I'm not sure what has happened to me in recent months. I've been really digging into music a lot more than I have in years, specifically in the rock scene. There are notable sub genres I've rediscovered from my teenage years notably pop punk and emo thanks in part to watching Fuse TV during the mid to late 2000s. It seemed like the advent of streaming services (i.e. Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, etc.) started revolutionizing how we consume music, there was really little to no point in having watching music videos on TV when you could watch them any time online. The moment when Fuse pivoted away from rock in favor of more pop and hip hop by the 2010s, combined with the network being bought out and distancing themselves from music altogether, I lost touch with the current state of music...
...All that changed earlier this spring.
Coming up with a Full House fanfic about Girl Talk that got me into rediscovering Veruca Salt, diving deep into their discography, and then expanding my taste by seeking out modern indie music, it's fascinating how this butterfly effect came to be. Some purists rant on the current state of mainstream music. But when you dive deeper, there is plenty out there that is not going to be included on the Hot 100 let alone Top 40 radio. I've been constructing many playlists which spotlights my music tastes throughout the years; Not just the stuff I grew up with. But including modern tracks helps bring unpredictability and variety as well. Sometimes we forget that music is an art - a way of expressing yourself in a way that formal words cannot convey. It's the emotions that come from the very organ that keeps us alive - the heart. Cheesy I know.
Below is a link that directs to my curated playlists:
Anarchy In The Arena - Hard rock & metal driven, it consists of 100 adrenaline fueled tracks that gets you on the treadmills or outside having a ball game. From iconic metal bands such as Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, & Slayer to rock acts like Linkin Park, Guns N' Roses, Queen, & Nirvana, it pays homage to their respective genres.
Alternative Pop Rock Power Block - Melodically driven, this set showcases the more radio friendly side of rock about vulnerability, love, breakups, mending, reconciling, and the strength to carry on despite life's hardships. From pop punk and emo to indie & adult alternative, it demonstrates that it is okay to reach out to someone knowing they'll be there to support you every step of the way.
They are some of the most ambitious yet passionate list of songs I curated. The playlists have undergone many changes, going from being exclusively nostalgia themed to a variety of classics and modern tracks that represent rock music over the last 30+ years. When it's all said and done, I'm very happy with how they've all turned out.
JimmytheTVFanatic
