seventh and last song this week, I pulled out "Reptilia" by The Strokes. I'm going to use this song to make a bit of a point too any musicians, particularly drummers. Sometimes simplicity is the best way to get across the point you are trying to make. You don't always have to be going blazing fast or playing something massively complex, although sometimes that is the way to do it. Now, I'll get off my soapbox...

Reptilia is a very simple song, but it's extremely effective. I really like how in the first verse the bass cuts out as the vocals come in to create some layering. I found it an interesting way of building up the song. My Favorite part of the song is the guitar because when he was sculpting the way he wanted his guitar to sound, the guitarist didn't go for a heavy distorted sound, but still got it to sound intense. I think guitar players (including myself) hide behind distortion and effects too much. Now, a lot of the time it adds to the song, but this song proves that it isn't always needed. Now look at me, I'm back on the soapbox...

This has been the first of many installments of "Stuff You Should Hear." Hopefully it's been educational and fun for you. Feel free to leave comments, especially if you think I'm wrong on something.