Counting Crows flew out of the gate with their smash hit debut record, "August and Everything After", which soared to #4 on the Billboard Top 200. The band's first single remains their biggest: "Mr. Jones" hung out at #5 in 1994. "Round Here" also did well, coming in at #31, but the excellent upbeat rocker "Rain King" somehow stalled at #66, probably due to the band's over-exposure. In-between singles from "August", the band also scored with "Einstein On The Beach (For An Eggman)", which went to #45 and appeared on the "DGC Rarities Vol 1" record. In 1996, the band released their highly anticipated sophomore record, "Recovering The Satellites". It was a #1 album despite the lackluster performance of the first single, "Angles Of The Silences", which only went to #45. The epic piano ballad "A Long December" did much better, reaching #6. The third single was "Daylight Fading", one of my favorite songs from the band's entire catalogue. I'm not sure why it didn't become a bigger hit, stalling at a disappointing #51. The band would return to the top 40 in 2004 with a comeback hit of sorts. "Accidentally In Love" appeared on the Shrek 2 movie soundtrack and went to #39. They released a new album, "Somewhere Under Wonderland", in 2014.
Costello...the "other" Elvis...and Buddy Holly look alike. The English singer and songwriter has had an impressive career since the mid-70s, pairing himself with the likes of Paul McCartney and Burt Bacharach and earning several songs in the R&R Hall of Fame. But you wouldn't know that looking at his chart performance. "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding" is a prime example - a now classic song that many people know, yet it never hit the charts. Neither did "Pump It Up", which used to be a staple at major sporting events, or "Alison", his tender ballad covered by many other bands. Costello's most successful song on the charts came in 1989 with "Veronica", which went to #19.
One of the best and most versatile vocalists of our day, in my humble opinion, is Chris Cornell. Cutting his teeth in the 90s hard rock band Soundgarden, Cornell was also a member of two successful alternative rock super groups, Temple of the Dog and Audioslave. Cornell's first solo effort, the hauntingly beautiful "Euphoria Morning", reached #18 on the Billboard Top 200. Singles "Can't Change Me" and "Preaching The End of the World" are both amazing in their own way, but didn't chart. Cornell did have a taste of chart success as a solo artist with "You Know My Name", which served as the theme song to the James Bond movie Casino Royale in 2006 (it got to #79). The song appeared on his sophomore record, "Carry On", helping propel it to #17. But despite the release of additional strong cuts like the rocking "No Such Thing" and the melancholy "Arms Around Your Love", no other singles from this record hit the charts. I've nothing to say about his strange 2009 record, "Scream". Cornell's latest record, "Higher Truth", appeared in 2015 and got to #19. One of his most introspective and thoughtful records, the sparse and largely acoustical sound draws attention to Cornell's vocal talents and songwriting. "Our Time In The Universe" is classic Cornell. It is a welcome return to form.
Copperpot is an indie rock band out of New Jersey that is reminiscent of Jimmy Eat World and Fountains of Wayne. "I'm Not Leaving" is just one of many highlights from their 2003 self-titled release, which you can find here. The staccato guitar on the verses is a very cool effect, leading up to a powerful chorus that will have you singing along in no time. The entire record is super from beginning to end, so check them out if you like what you've heard so far.
Formerly of The Teardrop Explodes, English art rocker Julian Cope's first solo album, "World Shut Your Mouth", was released in 1984. But the song of the same name appeared on his third album, 1987's "Saint Julian". Although it only reached #84 in 1987, it would remain his only chart success in the US. It is a terrific song, but don't be fooled into thinking the rest of Cope's catalogue is as upbeat and catchy as this. The success of this single helped boost "Saint Julian" to #105 on the US albums chart, which he was never able to top.
While not as well known as The Shirelles or The Supremes, The Cookies were a fantastic girl group from the 60s who also sang backup for the likes of Little Eva, Neil Sedaka, and Carole King. Best known for their #7 hit, "Don't Say Nothin' Bad About My Baby", the group also scored with "Chains" (#17) and "Girls Grow Up Faster Than Boys" (#33). "Will Power" did not perform as well, landing at #72 in 1963. It deserved better - the ladies sound smooth as ever and the buzzing guitar solo always catches me by surprise. Go get their greatest hits!
The show often takes some knocks, but American Idol has been successful in discovering some bona fide talent through the years. David Cook was the winner of the show in 2008 and has terrific vocal chops that are custom-built for rock. His album went platinum, producing several charting singles that included "Light On", co-written by Chris Cornell and Brian Howes. "Light On" went to #17. Among the other tracks on his self-titled effort, "Bar-Ba-Sol" is often considered one of the best. The melodic hard rocking tune did not chart, but remains a favorite among many. It is actually a reworked cover song by a band called Injected entitled, "Spun Again".
