Mind Equals Blown

3 Of The Week: (10/26/11)

A lot of songs have started to have meaning in my life right now, especially the tunes of August Burns Red, Brand New, and Oh, Sleeper. The one thing these bands have in common: their music is full of heart and sincerity. When trying to choose three important songs for this week, however, I picked three types: one along the lines of the bands I previously mentioned, an alternative yet semi-personal track, and one that is a little lighter, yet still pretty dang heavy.

1. “Sail” - Awolnation

This song has been flooding airwaves recently, and that’s definitely not a bad thing. Though “Sail” was released last year, it was thrown on the group’s first full-length, which came out earlier this year. The song sees the band’s usual indie face come to life, led by a synthesizer and some hand-clapping, toe-tapping beats. Some keyboard and even electric guitar riffs complement Aaron Bruno’s vocals in an almost angelic way as he nearly screams out the title. Seeing Awolnation live, I was blown away by how heavy they were, and that’s why I love this band so much. While their true passion is alternative, they aren’t afraid of the destructiveness of rock either.

2. “Sugar” - System Of A Down

With System finally getting back together last year for a tour, it’s time for fans to rejoice and pray for another record. Though the band cannot outdo their last three albums, their self-titled contains a track that I can only describe with one word: crazy. “Sugar” is like an anxiety attack; it’s intense and chaotic, leaving the listener with little space to breathe. The band’s typical sound is firmly planted from the very start, and this song has a certain degree of originality that begs me for more. Serj Tankian’s vocals have no sense of direction. This isn’t always a bad thing, though; his randomness makes the song memorable and almost laugh-out-loud hilarious. From this moment on, we all knew that a new band and a new phenomenon was born.

3. “In The Dark” - Flyleaf

Not many people are as touched by Flyleaf’s Memento Mori as I am. From beginning to end, it’s a magical journey through its wondrous nu-metal guitar riffs and of course, Lacey Sturm’s extravagant voice. “In The Dark” takes the album by full force, with an uneasy feeling that is processed through its lyrical themes of the unknown, fears, and the band’s typical uplifting discernment. The song’s overall structure demonstrates that Flyleaf is not afraid to push the boundaries of their sound, while its epic catchiness and energy drives listeners to remember the importance of such a heartfelt track.