Nevermind The Posers

This week NVMP tackles our favorite movie soundtracks.  Soundtracks are interesting because depending upon whether it’s an original score or a veritable greatest hits of a particular decade, they can make or break a movie.  I could go on a diatribe about bad movie soundtracks, but let’s jump into our favorite soundtracks instead!

Tina’s Top 5:
5. The Wedding Singer – A perfect compilation of some sweet 80s tracks, both vol I & II.
4. School of Rock – Enough said.
3. Juno – My love for Kimya Dawson started here ❤
2. A Knight’s Tale – I loved the placement of “Golden Years” in this movie, classic.
1. Freddy vs. Jason – The movie was terrible, the soundtrack will live forever.  Heavy metal saved this movie.

Dan’s Top 5:
5. Juno – Off beat and a nice diversion from the usual radio fare you hear on soundtracks, this soundtrack was pleasantly mellow. .
4. Clueless
3. Forrest Gump
2. Cruel Intentions
1. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas by Danny Elfman – Beautifully scored and sung, the music from Tim Burton’s cult masterpiece is a work of art.  Catchy, funny and wildly macabre, Elfman’s score is as much a part of the overall experience as Jack Skellington.

Dave’s Top 5:
5. Pulp Fiction – If you never heard “Jungle Boogie” before this movie, you’ll never forget it once you own the soundtrack.  And who could forget the Urge Overkill cover of “Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon”?
4. The Who’s Tommy Original Broadway Cast Recording – This show was amazing, electrifying and riveting.  The music was so bold, and full of passion, and there’s something about the music being sung by Broadway thespians that gives the songs a more emboldened quality, adding to the legend of the composers.
3. The Matrix – Every techno/sci-fi geek’s life was incomplete after seeing the movie until they bought the soundtrack.
2. The Queen of the Damned – The soundtrack was better than the movie.  Had it been concocted as a collection of lead vocalists in the metal scene of the late 90s, early millennium, it would’ve been hailed as a must-have metal compilation.
1. David Lynch’s Lost Highway – A gritty film noir compendium, more sore than a simple soundtrack.  This dark ride along side Bill Pullman in the movie’s final moments is an incredible collection of shadowy tunes from Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins and David Bowie, along side the subtle yet ominous tones of Angelo Bandelamenti, a David Lynch veteran cohort.

Honorable Mention: Reservoir Dogs, From Dusk ‘Till Dawn, The Crow

Stigz’s Top 5:
5. An American Werewolf in Paris – For some reason this soundtrack jumps out in my mind.  Sick jams from old school phenoms like Bush and Better Than Ezra, plus bands I don’t even know are on it, and somehow, I never hit “next track”
4. Transformers – Kick ass soundtrack. Period.
3. American Pie 1 & 2 – The American Pie duo totally rocks out old school style, and reminds me of being back in high school and trying to figure out how to get out of just about everything.  From Blink 182’s “I Guess This is Growing up” to Offspring when they were actually good, these soundtracks kick some adolescent, angst-soaked tunes.
2. The Departed – I guess Marty Scorsese just has some kick ass taste in music.  And the Stones AND Dropkick Murphy’s in the same flick…think I just shat myself.
1. Goodfellas – A lot of the Stones, and a lot of classic old school jams.  Definitely rocks on several levels.

Angela’s Top 5:
5. Scream
4. Fight Club
3. But I’m a Cheerleader
2. Walk The Line
1. American Beauty

Mark’s Top 5:
5. The Last Of The Mohicans – Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman.  Jones and Edelman have created one of the most beautiful and sweeping scores to ever accompany a film.  Both composers really use the orchestra to the fullest, succeeding in filling in the open space in this forest centered film with lush orchestral arrangements.
4. The Wedding Singer – This two volume soundtrack unleashes the best and cheesiest songs from the 80s, Boy George anyone?
3. Grosse Pointe Blank – If you went to high school in the 80s, then this 2 volume release is definitely the soundtrack of your life.  The great selection of genre spanning tunes makes it so much more than your average “run of the mill” 80s soundtrack.
2. Monster – Bt – Electronic Composer ditches the synths and delves into Americana to sonically illustrate the journey that this film’s subject (Serial Killer Aileen Wournos) takes on her hitchhiking journeys through America.  Fucking FANTASTIC score.  Highly recommended
1. Rocky IV (1987)– All hail Vince DiCola for producing one of the GREATEST and easily recognizable 80s film soundtracks of all time.  This synthesizer led score helped the movie montage reach its definitive peak, and showed that even Rocky Balboa had a weak spot for new wave-y goodness.

Klone’s #1 Song of All Time
1. “Would?” by: Alice In Chains (1992) – First appearing on the soundtrack to the 1992 film Singles, “Would?” was a prominent track off of Alice In Chains’ second studio album Dirt (1992), and has since been considered a gem to come out of the alt/grunge rock “Seattle Sound” movement of the early 90s.  The song has a timelessness that allows it to transcend the typical “Seattle song” and still be palatable several musical movements later.  Lyrically, the song is a reflection on the life and friendship of fellow Seattle band Mother Love Bone’s lead singer Andrew Wood, who died of a heroin overdose in 1990.  Ironically, Alice In Chains lead singer Layne Staley succumbed to heroin addiction 12 years later in 2002.  More somber than most of their signature songs (“Man In The Box” ‘91, “Bleed The Freak” ‘91, “Them Bones” ‘92), “Would?” is hauntingly melodic, and has withstood the test of time.  By being accessible to the grunge rock audience and the rock fans who have since followed, the song isn’t tied to the generational rebellion that made Seattle acts like Nirvana so celebrated and acclaimed, and is able to stand on its own strength.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Would%3F

Tina’s #1 Song of All Time
1. “Uncle John’s Band” by the Grateful Dead – This was an easy choice for my number one song of all time.  People often wonder how I could ever just pick one song that was my favorite of all time, but it’s a landslide win with UJB.  I’ve always had a strong connection with this song.  The lyrics just answer any question you could ever think of.  My mind just goes to a parade of music taking place by a river; no stress, nothing to worry about, just great music, having fun, and maybe a life lesson or two.  If I had to pick my happy place (like in Happy Gilmore) I would imagine me grooving with Uncle John’s Band and of course, with this song on repeat.

Dan’s #1 Song of All Time
1. “In My Arms” by Kylie Minogue – Sweet without being saccharine, upbeat without wandering into pop-fodder territory, “In My Arms” is simply delicious. Kylie’s voice bounces along the 80s synthesizers and hand-clapping with the energy of a lovestruck teenager. The song is a delicious little pop gem that’s on nearly all of my playlists, and has almost 500 plays on my iTunes. It’s fun, upbeat, and great to dance to.

Mark’s #1 Song of All Time
1. Foreplay/Long Time by Boston – Nothing but wonderful nostalgia is what makes this song Number 1 on this list for me. I remember being 2 or 3 years old and dancing with my Aunt on my Grandparent’s coffee table, listening to the minute and a half instrumental rock-out over and over while pretending to play the drums.

Greg’s #1 Song of All Time
1. Sweet Mistakes by Ellis Paul – “Pop the cork the champagne glass raise to the future drink to the past.” Just hearing those words sends me back to a very important retreat senior year of high school. Listening to it now brings a tear to my eye still. The emotion behind the words, and the way he sings combine to make a powerful ode to growing up and finding your own way. Even typing this now and listening to it, I feel such strong emotions. There are some songs that no matter how it has been since you heard it last, the first few notes instantly affect you, bring you back to a moment, a place, a person or even just a feeling. This song does that to me. “Bless your sweet mistakes that crumble you down to your knees, that brought you to this place, changing you by degrees…when change was just what you needed.”

Klone’s #2 Song of All Time
2. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana (1991) – Goodbye 1980s and pop rock.  Goodbye all conventions of popular music.  Goodbye big hair and make-up, and repetitive, catchy lyrics about lust and being loud.  Nirvana changed the entire scope of music with the 1991 release of their album Nevermind, driven by the first track and first single from the album “Smells Like Teen Spirit”.  This song opened the doorway for alternative rock to dominate the mainstream.  The track was instantly consumed and celebrated by a young audience, heralded by Generation X as its new anthem, and a clear sign that the previous generation’s artists (bands like Warrant, Motley Crue, Winger) were no longer the flavor of choice for modern rock fans.  The emergence of Nirvana harkened back to other game-changing acts like the Sex Pistols, and even Jimi Hendrix.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smells_Like_Teen_Spirit

Tina’s #2 Song of All Time
2. “Jessica” by The Allman Brothers Band – This song puts the biggest smile on my face.  It’s a seven minute instrumental song and every second is pure ecstasy to my ears.  This song is probably where my love of the Hammond organ came from.  I could dance forever to this song, it brings out my inner hippie.  “Jessica” is a must for any road trip on a beautiful day.

Dan’s #2 Song of All Time
2. “What You Waiting For?” by Gwen Stefani – When I heard Gwen was going solo, I was intrigued, and her first solo single blew me away.  I fell in love with it instantly, and I loved the video.  The hook was catchy, you could get up and dance to it, and it was undeniably Gwen.

Mark’s #2 Song of All Time
2. “Flaming June” by BT – One of the first BT songs that I made an emotional connection with.  The more I listen, the deeper of a chord that it strikes within me, as it usually acts as a soundtrack for my trips down memory lane.

Greg’s #2 Song of All Time
2. “Poprocks & Coke” by Green Day – This is a song that not only illustrates a time in my life, but a theme of my life as well.  I really try to treat my friends this way, “you know I’ll be there”, as I know that my friends will be there for me.  This was a hard choice seeing as there are so many Green Day songs that I truly love, but this one  sticks out.  It’s just such a simple anthem of friendship, true and lasting friendship.

Klone’s #3 Song of All Time
3. “Enter Sandman” by Metallica (1991) – This was the song that made it “ok” for anyone to listen to metal.   The first cut off of their self-titled 1991 album Metallica (commonly known as The Black Album), this song single-handedly propelled the band to a status of popularity unseen by metal bands prior, and solidified them as a pop-culture power-house.  Bringing their rough and edgy sound out of the shadows of the underground metal circles (that had already hailed the band as gods amongst men), and making them a household name, “Enter Sandman” also served as a fierce retort to the 1989 Grammy Awards, where Jethro Tull beat out Metallica for the Best Heavy Metal Album award.  (The 1989 Metallica Album …And Justice For All lost to Tull’s Crest of a Knave at the 1989 Grammy Awards).  The popularity of this song made Metallica the litmus test for heavy metal going forward.  (This was also the first song I ever learned to play on bass.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enter_Sandman
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/…And_Justice_for_All_(album

Tina’s #3 Song of All Time
3. “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie – I think about this song on a daily basis.  I just love everything about it, the music, the lyrics, the beats, the um bu bu bum da de’s, the feeling I get when I hear it (not to mention the obvious connection between anyone’s life and these lyrics) and the fact that performing this masterpiece are legends Queen and David Bowie, together!  There is an uplifting part of the song, when Freddy Mercury says “why can’t we give love that one more chance?”  It gives me the image of a pressured day/week/life eventually getting better.  Ee day da – that’s o’kay!

Dan’s #3 Song of All Time
3. “Out of Control (State of Emotion)” by Kenna – I got this song as one of iTune’s Discovery Downloads one Tuesday, but didn’t listen to it immediately.  When shuffle finally landed on this song, I fell in love with it and Kenna’s music.  This song captures the feeling of having your world engulfed by the joy and uncertainty of love and not being able to do anything about it.

Mark’s #3 Song of All Time
3. “Spirits in the Material World” by The Police – My favorite rock band ever with one of the catchiest and danceable songs to ever come out of the 80s.  While it may seem that the synth riff purposely layered over the guitar muffles their reggae influences and cheeses up the song, to me it makes the song a lot more fun and still pretty badass.

Greg’s #3 Song of All Time
3. “Obla-Di Obla-Da” by The Beatles – This is my favorite Beatles song, and number three of my favorites of all time.  “Obla-di Obla-da life goes onnn na na na na life goes on,” I really try to live my live this way.  The sun will rise and tears will fall, but life goes on.  There is nothing so serious that we can’t get over one day, life goes on.  Also now it doesn’t hurt that in the song they talk about a man named ‘Desmond’ – shame he’s not on an island 😉

Klone’s #4 Song of All Time
4. “Wanted Dead Or Alive” by Bon Jovi (1986) – The loner anthem that has never stopped being relevant.  Since its release in the late 1980s, this song has been a cultural icon for all things bad ass.  This third single off of Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet (1986) reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1987, making Slippery When Wet the first hard rock album to have 3 top 10 hits on the list. The song also inspired the short-lived MTV show “Unplugged” after Jon Bon Jovi and lead guitarist Richie Sambora performed it acoustically at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards, giving the music loving public a taste for acoustic renditions of hard rock powerhouses.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanted_Dead_or_Alive_(Bon_Jovi_song)
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1145

Tina’s #4 Song of All Time
4. “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd – Every time I hear this song, I feel relaxed and calm, as if I was having an out-of-body experience.  I’m pretty sure Rodger Waters was not talking about drugs or sex when he wrote this song, but more of being in another state of mind, thinking in ways you’ve never imagined.  The line “Your lips move but I can’t hear what you’re saying” reminds me to slow down in life.

Dan’s #4 Song of All Time
4. “We’re Not Having Any Fun” by Lola Ray – I’ve listed this song on other Top 5 lists, but that’s because it’s one of my absolute favorites.  It really just needs to be heard, especially since Lola Ray is a relatively unknown band and hasn’t had any huge radio hits.

Mark’s #4 Song of All Time
4. “Photographic” (Some Bizarre Version) by Depeche Mode – This is a far superior promo single version of the song that would eventually be slowed down and sugared up for their 1981 debut album.  For me, it is a better early representaion of the darkwave synth-pop sound that DM would eventually return to and perfect with Violator in 1990.  This song makes me excited to listen to Depeche Mode.

Greg’s #4 Song of All Time
4. “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys – The Beach Boys were the first band that I loved.  I was in the 2^nd grade and had to listen to them everyday.  Their simple innocence and sweet melodies, to me, personify childhood.  What better song then “Good Vibrations” to truly explore this theme – a song about feeling good.  It’s about a girl but the feeling behind it could be used for any childhood moment – good vibrations about a new toy, a new friend, or a new fort.  It’s fun-loving for the love of fun.

Our first Top 5 countdown!  This was a difficult task that took much thinking and soul searching.  It’s safe to say you can look out for a second edition of this Top 5 list in the future.  Enjoy our #5 songs and check back tomorrow for what makes our #4 spots.  Tell us your #5 favorite song of all time!

Klone’s #5 Song of All Time
Disclaimer:  I composed this list with a caveat: I am of the opinion that as a fan of music, with extremely eclectic tastes, it is a near impossibility to parse my entire musical library down to 5 songs that define who I am as an aficionado of the art form.  I feel that any attempt to do so has somewhat misrepresented my musical tastes, either through unintentional omission or overlooking of different genres.  Therefore, I present this “Top 5 Songs of All Time” with the caveat that this list is of 5 of the most significant songs that come to mind when trying to compile the “All Time” list, and will forever be subject to change as time continues on into the future.

5. “Bat Out Of Hell” by Meatloaf (1977) – This song is simply amazing.  Composed by Jim Steinman, it propelled Meatloaf to the forefront of musical stardom, and proved beyond a doubt that fat guys can rock and get girls.  The song itself is an epic rock opera contained in a single track, and should be the soundtrack to the opening sequence of a movie, or the opening number of a stage production of the story chronicled in this song (and continued through the rest of the album of the same title, and the sequel album Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell (1993)).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat_Out_of_Hell

Tina’s #5 Song of All Time
5. “T.N.T” by AC/DC – This song had to make the list, it is a personal anthem of mine.  My initials are TNT so I’ve confided in this song a bit.  When I hear it, I feel empowered, pumped up, and ready to explode!  This song screams rock n’ roll and the oi’s are fist raising, really bringing the whole song together.  The only line I can argue is the “so lock up your daughter and lock up your wife” , since I don’t swing that way, other than that, “T.N.T” is a solid choice for my 5th spot on the Top 5 songs of all time.

Dan’s #5 Song of All Time
5. “The Church of Hot Addiction” by Cobra Starship – After three CDs, “The Church of Hot Addiction” is still my favorite Cobra Starship song.  There’s something about the driving guitar chords and scream-able chorus – “Hey, hey, hey! My light is electric, yeah!” – that makes my finger hit the back button every time the song ends.

Mark’s #5 Song of All Time
5. “Metal” by Gary Numan – A cold, chilly, robotic, darkwave synth-pop song that really solidified my love for the genre.  It helps to remind me that in the realm of music, no matter what, simplicity is the best and most effective way of expression.

Greg’s #5 Song of All Time
5. “Lucky” by Britney Spears – I know that Britney Spears has no place on lists of best music but I love this song, and consequently Britney.  This song takes me back to a time when there was something missing in my life that I just couldn’t quite put my finger on.  I identified with it, and her.  It is also kind of a predication of what was to come.  Maybe this was more of a cry for help then anyone at the time knew.

Love can be a lot of things. It can be blind or a battlefield; it can be a mystery or a riddle; you can fall in or out love.  Love is also great fodder for songs, whether it’s new or old love, a make-up or a break-up.  Last week NVMP covered our favorite songs for the scorned lover, but this week we tackle our favorite love songs.

Editor’s Note: I’ve been on vacation the past week with my boyfriend in Georgia. He’ll be contributing his love songs picks to NVMP’s Top 5 this week!
– Dan

Tina’s Top 5:
5. “1,000 Miles Per Hour” by OkGo – This song is beautiful; it’s about two people running away together from all of their problems.
4. “Until The Day I Die” by Story of the Year
3. “I Will” by The Beatles – “Love you forever and forever/love you with all my heart/love you whenever we’re together/love you when we’re apart.” Perfect.
2. “Truly, Madly, Deeply” by Savage Garden – I deemed this my wedding song when I was 12 years old.  Beautiful, melts my heart every time I hear it.
1. “I’ll Catch You” by The Get Up Kids – One of those songs that can bring me to tears with only the first chord.  If my soul-mate hated this song, I’d be forced to say ‘hit the road Jack’.

Honorable mentions: “Fidelity” by Regina Spektor, “Two of Us” by The Beatles, “All I Want Is You” by Barry Louis Polisar, “Movie Loves A Screen” by April Smith and the Great Picture Show

Dan’s Top 5:
5. “Sanctuary” by Utada Hikaru
4. “Hard to Concentrate” by Red Hot Chili Peppers – This song sounds like someone’s wedding vows.
3. “The Real Thing” by Gwen Stefani – A light pop diddy about love.
2. “Out of Control (State of Emotion)” by Kenna – From the lyrics to the driving beats, this song wraps up all the confusion, joy, anxiety and happiness that comes with love and puts it in an upbeat little package.  It’s about being completely and unabashedly in love.
1. “Stricken” by No Doubt – It’s a simple, sweet song about being stricken by love.

Honorable Mention: “Drive You Home” by Garbage, “Right Back Where We Started From” by Maxine Nightengale, “Wishbone” by Architecture in Helsinki

D.J.’s Top 5:
5. “Who’s Gonna Love You” by The Pussycat Dolls
4.  “I Did It For Love” by BOA
3.  “Meet Me Halfway” by Black Eyed Peas
2. “Piece of Your Heart” by Natasha Bedingfield
1. “Make You Feel My Love” by ADELE

Stigz’s Top 5:
5. “How’s It Gonna Be” by Third Eye Blind – An extremely sappy and old school track, this definitely gets at the angst, uncertainty, and emotional torrent that we call love.
4. “You Are My Everything” by Mary J. Blige – I’m not exactly a fan of R&B or hip hop per say, but an ex-girlfriend turned me on to this song, and it definitely evokes the St. Valentine’s Spirit.
3. “Water Runs Dry” by Boyz II Men – Anybody that’s been to a middle school dance knows this one, and if you listen to it when you get older, it definitely takes on a new life and meaning once you get past the fact you’re listening to Boyz II Men.
2. “Take Me Away” by 4 Strings – A classic dance track that, whether you’re intoxicated or not, makes you feel at home and safe in your own skin.  If you haven’t heard it, check it out.
1. “Monkey Knife Fight” by Minus the Bear – This track absolutely and completely paints a picture, a portrait, of a love affair.  Not using cliché lyrics and over the top hyperbole, this song delves into the smaller things, specifically the lines, “Windows down wide/all the city lights just blur/my eyes on the lights her head on my shoulder,” which delineates the connection between two people without the bells and whistles of cliché ballads we all too often hear.

Dave’s Top 5:
5. “Truly, Madly, Deeply” by Savage Garden – A guilty pleasure to say the least, Savage Garden solidified their status as a mushy, relationship band with this track.
4. “Always” by Bon Jovi – Sometimes Jersey boys say it best.
3. “Angel” by Aerosmith – A classic the moment it was written, this song is definitely responsible for a few “surprise” love-children.
2. “Love Is On The Way” by Saigon Kick – Cheesy…80s…Decadent.
1. “For Cryin’ Out Loud” by Meatloaf – Epic and bold, the way love anthems were meant to be.

Caroline’s Top 5:
5. “My Best Girl” by Lucero
4. “Wildflowers” by Tom Petty
3. “Everlong” (Acoustic) by Foo Fighters
2. “Beyond The Sea” by Bobby Darin
1. “All I Want Is You” by U2

Greg’s Top 5:
5. “From This Moment” by Shania Twain – The moment of saying “I do” that forever connects you to your beloved.  How cute.
4. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston – I will always love you, ‘nuff said.
3. “I’m Already There” by Lonestar – I don’t like country, the music, the artists, the message, but when I heard this song for the first time, I fell in love with it.  It was 9/13/01 and some news program was showing a montage of fathers who had died in the WTC.  The idea of the person you love being gone but still there as “the moonlight on your hair” still makes me choke up.
2. “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” by Death Cab For Cutie – This song is so touching –  I have always wanted someone to say to me that they would follow me into the dark.
1. “I Want To Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles – I believe this to be one of the best love songs ever.  It’s about young love, when holding hands is best thing in the world.  Isn’t that what we all want, just someone to hold our hand?

Angela’s Top 5:
5. “You’re My First, My Last, My Everything” by Barry White
4. “Down on Bended Knee” by Boyz II Men
3. “I Swear” by All 4 One
2. “And I Love Her” by The Beatles
1. “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker – It’s my parents’ wedding song.  I had to.

Mark’s Top 5:
5. “Pictures of You” by The Cure – Do I really have to explain why it is such a great, agonizing love song?

4. “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel – The realization of love.  Who hasn’t cried just a little when hearing this song?  I sure haven’t… ahem.
3. “Limits of our Love” by Charlotte Martin – Taking risks and shouldering each other’s problems; do what you can to make something that feels right work.
2. “Lucky Cloud” by Arthur Russell – A sweet and simple Cello led tune.  Who hasn’t gone overboard from one kiss?
1. “Enjoy the Silence” by Depeche Mode – The absolute king of the gloomy love song.  Eerily accurate.

“Let it be said that pain is truly universal, though our methods of coping most certainly are not.  We all find solace in the words of others; the relation, the communion, the commiseration.  May the bleeding behind the words of these poets be our sanctuary, and may we never know the truth behind that which wounded them, as we ourselves have all been wounded so.” – Dave “The Klone” Maresca

Tina’s Top 5:
5. “Shot Through The Heart” by Bon Jovi
4. “Gives You Hell” by The All American Rejects
3. “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette
2. “Here I Go Again On My Own” by White Snake
1. “I Hate Myself For Loving You” by Joan Jett and the Black Hearts

Honorable Mention: “You Don’t Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You’re Told)” by The White Stripes…a fantastic cover that I enjoy  more than the original.  Bite me ex lovers!

Dan’s Top 5:
5. “Sunday Morning” by No Doubt – It’s classic No Doubt, and a great, upbeat way to start getting over a breakup.
4. “Say Goodbye To Love” by Kenna
3. “The Heinrich Maneuver” by INTERPOL – The lyric “Today my heart swings” repeats, but the way it’s sung changes throughout the song. It starts out sounding almost pathetic, but by the end of the song, it’s a statement, signaling the end of something.
2. “Swallowtail” by The Brian Jonestown Massacre
1. “I Was A Lover” by TV On the Radio – “I was a lover before this war…”

Honorable Mentions: “Two Times” by The Blakes, “The Engine Driver” by The Decemberists, “Hope You’re Happy Now” by The Sounds

Greg’s Top 5:
5. “Die Mother Fucker, Die” by Dope – Sometimes, when you’re hurt you just want to scream into that special someone’s face DIE MOTHER FUCKER, like 6 times in a row.
4. “Gives You Hell” by The All American Rejects – This song has such satisfaction. “If you find a man that’s worth a damn and treats you well, then he’s a fool you’re just as well, hope it gives you hell.” Couldn’t have said it better myself.
3. “Cry Me A River” by Justin Timberlake – Timberlake’s ode to the cheating Britney Spears speaks to so many, and says: “screw you bitch, imma make out on your bed with another chick and leave the video playing on your TV for you when you get home.”
2. “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” by Nancy Sinatra – This is a great song about female empowerment – and crushing balls with 6-inch heels.
1. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor – A classic song about moving on, and finally getting the chance show that dirty cheating son of a bitch that you are better off (doorknob changing abilities withholding) without him/her.

Dave’s Top 5:
5. “How Can I Live” by Ill Nino
4. “Boiler” by Limp Bizkit
3. “Bringing On The Heartache” by Def Leppard
2. “My Immortal” by Evanescence
1. “What It Takes” by Aerosmith

Stigz’s Top 5:
5. “Queen of Pain” by Alkaline Trio
4. “The No Seatbelt Song” by Brand New
3. “I’m a Fake / Take it Away” by The Used
2. “Short Stories With Tragic Endings” by From Autumn to Ashes
1. “The Heart and The Shape” by 36 Crazyfists

Mark’s Top 5:
5. “Starfuckers, Inc.” by Nine Inch Nails – Sure it really mocks the famous and the legions of posers who positively worship them… but it can also describe your ex, and how they’re suddenly “too good” for the likes of you. Fuck em.
4. “Love Stinks” by J. Geils Band – Whether you’ve seen the Wedding Singer or not, you will find that this song can describe love and relationships and the drama surrounding them to a painful and soul sucking tee.
3. “Nookie” by Limp Bizkit – Sure you were dumped for no reason, and you feel like life is over… so why not let that former special someone know the only reason that you bothered with them in the first place.
2. “Always Something There to Remind Me” by Naked Eyes – Who doesn’t cringe at the chorus lyric “I will never be free/You will always be a part of me” and how unfortunately prophetic it is.
1. “(I’m Normal) Please Date Me” by Charlotte Martin – If anyone understands the pain, aggravation, paranoia and eventual insanity that love in its many forms can cause, Charlotte does, and this tune will tell you why.

Caroline’s Top 5:
5. “Okay, I Believe You But My Tommy Gun Don’t” by Brand New (My tongue’s the only muscle on my body that works harder than my heart.)
4. “Sorry About That” by Alkaline Trio ❤
3. “The Brilliant Dance” by Dashboard Confessional (So you bury all your lover’s clothes and burn the letters lover wrote, but it doesn’t make it any better.  Does it make it any better?)
2. “Good Fucking Bye” by Matt Skiba
1. “Radio” by Alkaline Trio (Mr. Skiba understands heartache like no other, it seems.)

Angela’s Top 5:
5. “Since You’ve Been Gone” byKelly Clarkson (She pretty much wrote an album that got me through my worst break up…I have to give her credit.)
4. “Dont Speak” by No Doubt (I’m sure 90’s kids sobbed to this, post HS breakups)
3. “Call Me When You’re Sober” by Evanescence (Hey, it worked for me.  Put that shit as my default MySpace song as a big ‘go fuck yourself’…yea…my ex got the message 😉 )
2. “All Over You” by The Spill Canvas (It’s personal okay?)
1. “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morrisette (The most eloquently stated “hey, fuck you buddy” EVER!)

Studio albums are great and all, but the true test of an artist’s mettle is the live show.  Do they sound as good live as they do on a CD?  Do they, in some cases, even sing live?  Do they use auto-Tune out the butt?  This week we present the top five live shows we’ve been to, and the selections are quite eclectic.  Tell us your top five in the comment box below.

Tina’s Top 5:
5.  Meatloaf – # of times seen – 1.  Meatloaf was my favorite band while growing up.  I saw the ‘Born to Rock’ world tour when I was in 4th grade –  priceless.
4.  The Living End – # of times seen – 1.   The Living End never made it to the tri-state area on Warped Tour ’06’, so they rocked the shit out of The Stone Pony, and it was a night I’ll never forget.  I also got to meet this Australian punk trio outside and they all signed the article I wrote about them.
3.  Joan Jett and the Black Hearts – # of times seen – 1.    Joan Jett was on Warped Tour ’06.  This female American bad-ass road up on her Huffy for a sound check, and when she finished, I asked her to sign the article I wrote about her. We ended up having a heart to heart right before she took the stage, even though she didn’t do interviews or any other press that day.
2.  The Get Up Kids – # of times seen – 4.  My favorite band of all time.  So many emotions go through me when I hear their music, and that is tripled when I see them live.
1.  Metallica  –  # of times seen – 4.  They get better every show, but nothing beats the first time you see Metallica live.  It’s like an out-of-body experience; prepare to rock!  
Honorable mentions:  Green Day, The Dead, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Flogging Molly, No Doubt, and Story of the Year

Dan’s Top 5:
5.  Men, Women & Children – Another band that no one has heard of, but their shows were one big dance party.
4. Electric Six – If you’ve ever listened to their music, you have an idea what you’re in for at their live shows: lots of drunken dancing.
3. Metric – I just started listening to Metric, but I jumped at the chance to see them live.  Emily Haines is such a pleasure to watch on stage as she headbangs her way through some of the harder songs and goes acoustic for songs like “Combat Baby”.
2. Lola Ray – Even though there were only a handful of people at their shows, Lola Ray put on a fantastic live show, complete with a little tongue-in-cheek dancing.  And having the ballad “We’re Not Having Any Fun” sung to you makes it even better.
1. No Doubt – By far my favorite band of all time, I’ve seen them three times and they never fail to deliver a fun, high-energy show.  And Gwen just rocks.
Honorable mentions: The Donnas, Passion Pit, Tokyo Police Club, Paramore

Dave’s Top 5:
5. Coheed & Cambria – (# of times seen – 1) It won’t be the last.  These guys shook Roseland to the foundation when I saw them in ’08.
4. Our Lady Peace – (# of times seen – 4) Canadian band that had a major hit in the US with “Superman’s Dead”.  They have a serious cult following in NYC, and at their last show, they really realized that when the crowd serenaded them during their power-ballad “Is Anybody Home?”
3. Ozzy Osbourne – (# of times seen – 2) What makes an Ozzy show is the fact that the man can still sing and jump around, even though in interviews and on TV he sounds like a walking vegetable.  Legends die hard.
2. Limp Bizkit – (# of times seen – 2) Fred Durst’s on-stage antics always make their shows a memorable experience.
1. Metallica – (# of times seen – 2) Notorious for going above and beyond in live performances, they sound just as amazing live as they do recorded.  This band is THE REAL DEAL in all senses of the term.
Honorable Mention: Van Halen (# times seen  – 1 – FIRST ROCK CONCERT EVER), Type O Negative (# of times seen – 2), Staind (# of times seen – 1).

Mark’s Top 5:
5. Sondre Lerche
4. Charlotte Martin/Ken Andrews – Same tour…so I cheated a bit.
3. Depeche Mode
2. Gary Numan
1. The Police

Angela’s Top 5:
5. The World/Inferno Friendship Society
4. A.F.I.
3. Linkin Park – Got to give it to them, they deliver live.
2. Nine Inch Nails
1. Green Day – Fantastic entertainers. They never loses the audience for a second.

Greg’s Top 5:
5. Story of the Year – Summer of ’04, just graduated high school, went to Warped Tour  for the first time- I didn’t know their music before that day, but would never forget it after. “Anthem of Our Dying Day” became my anthem of that summer and I even got the chance to watch their performance from the stage.
4. Justin Timberlake – For all of the tool-baggery that Justin Timberlake can be accused of, he does know how to put on one amazing show.  From the coordination of the lights, to the perfectly choreographed dance numbers, you get what you pay for – grade “A” pop music entertainment.
3. Flogging Molly – A mix of their talent, love for their fans, and their fans’ utter devotion to them make their performances come to life.  While I was on stage with them at Warped Tour ’08, Anti Flag’s Justin Sane watched the show right next to me, and even handed Tina his Guinness to hold as he ran on stage to sing.
2. Cage the Elephant  When I saw them perform live this past summer it catapulted me from someone who liked their singles to a bona fide fan.  Matt Shultz was not just singing his songs; he was living the emotion expressed in them.
1. Green Day – Green Day is now, and always has been, my favorite band of all time. I’ve seen them twice, both on the American Idiot tour.  When I saw them perform at Giants Stadium in 2005, it was the biggest show they’ve ever played at that time.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 5?