Def Leppard

Song: "Rock Brigade"
Artist: Def Leppard
Album: On Through The Night

When I was in high school, I had a band. We thought we were the shit. Then this debut from British rock band Def Leppard came out, and it was like, right then and there, I knew my future as a rock star had taken a serious blow. This was a band that was so far ahead of its time, and they were the same age as me! Anyway, this song was the lead track on their first album, and it's still one of my favorites, especially now that I can appreciate the fact that Def Leppard was always better than my band.

Nine Days

Song: "So Far Away"
Artist: Nine Days
Album: The Madding Crowd

This band from Long Island had a short-lived major label career, and this was their breakthrough album that spawned the single "Story of a Girl." I kind of hated that song with a passion, but the rest of this album is really great.

Malibu

Song: "Malibu"
Artist: Hole
Album: Celebrity Skin

Courtney Love is known mainly for one thing: being married to Kurt Cobain, and for generally acting kind of, well, slutty. But she never gets enough credit for being a really great singer and songwriter. But this album from her band Hole, released in the late nineties, proves that Love is all that. It's just a great rock album with equally great songs.

Saul Zonana

Song: "Painkiller"
Artist: Saul Zonana
Album: Waves

A prolific singer and songwriter from the New York area, Saul Zonana has put out some of the catchiest music of anyone never to make it really big. His songs are so melodic and engaging, and he seems to put out something new almost annually. This 6-song effort from a few years ago is one of his best efforts, and this song is mesmerizing.

Henry Lee Summer

Song: "I Know How You Feel"
Artist: Henry Lee Summer
Album: Henry Lee Summer

What ever happened to this guy? Henry Lee Summer had a modest hit from his debut album, "I Wish I Had A Girl," but that wasn't the best song on the album. This was a deep album with some really great tunes, including this pulsing number that showed off dude's incredible voice.
When I find out what he's up to these days I'll get back to you all.

Running From Dharma

Song: "After The Fall"
Artist: Running From Dharma
Album: If We Don't Meet Before The End Of The World

I'll admit that I don't like long album names. But that doesn't mean I can't like a song from said album. And that's the case with Running From Dharma's "After The Fall." There is an indie charm about this band.....they're not quite pop/punk but a bit too melodic to be pure indie rock. What they remind me of is Wire Train from the mid-80s but with just enough screaming in the song to make them sound current. That, and the guitar work is phenomenal.

ZOX

Song: "Don't Look Down"
Artist: ZOX
Album: The Wait

ZOX is one of those indie college rock type bands from the Northeast that has a large and growing following. Their latest album is really stellar, but this song in particular just rocks....and it's got a bit of a Celtic feel with some electric violin parts, making it different than most rock songs you'll hear on the radio these days.