"Anything" by Leona Naess

Raised in London, singer/songwriter Leona Naess moved to New York at the age of 18 to pursue her budding musical career. Her debut album, "Comatose," arrived in 2000 and spawned a modest hit with the single "Charm Attack."

Perhaps better known for her sultry ballads, which suit her silky voice very well, Naess can write an infectious pop rocker. "Anything," also from "Comatose," is one of my favorite examples. Naess has released three more albums since, but this talented artist has yet to score a chart hit.

"Always Love" by Nada Surf

New York band Nada Surf made a lone appearance on the Top 100 in 1996 when their "Popular" single reached #51. Inexplicably, this alternative rock trio with a knack for sugary choruses hasn't been able to repeat that feat.

Nada Surf has been cranking out consistently solid power pop efforts that are worth checking out. "Always Love" is a sweet rocker from their 2005 album, "The Weight Is A Gift."

"Lover Of Mine" by Alannah Myles

Canadian singer and songwriter Alannah Myles scored a chart-topping #1 smash in the US in 1989 with "Black Velvet," a bluesy rock song about the King. The song stayed at #1 for two weeks and earned Myles a Grammy for Rock Female Vocal. While she continued to score more hits in Canada, she only attained one other charting single in the US when "Love Is" reached #36 in 1990.

Her debut album could have been mined for so much more, including the ballad "Lover Of Mine." With its hair-raising vocal climax, you'd think this great song would have done well in the US.

While it did well elsewhere in the world, her sophomore record, the ambitious "Rockinghorse," flopped in the US, securing her an undeserved fate in this country as a one-hit wonder.

"I Don't Love You" by My Chemical Romance

I would count My Chemical Romance as one of the great modern rock bands of the naughts. Screaming from out of New Jersey, the band was founded in 2001 by brothers Gerard (vocals) and Mikey Way (bass). They released four albums before breaking up in 2013, at which point Gerard embarked on a solo career.

The stars started to come into alignment with the band's sophomore effort, "Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge." The album produced their first top 40 hit, "Helena (So Long & Goodnight)," which reached #33 in 2005. Building from that momentum, they released their masterpiece, "The Black Parade," a concept album about a person dying of cancer. The critically acclaimed record also gave the band their one and only top 10 hit, "Welcome To The Black Parade," which hit #9 and is included in the R&R Hall of Fame.

Their final album, "Danger Days: The True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys" tells the story of a renegade group fighting a corporation that took over the world in post-apocalyptic 2019. An ambitious project, but the band pulled it off, continuing an impressive streak of masterful songwriting and performing.

There are many songs worth highlighting by the band, but I am going to showcase one of their slower moments: "I Don't Love You, " another cut from the amazing "Black Parade."

"Be Careful" by Mutual Admiration Society

Late in the year 2000, Toad the Wet Sprocket's Glen Phillips teamed up with members of Nickel Creek to form Mutual Admiration Society, a collaboration that spawned a single self-titled record that was finally released three years after it was recorded.

It is a match made in folk heaven. The record is one of my favorites to play on a lazy Sunday. "Be Careful" is one of the best cuts, but the entire record is a pleasing affair for tired ears.

"Joy Rides" by Mutemath

Mutemath is a techno rock band from New Orleans that formed in 2002. Despite their popularity, they've yet to poke their head onto the Top 100 chart. Given radio-friendly cuts like "Joy Rides," from their 2015 album "Vitals," it is puzzling as to why.

"Get Up And Fight" by Muse

The English techno rock band Muse released their first album in 1999 and finally had a taste of chart success in the US when "Uprising" reached #37 in 2009. It remains their only top 40 hit in the US, although "Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever)," (from the movie The Twilight Saga: Eclipse) hit #77 in 2010 and "Madness" hit #45 in 2012.

Muse's latest effort, 2018's "Stimulation Theory," is an ambitious record with science fiction themes. It boasts a number of engaging songs that show further growth of the band, melding their heavier guitar sound with airy synths. "Get Up And Fight" is one of the highlights.

"3 Things" by Jason Mraz

Working his way through coffeeshops in San Diego in the early 2000s, singer/songwriter Jason Mraz caught his big break in 2002 with his hit "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)," which reached #15. Intertwining freestyle rap into his acoustic folk melodies, Mraz had a unique sound that resonated with people who liked all sorts of different musical styles.

He chilled on the chart until 2008 when "I'm Yours" flew to #6 and gave him his biggest hit yet. He teamed up with Colbie Caillat to take "Lucky" to #48 and took home a Grammy for Pop Vocal Collaboration. He scored again in 2012 with "I Won't Give Up" reaching #8.

Mraz is still going strong and who knows what additional chart successes he'll have. But don't let his hits distract you from mining the gems in his growing catalogue of pleasant pick-me-up tunes. "3 Things," from 2014's "YES!" album, is but one example of what you might be missing.

"Waiting For September" by Mr. Reality

About a year ago, we highlighted an amazing song and band called Highway 9. Mr. Reality was the original incarnation of this terrific and grossly underrated acoustic rock outfit. Their self-titled 1992 release is one of my favorite records of all-time.

Filled with shimmering 12-string guitars and harmonies that would make The Eagles green with envy, Mr. Reality is one of the reasons I write this blog. Everyone should have heard of this band and it makes me weep that we never got to hear more from them (aside from their subsequent appearance as Highway 9, in which history repeated itself and unjustly ignored them once again).

Their one and only album as Mr. Reality is filled with gems like "Anonymous," "Jess," "My Guns," and "Waiting For September."

"Uniform Of Youth" by Mr. Mister

Out of the ashes of their band Pages, singer and bassist Richard Page and keyboardist Steve George regrouped to form a new pop rock band called Mr. Mister. Yes, the band referenced in the 2009 hit "Hey, Soul Sister," by Train.

Mr. Mister was on a hot streak in the mid-80s. After warming up audiences in 1984 with "Hunters Of The Night," which reached #57, the band released their masterpiece record, "Welcome To The Real World." The album spawned two consecutive #1 hits with "Broken Wings" and "Kyrie," and the third single, "Is It Love" went to #8.

With a big success like that, you'd think the band would have a pretty secure future, but they cooled off quickly. Their next release, 1987's "Go On," lacked the punch and radio-friendly melodies that earned them fans. After "Something Real (Inside Me/Inside You)" reached a disappointing #29, the band was ignored and broke up in 1990.

Page would later release a solo record and write/play for many other artists. He was also a member of Ringo Starr's 12th All-Starr Band.

"Uniform Of Youth" is another great cut from "Welcome To The Real World" that sees the band at its best, combining the synth rock with powerful guitars and an anthem-worthy chorus.

"Green-Tinted Sixties Mind" by Mr. Big

Mr. Big formed in 1988, comprised of a group of all-star musicians. Some were ace session musicians who've played with many artists over the years. Bassist extraordinaire Billy Sheehan was a member of David Lee Roth's band, vocalist Eric Martin had already seen chart action as a solo artist, guitarist Paul Gilbert played in the rock outfit Racer X, and drummer Pat Torpey (who passed away in 2018) played with everyone from Belinda Carlisle to Ted Nugent.

Mr. Big took their name from a song by the band Free, and ended up doing their rendition of this tune on their "Bump Ahead" record in 1993. They are not to be confused with the English disco band who hit the charts in 1977 with "Romeo."

Their self-titled debut was generally well-received, although it did not generate any chart hits. But the band's chemistry aligned for their second album, 1991's "Lean Into It." A near flawless piece of AOR, this record doesn't get enough credit. It almost tanked until a simple acoustic ditty, "To Be With You," which was tacked on to the end of the album, suddenly hit #1 for three weeks. The momentum gave the band a second hit, "Just Take My Heart," which reached #16. 

Due to the shifting winds of the musical landscape in the 90s, it was surprising a band like Mr. Big could squeeze out two more charting singles: a cover of Cat Stevens's "Wild World" hit #27 and "Ain't Seen Love Like That" hit #83. The band continued to put out records over the years, the last arriving in 2017.

"Green-Tinted Sixties Mind" was the lead single from "Lean Into It" that somehow did not interest enough folks at radio to get it on the charts. It is a terrific pop rock song that deserved to become a classic.

"I Don't Know You Anymore" by Bob Mould

In the 80s, Bob Mould was the mastermind behind the influential alternative rock band Husker Du. In the 90s, he was the mastermind behind the more pop-leaning band Sugar. And beginning with "Workbook" in 1989, he's sustained an acclaimed solo career that is still going strong.

"Workbook" helped to establish Mould as a punk rocker with a penchant for melody. Songs like "See A Little Light" and "It's Too Late" (from his 1990 effort, "Black Sheets Of Rain") put him into regular rotation on MTV's 120 Minutes. Despite a large and loyal fanbase, he was never able to crossover to the Top 100 chart in any of his musical incarnations.

If Bob Mould is anything, though, he is consistent. His guitar tones and playing style sounds the same today as it did decades ago. "I Don't Know You Anymore" is from his 2014 record, "Beauty And Rain," but sounds like it could have come from any if his albums...and I mean that in the best way possible.

"Never" by Moving Pictures

Hailing from down under, Moving Pictures is known as a one-hit wonder in the US thanks to their ballad, "What About Me." The song charted twice, reaching #29 in 1982 and #46 in 1989.

You may recognize "Never" as the song Kevin Bacon danced to in the barn in the hit movie Footloose. It was also used in a 2007 movie called Hot Rod. This excellent slice of AOR should have seen some chart action. After they broke up, guitarist Garry Frost went on to form another terrific yet underrated band called 1927.

"I Don't Wanna Be The Richest Man On The Cemetery" by Mouth & MacNeal

Mouth and MacNeal were a pop duo from The Netherlands that scored a top 10 hit in 1972 that few people remember called "How Do You Do?" It strains the memory even farther to recall their other charting single, "Hey, You Love," which peaked at #87 later that year.

"I Don't Wanna Be The Richest Man On The Cemetery" is a wonderful piece of bubble gum pop in the grand style you'd expect from those happy folks in The Netherlands.

"Silver Paper" by Mountain

Mountain was a short-lived hard rock band from the early 70s led by the throaty vocalist Leslie West. Their biggest hit arrived in 1970 when "Mississippi Queen" reached #21. The only other chart appearance the band achieved was the next year when "The Animal Trainer And The Toad" hit #76.

"Silver Paper" is a groovy jam from their 1970 album entitled, "Climbing!" Open your heart and let the sun shine in...

"Honaloochie Boogie" by Mott the Hoople

Mott the Hoople was an English rock band that broke onto the American charts in 1972 with their classic, "All The Young Dudes." The tune, written by David Bowie, reached #37 and is now in the R&R Hall of Fame. Their name is taken from a 1966 comic novel by Willard Manus, whose protagonist (Norman Mott) is an independent rebel.

The band poked their head onto the bottom of the chart twice more, when "One Of The Boys" and "The Golden Age Of Rock 'N' Roll" both peaked at #96.

When they weren't doing covers, the songwriting was primarily driven by singer Ian Hunter and guitarist Mick Ralphs. The pair wrote some intriguing and influential material, but most of it failed to connect with popular radio. Hunter left in 1976 and moved onto an equally inconsistent solo career, while Ralphs found fame and fortune as a member of Bad Company. You can hear some of his Hoople riffs and songs (including "Ready For Love") in the Bad Company catalogue.

If the boys wrote more tunes like the catchy "Honaloochie Boogie" from 1973, they might have stood a better chance of becoming a more permanent fixture on US radio. The tune features Andy Mackay of Roxy Music on saxophone (he also played sax on their other classic tune, "All The Way From Memphis").

"I'm So Bad (Baby I Don't Care)" by Motorhead

Motorhead was an English heavy metal band fronted by Ian Kilmister, known simply as "Lemmy." They've been shaking up the rock scene ever since they formed in 1975, until Lemmy's dying day in late 2015. Lemmy's distinctive rasp, along with the mercilessly crushing guitars, gave the band a large and loyal following, but they never broke onto the Top 100 chart in the US.

Label turmoil kept the band quiet for four years in the late 80s, but they returned with a vengeance with their ninth album in 1991, called "1916." Released in the twilight of the commercial hard rock era, many more people were willing to give Motorhead a try. In many ways, it remains a landmark album in the band's extensive catalogue. Along with the popular single, "The One To Sing The Blues," the title track was an uncharacteristic ballad about the soldiers in World War I. The album was nominated for a Grammy but lost to Metallica's "black" record.

"I'm So Bad (Baby I Don't Care)" is another ferocious, ear-splitting track from "1916," and probably my favorite from the band. 

"On With The Show" by Motley Crue

Despite their familiarity and string of hits in the 80s, Motley Crue has not achieved as much chart success as you may think. They've only had two showings in the top 10, both from their smash album, "Dr. Feelgood," from 1989. The title track gave the band their biggest hit, landing at #6, while the sappy ballad "Without You" peaked at #8. Much better tunes like "Kickstart My Heart," "Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)" (my personal favorite), and "Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.)" reached #27, #19, and #78, respectively.

Honestly, at this time, virtually any band with a huge supply of Aqua-Net and lyrics that denigrated women could land themselves a top 10 hit. Motley Crue was practicing for this moment since they first appeared on the chart in 1984 when "Looks That Kill" climbed to #54. "Dr. Feelgood" was a hard-earned accomplishment that they sadly could not sustain. After a re-recording of "Home Sweet Home" (the band's greatest ballad) reached #37 in 1991, the band has yet to get back on the chart. Of course, Vince Neil leaving the band in 1992 didn't help. Replacement singer John Corabi failed to connect with fans, and the band lost too much of their momentum for a comeback after Neil rejoined them in 1997.

In addition to their time in the Crue, several members have had notable side projects. Neil achieved short-lived success as a solo artist, bassist Nikki Sixx formed Sixx A.M., and drummer Tommy Lee even stepped up to the mic for some solo work.

"On With The Show" goes back to the band's first album, a raw and in-your-face effort that sounds more like demo compared to their high-gloss cock rock that would follow. With this underrated tune, you can hear the smart sense of melody poking its head above the noise, an instinct that would eventually lead the band to their most beloved hits. If you're looking for something more recent, I'd recommend you check out "Kiss The Sky" from the 1997 "Generation Swine" record.

"Movin' On" by Mother's Finest

Are they heavy metal? Funk? Southern rock? Soul? Yes, yes, yes, and...yes! Mother's Finest is one of the most intriguingly diverse bands to ever hit the charts. They managed to poke their head onto the Top 100 twice in the 70s, with "Fire" and "Baby Love" hitting #93 and #58, respectively.

The band formed in Atlanta in 1970 by a husband and wife vocal team (Joyce "Baby Jean" Kennedy" and Glenn "Doc" Murdock). Tremendously talented, the band was breaking stereotypes left and right, and selling consecutive gold records. But their music fell on deaf ears at radio.

The band stepped up the rock even more in the early 80s with their album, "Iron Age." "Movin' On" is the stormy lead track that provides a thundering kickstarter whenever you need it. If you want to sample something more groovy, check out "Thank You For The Love" from "Another Mother Further."