Never really understood why Fall Out Boy was pegged as a punk rock band - this outfit, headed by Patrick Stump, just strikes me as a straight-up modern rock band. From time to time, they'll write a particularly catchy tune that screams arena rock! Hailing from Illinois, the boys made a good first impression in 2005 with monster hits like "Sugar, We're Goin' Down" and "Dance, Dance," coming in at #8 and #9, respectively. Kicking off their follow-up LP is their biggest hit to date: "This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race". The single went to #2 in 2007 and was followed by the voweless hit, "Thnks Fr Th Mmrs" (#11). "I'm Like A Lawyer With The Way I'm Always Trying To Get You Off (Me & You)" was the next single, but for some inexplicable reason it stalled at #68. Not just one of my favorite Fall Out Boy songs, but one of the best modern rock hits of the decade.
Jason Falkner comes from a long line of underrated bands, from The Three O'Clock to Jellyfish to The Grays. Sadly, this extremely talented singer/songwriter never took off as a solo artist either. His first solo effort, "Presents Author Unknown," arrived in 1996 and remains one of my favorite records by him. "Miss Understanding" is just one of many catchy standout tracks. Falkner has also done a wonderful instrumental series called "Bedtime With The Beatles" if you ever need a soothing lullaby.
Billy Falcon is a very talented singer/songwriter who never really got the recognition as a solo artist that he deserved. His biggest hit came from his 1991 album, "Pretty Blue World". The first single, "Power Windows," featured none other than Bon Jovi on backing vocals and powered its way to #35. The connection between Bon Jovi and Falcon runs deep - Falcon's "Pretty Blue World" record was released on Bon Jovi's own record label, Jambco. Falcon has written 30 some songs with Bon Jovi, along with a variety of other artists like Stevie Nicks and Cher. "Paper Ship" is an awesome song from his follow-up record, 1994's "Letters From A Paper Ship."
Faith No More was originally known as Sharp Young Men when they formed in San Fransisco way back in 1979. The band started to pick up some steam by 1987 in the punk and alt rock scenes with "Introduce Yourself" and "We Care A Lot" becoming popular. Just as things were starting to cook, the band had to replace lead singer Chuck Mosley with Mike Patton (of Mr. Bungle). Turned out to be a good move as their next record, 1989's "The Real Thing," catapulted the band into the stratosphere. The first single, "Epic," gave them a #9 hit and "Falling To Pieces" also charted, albeit at only #92. As a result, the album got all the way to #11. Surprisingly, the lead-off track "From Out Of Nowhere" did not chart. I think it is one of the best tracks the band has ever done, clearly among one of the most melodic. Future releases would be admired for being more ambitious with experimental sounds and genre blending, but it cost the band their mainstream audience. However, they did return to the chart one more time in 1993 with their splendid cover of The Commodores' hit, "Easy" (#58).
Face To Face was a little known band from Boston who popped up on the top 40 only once in 1984. Their best known tune, "10-9-8," managed to reach #38. Taking the reins on vocals much of the time was Laurie Sargent, but she only sang backup on this terrific song by the band called "Pictures Of You." After breaking up in 1988, Sargent went on to do some solo work and now sings for Twinemen. Guitarist Stuart Kimball is a member of Bob Dylan's band. The songwriter for Face To Face's lone hit, Angelo Petraglia, is best known now as a songwriter and producer, most famously for his Grammy-award winning work for Kings of Leon.
The Fags was an indie rock band from Michigan who released one of the best records of 2006. In an effort to clarify their questionable band name, they titled this record "Light 'Em Up" so people realize they were named after cigarettes. Nevertheless, it must have been hard to get airplay and gigs with a name like that. None of this changes the fact that this is a brilliant rock record. The melodies are tight, lyrics are smart, and the singer sounds like a young Rod Stewart. I can't find a video or Spotify embed for my favorite song, "Here's Looking At You," but "Rockstar" is another winner. Also check out "Truly, Truly" and "Mistake." Seek this one out - it is truly worth your effort.
Extreme hit it big in 1991 with their beautiful acoustic ballad "More Than Words." The tune went to #1 and introduced the world to the amazing vocal chemistry between Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt. The Boston-based rock band had a #4 follow-up hit with another acoustic ditty, "Hole Hearted". The hard rock they were best known for never made its way onto the charts. After an extended break that included solo efforts, numerous other bands, playing guitar for Rihanna (Nuno), and Cherone's high-profile but ill-fated stint in Van Halen, Extreme reunited to make their fourth album, "Saudades de Rock" (2008). The song "Interface" originally appeared on a Nuno project called "DramaGods," but sounds even better with Cherone's harmonies. A gorgeous although heartbreaking song either way.
The Exies is a California band whose name is an abbreviated form of The Existentialists. They produced some of the best rock of the first decade of the new millennium, but failed to see major chart success come of that. Their only charting record was their second effort, "Inertia," which hit #115 in 2003. This rousing anthem reminds us to live in the moment and that "for better or worse, these are the days." The track comes from the band's fourth and last album, from 2007's "A Modern Way Of Living With The Truth." There hasn't been any word of a break up, but no activity from the band since.
A go-get 'em anthem from indie rockers Ex Norwegian. Take initiative...it's free! This wonderful track comes from the band's 2012 effort, "House Music".
A terrific throwback rocker from an indie power pop band called The Everyday Things. "She Likes It Like That" reminds me of The Knack and The Kinks, but comes from a 2005 album the band called "Lighten Up, Francis".
Everclear enjoyed a surge in fame through the latter half of the 90s after their breakthrough single, "Santa Monica (Watch The World Die)," bowed at #29 in 1995. Led by singer/songwriter Art Alexakis, the band went on to score some other popular hits including "I Will Buy You A New Life" (#33) and "Wonderful" (their best charting performance, just missing the top 10 at #11 in 2000). "Father Of Mine" is another well-known track by the band but should've performed much better. This melancholy cry out to a disconnected dad topped out at #46 in 1998, but remains one of the strongest efforts by the band - with a terrific video to boot. The band reunited in 2015 to release a new record called "Black Is The New Black."
Eve 6 became a one-hit wonder with their breakout track "Inside Out" in 1998. Named after an episode of the X-files, the band never bested this out-of-the-box hit. I always thought that "Superhero Girl", another track from their self-titled record, would've made a great single. It is arguably the second most melodic track in the bunch aside from "Inside Out". The band broke up in 2004 after two more albums and reunited for 2012's "Speak In Code".
Bob Evans is a talented indie singer/songwriter who really deserves to get his music heard by a larger audience. His 2006 record, "Suburban Songbook," is one of the more consistently good records of that year - his melodies ease themselves into your mind and never let go. "Don't Walk Alone" is just one of many highlights. Acoustic-based power pop at its finest!
Even and Jaron Lowenstein are identical twins that can write a pop rock song and sing harmonies like nobody's business. Their big break arrived in 2000 with the release of their self-titled album containing the hit "Crazy For This Girl". The single stormed to #15 that year but surprisingly, none of the other terrific songs from this record charted. The failure of "From My Head To My Heart" is perhaps the biggest surprise - not only a fantastic song, it was in the popular movie Runaway Bride, featuring the reunion between Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. Evan is still making music these days, in his country-tinged band called Jaron and the Long Road To Love.
Annie Lennox and David Stewart, otherwise known as Eurythmics, were a staple duo throughout the 80s with big hits like the #1 smash from 1983 "Sweet Dreams", as well as "Here Comes The Rain Again" (#4), and "Would I Lie To You?" (#5). In 1985, the band got to record with the legendary Aretha Franklin, scoring another hit with "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves" (#18). But 1986 would be the year they scored their last top 20 hit as "Missionary Man" got to #14 (and also won a Grammy for best Rock Vocal Duo). I always thought that "When Tomorrow Comes" could have been a big hit for them. This upbeat and catchy tune comes from their 1986 album, "Revenge".
Swedish metal turned hard rock turned hairband turned back to hard rock band, Europe, skyrocketed onto the US music charts in 1987 with their monster hit, "The Final Countdown". Most people don't realize, however, that this song was not their best chart performance. "The Final Countdown" soared to #8, but their power ballad "Carrie" slow danced its way to #3. I never understood why Europe faded away after this breakout success. Their follow-up record only produced one minor hit with "Superstitious" going to #31 in 1988. It came from a masterpiece of an AOR album called "Out Of This World" that was loaded with hits that just didn't materialize. The same could be said for their 1991 album, "Prisoners In Paradise". Another classic AOR album, "Prisoners" is filled with potential hits that just weren't right for the changing musical climate. "Halfway To Heaven" is just a taste of the catchy pop rock this record had to offer. Europe has steadily cranked out plenty of records ever since, returning more to their hard rock roots, but often at the expense of their melodic sensibilities.
Melissa Etheridge had her time in the spotlight in the early 90s with her breakout hit, "Come To My Window", which reached #25 in 1994 and earned her a much-deserved Grammy for best female rock vocal. She followed it up with "I'm The Only One", which would prove to be her best charting performance coming in at #8. A third single from the smash album "Yes I Am" was "If I Wanted To", which peaked at #16. All eyes were on her follow-up record, "Your Little Secret". It arrived in 1995 but the sizzling title track stalled at #47. The next single did a little better - "I Want To Come Over" reached #22. Etheridge deserved more than this 15 minutes of fame, but her follow up work has not received the same level of attention as her 90s records. It did help raise awareness of her outstanding earlier work from the 80s. "I Could Have Been You" is a smoldering anthem tucked away in the mix on the "Your Little Secret" album. Passionately executed, this powerful song is a scorching reminder that nature makes us the way we and no one has a right to persecute those they perceive as different.
