Tuesday, July 31, 2007

The Midnight Lumberjack Recommends: Summer Rock

1) “Make It Wit Chu” – Queens of the Stone Age
Off their new album Era Vulgaris, this is actually a re-tooling of a track from lead singer and songwriter Josh Homme’s Desert Sessions. It sounds like Chris Cornell fronting a Some Girls-era Rolling Stones covering a song from The White Album. Definitely a great summer cut for driving or walking when the humidity is thick.

2) “Goodnight Rose” – Ryan Adams
The crowned prince of prolific songwriting is supposedly sober, and his new album Easy Tiger is the proof. His songs are tighter and more melodic than anything he’s done since his first two albums Heartbreaker and Gold. This song, the opening track, is all Neil Young, but it reminds us of how talented Ryan can be. As the catchiest songwriter in all of rock n’ roll, he could be writing the next big hit for Britney or Kelly or Avril, but its comforting to know that he chooses to reject the corporate state of rock and move to his own beat.

3) “You Don’t Know What Love Is” – The White Stripes
This is the reason that Jack and Meg are the best band in music right now. A straightforward rocker, this song punches you in the gut sonically and makes you smile with its melodic hook. The guitar work is what you would expect, and its subtly overlaid with a great organ. Dare I say it is catchier than “My Doorbell,” and deserving of all the attention this band gets. I can’t wait to see it played live.

4) “Tears Dry On Their Own” – Amy Winehouse
My new favorite track on this deliciously retro and likeable album Back To Black, Amy mixes classic Motown sounds with her larger than life voice. Even the subject matter, though updated a bit, fits the sound behind it perfectly, as if Otis or Marvin wrote the song in the 60’s. Think “Aint No Mountain High Enough” mixed with “You Keep Me Hanging On” with the spirit of Janis Joplin behind it.

5) “Passing The Hat” – Cold War Kids
You may have heard this at the end of an Entourage episode, where it fit perfectly with E having to swallow some pride at the cost of Billy Walsh. It’s a dark jingle-jangle rocker with a haunting backbeat. It is off of their album Robbers and Cowards, which I don’t think is a concept album despite this song being about both. Another great driving song that will get you whistling.

6) "Ol' Black & Blue Eyes" - The Fratellis.
A good honky-tonk-ish rock song that's great for walking in the city when its this hot out. Simple stupid fun pop rock from a buzz band who may or may not make it past their debut album.

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