Roots, Riffs, & Rock

If you know me personally, you know I have become insanely obsessed with Hip Hop Artist Sir Robert Bryson Hall II aka Logic. You may know him from his suicide prevention anthem 1-800-273-8255 which put him up for 2 Grammy’s including Song of the Year and Best Music Video. Now, I will be the first to say hip hop is not my go to genre. A lot of current hip hop is just not my speed, and rather than completely roast today’s music, I will simply say I just don’t get the same internal satisfaction from it as I do from rock music. I think a lot of current hit hop artists are lacking experimentation and true lyricism, but Logic defies my hesitation when it comes to this type of music. He experiments with different textures, beats, and his raps range from the quintessential “pussy, money, weed” ideals to racial inequality and depressive disorders in young adults. His sound is constantly evolving, and I appreciate that so much. His album “Bobby Tarantino II” was my favorite album of 2018, and he just keeps progressing as a creator and as a human. Recently, Logic has gone through some trauma with a divorce and the resurgence of his anxiety and depression due to this major life event. Instead of wallowing and succumbing to the darkness, the rapper wrote his debut novel with an accompanying soundtrack titled “Supermarket”. The novel is written in two parts with the first part being written during his darkest time. I’m currently reading the novel, so I may post an update with my thoughts on it, but I have had the chance to listen to the soundtrack all the way through multiple times, and all I can say is, wow. WOW. WOW DAMMIT. “Supermarket” is in my opinion, his most experimental album he has done in his entire career which is saying a lot. A lot of his albums have a background story. For instance, his album “The Incredible True Story” has astronauts from the future orbiting in space due to humans killing Earth. You wouldn’t know that without listening to the entire thing. “Supermarket” also has a storyline (obviously), however the most experimental part are his beats and how he is conveying the lyrics. First off, he sings throughout the entire album. There’s rapping here and there, but Logic has put himself out there by keeping a tune, and truly singing. A really great example is the title track Supermarket. Logic - Supermarket (Official Audio) He holds notes throughout, and honestly, this song makes me see either a movie or play in Logic’s future. His beats aren’t even necessarily beats but true instrumental tracks. He utilizes a lot of bass, piano, and gritty guitar, and even some horns if you listen well enough. In fact, I would even argue this being an Alternative Rock album for this rapper. Logic - Lemon Drop (Official Audio) Honestly, if you’re looking for trap, or a more hip-hop vibe, “Supermarket” may not be the album for you. With that being said, his song Lemon Drop off this record is the most comparable to his other music if that’s the vibe you’re trying to catch. That one has a very fun vibe to it, and somehow reminds me a lot of the Red Hot Chili Peppers; quick guitar, fast paced verses, and a slowed down chorus. Also, this song obviously shows he’s still into Rick and Morty! It’s a song to get Schwifty to. Lastly, I want to point out the progression of this album because it is meant to listen to with the novel. Logic has pointed out the first half of the book is dark, and the second part is a lot lighter which can be heard in the album. The first few tracks deal with a love that crumbles, and a huge sense of internal failure. A lot of those songs are slower paced as well; it’s very easy to feel the emotions Logic is professing. As the album progress, it becomes easy listening, and a bit more positive. It’s about learning to love yourself even during times when that seems next to impossible. Logic - Probably Gonna Rock Your World (Official Audio) Logic has become a huge inspiration in my life. He seems to be so genuine, real, and humble. He hasn’t let the fame and money get to his head, and he constantly talks about how he started from nothing. He’s a reminder that hard work pays off if you stay true to yourself, and not limit your creativity. “Supermarket” is just the tip of the iceberg for this genius. He’s been a pivotal part of my personal growth in my 20s To Logic: I cannot express how proud I am for you. It genuinely almost brings me to tears to see how far you’ve progressed as an artist and as a man. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you, but I know it’ll be grand, real, and hilarious.

So lately I have become one of those paranoid individuals that hates knowing my personal information is being tracked by algorithms in websites. I honestly become slightly enraged when it seems like I am only thinking about a product and then I see an ad of it on Instagram or Facebook. I hated the idea of it, but in a way, I can't be mad about it when it comes to Spotify. Those pesky algorithms helped curate an ever-changing playlist I genuinely look forward to each Monday that suggests Indie/Up and Coming artists based off who I listen to on regular rotation. I have come to find some really great and surprising new artists and songs that are now a part of my daily life, and I really can't wait to show you just a handful of what I've been introduced to within the last few months. If you're curious about yours! Start following the "Discovery Weekly" playlist. Enjoy! 10. Born Ruffians- Side Tracked Album: Uncle, Duke & The Chief (2018) BORN RUFFIANS - Side Tracked (Audio) I can feel this song all the way down my spine. I understand that may not make much sense at this time but hear me out! The way the guitar is played in the intro makes me feel like I can feel the music move up and down my back. The vocals of Luke Lalonde are very melodic and give the same spine-y-ness as I stated before. This song just makes me feel good. It’s simple and hypnotic in so many ways. 9. Grand Lotus- Australia EP: Title Wave (2017) Grand Lotus - Australia - Music Video My favorite part about this song is hands down the vocals. It complements the ambient guitar in the background really well, and the way the vocalist inflects his voice up and down with such fragility and power just really hits me. This band is from the sunny state of Florida which I think can be heard in Australia. It’s very reminiscent of surf music but Grand Lotus has the ability to stay relevant and very original. This is a care-free song that makes me smile every time I hear it. Grand Lotus has been on major repeat lately, and if you happen to enjoy this track, I recommend their track Title Wave on the same EP. 8. Goodbye June- Daisy Album: Magic Valley (2017) Goodbye June - Daisy Take my word for it: This song passes the “driving in my car blaring music” test! This track really shows what phenomenal musicianship can sound like. There is an apparent intro that just transitions into a melodic verse that parallels nicely with the mild raspy vocals of Landon Milbourn who has QUITE the range in the chorus. This is a true relevant rock n roll band that clearly has no problem experimenting with different textures and tones. This song has so much going on and yet Goodbye June has organized in a way that doesn’t feel chaotic. It’s become one of my favorites to date. 7. Night Riots- Nothing Personal Album: Love Gloom (2017) || NIGHT RIOTS || - Nothing Personal (Official Music Video) If you enjoy bands like The Neighborhood, The 1975, or Bad Suns, you will really enjoy Night Riots. This is another band that isn’t afraid to use different textures and sounds to create a unique listening experience. The intro reminds me a bit of that spine-y-ness feeling I spoke about above, but I just enjoy how the vocals of Travis Hawley are a bit aggressive over the light heartedness in the beginning. This song just exudes power. It’s short, direct, and makes me want to shimmy around the house which I do proudly. 6. The Roosevelts- Love in Color Single: Love in Color (2018) The Roosevelts - Love in Color I think everyone can relate to this song to a certain extent. It’s all about falling for someone who doesn’t want anything other than a casual hook up here and there. This track is a bit more pop compared to the other tracks listed, but I just love the lyrics to this song. Sure, it sounds nice, but I think the writing is the true gem to this song. It’s mainstream, relatable, and it really paints a picture. It’s easy to sing along to, and I think the vocalist’s voice is just high enough that it compliments that musical style well. 5. grandson- Despicable EP: A Modern Tragedy Vol . 1 (2018) grandson - Despicable (lyrics) You might recognize this band from their radio hit Blood // Water which is a good song, but in my opinion, Despicable is a great song. The drop in the chorus really took me by surprise since the intro and the verses are very simple and all one tone. The vocals of grandson is very monotone and the song itself is a bit dark. With that being said, the drop is what really makes this song stand out from the rest. Vocally, it’s simple. Lyrically, it descriptive and tells a story. Musically, I can feel it to my core, and as the vocals intensify at the end, you can really hear the power and the rawness in his voice. This is going to be a song I listen to intensely through the year. 4. The Wild Frontiers- Drive Single: Drive (2018) The Wild Frontiers - Drive (Official Video) ANOTHER FEEL GOOD SONG! Drive is another really great crusin’ track, but I think the vocals are the best part of this song. I find myself smiling through this entire song when I’m singing. I mean, my happy place is for sure singing at the top of my lung, and yelling “Oh my goodness, ooooh my goodness, oh my goodness, drive, drive”. It’s important to be able to feel the emotions a band is trying to convey through music, and I think The Wild Frontiers does a great job at that, and I am really looking forward to what their future holds. 3. NoMBe- Freak Like Me Album: They Might’ve Even Loved Me (2018) NoMBe - Freak Like Me This song and this artist has become a staple in my car rides because who doesn't enjoy an artist that isn't afraid to experiment? This song starts with a lion roar for crying out loud! I mostly enjoy the guitar licks in each verse, and the slight base drop in the chorus. I guess I just enjoy every aspect of this song! It's not overly obscure, but it isn't like anything I've heard before. I've yet to tire of it! NoMBe has quite a few tracks I enjoy listening to, and I'm kicking myself for missing their show at Bottlerock 2018. "Freak Like Me" has a very strong set of lyrics, and the vocalists' soft voice really cuts through deep bass lines. 2. Francis Aud- Friends Like Us Single: Friends Like Us (2018) Friends Like Us I love this little diddly of a song. Could it be the reminsicent sound of a horn line in the chorus? The overly relatable lyrics? Or could it be the suprisingly high yet slightly raspy voice of Francis? I honestly think it's the urgent yet happy mood I feel listening to "Friends Like Us" It really helps exude the strong feelings the lyrics carry. In a way, this somewhat reminds me of that scene in every romantic comedy where the man decides to "lay it all out" and express his feelings to his long time best girl friend. No? Well, whatever; just sing along with me to this really fun song. 1. Trash Panda- Atlanta GIrls Album: The Starclimber (2018) Trash Panda - Atlanta Girls (Official Music Video) Now this easily became the number 1 song I listened to last year, and the number 1 recommendation I have for anyone looking for new music in their lives. This song is one of a kind. It really tells a story from start to finish! The way each musical element introduces itself to the other in the intro makes for a really great listening sesh with headphones. But man oh man the vocals!! I love being able to hear the passion in this singer's voice. My favorite part is definitely the chorus because of that guitar. It's a song you can listen to back to back, and you will hear something different each time. I PROMISE you this one is something special.

An Open Letter to Dave Grohl and My Top 15 Foo Fighter Songs Dave, Where to begin. You are such a huge aspect of my life, and you don't even know it! Creepy? Inspirational? Who knows! You turn 50 today, and I simply can't believe how much you've accomplished not only musically, but personally as well. I won't sit here acting like I know you because in all actuality, I don't. You could be a real asshole for all I know. Fame hungry, and a complete jackass. I laugh as I type that because if that were the case, we'd all know this by now. You inspire me every day, and rather than keep those emotions bottled up, I decided to write a little letter for you that I hope you one day read. I've grown up with your music, but I never really got as invested as I did until my Sophomore year of high school in my Photography class. I half-assed the class until the very last day because I was too busy reading a Kurt Cobain biography and learning every single pause and inhale to each song on every record. I finally felt validated. I finally felt like I found something I could be passionate about and felt confidence in every single CELL of my being. You showed me the power of music. Years passed, hobbies changes, friends came and went, you were always constant. Flash forward to 2014. Your docu-series Sonic Highways premiered and that was my first glimpse into who you were outside of being a musician. You seemed personable, knowledgeable, real. I felt like I was watching a friend, and man the KNOWLEDGE I gained from that show...I can't even begin to tell you. 2015, I wrote an English essay on your song "Feast and the Famine" which I earned an A on, sooooo yeah thanks for that. That was also the very first time I saw you and the band live! September 16, 2015 my hometown hero (my father) and I drove to Mountain View, CA 12 HOURS before the show. We were the tiny specks to the left of you on stage. It's okay, I won't take it personally if you don't remember. That night changed my life forever. It was my first concert tickets I bought with my own money, and my first show seeing a headliner; not one of those radio concerts, ya know? My dad and I shared so many unforgettable moments that night. "My Hero" is my song with my dad, we shared such a raw moment that night, it will always be the first memory I think about when it comes to you. I won't go through every single moment or detail in this letter because quite frankly, it'd be incredibly long winded and probably way too intense to share. I mostly just want to say thank you. Thank you for saving my life (no pressure). Thank you for introducing me to artists ranging from Gary Clark Jr. to The Struts to Greta Van Fleet. I've been lucky enough to see you three different times in three different settings, and all surpassed my expectations. You are an incredible musician, but an even better mentor. I've learned it's okay to be unapologetically myself. I've gained an immense amount of self confidence and inspiration to do what makes me happy. You are why I created this blog. You are and always have been an important constant in my life. "No one is you, and that is your power". With Love, Mary Jane 15. Wheels Album: Greatest Hits Wheels 14. Let It Die Album: Echoes, Silence, Patience, & Grace Foo Fighters - Let It Die 13. Stranger Things Have Happened Album: Echoes, Silence, Patience, & Grace Foo Fighters - Stranger Things Have Happened 12. I'll Stick Around Album: Foo Fighters Foo Fighters - I'll Stick Around 11. Hey, Johnny Park! Album: The Colour and The Shape Hey, Johnny Park! 10. Something From Nothing Album: Sonic Highways Foo Fighters - Something From Nothing 9. Saint Cecilia Album: Saint Cecilia EP Foo Fighters - Saint Cecilia 8. La Dee Da Album: Concrete & Gold La Dee Da 7. Run Album: Concrete & Gold Foo Fighters - Run (Official Music Video) 6. The Pretender Album: Echoes, Silence, Patience, & Grace Foo Fighters - The Pretender (Official Music Video) 5. All My Life Album: One By One Foo Fighters - All My Life (Official Music Video) 4. Times Like These Album: One By One Foo Fighters - Times Like These (Official Music Video) 3. Walk Album: Wasting Light Foo Fighters. Walk. 2. My Hero Album: The Colour and The Shape Foo Fighters - My Hero (Official Music Video) 1. Everlong Album: The Colour and The Shape Foo Fighters - Everlong (Official Music Video)