Rock Music

For Unlawful Carnal Composition: Panic! At The Disco- “Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off”

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Panic! At The Disco’s first album A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out came out way back when I was in college, and I had never heard anything like it. A strange but highly-addictive mix of rock, punk, electronica and cabaret, this 2005 release was incredible to me, as well as to the rest of the Alternative Press-reading crowd. It enjoyed relentless plays on my iPod, and I loved the record from front to back. Guitarist Ryan Ross’s clever and sarcastic lyrics were delivered perfectly by lead singer Brendan Urie, whose voice sounded eerily like that of Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, so much so that when I heard Panic’s first single, I thought they WERE Fall Out Boy. Continue reading →

For Unlawful Carnal Composition: Danger Danger- “Naughty Naughty”

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This week on “For Unlawful Carnal Composition” we’re reaching back to the rock ‘n’ roll excess of the late 80’s for another song about getting down and dirty. The musical landscape of the time was rife with tunes like this, as abundant sex was secondary only to rocking out for the long-haired guys in rock bands. Taking the spotlight on this edition of my music series on songs about sex is Queens, New York-based Danger Danger and their raunchy hit “Naughty Naughty” (their other biggest hit was “Bang Bang,” I’m sure you can see what’s going on here with the nomenclature). Continue reading →

For Unlawful Carnal Composition: AC/DC- “You Shook Me All Night Long”

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I’ve never truly liked AC/DC. Save for a few of their songs that I’ve grown to like, I could just never quite get there as a fan. However, as I’ve gotten older and my musical taste has somewhat matured, I’ve developed a fairly profound appreciation for classic rock, and AC/DC’s storied catalog certainly fits that bill due its longevity and sonic style. Continue reading →

Growing Up 90’s: Richard Marx- “Take This Heart”

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“I’ve been where you are before
No one understands it more
You fear every step you take
So sure that your heart will break

It’s not how the story ends
You’ll be back on your feet again”

Although Richard Marx is mostly known for his monster power ballads and pop hits from the late 80’s, he was still churning out great music after the decade came to a close. To this day, Marx still writes music for himself, and for others, penning hit songs for other successful artists. What leads us to this week’s edition of Growing Up 90’s is “Take This Heart” from his album Rush Street, released in 1991.  Continue reading →

Growing Up 90’s: Aerosmith- “Eat The Rich”

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“Cause I’m sick of your complainin’

About how many bills

And I’m sick of all your bitchin’

‘Bout your poodles and your pills

And I just can’t see no humor

About your way of life

And I think I can do more for you with this here fork and knife”

Boston’s legendary rockers Aerosmith had a colossal album on their hands with Get a Grip in 1993, as the record was loaded with huge singles such as “Amazing,” “Cryin’,” “Crazy,” “Livin’ On The Edge,” and “Eat The Rich.” Get a Grip became Aerosmith’s best-selling album worldwide, and second-best in the United States behind Pump. “Eat The Rich,” the first song on the record after the intro, is a humorous kick-off to this massively successful album. Continue reading →

Growing Up 90’s: Veruca Salt- “Volcano Girls”

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Volcano girls, we really can’t be beat

Warm us up and watch us blow

Now and then we fail and we admit defeat

We’re falling off

We are watered down and fully grown

At any given point, I’m of the opinion that badass girls are sorely underrepresented in rock and roll, but for the last few years of the 90’s, the ladies from Veruca Salt were doing their part to change that. Fronted by Nina Gordon and Louise Post, the band, named after a character from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, had a fairly sizable hit on their hands with “Volcano Girls.” From the 1997 album Eight Arms to Hold You, the song is the epitome of fun, catchy rock music. Continue reading →

Growing Up 90’s: Mr. Big- “To Be With You”

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Hold on little girl

Show me what he’s done to you

Stand up little girl

A broken heart can’t be that bad

This week on Growing Up 90’s, I’m reaching back to the beginning of the decade for what might be the biggest campfire sing-along in modern rock history, from none other than Mr. Big. “To Be With You,” from the band’s 1991 album Lean Into It is a hugely successful acoustic jam with an insanely catchy chorus, with lead singer Eric Martin’s incredible voice soaring over the backing vocals of his bandmates.  Continue reading →

Growing Up 90’s: Matthew Sweet- “Sick of Myself”

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Twenty years on, I remember the first time that I heard “Sick of Myself” by Matthew Sweet. My cousin Brian had just gotten the record from whence it came, 100% Fun.  Brian had just gotten into playing the guitar, so we used to sit and listen to all kinds of music, and this particular song stuck with me after all this time. I wouldn’t recognize anything else from the album right now, and the only other song I’ve ever heard from Sweet is “Girlfriend,” mostly because of its appearance on one of the original Guitar Hero games. Continue reading →

Essential Power Ballads, Vol. 6

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Another five emotional rock ballads are being served up to you this week, with more coming next Tuesday!

Bon Jovi– “Never Say Goodbye”

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A power ballad list would never be complete without New Jersey’s favorite prom song (it even references the prom) from Bon Jovi’s breakthrough record, Slippery When Wet. The song’s musical structure is emotionally gripping, and its lyrics pine for days gone by, youthful hijinx, and the retention of those memories. This is one of those songs that makes me miss when Bon Jovi was great, as well as those relatively carefree days of my own youth.  Continue reading →