Tomorrow is the first full day of Spring but with the weather we've been having, it seems like Spring is already here. One of the best things about this time of year is going for a nice long drive. And no drive is complete without a soundtrack. Certain music seems like it was written for the car. AC/DC's Back in Black is pretty much perfect for driving, as is Appetite for Destruction, Tom Petty and a bunch of other staples of Classic Rock. Don't be fooled though, the youngin's know how to write a driving tune too! Here are some of my favourites:
The Darkness - Permission to Land: The entire Permission to Land album seems like it was written with the highway in mind. Black Shuck sets the tone right out of the gate by kicking you in the preverbial teeth and the album just keeps kicking from there on out. Much like a two-four or bucket of the Colonel's finest, it is best suited for a group of buddies.
Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound: Everyone has those friends whose opinions you trust more than most when it comes to music, movies, whatever. When it comes to music, my buddy Cramer is one of those people. He kept telling me about Gaslight Anthem for about a month before I got around to checking them out. Man, if I could only get that month back. The '59 Sound is the kind of album that not only sounds great on a roadtrip, it actually makes you want to take one. It is very much in the spirit of early Springsteen, Tom Petty and The Replacements. Lofty company indeed.
The Hold Steady - Boys & Girls in America: The Hold Steady (much like Gaslight Anthem) write fantastic, no BS, meat and potatoes rock and roll. Big hooks, bigger guitars, references to Joe Strummer and girls that cat sit for their friends.... it's all there. The Hold Steady have four albums to date with a fifth on the way and depending on which one you start on, that will be your favourite. For me it is Boys & Girls in America. It reminds me of Counting Crows 'August and Everyting After' if it was written by Elvis Costello and Mike Ness.
The Killers - Sam's Town: I sort of fought liking the Killers for a while because I didn't like Mr. Brightside. I still don't really. I couldn't really fight it anymore though once they released When You Were Young. The spirit of Born to Run is all over this just without all the unnecessary saxaphone solos. That's a good thing.
Not to mention , this is one of those common ground albums between my girlfirend and myself. Albums like this are vital to a roadtrip not ending in hurt feelings and words you wish you could take back.
Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris: Any QOTSA fan worth their salt will tell you Songs for the Deaf is their best album and perfect for driving. And they would be right. But why point out the obvious? Era Vulgaris is perfect for those roadtrips made for one. Heavy, light, funky, angry, slutty... it's all on their. Actually, your life will be a lot simpler if you just realize music that involves Josh Homme = road music.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Baby 81: Even though these albums are not by 'classic' artists, they are built on a foundation of the classics. The most common comparison BRMC gets is Jesus & Mary Chain which I get. But if you aren't familiar with their stuff, how about Tom Petty meets the Stooges? I don't really know what to say other than it is perfect driving music. Kind of slutty with a 'driving' rhythm section... it just works.
One more for the road! I know I said I was going to focus on newer stuff but I had to mention this classic. Consider it a poor man's Don't Stop Believing. It is one of those songs that gets awkward stares from everyone in the car (like the Wilson Phillips scene in Harold & Kumar) but by the end, everyone will be singing at the top of their lungs and rocking some serious air guitar.
Great choices! Makes me want to hit the road this weekend :)
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