"No Time At All" by Dropline

Dropline is a guitar-driven pop rock band that released a single album, "You Are Here", in 2002. Not sure why they didn't take off like some of their counterparts like Vertical Horizon or matchbox twenty. If you like that style of music, I can't see why Dropline won't appeal to you. 

"No Time At All" is the lead off track and one of their strongest in my opinion, although many other cuts from this record are worth multiple spins.

"Fly Me Courageous" by Drivin' N' Cryin'

Drivin' N' Cryin' formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 1985 as a Southern rock band. Their earlier releases had a more pronounced Southern flair, but their 1991 release "Fly Me Courageous" was a no holds barred rocker. The title track performed well, although it didn't break into the mainstream Top 100 chart.

Fueled by the song "Fly Me Courageous" and other rousing singles like "Build A Fire" and "The Innocent", the album went gold and peaked at #90 on the album chart. It would remain the band's biggest chart success despite a steady string of follow-up records afterwards. Not sure why they didn't hit quite as big as a similar band breaking at that time, the Black Crowes.

"Not That Simple" by Dredg

Dredg is a hard rock group that didn't quite stand out above their competition during the naughts, but their music fits well alongside better known bands like The Killers and Kaiser Chiefs.

"Not That Simple" is a slow burning rock song that always intrigues me. It comes from the band's third record, "Catch Without Arms", which peaked at #123 in 2005. The band's subsequent releases left alternative rock behind in favor of a more art rock and experimental sound.

"Rough Night In Jericho" by Dreams So Real

Dreams So Real was a rock trio from Athens, Georgia who almost hit it big in 1988 with their song and album entitled "Rough Night In Jericho". Despite a healthy buzz and lots of airplay, the title track did not scratch the surface of the Top 100, but the album managed to climb to #150.

The album is filled with a lot of other terrific rock tracks, so it remains puzzling why this band didn't perform better on the charts. A truly underrated release you should check out!

"Lazy" by Dreaming In Stereo

Dreaming In Stereo is the brainchild of the talented singer/songwriter Fernando Perdomo. Their debut album arrived in 2010 and is filled with breezy pop rock tunes with captivating melodies. An obvious Beatles influence is heard throughout, with a smattering of E.L.O. as well.

"Lazy" is just one of many standout tracks on this indie band's debut. Be sure to also check out the delicate acoustic ballad, "Smile", and the more upbeat rocker "I'm Not Gonna Move To L.A."

"The Edge Of Forever" by Dream Academy

The Dream Academy woke us all up in 1985 with their breakout hit, "Life In A Northern Town". This tune soared all the way to #7 and was followed up by another fan favorite, "The Love Parade". "The Love Parade", which marched to #36 in 1986, would prove to be the last charting single in the US for this English trio.

Those two top 40 hits came from the band's self-titled album, which managed to hit #20. The record had another potential hit with "The Edge Of Forever", which was also featured on the soundtrack to the hit film, Ferris Bueller's Day Off. 

The band's follow-up record, "Remembrance Days" came in 1987. Without a hit single, it petered out at #181.

"Living In A Black And White Movie" by Doubletake

Doubletake is an indie AOR band from Texas who released their album "So Many Roads" in 1993 while still sporting healthy 80s-styled mullets. The record was reissued by Retrospect Records in 2009 and is a nostalgic blast from the past.

"Living In A Black And White Movie" is a standout cut from the record, which intrigues me for having a better pre-chorus than chorus. If it came out a few years earlier, it might have been a hit for the band.

"Anything, Anything (I'll Give You)" by Dramarama

How Dramarama never caught a big break in the US is one of the great musical mysteries. This alternative rock band mixed in just the right amount of pop and punk. This one is perhaps their best known and was featured on the soundtrack to A Nightmare On Elm Street 4. The fact that Dramarama never had an appearance in the top 100 is almost as bewildering as there being so many Nightmare on Elm Street movies.

Other terrific cuts from the band include "Last Cigarette", "Scenario", and "Haven't Got A Clue". If you dig Soul Asylum or the Replacements, odds are you'll fall in love with Dramarama too.

"Young Years" by Dragon

Dragon is a pop rock band from New Zealand that made a single appearance on the US Top 100 chart in 1984 with "Rain". "Rain" only stormed to #88 but left a lasting impression on many fans of this underrated band.

"Young Years" is another example of the excellent stuff Dragon could churn out. The band's back catalogue is worth mining if you enjoy thoughtful, melodic songs.

Also worth your time is their acoustic CD, "Sunshine To Rain". Don't miss their rendition of Kool & The Gang's "Celebrate"! Other favorites of mine include "Magic", "This Time", and "April Sun In Cuba".

"It's Gonna Hurt So Bad" by Doucette

Doucette was a Canadian band that should have gotten more exposure here in the US during their time in the late 70s. They managed to score one top 100 hit with the excellent jam, "Mama Let Him Play", which topped out at #72. The song helped the album of the same name creep up to #159 in 1978.

Another terrific cut from that record was "It's Gonna Hurt So Bad" - check it out!

"Time Is Here And Gone" by The Doobie Brothers

The Doobie Brothers were among the top 30 bands of the 70s, scoring major classic hits like "Listen To The Music" (#11 in 1972), "Long Train Runnin'" (#8 in 1973), "Black Water" (#1 in 1974), and "What A Fool Believes" (#1 in 1979). After they hit the top 10 again in 1980 with the #5 song "Real Love", the band struggled to get back to the upper end of the charts and disbanded in 1983.

Some members of the band reformed by 1989 and released a comeback record called "Cycles". "Cycles" proved that people were still hungry for new music by the Doobies, scoring a #17 position on the chart. The first single, "The Doctor", also put the band back into the top 10 (#9) one last time.

"Time Is Here And Gone" is an underrated little ditty from their comeback record. Incidentally, there is no one named Doobie in the band, nor are any of the members brothers. 

"Stay" by Dot Dot Dot

Dot Dot Dot is an indie pop rock band from Chicago whose songs will make you want to get up and move. You might know them as a former contestant on the TV show from 2007, The Next Great American Band. They didn't win, but if you like catchy rock you can dance to, check them out.

The terrific song "Stay" comes from their 2010 EP, simply called "II".

"Burning Like A Flame" by Dokken

The hard rock outfit named after vocalist Don Dokken amassed a substantial cult following in the 80s but mainstream success largely alluded the band. Their biggest hit, "Alone Again", came in 1985 and only managed to climb to #64. They followed this up with "In My Dreams", which hit #77.

The band appeared to be on the precipice of success with one of their most infectious tunes yet, "Burning Like A Flame". Released in 1987, I really thought this pop rocker would be the song that took the band to new heights. Alas, it only reached #72. 

The album from which it came would prove to be the band's best charting performance: "Back For The Attack", which also featured a remix version of the band's song "Dream Warriors" (from the film A Nightmare On Elm Street 3), scored an impressive landing at #13.

"The Prince's Favorite Son" by Dog's Eye View

Led by the talented singer/songwriter Peter Stuart, Dog's Eye View barked up the right tree in 1996 and scored a #14 hit with "Everything Falls Apart". The New York band hasn't seen the charts since, though, and remain one-hit wonders.

The debut album that spawned "Everything Falls Apart" was called "Happy Nowhere", and it reached #77. The band tried to score another hit with the pleasant "Small Wonders", but the contemplative ballad didn't resonate on the charts. 

"The Prince's Favorite Son" should have fared better. The song creeps in gently before launching into an upbeat journey that will have your toes tapping.

"Love Is All Gone" by Dog Society

"Now I am older, I hate everything" sang the New York band, Dog Society, back in 1993. Now that they are much older, I wonder if they still hate everything? They've actually gotten back together recently, after a 20 year gap between albums.

"Love Is All Gone" is a groovy song from their debut album, "Test Your Own Eyes". The band plays a lot of rock, but also some funk and Beatles-sounding pop, and writes more introspective lyrics than most. "Test Your Own Eyes" remains one of my favorite underrated gems of the early 90s.

"Only Lonely" by Divinyls

Everyone knows this band from down under because of "I Touch Myself", the novelty ode to self-pleasure that climaxed on the charts at #4 in 1991. But the Divinyls had a lot more going on under the hood than just that one hit. Few people remember their other foray onto the Top 100:  "Pleasure and Pain" reached #76 in 1986.

"I Touch Myself" also gave the band their biggest US album - a self-titled effort that went to #15. Few people realize that this was the band's fourth record. Their back catalogue is worthy of attention as it is filled with lots of other gems.

Take the punchy "Only Lonely" for example, from their debut 1983 album, "Desperate". The band crafted quality pop melodies with just the right amount of attitude.

Sadly, lead singer Christina Amphlett died of cancer in 2013.

"Gimme Your Good Lovin'" by Diving For Pearls

Taking their name from the Elvis Costello song, Diving For Pearls is an AOR band that had a minor hit during the hair band era of the late 80s. "Gimme Your Good Lovin'" rose to #84 in late 1989. I always thought this track had more mileage in it and should have done at least as well as the hits coming from the likes of Firehouse, Alias, or Steelheart.

The band's entire album (self-titled) is pretty good if you like this kind of music - there isn't anything earth-shattering about most of the songs, but the riffs and melodies are above par compared to most of the stuff I remember from that era.

The band released a second album, "Texas", in 2006.