the maine - whoever she is

the maine makes some beautiful acoustic music. i actually believe that their christmas ep was their best release because it was chalk-full of raw, acoustic wonder. but, i think i'll save the christmas songs for december.

listen to "whoever she is" on grooveshark

assemble the skyline - we're not going down without a war

i love this song, and i really love this music video. assemble the skyline was a catchy yet aggressive pop punk band featuring slightly low-tuned guitars and 2 vocalists. i think this song best represents their sound.

i also think the music video is a beautiful work of art. it's not just because the style is a ripoff of memento, i just really love the story.

watch the music video for "we're not going down without a war"

four year strong - dumpweed

four year strong and blink-182 are both pretty big right now. i really like the older four year strong stuff, and this cover is pretty damn old. like, this blink-182 tribute compilation came out like a week and a half before rise or die trying. four year strong did a great deal of amazing covers, and i'm sure i'll put some more up later, but this one's my favorite because of the overly sweet keyboard parts (r.i.p.), the pre-gritty vocals that are an octave above the original's, and the stomping breakdown at the end. yeah, the track could've been mastered better; all i really hear are the drums in some parts, but it's still a great cover.

listen to four year strong's cover of "dumpweed" on grooveshark

listen to the original "dumpweed" on grooveshark

bachman-turner overdrive - takin care of business

you've heard this song before. it's the middle of the week, school started/is starting/about to start, and you've got some business to take care of. let this song be an inspiration

listen to "takin care of business"

matchbox twenty - she's so mean

honorable mention goes out to propagandhi.

even if you never heard matchbox twenty, you've definitely heard their name being tossed around. matchbox twenty's sound really showcases 90s alternative music (although they were more of a turn of the century band). "she's so mean" is a really good song if you're looking for something fresh to bring you back to that time. at first, you might think it's going to be a lame rip off of that one direction song, but you'll be relieved once the 90s alternative vocals kick in. after that, the prechorus (which is my favorite part) really builds well for that catchy chorus complete with gentle guitar rhythms and great call-and-response vocals. the key change in the bridge is really a beautiful let down since it goes into a minor key. plus, it's surprisingly heavy with a more rock n' roll feel. the lyrics may not be too happy, but the song's overall sound is a great party track with a lower-midtempo 90s alternative feel. enjoy!

watch the music video for "she's so mean"

avenged sevenfold - chapter four

everybody had an avenged sevenfold phase in one point in time, and i'm no exception. my first favorite bands was a7x, but i was so new to rock music, and i hold heard their third album "city of evil." my good friend, however, bought me "waking the fallen" for my birthday, and i loved it. it's heavier than their newer stuff with much more screaming and less cheesy singing. best of all, the rhythm guitar parts are so driving. if you haven't really heard older a7x stuff, you should really give it a shot.

"chapter four" is my favorite a7x song for one reason: the guitar solo. enjoy!

listen to "chapter four"

aspire - we're always home

unlike most of you, i actually like getting spam from small time bands on facebook and getting to check out new stuff. aspire has a pretty great sound, and they seem pretty nice too.

listen to "we're always home"