Robbie Dupree

Song: "Hot Rod Hearts"
Artist: Robbie Dupree
Album: Robbie Dupree

Yeah, this one makes me a bit of a nerd.....because Robbie Dupree's cheesy-ish early 80s sound and sugary pop music pretty much signify a guilty pleasure. But it's so good that you can't help but like it. Go ahead...find me a catchier pop song.....especially one with such impressive guitar work.

Jag Star

Song: "Disguise"
Artist: Jag Star
Album: The Best Impression Of Sanity

This unsigned band from Knoxville, Tennessee sent me their album to review on Bullz-Eye.com recently. Keep an eye on them.....they remind me of that new-ish band Stefy from California, as well as maybe Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson and No Doubt rolled into one. They've got some really good songs, the key to success for any band.

The Feeling

Song: "Sewn"
Artist: The Feeling
Album: Twelve Stops & Home

This British band released their debut on Interscope Records earlier this year, and it's bordering on stunning. This is a really good band that writes great songs and should be more of a household name than they are right now. Time will tell, but do yourself a favor and check them out if you haven't already.

Best Friend

Song: "You're My Best Friend"
Artist: Queen
Album: A Night At The Opera

Queen is probably better known for songs that came later in their career, but this first single of theirs maintains the test of time because it's melodic as hell and has a great universal message: friendship. Not only that, Freddie Mercury sings his ass off, and Brian May adds some unbelievable harmony guitar parts. All in all, a true classic.

Marc Cohn

Song: "Walk Through The World"
Artist: Marc Cohn
Album: The Rainy Season

Marc Cohn is best known for his hit, "Walking In Memphis," but that certainly wasn't his only good song. A few years later, Cohn released this album and this song was the first single. It's not the greatest song ever, but it's good, catchy piano rock and features Cohn's smoky vocals.

The Background

Song: "The Background"
Artist: Third Eye Blind
Album: Third Eye Blind

The debut album from this California based rock band cemented them as one of the best bands of the late nineties, but they never quite equaled the magic of this particular release. Lead singer Stephen Jenkins started dating Vanessa Carlton and the cool factor of this band seemed to go up in smoke. But that doesn't mean this album isn't still magical. And in particular, once you get past the hits like "How's It Gonna Be?" and "Jumper" and "Semi-Charmed Life," you get to four songs at the end of the album that are so depressing and beautiful and powerful all at the same time, including this one.

Toto

Song: "Takin' It Back"
Artist: Toto
Album: Toto

I remember first hearing the song "Hold The Line" and being like, "Who IS this?" It was the late seventies, and I remember also having the same reaction when I heard "Roxanne" by The Police. Toto wasn't quite as groundbreaking as The P-men, but they were a bunch of incredible studio musicians who got together and formed a supergroup of sorts. This debut album has so many incredible songs, and this laid back, albeit slightly cheesy one, is a fave of mine.

Sleepsinging

Song: "Sleepsinging"
Artist: The Damnwells
Album: Bastards Of The Beat

I might be the biggest pimp for The Damnwells, one of my favorite bands out there now. So I'll fill you in again...this band is really, really good. Do yourself a favor and check them out.

Michael McDonald

Song: "No More Prayin'"
Artist: Michael McDonald
Album: Blink Of An Eye

Michael McDonald seems to have his vocal imprint on a lot of major songs released in the pop world. He's got one of the most unique and recognizable voices, but he's also a fantastic songwriter. This album that he released in the mid-nineties is probably underrated because you never really hear about it, but as far as I'm concerned it's his best work.

Martika

Song: "Toy Soldiers"
Artist: Martika
Album: Martika

Martika was pretty much a one-hit wonder, as this song was the only mild hit she had from her 1988 debut. Still, while it's a bit cheesy, it's one of those songs that I hear and it brings me back to where I was at the exact point in my life when it was on the radio. As I've said before, that's the real power of music.

Mystery Achievement

Song: "Mystery Achievement"
Artist: The Pretenders
Album: Pretenders

This was one of the first hits for Chrissy Hynde and company, and it's as timeless as when it was released like 25 years ago. The song has an infectious beat, Chrissy's signature growl, and a hook in the chorus that will make you want to jump on top of your car and dance. Great stuff.

The Midway State

Song: "Nobody Understands"
Artist: The Midway State
Album: Met A Man On Top Of The Hill EP

Chances are, you haven't heard about this young alt-rock band from Canada. But their debut four-song EP on Interscope is worth checking out, and will surely whet your appetite for a full length album if you like this sort of music. For my money, this brooding song is one of the best of 2007 so far.

Second Chance

Song: "Second Chance"
Artist: .38 Special
Album: Rock & Roll Strategy

This Southern rock band is better known for hits like "Hold On Loosely" or "Caught Up In You," but they had a bunch of more, under the radar, chart climbers like this one. It's a mid-tempo, pulsing track with incredible guitar work and a melancholy feel.

Film

Song: "Chemical Wonder"
Artist: Film
Album: Rolling EP

I can't remember how I found these guys a few years back, but I think they are from Atlanta and I think they are unsigned, if still together. Film combined elements of 70's arena rock with modern elements to create a really ballsy, raucous, yet melodic romp through six songs on this EP. If you can find it anywhere, grab it.

Zack Hexum

Song: "One Spin"
Artist: Zack Hexum
Album: The Story So Far

Multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Zack Hexum is really talented. I had the chance to represent him a year ago and without a doubt expect him to have a long and prosperous career. It might be the bloodlines...Zack is the brother of 311 guitarist Nick Hexum....but it goes beyond that. Have a listen to this album, released in 2004, and you'll see what I mean. The songs are just catchy without sounding like everything else out there. Keep an eye on this guy.

Brian Setzer

Song: "The Knife Feels Like Justice"
Artist: Brian Setzer
Album: The Knife Feels Like Justice

At a time when his band, The Stray Cats, were pretty much on the top of the pop charts and the MTV world, front man Brian Setzer went and did a solo album. Unlike the rockabilly music his band had become known for, this was straight pop/rock, and while not groundbreaking, was as hooky as anything you'll ever hear. The title track is especially good and always will have a home on my all-time playlist.

The Wallflowers

Song: "Three Marlenas"
Artist: The Wallflowers
Album: Bringing Down The Horse

Jakob Dylan had big shoes to fill, since he is after all the son of the legendary Bob Dylan. But he never claimed to be his dad, and when the debut of his band, The Wallflowers, came out about 10 years ago, it was full of really great, rootsy pop/rock music like this song. Throw out the overplayed tracks like "Sixth Avenue Heartache" and "One Headlight," and this album is damn near a classic.

The Fray

Song: "Over My Head (Cable Car)"
Artist: The Fray
Album: How To Save A Life

Yeah, I know....this song has been so played out the last 18 months or so. But why they, can't I stop myself from wanting to listen to it? This is one of those magical songs that has the staying power of a track I never get sick of hearing. The Fray's debut made them instant VH-1 stars, and here's hoping they can follow it up with their next album.

Tumbling Dice

Song: "Tumbling Dice"
Artist: Rolling Stones
Album: Exile On Main St.

This band's catalog is just bottomless when it comes to great rock songs. They are, after all, one of the greatest rock bands of all-time. But this song to me is one that I never, ever get tired of listening to. And it's 35 years old!

Guster

Song: "Satellite"
Artist: Guster
Album: Ganging Up On The Sun

Guster is one of those pop/rock bands that has emerged in the last few years, and have had tremendous success on the college circuit. They haven't broken out as big as they could, but that isn't because they don't write songs that are catchy as hell, like this one.