In the editor’s rotation: Some dad rock for the soul

I don’t know about you, but as the semester gets closer to its end, I find myself growing increasingly more stressed every day.

When I’m not using YouTube as background noise, I’ve been turning to Spotify to get me through this week’s seemingly endless workload. As a result, I’ve mostly depended on my favorite genre — ’90s grunge — for comfort.

So here are the songs I’ve been bumping while begrudgingly completing assignment after assignment.

‘Big Empty’ — Stone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots’ album “Purple” is certainly up there in my favorite records of all time. This is the song that introduced me to the group; I first heard it on the ’90s grunge station, Sirius XM’s “Lithium,” in my parents’ car.

I have pretty cool parents, if I do say so myself. Their love for grunge music has completely rubbed off on me.

‘Hunger Strike’ — Temple of the Dog

Temple of the Dog is made up of some of the biggest names in grunge music, notably with Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell on vocals.

This song is the group’s most popular, but the entire album is worth a listen, especially because it’s the only record the band put out.

‘The Pot’ — TOOL

This song wasn’t recorded in the ’90s, but it’s one of TOOL’s best. I listened to it multiple times on my way home from Oxford last May with my dad.

Not once did I get sick of it during that 10 hour drive, and I can still listen to it on repeat now.

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‘Jane Says’ — Jane’s Addiction

If you’re a “Lithium” station listener, this one will be familiar to you. As overplayed as it may be, it remains catchy and comforting to me.

‘Sticky’ — Tyler, the Creator ft. GloRilla, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne

I didn’t say this playlist would only be dad rock. Sometimes I need a break, and this track has been stuck in my head since I first heard it. It’s also the only Sexyy Red-related song that I will ever associate myself with.

‘Far Behind’ — Candlebox

People love to hate on Candlebox — especially other singers within the grunge scene (Courtney Love, girl, I’m looking at you) — but why? Because it’s “not grunge?” Guess what? Candlebox formed in Seattle in 1990 just like a majority of grunge bands.

This song is amazing and never fails to give me chills. Enough with the slander. It’s time to grow up.

‘Heaven Beside You’ — Alice in Chains

This song is perfect for the late nights while you’re up scrambling to finish an assignment that’s due at 11:59. It’s not too crazy, but it’s also not too mellow. Honestly, any of Alice in Chains’ music would suffice while I’m doing work.

‘Hands Clean’ — Alanis Morissette

Thanks to my mom, Morissette is one of my favorite artists of all time. This song makes me feel like I’m in a montage that belongs in a movie about college: I picture myself doing homework nonstop, cleaning, walking around campus — all of that stuff.

‘Daughter’ — Pearl Jam

This song kind of gives me the same vibe as “Hands Clean.” It just feels like something that should play while I’m completing my daily tasks; there’s no other way to explain it.

‘Don’t Call Me Da Da’ — Sir Mix-a-Lot

There’s no way this song isn’t going to end up in my Spotify wrapped. There’s something about it that satisfies an itch in my brain – not to mention it makes for a nice break when I’m ready for something different than grunge.

‘When I’m Thinking About You’ — The Sundays

The Sundays isn’t a grunge band either, but it’s still ’90s music. It’s something a little more low key, something for when I’m feeling sleepy or contemplative.

‘Milk’ — Garbage

Garbage’s self-titled album is full of gold as far as I’m concerned. This one has stuck with me as of recently. It’s not super rock-sounding, but it always has me bopping my head while I’m working away on my laptop.

‘When You Were Made’ — The Growlers

The Growlers also isn’t a grunge group, but the gritty, raw vocals on this track are addicting to me. The lyrics on this track are beautiful as well; it’s written to address a child whose parents are separating or divorcing. I’m not a child of divorce, but I can still appreciate the lyricism and message here.

‘Freak on a Leash’ — Korn

I’m coming out as a Korn listener. Please keep all thoughts and comments to yourself.

@_chloebowie_

southacr@miamioh.edu