47 - AC/DC

So lock up your daughter,
lock up your wife,
lock up your backdoor,
run for your life.

At number 47 is Australian rock icons, AC/DC. They have written more songs about rock and roll than any other band.

Wiki - AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Although the band are commonly classified as hard rock and are considered a pioneer of heavy metal, they have always classified their music as rock and roll.

AC/DC underwent several line-up changes before releasing their first album, High Voltage, in 1975. Membership remained stable until bassist Mark Evans was replaced by Cliff Williams in 1977 for the album Powerage. Within months of recording the album Highway to Hell, lead singer and co-songwriter Bon Scott died on 19 February 1980, after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. The group briefly considered disbanding, but soon ex-Geordie singer Brian Johnson was selected to replace Scott. Later that year, the band released their highest selling album, Back in Black.

The band's next album, For Those About to Rock We Salute You, was their first album to reach number one in the United States. AC/DC declined in popularity soon after drummer Phil Rudd was fired in 1983 and was replaced by future Dio drummer Simon Wright, though the band resurged in the early 1990s with the release of The Razor's Edge. Phil Rudd returned in 1994 (after Chris Slade, whom was with the band from 1990–1994, was asked to leave in favour of him) and contributed to the band's 1995 album Ballbreaker. Stiff Upper Lip was released in 2000 and was well received by critics. Since then, the band has stayed the same with the 1980-1983 lineup. The band's most recent album, Black Ice, was released on 20 October 2008. It was their biggest hit on the charts since "For Those About to Rock, reaching #1 on all the charts eventually. AC/DC's newest studio album, AC/DC: Iron Man 2 is set to release on April 19, 2010.

As of 2008, AC/DC have sold more than 200 million albums worldwide, including 71 million albums in the United States. Back in Black has sold an estimated 49 million units worldwide, making it the highest-selling album by any band and the 2nd highest-selling album in history, behind Thriller by Michael Jackson. The album has sold 22 million in the US alone, where it is the fifth-highest-selling album. AC/DC ranked fourth on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock" and was named the seventh "Greatest Heavy Metal Band of All Time" by MTV. In 2004, the band was ranked number 72 in the Rolling Stone list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".

Discography -

T.N.T. (1975)
High Voltage (1976)
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976)
Let There Be Rock (1977)
Powerage (1978)
Highway to Hell (1979)*
Back in Black (1980)
For Those About to Rock We Salute You (1981)
Flick of the Switch (1983)
Who Made Who (1986)
Blow Up Your Video (1988)
The Razors Edge (1990)
Black Ice (2008)

*=best album

Best Songs -

Highway to Hell
TNT
It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Want to Rock and Roll)
Back in Black
Let There Be Rock
Rock n Roll Train
Anything Goes
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)
Thunderstruck
Moneytalks
You Shook Me All Night Long
Have a Drink on Me
Shoot to Thrill
Big Balls
Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

Brian Johnson – lead vocals (1980–present)
Angus Young – lead guitar (1973–present)
Malcolm Young – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1973–present)
Cliff Williams – bass guitar, backing vocals (1977–present)
Phil Rudd – drums, percussion (1975–1983, 1994–present)



next up: AC/DC is really good, and I'ma let them finish...

48 - Beck

I got two turntables and a microphone

Beck clocks in at number 48. He makes really creative music, and he is also a Scientologist.

Wiki - Beck Hansen (born Bek David Campbell; July 8, 1970) is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known by the stage name Beck. With a pop art collage of musical styles, oblique and ironic lyrics, and postmodern arrangements incorporating samples, drum machines, live instrumentation and sound effects, Beck has been hailed by critics and the public throughout his musical career as being amongst the most creative and idiosyncratic musicians of 1990s and 2000s alternative rock.

The four time platinum artist rose to underground popularity with his early works, which combined social criticism (as in "MTV Makes Me Want to Smoke Crack" and "Deep Fried Love") with musical and lyrical experimentation. He first earned wider public attention for his breakthrough single "Loser", a 1994 hit.

Discography -

Mellow Gold (1994)
One Foot in the Grave (1994)
Odelay (1996)*
Mutations (1998)
Midnite Vultures (1999)
Sea Change (2002)*
Guero (2005)
The Information (2006)
Modern Guilt (2008)

*=Best albums

Favorite top 10 BECK songs:

10 Sexx Laws
9 The New Pollution
8 Nausea
7 Think I'm In Love
6 Girl
5 E-Pro
4 Lost Cause
3 Devil's Haircut
2 Loser
1 Where It's At

Beck remixed songs from his 2005 album Guero, and put them in an EP called Gameboy Variations. They are pretty amazing.

Beck is a very creative songwriter and musician and I think making a song with him would be something that I would want to do before I die. I think I can make it happen.

Loser is one of the best debut songs of all time, and is there a better breakup song than Lost Cause? No.



next up: a band who's biggest album came out a year after their original lead singer passed away

49 - Deftones

Hey vanity, this vile's empty, so are you

At number 49 is California alternative / nu-metal band, Deftones. They have a song called "U, U, D, D, L, R, L, R, A, B, Select, Start".

Wiki - Deftones is an American rock band from Sacramento, California, formed in 1988 consisting of Chino Moreno (lead vocals and guitar), Stephen Carpenter (guitar), Chi Cheng (bass), Frank Delgado (keyboards and turntables), and Abe Cunningham (drums and percussion).

Discography -

Adrenaline (1995)
Around the Fur (1997)
White Pony (2000)
Deftones (2003)
Saturday Night Wrist (2006)
Diamond Eyes (expected release May 4, 2010)
Eros (TBD)

Best Songs -

Bored
Root
7 Words
My Own Summer (Shove It)
Be Quiet and Drive
Around the Fur
Back to School (Mini Maggit)
Digital Bath
Change (In The House of Flies)
Passenger
Minerva
Hexagram
Hole in the Earth
Mein
Pink Cellphone
Diamond Eyes
Rocket Skates

Deftones were working on their upcoming sixth studio album Eros, writing songs since Fall 2007. On November 4, 2008, bassist Cheng was seriously injured in a car accident in Santa Clara, California. As a result of the injuries sustained in the crash, Cheng has remained in a minimally conscious state since that time. Following the accident, Cheng's bandmates and mother, Jeanne, began using the Deftones blog to post updates on Cheng's condition. On December 9, 2008, it was announced that Chi had been moved into the care of an unnamed hospital that "specializes in the care and management of traumatic and non-trauma related brain injuries".

In late January 2009, the band released a new statement, stating that "our fallen comrade has not yet made significant progress", and that friend of the band Sergio Vega (formerly of Quicksand) would be taking over as bassist in Cheng's absence, as he had done temporarily in 1998. On April 5, the band played their first show without Cheng (since 1998) at the Bamboozle Left Festival in Irvine, California. In May 2009, it was revealed that Chi Cheng is no longer in intensive care.

On June 23, 2009, Deftones announced on their official website that “Eros” will be delayed indefinitely.



next up: an artist who remixed an album with a Game Boy

50 - Vampire Weekend

Half of the ring lies here with me, and the other half's in the bottom of the sea

At number 50 is Vampire Weekend. You would think there would be more about them on Wikipedia than there is.

Wiki - Vampire Weekend is an American indie rock band from New York City, formed in 2006 and signed to XL Recordings.

Band Members -

Ezra Koenig – lead vocals, guitar
Rostam Batmanglij – producer, keyboards, guitar, backing vocals
Chris Tomson – drums, percussion, guitar
Chris Baio – bass guitar, backing vocals

Discography -

Vampire Weekend (2008)
Contra (2010)

Best Songs -

Mansard Roof
Oxford Comma
A-Punk
Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
Campus
Walcott
The Kids Don't Stand a Chance
Horchata
Holiday
Run
Cousins
Giving up the Gun
Diplomat's Son

VW's first CD was a breakthrough success and one of the best records of 2008. It excelled mostly in the shorter, catchy songs. Their second CD, Contra, is also very good, but is in ways, a mirror of it, as its strenghts are in the longer, mellower songs (Giving up the Gun, Diplomat's Son).

Now watch two vids by the guys, one on a song I'm sure you've heard, the other with a cameo by a bunch of famous ppl, including ROB MANNING!!!




next up: a band whose bassist was in a coma after a car accident

51 - Rush

Catch the mist, catch the myth
Catch the mystery, catch the drift

Rounding out the lower half of my top 100 (wow, I'm only halfway..?) is classic rock band, Rush. They are from Canada. As Eddie Vedder once said, they're are neighbors to the north, that means we're lower than you, and you're higher than us.

Wiki - Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. The band and its membership went through a number of re-configurations between 1968 and 1974, achieving their current form when Peart replaced original drummer John Rutsey in July 1974, two weeks before the group's first U.S. tour.

Since the release of the band's self-titled debut album in March 1974, Rush has become known for the instrumental skills of its members, complex compositions, and eclectic lyrical motifs drawing heavily on science fiction, fantasy, and libertarian philosophy, as well as addressing humanitarian, social, emotional, and environmental concerns.

Musically, Rush's style has changed over the years, beginning in the vein of blues-inspired heavy metal on their first album, then encompassing hard rock, progressive rock, and a period dominated by synthesizers. They have influenced various musical artists, including Metallica, Primus, and The Smashing Pumpkins as well as progressive metal bands such as Dream Theater, and Symphony X.

Discography -

Rush (1974)
Fly by Night (1975)
Caress of Steel (1975)
2112 (1976)*
A Farewell to Kings (1977)*
Hemispheres (1978)
Permanent Waves (1980)*
Moving Pictures (1981)*
Signals (1982)
Grace Under Pressure (1984)*
Power Windows (1985)
Hold Your Fire (1987)
Presto (1989)
Roll the Bones (1991)
Counterparts (1993)
Test for Echo (1996)
Vapor Trails (2002)
Feedback (2004)
Snakes & Arrows (2007)

*=best albums

Best Songs -

Working Man
Bastille Day
Closer to the Heart
Cinderella Man
Spirit of Radio
Freewill
Limelight
Red Barchetta
Tom Sawyer
YYZ
Subdivisions
Distant Early Warning
One Little Victory
Far Cry
Malignant Narcissism

Rush is a band that I feel no one can dislike. They're like a more accesible Pink Floyd. Still not sold? Well head on over to Greggzaun.com, and check out the Z-Tunes. Yeah. I thought so.



next up: oh man, i have to do 50 more of these...? (groans)

52 - The Gaslight Anthem

I always kinda sorta wished I looked like Elvis

New Jersey product, The Gaslight Anthem lands at number 52. I saw them and also witnessed Brian Klein deck a girl at the show. Totally on purpose. She was out cold. It was hilarious. (I'm exaggerating...except for the hilarious part)

Wiki - The Gaslight Anthem is an American punk rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey. They released their first album, Sink or Swim, on XOXO Records in May 2007, and their second album, The '59 Sound, on SideOneDummy Records in August 2008. The band will release their third album, and second SideOneDummy release, American Slang, on June 15, 2010. (Thanks Wikipedia...)

Band members
Brian Fallon - lead vocals, guitar (2005–present)
Alex Rosamilia - guitar, backing vocals (2005–present)
Alex Levine - bass, backing vocals (2005–present)
Benny Horowitz - drums, percussion, tambourine (2005–present)

Discography -

Sink or Swim (2007)
The '59 Sound (2008)
American Slang (Expected release: June 15th 2010)

Best Songs -

Boomboxes and Dictionaries
1930
Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts
Great Expectations
The '59 Sound
Old White Lincoln
High Lonesome
Miles Davis & The Cool
The Patient Ferris Wheel
Here's Looking at You, Kid
The Backseat
American Slang

Gaslight Anthem has drawn numerous comparisons to Bruce Springsteen, and it's pretty obvious why, particularly on the album The '59 Sound. In December 2008, eMusic named The '59 Sound the best album of 2008. NME rated it as the 47th best album of the year. The title track was number 62 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.

In July 2009, following Bruce Springsteen's guest appearances with the band at Glastonbury and Hyde Park, sales of the album increased by 200%.

Their upcoming title track has already leaked, and it shouldn't be long before the rest of the album does too.



next up: I Love You, Man

53 - The Killers

It started out with a kiss. How did it end up like this?

At number 53 is alternative rock band, The Killers. They are from Las Vegas, and their lead singer Brandon Flowers used to have a mustache.

Wiki - The Killers are an American rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2002. The band consists of Brandon Flowers (vocals, keyboards), Dave Keuning (guitar, vocals), Mark Stoermer (bass guitar, vocals) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums, percussion).

Part of the post-punk revival movement,[citation needed] The Killers draw their influences from music styles of the 1980s. The group's debut album, Hot Fuss (2004) brought the band mainstream success. The Killers' second album, Sam's Town, was released in 2006, and compilation album Sawdust containing B-sides, rarities, and new material, was released in 2007. Their third studio album, Day & Age, produced by Stuart Price, was released in 2008.

The band have sold over 5.0 million albums in the United States, over 4.5 million albums in the United Kingdom and over 15 million worldwide.

Discogrpahy

Hot Fuss (2004)
Sam's Town (2006)
Sawdust [B-Sides] (2007)
Day and Age (2009)

Best Songs

Jenny Was a Friend of Mine
Mr. Brightside
Somebody Told Me
All These Things That I've Done
Change Your Mind
When You Were Young
Read My Mind
Bones
Tranquilize
Shadowplay
All the Pretty Faces
Spaceman

The Killers didn't introduce the alternative style of rock music, but they sort of made it popular again. They were able to have breakthrough success with their album Hot Fuss, which had elements of The Strokes, Joy Division, and Pixies.



next up: a band I saw in our nation's capital

54 - The Shins

A thousand different versions of yourself

At number 54 is indie rock darlings, The Shins. If one were to do a list of the ten best voices on this countdown, The Shins' leadman, James Mercer, would definitely make the cut. So dreamy.

Wiki - The Shins are an American indie rock band comprising singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Russell Mercer, guitarist/bassist Dave Hernandez, Eric Johnson of the Fruit Bats, drummer Joe Plummer and bassist Ron Lewis. Their sound draws on several musical genres, including pop, alternative rock, alternative country, and folk. The Shins were formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but are now based in Portland, Oregon.

Discography

Oh, Inverted World (Sub Pop Records, 2001)
Chutes Too Narrow (Sub Pop Records, 2003) #86 (U.S.)
Wincing the Night Away (Sub Pop Records, 2007) #2 (U.S.)

Best Songs -

New Slang
Know Your Onion
Caring Is Creepy
So Says I
Kissing the Lipless
Fighting in a Stack
Sleeping Lessons
Australia
Phantom Limb
Turn on Me
Sea Legs

The Shins are the definition of chill music for me. They're great for when you've had a bad day, are feeling inquisitive, or just want to hear some good peaceful/thoughtful music.



next up: a band from Las Vegas

55 - P.O.S.

No matter the coast, we all toast
the same PBR

At number 55 is Minneapolis rapper, P.O.S. There's a very good chance you have not heard of him until right now or when I came back from spring break saying that I had seen him in Philly. I had earlier seen Muse in Philly that same break. Not too shabby.

Wiki - Stefon Alexander, better known by his stage name; P.O.S is an American rapper signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment and a founding member of Doomtree. P.O.S began as a punk rock musician. In high school, Alexander and his friends played punk shows in a band called "Om," in which he first came to be referred to as "Pissed Off Stef." The abbreviation has taken on various and indefinite meanings including, "Product of Society," "Promise of Stress," "Promise of Skill," "Plain Ole Stefon," and "Piece of Shit."

At first hostile to hip-hop, Alexander soon decided that rap was an alternative, valid method of expression. He began creating music that was increasingly influenced by the genre, despite having very little respect for mainstream rap.

Discography -

Ipecac Neat (2004) · Audition (2006) · Never Better (2009)

Best Songs -

Music For Shoplifting
Kidney Thief
Duct Tape
Half Cooked Concepts
Yeah Right
De La Souls
P.O.S. is Ruining My Life
Living Slightly Larger
Bleeding Hearts Club
Drumroll (We're All Thirsty)
Purexed
Goodbye
Low Light Low Life
Optimist (We Are Not for Them)

P.O.S is a founding member of the Doomtree Collective, a nine member group of MCs, Producers, and DJs. His First EPs (Dubbed "False Hopes") and debut album, Ipecac Neat were originally released exclusively through Doomtree. The album caught the attention of Rhymesayers Entertainment, who in 2004 signed him and re-released the album. Since that point, his solo albums have been jointly released By Doomtree and Rhymesayers.

P.O.S retains his punk rock influence in songs like "Kidney Thief", which contains a sample from "Out of Reach" by the now defunct band Baxter, and "De La Souls", which contains a sample from "Argyle" by the punk band The Bouncing Souls, but his music cannot easily be labeled. He has described his music as "rap to skateboard to". Using raw drum loops, punk rock bass guitar riffs and sharp wordplay, Alexander has crafted a style that is largely his own. In such songs as Kicking Knowledge in the Face, he rails against those "mainstream" rappers who obsess over material wealth. This is one of the reasons I have mad respect for him.

Two vids for P.O.S. One displaying his rap skills, the other giving testament to his uniqueness. Even Pearl Jam fans appreciate that cover, most of whom aren't big on hip-hop.




next up: a "THE" band! oh man I wonder how many of them there will be on this countdown.

56 - Franz Ferdinand

When I woke up tonight I said "I-I-I I'm gonna make somebody love me"

Franz Ferdinand clocks in at number 56. They are from Scotland. I saw them in Philly with my younger sister (they are a fave of her's) and their guitarist was on crutches, but still played. Got to respect that.

Wiki - Franz Ferdinand are a Scottish rock band that formed in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2002. The band is composed of Alex Kapranos (lead vocals and guitar), Bob Hardy (bass guitar), Nick McCarthy (rhythm guitar, keyboards and backing vocals) and Paul Thomson (drums, percussion and backing vocals).

The band first experienced chart success when their second single "Take Me Out" reached #3 in the UK Charts, followed by their debut album Franz Ferdinand which debuted on the UK album chart at #3. The band went on to win the 2004 Mercury Music Prize and two BRIT Awards in 2005 for Best British Group and Best British Rock Act. NME named Franz Ferdinand as their Album of the Year. From the album, three top-ten singles were released, "Take Me Out", "The Dark of the Matinée" and "This Fire". The band has also received several Grammy Award nominations.

Many believe that the band is named after the Austrian Archduke of the same name, whose assassination was a major factor in the outbreak of World War I. However, they chose the name after watching the racehorse Archduke Ferdinand win the 2001 Northumberland Plate.

Discography -

Franz Ferdinand (2004)
You Could Have It So Much Better (2005)
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (2009)

Best Songs -

Jacqueline
Take Me Out
Dark of the Matinee
This Fire
'40
The Fallen
Do You Want To?
Fade Together
Ulysses
No You Girls
Lucid Dreams

FF broke out in 2004 with their song (and Modest Mouse's "Float On") to cause radio rock to play more alternative rock than mainstream rock.



next up: a show I saw on spring break this year ... gotta be Muse, right?

57 - Ludacris

It's the knick-knack, patty-whack, still ridin' Cadillac

At number 57 is southern rapper, Ludacris. I like him better with the 'fro. That's why I picked the above picture.

Wiki - Christopher Brian Bridges (born September 11, 1977), better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings. Ludacris has sold 12 million albums in the United States and 24 million records sold worldwide. Ludacris has won the Screen Actors Guild, Critic's Choice, MTV, and Grammy Awards during his career.

Discography -

2000: Back for the First Time
2001: Word of Mouf
2003: Chicken-n-Beer
2004: The Red Light District
2006: Release Therapy
2008: Theater of the Mind
2010: Battle of the Sexes

Best Songs -

What's Your Fantasy?
Southern Hospitality
Rollout
Saturday (Oooh Oooh)
Area Codes
Move Bitch
Act A Fool
Stand Up
Splash Waterfalls
Blow it Out
Get Back
Number One Spot
The Potion
Money Maker
Runaway Love
Grew Up a Screw Up

Ludacris has a distinct flow that mainstream rap hasn't had in a long time. His rhymes are uniquely easy to follow but that doesn't mean they aren't well thought out. "We split like two pins at the end of a lane"



next up: a band who when I saw them had their guitarist resigned to crutches

58 - Jane's Addiction

All of us with wings!

At number 58 is Jane's Addiction. Their lead singer's name is Perry Farell, which is a play on the word peripheral.

Wiki - Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1985, the band's original lineup featured Perry Farrell (vocals), Dave Navarro (guitar), Eric Avery (bass) and Stephen Perkins (drums). After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001; both times with Avery declining to participate. In 2008, the band's "classic" line-up, featuring Avery, reunited and embarked on a world tour. Avery subsequently left the band in early 2010 as the group began work on new material.

Jane's Addiction was one of the first bands to emerge from the early 1990s alternative rock movement to gain mainstream media attention and commercial success in the United States. Their initial farewell tour launched the first Lollapalooza festival, an alternative rock showcase. As a result, Jane's Addiction became icons of what Farrell dubbed the "Alternative Nation". The band was ranked 35th on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock" list.

Discography -

Nothing's Shocking (1988)
Ritual de lo Habitual (1990)
Strays (2003)

Best Songs -

Ocean Size
Had a Dad
Mountain Song
Jane Says
Stop!
Been Caught Stealing
Three Days
Classic Girl
Just Because
True Nature

Jane's Addiction is one of the forefathers of the hard alternative rock subgenre, influencing bands such as Smashing Pumpkins, Incubus, Interpol. They have a distinct mix of hard rock with jamming alternative styles (almost "bro" elements), which turns out nicer than you may think. Throw in the talent of Dave Navarro at lead guitar and you have my 58th favorite artist.



next up: a man who has won both an Oscar and a Grammy.

59 - U2

Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride

At number 59 is Irish rock group, U2. They have been around for a very long time, and their last album might indicate that it could be time to hang 'em up soon.

Wiki - U2 are a rock band from Dublin, Ireland. The group consists of Bono (vocals and guitar), The Edge (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen, Jr. (drums and percussion).

The band formed at Mount Temple secondary school in 1976 when the members were teenagers with limited musical proficiency. Within four years, they signed to Island Records and released their debut album Boy. By the mid-1980s, they had become a top international act. They were more successful as a live act than they were at selling records, until their 1987 album The Joshua Tree, which, according to Rolling Stone, elevated the band's stature "from heroes to superstars".

Their 1991 album Achtung Baby and the accompanying Zoo TV Tour were a musical and thematic reinvention for the band. Reacting to their own sense of musical stagnation and a late-1980s critical backlash, U2 incorporated dance music and alternative rock influences into their sound and performances, abandoning their earnest image for a more ironic, self-deprecating tone. Similar experimentation continued for the remainder of the 1990s. Since 2000, U2 have pursued a more conventional sound, while maintaining influences from their previous musical explorations.

U2 have released 12 studio albums and are among the most critically and commercially successful groups in popular music. They have won 22 Grammy Awards, more than any other band, and they have sold more than 145 million records. In 2005, the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Rolling Stone magazine listed U2 at #22 in its list of the 100 greatest artists of all time. Throughout their career, as a band and as individuals, they have campaigned for human rights and philanthropic causes, including Amnesty International, the ONE Campaign, Product Red, Bono's DATA campaign, and The Edge's Music Rising.

Discography -

Boy (1980)
October (1981)
War (1983)
The Unforgettable Fire (1984)
The Joshua Tree (1987)*
Rattle and Hum (1988)
Achtung Baby (1991)*
Zooropa (1993)
Pop (1997)
All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000)*
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004)
No Line on the Horizon (2009)
* = best albums

Best Songs -

I Will Follow
Sunday Bloody Sunday
New Year's Day
Pride (In The Name of Love)
With or Without You
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Desire
Bullet the Blue Sky
Mysterious Ways
One
Beautiful Day
Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Vertigo
Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own
Magnificent

Bono is a great lead singer and the Edge's style of playing has been imitated by numerous followers. Without them, bands like Coldplay, Radiohead, Muse, etc. might have significantly sounded different. U2 has a long list of hit songs, which is a testament to how long they have been able to put out solid music. While I feel like their best work was in the 80's, I give them props for trying a new style in the 90's with Zooropa and Pop. Each of the 2000's albums have their bright spots too, specifically ATYCLB.



next up: a band that had a 12 year hiatus.

60 - Hot Hot Heat

This isn't "Goodnight", this is "Goodbye"

Starting the next bunch of 20 is Canadian alternative rock band, Hot Hot Heat, at number 60. Their lead singer has great hair.

Wiki - Hot Hot Heat is an indie band from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The band currently is composed of Steve Bays (vocals and keyboards), Paul Hawley (drums), Parker Bossley (bass) and Luke Paquin (guitar).

Discography -

Make Up the Breakdown (2002)
Elevator (2005)
Happiness Ltd. (2007)
Future Breeds (Expected release: June 1, 2010)

Best Songs -

Get In or Get Out
Bandages
Oh, Goddamnit
Talk to Me, Dance With Me
Save Us S.O.S.
Running Out of Time
Goodnight, Goodnight
Jingle Jangle
Pickin' It Up
Middle of Nowhere
Let Me In
Outta Heart
Give Up?

When someone asks me about Hot Hot Heat, I tell them that they're like the Killers, but with a better lead singer but not as good music. I've seen them in Baltimore, and they played decently live, but they definitely excel on studio albums. "Elevator" is clearly their best album, and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes the Killers, MGMT, the Bravery, or anything like that.

Now, watch a song I personally can relate to, and a great vid: MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

Hot hot heat- middle of nowhere
Uploaded by shades2006. - Explore more music videos.

next up: a band that's been around in the 80's, the 90's, and unfortunately the 00's.

Close But No Cigar

In compiling my list of 100 bands, I had to leave out some pretty good artists. However, I feel a bunch of them deserve recognition. Some on here would have been on the list, but I just recently discovered them, and thus they did not make the cut.
Bottom line, if you're looking forward to hear me do a piece on any of the following, it's unfortuanately not happening.

Anyway, in alphabetical order, here's those that just missed:

Alkaline Trio
Animal Collective
Atmosphere
Bad Religion
Bloodhound Gang
Bob Dylan
Buckethead
Chevelle
CKY
Common
Everclear
Fatboy Slim
The Flaming Lips
Fleet Foxes
Girl Talk
Grizzly Bear
Jack Johnson
Jay-Z
Jurassic 5
Keane
Kelly Clarkson
The Kooks
Less Than Jake
Lily Allen
Linkin Park
Lupe Fiasco
The Mars Volta
Minus the Bear
Mos Def
N.E.R.D.
Naughty By Nature
Oasis
Passion Pit
Phish
The Police
The Postal Service
The Ramones
Rancid
Rooney
Run-D.M.C.
The Secret Machines
The Sex Pistols
Snow Patrol
Social Distortion
Street Sweeper Social Club
Streetlight Manifesto
Sugar Ray
Temple of the Dog
Thrice
Transplants
A Tribe Called Quest
The Used
The Vines

61 - OutKast

What's cooler than being cool?

At number 61 is hip hop duo, OutKast. OutKast's debut album was released in 1994.

Wiki - OutKast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin (formerly known as Dré) and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as The OKB (The OutKast Brothers) but later changed the group's name to OutKast. The group's original musical style was a mixture of Dirty South and G-Funk. Since then, however, funk, soul, pop, electronic music, rock, spoken word poetry, jazz, and blues elements have been added to the group's musical palette.

The duo is one of the most successful hip-hop groups of all time, having received six Grammy Awards. Over 25 million copies have been sold of OutKast's eight releases: six studio albums, a greatest hits release, and the Grammy Award-winning (for Best Album) Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, a double album containing a solo album from each member. Along with their commercial success, OutKast has maintained an experimental approach in their music and are widely praised for their originality and artistic content.

Discography -

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (1994)
ATLiens (1996)
Aquemini (1998)
Stankonia (2000)
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003)
Idlewild (2006)
Outkast 7th Album (expected release 2010)

Best Songs

Myintrotoletuknow
Git Up Git Out
ATLiens
Elevators
Rosa Parks
So Fresh So Clean
Ms Jackson
B.O.B.
The Whole World
GhettoMusick
The Way You Move
Prototype
Hey Ya!
Roses
Idlewild Blue

OutKast brings the real rap flavor to the mainstream hip-hop. They've been out of the mainstream for a few years, and with the current state of hip-hop, I really wish they would get back in the airwaves. As much hype as 2003's Speakerboxxx/Love Below got, it really is without a doubt one of the best albums I own. Like if one were to make a top 50 albums blog post... I'd say it'd be on it. B.O.B. is by far their best song, and on many magazines' top songs of the decade, including #1 on Pitchfork.

And now, performing for you live, johnny vultre, benjamin andre, dookie on drums, possum jenkins, and andre ice cold 3000. Ladies and gents, I give you, the love below.


next up: Canadiens

MLB 2010 Preview

So maybe music isn't your thing. Well too bad, but anyway don't worry, I still blog things other than bands you should probably be listening to.

Well it's finally baseball season again. We all know how last season ended. Even better, we all remember how 2008 ended.



Yeah.

Anyway.

We also remember how 2007 ended.



So how will 2010 end? Here is the early read on how I see it going down.

NL EAST

1. Phillies - The 3-time division champs added one of the best pitchers in baseball in the offseason as well as an offensive upgrade at 3rd base. Ultimately, it will come down to how well Cole Hamels and Brad Lidge respond to their down years' last year. I think Cole is going to have a great year and Lidge will settle somewhere between his '08 and '09 forms. Of course that's the biggest gap in Philadelphia ever. Even Michael Vick could probably throw a ball in that whole.

2. Braves - They added names like Glaus and Cabrera, and brought up phenom Jason Heyward to bolster their lineup, which was clearly their weak point the past two years. Their rotation is sick, and just beats out the Marlins' for best in the division. However, they got rid of both closers they had last year and brought in Billy Wagner, which I guess is because they needed to fill the douchebag quota.

3. Mets - Jason Bay brings some power back to the lineup. But having the Mets here I realize is a gamble, because on paper they have a better team than the Marlins (maybe even the Braves) but you can almost bank on the fact that something's going to go wrong for them. Whether it's injuries, bad management, or um, failing to realize September is still part of baseball season, something will most likely go wrong.

4. Marlins - Their rotation is deep, lead by Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco. Hanley Ramirez won the batting title last year and is always a threat to win it this year as well. The Marlins will probably overachieve for most of the year, and don't be surprised if they are in first mid-July. However, inevitably by then their fanbase will multiply tenfold and the team will likely not know how to play in front of hundreds of people.

5. Nationals - Stephen Strasburg is good.


NL Central

1. Cardinals — After being unceremoniously bounced from the playoffs last season by the Dodgers, the Cardinals come in to 2010 with the best player in the game (Albert Pujols) and two of the best pitchers in baseball heading the rotation (Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright.) Look for them to challenge the Phillies for the best record in the league and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

2. Cubs - The Cubs have a solid rotation with Zambrano/Lilly/Dempster/Wells. Assuming injuries don't ravage the team once again, the Cubs will have all the motivation in the world to at least go down fighting in the NL Central race this season. With just a few years left of Ramirez and Lee at their peaks, Chicago needs to hurry if they want to take advantage of the two outstanding players. And if things go poorly, just wait for Sweet Lou to make things interesting in the media.

3. Reds - The Reds have a nice core of talent in Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, and Brandon Phillips. Harang/Arroyo/Cueto are nothing to get too excited about, and their a lot of their pitching depends on how Edinson Volquez performs coming back from surgery. If he can return to '08 form, don't be surprised to see them contend for the wild card. Aroldis Chapman can't hurt either, right?

4. Brewers - Braun/Fielder are probably the best 3/4 in the NL, but after that the lineup is not good. They had trouble scoring runs last year, and now are without Mike Cameron and JJ Hardy. That means their relying on Corey Hary and Carlos Gomez for timely hitting, which usually isn't a good thing. Also, their rotation after Gallardo is a mess. But at least there's Little Mac and King Hippo to delight fans, so that's nice.

5. Astros - irrelevant.

6. Pirates - even more irrelevant.



NL West

1. Rockies - The Rockies caught fire when Jim Tracy took over and snuck into the playoffs by winning the NL Wild Card. This season, they will have an offense led by proven veterans and talented youngsters looking to prove that last season was no accident. They need their ace, Ubaldo Jimenez, to continue making strides, especially with a bullpen full of questions.

2. Dodgers - If the Dodgers are going to find success in 2010, they will need to rely upon their two up and coming outfielders, Matt Kemp and Andre Either. If these two can continue to put up a combined 50 plus home runs and 200 RBI’s, they will ease the pressure on Manny Ramirez, James Loney and others. Apparently Vincente Padilla is their opening day starter, so it's good to see this club has a good judge of talent.

3. Giants - It's a very competitive division and I think the Giants will be the team on the outside looking out again this year. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain should each have great years, and Brian Wilson is a reliable closer. While it it's cool to watch Kung Fu Panda swing the bat, he would see better production if the Giants had someone else besides Aubrey Huff and Mark DeRosa batting behind him.

4. D-backs - Dan Haren's good.

5. Padres - Adrian Gonzalez is good.


AL East

1. Yankees - They added Curtis Granderson and Javier Vasquez in the offseason (both solid moves). They have the best lineup in baseball (Jeter, Teixeira, A-Rod, etc), despite what Buster Olney thinks. CC is a workhorse and the rotation of him AJ Burnett, Andy Pettite, and Vasquez is as good as any in the AL. The bullpen may have small issues, but Mariano Rivera is as consistent as the nightly news. Honestly, there's no reason to think this team isn't better than it was last year.

2. Red Sox - Their rotation is stacked with Lester, Beckett and newcomer John Lackey. I really like the moves they made offensively in the offseason for Beltre and Scutaro. Youkilis and Victor Martinez will provide the pop while Pedroia and Ellsbury will continue to set the table nicely. Their bullpen, as per usual, is top notch.

3. Rays - I think they are the third best team in the AL, but that doesn't mean anything. However, if something goes awry for one of the above, don't think for a second the Rays won't take advantage of it and surpass them. Their young stars Longoria, Zobrist, Garza, and Shields will each have solid years, while Crawford and Pena will be extra motivated to win now in their contract years.

4. Blue Jays - They lost one of the game's best pitchers (Roy Halladay), still don't have a closer, and play in the game's toughest division. The lineup is filled with young talent, namely Adam Lind, Aaron Hill, and Travis Snider - all of which have the ability to hit 25-30 home runs. Shaun Marcum is coming off surgery and Ricky Romero is the only certainty in a depleted rotation.

5. Orioles - Kevin Millwood is their opening day starter. The lineup is filled with young stars (Reimold, Weiters) but they are all one year away from making any impact. Thus, look for no impact to be made. Markakis, Roberts, and Jones are solid, but that doesn't really matter since they basically need to score 10 runs a game with their rotation, coupled with the power of other teams in their division.


AL Central

1. White Sox - It was a deep pitching staff that helped the Chicago White Sox capture a World Series title in 2005, and the club is hoping that the addition of ace Jake Peavy will give them the depth to do it again. The 2007 N.L. Cy Young Award winner joins Mark Buehrle to make up one of the best one-two punches in baseball at the top of the rotation, along with Danks and Floyd. If Carlos Quentin and Alex Rios can find their swings, the White Sox could certainly win their second division title in the last three years.

2. Twins - Minnesota doesn’t have the star power in its starting rotation that the White Sox and the Tigers have, but it proved last season that it didn’t need a top flight pitcher to win the division. Minnesota’s lineup is one of the best in the league with Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau leading the way as perennial MVP candidates. If their pitching sucks and they need someone to throw, look for Brett Favre to not have his mind made up by August. However he'll likely throw an interception in the playoffs somehow, just like old times.

3. Tigers - Detroit let an opportunity to win the A.L. Central slip away last season when it blew a three-game lead with four games to play. Now the Tigers will have to try to win a division crown without Curtis Granderson, Edwin Jackson and Placido Polanco, which will be no easy task. Still, a division title is not out of the question if ace Justin Verlander is even nearly as good as he was last season and if Rick Porcello and Max Scherzer build on solid campaigns.

4. Royals - Zack Grienke is good.

5. Indians - Um, LeBron James is still in Cleveland as of today.


AL West

1. Mariners - In what should be the most interesting division race this year, I think the Mariners finally broke through. In acquiring P Cliff Lee from Philadelphia to join Felix Hernandez, the Mariners should have one of the better rotations in the AL. They have a solid bull pen and a proven closer in David Aardsma. Defensively they are solid from top to bottom and the addition of Figgins from the Angels to go along with Ichiro Suzuki, this should help to improve their ability to score runs.

2. Rangers - This is of course banking that new additio Vlad, Josh Hamilton, Michael Young and Ian Kinsler stay healthy. They did add P Rich Harden to go along with Scott Feldman in the starting rotation, but question marks in their bull pen have yet to be answered. Offensively they should be fine, as Kinsler and Young should set the table well for Vlad, Hamiton, Chris Davis and the still somehow underrated Nelson Cruz.

3. Angles - The Angels may have taken a step or two backwards since last year with the loss of P John Lackey and 3B Chone Figgens. They still have a very strong starting rotation led by Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders and have a solid closer in Brain Fuentes. To add some power to the lineup they brought in Hideki Matsui to go along with Bobby Abreu and Kendry Morales. They still have enough talent to win the West, but with the other teams closing the gap it will not be nearly as easy.

4. Athletics - Check out Michael Taylor, former Phillies prospect. He's good.


Very early playoff predictions:

NL
East - Phillies
Cent - Cardinals
West - Rockies
Wild Card - Dodgers

NL Champs - Phillies

AL
East - Yankees
Cent - White Sox
West - Mariners
Wild Card - Red Sox

AL Champs - Yankees

World Series Champs

yeah... too early.

62 - Wolfmother

Nothing's quite what it seems in the city of dreams

At numero 62 is Australian hard rock band, Wolfmother. Wolfmother makes it no secret that they are influenced heavily by Led Zeppelin, and their work is clearly remniniscent of late 60's rock.

Wiki - Wolfmother are an Australian hard rock band that formed in Erskineville, Sydney in 2000. Originally a trio comprising vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskett, the band released their debut self-titled album in October 2005, which reached number three on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart. The album was also a critical success, winning the 2005 J Award and 2006 ARIA Awards for Best Breakthrough Album and Best Rock Album. "Woman", a single from the album, won the band their first Grammy Award, for Best Hard Rock Performance, in 2007.

In August 2008, co-founding members Ross and Heskett left the band due to "irreconcilable personal and musical differences," after which Stockdale vowed to continue using the Wolfmother moniker with new members in the future. After a brief hiatus, Stockdale returned with a new four-piece band in January 2009 featuring bassist and keyboardist Ian Peres, rhythm guitarist Aidan Nemeth and drummer Dave Atkins. The new lineup's first album (entitled Cosmic Egg) was released on 23 October 2009.

Discography -

Wolfmother (2005)
Cosmic Egg (2009)

Best Songs -

Dimension
White Unicorn
Woman
Where Eagles Have Been
Joker and the Thief
Colossal
Pyramid
Love Train
Back Round
New Moon Rising

Wolfmother's self-titled album is one of the best rock albums of the 2000's. If you like real rock at ALL, you must listen to that album. The two tracks from Cosmic Egg are worth checking out too, but the album just didn't do it for me.



next up: the best pure rap duo forever. forever ever? for ever ever?

63 - Gnarls Barkley

And you can stand right there if you want
But I’m going on

At number 63 is Gnarls Barkley, which have no affiliation with the former basketball player/analyst. As Frank Caliendo would say, he's turrble.

Wiki - Gnarls Barkley is an American musical group collaboration between multi-instrumentalist and producer Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) from New York, and rapper/vocalist Cee-Lo Green (Thomas Callaway), from Atlanta. Their first album, St. Elsewhere, was released in 2006; it and their first hit, "Crazy", were major commercial successes, and were noted for their large sales by download. The duo released their second album, The Odd Couple, in March 2008.

Discography -

St. Elsewhere (2006)
The Odd Couple (2008)

Best Songs -

Go-Go Gadget Gospel
Crazy
Smiley Faces
Gone Daddy Gone
Who Cares?
Who's Gonna Save My Soul?
Going On
Run (I'm a Natural Disaster)
A Little Better

Gnarles Barkley's "Crazy" was a breakthrough success for the duo, but they unfortunately have had repeated success with other singles. Which is too bad, because while Crazy is really good, they have far better songs. All of their videos are worth checking out, particularly the one below. It's exclusion from certain people's top 40 music video posts is absurd... Kind of makes you want to write a letter to the editor, or something.




next up: a band that spotted a girl and told the world that she was a female.