Ten rockingest songs

The full title should be “The ten rockingest songs I picked out in about ten minutes.”

Seriously, I didn’t do this scientifically or anything. These are just some great songs. Some you’ve probably heard of. Others, well, check them out on YouTube. And these are in no particular order… maaaybe.

1. Queen “Bohemian Rhapsody” - Need I say more? As I told Larson recently, there’s a reason an entire scene is dedicated to this song in Wayne’s World. YouTube
2. System of a Down “Soldier Side” - This song on its own is amazing. But there’s more that makes this song great (in my eyes). Soldier Side is the final track of the double-album Mezmerize / Hypnotize (the CDs were released six months apart, but were part of the same story, so to speak). The first song on the first album is also called Soldier Side-Intro and is a lighter, shorter version of the outro. The final Soldier Side contains a much longer build up and the climax is more emphasized with the final lyrics: “Welcome to the soldier side! Where there’s no one here but me. People all grow up to die. There is no one here but me!” YouTube
3. Rx Bandits “Never Slept So Soundly” - Expressive guitar, everywhere. Melancholy trombone. Sad lyrics. Matt singing his heart out. Every part of this song contributes to the overall sadness felt. Powerful stuff. YouTube
4. The Mars Volta “Cygnus….Vismund Cygnus” - The first (or second, depending on which version you have) track on The Mars Volta’s second album, Cygnus….Vismund Cygnus should be said in the same way as Bond… James Bond. This song introduces you to the main character of the album, Vismund Cygnus. Cryptic lyrics, crazy bass rhythms, and Omar’s jamming guitar can’t go wrong. YouTube
5. Muse “Take a Bow” - It’s all about the lyrics in this song. Lots of bands have come out with anti-Bush songs, but this one has so much feeling in it you can’t help but feel impressed. Unless, of course, you don’t think Bush is going to hell. In that case, think of Hitler or Stalin while listening. You’ll feel impressed then. YouTube
6. Death by Stereo “Forever and a Day” - Most of Death by Stereo’s stuff is just fast, energy-filled metal. They slow it down a little bit lot here, and Efrem manages to sing through most of the song. Rather than sounding angry or metal-ish when he finally starts screaming at the end, his scream-singing contributes to the power and rockingness of the song. YouTube
7. Coheed and Cambria “Welcome Home” - Epic. Everything about this song is epic. Holy-freaking-guitar-solos,-chanting,-and-strings-at-the-end. YouTube
8. The Black Mages “Maybe I’m a Lion” - Five and a half minutes of non-stop instrumental rocking, with a synthesized organ! The buildup occurs until we reach 2:30, at which point the organ goes on a ridiculous solo. The only thing to surpass this awesomeness is the seamless transition to a guitar solo that goes from 3:10 to 4:10. YouTube
9. Incubus “Anna Molly” - Another piece with amazing guitar. This song is packed with energy throughout. YouTube
10. The Mars Volta “Day of the Baphomets” - 12 minutes of raw energy from start to finish. This is one of my favorite songs, ever, and it’s one of the reasons I fell in love with The Mars Volta. Starting out with one of the coolest bass solos I’ve ever heard, a guitar and saxaphone bust in with pure savegery. Despite all the instruments playing seemingly discordant parts, they somehow all fit together, along with Cedric’s unique singing, to tell a bizarre story about human sacrifice. About halfway through, the theme changes slightly to incite a sense of urgency… then there’s chanting… and you can feel the sacrifice about to be performed. And then the greatest moment of the whole song: the tribal-sounding percussion solo. 12 minutes of genius. YouTube