"Scientists" by Bounce The Ocean

File this band under "day late, dollar short". Bounce The Ocean features the spectacular harmonies of Hawk Bjorn and John Utter, who were crafting delectable hooks and breezy melodies at a time when Kurt Cobain was mounting the grunge wrecking ball.

Their one and only album (self-titled) was essentially an 80s record released in the 90s. Had this come out when Wham or Breathe were scoring their hits, Bounce The Ocean might have been chart kings.

Even in the age of the Internet, it is hard to find information about this duo and their lone album. But for the curious, there was a great article/interview with the boys on Popdose by Will Harris in 2008. Read it while you listen to the heavenly sound of "Scientists". 

"Used To Bad News" by Boston

The legendary band Boston has had its share of chart success through the decades since their debut made a huge splash in 1976. With 4 top ten hits under their belt, including the #1 smash, "Amanda", Boston is a household name in cities all around the world.

The singles deserve their chart success, but Boston also recorded some awesome deep tracks that are not as well known.

"Used To Bad News" is always worth a spin when you can't seem to catch a break in life. Strangely enough, misery must love company because I always feel better after hearing it. The tune comes from their 1978 record, "Don't Look Back", which reached #1 and sold 7 million copies. Not bad for a record the band felt was a rushed job.

"Her Charity" by Boom Crash Opera

If INXS could do it, why couldn't Boom Crash Opera? This Aussie band had it all - choruses with huge hooks, excellent harmonies, and thoughtful lyrics. Their self-titled debut came out in 1987 and should have taken the US by storm.

The band went on to have a bounty of hits in Australia, but only flirted with success in the US with their minor modern rock hit, "Onion Skin", from their sophomore record in 1989. In my book, the first three records from this band are like a Holy Trinity of Aussie rock. 

Here is "Her Charity" from their debut, as close to perfection for an 80s record as you can get.

"React" by Rob Bonfiglio

Fans of the Philly power pop band, Wanderlust, are no stranger to the songwriting talents of Rob Bonfiglio. He's also written and performed songs with his wife, Carnie Wilson (of Wilson Phillips). Or perhaps you've heard of him through his post-Wanderlust band called The Skies of America. If your answer is still, "No, never heard of the guy!" then you need to change that.

His 2008 solo record, "Bring On The Happy", is aptly named. It is hard to get through the songs without feeling better about yourself and life in general. "React" is a perfect example, and a terrific song that wraps around you like a musical hug.

"In The Stone" by Earth, Wind & Fire (RIP Maurice White)

Earth, Wind & Fire could do no wrong in the 70s, their soulful sounds thrilling fans of pop and funk alike. This week we said goodbye to Maurice White, the principle songwriter and co-lead singer of the band. Earth, Wind & Fire lit up the charts with monster classics like "Shining Star" (#1 in 1975), "September" (#8 in 1978), "After The Love Has Gone" (#2 in 1979), and "Let's Groove" (#3 in 1981). 

One of the band's lesser known gems is "In The Stone". It was the third single released from their smash album, "I Am", a record that went to #3 on the Billboard Top 200. Produced and co-written by Maurice White, "In The Stone" went to #58 in 1979.

"Dream On" by BLVD (Boulevard)

BLVD is one of those AOR bands that fell through the cracks in the late 80s and early 90s, even after making it easier to find their records in the store by changing their name to Boulevard. Hailing from Canada, they released their debut record in 1988 and opened for the likes of Boston and fellow Canadians, Glass Tiger. Their sound is very much in the vein of Survivor or Night Ranger.

"Dream On" is the song that gets the record started. It did well in their native land, but failed to chart in the US. Too much competition at the time, I guess.

A Norwegian artist named Issa covered this song in 2012 for her album, "Can't Stop".

"Jole Blon" by Gary US Bonds

Gary US Bonds hit the big time in the early 60s with his malt shop staples like "Quarter To Three" (which went to #1) and "Dear Lady Twist" (which went to #9). Then, after twenty years of radio silence, a chance encounter with Bruce Springsteen led to one of the greatest comeback hits in pop music history.

Springsteen had always been a fan of Gary US Bonds and was known to perform a cover of "Quarter To Three" in his live shows. One night when Bonds was playing a gig at a New Jersey bar called The Red Baron, he invited Springsteen on stage. It was the beginning of a fruitful collaboration that restored Bonds to the charts with "This Little Girl", a fantastic tune that soared to #11 in 1981.

In addition to "This Little Girl", Springsteen helped with two other songs that appeared on Gary's comeback record:  "Your Love" and the title track, "Dedication". "Jole Blon", an energetic cover of an old song from the 1940s by Moon Mullican, kicks off the record and also features vocals from Springsteen.