Adrian's Top 10

Hey everybody! It's me, Adrian! I'm a freshman at Georgetown University in Washinton, DC. I enjoy playing guitar, chinese food, and Derek Davies (from GWFAS) Thanks to an invitation from Mr. Zachary Friendly to contribute to All Things Go, I will try and bring you what I see as the best music out there today. I am primarily into the whole rock/emo/hardcore genre, as well as indie, hip-hop, and anything else that makes me want to "shake my groove thang." Here's a list of ten songs that I enjoy, some of it new, some of it from days of yore. They should give you an idea of what I listen to. Enjoy! 1. We Are Scientists - The Great Escape I have been listening to this New York-based trio's latest release, With Love and Squalor, non-stop for the past week. I dare you to try and not dance while listening to almost any song off this album...seriously. It's post-punk dance-rock at its finest. 2. The Fall of Troy - What Sound Does A Mastodon Make? Rarely these days is it that I hear a band create material as original as this, combining elements commonly found in the hardcore scene today with some of the most innovative guitar riffs I have ever heard. Although not off of their latest album, Doppelganger, this epic track is still sure to blow your mind. 3. Panic! at the Disco - But It's Better If You Do Finally, something worth listening to is spewed out of the raging pop-punk machine. Having never embarked on a single tour prior to being discovered by Fall Out Boy's bassist/scout-extraordinaire Pete Wentz, Panic! is taking the country by storm at a surprisingly fast rate. Combining pop-punk with both electronic sounds and vaudevillian piano to form their own unique sound, P!ATD's album, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, should be a nice return for those who gave up on the genre. 4. Ted Leo & the Pharmacists - Timorous Me Everytime this song comes on in the car, we (namely Zack and I) start singing this song in painfully high falsetto voices. That consitutes a top ten song for me. Besides, this song will brighten up your day no matter how down you're feeling. 5. Explosions in the Sky - Have You Passed Through This Night? Several members of the band didn't even know how to play their instruments when they formed. Years later, they are invited to write the entire musical score for the movie Friday Night Lights. By layering simple reverberating guitar riffs with accompanying bass and percussion, EITS manage to turn each of their songs into an epic track. 6. Osker - Motionless This band is the reason I listen to the music I do today (discounting Blink-182, Backstreet Boys, and every other embarassing band I pretend not to listen to anymore). The now defunct Osker, comprised of only two permanent members, wrote their last album, Idle Will Kill, before they even turned twenty. Impassioned punk-rock bordering on emo, Osker maintains a simple yet unique sound which, although gone unnoticed by many, should appeal to listeners of all sorts. 7. Brand New - Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't "I am heaven sent. Don't you dare forget." This song gives me chills every time I listen to it. Jesse Lacey is a natural-born songwriter. There's not much else I can say other than this has been my favorite song for several years now. I suggest listening to it if you haven't done so yet. 8. Jurassic 5 - The Influence I know I'm not the official voice of hip-hop on ATG, but I couldn't pass up mentioning this song. With a chorus comprised simply of "dah-dah's," J5 has managed to produce the only hip-hop song I can actually sing along to (well, other than Gettin' Jiggy Wit It). 9. Q and Not U - Book of Flags I know Austin has alread covered some of these hometown heroes' older material, so I figured I'd suggest a song off their last album, Power. Q and Not U moved away from their trademark indie style for a more dance-based sound. That isn't to say the album isn't worth listening to; Q and Not U manage to create dance-worthy tracks in a way nobody else could. 10. Rx Bandits - Decrescendo I figured I should end with my favorite artist-album combination, the Rx Bandits' The Resignation. Tossing the ska towel for a more rock-based experimental sound, the Bandits have proven to be a lot more powerful of a band than has been shown on their previous albums. This final track off the album is a perfect example of their talent. Seeing as everybody else has posted an eleventh track, here's a happy go-lucky song (with accompanying video) that some of you may enjoy... 11. Hellogoodbye - Call and Return Honestly, watch the video (here) and tell me you didn't laugh. I dare you. That's it for me. See you all next time!