Happy February! As full-fledged melomaniacs, we obviously continued to listen to our favorites, as well as introduce new music this month. We’ve been obsessing over a multitude of songs, so this month we decided to add three honorable mentions each, because it was way too difficult to limit it to just five.

Cali’s Picks:

“Black Summer” by Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Unlimited Love” (2022)

After the return of adored guitarist John Frusciante in 2020, fans have waited to hear new RHCP material after nearly 11 years without Frusciante. “Black Summer” fulfilled this need for many as it was the first single dropped from their upcoming album, “Unlimited Love”. This track showcases Flea’s iconic bass prowess with a hooky bassline, Anthony Kiedis’ famous vocals, Chad Smith’s hard-hitting snares, and Frusciante’s Hendrix-inspired and triad-based guitar mechanics. With verses that invoke a sense of mystery and intrigue, catchy choruses, and a sprawling guitar solo from Frusciante, this song is everything Chili Peppers fans needed. 

“Still Remains” by Stone Temple Pilots, “Purple” (1994) 

As the fifth track on Stone Temple Pilots’ sophomore album, “Purple,”  this number expresses feeling so helplessly absorbed and in love with someone that you’re willing to be with them after death. Dean DeLeo plays a melodic yet hypnotic riff that combines with Scott Weiland’s poetic vocals to create a lighthearted experience for the listener. The rhythmic simplicity of this track causes it to be overlooked by many, but it easily serves as an important track in STP’s diverse catalog and discography.

“Into The Void” by Nine Inch Nails, “The Fragile” (1999)

One of the standout tracks on Nine Inch Nails’ double LP, “The Fragile”; “Into The Void” begins with a soft percussion and violin intro that gradually builds up to a forte synth beat that displays the dynamics featured in this track. Trent Reznor repeats the line, “Tried to save myself, but myself keeps slipping away” throughout the entirety of the song, barely breathing whispers at some parts, and nearly screaming at other spots. The forceful instrumental breakdown in the middle of the song accompanied by Reznor’s soft vocals help tie the composition together. Samples of guitar are mixed in almost perfectly with the driving instrumentals and Reznor’s unpredictable singing to form the epitome of an industrial ensemble. 

“Bagel Breath” by Horse Jumper of Love, “Horse Jumper of Love” (2017)

This slower-paced indie rock track combines a lackadaisical guitar riff and sleepy sounding vocals that can put a listener into a daze. The track was released off of the Boston band’s self-titled debut, and is one of the more memorable tracks on the record. Packed with the ever-churning bends on guitar and meaningless lyrics, this track truly expresses a mellow yet mysterious vibe. With hard-hitting drums that somewhat bury the vocals and contribute to the melodic rhythm of the track, the listener tends to isolate the vocals, shining light upon the strange lyrics that are left solely to the listener to interpret. Although the song isn’t widely known by anyone foreign to the underground indie rock scene, it’s a song that any fan of alternative, indie, or folk should become familiar with.

“Hate to Feel” by Alice in Chains,  “Dirt” (1992) 

An underrated song on the seminal and essential grunge album, “Dirt”, this track begins with a declining guitar riff that embodies the heavier themes of this song and the record as a whole. The song is driven by Layne Staley’s evocative and powerful vocals that range from the mind-bending verses to the raucous and forceful choruses. Guitarist Jerry Cantrell rips an impressive wah-soaked solo that coincides with Mike Starr’s sludgy bass. Staley contemplates what went wrong and what led his life to such a low point as he alludes to his troubled childhood with lines like, “All this time I swore I’d never be like my old man.” Many consider this to be one of Alice in Chains’ darkest compositions, but is a key staple for any fan of grunge or 90s alternative rock. 

 Honorable Mentions:

“Five Years” by David Bowie, “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” (1972)

 The opening track on Bowie’s groundbreaking, “Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust,” serves as an apt beginning to the new era of both Bowie’s music and his persona as a whole.

“The Nurse Who Loved Me” by Failure, “Fantastic Planet” (1996)

Named in reference to the James Bond film, “The Spy Who Loved Me,” this track begins in a slow ballad-like manner as it gradually builds up during the verses and chorus to give it a unique dynamic.

“Lucky” by Radiohead, “OK Computer” (1997)

Invoking the new style Radiohead adopted in “OK Computer,” “Lucky” is a slow song with delayed guitar bits, smooth basslines, a melodic yet fuzzy guitar solo, and lyrics that regard a plane crash. This track is an essential piece in the formation of the synth-based and computer-heavy music that Radiohead and many bands in the alternative scene have pursued.

Brianna’s picks:

“Endless, Nameless” by Nirvana, “Nevermind” (1991)

 Falling under the category of noise music, “Endless, Nameless” is the hidden track off of Nirvana’s second studio album, “Nevermind”. This song consists of feedback throughout the entire song, making it not euphonic (beautiful or pleasant) but extremely messy nor following a specific composition. During the one-take, live recording of this song in the studio, Kurt Cobain, vocalist and lead guitarist, breaks his guitar which can be heard at the end of the song. Overall, this song is entirely feedback however it’s enjoyable to scream along to Cobain’s lyrics.   

“Purple Stain” by Red Hot Chili Peppers. “Californication” (1999)

One of the greatest guitar outros of all time, “Purple Stain” provides a funky bassline to the lineup on RHCP’s seventh studio album, “Californication”. Opening the song, John Frusciante (guitar), does a glissando (sliding from one note to the next) that will take first-time listeners by surprise. The bassline is catchy, the guitar riff is catchy, and Anthony Kiedis’ vocals are unparalleled like all other RHCP songs.

“Superstar” by Sonic Youth, “If I Were a Carpenter” (1994)

“Superstar” is a cover of a cover. The original was written by Bonnie and Delaney Bramlett, released in 1969. “Superstar” became more well known by the Carpenters version, released in 1971. A tribute album dedicated to the Carpenters features multiple alt-rock bands such as 4 Non Blondes, The Cranberries, Cracker, and Sonic Youth.  Although Sonic Youth is widely considered as heavily noise rock-oriented, their rendition of “Superstar” sheds a new light on the band and their forte of extensive distortion and experimental effects. 

“Sunday Rain” by Foo Fighters, “Concrete and Gold” (2017)

The ninth track on Foo Fighters ninth studio album, drummer Taylor Hawkins takes lead vocals and features Paul McCartney on the drums which make this track so special. Even more remarkable, McCartney only took two takes for the final product. The end of the song bleeds into a jazz piano number making it a mediocre ending but does not outbalance the rest of the song. Although the piano solo is pleasant on the ears, it doesn’t really fit with the song. However, “Sunday Rain” is still an amazing song, showcasing Hawkins’ vocals and McCartney’s drumming. 

“Toes Across the Floor” by Blind Melon, “Soup” (1995)

This song has such an interesting guitar riff and contrasts a lot of stuff that I normally listen to. This entire song is catchy but not to the point where it is annoying. There is a rollercoaster of dynamics, consisting of a mellow beginning, the song builds up to the chorus, brought back down, then has a heavy instrumental section that blurs into a well-rounded outro. Shannon Hoon, lead vocalist, has an amazing voice which complements the instrumental and the instruments elevate his voice.    

Honorable Mentions:

“Kiss Off” by Violent Femmes, “Violent Femmes” (1983)

Simple structure, amazing riffs, phenomenal bridge.  

“Bleed It Out” by Linkin Park, “Minutes to Midnight” (2007)

A song that I grew up listening to and mastered on guitar hero.  

“The Money Will Roll Right In” by Fang, “Landshark/Where the Wild Things Are” (1983) 

A fun song to sing and the cover versions by Nirvana and Mudhoney are amazing as well.