Every Wednesday I will post the songs that have been the soundtrack to my week. You see, I think it to be quite healthy to always challenge your ears and take the time to listen to music that might not be on your radar but should. These are songs that the people I love and respect here at KROQ have turned me on to or music that found its way to me, like music has always found me my entire life.

Here’s the trick though, you can’t just listen to songs in passing. Music was never meant to be background noise. Like any relationship worth having, music is meant to be courted, nurtured, regarded, and just like it can seduce you, you should also try to seduce it. You know perfectly well that music, when it hits the sweet spot, releases those same endorphins that are released during some hot, passionate S-E-X.

When it comes to music, be as promiscuous as possible. It is more than alright. It is perfectly fair to feel like an amazing song just impregnated you.

These are the songs that I have been listening to all week. I took them on my ultimate music test…the car test. If a song makes me never want to get out of the car and just drive instead, then I know me and that song are in it for the long haul.

Here’s a little bit of this and a little bit of that…

• Muse – “Madness”

I had no idea what to expect before I heard this track. Honestly, and I will always be truthful, I was not a huge fan of “Survival.”  It was almost too dramatic for me. I love muse because of their commitment to epic, theatrical, explosive sounds, but “Survival” was not and is not for me. I felt I was being baptized in hell every time I heard it. The devil himself was holding my head down into fiery water. It scares me. To the core.

Then I heard “Madness.”  Two seconds into it I knew that it was a song I would play over and over and over again. It’s soulful Muse. No, it doesn’t reach a crescendo where you feel your head will explode, but it is yummy.

Matt Bellamy wrote it after having a fight with his girlfriend, and according to him, it is the best song he has ever written. I don’t agree with the latter because there is some serious competition in that category, but I want to wrap myself up in “Madness.”

Next…

• The Black Keys – “Little Black Submarines”

The Black Keys’ ‘El Camino’ has been out for about a year now, yes, but, you can spend an entire year listening to a Black Keys album and barely scratch the surface. It’s fun to play these songs in different situations and find which one it enhances most.

I was driving at night listening to this song and I was stopped at a red light on La Brea and Sunset. While I was waiting for the light to turn green, I saw a homeless man run into the middle of the street and pass something to a guy on a skate board. Just as I realized the exchange was nothing short of shady, the song changes gears. It happens 2 minutes and 18 seconds into Dan and Patrick doing what they do best.  I sat at that light watching people load up on the city bus, I watched a man dressed as Vader with no helmet smoking a cigarette and staring into space, and then I watched the light turn green.

This song makes me feel like the ultimate anti-hero and I am all about it. To quote the song, “this is wrecking my mind.”

Next…

• Imagine Dragons – “Radioactive”

The very first time I heard Imagine Dragons on KROQ I wasa fan. “It’s Time” is a great song and  a lot of people will agree that it is infectious. Just try to deny it. However, I had NO clue what I was in store for me when I took the time to listen to more of their songs. They come from Vegas and I can guarantee they have seen beyond the pretty flashing lights because they take a darker turn into an edgier sound with this song.

I just drove to the desert and back with my best friend on a crazy trip and we must have played this 50 times.  It is a “take me, I’m yours” kinda love.

Next…

• The Dirty Heads ft. Matisyahu – “Dance All Night”

Holy shit! Let’s hear it for The Dirty Heads on this sexy ass song. This song is a hot, sweaty summer’s night by the ocean, it is the feeling of a bon fire at the beach with a bunch of half-naked hot people grinding up on each other, it is cold beers and a heavy make-out session that you may or may not regret. I need a cold shower.

Next…

• Slightly Stoopid – “Don’t Stop”

Since I am on a bit of a reggae-ish kick, I must stop to acknowledge my favorite song off of the new Slightly Stoopid album, ‘Top of the World.’  It’s the Slightly Stoopid I fell in love with on ‘Closer to the Sun.’

Next…

• Alabama Shakes – “I Ain’t the Same”

My good friend Chuck Adame describes Alabama Shakes like this: “If Janis Joplin sang for The Black Keys…”

He is 100% right in saying that. I am sure you have heard someone listen to a classic Motown song and say, “boy, they just don’t make em’ like they used to.” Well, they sure as hell do and THEY are called Alabama Shakes.

Next…

• Churchill – “Change”

This song is a voodoo session with a sultry yet somewhat vulnerable sounding female lead and it might be putting some sort of spell on you when you press play. You have been warned. It has bite to it.

Next…

• Diamond Rings – I’m Just Me (YELLE DJS Remix)

Alright, so this song initially got me because of its old school goth/industrial sound which I am a huge sucker for. Anything that makes me feel like I’m dancing with my shadow against the wall of a vampire’s cave is good by me, but when it completely kicks in at 1 minute and 1 second and the electro vibes takes over….yes! One million times yes.

Next…

• The Vaccines – “No Hope”

It’s an English indie post-punk rock part with The Vaccines. It is extremely snarky and therein lies its mildly anarchistic beauty.

Next…

• Imagine Dragons – “Demons”

So Imagine Dragons are on this list twice and I could have easily waited until next week to put them back on my playlist, but again, I am way too invested in them to hold back. Every song totally stands apart from the other and yet somehow this band ties them all together in a way that makes perfect sense. This band is beyond talented.

Next…

• Green Day – “Kill the DJ”

It’s Green Day. I have grown up with Green Day, so I will always be interested in what they’re doing next, but does it “sound like Green Day”?

Not any Green Day I’ve ever heard.  Please listen and discuss amongst yourselves.

Please note that there is not just 1 new Green Day album heading our way, but 3. What oh what will Green Day bring us this time? I personally am very excited to find out.