Suggestions: Mike York

Today’s post is the first in a new series of suggestion articles that will be featured on stokingtheroots.  I’ve asked a few artists, musicians, and friends to make a list of the 5 cds that have had the greatest impact on them and to explain why.  I’ll offer up download links to each artist so you can check their music out if you feel inclined to do so.

This weeks list comes from Mike York.

Mike is a touring musician (his band), runs a recording studio called The Crawlspace, and owns 229 records (which is about to release Age16′s full length).

“Alright, well this took hours to do. I had so many toss ups on what should be what, but here it is. No particular order, just 5 albums that have changed my life/affected me heavily in one way or another and why. I wish I could have had 8 or so, but… this is the way the ball rolls! I will mention 5 runner ups as well. Thanks so much for letting me be a part of this! I love stuff like this so much. Anyway, enough of my rambling…”

1. Explosions in the Sky – The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place

Explosions in the Sky is a Texas based instrumental band. I don’t really understand the term “post rock” so I don’t want to use it. I remember reading that one of their guitarists posted an ad in a local music shop stating that he was looking for likeminded individuals who wanted to start writing and performing music for a “sad, triumphant, instrumental rock machine”. Out of all the possible tags that could be labeled on this band, I think perhaps that is the best. The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place tells a story from beginning to end of love, loss, heartbreak, regaining things lost, memories, death, and life. The most incredible part about that however is that they do it without the use of vocals. Sure, there are many instrumental bands out there that can move listeners with their instruments, but I don’t feel that anyone has ever touched me the way this album does. In my opinion, it is a perfectly written album. Not a note out of place, not a melody unfit… nothing. It’s pristine, but not over produced. It’s clean, but heartfelt. It’s tight, but flowing and honest. They also put on a hell of a live show. There were points when you can hear the person next to you breathing because of how quiet it was, as well as points to where it was so loud you could feel everything in your chest. Perhaps the best live show I have ever seen as well.

Snatch it HERE.

2. Poison the Well – The Opposite of December: A Season of Separation

Alright, I catch a lot of hell about this. Have you ever, even for a second, been into a band that played breakdowns? Have you ever been into what is now considered, screamo (more on this one later)? Chances are, if you were ever into bands with heartfelt lyrics of losing someone coupled with palm muted guitar parts and triggered drums, you can thank this album and this band. This album is the COLDEST album I own. What do I mean by that? The album is harsh… a lot like the dead cold in winter. The album name is very fitting for them. The tones are incredibly harsh, lyrics are undeniably sad and cuts right through to the listener. I remember being in 8th grade and having been introduced to me by my best friend. That first listen… remember those feelings? Hearing something you didn’t know existed? Heavy, but not just musically, emotionally as well. Lines like, “beg for sleep, as this noose is tied around your neck” and “if I grew wings, or maybe if you lost yours, these words would flow like water, if you’d let them, scrape your heart” ,may seem cheesy and contrived now, but back in 1999 this was innovative. It wasn’t cheesy then. This album doesn’t let you up for air. It was my first gateway into hardcore, emo (real emo), scream (see previous), better metal, etc. It was the beginning of my new musical life.

Snatch it HERE.

3. Planes Mistaken For Stars – Up In Them Guts

Now, this band was another one that was/has been/will always be a huge portion of my life. Yes, the self titled album changed the way I listened to music the first time I heard it, however I am choosing their 2nd to last studio album, Up In Them Guts, as my album of choice for this because of the way it works together. This band seemed to fly beneath the radar for a lot of people when they were around for their 11/12 year career. Those who missed out on seeing them or never gave them a listen really missed out. The best way I can describe this band is Rock. They are an honest, rock band. No frills, no deceptive undertones in their writing, just straight ahead rock. Lyrically, Gerad O’Donnell writes very descriptive and vivid lyrics. Very metaphorical at times, however he never loses you in what he is trying to get across. His subject matter, for me anyway, is always very clear, just a very vivid way of describing it. Every time I saw this band, they used the same equipment from the first time to last. Easily one of my favorite bands of all time.

Snatch it HERE.

4. Thursday – Full Collapse

I don’t think this album needs any explanation. Everyone who has been involved in music of this genre understands it, comprehends it, and always has this album listed as one of their favorites of all time. Another one that changed my whole life when I heard it. Albums like this aren’t released anymore. If you never really listened to it, take the time to do so. One of my biggest influences in my own writing.

Snatch it HERE.

5. Jawbreaker – Dear You

This band was hit or miss with most. You could either get into them, or you couldn’t. Musically, it holds roots from older punk bands, and lyrics of the punk and, dare I say it, emo genre as well. No, they aren’t an emo band. That’s a whole other discussion; however the song “Jet Black” could be one of the saddest songs I have ever heard, which is on this album. I remember this album being on rotation in my CD player in my car for 6 months straight. Everyone can relate to almost every song on this album. Probably some of the most honest, and straightforward records you can find. This is a prime example of a band who gets better with time, although most will disagree and say that their worst sounding albums were better because they listened to them before they were cool, so automatically a good sounding recording of well written songs released on a subsidiary label of Geffen Records is terrible, and the others are prime. They will argue that they are horrible just because they had a label pay for the recording, and could possibly make a living off of playing live and selling records therefore, they could no longer listen to the band. Don’t worry, they even talk about that on their record. Hell, isn’t that every musicians dream? Make the music you love, not change at all, release a major label release, do well, and make money doing what you love, writing music you love, and enjoying it? Yeah, they are assholes for doing that…

Snatch it HERE.

Honorable Mentions:

1. As Cities Burn – Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest

2, mewithoutYou – Catch for Us The Foxes

3. Hopesfall – No Wings To Speak Of EP

4. Gregor Samsa – 55:12

5. Owen – No Good For No One Now