Poco

Song: "In the Heart of the Night"
Artist: Poco
Album: 20th Century Masters

I currently have the privilege of working PR for this awesome, classic country rock band. Rusty Young and Paul Cotton can still churn out great music and their harmonies are timeless.

The Coal Men

Song: "Natural Wonder"
Artist: The Coal Men
Album: Beauty Is a Moment

I had the privelege of doing some tour press for this band, and I'm hoping they release their next album some time soon....Dave Coleman is an amazing singer and songwriter, and this band is incredibly talented. Is that enough adjectives? Go check them out.

Ian McGlynn

Song: "Play Dead"
Artist: Ian McGlynn
Album: This Is the Sound

I saw this singer/songwriter open a songwriter's round last night and while I had heard his music before, was just blown away by this new song. There is a chord change in the chorus that will hit you in the gut and give you goose bumps...trust me, it did that to me last night and it's doing it after I downloaded the track. Ian McGlynn is awesome and needs to be heard!

Rogue Wave

Song: "Salesman at the Day of the Parade"
Artist: Rogue Wave
Album: Descended Like Vultures

Rogue Wave is one of my favorite under the radar bands....they have that moody, alt-rock that feels very west coast, or maybe Northwest. I'm not sure why they are under the radar, other than the fact that I dig their music, because their songs are amazing.

Live Forever

Song: "Live Forever"
Artist: Oasis
Album: Definitely Maybe

It's funny, but whenever most people think of the band Oasis, they think of the Gallagher brothers and their penchant for beating the crap out of each other on and off the stage. But somehow they have managed to make great music over the years, and this was one of their early hits that, to me, defines non-grunge '90's modern rock.

Joseph Arthur

Song: "Nuclear Daydream"
Artist: Joseph Arthur
Album: Nuclear Daydream

I'm sure I've posted about Joseph Arthur before, because I just think he's awesome. He's one of my favorite singer/songwriters, along with Josh Rouse and Pete Yorn and John Mayer.

Temple of the Dog

Song: "Hunger Strike"
Artist: Temple of the Dog
Album: Temple of the Dog

This group was a "supergroup" of sorts with members of Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots, and it sounds so incredibly early '90s. It's hard ot believe we're talking almost 20 years ago for the birth of grunge.

Scott Stepakoff

Song: "Things Like That"
Artist: Scott Stepakoff
Album: Red Light Turns Green

This is what is wrong with Nashville's music scene. My buddy Scott, who is a songwriter with a publishing deal, has been toiling away for a few years without a cut. But if you heard this or some of his other stuff, you'll scratch your head and wonder why. Somebody needs to cut this song, because it's so much better than most of the crap coming out of this fine city. Seriously, there is too much politics and other stuff in the music industry, and it keeps great music from reaching our ears. I just had to say it!

Early Lifehouse

Song: "Everything"
Artist: Lifehouse
Album: No Name Face

The first Lifehouse album is still the best one to me. After that, the radio and studio folks got a hold of them and commercialized the crap out of some good songs. This first album is brooding and awesome, especially on tracks like this one.

The Damnwells

Song: "Hearbreaklist"
Artist: The Damnwells
Album: Air Stereo

The Damnwells have a new album for free download on Paste Magazine's website, but their last full studio album, Air Stereo, which came out a couple years back, is my favorite of theirs and one of the best rock albums of all-time.

The Pretender

Song: "The Pretender"
Artist: Jackson Browne
Album: The Pretender

To me, this is one of the greatest songs in rock history. Jackson Browne manages to pen an anthem for the working class with unbelievable heart and soul, and his instantly recognized vocal is perfect to deliver it.

Steve Perry

Song: "You Better Wait"
Artist: Steve Perry
Album: Steve Perry Greatest Hits

I was a huge Journey fan back in the day, and I remember when this solo album from Steve Perry came out, I think around 1994....this song was like vintage Journey, and then I saw him in concert, and he was just amazing. What is this guy doing now besides collecting royalties?

The Fray Take 2

Song: "Ungodly Hour"
Artist: The Fray
Album: The Fray

I'm reviewing the new album by The Fray for Bullz-Eye.com today, and while I do like this band a lot, the songs on this album are pretty much an extension of their debut from a few years back.
You hipsters will want to run from it, but the rest of you will find something to like here.

Still

Song: "Still"
Artist: Matt Nathanson
Album: Some Mad Hope

Matt Nathanson has always been a great artist, but his career took a leap when he signed with Vanguard Records a few years back. This is his best album by far and he's one of the good artists you need to check out, not the over-hyped stuff from the Grammys the other night.

Dan Wilson

Song: "Breathless"
Artist: Dan Wilson
Album: Free Life

Dan Wilson was the lead singer of Semisonic, who you probably remember from that ubiquitous hit from 10 or so years ago, "Closing Time." The band may almost be classified as a one-hit wonder, because they kind of were. But that doesn't mean they didn't have other great songs. And Wilson, who has done great as a songwriter for the likes of The Dixie Chicks, released this awesome solo album back in 2007.

I'll Get By

Song: "I'll Get By"
Artist: Eddie Money
Album: The Essential Eddie Money

This has always been one of my favorite guily pleasures. It's a breakup song that has a hint of hopeful tone in it, but it's just really well-written and heartfelt.

The Day Begins

Song: "The Day Begins"
Artist: The Moody Blues
Album: Days of Future Passed

This album is one of my all-time favorites, released in 1967 but still timeless. It's the story of a whole day in the life of a person, but with incredible songs with incredible melodies and an orchestra to back it all up. You all know "Nights in White Satin," but that's the closer on this amazing record. Anyway, I chose this song because it's a cold morning here in Nashville as I write my post.

Alternate Routes

Song: "Desdemona"
Artist: The Alternate Routes
Album: A Sucker's Dream

This is one of my favorite bands, and another that many of you have never heard of. These guys write amazing pop/rock songs, and are another act that is a throwback to the '70's, when melody ruled. I'm reviewing their new album, which is due out soon, on Bullz-Eye.com. Go check these guys out.

Mind Games

Song: "Mind Games"
Artist: John Lennon
Album: Lennon Legend

Here is another great John Lennon song that only recenlty became available digitally. Can you tell I love '70's music?

Strange Days

Song: "Strange Days"
Artist: Matthew Good Band
Album: Beautiful Midnight

Some artists are so compelling and you don't quite know why. Matthew Good is one of those artists to me, and his songs are just so dark and amazing at the same time, that it's not really a stretch to know why he's compelling. And this album is one of my favorites of all-time by any artist.