The Top 100 Songs Of The 90's Part 1 (100-76)

It's October! The best month of the year as far as i'm concerned. Not too hot not too cold...a plethora of seasonal colours everywhere you look. Also, it happens to be the month that my birthday is in. So I thought i'd give you all a birthday present to help you celebrate. The 90's was when many of us came into music and in reality the 90's had a very distinct style and feel to them and a lot of that had to do with the music. This wasn't easy...and I have a feeling as soon as I post this list i'll want to change everything. Enough stalling, here now the Top 100 songs from 1990-1999. Happy Birthday to me!!

100. Bjork - "Hyperballad"

We start with her Strangeness, Bjork. Being hailed as Iceland's greatest musical export Bjork hasn't been without her share of controversy. Her songwriting and talents have never been in question. "Hyperballad" is a haunting new look at being a relationship. Finding time away from everyday comfort to just destroy something beautiful

99. Alanis Morissette - "Uninvited"

Alanis' undeniably brilliant debut came in 1995 with the release of Jagged Little Pill. The album was everywhere and earned her 4 Grammy awards, 5 hit singles and worldwide recognition. Obviously fans and critics alike were waiting with baited breath for her follow up. In 1998 she released "Uninvited" for the City Of Angels soundtrack, a song that would later be featured on Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie. I loved her first album, but it didn't feature anything of this calibre in my opinion. Slightly darker, slighty more mature and slightly more jaded...which makes "Uninvited" a listening experience worth repeating.

98. The Cure - "Cut"

Perhaps known more as a band of the 80's The Cure's success did not stop once the 90's rolled around. Overshadowed by the single "Friday, I'm In Love", "Cut" is an intense and powerful rock song featured near the end of their 1992 album Wish. Not only does it exemplify the continued desperate lyrics of Robert Smith but also the masterful proficiency The Cure had at their instruments.

97. John Hiatt - "Cry Love"

John Hiatt is a seasoned veteran out of Indiana. He's had his songs covered by artists like Three Dog Night, Willie Nelson, Jewel, Iggy Pop and Eric Clapton. His crowned jewel, in my opinion, opens up his thirteenth studio album Walk On. "Cry Love" is an uplifting, almost gospel infused pop gem. There is no denying his love for his music when he belts the chorus at the top of his lungs. Got to love the ukelele as well.

96. Rage Against The Machine - "Down Rodeo"

There has never been nor will there ever be a band like Rage Against The Machine. Uniquely belonging to the 90's Rage released 3 studio albums until disbanding in late 2000. Front man Zach de la Rocha stated that the 4 members' ideals had changed over the years and Rage needed to end. Evil Empire was the album that launched Rage Against The Machine headlong into the very system they were trying to avoid. "Down Rodeo" is a remarkable specimen of the energy, conviction and anti-establishment mentalities one could expect from a Rage song.

95.  Smashing Pumpkins - "I Am One"

Known as The Smashing Pumpkins' first single...it came off 1991's Gish. It's an interesting song not only because it avoided overexposure in the spotlight, but it's one of the few Pumpkins songs to give writing credit to guitarist James Iha. Shortly after Billy Corgan would assume full control of writing every song on the albums even going as far to re-record tracks originally laid down by other members of the band. Regardless, "I Am One" has a great feel...every instrument is featured wonderfully and I love how the song builds to a climax.

94. Manic Street Preachers - "Motorcycle Emptiness"

"Motorcycle Emptiness" comes off Manic Street Preachers' debut album Generation Terrorists. It's partially inspired by the book Rumble Fish and a poem by Welsh poet Patrick Jones. As a whole it's a great 90's track with an infectious guitar hook and many memorable lines. Darkness would befall the Manic Street Preachers in 1995 when their rhythm guitar player Richey Edwards vanished. It is thought he deliberately ran off at his own decision. He has yet to be found. In 2008 his family had him officially declared dead.

93. The Tragically Hip - "Nautical Disaster"

Kind of unknown hit for The Tragically Hip, nowhere near as popular as "New Orleans Is Sinking" or "Ahead By A Century". After repeated listens "Nautical Disaster" is a greater song than most in the Hip catalouge. The lyrics are intentionally ambiguous and slightly hidden under amped up instruments. Frontman Gordon Downie asked his grandfather to tell him something he remembered from fighting in the second world war. The results were haunting and used as lyrics to this song.

92. Yo La Tengo - "Autumn Sweater"

Yo La Tengo formed in 1984 and still perform music to this day. Their name means "I Have It" in Spanish in case you were wondering and perhaps their best album was released in 1997. I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One is wildly praised as their finest and most coherent album. "Autumn Sweater" is a sweet and shy ballad that combines many delightful elements and weaves a romantic tale from a simpler time.

91. Creed - "My Own Prison"

Perhap's Creed's finest moment was sadly their first. No artsy circle jerks, no musical tricks. Just a brooding, pounding rock song borne to bang heads. I think Creed's down fall had a bit to do with their failure to get into new territories. Most of their songs after 'My Own Prison' seemed like alterations instead of independent pieces.

90. Bad Religion - "A Walk"

The 90's saw a revival of the punk movement that was born in the late 70's and early 80's. Though it never truly disappeared through the 1980s bands like Rancid, The Offspring, NOFX, Pennywise brought it to new heights through the 90's. A big part of that was the record label known as Epitaph started by founding member of Bad Religion Brett Gurewitz. Though "A Walk" does come off Bad Religion's first CD with Atlantic records.

89. Radiohead - "Stop Whispering"

The Pixies were one of the most influential bands of the 90's though they never really found fame until years later. That mostly has to do with the bands they inspired raving about them and covering their music. Radiohead's Thom Yorke was a huge Pixies fan and recorded "Stop Whispering" as a tribute to them. Though not a Pixies song it is definitely on track with their style.

88. Duncan Sheik - "Barely Breathing"

I don't care how many times this song was played in 1997 when it was released, it's fantastic.  Duncan has a very unique voice that stands out in a overcrowded genre of mumbling "talkers" and the production just screams 90's here. Though it seems Duncan Sheik is destined to be a one hit wonder "Barely Breathing" is a great song to be known for.

87. Live - "All Over You"

Live are another group that seemed were unstoppable in the 90's but slowly became disconnected when the turn of the decade came rolling by. Throwing Copper was Live's critically acclaimed juggernaut of an album. Topping charts and critics lists' worldwide, even the songs deleted were great! "All Over You" is a relentless assault that is lightly dusted with sexual energy, like most Live songs. Some may criticize it's repeating lyrics, but that's one of the main reasons this song has become timeless.

86. Spin Doctors - "Two Princes"

Who doesn't hear that opening drum roll and get instantly teleported to the first time you heard this song? Or a time when this was your jam? I wore the tape out on Pocket Full Of Kryptonite I played it so often. Spin Doctors were another group who failed to strike gold twice, but this song is so legendary and so respected from the 90's era I'm sure they don't mind.

85. The Dandy Warhols - "Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth"

Warhols singer Courtney Taylor-Taylor wrote this about one of his ex-girlfriends who became a heroin addict while on tour with the band. Instead of writing a sad lament about her, he put it in a happy pop song and mocked her in the chorus.

84. Soul Asylum - "Summer Of Drugs"

I wasn't sure about including covers on here, but changed my mind when I realized that some are just too damn good not to include. Soul Asylum recorded "Summer Of Drugs" for Sweet Relief an album designed to raise funds for Victoria Williams. Williams was a respected songwriter and singer in California, but never had huge success outside of her circles. She had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and couldn't afford health care for the treatment. So a gathering of artists banded together and recorded versions of her songs for a benefit album. Soul Asylum chose "Summer Of Drugs" and knocked it out of the park.

83. Nirvana - "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

There is no denying that this is a fantastic song, but I don't think it's Nirvana's best. It's also not the best of the decade, but because of the sheer impact it made upon it's release back in 1991 it can't be ignored. Cobain got the idea for the song's title while at a party and saw written on the wall "Kurt smells like teen spirit". He included it as the title without realizing it was a brand of deodorant. Every element of this song has became engrained in the folklore of 90's culture. The recording process, the writing process and even the video who's simple concept became the framework of 90's videos to come.

82. REM - "Nightswimming"

The 90's brought out the best of Georgia's REM. Automatic For The People combined many different styles of REM's music. "Nightswimming" recalls moments from the band's youth. Innocence. Harmless fun. Some people felt it was possibly about homosexuality and the time before AIDS was a real issue. Either way a beautiful chorusless song. And oddly a song where the lyrics came long before music was assigned to it.

81. Silverchair - "Pure Massacre"

This one gets forgotten about a lot when discussing great 90's tracks. Silverchair were Australia's answer to Nirvana. Sadly after Nirvana made it big, every record label was looking to sign the next long-haired, disenchanted grunge trio and Silverchair naively signed a terrible contract. Their first album Frogstomp was a delight, but subsequent records were not given the proper time frame and were pumped out faster than they could be absorbed. Thankfully songs like "Pure Massacre" still hold up in this day and age and can remind us of the rage we had in our youth.

80. Del Amitri - "Always The Last To Know"

Known more for their later hit "Roll To Me" Del Amitri were a Scottish band who enjoyed a few years of success on American airwaves. This song follows formulaic 90's pop sensibilities but it's the catchy guitar riff and silky smooth voice of Justin Currie that gives it a slight edge over some of the others.

79.  Ben Lee - "Cigarettes Will Kill You"

It's almost an offense to listen to this song with the inane racket of keyboard typing over top of it. Ben Lee is another Aussie on the list with eight studio albums to his name and a few acting roles as well. "Cigarettes Will Kill You" has a great retrospective feel to it...like walking along to the song with everything in your past behind you trying desperately to catch up. Lee describes the song's title like a bad relationship that you keep going back to expecting it to get better but always getting hurt.

78. Matthew Sweet - "Sick Of Myself"

One of the truest, most honest love songs from the 90s. Matthew Sweet i'm sure loves October as well because his birthday is in it too (it's actually the same day as mine). Sweet has made a steady career of guitar driven, honest pop songs. "Sick Of Myself" is no exception EXCEPT the guitar playing is brilliant in this! Not just the solos but even the underlying rhythms. Takes me back.

77. Collective Soul - "Precious Declaration"

One thing that Collective Soul always brought to the party was a catchy, amped up guitar riff. It's like they couldn't let a song get to album without it. We all appreciate it CS. "Precious Declaration" came in the late 90s but there is no sound on Earth like that opening guitar. It sounds like Zeus himself is playing it with a lightning bolt. Once you hear the riff after all there is no turning back.

76. Alice In Chains - "Nutshell"

We're all having a little too much fun at this point. We can't forget that the 90's weren't fun for everybody. My favourite Alice In Chains song comes in at #76. From the Jar Of Flies EP released in 1994 "Nutshell" is a sobering and dark look into the mind of Layne Staley. The song is about dealing with untruths and winding up alone. Chillingly foretelling as Layne Staley would die in 2002 of an overdose. The last person to see him alive was his friend and former bass player Mike Starr who walked out after an arguement. Allegedley Staley's last words were "Not like this man, not like this"

That's it for part one!

Keep checking back for parts 2,3 and 4 where I will name the best song of the 90's!!

Johnny Zhivago
 

10 Great Coheed & Cambria Songs

This post has been long overdue. I guess it falls under my living legends categories as Coheed & Cambria are still touring and still making music. Typically described as a progressive rock quartet Coheed's music ranges from acoustic ballads and to heavy metal opuses. They hail from New York and even though they haven't earned mainstream airplay and superstardom, their audience is that of the global kind. Perhaps the most unique thing about Coheed and Cambria is the subject matter of the lyrics. Which we'll get to. 11 years and 5 albums later Coheed has given us plenty of material to enjoy. Here's 10 great tracks.

1. "Delerium Trigger"

Usually when you hear lyrics like "Systems malfunction; Blast it! This damned machine..." and "There in the corner. Tall short stance. It's you!" the listener would tend to think it as metaphor or allusions to deeper emotions or personal experiences of the singer. Which is fine and can be done in Coheed songs as well, but here these lines (like all CO&CA songs) are part of a large arcing story of intergalactic war and the love story between the 2 main characters named.....wait for it.....Coheed & Cambria. Their first album Second Stage Turbine Blade was released in 2002 and is actually part 2 of their 5 part saga with each album being a different part in the tale.

 

 

2. "The Running Free"

Despite how you may feel about the story of Coheed's songs it's damn near impossible to deride the quality of the actual music on their records. "The Running Free" showcases their down to earth rock sensibilities perfectly. It's a lesson in song structure and execution, but like all Coheed's songs it cannot be ignored on first listen. Lead man Claudio Sanchez's unique voice turns casual ears' into focused intrigue.

3. "Three Evils (Embodied In Love & Shadow)"

Their second album is perhaps their most popular. It contained the hit songs "A Favor House Atlantic" and "Blood Red Summer", both gained airplay on satellite radio and were used in several video games. Before the album reaches those key songs however it sneaks in this gem. Like most songs on In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3 the energy on this track is dialed way up and the song itself has a momentum that builds to a heartbreaking apex. Though the lyrics are part of a fictional story when Claudio sings "...pull the trigger and the nightmare stops" the real emotion of the album comes to light which lasts long after the record is over.

4. "Far"

Coheed's latest album Year Of The Black Rainbow is actually the first installment of the story which is commonly known by the collective title "The Armory Wars". The album's theme deals with Coheed and Cambria's origins. Who they are and where they came from. "Far" is by far my favourite song on the record. It's a catchy yet dark pop song. Somewhere on the fence between a love song and a lament.

5. "Apollo I: The Writing Writer"

The crown jewel of the Coheed catalogue in my opinion is their 3rd album and it has the longest title. Good Apollo I'm Burning Star IV: Volume I From Fear Through The Eyes Of Madness released in 2005. From start to finish this record does not miss a beat. The story takes a bizarre turn here as well, as the focus shifts from the characters in the story to the writer of the story. The Writing Writer as he is known, seems to be transferring the pain and suffering from his own life on to the protagonists in his story and he seems to be taking some sort of direction from, of all things, a demonic ten speed.  In 2009 to prepare for the release of their last album, the group performed each album live in it's entirety over 4 nights. Filmed the motherfucker and released it to the world known simply as Neverender. I shall include the video for "Apollo I: The Writing Writer" from that concert as it kicks major ass.

6. "Here We Are Juggernaut"

While they're known for their fantastic songs one thing Coheed is notoriously NOT known for is great music videos. I've purposely avoided putting some of the official ones on this list just so they wouldn't distract from the great song. "Here We Are Juggernaut" completely smashed that cycle however. In the short 3 1/2 minute treatment the song gets it takes us on a visual and cinematic delight. With great graphics and great performances...and in my opinion a better love story than all of the Twilight saga...
Take my advice...get on an HD screen and put the video on full screen. Sit back and enjoy it..you deserve it!

7. "The Camper Velorium I: Faint Of Hearts"

Back to 2003 for a song that showcases the band's musical proficiency. The 1st part of a 3 part song arc features a guitar solo that seemingly lasts the whole song. And with it's playful and floaty atmosphere and brilliant cadence it becomes one of the record's shining stars.

8. "Feathers"

This song comes off Good Apollo I'm Burning Star IV: No World For Tomorrow which was Coheed's most experimental album often including time signatures and arrangements that were new to the band. It also had Taylor Hawkings from Foo Fighters sitting in on the drums. "Feathers" has an old time feel, like a song written in the 80's but shelved and then dusted off and repackaged with modern day methods. I'm purposely NOT putting the official video up...i watched it once...never again.

9. "Mother May I?"

Not really much to talk about when it comes to this song. Though it definitely helped me choose my favourite Coheed album. It's changing pace throughout the song might seem confusing at first, but the chorus is one of the catchiest and well performed i've ever heard. I love when a song seems so happy and innocent on the surface when in fact it's undertones are quite dark.

10. "Everything Evil"

And finally we have the quinessential Coheed and Cambria track. "Everything Evil" is textbook curriculum in epic Coheed songs 101. Slow building rhythms get dragged through dark and ambiguous lyrics to it's wailing and devastating crescendo. A fan favourite. A staple at almost every Coheed show. If you only take away one song with you from this list. Take "Everything Evil"

JZ

10 Great Songs Released Posthumously

Over the years we've lost many great artists, but of course we'll always have their music to remember them by and to enjoy. Sometimes the artist themselves don't get to witness the success of their own songs, but because of the demand of their fanbase and dedication of their estates we thankfully do. Here are 10 songs that were released after the artist who coined them passed away.

1. Nirvana - "You Know You're Right"

We all remember where we were when we heard of Kurt Cobain's suicide. If you're of the right age and were into that sort of music anyway. It was a monumental moment for music in the 90's, love them or hate them Nirvana changed the way music looked and sounded. Period. "You Know You're Right" was recorded about 4 months before Cobain's death and went unreleased until 2002 for the Nirvana Greatest Hits Record. Courtney Love refused to let the song be released and it was only after Grohl and Noveselic bought out her rights to the songs that the major majority got to hear it.

2. Queen - "Too Much Love Will Kill You"

Queen recorded this very prophetic song in 1988 and decided to keep it off the album they were working on and shelf it. Freddie Mercury would later announce to the world on November 23 1991 that he was suffering from AIDS and a day later he was gone. During those next difficult years Queen's remaining members happily remembered Mercury through his music and found this gem left behind. Feeling the fans would enjoy it, they included it on 1995's Made In Heaven.

3. Tupac - "Changes"

To the casual fan this is probably Tupac Shakur's best known song. The truth is Shakur loved his art so much that he literally left behind countless hours of unreleased music after his death in 1996. There's a skit in the lost 3rd season of Chappelle's Show that pokes fun at this actually. Pretty funny stuff. Earlier this year Tupac was featured as a hologram and joined Snoop Dogg on stage at Coachella music festival. If any of the entrants on this list wound up faking their deaths and turn up alive...i'm betting on Tupac.

4. Elliott Smith - "Coast To Coast"

Smith's depression was no secret. Just listen to his albums and you're brought into a darkness that seems unbearable. Obviously his sadness wasn't perpetual, but you didn't put on an Elliott Smith record and dance around the room. On Oct 21, 2003 Smith stabbed himself in the chest twice and died later in the hospital. He left behind the haunting and poetic From A Basement On The Hill which was finished by friends and family and released in 2004.

5. Selena - "Dreaming Of You"

Oh Selena...I would call this a guilty pleasure but how can I? She was a true talent and the song is delightful, eclipsed only by the fact that she never saw the success it had. 2 Weeks before the song's release Selena was murdered by the woman who once ran her fan club. I firmly believe that the Latin Music revival we saw in the late 90's would have come much earlier if Selena hadn't...well any way.

6. Otis Redding - "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay"

A plane crash took Otis Redding when he was only 26. It still baffles me that a voice with so much soul, grit and passion came from a man who was just 26 years young. He recorded "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" just three days before his death. He would never know the amount of smiles this song brought or hearts it touched. The LP The Dock Of The Bay was universally praised by critics and went on to win two Grammys in 1968.

7. Joy Division - "Love Will Tear Us Apart"

This song to this day is still the British post-punk standard that all songs of the genre are compared to. Joy Division's singer Ian Curtis was known for his isolated lyrics about death, sadness and rejection. He married young and after the divorce he hanged himself in his parent's kitchen. He was only 23. "Love Will Tear Us Apart" hit it's peak on the UK charts after Curtis' death. The phrase "Love Will Tear Us Apart" is on his tombstone.

8. Lynyrd Skynyrd - "What's Your Name"

Perhaps one of the biggest tragedies to befell the Rock world was the plane crash that claimed the lives of three of Lynyrd Skynyrd's founding members. Ronnie Van Zant, Cassie Gaines and Steve Gaines all lost their lives when the small engine plane they were in crashed in South Carolina. The album Street Survivors had been released three days prior and had to have it's cover changed as it portrayed the band surrounded by flames.  "What's Your Name" was the record's first single.

9. Jeff Buckley - "Forget Her"

Buckley's 1994 album Grace is such a masterpiece that even the songs that were cut from it are great. If you haven't heard Grace, I highly recommend it. It's one of the most important albums from the 90s. "Forget Her" was finally included on the 2004 re-release of the album. Released seven years after Jeff Buckley's accidental drowning in 1997.

10. Bran Van 3000 - "Astounded"- feat. Curtis Mayfield

Not to worry BV3000 fans. To my knowledge all of the members of the Canadian techno group are alive and well. Sadly, one of soul's most recognizable voices is not. Curtis Mayfield contributed the vocals to this song in 1999 and it was the last piece of music he laid down before his death later that year. Mayfield's resolve is the stuff of legend. His contributions to the Motown movement and funk music are countless and even after he was paralyzed in 1990 after a part of the stage rigging fell upon him, he was a beacon of inspiration. "Astounded" would later be released in 2001.

Thanks as always!

JZ

10 One Hit Wonders Of The 2000's

I don't know what to call that decade. I refuse to say The Oughts as some of come to do. The zeroes? The tens? The 00's? I don't think there is a term for them that rolls off the tongue easily. So i'll say it like this: Here's 10 One Hit Wonders from 2000-2009.

1. "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" - The Darkness

It was impossible to ignore this song when it came out. Whether you connected with their Hair-Metal throwback motif or not the song was catchy and would stick to your psyche. Admit it. While The Darkness were moderately successful in the UK, "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" was the only song that caught on here in North America and since then the band has had a less than stable existence. Though I heard they reformed earlier this year...time will tell I suppose.

2. "Angels On The Moon" - Thriving Ivory

This song was written in the wake of 9/11 but it wasn't released until Thriving Ivory's self-titled major label debut in 2008. It's one of those songs that was used in countless moody scenes in dramatic TV shows, so it's lifespan has been definitely prolonged.

3. "Jerk It Out" - Caesars

Caesars are a band from Sweden who's only claim to fame outside of their native country is the infectious and habit forming groove "Jerk It Out". It rose to fame after being featured in an iPod commercial. Such a medium has also helped other foreign bands break through in North America, like Jet and The Fratellis.

4. "Since I Left You" - The Avalanches

This one just slips in under the wire. The Avalanches were an Australian electro-pop group known for creating songs out of countless samples and hooks from other songs. Their debut album of the same name was written and recorded in the late 90's and into early 2000 and was finally released in November of that year. The song "Since I Left You" is a masterpiece. Stitched together from songs by artists like Main Attraction, The Duprees and Tony Mottola. It's a dream-like song that can stop the listener in their tracks and takes them to a place in their mind long forgotten and missed. The Avalanches second album has been in the works since 2005, here's hoping lightning can strike twice. The video for this is great too.

5. "Move Your Feet" - Junior Senior

"Move Your Feet" is the best known song by Danish pop duo Junior Senior. It's notoriety has perhaps helped along by it's animated music video that consists of pixelated animation that resembles something out of MS Paint.  The members of Junior Senior split in 2008 to pursue solo projects, leaving "Move Your Feet" as the pair's nadir.

6. "Finding Out True Love Is Blind" - Louis XIV

Louis XIV formed in 2003 in San Diego, California and are best known for their garage rock single "Finding Out True Love Is Blind". The single had all the sexual innuendos and suggestive lyrics the band became known for and eventually banned from the state of Alabama for. The band broke up in 2008. No more carrot juice!

7. "Wherever You Will Go" - The Calling

Ahhh The Calling...this one takes me back. I never know what to think about these guys. It seems like they got caught between the two decades and were never given a fair shot. Some felt they were a boy-band with instruments, others lumped them in with the likes of Creed and that's the kiss of death right there. "Wherever You Will Go" was their first and biggest hit coming out in early 2001. After which The Calling had a few line up changes and decided to call it quits in 2005.

8.  "Almost Lover" - A Fine Frenzy

Perhaps it's too early to call this young lady a one hit wonder. It can be taken as an insult to most artists after all. A Fine Frenzy dropped "Almost Lover" on us in 2007 and hasn't had a notable song in North America since. Some of her songs have gotten airplay internationally, but definitely not anything to write home about. I'll include her, but still have hopes to hear more greatness from Alison Sudol (real name) in the future. There's just something about a girl and a piano.

9. "Shut Your Mouth" - Pain

Another international entrant on the list. Pain are from Sweden and are known for their fusion of heavy metal and techno. "Shut Your Mouth" was their cross over the ocean hit. Short, bitter and to the point. Catchy from the get go and full of energy which is exactly what one would expect from a Swedish metal band. Some funny stuff going on in the video too.

10. "House Of Jealous Lovers" - The Rapture

I don't get how a song can be released and not get noticed, then a year later it's re-released and it's a huge hit. That's what happened with "House Of Jealous Lovers" by The Rapture. First came out in 2002 to no one's excitement and then got noticed a year later. OK, maybe calling this a huge hit is a stretch but it's a fantastic song, brimming with New York underground energy. It's a catchy song, but interesting at the same time. Rock music that you can dance to, how long has it been since you've heard someone say that?

Thanks again!!

Look for a big list coming up soon!!
JZ

10 Great Rainy Day Songs

As soon as I write a list about bright sunny days and warm summer nights the rain rolls in. Which is fine, sometimes there is nothing more soothing than listening to rain falling above us. Most pathetic fallacy deals with sorrow and despair when rain is involved...but try stopping for a minute when you're in a good mood. When the rain is falling. The feeling seems to last just a little longer. 10 Great Rainy Day songs.

1. "Silver and Cold" - AFI

AFI were instrumental in bringing "emo" music to the mainstream in the early 00's. Perhaps it was their lead singer's dress and sombre lyrics that provided ammunition in many people's rage against "emo" who viewed it as a juvenile and effeminate genre. However you feel about it, I hope you can see passed all that and hear the remarkable music and heart within the song "Silver and Cold"

2. "Mandolin Rain" - Bruce Hornsby & The Range

This one takes me back. Bruce Hornsby was a fantastic song writer and no album exemplified that more than 1986's The Way It Is. "Mandolin Rain"'s first piano chords just scream of nostalgia and the song weaves a tale of someone being reminded of a lost love when the rain comes down. It's got perfect pacing and clever use of a mandolin throughout the song. Demands more attention.

3. "Rain" - Breaking Benjamin

This isn't too obvious is it? Breaking Benjamin released their debut in 2002 but it was 2004's We Are Not Alone that got them noticed as it featured many notable tracks. Some which were assisted in the writing department by Billy Corgan. This was one of them.

4. "Thank You" - Dido

No Eminem won't start rapping in this one. Dido's breakout single "Thank You" first got noticed when it was sampled on Eminem's track "Stan". The song is wearing a gloomy costume of someone having a terrible day and things just not going right, but it's actually a happy song. Well written and executed perfectly, though it seems Dido has slipped off the map on this side of the Atlantic lately. Here's hoping we hear more like this from her.

5. "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" - Travis

Some bands name themselves something clever or deep and meaningful, others come up with something funny that becomes normal over time and yet still others name their band like a child. Just as Scotland's Travis did. "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" is from the near perfect album The Man Who which was released in May 1999. The song is said to have magic powers. Ask the attendees of the 1999 Glastonbury Festival. Throughout the day it was bright and sunny, until Travis rolled into this song. It began to rain almost immediately.

6. "Epiphany" - Staind

OK sometimes it really sucks when it's raining. Or it can turn an already shitty day even shittier. So if you need a morose track to let you know that someone else has had a tough go, try "Epiphany" by Staind.

7. "It's Raining Again" - Supertramp

From 1982's Famous Last Words "It's Raining Again" is Supertramp's lost single...but it will get stuck inside your head. Doesn't matter what Supertramp is singing about it always seems upbeat and happy. Sadly they were never able to recapture the success of Breakfast In America & Crime Of The Century's one two punch of awesomeness, but it's good to find these little gems they dropped on their way out.

8. "I Love The Rain The Most" - Joe Purdy

I know i've mentioned Joe Purdy before on here, but this could possibly be my most favourite rain song. The stillness of it. The feeling that he as stuck in his house with nothing else to do but pick up his guitar and play something. You can almost hear the rain in the background on the track...you can definitely hear it in his voice.

9. "Fool In The Rain" - Led Zeppelin

This was Led Zeppelin's final charting song off their final album In Through The Out Door. While the band was never fully satisfied with many of the album's songs...it still is a great track to listen to. The song conjures images of some long haired hippie dancing in the rain. The song is about someone waiting for a woman on a street corner and thinks he's been stood up. Then he realizes he's just on the wrong block. Silly wet hippie.

10. "Midnight Rain" - Wide Mouth Mason

Saskatchewan's Wide Mouth Mason blew on to the scene in 1997 with "Midnight Rain". Though the song is not really about rain, merely named after it, I felt it was a strong way to finish this list. Wide Mouth Mason are still kick and even though bass player Earl Pereira has vacated former Big Sugar front man Gordie Johnson has gleefully stepped in.

Now shut everything off and just listen to the rain for a while

goodnight

JZ

10 Great Sunny Day Songs

Sure it's the last week of August and the crisp mornings of Fall are already poking their noses in our business, but to me that still gives us plenty of time to enjoy the Sun at it's warmest. Grab a beer, grab a folding chair and stretch out in your back yard. By the pool. With some mates. On a patio wherever, and of course you need a great soundtrack to go with that. Here's 10 songs for bright sunny days.

1. "Reeling In The Years" - Steely Dan

Just that opening riff....makes me wish I was born in the 60's to be able to truly enjoy the sounds of the 70's.
There is going to be plenty of classic rock on this list just so you're all aware...and that's a good thing. Also, nobody believes me, but Chevy Chase was the original drummer in a band that eventually became Steely Dan. He left to pursue acting before they got anywhere, but he was there

2. "Sunny Days" - Lighthouse

Yes, this one is quite obvious, but if I didn't include a song about chilling in the sun listening to the radio, what am I doing? Lighthouse were a group from Canada not be confused with the British band Lighthouse Family or Lifehouse which came out of LA in the late 90's.

3. "Lay Me Down" - Dirty Heads

The Dirty Heads are a newer group out of Southern California that sort of pick up where a group like Sublime left off. That style of laid back, ocean side living really comes through in most of their punk and hip-hop inspired rock. This song actually features the artist known as Rome who is currently in an act with surviving members of Sublime.

4. "Shambala" - Three Dog Night

"Shambala" is a great song for those care free days. Toes in the grass, face in the warm sun, hair in the wind. The song is actually a cover of a B.W Stevenson song, but his version never charted or got noticed. Shambala is the name of a city in Buddhist legend that is supposed to be hidden among the Himilayan Mountains.

5. "All Summer Long" - The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys were unstoppable it seemed in the 60's. Fans latched on to their infectious songs featuring harmonized vocals, multi-layered instruments and of course the subject matter of nothing but fun in the sun. Sadly as band leader Brian Wilson's health (both mental and physical) deteriorated the band's success followed. As far as sunny day songs go, close your eye,s reach in and take your pick. Any one of them will work. "All Summer Long" just makes you feel good.

6. "Replay" - IYAZ

Admittedly the video helped this one, though I can't understand how he can be comfortable in shoes, jeans and that huge shirt in that kind of weather. She looks much more comfortable. Sure the song is a typical overproduced, repetitive, corporation friendly track from the mainstream song spawning machine, but if you look passed that, and it's Apple name dropping and take it at face value. It works as a fun background to a day at the beach or on the patio. Let's not take ourselves too seriously now...

7. "Jet Airliner" - Steve Miller Band

Another song where the opening riff is enough to get you in the Summer state of mind. As soon as it starts you know where this song is going to take you and it's a wonderful experience.

8. "Deadbeat Summer" - Neon Indian

Neon Indian are an indie/electro pop group from Texas. Their album Psychic Chasms  that was released in 2009 was well received by critics. It scored high on most music websites as well such as Pitchfork and Allmusic, even though it wasn't widely popular on mainstream charts. "Deadbeat Summer" features a sample of Todd Rundgren's "Izzat You?"

9. "Someday" - Sugar Ray

Sugar Ray were everywhere in the late 90's. So much so that they named their second album 14:59, figuring that their 15 minutes of fame would soon be at an end. "Someday" is a welcome departure to the band's typical light-hearted, half-pop, half-hip-hop mash-ups and seems to have a heart. It's more of a Summer evening song as the sun is going down...but it's there on the horizon so it still counts.

10. "Peaceful, Easy Feeling" - The Eagles

I'm not the biggest Eagles fan, they got lucky with "Hotel California" and have a bunch of mediocre rock tracks scattered here and there. I will say that Don Henley and company were skilled at writing chill, retrospective and relatable soft rock such as "Peaceful, Easy Feeling". A perfect song to finish off with. Pull those sunglasses down, lean back, get those feet up and forget about everything....except for that one person who still has a home in your mind. There it is...

Now get out there and enjoy the Sun!

Comment! Request!

JZ

10 Great Songs With Animated Videos

The music video is quickly becoming a forgotten art form. In the 80's, 90's and early 2000's a video was a justifiable expense for a new artist. With the right video a lot of attention could be turned your way and that would translate into a bigger audience for your music. These days the main powerhouse of the video days of yesteryear seems to be more focused on entertainment news and reality tv than fresh videos of new artists. Thankfully there is still youtube to help see what musicians and artists can come up with and some of the more interesting ones, don't even feature the artist at all. Here are 10 great animated videos

1. "All Your Light (Times Like These)" - Portugal. The Man

Oregon's Portugal. The Man have been enjoying moderate success since their arrival in 2004. Their latest album In The Mountain In The Cloud had been their most successful to date and it includes the infectious track "All Your Light (Times Like These)" and though it's not the "official" video, the claymation offering from Justin Kramer and Lee Hardcastle is worth a mention just for it's captivating visual and obvious dedication to a lost art form.

2. "Would You Be Impressed?" - Streetlight Manifesto

From the ashes of 90's ska-punk legends Catch 22 comes Streetlight Manifesto, a gathering of New Jersey punk scene veterans and orchestra musicians. Though in this video they are portrayed by a lion, giraffe, koala, frog, penguin, bear and of course, a cat. Though animal lovers might be upset about the video at first, they'll be cheering at it's rousing conclusion.

3. "Nothing Like This" - J Dilla

I always enjoy it when a legendary producer comes out with an album. How many times the artist they are doing an album for gets all the glory, where it's actually the producer behind the true genius of the song or record? J. Dilla has worked on albums for Common, Busta Rymes, A Tribe Called Quest, The Pharcyde, The Roots and Janet Jackson....just to name a few. He also was an accomplished musician and released many albums including 2003's Ruff Draft which had "Nothing Like This" a funky, trip hop song with a equally cool animated video. Sadly Dilla passed away in 2006 of heart failure, but his contributions to the hip-hop world will never be forgotten.

4. "White Corolla" - Casiotone For the Painfully Alone

One man band Owen Ashworth's work is better known under the bizarre pseudonym Casiotone For The Painfully Alone. "White Corolla" is a quirky little techno tune with an equally quirky video. There's something about these forlorn animals breaking out in a dance routine that just makes my day.

5. "Southbound Pachyderm" - Primus

Can't have a list of animated videos without including Primus. Artists these days should sit down and take note. Here's a band typically known for light hearted alt-rock tracks and funky bass riffs. Sure "Southbound Pachyderm" is about elephants, but the video fits the haunting mood of the song perfectly. I dare say flawless. Sure there are a few shots of the band, but they're performing...no bullshit postering, no gratuitous cleavage or ass shots, no examples of their limitless wealth. I miss videos that actually had thought and effort put into them and provoked creative thinking.

6. "Hearts A Mess" - Gotye

What a Gotye song that isn't "Somebody That I Used To Know"? This one is from his 2006 release Like Drawing Blood which didn't chart quite so well over here in North America, maybe because some bastard cover band didn't jump down this song's throat and perform it with 5 people on one guitar. The video for "Hearts A Mess" has a Tim Burton-esque vibe to it achieve through computer animation and a dark tone, which suits the isolated and desperate tone of the song.

7. "Tool" - Sober

Tool were one of those bands that absolutely despised making music videos. I suppose they felt they wanted to distance themselves from the MTV stereotype as much as possible and when it came down to it, filming a video can be tedious and repetitive. Boring if you will. So Tool went another direction and made uniquely visual videos that fit their music swimmingly. "Sober" was one of the first claymation videos to receive heavy rotation and has earned classic status in this modern age.

8. "On Melancholy Hill" - The Gorillaz

How can I have a list of animated videos without including an animated band? The Gorillaz are the brainchild of Blur's frontman Damian Albarn. A completely digital and fictional band know for holographic performances and a long twisted back story to go with their musically diverse albums. Plastic Beach was the 3rd album for The Gorillaz and featured a plethora of guest artists. I won't get into the flavoured past of the band's fictional members, but from the video it appears this song is at the beginning of what will no doubt be an epic journey.

9. "Heaven Sent" - Esthero

Canada's beautiful Esthero's debut track had a hauntingly beautiful video to go along with it. Though not fully animated it mixed video footage with animation and used camera trickery to make it appear like an old silent film. It deserves a nod

10. "One Man Wrecking Machine" - Guster

My favourite song off of what is quickly becoming my favourite album of the last decade has perhaps one of the most uniquely animated videos. Yarn animation. "One Man Wrecking Machine" is simply wonderful, an easy melody that gets locked inside your head and a video that is impossible to turn away from.

Thanks again!
 Comment! Request!

All welcome

JZ