After writing nearly 30 music columns for The DePauw, it's time for me to pass the torch and go on my way into the great abyss that is the real world. I sincerely hope my columns were helpful in your pursuit of new music or, at the very least, thought provoking.
Before I go, I'd like to share with you some of my favorite albums that I never got to mention in my three years as music columnist. I strongly encourage you to add these to your summer listening list and give them a few listens before coming to any conclusions. Many of my all-time favorite records took a few listens before I even began to like them. On that note, I'm out. Peace.
"As the Eternal Cowboy" by Against Me! – It's only 25 minutes of music, but I have yet to find a more potent combination of energy, melody and lyrical depth in a rock album.
"Abbey Road" by The Beatles – I assume most of you have heard the singles from this album and would probably recognize its famous cover art, but have you ever listened to the whole thing from start to finish? I cannot say enough good things about this album.
"London Calling" by The Clash – These guys proved that punk rock could be done intelligently. On this album, they fused the power and energy of punk with jazz, reggae, pop and rockabilly to make one of the most critically acclaimed albums of all time.
"Picaresque" by The Decemberists – This is the album I put on when I'm feeling sick. It's a beautiful indie folk-rock record that may or may not have magic healing powers.
"Rumours" by Fleetwood Mac — Judging by the cover art, you probably wouldn't think this is one of the greatest rock albums of all time. I guess that's why we're told to not judge anything by its cover.
"Dookie" by Green Day – I have this album to thank for getting me into rock music. Its blend of melody and minimalism do well to capture the struggles of growing up on the cusp of the 21st century, making it a classic for our generation.
"Sam's Town" by The Killers – While this album may not have the same infectious pop sound of "Hot Fuss," it possesses a delightful maturity rarely found in contemporary pop rock.
"The Fame Monster" by Lady Gaga – It's probably unnecessary to promote Lady Gaga to college students, but I really want people to see this album as a benchmark in pop music. Every song on this album is just so good.
"De-loused in the Comatorium" by The Mars Volta – Simply put, this album is a masterpiece. It may be a little heavy for some, but its flawless instrumentation and ambient narrative create a genre-defying sound that is as beautiful as it is chaotic.
"Planet of Ice" by Minus the Bear – I think the best word to describe this album is "sexy." It has some songs that groove real hard. Think Pink Floyd meets Passion Pit.
"The Shape of Punk to Come" by Refused – I generally stay away from hardcore music or anything with a lot of screaming, but this album is different. It's smart and successfully combines a wide range of music styles while still rocking face.
"The Wait" by ZOX – If you like violins and reggae-rock, then you will definitely like this album. It's kind of complicated, switching back and forth between upbeat and downbeat songs, but the whole thing comes together quite nicely.
— Pannekoek is a senior from Chesterton, Ind., majoring in English writing.
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