"Use It" by Deadeye Dick

There's a sure way to be a one-hit wonder. Write a novelty song for a Jim Carrey movie. That is the fate that befell a very talented 90s band called Deadeye Dick. The New Orleans band took their name from the famous novel by Kurt Vonnegut and scored a minor hit with their song, "New Age Girl", which reached #27 in 1994. The song achieved this success in part because it was included on the Dumb and Dumber soundtrack.

The band released two albums, but surprisingly neither charted. They were just as good, if not better, than most 90s rock, featuring some very good singing and lots of fun harmonies. The band broke up after their 1995 album "Whirl", but a rarities record was issued in 2015 called "The Vault". A hidden gem called "Use It" lives there.

"Liquid" by DDT

DDT is a schizophrenic band that plays rock, ska, funk, rap, and more. Swirl all of that into a blender and you'll get a hint of what their 1999 record, "Urban Observer", sounds like. As with most records of this nature, most people will like certain songs of a given style while others will gravitate towards songs fitting a different genre. Whatever the song, the lyrics are a cut above the rest.

The song that works best for me on their record is "Liquid". Remarkably, the band pulls off ska and rock and pop melodies - all in one satisfying track. Check them out if you like Kid Rock or Powerman 5000.

"A Spy In The House Of Love" by The dB's

One of the wonders of the 80s is why The dB's (which stands for decibels according to the name of their first album) didn't have a charting hit. The popular indie band had a quirky style like They Might Be Giants, but the pop sensibilities of Squeeze. Their initial albums garnered plenty of critical acclaim, but it did not translate into album sales or charting singles. 

By the band's third effort, Chris Stamey left and Peter Holsapple stepped up to the mic and became the principle guitarist and songwriter. "Like This" was released in 1984 and featured the gem of song called "A Spy In The House Of Love".

The dB's would crack the Top 200 with their final album of the 80s, "The Sound Of Music", which hit #171 in 1987. The band reunited back in 2005 and released an excellent comeback record in 2012 called "Falling Off The Sky".

"Don't Tell Me The Time" by Martha Davis

After the demise of 80s new wave band, The Motels (an underrated band in its own right), lead singer Martha Davis struck out on a solo career. Her debut album, "Policy", arrived in 1987 and produced one lone charting single, "Don't Tell Me The Time", which only got to #80. It is a gorgeous song and deserved better, as did Davis. "Tell It To The Moon" was another excellent cut from this great little record. Had the singles done better, "Policy" surely would have climbed higher than #127.

"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. 

"The Motions" by Dashboard Confessional

Despite how well known they are, the Florida-based alternative rock band Dashboard Confessional has never cruised up the singles charts. The highest they've gotten was #44 with their ballad "Stolen" from 2007. Not even their terrific contribution to the Spider Man 2 soundtrack, "Vindicated", was able to breach the top 100.

Their albums have performed better, in fact the band scored two back to back records peaking at #2: 2003's "A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar" and 2006's "Dusk and Summer". The band's last record, "Alter The Ending", arrived in 2009 and managed to get to a respectable #19. I thought it was one of their best, and one of their most infectious songs comes from it, called "The Motions".

"One By One" by Darling Cruel

Probably one of the most intriguing albums to come out the 80s is "Passion Crimes" by LA-based band Darling Cruel. The single "Everything's Over" garnered some airplay on MTV in 1989, turning some onto the band and pushing their album to #160. Remarkably, the infectious single didn't hit the top 100, nor did any other track from this underrated record.

Singer Gregory Darling, who cut his teeth playing piano and singing backing vocals for Faster Pussycat, has an astonishing range and perhaps goes a little overboard with the vocal gymnastics on some of the tracks. The overall sound combines hard rock with a touch of goth, with lyrics and orchestral instrumentation one might hear in the middle ages. Like I said, "Passion Crimes" has a unique sound, which is only part of the record's appeal.

What always pulls me back in to appreciate this record is the abundance of hooks in the melodies. "One By One" is a favorite, but be sure to also check out the groovy "Weight On My Shoulders" and epic ballad, "Love Child". 

If you were a fan, Gregory Darling has released a number of mellower solo records you might want to audition.