It's Going on Saturday

Song: "It's Going on Saturday"
Artist: Aztec Two-Step
Album: See It Was Like This...

Aztec Two-Step was one of those groups my older brothers and sister turned me on to at a young age, and I carried on the flame by performing this with my buddy Dave in our acoustic duo Second Wind. Back when men were men and wine and cheese was cool. If you see these guys on iTunes, go grab some.

Beautiful Cage

Song: "Beautiful Cage"
Artist: Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash
Album: Distance Between

If you like Southern tinged roots rock with great vocals and catchy melodies, go check out this album. I don't know how these guys were not lifted into the stratosphere of stardom with it, but that's the music industry for you.

It Only Takes a Minute

Song: "It Only Takes a Minute Girl"
Artist: Tavares
Album: Tavares: Anthology

This is one of the classic hits from the '70's, but how Tavares can fill an anthology is kind of head-scratching. Still, this is a great song from a great era in pop music.

Gone Hollywood

Song: "Gone Hollywood"
Artist: Supertramp
Album: Breakfast In America

This is one of the more defining albums of classic rock, and one that you don't hear about as much as you should. It's still one of the few that I can listen to from beginning to end.

The Replacements

Song: "Asking Me Lies"
Artist: The Replacements
Album: Don't Tell A Soul

I'm reviewing this album for Bullz-Eye.com now, the re-mastered version with bonus tracks and it is reminding me that it's one of my favorite albums of all-time. To me, this was The Replacements at their peak....with just a little bit of the punk rock edge taken off and more of a focus on melody...and it's just brilliant.

Days Were Different

Song: "Days Were Different"
Artist: Lisa Loeb
Album: The Purple Tape

I used to have a crush on Lisa Loeb, back during her Firecracker album days and after that. Something about a nerdy hot chick with glasses and a somewhat sexy voice. Now Lisa is doing children's music, which is fine, but her hotness has gone from 11 out of ten down to about 2. And this song is from her recent Purple Tape album, full of unreleased stuff and acoustic versions of her previously released stuff. Not as hot, but still very talented.

Coil

Song: "Whatever I Fear"
Artist: Toad The Wet Sprocket
Album: Coil

Toad The Wet Sprocket's Dulcinea is probably my favorite album of theirs and one of my all-time faves. But Coil ranks a close second. It never really amounted to major success for this great alt-pop band, but the guitars, melodies and vocals, all swirling together on this album, are money in my book.

These Hard Times

Song: "These Hard Times"
Artist: Matchbox Twenty
Album: Exile on Mainstream

Critics love poking fun of bands like this that write accessible, melodic pop/rock. Whatever. This is good music, and someday Rob Thomas is going to get his due for being a great songwriter.

Novo Combo

Song: "Anyone Can See"
Artist: Novo Combo
Album: Animation Generation

This was one of my favorite albums from the '80's....and when I recently tracked down lead singer Pete Hewlett online, I was thrilled....even more so when I had the chance to meet him and interview him for Bullz-Eye.com. It's too bad this band's major label career only lasted two albums, but Pete is still out there performing.

Right Now

Song: "Right Now"
Artist: Van Halen
Album: Live: Right Here, Right Now

I think this song was on a Pepsi commercial or something, but you can't say this anthem isn't worthy of that kind of global exposure. And Sammy Hagar's pipes are worthy of belting out the words.

Breaking Laces

Song: "Going Away"
Artist: Breaking Laces
Album: Sohcahtoa

Once again I'm going to use this space to pimp one of the artists I represent, NYC band Breaking Laces. This is one of their earlier releases but all of their stuff is well worth checking out, especially if indie pop is your thing.

Toto

Song: "Girl Goodbye"
Artist: Toto
Album: Toto

Toto had many hits, including "Hold the Line," "Africa," and "Pamela." Their debut album was a combination of pop, funk, prog rock and white boy R&B. It's still one of my all-time favorite albums.

Bobby Brown

Song: "Roni"
Artist: Bobby Brown
Album: Don't Be Cruel

This song has those big drum beats signature guitar and keyboard sounds from the '80's, but it's still a very catchy pop tune that's still catchy twenty years later. Bobby Brown's troubles have been well-documented, but he sure as hell had some nice hit songs.

Carlos Santana

Song: "Europa"
Artist: Santana
Album: Dance of the Rainbow Serpent

When I was in my twenties and living in New York, I had the pleasure of seeing Carlos Santana with his jazz band. That's when I first heard this song, and saw the man positively make his guitar sing. Really, few can do that like Carlos, and this is one of my all-time favorite instrumentals.

Maria Muldaur

Song: "Midnight At the Oasis"
Artist: Maria Muldaur
Album: Maria Muldaur

This song was a hit like 30 years ago, which really blows my mind, because I remember it being released. Whether or not that makes me old, hearing songs like this from my childhood always brings this awesome nostalgic feeling. That's why they are in my iTunes player.

P.S.: Maria is still out there playing shows

Pete Yorn

Song: "Just Another"
Artist: Pete Yorn
Album: Musicforthemorningafter

If you're a fan of Joseph Arthur, and haven't checked out Pete Yorn's first album yet, go grab it now. This was Pete's best work, and then the labels or whoever messed with his style and songwriting. They should have let him keep writing beautiful stuff like this.

Seafood

Song: "Time & Tides"
Artist: Seafood
Album: Paper Crown King

I'm not a big seafood fan, but I am a fan of this band. They are I believe British, and if you are into brooding alternative rock, you should check these guys out. This album is one of their best.

Judas Priest

Song: "The Green Manalishi"
Artist: Judas Priest
Album: Hell Bent For Leather

I used to play in a metal band, well, back in the day.....and this was one of my favorite bands and still is one of my all-time favorite albums. If you're going to buy any Judas Priest album, start with this one.

Lovely People

Song: "Lovely People"
Artist: Earth, Wind & Fire (featuring Will.I.Am)
Album: Illumination

Earth, Wind & Fire is one of my all-time favorite bands, and they keep making great music. This one is from their latest album and features Will.I.Am, maybe to give the band a more current vibe. But it's great stuff as always.

Freakshow

Song: "Freakshow"
Artist: The Cure
Album: single

So I can't remember how I came across this single, but I do work in the music business so I come across stuff that hasn't been released yet all the time. Anyway, being that football season is upon us, and my fantasy football team is The Freakshow, this is my theme song for the 2008 season.

Joseph Arthur

Song: "I Would Rather Hide"
Artist: Joseph Arthur
Album: Redemption's Son

Joseph Arthur is very prolific, and it seems like he's releasing a new album every month. But this one, released about five or six years ago, is his best. If you've never heard Arthur, he's got a super cool voice and a knack for cool but accessible melodies.