Friday, May 31, 2019

"Whip-Smart" by Liz Phair

Liz Phair became an indie-rock sensation in the early 90s with her frank lyrics and lo-fi sound. Her debut album, "Exile in Guyville," was one of the most critically acclaimed records of the decade and positioned Phair to be a new voice for the 90s. 

Her sophomore record, "Whip-Smart," continued this trend, and delivered her first chart hit when the rocking "Supernova" landed at #78 in 1994. But her subsequent singles and albums didn't gain any traction and she was fading from the scene.

In 2003, Phair retooled her sound and released a more radio-friendly record that was self-titled. Containing songs co-written and performed with Michael Penn, and perhaps influenced by her friend Sheryl Crow (Phair sings wonderful backing vocals on Crow's hit, "Soak Up The Sun"), the songs featured more pop hooks and slicker production. Despite besting her first chart appearance with "Why Can't I?", which reached #32, the album and new direction were largely panned by critics. Phair's subsequent releases retreated back to her indie rock sound.

The title track from "Whip-Smart" remains one of my favorite tunes by Phair. A sweet little ditty about her son, this delightful song rings with slacker sincerity and has a brilliant chorus you'll be singing for days.


Thursday, May 30, 2019

"Kings Highway" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Tom Petty had an illustrious career that ended unexpectedly in 2017 after he passed away at the age of 66, likely due to excessive pain medications for a broken hip. The Florida native began his recording career in the 70s with a band called Mudcrutch, which would soon evolve into the Heartbreakers, the group that became nearly synonymous with Tom Petty.

Petty and the Heartbreakers first crept onto the chart in 1977 when "Breakdown" peaked at #40, but they significantly raised their profile in 1980 when "Don't Do Me Like That" hit #10. The hits kept coming, and Petty began to rack up a number of classics that were absent from the charts. Petty's biggest hit would be "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," one of several duets he performed with Stevie Nicks. The song went to #3 in 1981.

Petty would score plenty of top 40 hits, but didn't see the top 10 again until Jeff Lynne (E.L.O.) teamed up with Petty for his landmark "solo" album without the Heartbreakers, 1989's "Full Moon Fever." "Free Fallin'," the third single from that record," reached #7. Petty got to know Lynne from their supergroup, The Traveling Wilburys, which formed a year earlier.

Petty had additional collaborations with his Wilbury friends. Before their formation, Bob Dylan co-wrote "Jammin' Me," which reached #18 in 1987. Another Wilbury friend, George Harrison, provided backing vocals and guitar on Petty's #12 hit from 1989, "I Won't Back Down."

"Kings Highway" was a terrific track on his 1991 reunion record with the Heartbreakers, "Into The Great Wide Open" that did not chart.


Wednesday, May 29, 2019

"In Circles" by Mike Peters

Mike Peters is synonymous with The Alarm, and his solo career is just as criminally ignored as his band. His solo work doesn't sound remarkably different than The Alarm, so you may not even be able to distinguish one from the other when listening.

On his third outing as a solo artist, 1998's "Rise," Peters released what I consider to be one of the best albums of that year. I still go back for it today to enjoy standouts like "Transcendental," "Ground Zero," "The Wasting Land," and this one...co-written with Billy Duffy of The Cult. There's no trace of it online that I could find, so here is a version performed with The Alarm.


Tuesday, May 28, 2019

"Zig Zag" by Jim Peterik

Jim Peterik is a god in AOR circles, but most people don't know his name. He's been a driving force in hitmakers The Ides of March and Survivor, and written hit songs for other artists including .38 Special, Henry Paul Band, and Cheap Trick, yet he's never scored a chart appearance as a solo artist.

Partly because he has released very few solo records. Even then, he usually has big name collaborators, as in the case of his World Stage records. The first record he released with this rotating all-star band was back in 2000, and Peterik is slated to release another long-awaited World Stage record this year (2019).

Peterik's collaboration runs strong with Cheap Trick, who lent a hand to write and perform this truly great rocker called "Zig Zag" from the first World Stage record. Punching it up even more are backing vocals from Tom Keifer of Cinderella.


Friday, May 24, 2019

"I Believe" by Steve Perry

Taking Journey to new heights in the 80s, the majestic voice of Steve Perry helped define the decade. He released his first solo record, "Street Talk," in 1984, two years after hitting #17 in a duet with Kenny Loggins, "Don't Fight It."

"Street Talk" gave Perry his only top 10 hit as a solo artist: "Oh Sherrie" reached #3. Follow-up singles also did well, including "She's Mine" (#21), "Strung Out" (#40), and "Foolish Heart" (#18). After leaving Journey in 1987, Perry waited until 1994 to release his second solo effort, "For The Love of Strange Medicine." It produced his final top 40 appearance when "You Better Wait" peaked at #29. Perry's slick AOR sound no longer seemed suited to radio at the time.

Perry then took a long break from music but made a surprising return in 2018 with a new album, "Traces." None of the singles charted, but "Traces" gave Perry his first top 10 record, reaching #6.

"I Believe" is a cool throwback to the Motown sound that is often overlooked on "Street Talk."


Thursday, May 23, 2019

"Will You Be Staying After Sunday" by The Peppermint Rainbow

You can't get anymore groovy than The Peppermint Rainbow, a band fronted by two sisters out of Baltimore, Maryland. They scored two charting hits in 1969, "Will You Be Staying After Sunday" and "Don't Wake Me Up In The Morning, Michael," which reached #32 and #54, respectively. That is where the pot of gold ended. Subsequent singles couldn't get any traction, and the group quickly broke up.


Wednesday, May 22, 2019

"Live Fast" by Pensive

Pensive is an indie rock band from San Diego that mixes powerpop with a bit of the modern punk sound characteristic of the aughts. They remind me of Hoobastank.

In 2007, they released an album called "Artifacts." "Live Fast" is one of the best tracks featured on the record from this bright and energetic band.


Tuesday, May 21, 2019

"Seen The Doctor" by Michael Penn

There is a lot of talent in the Penn family. Brothers Sean and Christopher are famous actors, but Michael embarked on a music career instead. He nearly scored a top 10 hit right out of the box with "No Myth," which reached #13 in 1990. His catchy follow-up single, "This & That," stalled at #53.

Hopes were high that he'd be able to maintain this momentum on his 1992 sophomore record, "Free-For-All." Those hopes were dashed when "Seen The Doctor" inexplicably turned out to be a flop. It is a great tune, but proved dead on arrival (its cause of death remains unknown). Penn has yet to reappear on the chart.

In 1997, Penn married another brooding pop singer/songwriter who has been cheated out of a successful chart career -- Aimee Mann. These days, Penn is scoring lots of movies and television shows.


Monday, May 20, 2019

"My Dad The Weatherfan" by The Pearlfishers

The Pearlfishers are a little known power pop band from Scotland that released their first EP in 1991. While quite popular back home, they've never attracted much attention in the US, which is a shame. 

"My Dad The Weatherfan" is an immensely enjoyable song from their 2003 record, "Sky Meadows." Plenty more where this came from in their extensive discography.


Friday, May 17, 2019

"The Fixer" by Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam may be one of the last great rock bands. Formed after the demise of underground grunge pioneers Mother Love Bone, and helping to define the sound of the 90s, Pearl Jam were one of the few bands that managed to sustain a career that is still going strong today.

The Seattle-based band formed in 1990 and quickly found success with their debut album, "Ten," with non-charting hits like "Alive," "Even Flow," and "Black." Strongly resistant to making music videos, they did make a phenomenal one for "Jeremy," which climbed to #70 in 1993. The song is a R&R Hall of Fame winner and the video won a ton of awards and haunts people to this day.

For a band of its popularity, Top 40 appearances have been scarce. Their most notable ones include "Better Man" (#13), "I Got Id" (#7), "Given To Fly" (#21), and "Last Kiss." "Last Kiss" went all the way to #2 in 1999, but ironically was not written by the band (it was penned by Wayne Cochran). 

"The Fixer" is Pearl Jam at their best: energetic, gritty, and smart, but also melodic and memorable. The song can be found on their brilliant 2009 record, "Backspacer." Amazingly, the tune only went to a shocking #56.


Wednesday, May 15, 2019

"You Can Do Better Than That" by Leslie Pearl

Leslie Pearl wrote many songs and jingles, but never got her solo career off the ground. She released two albums in the early 80s and scored a long forgotten top 40 hit with "If The Love Fits Wear It." The song reached #28 in 1982 and appeared on her sophomore effort, "Words & Music."

Another guilty pleasure from the record is the delightful "You Can Do Better Than That." A fitting title to her solo career, as it should have done better than that.


Tuesday, May 14, 2019

"Turn On A Friend (To The Good Life)" by The Peanut Butter Conspiracy

The Peanut Butter Conspiracy were a typical 60s psychedelic rock band that scored a single chart appearance in 1967 when "It's A Happening Thing" scratched its way to #93. 

The band was fronted by Barbara Robison, who went by the name of Sandi Peanut Butter. Robison was one of the first women to ever front a rock band and was in the musical Hair after the band broke up in 1970. She passed away in 1988 at the age of 43. Bassist Al Brackett also shared vocal duties.

"Turn On A Friend (To The Good Life)" kicks off their second album, "The Great Conspiracy." Probably one of their more radio-friendly tracks, it is surprising it didn't chart.

Monday, May 13, 2019

"All You Are" by Pay The Girl

Pay The Girl was a modern rock band from Cincinnati that tried to catch a ride on the wave formed by Matchbox 20. They released a single self-titled album in 2003 that went nowhere. Not sure why as there are plenty of tracks on here that seemed competitive enough for radio at the time.

"Freeze" was a solid choice for a single, but it did not generate sufficient excitement for the band. Perhaps "All You Are" would have done better. After the album tanked, the band was never heard from again.

Here is the album in its entirety. The best track in my opinion, "All You Are," starts at about 11:20.


Friday, May 10, 2019

"Longshot" by Henry Paul Band

The Henry Paul Band scored one minor hit in the early 80s with "Keeping Our Love Alive." With a sound reminiscent of the Eagles brand of country rock, the song deserved better than stalling at #50. The song also features Richard Paige (Mr. Mister) and Bill Champlin (Chicago) on backing vocals.  

The Henry Paul Band also had some pretty incredible guitar playing for a group that was considered soft rock. Some of their solos and riffs would have a home in shredding metal songs - seriously!

Henry Paul was in a Southern rock band called The Outlaws before and after this venture, and formed the country band BlackHawk in 1991. By 1998, he was back on the charts with "There You Have It," which reached #41.

"Longshot" preceded the arrival of "Keeping Our Love Alive" but it bubbled under in 1980. It was another single that should have brought this talented band some wider recognition. Fun fact: both of these songs (and many others in the band's catalogue) were co-written with Jim Peterik, a co-founder of Survivor.


Thursday, May 9, 2019

"Sweater Weather" by Parks

Parks is an indie rock band from Boston who hasn't forgotten how important melody and harmony are to a song. "Sweater Weather" is a terrific track from their self-titled album of 2018.


Wednesday, May 8, 2019

"Watch Your Step" by Bobby Parker

Bobby Parker hailed from Lafayette, Louisiana and was at the forefront of rock and soul. This terrific little tune stalled at #51 in 1961, probably because it was a little ahead of its time. Parker did not crack the chart again and passed away in 2013 at the age of 76.

The guitar riff was later tweaked by the Beatles for their 1964 classic, "I Feel Fine." The Beatles also played "Watch Your Step" during their early concerts.


Tuesday, May 7, 2019

"All I Wanted" by Paramore

Led by the vocal powerhouse of Haley Williams, Paramore formed in Tennessee and started rocking the radio in 2007 with their breakthrough sophomore effort, "Riot!" Their first top 40 appearance was "Misery Business," which peaked at #26 that year. By 2014, the band obtained their first top 10 hit when "Ain't It Fun" settled in at #10. "Ain't It Fun" also took home a Grammy for Rock Song.

Paramore is best known for their gritty and fast-paced rock, but when they slow it down, Haley's vocal talents really get to shine. "All I Wanted" is a great example and can be found at the end of their 2009 effort, "Brand New Eyes."


Monday, May 6, 2019

"The Radio Song" by The Parade

The Parade were a pop trio that scored a modest hit in 1967 when "Sunshine Girl" reached #20. But this groovy band would not grace the charts again.

"The Radio Song" bubbled under in 1968, which is confusing because it contains all the necessary ingredients to have been a hit back then.


Friday, May 3, 2019

"Impossible Year" by Panic! At The Disco

Led by Brendon Urie, Panic! At The Disco formed in Las Vegas and helped shape the rock sound of the naughts. Their one and only top 10 hit arrived in 2006 when "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" peaked at #7. The band has managed to hit the top 40 only once more to date, when "Hallelujah," which samples the Chicago hit "Questions 67 And 68," reached #40 in 2015.

The band has undergone dramatic lineup changes over the years, which may in part explain the evolution and diversity of their sound over the past decade. The one constant has been Urie, whose vocals often get buried in the bombast. However, he really gets to show off his vocal chops on "Impossible Year," an atypical lounge song that closes the band's 2016 record, "Death Of A Bachelor." His attention-grabbing vocal will raise the hairs on your arms.


Thursday, May 2, 2019

"Sonny" by Paloalto

Paloalto is a band from California that came onto the music scene with their self-titled debut in the year 2000. They released a sophomore effort three years later called "Heroes and Villains." Despite placing some of their music in TV and films, the band went nowhere and quickly broke up. Two of the members went on to form a new band called Golden State.

Largely due to the vocals of James Grundler, Paloalto is reminiscent of early Radiohead. "Sonny" is one of the strongest songs they've done and can be found on their debut record. Not sure why this one didn't get more attention than it did.


Wednesday, May 1, 2019

"Your Mother Should Have Told You" by Robert Palmer

One thing about a Robert Palmer record: you never know what surprise the next track is going to hold. The English singer and songwriter could be doing a sweet pop song, some jazz, crooning to lounge music, or a balls to the walls rocker.

Palmer's career in the US launched in 1978 when "Every Kind Of People" reached #16 (written by Andy Fraser). He followed this up with another classic, "Bad Case Of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)". Written by Moon Martin, Palmer took this track to #14.

After a lull, Palmer came back in a big way in 1986 with his own tune, "Addicted To Love," which soared to #1 and earned him a Grammy for Rock Male Vocal. He almost hit the top spot twice more with "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" in 1986 and "Simply Irresistible" in 1988, but both stopped at #2. In addition to his solo work, Palmer also scored hits with the supergroup known as The Power Station.

His last chart appearance was in 1991 when "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)/I Want You" reached #16. Palmer passed away in 2003 from a heart attack at age 54.

"Your Mother Should Have Told You" kicks off his 1990 effort, "Don't Explain." Arguably one of the best rock cuts Palmer ever recorded that didn't chart.