Synic Selects Vol. X - The Songs That Shaped Me: Revisited

 Well guys, here we are. Volume 10 already. That means it's been 10 months since I started doing this. Crazy how time flies when you're trapped at home and can't go anywhere, do anything, or see anyone. Anyway, I wanted to do something special to celebrate Volume X of my Synic Selects compilations, as I did for Volume V. But what? It was actually my mother (who tells me regularly how much she enjoyed Volume V) who suggested I do all the same artists, but with my current favorite songs. Brilliant, no?

So anyway, here it is: Synic Selects Vol. X - The Songs That Shaped Me: Revisited

1. AC/DC - Riff Raff

How could I not pick the best song from their best album? 1978's Powerage featured their most experimental and diverse tracks to date. Anyone who says "All AC/DC songs sound the same" clearly never heard this record. In fact, casual fans of AC/DC's radio hits would likely not even know a single song from the record. Maaaaaybe "Sin City." Maybe. But this song has it all, a killer riff, hard percussion, and some killer lyrics delivered in Bon's harsh vocal style. Special shout-outs to "Hells Bells" for getting me started, and "Shot In The Dark" for being arguably the best song AC/DC has released in over 30 years.

2. The Offspring - I Choose

This is a tough one. In fact, if you ask me again next month my favorite Offspring song may be different. "Come Out Swinging," "D.U.I.," "Race Against Myself" and plenty more all gave this track a run for its money. But I picked this one because it has a little bit of everything you would want from an Offspring song. Catchy riff, dark lyrics delivered in a light and whimsical manner, and their signature sound that bounced between skate punk and ska-rock. It also has one of my favorite lines that Dexter ever wrote: I'm not De Niro / I'm amarillo

3. "Weird Al" Yankovic - My Baby's In Love With Eddie Vedder

It's no secret to my readers that I have an unending and borderline unhealthy obsession for "Weird Al." But as much as I love the man, and his entire musical catalogue, I do have to admit that some of his songs just don't age super well. Many of his pop culture references are completely outdated, and some topics he covers may even be considered controversial today. But what else could you expect from a satirical musician/comedian with a career spanning 4 whole decades? I picked this song because it's a highlight from my favorite record of his. 1999's Running With Scissors. Maybe the subject matter was outdated after the 90s ended, but it doesn't matter. This song has musical brilliance and lyrical charm, wrapped together beautifully with, you guessed it, some masterful accordion work.

4. Van Halen - Judgement Day

"Unchained" has to get a special shoutout here, because it is in my opinion, among the greatest rock songs ever written. But when I'm itching for a Van Halen record, 9/10 times I will go for 1991's For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. This is the second track on there, and it is arguably the hardest rocking track the band released during their time with Hagar as the frontman. It's also one of the handful of his tunes that wasn't written about love or vaginas. And I have to mention Michael Anthony's killer backing vocals, and the Mikey/Eddie harmonies are the unsung hero of what made Van Halen so fucking great.

5. War - Low Rider

Yeah, this one hasn't changed. What was my favorite then is still my favorite now. That cowbell intro still makes me feel like a kid again when I hear it today. It also gives me nightmarish flashbacks to waking up at 3 A.M. in a cold sweat with George Lopez's giant head floating around my TV screen. Admittedly I think I only really know a few War songs, and this one easily wins over "Cisco Kid" and "Why Can't We Be Friends."

6. Nickelback - Yanking Out My...

Also called "Yanking Out My Heart," this one is I believe some kind of bonus track from The Long Road. It's hard, aggressive, and one of the more metal-sounding songs that Nickelback has released over the years. I get a lot of grief from people for liking this band, and when I hear some of their lame love ballads, or their odd inspirational anthem songs, I understand why. But when I hear songs like this, I forget about all that and bang my head along with it. Hate them all you want, but they've been around a long time. Nickelback is clearly doing something right.

7. Disturbed - No More

This is going to be the newest song on this list. Released in 2019, It was one of the few tracks from Evolution that featured the aggressive metal sound that long-time Disturbed fans know and love. It's got everything that a great Disturbed track should. Hard percussion, face-melting riffs, and political inspired lyrics that call to end warfare and worldwide violence. This song could have been written by David in 2004, or even just this morning. And while that may be some tragic commentary on the world / this country, it is a testament to the brilliance and longevity of Disturbed.

8. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - Adam Raised A Cain

This one was a tough one to pick as well, believe it or not. I wouldn't exactly call myself a Bruce fan, but I know a good songwriter when I hear one. And The Boss is certainly one of the all-time greats. I chose this one for it's lyrics, and hard-bluesy sound. I tell my mother when this song comes on that Brucey is takin' us to church. Listen to the song and maybe you'll see what I mean. Plus, you know, Cain? Adam? Duh. Anyway I love this song. See also "Working On The Highway" for a catchy and up-beat little ditty about a blue-collar pedophile.

9. Styx - Music Time

Don't get me wrong, "Too Much Time On My Hands" is still very much a close second. But that would be what, the 3rd time that song has appeared on one of these lists? Enough is enough. But really though, "Music Time" is absolutely excellent. Catchier than Corona itself, it's got everything you would want from a Styx song. Guitars, keys, rhythm, fun lyrics, and harmonies for days. Look it up right now, and you'll hate yourself for letting this much time go by before hearing it for the first time. And when it gets stuck in your head for days at a time, don't blame me. Or do. I don't care.

10. Creedence Clearwater Revival - Up Around The Bend

The only song I ever played drums and microphone to on Rockband at the same time. I saw Fogerty in concert several times, and each time I would get most excited when the beginning riff to this song started. Something about it just always gets me fired up. This track, like all of CCR (and Fogerty's) hits are just so 70s yet so timeless.

11. Queen - Radio GaGa

What can I say about this song that hasn't already been said? I guess I can say that for years my favorite Queen song was "Tie Your Mother Down," but that changed after seeing them perform live a couple years ago. Being part of the crowd, clapping and holding up our hands to "Radio GaGa" is actually life changing, and hands-down (heh) one of my favorite concert memories.

12. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - Tube Talkin'

This was another tough one to pick. A lot of my favorites of hers, like all of her other fans, are a cover of someone else's hit song. I had to dig through her catalogue of songs that she wrote herself. This one, "Riddles" and every track from Unvarnished stood out pretty strongly to me. Something about this song gives it the edge though, and I'm not quite sure exactly what it is. There's something about it that sounds so classic Joan Jett, yet also sounds completely different from what we know of Joan Jett. The beauty is in the mystery, perhaps. I don't care if I ever figure out why I love this song so much, just as long as I get to listen to it as often and as loud as I want.

13. The J Geils Band - Flamethrower

An underrated gem. I discovered this song because of my early love for Freeze Frame. In fact, that whole album is packed with great songs. One of my favorite CDs my mom would play in her car for little 6-year-old me was Flashback: The Greatest Hits of J Geils. And each and every one of the songs on there became favorites. I can still hear "Land of 1000 Dances" ringing in the back of my brain to this day. But anyway yeah, "Flamethrower." Good shit.

14. The Sweet - A.C.D.C.

Is it a cop-out, or maybe too on-the-nose of my character to have my favorite Sweet song conveniently share a name with my all-time favorite band? Perhaps. But it doesn't matter, because this song absolutely kicks ass. As does the rest of Desolation Boulevard. In fact, the Joan Jett cover of this song kicks ass too.

So lads and ladies, there it is. Volume X. I can't believe we're here already. I hope you're enjoying these as much as I'm enjoying them, because I certainly don't plan on stopping them. I look forward to the next 10.

Synic Selects Vol. X - The Songs That Shaped Me: Revisited

1. AC/DC - Riff Raff

2. The Offspring - I Choose

3. "Weird Al" Yankovic - My Baby's In Love With Eddie Vedder

4. Van Halen - Judgement Day

5. War - Low Rider

6. Nickelback - Yanking Out My...

7. Disturbed - No More

8. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - Adam Raised A Cain

9. Styx - Music Time

10. Creedence Clearwater Revival - Up Around The Bend

11. Queen - Radio GaGa

12. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - Tube Talkin'

13. The J Geils Band - Flamethrower

14. The Sweet - A.C.D.C.