6 Reasons I have hope for the future of music

I could wax poetic for a long, long time about how much music means to me. But there’s really no point, because it’s one of those things you either understand or you don’t. I don’t have to tell you how much music can enrich you, move you, or make you feel like you can absolutely conquer the world. I don’t have to tell you how vital it is to being alive, because you already know. It’s one of those things that everybody quietly knows in their inside internal innards. And while the passion for music is common to most, a single song can mean a hundred different things to a hundred different people, and it doesn’t matter, because when you step into a concert venue and you become part of the crowd, you look around and you realize that these people are here because there are passionate about the exact thing about which you are passionate, and there is just nothing else like that in the world. There’s a quiet understanding that passes between the members of the crowd. And you can all get swept up in it together.

While I think a lot of music released today will fall by the wayside, I think there are a handful of bands and musicians that we will look back on in twenty or thirty years and say, “Man, that was some good music.” When we turn into parents, old men or women, these are the bands that I think will stick in my brain, these are the bands I think will last. They are the new Queen, the new Stones. They are our Led Zeppelin, our Beatles. These are the bands that I think will join the heritage that will be passed down through the years in the lofty halls of rock music legend. And I’m glad I’m alive to experience a small part of that legacy.

1. FALL OUT BOY – I wasn’t a fan of FOB when they first broke on the worldwide music scene. I was aware of them, had heard a couple of their songs and liked those songs, but they were always on the fringe of my music world. It wasn’t until their music career had reached an apparently destructive popularity that I actually sat down and listened to one of their albums. That album was Folie a Deux. I’ve sung its praises before, and I will do it again. Not only was this the album that utterly convinced me of this band’s potential to go down in history for being brilliant songwriters, it is now one my favorites ever. It’s one of the best albums I’ve ever heard. It’s ironic that the moment I started really being excited for this band that they decided to step out of the spotlight for a while. The members are all doing their own respective things right now, but I hope that they will continue to make music together. A future with no new Fall Out Boy would be disappointing.

2. MUSE – I was a fan of Muse before they blew up and everyone knew who they were (insert cred points here). I don’t say that to pat myself on the back, but to make a point: It’s great to see an extremely talented, hard-working and amazing live band get the credit that they deserve. I guess it’s because the UK, and Americans impressions of the UK, are under a stranglehold by that other British band (What’s their name again…? Radio something…?), but I feel like Muse was overshadowed for a long time before they and their fans made enough noise for the rest of the world and the critics to finally sit up and take notice. I had the pleasure to see Muse as an opening act, and they almost (but not quite) stole the show. But more on that later. Not only does this band make stunning music, but if you’re a fan and you haven’t seen these guys live, you’re missing out. I can’t wait to see them headline. I hope I get to someday.

3. COHEED AND CAMBRIA – Three words come to mind when I think of this band: Impressive, impressive and impressive. It might be the fact that prog rock will always have a special place in my musical heart, but I feel these guys are not only the heirs to the progressive dynasty of Rush and Iron Maiden, I think that CO&CA have made that dynasty all their own and surpassed their forebears, at least in my head. It’s funny, because Coheed fans are like a covert organization – you never really know how widespread they are, and just how much they have infiltrated the music world. On the surface it doesn’t seem like Coheed is all that popular, but there are tons of Coheed fans out there (and you’d do well to remember that before you blaspheme). Not only are their technical skills second to none, they consistently write great records with darkly catchy songs that stick with you. They’ve built a saga, and I am anxious to see, and hear, the next chapter.

4. THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS – There are a lot of reasons I love 30STM. They are one of those bands that will make you believe in the power of music again. But their innovation in their relationship to their fans is probably the one that stands out the most. They routinely include their fans in their videos, invite them out to special events (like a mass bike ride to the Grammy’s), and even gathered them together for special recording sessions, officially making the fans part of the finished product of their latest record, This Is War. Also, in a musical climate where music videos are perfunctory, 30STM continues to do things differently, making short films that tell surreal stories, instead of just music videos. 30STM is one of the most daring bands out there, and it’s all backed up by some truly incredible songs. I had the chance to see them live in Toronto, Canada shortly after their new record released, and it’s one of the most memorable musical experiences of my life. The sheer passion and power they display and encourage the crowd to take part in during the course of their show is astounding and contagious. And the thing is, I don’t think they’ve reached their full potential yet, which makes me very optimistic for their next release.

5. LINKIN PARK – I’ve been a fan of Linkin Park from the start, during the whole Nu Metal thing (Limp Bizkit Ya’ll). Those days make me shiver in embarrassment and hide my face in shame. Except in this one instance. Linkin Park survived. They grew up, they matured, and continued to evolve. Most bands release their best work first and spend the rest of their careers trying to live up to their own premature reputation. Linkin Park earned it the hard way. Did I love their old stuff when it came out? Yes, I did. And I still think it’s good, and pop it on every once in a while. But it was like a summer popcorn flick. Fun, but not really any lasting substance. I’m thankful that LP passed that phase and continue to evolve. Their latest work, A Thousand Suns, has solidified them in my mind as one of those rare bands that transcend themselves and their roots to become true artists. A Thousand Suns is my favorite LP record to date, and the band’s most cohesive musical and artistic statement, and I am nothing but excited to see where they go next.

6. MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE – Oh geez. What can I say about this band? I was hooked from the very first time I heard the song “Helena” in my good friend’s dorm room. Not only did the song immediately grip me as something familiar but quite different than anything I had ever heard before, but the video absolutely captivated me, beginning an excellent standard of theatrical flair that the band continues to employ to this day, with amazing results each time. I remember the first time I heard the title song from The Black Parade, and my jaw dropped. I remember going to the mall with my college buddies to get The Black Parade on the day it released, and listening to The End on the drive back. I remember the day I saw them live, performing the entire album front to back. All of these moments stand out in my mind as truly amazing. The band continues to surprise me with pretty much everything they do, and that surprise inevitably turns to a wide grin as I realize that, once again, they’ve created something that will live forever in my musical spirit. Their latest, Danger Days, is no different, and it quickly became one of my favorite records, and spawning what are arguably my favorite MCR songs (although Welcome to the Black Parade is something that I don’t think anything will ever touch). I’m pretty much chomping at the bit to see what these guys do next, and I’m hoping and praying there will be at least one more release from them.

HONORABLE MENTION

GREEN DAY – Speaking of evolution, these guys were rock legends already by the time they released what I believe to be their two best records: American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown. They had one career and solidified themselves as punk rock legends. Then they kind of dropped off on the map, only to come back revitalized and with a new sense of urgency, catapulting themselves to greater heights than they had ever reached before, showing that they had matured musically, but still had the same spirit.

TOOL – I won’t say a lot about this one, because they’ve already secured their place in the pantheon of rock gods. Why am I mentioning them here? Because they’re the only band I can think of that has achieved that status and is still making music (other than Metallica). Not that this entry was obligatory, but there’s really not much else to be said that I haven’t said before.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD – There are some bands that are irrefutably good, regardless of taste. This is one such band. The members of Ax7 are extremely skilled musicians, talented songwriters, and staggering performers. I don’t like their music. It’s just never clicked with me. I don’t know why that is, because I feel like it should have by now. But it hasn’t. Nevertheless, I have no problem saying something is good, even if it doesn’t suit my personal taste. Ax7 is a good band, and they deserve to be mentioned here.