"Use It" by Deadeye Dick

There's a sure way to be a one-hit wonder. Write a novelty song for a Jim Carrey movie. That is the fate that befell a very talented 90s band called Deadeye Dick. The New Orleans band took their name from the famous novel by Kurt Vonnegut and scored a minor hit with their song, "New Age Girl", which reached #27 in 1994. The song achieved this success in part because it was included on the Dumb and Dumber soundtrack.

The band released two albums, but surprisingly neither charted. They were just as good, if not better, than most 90s rock, featuring some very good singing and lots of fun harmonies. The band broke up after their 1995 album "Whirl", but a rarities record was issued in 2015 called "The Vault". A hidden gem called "Use It" lives there.

"Liquid" by DDT

DDT is a schizophrenic band that plays rock, ska, funk, rap, and more. Swirl all of that into a blender and you'll get a hint of what their 1999 record, "Urban Observer", sounds like. As with most records of this nature, most people will like certain songs of a given style while others will gravitate towards songs fitting a different genre. Whatever the song, the lyrics are a cut above the rest.

The song that works best for me on their record is "Liquid". Remarkably, the band pulls off ska and rock and pop melodies - all in one satisfying track. Check them out if you like Kid Rock or Powerman 5000.

"A Spy In The House Of Love" by The dB's

One of the wonders of the 80s is why The dB's (which stands for decibels according to the name of their first album) didn't have a charting hit. The popular indie band had a quirky style like They Might Be Giants, but the pop sensibilities of Squeeze. Their initial albums garnered plenty of critical acclaim, but it did not translate into album sales or charting singles. 

By the band's third effort, Chris Stamey left and Peter Holsapple stepped up to the mic and became the principle guitarist and songwriter. "Like This" was released in 1984 and featured the gem of song called "A Spy In The House Of Love".

The dB's would crack the Top 200 with their final album of the 80s, "The Sound Of Music", which hit #171 in 1987. The band reunited back in 2005 and released an excellent comeback record in 2012 called "Falling Off The Sky".

"Don't Tell Me The Time" by Martha Davis

After the demise of 80s new wave band, The Motels (an underrated band in its own right), lead singer Martha Davis struck out on a solo career. Her debut album, "Policy", arrived in 1987 and produced one lone charting single, "Don't Tell Me The Time", which only got to #80. It is a gorgeous song and deserved better, as did Davis. "Tell It To The Moon" was another excellent cut from this great little record. Had the singles done better, "Policy" surely would have climbed higher than #127.

"Gone Too Soon" by Daughtry

The amazing voice of Chris Daughtry was brought to the masses thanks to the hit TV show American Idol. In a move that shocked the world, Daughtry was somehow voted off the fifth season. Things turned out very well for the talented singer, though, his self-titled debut album reaching #1in 2006 and spawning top ten hits like "It's Not Over" (#4) and "Home" (#5).   

"Gone Too Soon" comes from the band's third album, "Break The Spell", which peaked at #8 in 2011. It is a chill-inducing song about loss of life before it even begins. It was dedicated to the victims of the Newton, Connecticut shooting, with proceeds going to the families. 

"The Motions" by Dashboard Confessional

Despite how well known they are, the Florida-based alternative rock band Dashboard Confessional has never cruised up the singles charts. The highest they've gotten was #44 with their ballad "Stolen" from 2007. Not even their terrific contribution to the Spider Man 2 soundtrack, "Vindicated", was able to breach the top 100.

Their albums have performed better, in fact the band scored two back to back records peaking at #2: 2003's "A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar" and 2006's "Dusk and Summer". The band's last record, "Alter The Ending", arrived in 2009 and managed to get to a respectable #19. I thought it was one of their best, and one of their most infectious songs comes from it, called "The Motions".

"One By One" by Darling Cruel

Probably one of the most intriguing albums to come out the 80s is "Passion Crimes" by LA-based band Darling Cruel. The single "Everything's Over" garnered some airplay on MTV in 1989, turning some onto the band and pushing their album to #160. Remarkably, the infectious single didn't hit the top 100, nor did any other track from this underrated record.

Singer Gregory Darling, who cut his teeth playing piano and singing backing vocals for Faster Pussycat, has an astonishing range and perhaps goes a little overboard with the vocal gymnastics on some of the tracks. The overall sound combines hard rock with a touch of goth, with lyrics and orchestral instrumentation one might hear in the middle ages. Like I said, "Passion Crimes" has a unique sound, which is only part of the record's appeal.

What always pulls me back in to appreciate this record is the abundance of hooks in the melodies. "One By One" is a favorite, but be sure to also check out the groovy "Weight On My Shoulders" and epic ballad, "Love Child". 

If you were a fan, Gregory Darling has released a number of mellower solo records you might want to audition.

"She Kissed Me" by Terence Trent D'Arby

Versatile singer/songwriter Terence Trent D'Arby hit the top of the chart in 1988 with "Wishing Well", off his debut album "Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby". The follow-up single, "Sign Your Name", was another hit landing at #4 and helped push the album to #4 as well.

His second album, "Neither Fish Nor Flesh", was a commercial flop, yielding no hit singles and peaking at #61 on the album chart. This sophomore jinx and the changing musical scene of the 90s probably had a lot to do with the fall of this promising star.

His third album, 1993's "Symphony Or Damn", was another eclectic mix of styles that earned a position at #119. One single from that record, the sultry ballad "Delicate", put D'Arby back on the charts for the first time since 1988, but only reaching #74. "She Kissed Me" was the rocking first single and I am amazed it didn't perform better and give D'Arby the comeback he truly deserved. 

"Torn Away" by Dancing Hoods

Dancing Hoods was an indie band trying to break through in the late 80s with their second release, "Hallelujah Anyway". They were praised by The Replacements and their single, "Baby's Got Rockets", scored some airplay on MTV. Despite these promising starts, the band could not attract major label attention. "Torn Away" is another terrific tune that started this great little underrated album.

Songwriter Mark Linkous would make more of a name for himself in the band Sparklehorse and as a collaborator for many better known groups, including Cracker and Tom Waits. Sadly, this talented musician committed suicide in 2010.

"A Soldier's Memoir" by Joe Bachman

I first heard this incredibly moving song when Joe Bachman opened up for Sister Hazel a few years ago. It made a powerful impression on me then and still resonates to this day. Very rarely does a song take a hold like this one, which describes the torment of PTSD. It should have been a #1 song, hands down. Pass it along.

"Mary's Prayer" by Danny Wilson

I usually don't post about songs that hit the top 40, but "Mary's Prayer" is such a great tune and gets so little attention (I almost never hear it on the 80s station). The song is the lone hit for the Scottish trio Danny Wilson, who took their name from the Frank Sinatra film Meet Danny Wilson.

"Mary's Prayer" got all the way to #23 in 1987, although I think it should have gone higher.

"Rocket To Your Heart" by Danger Danger

Danger Danger was a second-tier hairband that almost broke into the top 40 with their song, "Bang Bang". The catchy tune went to #49 in 1990 and helped get the band's self-titled debut album to #88. It is kind of surprising this album wasn't mined for additional hits to increase Danger Danger's profile up to their better-known counterparts like Firehouse or Slaughter. "Don't Walk Away" and "Feels Like Love" are just a couple examples of missed opportunities.

In the 90s, the band underwent numerous line-up changes, including departure of their lead singer Ted Poley. Fast forward to 2009 and Ted Poley reunites with Danger Danger to record their seventh (!) studio album, "Revolve". The band makes a laudable effort to update their sound, and "Rocket To Your Heart" is just one of several stand out tracks on this record. It failed to chart in the US, but did hit the charts in Japan.

"New Change Of Heart" by Damone

Damone is a little-known band from Waltham, Massachusetts whose album "Out Here All Night" features a bevy of hard-hitting melodic rock, should've been hits. The band was formed by guitarist Dave Pino of another underrated rock band simply called Waltham. The powerhouse vocals that you hear are by Noelle, who is now with a band called The Organ Beats.

"Out Here All Night" is a really impressive record but it only reached #168 in 2006. It is a shame this band didn't get the attention they deserved. It would have been very interesting to see how they evolved together. If you like "New Change Of Heart", do yourself a favor and check out the rest.

"Silence Is Broken" by Damn Yankees

Expectations were running high when word got out that a new rock super group was forming consisting of Jack Blades (Night Ranger), Tommy Shaw (Styx), Ted Nugent (Amboy Dukes), and newcomer Michael Cartellone on drums. The debut single "Coming of Age" left after hitting a disappointing #60 on the chart, but the band scored in a big way with their epic ballad, "High Enough", which soared to #3 in 1990. The third single from the self-titled debut album, "Come Again", came and went only to hit #50. The excitement about the band and strength of the singles helped push the album to #13, and ignited a healthy writing partnership between Blades and Shaw (who also harmonize wonderfully together). 

In 1992, the band released their follow-up record, "Don't Tread". To most people, the songs were not as strong and it certainly didn't help that the musical tide was shifting towards grunge. Still, the record pulled its weight among the Seattle bands and got to #22, and the ballad "Where You Goin' Now" peaked at #20. 

"Silence Is Broken" is another terrific ballad, but it only managed to climb to #62 and holds the notoriety of being the band's last charting single (unless perhaps the long discussed rumors of a reunion actually materialize).  

"Revelation" by Dakona

Canadian band Dakona formed in the late 90s, about the time most record labels were looking for the next Matchbox Twenty. Dakona fit that bill pretty well. Their major label debut arrived in 2003, but "Perfect Change" failed to gain any significant traction in the US. The record would prove to be the band's last and they broke up by 2005.

It is quite puzzling to hear the song "Revelation" and not know why it didn't make a bigger impression at US radio. Perhaps it sounded like too many other groups at the time, but to my ears this rock anthem holds up very well. Lead singer Ryan McAllister went on to record a couple solo albums. 

"Beautiful Turnback Time Machine" by Dada

Dada is best known for their novelty hit, "Dizz Knee Land", which bubbled under the top 100 back in 1993. Nevertheless, the critically acclaimed debut album, "Puzzle", went all the way to #111 on the album chart. Many other terrific songs grace this album, but no other singles scored on the chart.

No one seemed to be paying attention to the band by their fourth record, which was simply named "dada". It came out in 1998 and should have marked a big comeback for the band. It is one of the best albums of the 90s, filled with brilliant songwriting and well-crafted harmonies. As always, Michael Gurley's guitar work is first-rate. 

In addition to the amazing "Beautiful Turnback Time Machine", be sure to check out "Spinning My Wheels", "Information Undertow", and "Where You're Going". Easily one of my "desert island" discs.