Snider is a sharp and often funny lyricist who has a dedicated following despite never breaking onto the charts. Going all the way back to his 1994 debut, "Songs For The Daily Planet," "My Generation (Part 2)" should have torn up the charts and planted Snider's musical genius into our collective conscious for years to come. Never too late to discover this talented artist!
Monday, February 3, 2020
"My Generation (Part 2)" by Todd Snider
Todd Snider is a hugely underrated singer and songwriter from Portland, Oregon who seemed poised to be this generation's Bob Dylan. His combination of folk, rock, and country, was a refreshing reprieve from the gloomy and grungy sounds of the 90s, a scene that he brilliantly satirized in his song, "Talkin' Seattle Blues."
Snider is a sharp and often funny lyricist who has a dedicated following despite never breaking onto the charts. Going all the way back to his 1994 debut, "Songs For The Daily Planet," "My Generation (Part 2)" should have torn up the charts and planted Snider's musical genius into our collective conscious for years to come. Never too late to discover this talented artist!
Snider is a sharp and often funny lyricist who has a dedicated following despite never breaking onto the charts. Going all the way back to his 1994 debut, "Songs For The Daily Planet," "My Generation (Part 2)" should have torn up the charts and planted Snider's musical genius into our collective conscious for years to come. Never too late to discover this talented artist!
Friday, January 31, 2020
"Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" by The Smiths
In the 80s, The Smiths brought joy and happiness to brooding teens everywhere. Helmed by the Captain of Melancholy, Morrissey, The Smiths became hugely popular and influential without obtaining a single entry on the US charts.
The band was on a steady rise throughout the decade and seemed poised to hit it big with their 1987 album, "Strangeways, Here We Come." But despite the strengths of tunes like "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" and "Girlfriend In A Coma," it just didn't work out and they broke up.
After the breakup, Morrissey finally broke through on the American charts as a solo artist with 1994's "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get," which reached #46. It would remain his only charting single. Famed guitarist Johnny Marr also had his taste of chart success in his new band, Electronic, whose "Getting Away With It" hit #38 in 1990.
The band was on a steady rise throughout the decade and seemed poised to hit it big with their 1987 album, "Strangeways, Here We Come." But despite the strengths of tunes like "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" and "Girlfriend In A Coma," it just didn't work out and they broke up.
After the breakup, Morrissey finally broke through on the American charts as a solo artist with 1994's "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get," which reached #46. It would remain his only charting single. Famed guitarist Johnny Marr also had his taste of chart success in his new band, Electronic, whose "Getting Away With It" hit #38 in 1990.
Thursday, January 30, 2020
"Yesterday Girl" by The Smithereens
The Smithereens were a power pop band from New Jersey whose fondness for classic melodies began to attract attention in the mid-80s. By 1988, they had their first taste of chart success when "Only A Memory" reached #92.
The spotlight helped their next record, "11," become their most successful. The album yielded their second biggest hit: "A Girl Like You" cracked the Top 40 in 1990, peaking at #38. But their follow-up single, "Blues Before And After" somehow stalled at #94. The album showcased backing vocals from the likes of Belinda Carlisle (who sang on "Blue Period") and Maria Vidal (who sang on "A Girl Like You").
The Smithereens scored their biggest hit from their follow-up record, 1991's "Blow Up" - but not by much. "Too Much Passion" put them back into the Top 40, reaching #37 this time. Then grunge happened and the band dropped off everyone's radar. In addition to original material, The Smithereens also released a ton of covers in their post-chart years, mostly of The Beatles. Sadly, lead singer Pat DiNizio passed away in 2017 at the age of 62.
"Yesterday Girl" is another great track from "11," but one that got overlooked.
The spotlight helped their next record, "11," become their most successful. The album yielded their second biggest hit: "A Girl Like You" cracked the Top 40 in 1990, peaking at #38. But their follow-up single, "Blues Before And After" somehow stalled at #94. The album showcased backing vocals from the likes of Belinda Carlisle (who sang on "Blue Period") and Maria Vidal (who sang on "A Girl Like You").
The Smithereens scored their biggest hit from their follow-up record, 1991's "Blow Up" - but not by much. "Too Much Passion" put them back into the Top 40, reaching #37 this time. Then grunge happened and the band dropped off everyone's radar. In addition to original material, The Smithereens also released a ton of covers in their post-chart years, mostly of The Beatles. Sadly, lead singer Pat DiNizio passed away in 2017 at the age of 62.
"Yesterday Girl" is another great track from "11," but one that got overlooked.
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
"Looking For A Wall" by Smash Mouth
Today, a song called "Looking For A Wall" sounds like a Trump campaign anthem, but it is an underrated tune from Smash Mouth from their 2003 album, "Get The Picture?"
Smash Mouth rose to fame in the late 90s with their unique retro style rock that incorporated horns and organs, as if they were playing a 60s beach party. The formula landed them an instant hit with "Walkin' On The Sun," which peaked at #2 in 1998. They followed it up by scoring a #27 hit with their cover of "Can't Get Enough Of You Baby" (originally done by The Mysterians). It would be one of many covers the band has done, including "I'm A Believer" (The Monkees), which landed at #25 in 2001. It would be their last chart showing.
Before that, the band also scored smash hits with "All Star" and "Then The Morning Comes," which reached #4 and #11, respectively.
Smash Mouth rose to fame in the late 90s with their unique retro style rock that incorporated horns and organs, as if they were playing a 60s beach party. The formula landed them an instant hit with "Walkin' On The Sun," which peaked at #2 in 1998. They followed it up by scoring a #27 hit with their cover of "Can't Get Enough Of You Baby" (originally done by The Mysterians). It would be one of many covers the band has done, including "I'm A Believer" (The Monkees), which landed at #25 in 2001. It would be their last chart showing.
Before that, the band also scored smash hits with "All Star" and "Then The Morning Comes," which reached #4 and #11, respectively.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
"Who In The Funk Do You Think You Are" by Sly & The Family Stone
Sly Stone is a prolific and masterful pop and soul songwriter and producer who put a band together with family members, which is where The Family Stone comes from. The group scored an impressive assortment of hits beginning in 1968 with "Dance To The Music," which went straight to #8.
They continued to rack up hit after hit into the 70s, with three monster #1 classics: "Everyday People," "Thank You," and "Family Affair." But by the mid-70s, the group could not hold on to their popularity, and 1975's "I Get High On You," which stalled at #52, would be their final chart appearance of the decade. Sly Stone resurfaced in 1986 with Jesse Johnson (The Time) to score one final hit with "Crazay," which reached #53.
"Who In The Funk Do You Think You Are" sounds like it came from the 70s, but was actually on their 1983 record, "Ain't But The One Way." It is fun to listen to in any decade.
They continued to rack up hit after hit into the 70s, with three monster #1 classics: "Everyday People," "Thank You," and "Family Affair." But by the mid-70s, the group could not hold on to their popularity, and 1975's "I Get High On You," which stalled at #52, would be their final chart appearance of the decade. Sly Stone resurfaced in 1986 with Jesse Johnson (The Time) to score one final hit with "Crazay," which reached #53.
"Who In The Funk Do You Think You Are" sounds like it came from the 70s, but was actually on their 1983 record, "Ain't But The One Way." It is fun to listen to in any decade.
Monday, January 27, 2020
"The Day Will Be Mine" by Sloan
Sloan is a Canadian rock band that formed way back in the late 80s, releasing their first record, "Smeared," in 1992. Despite immense popularity and numerous Juno award nominations in their native country, they've yet to break through onto the American charts for reasons unknown.
In 2018, Sloan released their twelfth album, simply called "12," and the band just keeps getting better and better. "The Day Will Be Mine" comes from that album.
In 2018, Sloan released their twelfth album, simply called "12," and the band just keeps getting better and better. "The Day Will Be Mine" comes from that album.
Friday, January 24, 2020
"It'll Be Alright" by Slaughter
After the demise of the Vinnie Vincent Invasion, vocalist Mark Slaughter and bassist Dana Strum recruited some new players to continue rocking under the moniker of Slaughter. The band was just a little too late to the hairband party, but arrived in 1990 with "Stick It To Ya" - just in time to have a hugely successful debut that spawned three Top 100 hits: "Up All Night" (#27), "Fly To The Angels" (#19 - how was this not Top 10?!), and "Spend My Life" (#39). This rather excellent record contained other great tunes from the era such as "Desperately" and "Gave You My Heart."
Their sophomore record was widely anticipated, but musical tastes were rapidly changing. Lead single and title track "The Wild Life" was a flop and the lackluster ballad "Real Love" stalled at #69. Things started to fall apart further with personal injuries and drug problems in the band, complicating the release of their third effort, "Fear No Evil," which finally dropped in 1995 to no fanfare.
That's not to say the album doesn't have its moments. Lead single "Searchin'" is pretty groovy and "It'll Be Alright" is a Beatlesque ballad of epic proportions.
Sadly, guitarist Tim Kelly died in a car accident in 1998 at the age of 35 following the release of their fourth record, "Revolution." The band carried on for one final record, 1999's "Back To Reality." They still tour from time to time, and Mark Slaughter has done some solo work in the past decade.
Their sophomore record was widely anticipated, but musical tastes were rapidly changing. Lead single and title track "The Wild Life" was a flop and the lackluster ballad "Real Love" stalled at #69. Things started to fall apart further with personal injuries and drug problems in the band, complicating the release of their third effort, "Fear No Evil," which finally dropped in 1995 to no fanfare.
That's not to say the album doesn't have its moments. Lead single "Searchin'" is pretty groovy and "It'll Be Alright" is a Beatlesque ballad of epic proportions.
Sadly, guitarist Tim Kelly died in a car accident in 1998 at the age of 35 following the release of their fourth record, "Revolution." The band carried on for one final record, 1999's "Back To Reality." They still tour from time to time, and Mark Slaughter has done some solo work in the past decade.
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