Electric Guitar Review

Matt over at Guitar Stuff did a great post recently listing the seven songs that changed his life, so for the fun of it I thought I’d take his lead and list my own seven life-changing tunes. Some of these are fairly obscure, but IMHO they are all timeless classics in their own right.

Jimi Hendrix:

All Along The Watchtower – Because something about this haunting song still gives me the chills today. And yeah, I know Dylan wrote it (and performed it too,) but in my mind it was Hendrix that really made it shine. The lilting rhythm section, Jimi’s almost cavaliere delivery…this is one for all time.

Superchunk:

Driveway To Driveway – Well, if you’ve never heard this incredible quartet from Chapel Hill, NC, you’ve missed out on one of the greatest Indy bands to ever grace the genre. Superchunk’s earliest masterpiece “Foolish” changed my life, and this song, which is equal parts biting & sentimental, seems to sum up every crappy relationship I had in my 20′s. It doesn’t hurt any that Laura is the cutest bass player…in the whole wide world…ever… [link]

Steel Pole Bath Tub:

Through The Windshield Of Love – This chaotic Bay Area band absolutely defined my early 20′s, and while at first listen they may just sound like a bunch of noise, believe me, there’s magic beneath the madness. Short, sweet, and painful – soundtrack of my life! [link]

Freddie King:

San-Ho-Zay – Mid 60′s blues… Freddie King is my ultimate guitar hero, and this is one of his instrumental masterpieces. The day I finally learned to play San-Ho-Zay was one of the great achievements of my musical life. Playing it on stage without totally blowing it (our drummer had a way of starting it out too fast almost every time) was an adrenaline-soaked thrill.

Agent Orange:

Miserlou – Yep, I’ve been lucky enough to catch Dick Dale play his masterpiece of surf guitar on one occasion, and seminal suburban American punk band Agent Orange play it on many occasions, and while Dick rocks it hard, Agent Orange knocks it out of the park… spastic punk rock energy at its best.

The Clash:

London Calling – “The Only Band That Really Matters” wasn’t just hype, it was the truth…at least for some of us! The Clash brought intelligent lyrics & real musicianship to Punk Rock, and made a mark that can still be felt today. London Calling, with its relentless bass line and near-ska backbeat, summed up the anger of a generation of Brits & Americans alike. The album cover – a clever play off of Elvis Presley’s self-titled album – said it all.

The Loved Ones:

Lickin’ Stick – Another guitar hero of mine, Xan McCurdy, played lead for the incomparable Loved Ones, another Bay Area band that played straight-up ’60s R&B, and played it like no one else… at least not since the days when R&B actually meant real Rhythm & Blues. I was lucky enough to play a few shows with these cats, but they unfortunately split up at what seemed the peak of their popularity, and today Xan is playing guitar for the somewhat successful Cake, where, sadly, his incredible talent is wasted.

Well, I could think of a few hundred other songs that have meant the world to me, but I guess I’ll save them for another day. Great idea Matt!