Maybe It Was Memphis

Song: "Maybe It Was Memphis"
Artist: Pam Tillis
Album: Put Yourself in My Place

After spending a rain-soaked day in Memphis with my wife and friends to see the New York Mets play, eat some ribs and watch some music on Beale Street, it's worth mentioning this song by Pam Tillis. I don't have a ton of country music in my iTunes, but this is one of my favorite tunes in the genre or in any genre.

Graham Colton

Song: "Jessica"
Artist: Graham Colton
Album: Graham Colton

Great debut album from this artist who for whatever reason still hasn't broken out huge. He's got smart, edgy pop songs along the lines of Matchbox Twenty.....a crowded genre, sure, but few of those artists that are similar write songs this good.

Fishbone

Song: "Freddy's Dead"
Artist: Fishbone
Album: Truth and Soul

These guys just oozed cool (ooze, if they are still together!).....this song is funky, heavy, and catchy all at the same time, and one of my faves from the late '80's.

In Pursuit

Song: "In Pursuit"
Artist: The Rosenbergs
Album: Mission: You

I interviewed singer David Fagin of The Rosenbergs a few years ago for Bullz-Eye.com, and while I'm now reviewing his solo record, I thought it was worth mentioning this gem of a song from that Rosenbergs release. Great indie pop stuff.

Todd

Song: "Cold Morning Light"
Artist: Todd Rundgren
Album: Something/Anything?

Is there a more distinguished sound/voice in pop/rock music as Todd Rundgren's? I mean, he had some incredible songs in the '70's and maybe the '80's, songs that are etched in our culture and are, well, amazing. This is a lesser known track I recently came across...the beauty of iTunes is that you can rediscover some favorite artists and grab a song for 99 cents.

Ten Years Gone

Song: "Ten Years Gone"
Artist: Led Zeppelin
Album: Physical Graffiti

When all is said and done, and with all of the great Led Zeppelin albums and songs, I think the songs on Physical Graffiti are almost as good as the songs on the self-titled fourth album. Along with this one, I also love "Kashmir," "The Rover," and "Trampled Under Foot." Amazing, amazing stuff, and I never get sick of hearing Jimmy Page play his Les Paul.

Sweet Pea

Song: "Sweet Pea"
Artist: Amos Lee
Album: Supply and Demand

I think I wrote about Amos Lee's new album yesterday and it reminded me about this song that he released on his last record that has garnered national attention from a TV commercial. It's also my son's favorite song, along with "Rubber Duckie" and "C is for Cookie."

Kid

Song: "Kid"
Artist: Amos Lee
Album: Last Days at the Lodge

I'm lucky enough to work in the music business, because I receive advances of great music all the time. Case in point, Amos Lee's latest, Last Days at the Lodge, and this song, which is already one of my faves of 2008. This guy is just awesome.

Driver's Seat

Song: "Driver's Seat"
Artist: Sniff & The Tears
Album: Fickle Heart

My older brother listened to a lot of what I thought was weird music back in the day, and when he told me about Sniff & The Tears, I started laughing at the name. Then I heard it, and loved it, especially this first single. And I was happy when I finally came across it digitally. Great stuff, and great memories.

Green

Song: "Green"
Artist: ViV
Album: Flawed

I had the pleasure of repping this San Francisco band a few years back, and this album still ranks very high on my all-time faves. The band is not together anymore, which kind of sucks, but that doesn't mean you can't still look for this album and purchase it, because, trust me, it's pretty amazing. And this is the perfect song title for St. Paddy's Day.

Burlap

Song: "Eileen's Song"
Artist: Burlap To Cashmere
Album: Anybody Out There?

This is a really great, breezy song with pretty melody and nice harmonies. Unfortunately the group didn't do much, and from what I remember this was the only song that stood out on the record. But it's totally worth grabbing the download for 99 cents.

Wayne

Song: "Take Me Home"
Artist: Wayne
Album: Music On Plastic

I don't know what ever happened to this Birmingham band but I absolutely loved this album, which came out about five years ago. I'll have to do some digging now and report back!

Invent

Song: "Invent"
Artist: Peter Searcy
Album: Could You Please and Thank You

Since SXSW is going on right now, I'll mention this song by an artist I first discovered at SXSW in Austin back in 2000. He's still making music, but in my opinion this was Peter Searcy's best album, and this was the best song on that album.

Daughtry

Song: "Breakdown"
Artist: Daughtry
Album: Daughtry

Chris Daughtry should have won "American Idol" a couple years ago, but the fact that he didn't may have helped his career even more. His album sold millions of copies and he's having almost as much success as Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood, and definitely more than Taylor Hicks, who won the same season. Anyway, it's been played out like crazy, but this album is really good.

Ladyfingers

Song: "Ladyfingers"
Artist: Luscious Jackson
Album: Electric Honey

Jill Cunniff released a solo album last year, but a few years before that she was in a group called Luscious Jackson. This was that band's most recognizable song, and it's still a favorite of mine.

Rogue Wave

Song: "Chicago X 12"
Artist: Rogue Wave
Album: Asleep at Heaven's Gate

I love love love this band. I saw them at SXSW in 2006, and their latest album is their best yet....it's just beautiful alterna-pop that you'll feel cool listening to, but that people won't think you're weird for listening to either.

Late

Song: "Late"
Artist: Ben Folds
Album: Songs For Silverman

I'm a huge fan of Ben's, and while his favorite album of mine is the Ben Folds Five release, Whatever & Ever Amen, there were a few songs on this more recent release that stood out, including this one.

A Perfect Circle

Song: "Orestes"
Artist: A Perfect Circle
Album: Mer de Noms

This is one of my favorite albums, though not typically the kind of stuff I like. It's brooding, dark, alternative, grungy rock that just somehow delivers as powerfully as any heavy rock album ever has. At least to me.

Louque

Song: "Art"
Artist: Louque
Album: So Long

I think this dude went by a band name, and I'm not sure if he's done anything since this album came out....but I have two of the songs from it in my iTunes and it's pretty cool, ambient alt-pop.