5 Songs to Get You Through the Week #14

5 Songs to Get You Through the Week is a feature I run on Young Ears, Fresh Perspective on Sundays/early hours of Monday morning where I pick out 5 tunes that I think are notable and tell you a bit about them. The point is to give you some rocking music to help you deal with your weekday blues. You can either listen to one each day, listen to them all at once, or any other combination that you feel. As long as you can get through the week without the man getting you down, that's all I care about. Without further ado, here are the 5 tracks I've picked out for this week:

1. Aqualung, by Jethro Tull

This is probably prog rock band Jethro Tull's most well known hit, and for good reason. The main riff is iconic and quite bluesy. For a radio hit, it isn't really structured like one. It lacks a noticeable amount of pop song structure and flows more like a suite. However, the end result is greater than the sum of its parts; as it is an exquisite memorable blend of guitars, piano, flute, etc. It is honestly a little baffling yet amusing that a song about a dirty perverted old vagabond could be so widely renowned and loved.

2.   Wheel in the Sky, by Journey

Since the song's late 70's release it has become quite the arena rock anthem. If you have been living under a rock and have somehow never heard the song before the intro might fool you into thinking it will be a soft song, but NOPE. It doesn't take long for the guitar to kick into overdrive and be joined by the rest of the band. The vocal harmonies combined with the driving rhythm and guitars of the tune make you feel like you're listening to the soundtrack of some kind of epic fantasy/sci-fi adventure kind of movie in a way.

3. The Great Divide, by Black Country Communion

This track has some of the best guitar work I have ever heard out of blues rock extraordinaire Joe Bonamassa. However, it isn't just for the mere shredding factor (though there is plenty of that). The way he crafts such a mysterious and almost adventurous melody while intertwining with the vocal melody and lyrics of Glenn Hughes is astounding. The bass also has this deep thick tone that holds the song together while Bonamassa is making melody and Jason Bonham is pounding away at the skins. However, it's the keys played by Derek Sherinian that add the extra arm hair raising vibe. They are layered in perfectly and augment what is already going on in a way that nothing else can.

4. Can I Sit Next to You, Girl?, by AC/DC

This song from AC/DC's first American release High Voltage is what I consider one of AC/DC's hidden treasures. If all you listen to from them is what they play on the radio then you're really missing out because this song while also being catchy also tells an entertaining story of trying to make your way with a girl while at a drive-in and some other guy then tries to swoop in and steal her right out from under you. Musically it's about what you would expect from early AC/DC, but in this case that is exactly what you want. It's swingy, loud, melodic, fun, and sure to help you get through your winter blues.

5. Bridge of Sighs, by Robin Trower

If you're looking for some atmospheric guitar music to help you fall asleep, look no further. Robin Trower has you covered. This tune while sad and soulful also has a relaxing presence that surrounds you like a thick warm blanket. To add to that experience, it also almost gives you the feeling as though you are floating through outer space in a way. It is pretty unique from the rest of Trower's guitar peers' tunes. Bridge of Sighs kind of proves that there is more to having guitar talent than just flashy chops.