SONG: Tennessee Flat Top BoxARTIST: Johnny CashALBUM: Legendary Country SingersSOUNDS LIKE: A Southern Folk Tale
This song has a very catchy rhythm to it that draws you into the song the second it starts playing. It also has a good story to it, and Johnny’s steady and deep voice makes it seem as though someone is telling you a tale from a long time ago. Once you hear it for the first time, you will want to listen to it again and again. In my opinion, this is one of Cash’s best recordings, but it is also one of the least well-known.
-Kenny Martin
ARTIST: Ronald JenkeesTITLE: Super-fun [3:43]SOUNDS LIKE: I Can’t Believe It’s Not Professional
If you drift around on YouTube at all, there’s a good chance you’ve seen one of this guy’s videos. And I’ll say this – the guy is eccentric. In fact, just listening to him talk, you get the distinct impression he has a mild case of the crazies. But none of that changes that fact that this guy is a monster with a keyboard. He composes beats – by ear – that sound like something a professional mixer could come up with using top-of the line equipment. But he doesn’t have top-of-the-line; he’s got his keyboard and his passion for music. And man, does it sound good.
-Andrew Lidwell
ARTIST: NOFX TITLE: The DeclineSOUNDS LIKE: loud, fast, political punk
Fat Mike, lead singer and bassist for NOFX, fist got the idea of an 18 minute political punk song from the 16 minute Subhuman’s song “from the cradle to the grave,” recorded years ago. From beginning to end, this epic song fluctuates on different melodic, rhythmic, and harmony ideas that makes the song interesting to listen to. But the core of the Decline lies in the lyrics, which are totally biased towards right wing politics, but that’s what gives it the extra controversial edge needed. I hope they play the Decline at warped tour this year.
-Gui Oliveira