For this week’s Top 10, Sports Editor and bonafide music fanatic Melissa Kramer shares her top tunes of the moment.
1. “Giant Tortoise,” Pond
I have been rocking out to this song every day for a good while now. Better yet, I will get to hear it live in a little over a month. The punch of the bass and explosive Led Zeppelin sound throughout this track are something else.
2. “They Dated Steadily,” Mink Mussel Creek
Mink Mussel Creek is another hidden gem of Australian bands, which made their name known right before Tame Impala earned fame. This song is an epic, but my favorite part is the first two minutes. With the guitar riffs and Robert Plant-sounding voice of lead singer Nick Allbrook (Pond) and Kevin Parker (Tame Impala) on drums, the first track off their album, “Mink Mussel Manticore,” is sure to blow your mind.
3. “Free,” Tomorrows Tulips
The blend of the lead-up of the guitar and bass is one of my favorite intros of any song. There is just something about Alex Knost’s voice that makes everything more relaxing.
4. “Runway, Houses, City, Clouds,” Tame Impala
Kevin Parker’s musical genius is demonstrated in an incredible way during this seven-minute saga of a song. When the guitar riff kicks in during the final section, I feel like I am floating on an airplane. In fact, I feel that way throughout the entirety of this tune. This song off of Parker’s first album “Innerspeaker” is perfect to listen to with headphones when traveling.
5. “Everything You’ve Come To Expect,” The Last Shadow Puppets
The vocal harmonies between Alex Turner and Miles Kane go together like strawberries and cream. I listen to this song multiple times a day and still get chills every time.
6. “Commentators,” City and Colour
I have recently started listening to City and Colour, and this song is definitely a stand-out favorite of mine so far. The acoustic guitar and folk sound instantly bring cheer and joy from the very start.
7. “I Follow You,” Melody’s Echo Chamber
French musician Melody Prochet’s first track off her self-titled album is beautiful. I love everything about Melody’s vocals and the guitar solo during the outro.
8. “My Mind Is Ramblin,’” The Black Keys
This Junior Kimbrough cover off my favorite Keys album “Chulahoma” is the perfect blend of calm and relaxing. In the best way possible, while on Trailways bus rides, I can put this song on, zone out into another world and even fall asleep.
9. “Ode to Viceroy,” Mac DeMarco
The guitar solo outro at the end of the song just blows me away. What more can I say?
10. “Elafonissi Blue,” GUM
The effects and the chorus are what get me while listening to this song. I love the echo and space effect of Jay “GUM” Watson’s vocals. This tune has such a disco vibe, making it feel special.
