May 27th, 2008 by Evil Kitten

So, now that I’ve decided that this Amazon gig might be in the works, I have decided to do a few articles here in my little blog place. My first article is going to be about the most important thing in my life: music. My father is a professional blues bassist, and I started playing instruments as a small child. From that, my love of music just grew and grew.

My favorite bands are ones that I’ve been listening to for years. The top five are tried and true for me, with songs and lyrics that make up the soundtrack to my life.

1. Better Than Ezra — This will always and forever be my favorite band. I remember the first time I really took notice of the band. They were on 120 minutes (remember that show?) and it was Travis’ birthday. They were having a concert that week in Nashville, and my best friend and I decided to go. I was definitely not disappointed. We met the band, and from then on it was complete and total love. I have seen them in concert thirteen times and own every CD they’ve ever put out. My favorite three songs by Better Than Ezra: Laid (A remake of the James song), Breathless, and WWOZ (Yes, off of Friction, Baby. What a great CD that was!).

2. REM — I’d not really taken the time to appreciate REM until I started dating my current boyfriend. He is a Superfan, and owns all of their CD’s. I quickly rediscovered them though, and I haven’t looked back. At times they rival Better Than Ezra with the frequency that I listen to them, but they’ll always be a strong #2. I love their meaningful, insightful but cryptic lyrics. I love the harmonies and counter-melodies that only REM can provide. My favorite three songs by REM: Fall on Me, Begin the Begin, and Disturbance at the Heron House.

3. Angie Aparo — I’m sure you’ve never heard of him, and he is a close third to REM and Better Than Ezra. I wish I could describe his music. It’s defintely magical, and almost haunting. It’s soulful and it’s moving. You might remember the song Faith Hill sang a few years ago, called “Cry.” He wrote that song, and actually performed it on one of his albums (which is how she found it). That’s not even the deepest song, and it has amazing, powerful lyrics. Can you imagine? It only gets better from there. My favorite three songs by Angie Aparo: Hush, Child You’re the Revolution, and It’s Alright.

4. Tori Amos - She’s brilliant, she’s beautiful, and she can sing and play piano. What more could you ask for? Her lyrics are deep, some taken from very personal and tragic experiences in her own life, including when she was raped after a concert. You can’t listen to this music without feeling something stir within you, though usually it’s that dark, disturbed place inside you singing along with the music. My favorite three songs by Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes, Pretty Good Year, and A Sorta Fairytale.

5. Ben Folds (Five) — He’s foul-mouthed, angry, loud, and at times obnoxious. I love his cover of “Bitches Ain’t Shit” and I love the way he captured the emotions in “Brick.” He’s an amazing pianist who uses classical influences (as seen in “Philosophy,” with samplings of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” sprinkled throughout). With the band or without, his music is a treat and the lyrics give great messages. He writes about personal things, such as the suicide of his little sister, his daughter, and the love of his life (one of them). My favorite three songs by Ben Folds: Landed, Learn to Live With What You Are, and The Luckiest.