Touching the Awesome!

Lately, I’ve found myself on a nostalgic journey back through the realms of hip-hop, reigniting old flames with some classic albums that colored my younger years. Whether it was cassette, CD, or those beloved mixtapes, the grooves of these albums were deeply etched into my memory.

Starting with Arrested Development, the tracks “Tennessee” and “Mr. Wendel” from their vibrant catalog reminded me why they captured our hearts and minds back in the day. These guys brought a soulful and socially conscious twist to hip-hop that still resonates. Check out their BandCamp page for a dose of nostalgia.

Then I revisited Digable Planets with their album ‘Reachin’—a perfect blend of jazz and rap. “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” is that standout track that never fails to get my head nodding. Here’s their official music site where you can dive into their silky-smooth universe.

Public Enemy shook the walls again with their powerful messages in ‘Apocalypse 91,’ ‘Fear of a Black Planet,’ and ‘It Takes a Nation of Millions…’. “Don’t Believe the Hype” still pumps with urgency and defiance. Public Enemy remains as relevant and revolutionary as ever, which you can explore here.

This hip-hop excursion brought me back to the raw energy of Rage Against the Machine and their self-titled album. “Wake Up!” still sounds as explosive and revolutionary today. Rage’s music continues to inspire and challenge; it’s a timeless call to action.

A surprise discovery was realizing I’d missed an album by The War on Drugs—’I Don’t Live Here Anymore.’ Their music, a mesmerizing blend of heartland rock with modern twists, always offers something new with each listen. Dive into their sound here.

An unexpected anthem came from Queens of the Stone Age with ‘Songs for the Deaf’ echoing in a job interview lobby. “No One Knows” felt like a punchy reminder of their gritty allure. QOTSA keeps rocking hard, as you can see on theirsite.

A friend introduced me to Idles, a band that packs a punch with every album. Though not every track was my cup of tea, “Gift Horse” from their album ‘Tangk’ is a true ripper. Decide for yourself by visiting their BandCamp.

Turnstile’s ‘Glow Up’ and the track “TLC” hit like a quick slap to the face—a jolt of energy that’s definitely worth a listen. Check them out here.

During a drive, the oddly entrancing European electronica vibes from Sam Quealy’s ‘Blonde Venus’ had me dancing to annoy my kids—a tactic that worked beautifully. The album is a mix of eclectic tracks that you can explore here.

A nostalgic craving for classic metal led me to revisit Metallica and Guns N Roses, with essential albums like ‘Master of Puppets,’ ‘Ride the Lightning,’ ‘Appetite for Destruction,’ and ‘Use Your Illusion II.’ These bands defined a genre and a generation.

Introducing my kids to Primus, especially the track “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” from ‘Sailing the Seas of Cheese,’ was a fun twist in our musical education journey.

My son’s interest in Godzilla led us to Fu Manchu’s ‘Eatin’ Dust / Godzilla,’ where their cover of the Fleetwood Mac track adds a stoner rock zest to the mythical monster’s theme.

A haunting discovery on Bandcamp was the band Niisa from New Zealand. ‘Remnants (the love which moves the sun and other stars)’ is a deeply emotional piece, shadowed by the tragic fate of its members. Their story and music can be found here.

Beak> surprised me with ‘>>>>’—a zigzagging journey through unique soundscapes, epitomized by “Strawberry Line.” Though they’ve disbanded, their music lives on here.

Portland’s Or best offer with their album ‘Center’ and the track “Crawl up” offered a discordant yet captivating listen, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of sonic challenge. Their full experience is available here.

And I couldn’t leave out Wolves in the Throne Room, whose ‘Two Hunters’ album, especially “I Will Lay Down My Bones Among the Rocks and Roots,” is a masterpiece of black metal that beautifully contrasts chaos with calm.

Finally, seeing Unwound live again, performing ‘New Plastic Ideas’ in its entirety, brought back great memories of their ‘Leaves Turn Inside You’ tour. It was a night of nostalgic bliss, reminding me of times when music felt like a raw, unfiltered escape.

This trip down memory lane has been a whirlwind of rediscovery, each album a chapter in my musical biography. These bands and their music continue to resonate, offering sounds that challenge, comfort, and compel us to come back for more.