- “F Sharp” – Nudeswirl
I first saw this video on MTV during a Beavis and Butthead episode. I knew right away this song was good shit because it has the key it’s played in as the title.
Embed from Getty Images“I call this one, D Sharp Minor 7/9”
Nudeswirl is (was?) a band out of New Jersey, and were a grungy-rock group to be certain. I remember going to Blockbuster Music in the 90’s and buying their cassette tape. I should’ve saved a few extra dollars and got the CD, but I had no time for that shit. I needed this song right away. It consists of 4 chords and is super catchy. It’s got a good, driving rock sound behind it as well. They had several other good songs, but this one is my favorite. Here’s the video sans the Beavis and Butthead commentary.
- “Plowed” – Sponge
Sponge’s sound to me was epitomized by the low, grinding vocals of lead singer Vinnie Dombroski. I really dig “Plowed” for that reason and the energy present throughout the entire song starting right from the opening riff. I talk a good deal about a songs “energy” because it’s an indescribable feeling present in a precious few songs. That, and I don’t know very many words.
Embed from Getty Images“What’s another word for blumpkin?”
This song is raw, and it rocks. Talking of being plowed into the sound and a world of human wreckage holds up to this day. And the video:
- “In the Meantime” – Spacehog
This song is whimsical. It has the type of tone that transports you to a different place. Whether that’s because you remember hearing the shit out of it at that time and place or if it’s because of its whimsy, it works nevertheless. I don’t even know what the hell the song is about. Life? Death? Love? Glory holes?
Embed from Getty Images“Shit, am I doing it wrong?”
It doesn’t matter what it’s about. All I know is that they “love the all the all of me,” and the liberating sound of the chorus is all I need. This song will make you happy. It’s just a good mood song. Listen to it in a bad mood to cheer you up, or in a good mood so you can spend the rest of the day smiling like a huge dickhead.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat a dickhead.
And the video:
- “And Fools Shine On” – Brother Cane
This is a hidden gem of 90’s rock music. Too few people know about it. From the simple, yet grungy main riff, to the background guitar in the chorus (and vocals in the last chorus), “And Fools Shine On” delivers a very fulfilling listening experience. The bending just before the chorus hurls you into a deluge of “chorus-y” and reverb-laden guitars lending a mystical undertone to the song. I don’t remember where I first heard it. I think it was sort of ubiquitous on the local radio stations in the mid-90’s. Kind of like those shitty idiots who would call into the station to request Creed songs.
Embed from Getty Images“I said Creed, damn it!”
Brother Cane is a band out of Birmingham, Alabama who disbanded in 1998, however the members have gone on to work with some very noteworthy acts (according to Wikipedia). Here’s the video:
- “Fall Down” – Toad the Wet Sprocket
Toad the Wet Sprocket has had quite a bit of success in the music industry. I approve of many of their songs, but “Fall Down” stands out. There is that energy again. There is something underlying that resonates to my core. The tonality is eerie and somewhat dark. The verses feel like something frightening is looking for you, and you sure as shit don’t want it to find you. It’s haunting. Almost foreboding in a way.
Embed from Getty ImagesI’m certain the setting for this song is here. And who the fuck is that?
Perhaps it’s the talk about covering up your trembling hands, indecision, and fading away that does it. The backing vocals creep in and out adding to the mystique. The gears shift in the chorus as it’s slightly more upbeat sounding, but equally as cool. The lead vocals are performed with just the right amount of rasp as well. And the video (with a George Lucas look alike on bass):
- “Believe” – Dig
I saved this one for last on purpose. It’s got a special place in my life history. When we are in middle school, high school, college, and adulthood . . . throughout every phase of our lives, we assign meaning to things that don’t really have that meaning at all. I do this with music. When things were shitty, I could always play “Believe,” and seemingly my luck turned. Why? Probably the placebo effect. Which is much better than the butterfly effect, incidentally. I love this song. The chorus has the most uplifting tone as it bursts out at you with a ringing of a picked guitar coated in glorious 90’s reverb. When you examine the lyrics, I really don’t think it’s meant to be a pick-me-up, but it is. It even makes this horse feel right about things.
Embed from Getty Images“Sup bitches?”
It’s a liberating song though. Maybe the continual use of the word “liberating” to describe songs in that way only makes sense from my perspective. I can’t think of another word. It’s freeing to listen to. Listen to it. Feel free.
One side note about the video: I always felt like the singer (Scott Hackwith), looked a bit like a secretary named Jackie or Gwendolyn. I think it’s the hair. Doesn’t detract from the bad-assery of this song though. Dig it!
Vandersliceblog 
Awesome, I have most of these on my ipod, sweet!
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Reblogged this on vandersliceblog.
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