Saw*Kick Media

After some debate and a little prodding from Double C I have decided to put together a follow up to my infamous J-Man’s Backyard Special Playlist. This time around I have focused the effort slightly with only 20 songs that currently top my media player and are best suited to help bring in summer. Maybe I will be a little more disciplined and turn this into a semi-recurring feature. Here are 20 songs that are a must right now and will help kick off the summer season.

1. The Black Keys – Attack & Release – “Strange Times”
Without a doubt my favorite song of the moment, with a ridiculous hook and snarling open hi-hat work. This is my first venture into the world of The Black Keys. I impulsively bought their latest album last week, and it was the best decision I made in a long time.

2. Alien Ant Farm – Up in the Attic – “Forgive & Forget”
I almost forgot how good this song is. It is catchy as hell on an album few know about and even fewer own. With the original AAF line up rumored to be getting back together you too should dust off an AAF track.

3. Mr. Gnome – Deliver this Creature – “Night of the Crickets”
If it weren’t for The Black Keys and their unsuspecting Cliff Lee-like dominance Mr. Gnome would be taking home the crown for favorite band of the moment. Jenny Lewis has nothing on Nicole Barille as Mr. Gnome’s tidy two-piece package kicks my ass harder then I thought any band without a bass player could.

4. Cake – Prolonging the Magic – “Mexico”
If you had a friend that bought Cake’s follow up to 1996’s Fashion Nugget and told you it was shit, thus prompting you to avoid any future Cake release till years later, all the while missing out on killer albums from a great band, you too would be bitter. What does that have to do with this song? Nothing really. My ass is still chapped after all these years of the time I will never be able to have back with Cake. Thanks, Ian. Here’s for making up for lost time.

5. Clutch – Elephant Riders – “Cracker Jack”
A smooth and heavy instrumental jam with a brass section, sexy bass line, and the perfect pinch of wah pedal from a band that separates the men from the boys. Pull up a lawn chair and your favorite refreshment because you will be entering a state of nirvana.

6. Stone Temple Pilots – No. 4 – “Down”
The most underrated kick ass song of a generation. I dare you to throw that tune on and not feel like you can put your fist through a brick wall, or at least through your buddy’s face who was undressing your lady friend with his eyes last night. Sure there are more obvious face-punching songs out there, but the unsuspecting nature of STP catches you off guard and delivers the best heavy riff of its career.

7. 30 Seconds to Mars – 30 Seconds to Mars – “Edge of the Earth”
Just hear me out. Sure, you might have wanted to start a “bring me the head of Jared Letto” campaign after “The Kill” wouldn’t leave heavy rotation on your favorite music video channel. However, I will stand by the statement that its debut album was of high quality in delivering a unique listening experience. If anyone tries to tell you different, send them in my direction.

8. The Mars Volta – The Bedlam in Goliath – “Wax Simulacra”
Sure, I may not be able to pronounce the song name, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of, if not the most focused effort the band has put out. If you have yet to try The Mars Volta, start with this track and see where it takes you.

9. Incubus – When Incubus Attacks Vol. 1 – “Pardon Me (Acoustic)”
I will forever be haunted by the day eight years ago when I walked into my local Sam Goody with an opportunity to purchase the filler EP When Incubus Attack Vol. 1 from my favorite band. I scoffed at the five-song stop gap between Make Yourself and Morning View insanely craving a new LP of Incubus tracks. The rock gods have not forgotten, for, to this day, I have not been able to find a hard copy for my collection.

10. Sublime – Sublime – “April 29, 1992 (Miami)”
187 on a mother fuckin’ cop! This has been my personal favorite song in the Sublime catalog since the day it first graced my ears during my formative years. Those screaming for “What I Got” or “Santeria” even “Garden Grove” and “Wrong Way” can keep them. If you want the real Sublime action, insert this song and start rioting.

11. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magik – “Mellowship Slinky in B Major”
Thick and funky from a band at its peak. Sure there are bigger names off the land mark album, but that is exactly what makes this song so good. Pull out the Uncle Jacks Ball’s and hit the backyard for a day of fun in the sun with this song leading the way. Just be careful a group dry humping doesn’t break out due to the sex-filled vibe of the track.

12. Queens of the Stone Age – Queens of the Stone Age – “If Only”
When you are burnt out on standards like “The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret” and “3’s & 7’s” it’s time to go back to where it all started. A slightly more laid back QOTSA deliver a great jam off an album few people ever talk about. If you claim to be a Queens fan and don’t own the self titled album, you really aren’t a fan now are you?

13. Weezer – Pinkerton – “No Other One”
If you had a friend that bought Weezer’s follow up to 1994’s Self Title Blue Album and told you it was shit, thus prompting you to avoid that Weezer album till years later, all the while missing out on one of the best albums in the bands catalog, you too would be bitter. What does that have to do with this song? Nothing really. My ass is still chapped after all these years of the time I will never be able to have back with Pinkerton. Thanks, Ian. Here’s for making up for lost time.

14. Our Lady Peace – Clumsy – “Automatic Flowers”
Have you ever listened to an album so much during a specific period that each time you revisit it you are instantly transported back to that moment? Well that is what Our Lady Peace and Clumsy do to me. Each time I hear anything off this album, I am immediately back in my junior year of high school stocking shelves at the obscure discount drug and grocery store Phar-Mor. Good or bad, this song is sure to stir up a trip down memory lane for most.

15. Glassjaw – Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence – “Ry Ry’s Song”
If you consider Glassjaw emo, like my genre tag in itunes does, then this was one of the best albums the genre has offered. It’s probably not a band that will appeal to the masses as Daryl Palumbo’s vocal style is an acquired taste. Nonetheless, this track will give a much needed edge to your listening session.

16. Deftones – Saturday Night Wrist – “Hole In The Earth”
I might be able to go as far to say this is one of the best songs the Deftones have ever written, period. It is on an album that few hardcore Deftones fans gave a chance and even fewer enjoyed. A year and half after its release Saturday Night Wrist still gets regular plays in large part to “Hole In The Earth” leading things off. A song that seamlessly blends every style the band has featured over the years.

17. Paulson – Variations – “A Great Pretending”
I revisited this album the other day to find out how solid it is from top to bottom. “A Great Pretending” is moody and energetic, highlighting some of the bands best moments. Fun fact about Variations, it was the first album I scored for free as a perk of Saw*Kick Media. Even though the band has appeared to renounce their debut release, it still deserve a spin.

18. Dredg – Leitmotif – “Movement I: @45 N 180 W”
Where do you even start when trying to talk about dredg? This is just a fantastic song on a amazing album. If you haven’t heard of dredg, quickly educate yourself, and for the love of God do not start with the album Catch Without Arms. Instead, make sure you sample something off of the more aggressive Leitmotif or the dreamy El Cielo.

19. Tool – Undertow – “Prison Sex”
This is probably one of the most accessible riffs recorded by the band. With a devoted following most Tool fans go hard or go home, either you love them, or you don’t really care. Listening to this song brings to light the realization that the band has been so focused on writing lengthy aggressive music with difficult time signatures that they may have slightly strayed from the core of its wizardly powers.

20. Sevendust – Home – “Licking Cream”
I tried to pick a heavy hitter like “Home,” “Denial” or “Rumble Fish,” but once the guest vocals of Deborah Anne Dyer (aka “Skin”) soar over the song, I was a goner. This album holds a special place in my heart particularly at this time of year. Songs like “Headtrip” and “Licking Cream” were staples on the best mix tape of nu metal circa 1999-2000 that could be heard blaring from a tan 1993 Pontiac Transport mini van as J-Man, Double C and Ian “Tough” Adams cruised the mean streets of Ashtabula.

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