I have five alarms set on my phone. They’re not for waking me up in the morning, since I have an established sleep cycle where I’m in and out of bed at the same time every day (a routine I’ve had for as long as I remember). Rather, the alarms inadvertently do the opposite: they keep me awake by building excitement. Whenever I watch the seconds tick by, I know it shortens the time until the alarms will eventually erupt on five different days scattered throughout the year, proclaiming that it’s finally time to rock and roll at a concert. Given my blatant enthusiasm, it’s unsurprising that this will be a post dedicated to headbanging-worthy music.
It may sound paradoxical, but I tend to find comfort in cranking up rock and metal music to thunderous levels. While some people likely believe that rattling my eardrums to those genres, particularly the latter, only provokes an agonizing atmosphere, I find that it eases whatever’s unpleasant — such as the sniffles and sneezes brought by the impending allergy season — by way of catharsis. Concerts especially amplify that buoyancy, typically cultivating a bond that’s shared among the people you’re cavorting shoulder to shoulder with.
The recommendations below, some of which are not-so-subtle hints at the concerts I’ll be attending, are written by/about artists or bands that my ears find pleasant. If you’re looking for some adrenaline to get through these final weeks of winter, perhaps these titles will pump you up with a hefty dose of ebullience.
Down With the System, a fittingly titled memoir by System of a Down’s (SOAD) lead singer, Serj Tankian, chronicles the frontman’s past, life as an activist, and his years of being in one of metal’s most recognizable bands. He goes over his political views, relationship with spirituality, and some controversies he wounded up in. Readers will cognize what Tankian feels his objectives are as an artist in addition to the greater injustices that he wants his platform to call attention upon, specifically those against the Armenian community. For instance, the book details the horrors of the Armenian genocide using personal stories, including that of his grandfather who survived the atrocity, and its intergenerational effects on him and his community.
Tankian intertwines his activism with the emergence of SOAD, which have a direct intersection between them. While the unorthodox style of the band is what initially drew me in, most notably Tankian’s shrills and growls mixed in with the band’s Armenian influences and instrumentation, approaching SOAD’s music with background knowledge surrounding Tankian’s political activism and personal history will enable a whole new and more impactful perspective on their discography, predominantly with tracks like “P.L.U.C.K.” The book unravels how some of their songs came to be, including their greatest hits like “Sugar” and “Chop Suey!” Tankian writes how much of the band’s music contains his signature activist or spiritual lyrics mixed in with more silly and lighthearted lines by bandmate Daron Malakian, which I view as the perfect encapsulation of the band’s style.
He also delves into SOAD’s formation, their lack of new music, the band’s dynamics, how their albums came to be, and his own solo work. From Tankian’s early success as a businessman to life on the road, his indelible musical footprint — and his life in general — are filled with interesting stories that’ll make both casual and die-hard SOAD fans appreciate his perspectives and rise to stardom. (If you’re unfamiliar with SOAD, this is still an engrossing read!)
Somebody to Love: The Life, Death, and Legacy of Freddie Mercury tells the story of Queen’s iconic frontman, the larger-than-life performer who’s widely regarded as one of rock’s greatest vocalists, if not the very best. The book also delves into the evolution of HIV/AIDS, often transitioning between its timeline and a recounting of Mercury’s personal life.
While Mercury’s life was sadly cut short by HIV/AIDS, his musical prowess lives on. Today, Queen remains a household name with newer generations continuing to embrace the band’s music and legacy. As a Gen Z fan myself, I loved how the book burrows into the details of their discography; in particular, Queen’s recording of Innuendo, especially with goosebump-inducing tracks like “The Show Must Go On,” was recorded during a time when Mercury’s health was tragically deteriorating. This puts a spotlight on Mercury’s courageous spirit and the band’s commitment to their art and fans.
The short story behind the band’s magnum opus, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and the theories about what the song means are equally intriguing. The album that hosts this six-minute epic, A Night at the Opera, spans 12 songs that fuses multiple genres and styles together, beginning with an opening track, “Death on Two Legs,” that was a jab at the band’s former manager. Search up the lyrics and you’ll see! Or, even better, read about it in the book to also see Mercury’s take on the song. While this book can be quite hard to read at times, largely because of Mercury’s death and the discussions of discrimination as a result of HIV/AIDS, this gripping read will likely make any classic rock fan speed through the pages.
On a side note, Bohemian Rhapsody (2019) remains one of my favourite films, not just for its catchy discography and Rami Malek’s brilliant performance, but also for representing Mercury as a fighter, the perfect tag for a musician who displays extraordinary levels of resilience. The film, despite altering the timeline of certain events, includes immersive portrayals of Mercury’s energetic performances, most notably Queen’s legendary 1985 Live Aid act, where Mercury puts on a renowned show that seamlessly transitions between the band’s hits. (And who can forget how effortlessly he engages the crowd with his “Ay-Oh” call-and-response chants?)
In my first HOTS post, I declared that I’m a physical media connoisseur — so I’ll rave about tangible media being far superior than streaming any chance I get. But here’s an almost paradoxical confession: I’m also a social media doomscroller. I find that listening to music via vinyl, CDs, cassettes, or any other sort of physical media can lead me to pick up the phone and swipe through an endless cycle of news, posts, or whatever’s online. However, having something to flip through and look at (like lyric books) is a great way to enhance the listening experience and get away from the persuasive, sometimes instinctive urge to launch my cursed news app for the hundredth time.
This recommendation ticks that box: it’s a CD nestled within a photobook that contains photoshoots of the boy group’s eight members and the album’s lyrics. Stray Kids was my first introduction to K-pop when I initially delved into the genre. Their on-stage antics and behind-the-scenes vlogs are occasionally marked by an infectious goofiness, an insignia that appeals to the fun side of us that we should all occasionally partake in or emulate — because what’s life without a little bit of lighthearted silliness? Despite the group’s jovial demeanour, they also carry themselves in a way that forces spectators to acknowledge their powerful stage presence.
Musically speaking, they dabble in many genres that span from EDM to rock, which is apparent in “5-Star,” their fourth studio album. I’m one of those people who love reading into lyrics; however, since I don’t know Korean, I can’t analyze their lyrics in its original language without having a translation app lend a (virtual) hand. But for the lyrics I do understand, many songs have that laid-back, playful vibe whereas some have deeper messages, such as “FNF,” a track that’s about the devastation of the Australian bushfires in 2019–2020, according to an official post by Stray Kids on X.
Sir Elton John’s Me recounts the singer-songwriter’s rough upbringing and how he becomes one of the most extravagant and positively flamboyant artists of the music world. The autobiography is loaded with details of John’s life that any music aficionado or casual curious reader would value. Artistry. Identity. Addiction. Loneliness. Loss. These topics, among others, are some that John has faced throughout his battles and victories, which are explained in a resonant way that exhibits his and personality and grit.
One memorable anecdote from his book pertains to a cocaine addiction that he grappled with, which once resulted in the purchase of a Melbourne W2 tram, an incident John didn’t remember until sometime after his three days of cocaine use. The tram, John wrote, was delivered to his home in Britain via two Chinook helicopters. Drugs aside, John noted that he always had a knack for spending money, and his autobiography doesn’t hide the details of it.
If you’re curious about how this might look, consider checking out Rocketman (2019) for a visual and auditory experience, a biopic titled after John’s most recognizable hit. Though the film features magnificent tunes like Bohemian Rhapsody (2019) does, many scenes are presented in a theatrical style that I feel is akin to John’s on-stage persona. Taron Egerton kills it, by the way. While the book describes many of the dazzling outfits that John has donned over the decades, the movie shows it in all its vibrant and eye-catching glory. However, this is where the dichotomy lies. While John is an international superstar who’s beloved by fans, I could viscerally feel the loneliness he grapples with in his behind-the-scenes life that seems intensified by his self-destructive habits.
What I find most inspirational about John’s story in Me is how he overcome his substance abuse. He admitted he needed help, committed to rehab and AA, and conquered his alcohol and drug addictions. He also founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised north of $450 million. His story is simply raw and moving — and that’s why I believe Me and Rocketman (2019) should be paired together for a more impactful experience.
While attending concerts is revitalizing, reading about your favourite musicians and bands can also get you into a funky mood! If the recommendations above aren’t enough to convince you, or if you would prefer to loosen up to tunes by different artists, punch your go-to singers and bands into our catalogue’s search bar to see if there’s something that might be more riveting for you!
Since it’s March, the Allergy Monsters are beginning to rouse from their hibernation. I understand that blinking past tears that blur the pages of your book can be quite arduous, so in that case, I’d recommend also checking out our audiobooks or music CDs for an auditory experience. They are also excellent at making day-to-day bores a more bearable experience. Doing chores? Listen to the audiobook version of Me! Going for a workout? A Day at the Races will electrify you! Whatever it is, make your final weeks of winter more blitheful!