Perfect Blue Buildings

Song: "Perfect Blue Buildings"
Artist: Counting Crows
Album: August and Everything After

I don't know what it is about Counting Crows, but they were one of those bands I was drawn to right from the start, with a mix of brooding, alt-pop that is the perfect backdrop for Adam Duritz' bright tenor vocals and some really cool arrangements. The band's first album, August and Everything After, was more stripped down and acoustic-driven than their later releases, and that's what makes it so special.

Something's Missing

Song: "Something's Missing"
Artist: John Mayer
Album: Heavier Things

Most guys think John Mayer is a wussy tool. I'm not one of those guys. This dude has mad skills as a singer, songwriter and guitar player--and he's doing Jessica Simpson. It's safe to say all those calling Mayer a tool are jealous. This album may be my favorite of his, and this is my favorite song on the album. The whole song is incredibly airy, and the guitar work has a retro feel akin to Hall & Oates' H2O album.

Bahia Funk

Song: "Bahia Funk"
Artist: Lee Ritenour
Album: Color Rit

Jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour is about as tasty a player as they come. As a former co-worker once said to me, "Lee Ritenour is RIGHT ON THE MONEY." Well said, big George. This song is a prime example of that, and flows like a smooth jazz song should without sounding like everything else in the genre.

Shine

Song: "Shine"
Artist: Patty Smyth
Album: Patty Smyth

The former lead singer of Scandal broke away for her first solo album in 1992 and it's a damn stellar effort. Unlike the Scandal sound, which was very guitar-driven and raw, this one focuses more on Patty's growl and pure vocal ability as well as some really slick production. And this song is probably my favorite of anything she's ever done.

Wooden Ships

Song: "Wooden Ships"
Artist: Crosby, Stills, & Nash
Album: Crosby, Stills & Nash

Vocally, these guys and their harmonies with or without Neil Young were always mind-boggling. But in some of this older material, it's also the guitar playing that stands out to me. I don't even know who gets credit for the guitar solos running rampant throughout this song, but I haven't heard tastier playing in many other places. This song is a classic.

Everything Is Gonna Be Okay

Song: "Tell It Like It Is"
Artist: Heart
Album: Heart: Greatest Hits

Like my wife says when she hears the band Heart, "Everything is Gonna Be Okay." She has been a fan of the band forever, and it just seems that when she hears them on the radio or anywhere, the day's events turn out favorably. I can't explain it, but I do know that by association I feel like everything is gonna be fine when we hear Heart. And why not? This band just kicks ass and always has. The Wilson sisters rule.

The Argument

Song: "Wheelchair"
Artist: The Argument
Album: Your New Favorite Band

This was a mildly successful regional band (from West Virginia) that I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with a few times. But more than that, I thought their first album was amazing, and I still listen to it with regularity about six years later. Lead singer and songwriter Scott Simons played a mean piano and sang his ass off...and actually all of these guys were incredibly gifted musicians. It's just too bad they never broke out like they deserved to, though Simons is still writing and working on a solo career.