concerts

Top 20 Songs of April 2015

My 20 Favourite songs of April, 2015:

20. Of Monsters and Men – Crystals

 

19. Walk Off The Earth – Rule The World

 

18. Modest Mouse – The Best Room

 

17. The Mowgli’s – I’m Good

 

16. Courtney Barnett – Depreston

 

15. American Authors – Believer

 

14. Action Bronson – Easy Rider

 

13. Florence And The Machine – What Kind Of Man

 

12. Jack U – Where Are U Now f. Justin Bieber

 

11. Ms Mr – Painted

 

10. Sufjan Stevens – Should Have Known Better

 

9. Tame Impala – Let It Happen

 

8. The Helio Sequence – Stoic Resemblance

 

7. Hot Chip – Need You Now

 

6. Destra Garcia – Lucy

 

5. Dear Rouge – Black to Gold

 

Bonus: Awolnation – Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)

Already made one of my lists earlier in the year, but that beat kept on coming. This song is a monster.

 

4. Brandon Flowers – Can’t Deny My Love

Can’t deny how brilliant and hook-filled this lead single to Flowers’ 2nd solo album is.

 

Bonus: Heems – Soup Boys (from Jan 2013)

Just came across this behemoth. The lyrics are funny and the beat is enticing like cake is with icing.

 

3. Bear In Heaven – Autumn

It’s so easy to get lost in the majestic haze of this song. A testament to its power, as soon as it’s finished, I want to immediately press replay.

 

2. Rihanna – Bitch Better Have My Money (Handbag House vs. Krazy Kat Bootleg Mix)

So absurd. So gitchy. So good. Way, way better than the original.

 

Bonus: Manic Street Preachers – The Holy Bible (entire album)

I saw these Welsh legends perform The Holy Bible in its entirety when their tour stopped in Toronto — man, am I thankful I decided to go to that show. I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t get into this album when it was released in 1994. I’m elated to say that I finally found it. And what a revelation it’s been to me in the brief time I’ve come to know it. It’s massive, melodic, a monument of rock ‘n roll, punk, and art. I’m in love with the entire album, front to back. This album dominated me in April as I played these tracks time after time. Here are a few of the outstanding tracks from that seminal, jaw-breaking record:

 

1. A Silent Film – Tomorrow

Couldn’t get enough of this track. This is a nostalgia-inducing, melody-indebted, mountain-climbing, mega-sized gem of a song. “Tomorrow, tomorrow, you’ll find out tomorrow…” Over and over and over, until the number on the calendar changes. Then I can sing it again, tomorrow.

To Earplug Or Not To Earplug

… That Is The Question.

Dog rocking out, full blast. (Don't do it.)

Dog rocking out, full blast. (Do not try this at home.)

I refer to the age-old quandary that I’m sure many have faced when going to see a concert. Is aural protection a necessity? The question is a tough one to answer. On one hand, no one wants tinnitus that lasts for hours or days. Even worse, no one wants to end up like Foxy Brown. Hearing loss accumulates slowly over time, so often it’s difficult to notice until it’s too late. The sobering truth is that once those little hairs in our ears are gone, they’re gone for good.

On the other hand, the connection to whatever live music is being experienced is immeasurably better with no aural impediments. It just is. I’ve watched quite a few shows with earplugs, even more without. I’m beyond resolute in saying that the shows I felt a deep emotional/spiritual connection with were always the ones where I didn’t wear earplugs.

Having fun at a concert, sans earplugs. What'd you say?

Having fun at a concert, sans earplugs. What’d you say?

Sure, most earplugs provide good functionality, and you can hear pretty much all the sounds that emanate from the source (perhaps there are even sounds that one can hear with earplugs that one couldn’t if bare-eared), but there’s just something that’s lacking. It’s not the volume per se. I think it might be the energy. When you’re free of aural encumbrances, you’re closer to the source, where the connection to the band/singer seems so much more natural. I don’t recall ever having any goosebump moments at shows I wore earplugs to. I know I helped my hearing by wearing them, but I feel as though I missed out on the truest form of the experience.

I also think earplug manufacturers can do better — much better. I don’t think it’s too much to ask to have an earplug that fits comfortably in the ear, doesn’t fall out, and offers protection yet doesn’t take anything (or much at all) from the experience. I don’t think we’re there yet, and that’s sad.

What are you saying bro?

I hear you bro.

I believe another point worth nothing is that listening to music (or all sounds for that matter) is an art in itself, a talent that some have, and many can learn. It’s analogous to someone who has a fantastic palate, 20/10 vision, or acute olfactory abilities. I believe some can listen to loud music and not “ruin” their hearing because they don’t have to dedicate the full power of their ears to the endeavour. Whatever sounds come in, although fully internalized and experienced, don’t tax the ears and those little hairs that allow us to hear.  Who knows, maybe I’m way off with that idea, but I don’t think I am.

In the end, to earplug or not is a personal choice. One has to be aware of the consequences of frequenting concerts without protection. Though the connection to the art is always better for me when my ears are free of encumbrances (there’s a condom joke in here somewhere), there are risks to living on that edge. Ideally, earplugs would offer comfort and stability while taking nothing away from the experience. I’m looking at you Google. Help.