64 - Guns 'N Roses

'Cause nothin' lasts forever
Even cold November rain

At number 64 is 80's rock band, Guns 'N Roses. It should be known that their addition is for their work pre-"Spagheti Incident", and does not even take into account "Chinese Democracy". And Axl Rose is probably the lead singer on this list I hate the most. That being said, they are pretty sick.

Wiki - Guns N' Roses (sometimes abbreviated as GN'R or GnR) is an American hard rock band. The band formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band, led by frontman and co-founder Axl Rose (born William Bruce Rose[7]), has gone through numerous line-up changes and controversies since its formation; the current lineup comprises vocalist Rose, guitarists Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, DJ Ashba and Richard Fortus, bassist Tommy Stinson, drummer Frank Ferrer and keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs and one live album during its career.

The band has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, including over 46 million in the United States. The band's 1987 major label debut album Appetite for Destruction has sold in excess of 28 million copies worldwide and reached number one on the United States Billboard 200. In addition, the album charted three Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including "Sweet Child o' Mine" which reached number one. The 1991 albums Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II debuted on the two highest spots on the Billboard 200 and have sold a combined 14 million copies in the United States alone and 35 million worldwide. After over a decade of work, the band released their follow-up album, Chinese Democracy, in 2008.

Their mid-to-late eighties and early nineties years have been described by individuals in the music industry as the period in which "they brought forth a hedonistic rebelliousness and revived the punk attitude-driven hard rock scene, reminiscent of the early Rolling Stones."

Discography -

Appetite for Destruction (1987)
G N' R Lies (1988)
Use Your Illusion I (1991)
Use Your Illusion II (1991)
The Spaghetti Incident? (1993)
Chinese Democracy (2008)

Best Songs -

Welcome to the Jungle
Mr. Brownstone
Paradise City
Sweet Child 'O Mine
Patience
Used to Love Her
Live and Let Die
November Rain
Civil War
Knockin' on Heaven's Door

Slash is one BAMF. Guns 'N Roses always came on the radio station I would listen to at work a lot, and sing in their over-the-top fashion. Usually I would change up the lyrics because it was more fun and kept my sanity, which I clearly still maintain... A sample looks like this:

"Welcome to Giuseppes,
Sh!t changes day by day.
If you want food you're gonna wait,
That's the price you gotta pay.
And we have very sexy girls,
Very hard to please.
You can taste a Chick Parm,
But you won't get it for free."

OK, now listen to the real thing.


next up: turrble. just turrble.

65 - Nirvana

With the lights out it's less dangerous

At numero 65 is Nirvana. Currently one band member is the frontman of a top 10 band on this list, one is a political activist, and the other has beconme a late icon.

Wiki - Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987. Nirvana went through a succession of drummers, the longest-lasting being Dave Grohl, who joined the band in 1990.

The band established itself as part of the Seattle music scene, releasing its first album Bleach for the independent record label Sub Pop in 1989. After signing to major label DGC Records, Nirvana found unexpected success with "Smells Like Teen Spirit", the band's lead single from its second album Nevermind (1991). Subsequently, Nirvana entered into the mainstream, bringing along with it a subgenre of alternative rock called grunge. As Nirvana's frontman, Kurt Cobain found himself referred to in the media as the "spokesman of a generation," with Nirvana being considered the "flagship band" of Generation X. Cobain was uncomfortable with the attention and placed his focus on the band's music, believing the band's message and artistic vision to have been misinterpreted by the public, challenging the band's audience with its third studio album In Utero (1993).

Nirvana's brief run ended with Cobain's death in April 1994, but the band's influence and popularity endured in the years that followed. In 2002, "You Know You're Right," an unfinished demo from the band's final recording session, topped radio playlists around the world. Since their debut, the band has sold over twenty-five million albums in the US alone, and over fifty million worldwide.

Discography -

Bleach (1989)
Nevermind (1991)
In Utero (1993)

Favorite Songs - (You all know the famous ones, so why not see which ones are my favorite?)

About a Girl
Breed
Dumb
In Bloom
Pennyroyal Tea
Lake of Fire
Serve the Servants
Scentless Apprentice
Heart-Shaped Box
Sappy
Verse Chorus Verse
Aneurysm
All Apologies

I did a 10 page paper on Kurt Cobain's death and how it changed the scene of grunge music and its effect on Nirvana's fans. I wish I knew how to link a word document because it's actually a pretty good read if you're into it, but alas if you want to read it just comment this post.

Anyway, Nirvana is one of the heavyhitters of the 90's grunge music era. While they aren't the best or most talented, they definitely have the most impact. Dave Grohl is one of my favorite people in rock music and I think if I could hang out with one dude for one night and just drink and talk music, it would be him.

And now rare NIRVANA. You're welcome.


next up: yet another legendary band with a dead lead singer. oh wait. no sorry he's not dead. just completely irrelevant now.

66 - Queen

Are you ready? Are you ready for this? Are you hangin' on the edge of your seat?

Hope you enjoyed the first third of the top 100 artists blogs. I have a couple of blogs coming in the next week that don't have to do with music... so that'll be fun (one's a baseball preview, the other is something I've been meaning to do for awhile that I think you'll enjoy). Anyway back to this post.

At number 66 is legendary rock band Queen. They have put together timeless songs that I occassionally play on long car rides while my chauffer doesn't know who they are. Go figure.

Wiki - Queen are a British rock band that formed in 1970. The band originally consisted of lead vocalist Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, bassist John Deacon, and drummer Roger Taylor. Queen have been described as giving the greatest live performance ever, producing the greatest single in history, and being the best British band of all time. They have released 15 studio albums, five live albums and numerous compilation albums. In 2009, the band's record label EMI reported their worldwide album sales as over 300 million, as did the BBC and other independent sources.

Queen enjoyed success in the UK during the early 1970s but it was the release of Sheer Heart Attack (1974) and A Night at the Opera (1975) that gained the band international success, both critically and commercially. The latter featured "Bohemian Rhapsody", which stayed at number one in the UK charts for nine weeks. Their success continued through the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. In 1987, Mercury was diagnosed HIV positive but continued to make music with the band until his death in 1991 of bronchopneumonia, a complication of AIDS. Deacon's retirement followed in 1997. Since then, May and Taylor have infrequently performed together at special events and programmes. Queen were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Between 2004 and 2009 the duo collaborated with Paul Rodgers under the name Queen + Paul Rodgers.

Discography -

Queen (1973)
Queen II (1974)
Sheer Heart Attack (1974)
A Night at the Opera (1975)
A Day at the Races (1976)
News of the World (1977)
Jazz (1978)
The Game (1980)
Hot Space (1982)
The Works (1984)
A Kind of Magic (1986)
The Miracle (1989)
Innuendo (1991)
Made in Heaven (1995)

Best Songs -

Bohemian Rhapsody
We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions
Killer Queen
Another One Bites the Dust
Bicycle Race
Fat Bottomed Girls
Don't Stop Me Now
Tie Your Mother Down
I Want to Break Free
Keep Yourself Alive
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
You're My Best Friend
Under Pressure (w/ David Bowie)

Queen are very accesible for a rock band, but they still can bring the thunder. Freddie Mercury had one of the best voices in rock history. Queen made everything they did big, which is why their songs are enjoyable to sing along with. Brian May's guitar work is often overshadowed by Mercury's stage presence, but May is undoubtedly one of the top 10 guitarists of all time.

And now, listen to some QUEEN


next up: another legendary band with a deceased lead singer

67 - MGMT

I'm feelin' rough, I'm feelin' raw, I'm in the prime of my life

At number 67 is MGMT. They have gained a great following off of the two singles, "Time to Pretend" and "Kids".

Wiki - MGMT (pronounced M-G-M-T /ɛm dʒiː ɛm ˈtiː/) is a Grammy nominated American band based in Brooklyn, New York, consisting of Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden. Formed at Wesleyan University and originally with Cantora records, they signed with Columbia Records/Red Ink/Sony in 2006.

On October 5, 2007, Spin.com named MGMT "Artist of the Day". On November 14, 2007, Rolling Stone pegged MGMT as a top 10 "Artist to Watch" in 2008. The band was named 9th in the BBC's Sound of 2008 top 10 poll. They were also named as Last.fm's most played new artist of 2008 in their Best of 2008 lists.

Their first album as MGMT, Oracular Spectacular, debuted at number 12 on the UK album chart and number six on the Australian ARIA Charts, and hit number one on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart. It has also been named the 18th best album of the decade by Rolling Stone magazine. It was named the best album of 2008 by NME. MGMT also appeared prominently in Australia's Triple J Hottest 100 2008, coming in 2nd with "Electric Feel", 5th with "Kids" and 18th with "Time to Pretend".

MGMT was nominated for the 2010 Grammy Award for Best New Artist, and their track "Kids" was nominated for Best Pop Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocals. These are the first Grammy nominations for the band. At the 2009 Grammy Awards, the Justice remix of "Electric Feel" won the Grammy for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical.

Their next album, Congratulations, is due to be released on April 13, 2010. The album was leaked onto the web on March 19. Because of this, the band put all of the songs available as streams from the official MGMT website.

Discography -

Oracular Spactacular (2008)
Congratulations (expected release April 13, 2010)

Best Songs -

Time to Pretend
Weekend Wars
The Youth
Electric Feel
Kids
Pieces of What
Is It Working?
Flash Delerium
Brian Eno
Congratulations

MGMT had everyone on their junk over the dance-popness of their songs "Kids" and "Electric Feel". For their second album, they wanted to stray away from that kind of style. While I feel like there are better songs on O.S., I admire their desire to stay in the underground with Congratulations and there are songs on there that prove they aren't just a one hit pop band. "Flash Delerium" is the prime example of that, and that's why i'm playing that instead of one of the three singles from O.S. that you've heard 1000 times.

And now, MGMT!!!!


next up: a band that Andrew Mount did not know existed.

68 - Death Cab for Cutie

I'll sit and wonder of every love that could have been if I'd only thought of something charming to say

Todayat number 68 is everyone's favorite indie band, Death Cab for Cutie. They sound like Owl City, only, with talent.

Wiki - Death Cab for Cutie is an American indie rock band, formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Benjamin Gibbard (vocals, guitar), Chris Walla (guitar, production), Nick Harmer (bass) and Jason McGerr (drums). Gibbard took the band name from the title of the song written by Neil Innes and Vivian Stanshall and performed by their group, the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, in The Beatles' 1967 film, Magical Mystery Tour.

Gibbard's first album, You Can Play These Songs with Chords, was released as a demo, leading to a record deal with Barsuk Records. It was at this time that Gibbard decided to expand the project into a complete band, and recruited band members to join. The band has released six studio albums, five EPs, and one demo to date. Their most recent album, Narrow Stairs, was released in May 2008.

Discography -

You Can Play These Songs With Chords (1997)
Something About Airplanes (1998)
We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes (2000)
The Photo Album (2001)*
Transatlanticism (2003)*
Plans (2005)
Narrow Stairs (2008)*

*= best albums

Favorite Songs -

A Movie Script Ending
We Laugh Indoors
The New Year
Title and Registration
The Sound of Settling
Transatlanticism
Sould Meets Body
Crooked Teeth
I Will Follow You Into The Dark
I Will Possess Your Heart
Cath...
Grapevine Fires

Death Cab's "Meet Me on the Equinox" was the lead single for the New Moon soundtrack, the second in the Twilight Series. I didn't watch the movie, but I know enough to know that it was the best part of it. Of course I'd say that even if I'd never heard the song either. But I digress.

DCfC's best songs are when they try and pick up the tempo, I think. I Will Follow and Transatlanticism are really good, but Cath..., Sound of Settling, and Title and Registration are just way better.


Now. DEATH CAB.


next up: management abbreviated

69 - R.E.M.

In all this talk of time, talk is fine.

R.E.M. is an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by Michael Stipe (lead vocals), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass guitar), and Bill Berry (drums and percussion). R.E.M. was one of the first popular alternative rock bands, and gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's unclear vocals. R.E.M. released its first single, "Radio Free Europe", in 1981 on the independent record label Hib-Tone. The single was followed by the Chronic Town EP in 1982, the band's first release on I.R.S. Records. In 1983, the band released its critically acclaimed debut album Murmur, and built its reputation over the next few years through subsequent releases, constant touring, and the support of college radio. Following years of underground success, R.E.M. achieved a mainstream hit in 1987 with the single "The One I Love". The group signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1988, and began to espouse political and environmental concerns while playing large arenas worldwide.

By the early 1990s, when alternative rock began to experience broad mainstream success, R.E.M. was viewed as a pioneer of the genre and released its two most commercially successful albums, Out of Time (1991) and Automatic for the People (1992), which veered from the band's established sound. R.E.M.'s 1994 release Monster was a return to a more rock-oriented sound. The band began its first tour in six years to support the album; the tour was marred by medical emergencies suffered by three band members. In 1996, R.E.M. re-signed with Warner Bros. for a reported US$80 million, at the time the most expensive recording contract in history. The following year, Bill Berry left the band, while Buck, Mills, and Stipe continued the group as a three-piece. Through some changes in musical style, the band continued its career into the next decade with mixed critical and commercial success. In 2007, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Discography -

Murmur (1983)
Reckoning (1984)
Fables of the Reconstruction (1985)
Lifes Rich Pageant (1986)
Document (1987)*
Green (1988)*
Out of Time (1991)*
Automatic for the People (1992)*
Monster (1994)
New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996)
Up (1998)
Reveal (2001)
Around the Sun (2004)
Accelerate (2008)

*= best albums

Best Songs -

Superman
It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
The One I Love
Stand
Orange Crush
Shiny Happy People
Losing My Religion
Everybody Hurts
Man on the Moon
Nightswimming
What's the Frequency Kenneth?
The Great Beyond
Bad Day


REM have produced 3 of the most beautiful alternative rock songs I have ever heard: Losing My Religion, Everybody Hurts, and Man on the Moon, while aslo producing songs like End of the World, Orange Crush, and Superman, which are just straight up fun to listen to.


Now listen to the melodic sounds of R.E.M. as they play: MAN ON THE MOON


next up: a band on the Twilight soundtrack. so you know they're good.

70 - Jimmy Eat World

I'm not alone 'cause the TV's on, yeah.
I'm not crazy 'cause I take the right pills, every day.

At number 70 is Jimmy Eat World. Their lead singer is named Jim.

Wiki - Jimmy Eat World is an American alternative rock band from Mesa, Arizona, formed in 1993. The band is composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jim Adkins, guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch and drummer Zach Lind.

Jimmy Eat World has released six studio albums in over 17 years as a band, the last five featuring the current lineup. The band originally formed with a punk rock sound, first releasing a demo tape in 1993, followed by their first EP in 1994, titled One, Two, Three, Four. Their debut self-titled album (Jimmy Eat World) was released in 1994, with current guitarist Linton singing most of the lead vocals on the album. Jimmy Eat World released both their second and third albums through Capitol Records, with 1996's Static Prevails featuring their first single "Rockstar". Clarity in 1999 contained the single "Lucky Denver Mint", which was featured in the film Never Been Kissed, starring Drew Barrymore.

The four piece's commercial breakthrough came in 2001 with the successful release of several singles from the album Bleed American, four singles charted within the top 20 of the Hot Modern Rock Tracks, "The Middle" peaked at number one. Jimmy Eat World followed up with Futures in 2004, featuring another Modern Rock Tracks number one, "Pain". The RIAA certified Bleed American platinum and Futures gold, rewarding the two albums for selling over one and a half million records between them. The band's sixth album Chase This Light was released in 2007, becoming the band's highest charting album, peaking at number five on the Billboard 200.

Discography -

Jimmy Eat World (1994)
Static Prevails (1996)
Clarity (1999)
Bleed American (retitled "Jimmy Eat World" after the September 11 attacks) (2001)
Futures (2004)
Chase This Light (2007)

Best songs -

For Me, This is Heaven
Lucky Denver Mint
Blister
Bleed American
A Praise Chorus
The Middle
Sweetness
Futures
Pain
Work
Big Casino

Now listen to one of the most overlooked bands perform:
A PRAISE CHORUS


next up: a band who had controversy about homosexuality at #69. It's like I plan this stuff.

71 - Bruce Springsteen

Glory days well they'll pass you by

At number 71 is Bruce Springsteen (& the E-Street Band!), who I have seen both at the age of 11 and 21. He'll probably still be touring when I'm 31, but what do I know.

Wiki - Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949), nicknamed "The Boss", is an American singer-songwriter. He records and tours with the E Street Band. Springsteen is widely known for his brand of heartland rock infused with pop hooks, poetic lyrics, and Americana sentiments centered on his native New Jersey.

Springsteen's recordings have tended to alternate between commercially accessible rock albums and somber folk-oriented works. Much of his status stems from the concerts and marathon shows in which he and the E Street Band perform intense ballads, rousing anthems, and party rock and roll songs, amongst which he intersperses whimsical or deeply emotional stories.

His most successful studio albums, Born to Run and Born in the U.S.A., epitomize his penchant for finding grandeur in the struggles of daily life in America, and the latter album made him one of the most recognized artists of the 1980s within the United States. Because of his support for the presidential campaigns of Senator John Kerry and President Barack Obama, Springsteen has gradually become identified with liberal politics. He is also noted for his support of various relief and rebuilding efforts in New Jersey and elsewhere, and for his response to the September 11 attacks, on which his album The Rising reflects.

He has earned numerous awards for his work, including twenty Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes and an Academy Award, and continues to have a strong global fan base. He has sold more than 65 million albums in the United States and 120 million worldwide. He was a 2009 recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors.

Discography -

1973: Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (–)
1973: The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle (–)
1975: Born to Run (#3)
1978: Darkness on the Edge of Town (#5)
1980: The River (#1)
1982: Nebraska (#3)
1984: Born in the U.S.A. (#1)
1987: Tunnel of Love (#1)
1992: Human Touch (#2)
1992: Lucky Town (#3)
1995: The Ghost of Tom Joad (#11)
2002: The Rising (#1)
2005: Devils & Dust (#1)
2006: We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (#3)
2007: Magic (#1)
2009: Working on a Dream (#1)

Favorite Songs -

Rosalita
Thunder Road
Tenth Avenue Freeze Out
Born to Run ("F*ck!")
Badlands
Adam Raised a Cain
Hungry Heart
Atlantic City
Streets of Philadelphia
Born in the USA
Glory Days
Dancing in the Dark
Human Touch
Lonesome Day
The Rising

The Boss is a favorite of my friend Matt and it's easy to see why. Bruce writes powerful songs that are either easy to relate to, or tell such an abstract story that you want to hear the song until the end anyway. He has an easily recognizeable croon to his voice (ala Eddie Vedder). I generally prefer his work with the E-Street Band to his solo stuff, for many reasons, but primarily to see Max Weinberg (also from Conan O'Brien fame).

Now listen to THE BOSS give a shoutout to the better part of NJ:


next up: a band who had to change their album name because of 9/11

72- The Who

Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.

At number 72 is legendary rock band, the Who.

Wiki - The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They became known for energetic live performances including the pioneering spectacle of instrument destruction.
The Who have sold about 100 million records and have charted 27 top forty singles in the United Kingdom and United States with 17 top ten albums, including 18 Gold, 12 Platinum and 5 Multi-Platinum album awards in the United States alone.

The Who rose to fame in the UK with a series of top ten hit singles, boosted in part by pirate radio stations such as Radio Caroline, beginning in January 1965 with "I Can't Explain". The albums My Generation (1965), A Quick One (1966) and The Who Sell Out (1967) followed, with the first two hitting the UK top five. They first hit the US Top 40 in 1967 with "Happy Jack" and hit the top ten later that year with "I Can See for Miles". Their fame grew with memorable performances at the Monterey Pop and Woodstock[6] music festivals. The 1969 release of Tommy was the first in a series of top ten albums in the US, followed by Live at Leeds (1970), Who's Next (1971), Quadrophenia (1973), The Who By Numbers (1975), Who Are You (1978) and The Kids Are Alright (1979).

Moon died at the age of 32 in 1978, after which the band released two studio albums, the UK and US top five Face Dances (1981) and the US top ten It's Hard (1982), with drummer Kenney Jones, before disbanding in 1983. They re-formed at events such as Live Aid and for reunion tours such as their 25th anniversary tour (1989) and the Quadrophenia tours of 1996 and 1997. In 2000, the three surviving original members discussed recording an album of new material, but their plans temporarily stalled upon Entwistle's death at the age of 57 in 2002. Townshend and Daltrey continue to perform as The Who, and in 2006 they released the studio album Endless Wire, which reached the top ten in the UK and US.

Discography -

My Generation (1965)
A Quick One (1966)
The Who Sell Out (1967)
Tommy (1969)
Who's Next (1971)
Quadrophenia (1973)
The Who By Numbers (1975)
Who Are You (1978)
Face Dances (1981)
It's Hard (1982)
Endless Wire (2006)
Untitled 12th Studio Album by the Who (2010)

yes, believe it or not, they're making another album. I don't know why.

Best songs -

I Can't Explain
My Generation
Happy Jack
A Quick One While He's Away
Magic Bus
The Kids Are Alright
I Can See For Miles
Squeeze Box
Pinball Wizard
Baba O'Riley
Who Are You
See Me Feel Me
Won't Get Fooled Again
Behind Blue Eyes
Eminence Front

I dare someone to find a better moment in rock music than when Roger Daltrey screams YEAHHHH!!! in Won't Get Fooled Again after Keith Moon's drum fill.

Now watch one of the most influential bands in rock history perform:
I CAN SEE FOR MILES



next up: back to back super bowl halftime artists. O M G

73 - blink-182

She said "What?" and I told her that I didn't know

At number 73 is Blink-182. They are a trio from San Diego.

Wiki - Blink-182 is an American pop punk band from Poway, California, formed in 1992. The band formed as "Blink" with vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge, vocalist and bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Scott Raynor. In 1998, midway through a U.S. tour, current drummer Travis Barker replaced Raynor. Blink-182 are recognized as a key pioneer of contemporary pop punk music, influencing various acts over their career.

After releasing debut album Cheshire Cat (1994), the band achieved relative success with Dude Ranch (1997), now having sold over a million copies. However, the trio achieved even greater success with the multi-platinum selling Enema of the State (1999). Their following two albums maintained their popularity; Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001) and Blink-182 (2003) before DeLonge left the group in early 2005, initiating an indefinite hiatus. DeLonge went on to form Angels & Airwaves, while Hoppus and Barker continued playing music together in +44. On February 8, 2009, Blink-182 announced that they are continuing as a band, with the brief statement posted on their website saying "To put it simply, We're back. We mean, really back. Picking up where we left off and then some. In the studio writing and recording a new album."

Discography -

Cheshire Cat (1994)
Dude Ranch (1997)
Enema of the State (1999)
Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001)
Blink-182 (2003)

Best Songs -

M+M's
Carousel
Dammit
Josie
What's My Age Again?
Adam's Song
All the Small Things
Going Away to College
Dumpweed
Man Overboard
Anthem Part 2
The Rock Show
Feeling This
Obvious

My favorite Blink songs are the ones where Mark sings. I don't know why, I just think he's a way better singer. Though it is fun to do Tom's voice in random everyday conversation and see if you can get away with it. Try it sometime.

Anyway, here's BLINK


next: another Super Bowl halftime band.

74 - Lostprophets

I don't know how to change from being me

At number 74 is Lostprophets. One word. Get it right. Lostprophets started out as an alternative nu-metal band and are now an alt rock band.

Wiki - Lostprophets (pronounced /lɒstˈprɒfɪts/, often stylized as lostprophets) are a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, formed in 1997. Founded by vocalist Ian Watkins, bassist (later guitarist) Mike Lewis, drummer Mike Chiplin and guitarist Lee Gaze, they were originally a side-project to hardcore punk band Public Disturbance. Since their formation, Lostprophets have released four studio albums and three EPs, most recently releasing The Betrayed on 13 January 2010, and are part of the Cardiff music scene.

The band have achieved two top ten hits on the UK Singles Chart ("Last Train Home" and "Rooftops"), one number one single on the Alternative Songs chart ("Last Train Home"), and several Kerrang! Awards and nominations.

Discography -

Thefakesoundofprogress (2000)
Start Something (2003)
Liberation Transmission (2006)
The Betrayed (2010)

Best Songs -

Shinobi vs. Dragon Ninja
The Fake Sound of Progress
Burn Burn
Last Train Home
I Don't Know
Make a Move
The New Transmission
It's Not the End of the World, But I Can See It From Here

Lostprophets' best music has come in their first two albums. Liberation Transmission for the most part was a dissapointment. I don't have their new album, but I'm a little hesistant to get it because if it sucks then they've negated their first two albums. Shinobi vs Dragon Ninja, while also being one of the best names for a track ever, is still one of the best pump up songs I've heard.

Now watch THE FAKE SOUND OF PROGRESS


next up: a band that named a song for me. thanks guys.

75 - Phoenix

It's 20 seconds til the last call

Starting the second quarter of bands at number 75 is Phoenix. Phoenix is a French alternative rock band, surprisingly the only one on the countdown...

Wiki - Phoenix is a French[1] alternative rock band founded by Thomas Mars, Deck D'Arcy, Christian Mazzalai and Laurent Brancowitz in Versailles. (thanks wikipedia)

Discography -

United (2000)
Alphabetical (2004)
It's Never Been Like That (2006)
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009)

Phoenix exploded into the European scene with mainstream success resulting from their album Alphabetical. It's Never Been Like That expanded their base into America a little bit, but it was the massive success of Wolfgang that really broke the bank for them.

Best Songs -

Lisztomania
1901
Everything is Everything
Girlfriend
Fences
Rome
If I Ever Feel Better
Lasso

And now i demand you listen to
GIRLFRIEND


next up: another band whose new stuff I don't listen to

76 - Jet

One, two, three, take my hand and come with me

At number 76 is Jet. They are from Australia. They were huge in 2004-2005 with the success that stemmed off of a few songs from their first album. Now, not so much.

Wiki -

Jet (commonly typeset as JET) are a rock band from Melbourne, Australia composed of Cameron Muncey, Mark Wilson, and brothers Nic and Chris Cester. The group has sold 4 million records worldwide; with their debut album Get Born, released in 2003, accounting for about 3.5 million of that figure.

Discography - (guess which album I don't have...)

Get Born (2003) - really good
Shine On (2006) - average, some good tracks
Shaka Rock (2009) - couldn't tell ya

Singles -

GB:
Are You Gonna Be My Girl?
Cold Hard Bitch
Rollover DJ
Look What You've Done

SO:
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
Shine On
Stand Up

SR:
She's a Genius
Black Hearts (On Fire)

Jet's first album was something that rock music was lacking around 2003. It was a refreshing mix of catchy, garage rock and roll, with an Australian touch to it. AYGBMG is the song that made them famous, as it had a slick guitar riff with playful lyrics. CHB and LWYD are their other radio highlights from Get Born. My personal favorite song by them, Get What You Need, is on this album too.

Stand Up only had a few "rocking" songs, while focusing more on ballads or just easier songs than the "Australian-Strokes" sound that Get Born had. These softer songs are good, but some of the rock attempts are weak.

Now hear some JET.



next up: your 2009 Grammy winner for best alternative music album

77 - T.I.

I'm fast as lightning bro, you better wear your Nike's bro

At number 77 is T.I. T.I. is often compared with Lil Wayne, simply because they both dropped their most-famous albums in the beginning of last year. This is absurd, because T.I. is infinitely better than Weezy.

Wiki - Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. (born September 25, 1980), better known by his stage name T.I. or T.I.P., is an American recording artist, producer and actor. He is the founder and co-chief executive officer (CEO) of Grand Hustle Records.

Discography -

I'm Serious (2001)
Trap Muzik (2003)
Urban Legend (2004)
King (2006)
T.I. vs. T.I.P. (2007)
Paper Trail (2008)
T.I.'s seventh studio album (sometime 2010)

Singles -

Rubber Band Man*
24's*
Let's Get Away
Bring Em Out*
U Don't Know Me
ASAP
What You Know*
Why You Wanna
Top Back
Big Things Poppin (Do It)
No Matter What*
Whatever You Like
What's Up, What's Happening
Swagga Like Us
Live Your Life*
Dead and Gone

*best songs

Favorite Lyric -

The entire second verse of the my personal favorite song by T.I., "No Matter What", is sick.

You let the blog sites and the magazines tell it
I'm sure to be in jail till 2027
Rather see me in a cell in
Stead of this new McLaren
God'll take you through hell just to get you to heaven
So even know it's heavy the load I will carry
Grin and still bear it
Win and still share it
Apologies to the fans I hope you can understand it
Life can change you directions
Even when you ain't planned it
All you can do is handle it
The worst thing you could do is panic
Use it to your advantage
Avoid insanity manage to conquer
Every obstacle
Make impossible possible
Even when winnings illogical
Loosing's still far from optional
Yeah they wanna see you shot up in the hospital
But when life throw punches, block you counter like a boxer do
Been locked inside mi casa too long
I did a song to make it known that the king lives on

Yes, even Live Your Life is saved from Rihanna by T.I's verses.

and now listen to T.I. kill it on
WHAT YOU KNOW



next up: gotta love those bands who've had one popular album then dropped off since

78 - Pink Floyd

Today at number 78 is legendary rock band, Pink Floyd. They were one of the best bands of the 1970's. The songs "Wish You Were Here" and "Comfortably Numb" are musical bliss, and their creation alone warrants them a spot on the list.

Wiki - Pink Floyd were an English rock band who earned recognition for their psychedelic music in the late 1960s and, as they evolved in the 1970s, for their progressive rock music. Pink Floyd's work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album cover art, and elaborate live shows. One of rock music's most critically acclaimed and commercially successful acts, the group has sold over 200 million albums worldwide, including 74.5 million certified units in the United States.

Pink Floyd were formed in 1965, and originally consisted of university students Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Richard Wright, and Syd Barrett. The group were a popular fixture on London's underground music scene, and under Barrett's leadership released two charting singles, "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play", and a commercially and critically successful debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. In 1968, guitarist and singer David Gilmour joined the line-up, and Barrett was removed due to his increasingly erratic behaviour. Following Barrett's departure, bass player and singer Roger Waters became the lyricist and dominant figure in the band, which thereafter achieved worldwide critical and commercial success with the concept albums The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals, and rock opera The Wall.

Wright left the band in 1979, and Waters in 1985, but Gilmour and Mason (joined by Wright) continued recording and touring under the name Pink Floyd. Waters used legal means to try to keep them from using the name, declaring Pink Floyd a spent force, but the parties reached an out-of-court settlement allowing Gilmour, Mason and Wright to continue as Pink Floyd. The band again enjoyed worldwide success with A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) and The Division Bell (1994), and Waters continued as a solo musician, releasing three studio albums. Although for some years relations between Waters and the remaining three members were sour, the band reformed in 2005 for what would be a final one-off performance at Live 8.

Band members -

Syd Barrett (b.1946, d.2006) - lead vocals, lead guitars (1965–1968)
David Gilmour (b.1946) - lead vocals, lead guitars, bass guitar, special effects (1968–1996)
Bob Klose (b.1945) - bass guitar, guitars (1965)
Nick Mason (b.1944) - drums, percussion, programming (1965–1996)
Roger Waters (b.1943) - lead vocals, bass guitar, guitars, percussion, programming (1965–1985)
Richard Wright (b.1943, d.2008) - keyboards, organ, piano, synthesizers, mellotron, backing vocals (1965–1979, 1993–1996)

Notable Albums -

The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)
Obscured by Clouds (1972)
The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
Wish You Were Here (1975)
Animals (1977)
The Wall (1979)
The Final Cut (1983)
A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987)
The Division Bell (1994)

Best Songs -

Wish You Were Here
Comfortably Numb
Money
Time
Another Brick in the Wall Pt. II
Have a Cigar
Let There Be More Light

Favorite Lyric -

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fishbowl, year after year. - Wish You Were Here

I'm a total "radio-fan" when it comes to this band, as in I only know the songs I've heard on the radio. If I ever get the chance, I'll definitely check them out deeper, and when that's the case there's a very good chance they'd move way up on here. But alas, at #78 is where they are.

Now. Amazingness.


next up: a mainstream rapper who's back from house arrest. unlike Lil Wayne, whom is in jail currently.

79 - Eminem

At number 79 is Eminem. Eminem is the first, but most definitely not the last, rapper on the countdown.

Wiki - Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), better known by his stage name Eminem (Stylized EMINƎM), or Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Eminem quickly gained popularity in 1999 with his major-label debut album The Slim Shady LP, which won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. The following album, The Marshall Mathers LP, became the fastest-selling solo album in history. It brought Eminem increased popularity, including his own record label, Shady Records, and brought his group project D12 to mainstream recognition.

The Marshall Mathers LP and his third album, The Eminem Show also won Grammy Awards, making Eminem the first artist to win Best Rap Album for three consecutive LP's. He then won the award again in 2010 for his album Relapse, giving him a total of 11 Grammys in his career. In 2002, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Lose Yourself" from the film 8 Mile, in which he also played the lead. "Lose Yourself" would go on to become the longest running #1 hip-hop single. Eminem then went on hiatus after touring in 2005. He released his first album since 2004's Encore, titled Relapse, on May 15, 2009. Eminem is the best-selling artist of the decade, and has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide to date, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world. Eminem was ranked 82nd on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All-Time.

He was also named the Best Rapper Ever by Vibe magazine. Including his work with D12, Eminem has achieved eight #1 albums on the Billboard Top 200 and 12 number one singles worldwide. In December, 2009 Eminem was named the Artist of the Decade by Billboard Magazine. His albums The Eminem Show, The Marshall Mathers LP, and Encore (in order) ranked as the 3rd, 7th, and 40th best album of the 2000-2009 decade by Billboard Magazine. According to Billboard, Eminem has two of his albums among the top five highest selling albums of the 2000s.

Discography -

The Slim Shady LP
The Marshall Mathers LP
The Eminem Show
Encore
Relapse

(note: leaving The MMLP and the Eminem Show on the same list as Relapse is slightly mortifying for me)

Best Songs -

Just Don't Give a Fuck
My Name Is
Guilty Conscience
The Real Slim Shady
The Way I Am
Stan
Without Me
Lose Yourself
Sing for the Moment
Like Toy Soldiers

All of these songs are off of albums other than 2009's Relapse, which suffered from the current state that hiphop is in. I thought that Eminem had lost it, but the verse he drops on the song "Forever" (the one with Kanye, Lil Wayne and Drake) knocks all three of theirs combined.

Eminem does two different things, and does these two things very well. One, he makes songs that are ridiculously fun, that have hilarious videos that go with them (My Name Is, Real Slim Shady, Without Me). The other thing he does is make songs that intense/deep/real (Stan, Cleaning Out My Closet, Like Toy Soldiers) that are written so well lyrically. He is truely one of the most talented rappers of all time and I have all the respect in the world for him to be able to last as long as he has in the fickle world of hip-hop.

Because i couldn't choose which way i wanted to go with the music selection, i picked one of each his styles. Here's LIKE TOY SOLDIERS and THE REAL SLIM SHADY.




next up: a band that has one of the most beautiful songs of all time

80 - Eagles of Death Metal

So we have made it 1/5 of the way there. Here are the next 20 bands.



At number 80 is Eagles of Death Metal. They do not play death metal. Isn't that funny? EoDM feature Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age, only here he plays the drums instead of singing and playing guitar. EoDM are like QotSA, only quirkier and extremely ... um, fruity.

Wiki - Eagles of Death Metal are an American garage rock band from Palm Desert, California, formed in 1998 by Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme. Despite the name, Eagles of Death Metal is not a death metal band. Hughes said that a friend was trying to introduce Josh Homme to the death metal genre. When he played the Polish band Vader and made a claim that the song was death metal, Homme called them "The Eagles of death metal". After hearing this phrase, he wondered what a cross between the Eagles and a death metal band would sound like. In a 2003 interview Homme described the sound of the band as a combination of "bluegrass slide guitar mixed with stripper drum beats and Canned Heat vocals." Jesse Hughes is known and loved by fans for his enthusiastic and charismatic interaction with audiences at live performances.

Discography -

Peace, Love, & Death Metal
Death By Sexy
Heart On


Singles -

I Only Want You
Speaking in Tongues
I Want You So Hard (Boy's Bad News)
Cherry Cola
Wannabe in L.A.
High Voltage

Favorite Lyric -

"I'm so real I don't need to fake it" - Cherry Cola

Now please view the fruitiest, queerest video ever.... yet it's so cool
WANNABE IN L.A.




next up: guess who's back. back again.

81 - Korn

At number 81 is Korn. Korn's original 5 members included 3 who went by pseudonyms and 2 who remained using their given names.

Wiki - Korn (often stylized as KoЯn) is an American heavy metal band formed in Bakersfield, California, in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier.

Their debut album, Korn was released in 1994. The album featured the two ex-members of Korn, Brian "Head" Welch and David Silveria. The band began recording Life Is Peachy in April of 1996, and released it on October 15, 1996. Follow the Leader is recognized as Korn's mainstream breakthrough, peaking #1 on the Billboard 200 in 1998, along with its succeeding album, Issues in 1999.

The band released Untouchables on June 11, 2002, and later released Take a Look in the Mirror November 21, 2003, both peaking in the top 10 of the Billboard 200. Their first compilation album, peaked #4 on the Billboard 200. See You on the Other Side was released on December 6, 2005, and Korn's untitled album was released nearly 2 years later on July 27, 2007. Korn's ninth studio album has been proposed by the band that it may be released in early 2010. Korn currently has 33 singles and 17 of which have charted.

Discography -

Korn (1994)
Life Is Peachy (1996)
Follow the Leader (1998)
Issues (1999)
Untouchables (2002)
Take a Look in the Mirror (2003)
See You on the Other Side (2005)
Untitled album (2007)
Korn's Ninth Studio Album (supposedly early 2010)

Popular Songs -

Blind
A.D.I.D.A.S.
Freak on a Leash
Got the Life
Falling Away from Me
Here to Stay
Right Now
Y'all Want a Single
Coming Undone

Favorite Lyric -

"I don't know your f*cking name.
So what, let's f*ck." - A.D.I.D.A.S.

Korn manages to pull off nu-metal as a genre, particularly in their music prior to 2005. For the countdown purposes, we're just going to pretend the last two albums (minus a couple songs) never happened.

And now, listen to GOT THE LIFE


next up: a side project of a member of a band in the top 10 on this list

82- Pepper

At #82 is the band Pepper. Pepper has been compared to Sublime, and if you take one listen, you'll know why.

Wiki - Pepper is a rock band originally from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, but has since relocated to Southern California. They play a mix of reggae, dub and rock. (thanks, wikipedia. you provide so little sometimes.)

Discography -

Give'N It
Kona Town
In With The Old
No Shame
Pink Crustaceans and Good Vibrations

Best Songs -

Stone Love
Ho's
B.O.O.T
Too Much
Back Home
Ashes
No Control
Your Face

Pepper has a number of songs that are provacative to say the least lyrically, such as "Point and Shoot" and "Give it Up", but most of these tend to fall flat. Contrastly, it's the subtle yet well-put together songs, such as "Back Home" and "Ashes" where Pepper exceed.

Favorite Lyric -

"What’s done is done
It’s in the past
Its ashes" - Ashes

Now watch this way TOO MUCH


next up: a bands whose most famous song has the lyrics "Boom na da noom na na nema"

83 - Talking Heads

At number 83 is the Talking Heads. They are one of the very few 1980's bands that I appreciate.

Wiki - Talking Heads was an American rock band formed in 1974 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison. Auxiliary musicians also frequently made appearances in concert and on the group's albums.

The new wave musical style of Talking Heads combined elements of punk rock, avant-garde, pop, funk, world music and art rock. Frontman and songwriter David Byrne contributed whimsical, esoteric lyrics to the band's songs, and emphasized their showmanship through various multimedia projects and performances

In 2002, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Four of the band's albums appeared on Rolling Stone magazine's 2003 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Notable Albums -

Talking Heads: 77
More Songs About Buildings and Food
Fear of Music
Remain in Light
Speaking in Tongues
Little Creatures

Popular Songs -

Psycho Killer
Take Me to the River
Life During Wartime
Once in a Lifetime
Burning Down the House
And She Was
Road to Nowhere

Best Lyric -

"There is water, at the bottom of the ocean" - Once in a Lifetime

I hate 80's music for the most part, but, similar to Brand New, making it on to this list as a genre that I don't like is just all the more impressive.

now see all the 80's glory in:
BURNING DOWN THE HOUSe

Talking Heads - Burning down the house
Uploaded by Dan_of_the_Land. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

next up: a band from our 50th state

84 - Third Eye Blind

At number 84 is alternative-rock band, Third Eye Blind. 3EB performed at Loyola back in 2008 during my freshman year.

Wiki - Third Eye Blind is an American alternative rock band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. The band's current line-up is Stephan Jenkins (vocals, guitar), Brad Hargreaves (drums, percussion), and Tony Fredianelli (guitar, vocals). Original bassist Arion Salazar has not been playing with the band, and his future as part of the band is unclear. It is reported on the band's Facebook page that he is able to return whenever he wishes, as there is an "open door policy" for him. Abe Millet, of Inviolet Row, has been filling in for Salazar during recent concerts.

After the success of their eponymous debut album in 1997, the band released one more album, 1999's Blue, before guitarist Kevin Cadogan was released under controversial circumstances. In 2003, the band released Out of the Vein. In 2008 the band released the digital EP Red Star. After a six year hiatus from releasing a full length album, Ursa Major was released on August 17, 2009.

The band has announced that a possible B-Sides album, potentially entitled Ursa Minor, is in the works.

Discography -

Third Eye Blind
Blue
Out of the Vein
Ursa Major

Best Songs -

Losing a Whole Year
Graduate
Jumper
Semi-Charmed Life
How's It Going to Be
Never Let You Go
Wounded
Crystal Baller
Bonfire

Favorite Lyric -

"Where we used to laugh, there's a shouting match
sharp as a thumbnail scratch
A silence I can't ignore,
like the hammock by the doorway we spent time in
Swing's empty" - How's It Going to Be

Treat yourself to a little:
DEEP INSIDE OF YOU


next up: the band that told us there is water at the bottom of the ocean

85 - The XX

At number 85 is a British alternative band, The XX. The XX released their debut album, "XX" in 2009.

Wiki - The xx are a three-piece band from Wandsworth, south west London, England, formed in 2005. The four original band members met at Elliott School, notable for alumni including Hot Chip, Burial and Four Tet. Originally a four-piece band, keyboardist Baria Qureshi left the group citing exhaustion as the reason.

The group's debut album, xx, was met with critical acclaim, with a "universal acclaim" ranking on Metacritic. It also ranked well on "best of the year" lists with Rolling Stone placing it at #9 and NME placing it at #2. NME also placed them at number 6 in the 2009 NME The Future 50 list.

Best Songs -

VCR
Islands
Heart Skipped a Beat
Stars
Night Time
Basic Space

Favorite Lyric -

"I am yours now
So now I don't ever have to leave
I've been found out
So now I'll never explore" - Islands

The XX are a unique blend of indie rock with melodic hip-hop, but still manage to maintain a chill persona.

Want a snippet? Listen to:
VCR


next up: a band I saw not too far from home

86 - The Bravery

At number 86 is another NYC-based band, The Bravery. I have seen the Bravery perform live when they opened for Incubus on their 2007 summer tour.

Wiki - The Bravery is an American rock band from New York City that consists of Sam Endicott (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Michael Zakarin (lead guitar [also known as Moose], backing vocals), John Conway (keyboards, backing vocals), Mike Hindert (bass, backing vocals), and Anthony Burulcich (drums, backing vocals). Their music is a synthesis of both post-punk revival and New Wave.

Discography -

The Bravery (2005)
The Sun and the Moon (2007)
Stir the Blood (2009)

I own the first two albums, liking the first a little more than the second. I've heard that the last album is pretty good, which is exciting because when they are at their best, the band sounds really good.

Popular Songs -

An Honest Mistake
Fearless
Unconditional
Believe
Time Won't Let Me Go
Slow Poison
Hatef*ck

Favorite Lyric -

"I spent my whole life surrounded,
And I spent my whole life alone." - Unconditional

Now watch/listen/smell:
SLOW POISON


Next up: a band that released their first album in 2009

87 - Interpol

At number 87 is Interpol. Interpol has released three albums,the most impressive being their debut. They are said to be releasing a fourth sometime this year.

Wiki - Interpol is an American indie rock band formed in 1997 in New York City. The band's line-up is Paul Banks (vocals, guitar), Daniel Kessler (guitar, vocals), Carlos Dengler (bass guitar, keyboards) and Sam Fogarino (drums, percussion).

Interpol is one of the bands associated with the New York indie music scene, being one of several groups that emerged out of the post-punk revival of the 2000s. The band's sound is generally a mix of bass throb and rhythmic, harmonized guitar, with a snare heavy mix, drawing comparisons to post-punk bands such as Joy Division, The Strokes and The Chameleons. Aside from the lyrics, their songwriting method includes all of the band members, rather than relying on any given chief songwriter.

Interpol's debut album Turn on the Bright Lights (2002) was critically acclaimed, making it to tenth position on the NME's list of top albums in 2002 as well as #1 on Pitchfork Media's Top 50 Albums of 2002. Subsequent records Antics (2004) and Our Love to Admire (2007) have confirmed the band's initial success and turned them into a commercial and critical success.

Discography -

Turn On The Bright Lights
Antics
Our Love To Admire

Best Songs -

TotBL:
PDA
Obstacle 1
NYC

A:
Evil
Slow Hands
NARC

OLtA:
The Heinrich Maneuver
No "I" in Threesome
Mammoth


Favorite Lyric -

"I had seven faces
Thought I new which one to wear
But I'm sick of spending these lonely nights
Training myself not to care" - NYC


Now listen to:
PDA


next up: finally we get to a band that I've seen live

88 - The Black Keys

At #88 is the Black Keys. They are a blues-rock duo from Akron, Ohio. This was the first band that as preparing one of these I made a note to update my catalogue of their work.

Wiki - The Black Keys are an American blues-rock music duo consisting of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney. They were formed in Akron, Ohio in 2001.

The band released their debut album, The Big Come Up, in 2002, followed by Thickfreakness in 2003, and Rubber Factory in 2004. Around this time, they also opened for bands such as Pearl Jam, Beck, Radiohead and Sleater-Kinney. October 2005 saw the release of the DVD Live, recorded live at The Metro Theatre in Sydney, Australia March 18, 2005.

In 2006 they released their fourth album, Magic Potion on September 4, 2006 in the UK and September 12, 2006 in the United States. Ultimately Attack & Release, their fifth album, was produced by Danger Mouse and released on April 1, 2008, having leaked onto the internet by March 4. Attack and Release debuted at number 14 on the Billboard Top 200.

Discography -

The Big Come Up (2002)
Thickfreakness (2003)
Rubber Factory (2004)
Magic Potion (2006)
Attack & Release (2008)
Brothers (2010) - expected release May 18

Best Songs -

When the Lights Go Out
10 AM Automatic
Just Got to Be
Your Touch
I Got Mine
Strange Times
Psychotic Girl

The band is frequently compared, for obvious reasons, to The White Stripes (also a blues-based musical duo of drums and vocals/guitar that started around the turn of the millennium) and to the stylings of The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, and Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead are fans of the band.

And now, press play to hear:
I GOT MINE



next up: a one-word band that starts with "I". gotta be Incubus right?

89 - Brand New

At number 89 is Long Island product, Brand New. Brand New is a pop-emo band, which as a genre, I dispise, making their appearance on my countdown all the more admirable.

Wiki - Brand New is an American rock band from Long Island, New York. Formed in 2000, the band currently consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Jesse Lacey, guitarist Vincent Accardi, bassist Garrett Tierney, drummer Brian Lane, and guitarist/keyboardist Derrick Sherman.

In the late 1990s, Jesse Lacey, Garrett Tierney, Brian Lane were all members of the band The Rookie Lot. They eventually split off from the other members of the group, and in 2000 formed Brand New in Merrick, New York. The band signed to Triple Crown Records and in 2001 released their debut studio album, Your Favorite Weapon, a pop punk record. Their second album, Deja Entendu, was released in 2003 and marked a stylistic change for the band. The album's first two singles, "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows" and "Sic Transit Gloria... Glory Fades", both received airplay on MTV2 and Fuse TV, entering the top 40 on the United Kingdom Singles Chart. Deja Entendu was eventually certified gold in the United States.

Brand New moved to Interscope Records and released The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me in 2006. "Jesus Christ" became their highest charting single in the US, peaking at number 30 on the Alternative Songs chart. In March 2008, the band started their own record label, named Procrastinate! Music Traitors. Their fourth album, Daisy, was released in 2009 and became their highest charting album in the US, reaching number six on the Billboard 200.

Discography -

Your Favorite Weapon (2001)
Deja Entendu (2003)
The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me (2006)
Daisy (2009)

Top Songs -

Seventy Times 7
Jude Law and a Semester Abroad
The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot
Sic Transit Gloria ... Glory Fades
The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows
Sowing Season (Yeah)
Jesus Christ
At The Bottom
Daisy

Favorite Lyrics -

"So tell all the English boys you meet, about the American boy back in the states.
The American boy you used to date.
Who would do anything you say." - Jude Law and a Semester Abroad

"Somebody threw that brick, shattered all your plans" - Sowing Season (Yeah)

"Jesus Christ, that's a pretty face
The kind you'd find on someone that could save
If they don't put me away
Well, it'll be a miracle

Do you believe you're missing out
That everything good is happening somewhere else?
But with nobody in your bed
The night's hard to get through

And I will die all alone
And when I arrive I won't know anyone

Well, Jesus Christ, I'm alone again
So what did you do those three days you were dead?
'cause this problem's gonna last more than the weekend.

Well, Jesus Christ, I'm not scared to die,
I'm a little bit scared of what comes after
Do I get the gold chariot?
Do I float through the ceiling?

Do I divide and fall apart?
'cause my bright is too slight to hold back all my dark
And the ship went down in sight of land
And at the gates does Thomas ask to see my hands

I know you're coming in the night like a thief
But I've had some time, O Lord, to hone my lying technique
I know you think that I'm someone you can trust
But I'm scared I'll get scared and I swear I'll try to nail you back up

So do you think that we could work out a sign
So I'll know it's you and that it's over so I won't even try" - Jesus Christ


So Brand New can write... but you'll be happy to see/hear they make good music too..
Here's SIC TRANSIT GLORIA...GLORY FADES


next up: a duo with a color in their name. gotta be white stripes, right?

90 - Unwritten Law

At number 90 is alternative rock band, Unwritten Law. They have been around for a lot longer than I realized.

Wiki - Unwritten Law is an American rock band formed in 1990 in Poway, California (a suburb of San Diego) and currently recording for Suburban Noize Records. They have released seven full-length studio albums and have toured internationally, including performances on the Warped Tour. They are notable for their singles "Seein' Red" and "Save Me (Wake Up Call)," both of which entered the top 5 in the US Modern Rock charts. Their most recent release is a live album entitled Live and Lawless, released September 30, 2008.

Their current lineup is Scott Russo • Steve Morris • Pat Kim • Dylan Howard


Discography -

Unwritten Law had 2 albums prior to the ones I'm mentioning... those two albums were fast-paced punk instead of the alt. rock sound they center on now.

Unwritten Law - 1998
Elva - 2002
From Music in High Places - 2003
Here's to the Mourning - 2005

Songs to check out -

UL:
Cailin
Lonesome

Elva:
Up All Night
Seein' Red

FMiHP:
Rest of My Life

HttM:
Save Me
She Says


And now.. listen to 20 Scott Russos sing
SEEIN' RED



next up: THE best lyrical emo band.

91 - Stone Sour

At number 91 is Stone Sour, an American hard rock band from Des Moines, Iowa. Apparently that's all that matters, as that's all wikipedia has in their first paragraph on them.

So anyway, Stone Stour is the side project of two members of the band Slipknot. Except the songs they make as Stone Sour are actually worth listening to. Stone Sour is Corey Taylor (vocals), Jim Root (lead guitar), Josh Rand (rhythm guitar), Shawn Economaki (bass guitar) and Ray Mayorga (drums).

Discography -

Stone Sour (2002)
Come What(ever) May (2006)

Singles

SS:
Bother
Inhale

CWM:
30/30-150
Through Glass
Sillyworld
Made of Scars
Zzyzx Rd.

Favorite Lyric -

"I'm only here for a while
But patience is not my style" - Zzyzx Rd.


Stone Sour's most popular two songs are Bother and Through Glass, both more melodic and slower than most of their songs. The former is one of the most depressing videos I've ever seen (still REALLY well done), and the latter goes along creatively with the lyrics of the song.

So now, here's:
THROUGH GLASS


next up: another band from California? NO WAY!

btw... i'm at MUSE tonight. this is me laughing.

92 - Cold War Kids

At #92 is Cold War Kids. They are from California and have 2 CD's, "Robbers & Cowards" and "Loyalty to Loyalty".

Wiki - Cold War Kids are an American indie rock band from Long Beach, California. Band members are Nathan Willett (lead vocals, piano, guitar), Jonnie Russell (guitar, vocals, percussion), Matt Maust (bass guitar), and Matt Aveiro (drums).

Favorite Songs -

We Used to Vacation (2006)
Hang Me Up to Dry
Tell Me in the Morning
Robbers
Hospital Beds
Something is Not Right with Me (2008)
I've Seen Enough

Favorite Lyric -

"I promised to my wife and children
I'd never touch another drink
as long as I live
but even then
it sounds so soothing
to mix a drink
and sink into oblivion" - We Used to Vacation

For your listening pleasure...
HANG ME UP TO DRY


next up: a side project from a band that's way better than the main band.