“The Middle,” - Jimmy Eat World: This song is so uplifting. I first heard it in the video game, Rockband 2, and grew up enjoying it. I recently rediscovered it on Apple Music shuffle, and it just has such a positive message, reassuring the listener that everything will be alright. That guitar solo from frontman Jim Adkins is phenomenal too. A pop punk classic for sure.
“Down and Out,” - Cam’ron featuring Kanye West and Syleena Johnson: A classic hip hop track that turns 20 years old next year. Featuring the lovely vocals of Syleena Johnson and Kanye’s motivational raps on the chorus, it’s a wonderful collaboration over a classic old school Kanye beat, which samples “Strung Out,” by Mavis Staples and William Bell. Cam’ron’s verses are also humorous and tongue-in-cheek, and his flow is tight and concise.
“Nine in the Afternoon,” - Panic! At the Disco: “Back to the street where we began, feeling as good as lovers can,” opens up the incredibly catchy pop rock track. The piano and orchestral instruments (violins and trumpets) are a breath fresh of air to hear in mainstream pop music. I also love the recurring guitar riff too. I don’t usually listen to Panic!, but when I do I listen to this track. Their music isn’t really my favorite, but I’ve had great memories listening to this song as a kid, maybe that’s why it’s special to me.
“That’s All I Need,” - Dirty Heads: Another band I’m not the biggest fan of, but this song has a nice reggae sound that’s also infused with hip hop elements. The guitar and organ instrumentation adds a summer beach vibe. And the trumpet solo is a nice touch as well. As someone who lives in a rural town most of the year, when you can’t go to the beach you gotta bring the beach to you somehow. That’s what this track does for me.
“New Divide,” - Linkin Park: Finally a band whose music I grew up listening to. Meteora, Minutes to Midnight, and A Thousand Suns, were three albums that defined my later childhood and pre-teen years. This song is beautifully orchestrated with the synthesizer instrumentation, and the heavy guitar power chords. It’s from the second live action Transformers movie, which is where I first heard it. It’s another classic that I’ve rediscovered and the chorus is incredibly catchy. The last chorus at the end is hauntingly beautiful with the late Chester Bennington’s powerful voice soaring over that heavy guitar riff. Truly a musician who was gone too soon.