The Coronasity (A Companion Read-Along)

The Coronasity

1. White Lies – Hurt My Heart

    There is no particular reason that this is the first song on this list, brought forth from boredom and love of descending 7ths, other than the fact it was the first thing that popped on my Spotify. Big choruses and hits me right in the old man, emo, heart-strings. (PS the video is in brail. Counter productive but looks cool.)

2. Bilmuri – Fuck, I'm Lonely Ft. Dayseeker (VIA Lauv & Anne-Marie)

    I mean, come on. The original is gold. Then you let Johnny Franck get his hands on it. A heavier but still relevant sentiment in our current times. Also shout out to Anne-Marie's work with Rudimental.

3. Oso Oso – The Plant Mouth

    At first listen I was hit with an early Sloan vibe. But just wait for the drop into the chorus. Heartwrenching much? All the feels, with a fitting resolution.

4. Macseal – Cats

    In all honesty, a new band and track for me but come on, it's called Cats. With it's pitchy first line, “This is the second night, I should be getting ready but I'm watching Always Sunny.” Boom! Sold! “Shedding my layers cause I finally need to leave. This 3 month curse plagues everything I use to be.”

5. Antarcticgo Vespucci – Freakin' U Out

    Again another new, rad track and band that has me spinning. Vaguely Pup/Hollerado-esque. “I hop I'm not freaking you out. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night.”

6. Basement – Be Here Now 

    Social isolation sucks. On top of that, even alone, it can be hard to be present; even scarier when you actually can be.  

7. Saves The Day – Saves The Day 

    Those who know me, would expect me to chose a different track from my favourite band. However, sometimes you just got to turn it up, “cause it's Saves The Day!”

8. Two Tongues – Crawl 

    You can't have an STD track without a little colab' with Max Bemis. Two of my favourite lyricists creating a classic.

9. Say Anything – Yellow Cat Slash Red Cat 

    Finally, the last part of the trilogy. Max using a maybe not so subtly cat analogy. “These are my friends, this is where they have been for always. These are my days, this is how they stay.”

10. Weatherbox – Atoms Smash 

      I put this on the list for two reasons. I love this song and I feel like this band never truly got the love they deserved.

11. Cavetown – This Is Home 

      I was going to list his track I Miss My Mum but I didn't want to be a complete downer. You can trust that Cavetown will always hit you with a great, grungy outro.

12. Roy Blair – Alex 

      Originally I wanted to use the song Dennis but honestly I have overplayed it. This song is still a banger!

13. Waterparks – Turbulent 

      Ok, Ok. Enough of with the pop, boy-band, neo-emo, right? Just one more please. I had to toss this into the mix for the drum and bass alone. Plus, “I'd unfuck you if I could.” Great lyric.

14. Frank Ocean – Thinkin' Bout You 

      This is the part in the mix where I 180 and go from “I'd unfuck you,” to “I've been thinking bout you, do you think about me still?”

15. Moneen – If Tragedy Is Appealing, Then Disaster Is An Addiction 

     What can I say about the band I opened for, playing my first out of town show in the big city of Cobourg? Whether I was trying to emulate Kenny's spastic guitar/stage antics or later lifting drum licks from Chris thoughtful and intricate style; Moneen will always have a huge space in my heart. Lyrically this song seems so relate-able in our present circumstances.

16. Turnover – New Scream 

      Ok, let's be honest, at least one or two of these songs will be in reference to Kassandra Martin. However, the lyrical content is easily projected on our current state of being. “Can I reset my brain? If not I'll go insane.”

17. Touche Amore – Home Away From Here 

      “I'm growing older but I can't get over the need for colder skin when I know that home is warmer...This place looks better from a passenger window, or stared at from up above.”

18. Comeback Kid – Little Soldier 

      Again, multiple reasons for including Andrew and the gang on this list. First, this song is a B-side! Why? Second, it is catchy as hell. Third and last, the first verse fits so perfectly in reference to Trump and his actions right now.

19. Sights & Sounds – Resurface 

      You can't mention one Neufeld without including the other. This is my favourite drum part that Joel or really anyone has ever put out.

20. Devin Townsend Project – Kingdom 

      So not really related to our current state but the majority of musical Canadians can easily say that Devin is on of the best producer/guitarist/vocalist ever! Also he produced Sights & Sounds.

21. Polyphia – Goose 

     “The PoPo think its water.” This music video broke my brain. As well, this song is titled Goose. I just think that is funny. Some of the most technical music out there. The W6rst crushes guitar.

22. The Lucky Ones – Great Minds (Drink Alike) 

      What can I say? It is a song about drinking and it is a band I had the privilege of playing in. P.S. Steve Stumble, where are my potatoes?

23. Silverchair – Minor Threat 

      My first big concert was Handsome opening for Local H opening for Silverchair. The latter of which played this song. Not that I was a stranger to punk rock at this time but this opened up a whole new world of bands for me.

24. Turnstile – Real Thing 

      I avoided this band forever. Why? I hate when people tell me how great something is and that I have to hear it. My friends were like, “You love Nirvana, you love Snapcase, you love tasty basslines. You will LOVE TURNSTILE!

25. Handsome – Dim The Lights 

      Looking back at that first, real concert I attended, welcome Handsome (not Handson). Composed of members from Helmet, Quicksand, and Cro-Mags. The only released on album but that piece of art is flawless. Not a bad song in the bunch.

26. Teenage Wrist – Mary 

      When I first heard this song it was in multiples. I could not stop repeating it. Great pre-chorus and chorus. Super catchy.

27. Deftones – Hexagram 

      What can I say. We all love Deftones. They are like the chilled out version of Messuggah. Some of the biggest sounds in rock music out there. Also I am glad that Chino is ok after seeing him get electrocuted at the 1996 Warped Tour

28. Glassjaw – Radio Cambodia 

      So I debated which Glassjaw song I was going to include. I was going to go a bit more chill but all those songs are about relationships. This song always hit me in a different way. Also great outro.

29. Headautomatica – Beating Heart Baby 

      You can't include Daryl Palumbo if you aren't going to include his rock-dance outfit, Head Automatica. I threw this in here for a lil' dance break, so get up and shake what the good lord gave ya!

30. At The Drive In – Pattern Against User 

      I threw an inadvertent house party the I got this album. Suffice it to say I got in trouble, as well as the emergency room. DO NOT try and emulate Marty Mcfly while skateboarding. The next morning I woke up in Montreal though, so not all bad.

31. Sparta – Air 

      “Do you remember the days?”

32. Rival Schools – Good Things 

      Between this and choosing a good Jonah song, I really struggled. Most people would gravitate towards the track, Travel By Telephone. However, right now we need good things. “Good things are coming our way.”

33. Far – Mother Mary 

      Now for Jonah. For me this was the track. Prolific lyricist, as proven by my next track.

34. Onelinedrawing – Stay 

      One of the most beautiful and seamless transitions from 4/4 to 3/4 timing. Elliot Smith would be stoked.

35. Elliot – Drive Onto Me 

      Part two to my trip to the emergency room. I grabbed this album the say day I got ATDI. Fun fact, this is supposedly Dallas Green's favourite band.

36. Rudimental – Rumour Mill 

      Obviously not about “fake news” but made me think about all the misinformation that is currently floating around. Be critical thinkers people. Also this is a great showing of Anne-Marie's lush vocals.

37. JME – Work 

      For all the front-line and essential workers out there keeping us healthy and fed. Much love.

38. Twenty One Pilots – Level Of Concern 

      Just what the quarantine ordered. Leave it to Josh and Tyler to somehow makes us feel ok in these uncertain times. Also another dance banger!

39. Lil Peep – I've Been Waiting 

      Basically how I feel about outside right now. “I've been waiting long for you. Now the time is right, you wanna do me so wrong.”

40. Enter Shikari – Elegy For Extinction 

      Just a beautiful instrumental off the boys brand new album, Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible.