Tuesday, June 30, 2020

"Give And Take" by Throwback Suburbia

Throwback Suburbia is an indie powerpop band active during the late 2000s and into the 2010s. Their first effort arrived in 2006 and was called "Eight Tracks."

"Give And Take" is a super catchy tune from their last album, 2012's "Shot Glass Souvenir."


"Us And The Night" by 3 Doors Down

3 Doors Down is a modern rock band that burst onto the scene out of Mississippi in 2000 when their hit "Kryptonite" soared to #3. The song came from their debut record, "The Better Life," which became one of the biggest selling albums of the year.

Their follow-up record produced additional Top 10 hits, including "When I'm Gone" (#4) and "Here Without You" (#5). But after "It's Not My Time" peaked at #17 in 2008 the band has struggled to crack the Top 100, let alone Top 40 territory.

It's not for lack of trying. "Us And The Night," the title track from their 2016 album, is a terrific song that should have marked a comeback for the band.


Monday, June 29, 2020

"Put Out The Light" by Three Dog Night

Three Dog Night was one of the hottest acts of the early 70s. Combining rock, soul, and pop, this group led by Danny Hutton was the most successful chart artists of 1971 and the 14th most successful of the decade.

Hutton got his start as a solo artist in the 60s, landing a single chart hit in 1965 when "Roses And Rainbows" reached #73. It wasn't long before his new band got him back on the charts in a big way. The band's cover of "Try A Little Tenderness" got to #29 in 1969, but their remarkable string of super hits quickly followed, starting with "One" (written by Harry Nilsson) peaking at #5 later that year.

The band's chart career was relatively short, ending in 1975 after "Til The World Ends" stalled at #32. But it was filled with timeless classics including three #1's: "Mama Told Me (Not To Come)," (written by Randy Newman), "Joy To The World" (six weeks at #1), and "Black & White." In addition to those already mentioned, the band's hits included songs written by John Hiatt, Dave Loggins, Leo Sayer, and Russ Ballard.

"Put Out The Light" is an overlooked highlight from the band's 1974 record, "Hard Labor," which is also one of the creepiest album covers ever.


Friday, June 26, 2020

"The Good Life" by Three Days Grace

Three Days Grace is a Canadian hard rock band that formed in 1997 and first appeared on the US charts in 2003, peaking at #55 with "(I Hate) Everything About You." Their best chart performance to date arrived in 2007 when "Pain" reached #44, and their last chart appearance was in 2010 when "Break" stalled at #73.

"The Good Life" comes from the band's 2009 album, "Life Starts Now." It remains the most successful album in their career so far, peaking at #3 on the Top 200.

Following the release of their next album, 2012's "Transit Of Venus", lead singer Adam Gontier left the band and was replaced by Matt Walst of My Darkest Days. My Darkest Days previously toured with the band and Matt is the also brother of Three Days Grace's bassist, Brad Walst. The band has continued to make records and release singles that do well on the rock charts.


Thursday, June 25, 2020

"Move It On Over" by George Thorogood & The Destroyers

Although everyone recognizes his songs, George Thorogood has only scored a single chart appearance during his long and successful career blending authentic bar band rock and roll with blues and boogie. That was in 1985 when his cover of "Willie And The Hand Jive" reached #63.

That's right - classics like "Move It On Over," "I Drink Alone," "Who Do You Love," "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer," and even "Bad To The Bone" never charted.


Wednesday, June 24, 2020

"I Can't Remember" by The Thorns

The Thorns were a short-lived supergroup combining the talents of 90s popsters Matthew Sweet, Shawn Mullins, and Pete Droge. They released a single self-titled record in 2003 that honors the harmonies of bands like Crosby, Stills and Nash and The Eagles.

While it didn't chart, many might remember their terrific cover of "Blue," originally done by The Jayhawks. "I Can't Remember" is another great cut from this easy-going record that somehow got buried upon his release. It's a shame the collaboration didn't last, as their harmonies are incredible.


Tuesday, June 23, 2020

"Live Every Minute" by Ali Thompson

If this song sounds a little like Supertramp to you, there is a good reason: Ali Thompson is the younger brother of Dougie Thompson from Supertramp.

Thompson is best known for "Take A Little Rhythm," which reached #15 in 1980, whereas "Live Every Minute" stalled outside the Top 40 at #42. These songs remain his only chart appearance in the US.