Hell is Around the Corner - Tricky

I've never really liked rap/hip-hop, so adding this to my library was a bit of an oddity for me. Following in the same trip-hop movement as Portishead and being born straight out of Massive Attack, Tricky is known for his dark, rich, and layered sound.

He's got a pretty interesting past. His father deserted his mother before he was born, and his mother committed suicide when he was four. He named his solo album after her and once said that though he hardly knew her, he feels like she's speaking through him with his words. When he was seventeen, he spent time in prison because he bought forged 50 euro notes from a friend, who later informed the police. In an interview, Tricky said, "Prison was really good. I'm never going back."

Crew Cut - Tijuana Panthers

Hailing from Long Beach, California, the Tijuana Panthers are a local trio that incorporate surf sounds and punk elements to create just right summer at night kind of music.

Smile On - Anthems

I don't know about you, but I watch a lot of TV. And every time that San Diego, tourism commercial comes on it drives me mad. It has a catchy, amateurish, happy-go-lucky soundtrack that took me months to find. But lucky for me, and you, I have finally found the song. With summer just around the corner and spirits running high, this song could not have come at a more perfect moment. Enjoy!

Pressing On - Relient K

Hey Barons! With just 20 days of school left, here's an anthem that keeps me going. It's a catchy, upbeat, with friendly and quite sing-a-longable lyrics. Hope it helps you too!

Wake Up - Arcade Fire

I'm not quite sure how popular Arcade Fire is. They are for sure an acquired taste. Wake Up, however, may be an exception. With a refreshingly eccentric instrumentation and a forceful and strong vocal section, Wake Up appears to be relatively unedited passion. Win Butler, the band's main song-writer, seems to have too many melodies for his lyrics to contain. Good thing too, I enjoy the short moments of music without words. Not to say the lyrics aren't excellent. In fact, they may be some of the most desperate, let down lyrics I've ever heard. Check it out!