"Bubblegum 45s" by Jim Boggia

There are many tributes to the vinyl records of old, but this snappy tune by singer/songwriter Jim Boggia is one the best. Recalling all of the bright and bouncy hallmarks of 70s pop, "Bubblegum 45s" is a joyous nostalgia trip. 

The track is one of the highlights from his debut full-length record, "Fidelity Is The Enemy", which came out in 2001. When he's not cranking out solo records, Boggia busies himself as a member of the supergroup, 4 Way Street, or by writing songs for American Idol contestants.  

"The One" by Tracy Bonham

Tracy Bonham is best remembered for her gritty hit, "Mother Mother", the angst-ridden anthem many kids want to send home after moving out and trying to make it on their own. 

"The One" was the second single released from her 1996 debut album, "The Burdens of Being Upright". The album got to #54 on the Billboard Top 200, but "The One" didn't make it onto the Billboard Top 100. With its quirky verses and undeniably catchy chorus, why "The One" didn't do better is a mystery.

"Fear" by Bon Jovi

If there was some sort of songwriting equivalent to the performance enhancement drugs taken by some athletes, one would suspect Jon Bon Jovi to be taking it all the time. One of the most prolific and successful bands of all-time, Bon Jovi rose to fame with the glam and hair bands in the 80s yet somehow managed to maintain a popular presence throughout changing musical tides over the decades.

Still, the band doesn't top the chart so easily anymore, like they could do in their sleep in the late 80s. The rails went off a bit with the release of "Keep The Faith" in 1992. The first single and title track only got to #29 on the Billboard Top 100. With exception of the token over-the-top power ballad, "Bed Of Roses", which sailed to #10, the other singles performed poorly.

"Fear", however, is one of the more hard-rocking songs the band has ever done. Lost in the crowd of songs that made up "Keep The Faith", I bet it would have performed much better as a lead single, especially in the face of the grunge tidal wave.

"You Don't Get Much" by BoDeans

Two voices, one smooth and one hoarse, make up the BoDeans, an all-American rock band that has been going strong since the 80s. Despite a lot of critical acclaim at the get-go, the band didn't score a major hit until their song, "Closer To Free", was chosen to be the theme for the hit TV show, "Party Of Five". "Closer To Free" would go on to be their only charting hit, landing at #16 in 1996.

My favorite record by the band is 1989's "Home". Some of their most consistently good songwriting, a raw and live feel, and drumming by the great Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp's band) came together and made a masterpiece. Also, don't miss the backing vocals by Marshall Crenshaw on the song "Brand New".

The anthem, "You Don't Get Much", is one of my favorite tracks from "Home". Hard to understand why this song didn't set radio on fire back in the day.

"Angels In Everything" by Blue October

Most people first became aware of Blue October in 2006 thanks to their breakthrough album, "Foiled". That album spawned hits like "Hate Me" and "Into The Ocean", which went to #31 and #53 on the Billboard Top 100, respectively. 

A second hit has been elusive for the band, but this really shouldn't be the case. Drawing comparisons to Peter Gabriel, lead singer and songwriter Justin Furstenfeld is one of the more cerebral lyricists of our day. Granted their music can be moody and dark, but there are moments when all the planets align and you get a wonderful song like "Angels In Everything". There are plenty other moments like this in the band's catalog. 

"Angels In Everything" was the second single from the band's 2013 effort, "Sway". It should have performed much better to cement Blue October as a household name.

"A Face Among The Crowd" by Jackie Greene

Jackie Greene is a talented singer/songwriter who recently did time in The Black Crowes before they disbanded in January 2015. In addition, he's produced an impressive chain of solo records going back to 2002. He's perhaps best known for winning an Academy Award for scoring the hit movie, "Brokeback Mountain", but you can also find him jamming with Joan Osbourne in the band Trigger Happy.

Greene's latest album dropped in 2015 and this beautiful tribute from son to father won me over.  

"Sayonara" by Bleu

Bleu is a prolific pop rock songwriter who has dabbled in many collaborative projects in addition to producing his own solo efforts. His major label release, "Redhead", was issued twice in 2003/2004. "Sayonara" only appeared on the first version, being switched out for "Get Up" (another excellent tune in its own right) on the reissue.

If you like what you hear, be sure to check out the rest of "Redhead" and Bleu's other records, along with his band work in L.E.O., The Major Labels, and LoudLion.

"The Mountains Win Again" by Blues Traveler

The big break for the jam band, Blues Traveler, came with their 1994 release, "Four". With the help of hit singles "Run-Around" and "Hook", which went to #8 and #23 on the Billboard Top 100, respectively, "Four" went on to sell 6 million copies and peak at #8 on the Top 200.

Also on "Four", "The Mountains Win Again" is a remarkable hard-luck ballad that should have given the band another top 40 hit.

"Miracles" by Blessid Union Of Souls

Blessid Union Of Souls emerged from the dissonance of grunge to purify our distortion-tired ears with thoughtful coffeehouse music rich with melody and harmony. The band's first three records all placed in the Billboard Top 200 throughout the 90s, and then the band seemed to fade into obscurity.

Blessid Union Of Souls scored 6 hits in the 90s on the Top 100, the best being their debut ballad, "I Believe", which  soared to #8 in 1995. Their last charting single was the fun song, "Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me For Me), which got to #33 in 1998. And yes that is a reference to the Titanic actor, Leonardo DiCaprio.

Fast forward to 2011 - the band releases a new record called "The Mission Field". "Miracles" is the bright and uplifting lead off track that we all need to hear every now and then.

"Part Of Me, Part Of You" by Glenn Frey (RIP)

2016 is shaping up to be the year the music died. Yet another legend in the rock world passed away today: Glenn Frey. Frey was a founding member of The Eagles, but also had a very successful solo career throughout the 80s following the band's break up.

Frey's first solo hit was "I Found Somebody", which reached #31 in 1982. Bigger hits like "The Heat Is On" (#2), "Smuggler's Blues" (#12), and "You Belong To The City" (#2) would follow, the latter two being featured on the hit TV show, Miami Vice.

Frey's solo career was running out of steam by the 90s, but I always thought one of his best songs was "Part Of Me, Part Of You", which surprisingly only reached #55 in 1991. This song, which sounds most like an Eagles tune, was featured in the movie, Thelma & Louise.

"I Can't Quit Her" by Blood, Sweat & Tears

Blood, Sweat & Tears (BST) dominated the late 60s and 70s with their trademark blend of rock, brass, and jazz. Most of their hits featured their second vocalist, the amazing David Clayton-Thomas, but the band's debut album shouldn't be overlooked. Released in 1968, "Child Is Father To The Man" featured founding member Al Kooper on lead vocals. The album reached #47 on the Billboard Top 200, without a hit single.

The endurance of this classic album was noted by Rolling Stone magazine, which ranked it #264 in its 2003 list of the top 500 albums of all-time. "I Can't Quit Her" is just one of the terrific tunes from this record.

"Time Ago" by Black Lab

Black Lab scratched the surface of stardom with their major label debut, "Your Body Above Me" in 1997. This alternative rock band came up with their name by fusing two of their musical influences, Black Sabbath and Stereolab, although they sound like neither one. 

"Time Ago" is one of those magical songs that draws you back for repeated listens. Swirling guitars, a sing-a-long chorus, and a heartfelt vocal performance makes it hard to figure out why it couldn't do better than #75 on the charts.

"Now or Never" by Axe

Axe is a hard rock band from the 80s that never got the recognition they deserved. Their very first single, "Now or Never", should have performed much better. However, it got cut down at #64 in 1982. Their only other chart appearance would be in 1983 with "I Think You'll Remember Tonight", which only reached #94. We might have heard more from this underrated outfit if guitarist Michael Osbourne wasn't tragically killed in a car accident in 1984.

"Now or Never" came off the band's third record, "Offering", which got to #81 on the Billboard Top 200.

"Don't Take It Away" by Blanc Faces

You may not hear AOR on the radio anymore, but that doesn't mean there aren't some excellent artists still carrying a torch for this genre. Take Robbie and Brian La Blanc, for example. These brothers lead a classic sounding AOR band called Blanc Faces that harks back to the sound of Survivor and Journey. 

Blanc Faces have released two records so far, and "Don't Take It Away" comes from their 2009 effort, "Falling From The Moon".

"Nothing But The Sun" by Blackwood Creek

Before there was Winger in the 80s, there was Blackwood Creek in the 70s. Kip Winger and his brothers cut their musical teeth in this early band, which broke up in 1980. Everyone knows Kip went on to capitalize on the 80s glam and hairband scene, scoring hits like "Seventeen" (#26), "Headed For A Heartbreak" (#19), and "Miles Away" (#12), among others.

40 years after their formation, Blackwood Creek reunited and released their self-titled debut record. The record has some catchy hard rock gems and power ballads, my favorite being "Nothing But The Sun". Check it out!

"Heroes" by David Bowie (RIP)

The music world was shocked to lose another icon today:  David Bowie. Unbeknownst to many, he had been battling cancer for the past 18 months. The news came upon the heels of his latest release, "Blackstar", which bowed Friday of last week. That Friday also marked his 69th birthday.

David Bowie was a prolific and influential songwriter, but is perhaps equally known for his envelope-pushing performances. Never one to stay in one musical place for long, Bowie was constantly changing styles...not adapting to fads, but instead bucking the trends. He's had a long line of hits and awards, earning him a ranking of #140 all-time best artists in Whitburn's 12th Edition of Top Pop Singles.

Bowie began his chart career with a reissue of his classic song, "Space Oddity", which hit #15 in 1973 (it originally bubbled under the chart in 1969). His first #1 smash would be "Fame" in 1975. His famous duet with Queen, "Under Pressure", hit #29 in 1981 and ushered in a major comeback that included a second #1 smash with "Let's Dance" in 1983. Quite the departure from his 80s pop, his final charting single was the industrial track, "I'm Afraid of Americans", which hit #66 in 1997.

Incredibly, one of Bowie's most well-known songs, "Heroes", never charted. It stands as proof that you must go off the charts to find new musical gems that were criminally ignored for one reason or other. Bowie was a hero to so many...

"The Door" by Big Kid

Big Kid is a power pop band from San Diego whose sound is as bright and cheery as a California sunrise. They've released three outstanding records that are "all killer, no filler" through the 2000s. 

A great song about being positive in life, "The Door" comes from their 2007 release, simply titled "Big Kid III".

 
You can check out Big Kid and their three releases here at CD Baby.

"Miss Mystery" by Black 'N Blue

Why the glam/hair band Black 'N Blue didn't break as big as their counterparts in the 80s is a real mystery. Their best known song, which failed to chart on the Billboard Top 100, had all the ingredients to be an instant smash in the 80s. "Miss Mystery" is a catchy, mid-tempo track with decent harmonies and even featured an over-the-top video complete with the boys performing on the wing of a jet. What's not to love?

"Miss Mystery" came off the band's second album, "Without Love" (1985), which also failed to chart.

"Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" by Blackfoot

The biggest hit for the underrated Southern rockers, Blackfoot, was their very first single, the epic "Highway Song". It went to #26 in 1979 and seemed like a promising start for the band. Despite a strong following through the 80s, the band could not top this hit.

"Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" shows another side of Blackfoot - this one is an upbeat rocker that can bring the house down. Showing more of the band's sense of humor, this song has party written all over it. The tune comes from their 1980 record, "Tomcattin'", which got to #50 on the Billboard Top 200.

"25 Years" by The Big Dish

Here is a great tune from a little known Scottish band called The Big Dish. They released two albums in the 80s, but this song is from their third and final record released in 1990 called "Satellites". 

"Better When You're Not Alone" by Black Crowes

One of the most successful bands to survive the grunge makeover of the 90s, the 70s-rock inspired style of The Black Crowes struck chords with millions of fans. Their first two albums sold a combined amount of over 7 million copies.

Despite the impressive album sales and devoted following, the Black Crowes never really had a song that burned up the charts. Their remake of Otis Redding's "Hard To Handle" marked the band's highest charting single, settling at #26.

Aside from their masterful debut, the album I find myself going back to the most is their fourth, "Three Snakes And One Charm". The record got to #15 on the Billboard Top 200, but failed to generate a Top 100 single. Among a bounty of terrific cuts, "Better When You're Not Alone" is a song that just puts me into a pleasant mood whenever I hear it.

Incidentally, the band's follow-up record, "By Your Side", is also outstanding.

"Sink" by Big City Rock

Big City Rock had all the makings of a hit-making group for the new millennium, but their self-titled major label debut released in 2006 got no traction. The record was met with solid critical acclaim, including an endorsement from Adam Levine of Maroon 5, a band with whom Big City Rock toured.

In addition to boasting a collection of top-notch pop rock songs, the record features co-production from Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne. The band sounds quite a bit like The Killers and should have matched their success. Check out the lead-off track, "Sink": 

Following the breakup of the band, some members went on to form another notable outfit called The Remainers. More on them when I get to the "R's"!

"Dangerous" by Natalie Cole (RIP)

The music world lost another great on New Years Eve, the wonderful Natalie Cole. Daughter of the legendary Nat "King" Cole, Natalie had well over a dozen chart successes, ranking her at #225 in the top 500 charting artists of all-time (according to 12th edition of Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles).

Natalie Cole first appeared on the charts in 1975 with her Grammy-winning classic, "This Will Be", which shot to #6 on the Billboard Top 100. She topped that in 1977 with the #5 hit, "I've Got Love On My Mind". In 1988, she had a big comeback hit by taking her version of "Pink Cadillac" to #5 and "Miss You Like Crazy" to #7. In 1991, technology allowed her to remake "Unforgettable" as a duet with her father, whose vocals were dubbed in from his 1961 version of the song. The tune went to #14 and earned a Grammy for Record & Song of the Year.

One of her often overlooked songs is the infectious, upbeat dance number, "Dangerous". The song stalled at #57 in 1985, but here it is in all of its 80s glory!