I was recently asked about my favorite song by a new acquaintance. When I replied, "Closer," the person nodded her head knowingly.
"Ne-Yo?" she asked in affirmation.
"No," I replied. "My Favorite Highway." She had never heard of the band.
Sometimes it is difficult to remember that college students come from different backgrounds, and simultaneously, different music scenes, so it came as a surprise that a group I have revered for more than a year remains so anonymous to the general public.
My Favorite Highway is a pop-rock group that has been on a slow and steady rise to distinction during the past few years. Alternative Press recently named the group to its "Top 100 bands to watch in 2009" list. Cousins Will and David Cook first founded the group, with Will as bass guitarist and David as vocalist and guitarist. Pat Jenkins and Bobby Morgenthaler joined as guitarist and drummer, respectively. The band originated in Fairfax, Va., where the four members played locally for their church.
Since then, the group has released two major albums, Anywhere But Here and How to Call a Bluff, scheduled a tour with Kelly Clarkson and signed its first record deal with Virgin Records. Two of its songs, "Bigger Than Love" and "Bittersweet Life" have been featured in episodes of The Hills, and it is currently contending for a slot on mtvU, an MTV affiliate that broadcasts less-mainstream music videos 24/7 geared toward college students.
Listeners easily relate to My Favorite Highway's universal messages - seizing the day, overcoming obstacles, falling in love - and are captivated instantly by the group's charisma, which likely has buoyed the band's career. Moreover, its sound resembles a unique combination of Fall Out Boy meets the Jonas Brothers: lots of pop but with enough down-to-earth rock to prevent the group from becoming just another "tween" sensation.
This summer, "Closer" reached the top of my favorite exercise playlist. It pushes me to sprint out the final lap of my mile-run as Cook sings, "You know you can't stop when you're racing the clock."\nAs for driving down an empty highway late at night, there is no shame in belting out music with the windows rolled down and the stereo blasting. Though musical merit lies in the ear of the beholder, do not be surprised if this group climbs the charts in the coming year.
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