Music Recommendations #4

Music Recommendations

Music Recommendations #4

Welcome to Music Recommendations, a series of blogs dedicated to recommending music I find enjoyable. These blogs will cover a wide range of music I’ve recently discovered or have enjoyed for a long time. My purpose in writing these blogs is to promote positivity and happiness pertaining to music, rather than be critical of music I don’t like. At least that’s what I hope to achieve. If you’re interested in buying any of the records, click the title of one for a direct link to Amazon.

1. John Butler Trio - HOME

Do you consider yourself having an adventurous personality? Are you looking for a soundtrack for a journey to a new destination? Well, let American-Australian roots and alternative rock singer/songwriter John Butler take you there. His 2018 album, HOME, is upbeat, with a modern country-folk vibe that is perfect for that warm weather escape. This album showcases not just catchy songs but excellent guitar work from Butler himself along with soulful singing and sharp production value fitting for this day and age.

2. Chris Squire - Fish Out of Water

Where are my old souls at!? This 1975 progressive rock album by English bassist, singer/ songwriter Chris Squire is very intriguing. If you’re familiar with the band YES, you’ll immediately hear similarities as Squire plays bass in the group. This album was recorded during a period of inactivity for YES.

It has many elements of melodic rock with a touch of funk that displays a wonderful sense of creative freedom. As you listen, the symphony makes you feel like you’re silently falling into the world of Alice in Wonderland. Then with the flip of a switch, the band kicks in, and you’re left with a heavy bass guitar throughout the song that has extremely tasteful licks, jamming jazz organ, and sporadic drumming. This is an album for those comfortable sitting alone with the lights off with ears capable of dissecting a masterpiece.

3. Inkwell - These Stars Are Monsters

I first heard about this album when I was 14, playing NHL 07. A song from it was featured in the game, and I never forgot it when I got older. Thank god I decided to check out this band when I got older because the rest of the songs on this album are great! This is one of those hidden gem albums that you don’t always think about, but when it comes around, you always stop to listen to it.

It has heavy indie/alternative rock vibes and absolutely rocks out! There are elements of power pop, college punk, and ambient characteristics throughout the album, which really makes this group’s sound stand out. If you invest your time in this album, you’ll discover powerful and beautiful choruses and excellent lyrical content alongside classic yet unique chord progressions. This band may have stayed under the mainstream radar, but this album definitely deserves to be in your limelight. Give it a listen!

4. Pilot Speed - Into The West

Here’s another band whose album really grabbed hold of my attention all the way through back in my NHL 07 days. Into The West by Pilot Speed has been one of my favorite albums ever since I discovered it in 2007. There are playful yet beautiful guitar parts, driving rock drums that really take the reins dynamically in comparison to the rest of the band. The vocals and lyrics are innocent yet direct and, at times, very intimate. Every song on this album tells a different story but has mystery lurking in the shadows. Best listened to on a rainy day.

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