While in college, students begin to form and solidify ideas that will be the basis of their thought for the rest of their lives, make friendships that will stand the test of time and are introduced to music that will change their lives – music that “gets” them while it seems as if nobody else does. While I can not help you make friendships by writing this essay, maybe I can introduce you to a few bands that will change the way you perceive your environment and perhaps even carry you through the tough times you will undoubtedly encounter while attending college.
Ryan Adams
Like Bob Dylan was the voice of his generation, Ryan Adams is ours. The only difference between the two is that while Dylan’s generation cared about social issues, love and the power of words and chords composed into an amalgamation of poetry and truth, Adam’s generation is drenched in apathy and saturated with homogenous commercialized rap and pop that has forgotten about its roots.
Adams at 32 has released eight records since going solo in 2000 – not to mention a slew of unreleased material. Adams wears his heart on his sleeve and as a result he doesn’t pigeonhole himself into one genre and his records fluctuate from Dylan-esque folk to ’70s Rolling Stones radio rock to Replacements-like punk to bluesy Smiths-influenced Brit-rock to Grateful Dead-inspired jams.
Because he is so prolific Adams’ music sets the mood for any situation. From times where love seems futile or when it is the best thing to ever happen in your life, Adams’ music offers the perfect backdrop while offering inspiring words of understanding.
Start with: “Gold”
Radiohead
If the Rolling Stones took the Beatles’ sound in the ’60s then Coldplay surely “borrowed” their sound from Radiohead – only while the Stones matured from their original pilfered sound Coldplay has succeeded in making the same record full of watered-down Radiohead tunes three times.
Unlike their drab doppelgangers, Radiohead’s sound has morphed from the grunge-meets-the-Pixies sounds of “Pablo Honey” and “The Bends” in which their lyrics deal with personal concerns to a more expansive art rock sound of “Ok Computer” where lyrics are more irrelevant than personal. Radiohead is well versed in art and how to create an emotional, almost spiritual experience through sound using guitar, piano, ondes martenot, bass, drums, synthesizers, electronics and the most important instrument of all, front man Thom Yorke’s voice.
Somehow I am convinced that listening to Radiohead makes you smarter, and not just because they have read more books than the entire state of Rhode Island. Their music blends jazz, experimental and electronica together, delivering a more developed, densely intricate sound than today’s radio rock, causing listeners to think outside the box of modern music’s convoluted norms.
Start with: “Ok Computer”
The Beatles
Most collegians have heard the Fab Four’s hits but few have truly “listened” to them past their No. 1 singles. The Beatles were not just a glorified boy band as some dolts would believe. They not only mapped out how to write pop songs but also proved that a good musician can write even better songs while on drugs.
The Beatles were composed of three of the best pop song writers of all time – John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison – and have influenced in some shape, form or fashion every band since they started the British Invasion. From their early work of straight pop on “Meet the Beatles” to their later more complex sonically dynamic work on “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “Revolver,” the Beatles laid the ground work for rock ‘n’ roll while still retaining their pop sensibilities.
The Beatles catalogue is best listened as it was meant to be in MONO on 12 inch vinyl. Hit the flea markets and pick up a turntable and a copy of “Revolver” to find out why the Beatles are consistently cited as the world’s great rock band.
Start with: “Revolver

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