“Lazy Eye,” - Silversun Pickups: Another track I discovered as a kid through the video game Rockband 2, this is a classic 2000s indie rock song with a simple but catchy main guitar riff, a spooky whirly synth lead, and some memorable guitar solos. As a kid, I thought the lead vocalist was a girl until I heard them hit a lower register in their voice and it shocked me, I was like, “How did that girl make her voice go so deep?” I need to listen to more indie rock, especially 2000s era, because that was a great time for indie music and rock music in general.
“Split Me Open,” - Mannequin Pussy: Here’s a track that actually got me into Mannequin Pussy’s music. I plan on listening to their full length albums now, as I really like their punk and indie rock sounds on this track. That laidback guitar, paired with the range of angelic to angry vocals of lead singer and guitarist Marisa Dabice, makes for an enjoyable listening experience. A Philadelphia band, they’ve been around since 2010, since their debut album turns 10 this year I think I’ll review it in the future.
“Falling Again,” - Lacuna Coil: Another great track from Italian gothic metal band, Lacuna Coil, which along with the album, In A Reverie, came out the year I was born, 1999. I love the instrumentation, with the distortion free guitars in the beginning to the violins, and of course the heavy metal guitar. I also like the melancholy tone of the song, as well. I need to listen to a full length Lacuna Coil album, as I’ve heard a few tracks that I really like by the band, and I’m a big fan of metal music.
“Summertime Blues,” - Masayoshi Takanaka: I’ve enjoyed the Japanese city pop guitarist, Masayoshi Takanaka for a while now. I discovered his music last year by someone who replied to one of my YouTube comments, and they recommended him to me, so I listened to his Apple Music essentials playlist. This track is one of my favorite tunes by him, I love the 80s sound of it with that groovy drum machine, funky bass riff, and incredibly infectious guitar solos from Takanaka. He’s an insanely talented guitarist, and I highly recommend his music. He’s highly loved in Japan for his pop and rock contributions to their country, and I can see why.
“Jolene,” - Dolly Parton: A country classic by the legendary country singer-songwriter, Dolly Parton. I love the gentle guitar chord progressions paired with the violins, and Dolly’s voice sounds mournful and beautiful on this track. It’s one of her most famous songs, and I don’t think any cover comes close to the original version.