Classic Case

Song: "Sub Rosa"
Artist: Classic Case
Album: Dress To Depress

This is one of those "album rock" bands that the modern rock genre sort of morphed into over the last several years. But for whatever reason, this band's music remains in my iTunes because it's really good....melodic yet heavy, and just plain good.

I Am a Rock

Song: "I Am a Rock"
Artist: Simon & Garfunkel
Album: The Essential Simon & Garfunkel

These guys were/are one of the most dynamic duos in pop music history. The melodies, lyrics and arrangements are timeless.

Digby

Song: "Too Late"
Artist: Digby
Album: Falling Up

This is one of those under the radar rock bands that just writes infectious-as-hell pop/rock stuff. I'm not sure what they are currently up to, but this album is full of really cool songs.

Help Me

Song: "Help Me"
Artist: Joni Mitchell
Album: Court and Spark

This was Joni Mitchell's big hit but she has a huge fan base in the folk world. Joni also has one of the most recognizable voices in pop music....it's a deep, sultry, jazz-tinged style of vocal and it's simply awesome.

Jay Johnson

Song: "Blind Faith"
Artist: Jay Johnson
Album: Yellow

I met this dude when I moved to Nashville and we did some work together and some shows together. Jay isn't making much music anymore, but he should be....dude is just so talented. This album is available on iTunes, so you should go grab it.

Lead Machine

Song: "Lead Machine"
Artist: The Film
Album: Rolling EP

It's kind of funny....I became a fan of this band a few years back after hearing this song on an online radio station, and went out and bought the EP and then reviewed it on Bullz-Eye.com. A few years later, I'm watching "American Idol" and find out contestant Michael Johns was the lead singer of this very band. I bet sales of this music spiked after that fact was leaked out to the press!

Overkill

Song: "Overkill"
Artist: Men at Work
Album: Men at Work: Super Hits

This song always reminds me of spring. Maybe it's because I remember it being released in the spring of 1983, but it also has a warm weather feel for whatever reason. Either way, this is one of my favorite Men at Work songs.

I Wanna Stay Home

Song: "I Wanna Stay Home"
Artist: Jellyfish
Album: Bellybutton

This song is for all of you who want to stay home today and watch basketball! Well, there's always www.ncaa.com where you can stream the games for free on your computer. Have fun!

Let the Games Begin

Song: "All is a Game"
Artist: Nada Surf
Album: The Weight Is a Gift

Nada Surf had an amazing comeback the last few albums, and I'm glad they did. This is a great song from their latest album, and appropriate since the NCAA basketball tournament kicks off in a few hours.

Bread

Song: "Everything I Own"
Artist: Bread
Album: Baby, I'm a Want You

Everyone has to own some guilty pleasures, right? Well, Bread is one of mine. This might be considered wuss-rock, but I don't care. The melodies David Gates and company created some three decades ago still stand the test of time.

This World Fair

Song: "Drama"
Artist: This World Fair
Rasmussen Rocks Vol. 2

Great music isn't always easy to find. I came across this band by way of the Rasmussen Rocks compilation, something my own clients were asked to be on last year, put together by an old friend who works at Rasmussen College in Florida. This song stood out to me as being really something special, and I'm making it a point to find out more about the band.

A Perfect Circle

Song: "Weak and Powerless"
Artist: A Perfect Circle
Album: Thirteenth Step

Since my taste in music runs along pop/rock circles, heavy alternative band A Perfect Circle is not typical of what I like. But I love this band....their songs are all dark and melodic and awesome.

Cry

Song: "Cry"
Artist: The Sundays
Album: Static & Silence

Ah, this album is one of my all-time favorites....and I know I write that a lot, but I do have a lot of them. It's one of those albums I can listen to from beginning to end, and I'm not even trying to be cliche about it!

Just The Wind

Song: "Just the Wind"
Artist: Down The Line
Album: Home Alive

I have had the privelege of working with this awesome Chicago band, and quartet with amazing vocal harmonies and really great songs. Check them out, you won't be disappointed.

Prime Time

Song: "Prime Time"
Artist: The Tubes
Album: 20th Century Masters

Most people remember this '80's band from their huge hit, "She's a Beauty," but I remember this song more. It came out I believe in the late '70's and was a modest radio hit, and in my opinion one of the more underrated great songs in pop history.

Gemma Hayes

Song: "Summers In Doubt"
Artist: Gemma Hayes
Album: Let a Good Thing Go EP

I had reviewed one of Gemma's albums a few years back and then didn't hear anything about her. So I did what probably many of you do...I scoured iTunes for more recent stuff she's done, and found this gem, which I believe was released a while back but that I hadn't heard. Great, great stuff.

Romans Go Home

Song: "And Suddenly"
Artist: Romans Go Home
Album: Romans Go Home

My buddy Michael Seifert had this amazing band back in the late '90's, and while dude has a very successful recording studio in Cleveland, Ohio, I think he underestimates how awesome he was as an artist. The songs are catchy and brooding alt-rock, but it's his voice that is really special.

China Crisis

Song: "Gift of Freedom"
Artist: China Crisis
Album: Flaunt The Imperfection

This was one of those quirky pop bands in the '80's that I absolutely loved, especially this album. And their songs only recently became available digitally.

Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Song: "The Impression That I Get"
Artist: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
20th Century Masters

This band is somewhat of a one-hit wonder...well, no, they ARE a one-hit wonder. Remember ska? That jangly, horn-infused genre of the late '90's? These guys epitomized it, but really, this song is awesome.

Awful Age

Song: "Awful Age"
Artist: The Sheila Divine
Album: New Parade

This is one of my favorite albums of all-time and you if you haven't heard this band, which I think is no longer together, go grab this digitally. The Sheila Divine's lead singer has an absolute monster voice and the songs on this are beautiful in a brooding, rainy day sort of way.

David Fagin

Song: "Dust"
Artist: David Fagin
Album: For Promotional Use Only

David Fagin was the singer for pop/rock band The Rosenbergs back in the late '90's, early 00's, and he has a knack for writing infectious, moody alt-pop stuff. Check this album out, it's got some killer songs.

The Calling

Song: "Adrienne"
Artist: The Calling
Album: Camino Palmero

I guess this band was somewhat of a one-hit wonder, because this is the only song I remember from them after which they faded away. Well, maybe they're still out there making music, but this was their one big radio song, about 10 years ago.