"My Only Drug" by Taylor Locke & The Roughs

Taylor Locke is the guitarist from the power pop band Rooney, but he does his own power pop thing, too. Inspired by classic bands like the Beatles and Badfinger, Locke strives for melody and harmony. He's recently (2015) made a true solo album, but in 2010 he released two records with a band he called The Roughs.

"My Only Drug" is a featured track from their second release, "Marathon."

"I'll Never Find Another Girl Like You" by Jet Electro

In 2011, an indie power pop and rock outfit named Jet Electro released their self-titled album. Other than that, I don't know too much about them, but I know I love this catchy little tune. Other highlights on the record include "For Sale By Owner," "Through," and the acoustic ballad "I Don't Know Her."

"American Boys" by Halestorm

Halestorm is a hard rock band from York, Pennsylvania, formed by the brother and sister team of Lzzy (vocals) and Arejay Hale (drums). For me, it is the powerhouse vocals of Lzzy Hale that make the band worth mentioning. Lzzy delivers some of the greatest female rock vocals I've heard in recent years. I just wish the band could write better than average songs. They've yet to score a charting hit, but the band came close with "Here's To Us" in 2012.

Whether you are one or want to get with one, "American Boys" is an anthem for all boys and girls. Huge meaty riffs, a catchy chorus, a homage to all things 'Merica, and striking, take-notice vocals...who could ask for more? 

"Land Of Opportunity" by A Great Big World

A Great Big World is a piano rock duo from Manhattan, New York that hit the top 10 in 2013 with their ballad, "Say Something." With a little help from the mighty Christina Aguilera, the song reached #4 and won a Grammy.

But the band is not all about ballads, as they do plenty of upbeat tunes as well. "Land Of Opportunity" showcases that other side of this talented duo, which draws inspiration from ELO and Ben Folds.

"Back Home" by Andy Grammer

Andy Grammer is a pop singer/songwriter who rose to fame with his top ten smash, "Honey, I'm Good." The tune hit #9 in 2015 and remains his only top 40 appearance in the US so far. I'm sure there is more to come.

"Back Home" is another infectious single from his sophomore record, "Magazines Or Novels," which managed to climb to #19. "Back Home" charted in several other countries, but not the US. Nevertheless, it is a great tune.

"Touch The Clouds (Taste The Ground)" by Good Old War

If you cross The Lumineers with the Everly Brothers, you would get something that comes close to the genius heard in the Philly indie folk band, Good Old War. Formed in 2008 from the remnants of a band called Days Away, Good Old War plays their well-crafted tunes with real instruments and heavenly harmony.

Good Old War hasn't had a charting single yet, but I hope for the best. There are plenty more terrific songs from where "Touch The Clouds (Taste The Ground)" comes from!

"Why Am I The One" by fun

This pop rock trio from New York won the Grammy for Best New Artist in 2012 off the heels of big hits like the #1 smash "We Are Young," which logged 6 weeks at the top, and "Some Nights," which settled at #3. "Carry On," the third single from their breakthrough album, peaked at #20.

"Why Am I The One" struck me as another tune that had top of the chart potential. The song showcases the softer side of the band, but it is no less catchy. The sweeping melodies and harmonies that fun puts into their songs make them sound like a modern day version of Queen.

Prior to fun, lead singer Nate Ruess was in an indie powerpop band called The Format, also worth checking out. It's unclear if fun will release another album since Ruess has a budding solo career. He's been featured on a number of other artist's songs, most notably the #1 duet with Pink, "Just Give Me A Reason."

"Closer To Me" by The Fray

Colorado's The Fray splashed onto the music scene with their brand of piano rock in 2006 with major hits like "Over My Head (Cable Car)" (#8) and "How To Save A Life" (#3), the latter of which was featured in two hugely popular medical shows at the time, Grey's Anatomy and Scrubs. But the band proved they can hold their own ground and hit the top ten again in 2008 with their follow-up, "You Found Me" (#7).

By 2014, the band shook things up a bit and drifted away from their traditional sound. Their fourth album, "Helios," has a polished pop sheen to it with big hooks in the choruses to match. The upbeat tune "Closer To Me" seems to have all the makings of a hit but it did not see any chart action. "Love Don't Die" was released as the single from this album but it stalled at #60.

"Don't Stop (Color On The Walls)" by Foster The People

Led by Mark Foster, Foster the People scored an unlikely hit in 2011 with their quirky tune "Pumped Up Kicks." The song, which stayed at #3 for 8 weeks, has some pretty awful verses, but its saving grace is the instantly memorable chorus.

"Don't Stop (Color On The Walls)" was the infectious third single from that album and deserved better than topping out at just #86. The band's follow-up record in 2014 failed to spawn any charting hits, putting the band in danger of being known as a one-hit wonder.

"Story Of Your Life" by Five For Fighting

Hockey fans will recognize the moniker used by John Ondrasik - five for fighting refers to a penalty. It also refers to one of the most underrated singer/songwriters of our time. Ondrasik should be handed the "piano man" baton from Billy Joel, but he's only managed to score a handful of hits so far.

The biggest has been his first, when "Superman (It's Not Easy)" flew to #14 in 2001. The equally terrific song "100 Years" only climbed to #28 in 2004. A final top 40 appearance came in 2006 with "The Riddle", which just barely entered at #40. 

Five For Fighting should have many more tunes becoming sing-a-longs that everyone knows. The uplifting "Story Of Your Life" from his 2010 record, "Slice," is just one example of many.

"Whatever Doesn't Kill Me" by Finger Eleven

Canadian modern rock band Finger Eleven crept their way onto the charts with a soft acoustic number that is atypical of their usual hard-hitting sound. That song was called "One Thing" and it put the band on the map by reaching #16 in 2004. 

The band's follow-up record produced an even bigger chart topper in 2007, with the track "Paralyzer" grooving its way to #6. Unfortunately the band hasn't seen chart success since, and I can't figure out why. With additional rocking anthems like this one, Finger Eleven should still be racking up more top ten hits.

"Initiative Rock" by Ex Norwegian

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".

"Open Book" by Elizabeth and the Catapult

Elizabeth and the Catapult crafts some gorgeous soft pop music, as evidenced by this stunning song, "Open Book". This piano ballad comes from their 2010 album, "The Other Side Of Zero". One of the best love songs that has come along in quite some time.

"Love Me Bad" by James Durbin

James Durbin is another American Idol alum who put out a great hard rock record that largely flew under the radar. Durbin was on the tenth season of the hit talent show and finished in fourth place. His debut album, "Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster", appeared in 2011, peaking at an impressive #36 on the album charts. The rousing first single, "Stand Up" climbed to #39 on the Billboard Top 100. Unfortunately, it would mark the first and last appearance on the singles chart for the underrated Durbin.

"Love Me Bad" was the second single from his debut album and strikes me as one of the finest rock songs of the year. If you're in the mood for a tear-jerker, check out the song "May".

"Fight" by Lee DeWyze

Lee DeWyze had a smattering of charting cover tunes from his days on the ninth season of American Idol, the biggest one being "Beautiful Day", which hit #24 in 2010. He would go on to win the competition that year, but hasn't had chart success in the post-Idol world. 

His first album after the show, "Live It Up", didn't produce a hit. It was filled with generic pop and wasn't true to the vision DeWyze had as a artist. He got free of the label's demands and reinvented himself, but still can't seem to make a significant dent on the charts.

It shouldn't be this way. DeWyze has a soulful voice and plays real music from the heart. His 2013 album, "Frames", is fantastic folk rock. It has a Lumineers vibe and sounds very contemporary, but only reached #116 on the Billboard Top 200. "Fight" is the lead off track from that record.

If you are a fan of Walking Dead, you may know DeWyze better as the artist who sang a song featured on the show, "Blackbird Song".

"Miles In Front Of Me" by Dead Daisies

Who says nobody makes good rock and roll these days? The Dead Daisies is a unique outfit composed of a lot of rotating members from bands like INXS, Guns N' Roses, The Cult, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, and more. John Corabi, one-time Motley Crue vocalist, currently sings for Dead Daisies. 

The band also has the distinction of being the first western rockers to play Cuba since relations were reestablished by President Obama in 2015.

This terrific track comes from their debut record from 2013.

"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. 

"Different Devil" by Chickenfoot

The Sammy Hagar-fronted band Chickenfoot is a supergroup formed in 2008, pulling in the talents of Joe Satriani on guitar, ex-Van Halen partner Michael Anthony on bass and harmony vocals, and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers on drums. Their hotly anticipated self-titled debut peaked at an impressive #4 on the Billboard Top 200, but failed to win over many critics and didn't generate a charting single on the Billboard Top 100. 

But the buzz about the band helped maintain their success on the album chart, with their second record (called "Chickenfoot III") reaching #9 in 2011. In my opinion, the band's chemistry is better and more confident on the follow-up, and the stronger set of songs helped too. "Different Devil" is a great mid-tempo pop rocker with perfect harmony vocals from Anthony, making us nostalgic for those "Van-Hagar" days.

"Last Day" by Cavo

Missouri modern hard rock band Cavo have been around for a decade now, but have yet to get a single on the Billboard Top 100. But on the strength of heavy airplay, their albums have performed well. Their 2009 sophomore release, "Bright Lights Dark Days" got to #47 with the help of breakthrough tracks like "Champagne" and "Crash".

Their third album, "Thick As Thieves", arrived in 2012 and topped out at #96. "Last Day" is a powerful anthem asking a pertinent question.

"Turn Up The Radio” by Caddy

There's a terrific power pop and rock band known as The Yum Yums that has been going strong since the early 2000s. In 2011, Yum Yums member Tomas Dahl released a solo effort under the name Caddy. It is true solo record, meaning Dahl wrote and performed pretty much everything you hear.

Continuing in the finest power pop tradition, Caddy's one and only album to date, "Electric Hero", shines with instantly catchy songs that pack a punch. "Turn Up The Radio" is one of my favorites in this excellent collection.