The Silver Seas

Song: "The Country Life"
Artist: The Silver Seas
Album: High Society

This band, formerly known as The Bees, is f--ing awesome. I just got a copy of this album the other day, and cannot stop listening to it. Imagine a throwback combo of Jackson Browne, the Beach Boys and Van Morrison. Yeah, pretty impressive indeed.

Jared Campbell

Song: "Never Knew"
Artist: Jared Campbell
Album: Where It All Begins

This stunning 6-song EP by Binghamton, New York based singer/songwriter Jared Campbell is one of my favorite iTunes entries. He's released more music, and probably has gotten caught up in the glut of male singer/songwriters out there, but this EP is as good as anything John Mayer or Howie Day have put out.

If Only

Song: "If Only"
Artist: KT Tunstall
Album: Drastic Fantastic

This British singer/songwriter is a welcome newcomer in the pop world, and her new album, Drastic Fantastic, is even better than her awesome debut. This song is already enjoying "repeat" status in my player.

Lullaby

Song: "Lullaby"
Artist: Rogue Wave
Album: Asleep at Heaven's Gate

This band from Seattle is not exactly grunge, but has that lo-fi, quasi acoustic thing going on...and they do it great. This is from their new album, and it's as good as anything the band has ever released.

Mike Viola

Song: "Fall Back Down"
Artist: Mike Viola & the Candy Butchers
Album: Falling Into Place

Mike Viola is an exceptional singer and songwriter who hovered under the radar in the late 90s and early 00s. I think he's producing now, but I hope he's still writing and recording too. Quick trivia: Viola was also the voice of the title track from "That Thing You Do."

Keane

Song: "Hamburg Song"
Artist: Keane
Album: Under The Iron Sea

This British band came out of nowhere the last couple of years, and their sophomore album is even better than their awesome debut. This song is a piano ballad of sorts that is melancholy and powerful at the same time.

Billy Squier

Song: "In The Dark"
Artist: Billy Squier
Album: Don't Say No

This was Squier's breakout album, and this song with its distinctive keyboard riff is great on so many levels.....in addition to the keys, there are some screaming, crunching guitars and Billy's awesome rock vocal.

Trouble

Song: "Trouble"
Artist: Coldplay
Album: Parachutes

When Coldplay released their second album, they were everyone's "it" band, the band that every celebrity in Hollywood even was pimping. But their debut, Parachutes, was pretty damn good too--especially this moody, pretty song.

Tremolo

Song: "Promise Ring"
Artist: Tremolo
Album: Love Is The Greatest Revenge

This brooding, melodic alt-rock band came out a few years ago and reminds me of 90s band Dishwalla. Either way, this was a great album with some amazing songs. I'm not sure if the band is still making music (this was released in 2004), but if I find out I'll write another post about them.

The Clarks

Song: "Snowman"
Artist: The Clarks
Album: Between Now And Then

This Pittsburgh band continues to make music and has a great following in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. This is a band that never made it really big but has always deserved to have more fans than they actually do. Their music is catchy, fun, and well arranged, and if you haven't heard them yet, what are you waiting for?

Lucy Sustar

Song: "Chances"
Artist: Lucy Sustar
Album: Lucy Sustar

I met Lucy and her manager at a conference about a decade ago, and got a copy of her four song EP. I don't know what she's up to these days, but her music still has a spot in my iTunes. She's got a unique and compelling voice to go along with some nice songs.

Hall & Oates

Song: "She's Gone"
Artist: Hall & Oates
Album: Abandoned Luncheonette

They may be one of the greatest duos in music history, and this was Hall & Oates' first big hit, off their second album. Their harmonies are sugary sweet, but their knack for writing great songs is timeless...hence, the fact that they've been making music for all these years. Still, I have a soft spot for their early material.

Snow Patrol

Song: "Run"
Artist: Snow Patrol
Album: Final Straw

If you like brooding alternative rock, you'll love Snow Patrol. This song was from their debut album and it's pulsing, emotive and awesome. Snow Patrol's latest album is better than the debut, but this song is a good place to start if you're just becoming familiar with them.

Landon Pigg

Song: "Sailed On"
Artist: Landon Pigg
Album: This Is A Pigg--EP

Landon Pigg was supposed to be the next "it" singer/songwriter. So what happened? I don't know, other than there are still too many guys with guitars out there. But Pigg is really talented and this song is awesome.

Black Lexus

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

This singer/songwriter from Ohio is amazing...I mean, if the music industry wasn't so screwed up and radio wasn't all corrupt, this guy could be as big as anyone. But I'm just happy I know who he is and appreciate his music. This song from Arthur's latest album is one of his best yet.

Adia

Song: "Adia"
Artist: Sarah McLachlan
Album: Surfacing

You guys might question my manhood for this one, but I think this album is one of the most underrated singer/songwriter releases of the last decade. It's certainly Sarah's best.

Carly Hennessy

Song: "I Need A Little Love"
Artist: Carly Hennessy
Album: Ultimate High

If you wonder what ever happened to The New Radicals, who released one album in the late nineties, look no further than Carly Hennessy. Her producer, Gregg Alexander, was the front man for the Radicals, and he's got his paw prints all over this recent release. You can hear his backing vocals and his musical stylings throughout. And oh yeah, Carly herself has quite a set of pipes.

Child of Vision

Song: "Child of Vision"
Artist: Supertramp
Album: Breakfast In America

Odds are, you haven't heard this song unless you own Breakfast in America, truly one of the great albums of the late seventies. It's over seven minutes long, and features some great keyboard work and guitar-driven grooves....and of course, those sugary Supertramp harmonies.

ELP

Song: "From The Beginning"
Artist: Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Album: Trilogy

ELP wrote and performed this ethereal prog rock that was also melodic and at times extremely easy to listen to. That, and they were incredible musicians. This song was one of their more mainstream "hits"....and I remember learning it on guitar as a teenager and feeling like a stud.

Jackie Blue

Song: "Jackie Blue"
Artist: Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Album: It'll Shine When It Shines

Ozark Mountain Daredevils were more of a country rock band, or Southern rock...but this pop-leaning track was their first hit that still pretty much defines the band thirty-something years later. I'm not sure what it is about this song, but it's easily one of my favorites of all time.