This is a special episode all about love. From our hearts to yours... "A love song is a song about being in love, falling in love, heartbreak upon the ending of a loving relationship, and the feelings that these experiences bring. A comprehensive list of even the best known performers and composers of love songs would be a large order. Love songs can be found in a variety of different music genres." -Wikipedia

This week we're loading up the pickup truck in our cut-off blue jean shorts with a beer in our hand and a dog by our feet while the radios blasting at our best friends wedding while his mom is making out with his uncle Bob and our girl is puking in the back seat waiting for... TOP 40 COUNTRY! Woo-hoo! "Top 40 is a music industry shorthand for the currently most-popular songs in a particular genre. When used without qualification it refers to the best-selling or most frequently broadcast popular music. The term is derived from record music charts, a few of which traditionally consist of a total of 40 songs. Top 40 is also an alternative term for the radio format of such music, also known as Contemporary hit radio." -Wikipedia

This week we're diving into the sweet sounds of the past as we take a look at what was dubbed the "Laurel Canyon" sound. "Laurel Canyon found itself a nexus of counterculture activity and attitudes in the 1960s, becoming famous as home to many of L.A.'s rock musicians, such as Frank Zappa; Jim Morrison of The Doors; Carole King; The Byrds; Buffalo Springfield; Canned Heat; John Mayall; members of the band The Eagles; the band Love; Neil Young; and Micky Dolenz & Peter Tork of The Monkees. Tork's home was considered one of Laurel Canyon's biggest party houses with all-night, drug-fueled sleepovers well attended by the hippest musicians and movie stars of the era." -Wikipedia

This episode is all about Good Christian Rock in this weeks double dose extravaganza!! What does the Old Cat Man think? "Christian rock is a form of rock music that promotes Jesus and is typically performed by self-proclaimed Christian individuals and bands whose members focus the lyrics on matters of Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands. Many bands who perform Christian rock have ties to the contemporary Christian music labels, media outlets, and festivals, while other bands are independent." -Wikipedia

This week we're expressing our thoughts on Bad Christian Rock. These are songs or artists that have created bad music and just happen to identify as believers of the Christian faith. "Like other forms of music the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of Christian music varies according to culture and social context. Christian music is composed and performed for many purposes, ranging from aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, or with a positive message as an entertainment product for the marketplace."- Wikipedia

This week we're tackling two sub-genres within one genre: Progressive Pop! "Progressive pop is a form of pop music which attempts to break with standard pop music formulas. Originally termed for early progressive rock music, some stylistic features of progressive pop include changes in key and rhythm, experiments with larger forms, and unexpected, disruptive, or ironic treatments of past conventions. Performers commonly produce their own material while opposing the influence of managers, agents, or record companies." -Wikipedia

This week we're diving into Ska Punk! (aka: 3rd Wave Ska) "Ska punk is a fusion music genre that combines ska music with punk rock music. Ska-core (sometimes spelled skacore) is a subgenre of ska punk that blends ska with hardcore punk. Early ska punk combined both 2 Tone and ska with hardcore punk. Ska punk often features wind instruments and horns such as saxophones, trombones and trumpets, making the genre distinct from most other punk rock music. Horn sections are very common in ska punk music. Ska punk mixes the rhythms of Jamaican ska with the heavy beats of punk rock. Ska punk is similar to traditional ska, but ska punk is faster and heavier than traditional ska." - Wikipedia

This episode we're paying tribute to musicians and entertainers that passed away in 2016. Unfortunately, others also passed away after this was recorded so we were unable to pay tribute to everyone that left us in 2016.

This week we're picking our favorite jams of 2016. What insipred us, what moved us, things we thought were just ok, or maybe even some disappointing releases. While 2016 has had some highs and really low lows, there was still great music being made.

This week we're taking a look at some good Christmas and holiday themed music. While most holiday music is admittedly pretty horrible, occasionally a shining star will peak through the snow laden clouds and melt your cold, dead heart. Happy Holidays from the Sock Monkey Sound gang!!