Words and Picks by Annette Schaefer
Ashley Parker Angel – Soundtrack to Your Life
As I kid I loved boy bands: Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Hanson, you name it. There was just one boy band that I couldn’t stand, O-Town. I didn’t really have a good reason for my distaste; I just didn’t like them. When I saw the show “There and Back Again” on VH1, I was hooked and I decided to give Ashley Parker Angel, formerly of O-Town, a try. I loved his album. It is still amongst my favorite pop/rock albums. I genuinely wish he would release more music already!
Bayside – Killing Time
Much like Against Me! I was always a fan of Bayside’s music when it was played on Fuse, but I never bought any of their albums or let myself really get into them. When I heard wonderful things about their album Killing Time I decided to pick it up. After one listen, I knew it was worth the risk. I can’t help but sing along and even harmonize with every song. Killing Time solidified me as a Bayside fan.
The Maine – Pioneer
When I first heard about The Maine, I figured they were just another super poppy rock band that sounded like 1,000 other bands that were out at the time, but when Black and White and Pioneer came out I couldn’t stop seeing praises for this band’s music. I decided to trust the reviewers and grab the only copy we had of Pioneer at my work. I was pleasantly surprised by what I heard. The music was more edgy and rock ‘n’ roll than what I expected. Now The Maine are amongst one of my favorite bands and I’m more than pleased when I hear new music from them.
Hellogoodbye – Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!
When they used to play Hellogoodbye’s video for “Shimmy Shimmy Quarter Turn” on Fuse I could not stand them. I honestly still don’t like that song (sorry). But once I heard the song “Here (In Your Arms)” and my friend showed me her copy of Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!, my heart was quickly changed. “Here (In Your Arms)” is definitely one of the best nostalgia songs ever!
