The 11 Best Songs By The Civil Wars

Great music comes out of great discontent.  Infighting between bands members is never good for the longevity of a band...but some of the best albums are made during these times of turmoil:  Fleetwood Mac Rumors, Van Halen 1984, and Pink Floyd The Wall.  Band members have that Internal rivalry to be the best among each other and push themselves to produce the best music they've ever down.  The

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The 11 Best Songs By Wolfmother

Somewhere between the misty mountains of Led Zeppelin and the dirty ground of the White Stripes, a little three-piece clawed their way out from down under using only their six-strings and their mushroom cloud hair, howling and shredding the whole way.  Their brief two album career amount to a stellar debut album and a fierce sophomore double album that suffered from being too much too fast.  

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The 11 Best Smashing Pumpkins Reissues Rare Tracks

In the '90s, the Pumpkins were one of the most prolific bands.  To follow up a double album, the band put out a 5-disc b-side collection.  That's pretty hardcore in a pre-Ryan Adams era of music.  Though the Pumpkins took a hiatus through most of the '00s, they made a big comeback in the teens re-releasing of all things...their '90s of material.  While other bands may take years in between

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The 11 Best Songs By The Editors

My favorite new site has to be The Talkhouse, which made headlines this past week when Lou Reed reviewed Kanye West's new album, Yeezus.  The site has rock stars (mostly) reviewing mostly recent albums.  It's a fascinating alternative look at an album that's not through a critics eyes.  When a critic reviews an album, their intention is to pick it apart and examine its merits purposely for a

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The 11 Best Songs by Jay-Z (of the 00s)

There really is no artist that dominated the decade of the '00s more than Jay-Z.  He helped initiate the mash-up genre with The Black Album ( and The Grey Album).  The Blueprint is easily the best rap album of the decade if not the best album overall.  He's written #1 soundtracks.  He's had #1 rock album (Collision Course with Linkin Park)  He's written best-selling books.  He owned an NBA

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The 11 Best Albums of 2013 (so far)

It's the 4th of July mid-way point of 2013.  Time to take a little look back at what music we are loving here.

Sorry, I've been out of touch...but with such limited releases at this time of year...I've taken some time off to finish my book (which is based on this blog) so it can be published this November.  More on that to come.

Here are the 11 Best Albums of 2013 (so far):


Daft Punk -

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The 11 Best Songs By Kanye West

Kanye drops his new album the same week he gives birth to a nameless baby.  Sadly, there's more press about the name of his baby than his new beautiful dark twisted release.

All that was trumped today when we lost a legend.  James Gandolfini passed away at the very young age of 51.  His irreplaceable presence will leave a big vacancy.  Tony Soprano is one of the best TV characters ever

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The 11 Best Songs By The Sleepy Jackson

This NBA Finals (and Playoffs for that matter) haven't been as compelling as originally billed...until tonight.  Game 6 was the game every NBA fan has been waiting for, getting better and better every minute as it unfolded before our eyes in spectacular fashion.  It had big comebacks, last second shots, prime-time dunks, overtime thrills, and "too many to count" clutch fade-away three

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The Unknown: Jimmy Eat World - Coverted

The Man of Steel hits theaters today in an epic fanfare of fanboy love.  He's the biggest, the baddest, the most powerful and the most popular of all the superheros.  What gives Superman this honor is that he is the notion of perfection.  He is that ideal perfection that we all hope to achieve.  He is noble, true...and he can fly.  He is indestructible and incapable of evil.  Maybe that's why

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The 11 Best Songs By Jason Isbell

Today I made my yearly pilgrimage to the kinetic annual event known as E3.  Every video game that is coming out next year...and then some...is on display for people to play and experience months before the general public.  It's a peep show for the video game community.  The PS4, Xbox One, WiiU, and Steven Spielberg were all on display.  It's a theme park for people with ADD designed by people

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The 11 Best Songs By CSS

Today I met two people who made me feel old.  One person told me she never heard of Fleetwood Mac and was shocked that the were popular since she had never heard of them.  Granted she was sixteen.  The other had never heard of Star Trek...because she doesn't watch old movies.  She was 25.  I get that the younger generation doesn't appreciate what has come before them.  Sometimes I blame it on

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The Unknown: Capital Cities

If Lollapalooza ruled the 90s, and Coachella owned the 00s, the teens belong to EDC.  The influence of electronic music is everywhere.  If you're a new rock band and you don't know how to dance, you might as well pack it up and move to Alaska (that's because Alaskans are not known for dancing).  Capital Cities smashes 2009 Phoenix together with Foster The People in a tasty sandwich that is as

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The 11 Best Songs By Rogue Wave

I got the new Samsung Galaxy S4.  No, this is not an advertisement for the phone. It's more of an observation of how far phones have come so fast.  This phone is so advanced, I don't even have to touch the screen.  Just with a wave of my hand, I can sift through pictures.  If I hover my finger over links, I can see previews.  The phone even detects my eye movement and scrolls automatically or

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The 11 Best Songs By Tricky of the 00s

Tricky's career has been more schizophrenic than Margo Kidder in a Martin Lawrence acid flashback.  After his epic debut solo album, Maxinquaye, he has never returned to that opium den sexuality that he perfected.  And it's not like he's trying and failing...it's more like he's purposely trying to do anything but that. You have to admire his creative ambition to shed one skin for another

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The 11 Best Songs By Alice In Chains

The angst toward the new incarnation of Alice in Chains has reached a fevered pitch on this latest album.  I am not one of those people who believes a band should break up if a lead singer passes away.  AC/DC proved that you can replace a singer and still embody the spirit of the band.  That said, replacing anyone is always a high hurdle to overcome.  No matter who AIC picked there would

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The 11 Best Songs By Creedence Clearwater Revival

Am I the only who doesn't love Pandora?  I've been listening at work lately just because I'm not allowed to load Spotify onto my computer.  I've created a few stations but after weeks of thumbs up and downs...my stations still seem to go off the rails.  My 80s metal station plays everything from Tom Petty to the Eagles to Madonna.  My trip hop station plays Coldplay, Bon Iver and Depeche Mode.

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The Unknown: Kisses

First we had Kiss...now we have Kisses.  And even though it's the plural form of the word, there's actually half the amount of members in the band.  On their sophomore release Kids in L.A., the band has been heavily influenced by Bret Easton Ellis' iconic novel, Less Than Zero.  The whole album plays like a tribute to the Ellis' Bible of teenage malaise.  The lyrics follow the exploits of

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The 11 Best Songs By The National

This week saw the announcements of two highly anticipated upcoming releases.  On SNL this weekend, Kanye West previewed two new tracks from his new album, while on Monday, Microsoft announced that their new console, Xbox One, was coming soon.  When Kanye first went solo, he was considered a better producer than a rapper.  It's like he knew that.  Since then on every album he's upped his rap

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The 11 Best Songs By Daft Punk

For 15 years, Daft Punk has redefined dance music, setting the bar so high...it seems like they're the only ones who can top themselves.  This weeks Daft Punk's new album once again redefines their genre.  The style of the new album incorporates their signature sound along with guest stars from alternative rock, hip-hop and funk.  It's a like a bouillabaisse of everything was great, thrown

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The 11 Best Songs By Small Black

Today's big music news finds Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre donating 70 million to USC to start a new school for the ever changing music, technology and business industry.  As noble of an effort as this is and extremely commendable, I wonder if it hinders progress.  Hear me out.  Dr. Dre and Iovine are major innovators in the field of music.  They didn't go to school to learn how to be ground

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The 11 Best Songs By Vampire Weekend

Read an interesting article that the "foodie craze" is killing the "music industry."  They don't give a lot of proof of that and basically correlate that it's happening is as the food truck craze has risen, album sales have decreased.  Besides that not actually being true...there is a similarity between the two groups.  There is a rock star like quality behind some of the best food trucks.  

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The 11 Best Songs By the Dixie Chicks

Up until this week, I thought Benghazi was that good BBQ place across the way from the Jungle Boat ride at Disneyland.  Turns out I was wrong.  I've been reading up on the whole Benghazi situation and I think I've learned what the biggest threat to the American government is....it's the American government!  Now I'm not trying to say the whole situation is Obama's fault, not his fault, that

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The 11 Best Songs By Noah & The Whale

David Bowie released a new video this week for his song, The Next Day.  It's your basic Priests in a sex club, prostitutes, blood squirting everywhere, Gary Oldman-starred, music video.  Who hasn't made a video like this?  I think Amy Grant made like three of them.  I get that the video is mildly offensive but it's also making an artistic statement, whether you agree that the statement has

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The 11 Best Songs By She & Him

There has been considerable uproar over Zach Braff's use of Kickstarter to shoot his new movie.  For some reason every one thinks that Kickstarter should not be for wealthy people and only for hard-working people.  I've seen Kickstarters for many friends and associates.  They make nothing.  One friend was trying to purchase a lunch truck.  He raised $2,400.  He needed $25,000.  Another friend

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The Unknown: Pickwick

This six-piece neo-soul, blues, grunge x band out of Seattle falls somewhere between the rowdiness of the Black Keys and the intimate storm of the Cold War Kids while Robert Flack and Sam Cooke are blowing cool kisses from the corner of the room.  Formed in 2008, they have just released their debut album this year after a series of vinyl 7-inches built their reputation.  And let the music

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The 11 Best Fleetwood Mac Songs Featuring Stevie Nicks

Fleetwood Mac may be most famous for their line-up featuring Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks but if their famous for anything else, it's for their everchanging line-up.  From Peter Green to Danny Kirwan to Bob Welch to Rick Vito to Billy Burnette to Bekka Bramlett to Dave Mason to line-ups with Christine Perfect then Christine McVie then minus her altogether then line-ups with Lindsey and

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The 11 Best Songs By Airborne Toxic Event

Facebook's ads are killing me.  They're not just annoying my Facebook experience, they're also hurting this blog. GBU has its own Facebook page.  We have have a modest amount of followers.  Now I can't speak for all my followers but I know when I like a page, it's because I want to get updates from that page.  For awhile, that was happening.  But now, Facebook is asking me to pay to advertise

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The 11 Best Songs By Iggy & The Stooges

The Stooges were commercial failures.  None of their albums charted in the top 100 on billboard.  Sales through out their careers were minimal at best.  In 40 years, they've never had an album go platinum...or even gold for that matter.  They've never had a hit single.  They've never been on TMZ (I'm guessing).  But their iconic status is legendary.  Inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame,

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The 11 Best Songs By Har Mar Superstar

I've been looking for a full-time job for the past couple of months.  It's brutal out there.  I've rewritten my resume about 100 times and contacted every person I've ever known and some that I don't know.  I don't advise the latter. I keep telling myself that it's just tough out there and I have to work extra hard to get a good job.  I'm up for it.  No job's worth getting unless you have to

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The 11 Worst Genre Changes By Musicians

The new Snoop Dogg album...ahem, I mean Snoop Lion finds him changing musical genres and attempting to make a reggae album.  Snoop is not the first artist who has changed genres.  Many have tried...many have failed.  By the massive amount of weed Snoop has smoked over the past 20 years...reggae isn't a far stretch from what he's capable of.  Others have not been as fortunate with their

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The 11 Best Songs By Phoenix

Every once in awhile a band makes an album that's bigger than the themselves.  And they spend the rest of their career living up to that apex.  They may never come close again...which is not necessarily their fault. The Cure has Disintegration, Guns N Roses has Appetite For Destruction, The Sex Pistols have Never Mind The Bullocks...  This isn't to say these bands aren't talented enough and

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The 11 Best Songs By Junip

It was announced this week that there are 6 new Star Wars movies coming, starting in 2015 and being released ever summer after that.  My immediate excitement was quickly quelled by the fearful thought of why?  Though I was hopeful that a team of Joss Whedon, Steven Spielberg, and JJ Abrams would turn a quality product...it's Disney.  And Disney live action movies suck.  Outside of the first

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The 11 Best Record Store Releases (Triple List)

I picked up so much vinyl this year...I'm not even sure how I'm going to pay rent.  And isn't that what good music is about?  Living in a van...down by the river.  There wasn't a release this year that I went in excited about...but I came out loving almost everything I purchased.  I've had the chance to listen to most of my purchases and have heard a lot of other stuff.  And the Calexico album

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The 11 Best Songs By Kid Cudi

Since us humans don't seem to be appreciating the life we have here on Earth, maybe it's time to start looking elsewhere.  This week, scientists announced they have found three new planets that could support life.  These planets are hundreds of light years away and it may take us hundreds of years just to develop travel to get us there.  But that said, it's an encouraging and invigorating

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The 11 Best Songs By Dead Confederate

I don't know if I've ever seen a news story with as much misinformation floating around than the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing.  From how many people were killed, to the real and desired suspects, to linked bombings and even fictional sources.  The rumors grew so prevalent that law enforcement started believing in the rumors that were started by a media outlet, who said that they

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The 11 Best Flaming Lips Songs (Post-Embryonic)

The last official album to come out from The Flaming Lips was 2009's Embryonic.  A rich tapestry of psychedelic melodies that motivate the listener of a powerful cosmic propulsion.  In the four years since, they have been anything but sleeping on the job.  In that time, they have released 9 EPs.  Some of these EPs were distributed normally, some were released in a human skull or in a fetus

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The 11 Best Songs By Iron & Wine

If my poll tells me anything, it's that most of you out there still don't know anything about Record Store Day...or you just don't care about records.  That's okay.  But if you love music...you should know a little something about vinyl.  See, vinyl is an exact physical representation of the sound wave.  Currently, there isn't any other replay device out there that can match the pure sound

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The 11 Best Reunions That Have Never Played Coachella

They crammed all my favorite bands into Saturdays line-up, so I was left with no choice but to watch the Chili Peppers.

One of the best things about Coachella is guessing with iconic band will reunite for that year's show.  This list taps into the wet dreams of all the indie kids heading out to the desert every year.  For a list of the best bands who are still together that have never

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The 11 Best Bands Who Have Never Played Coachella

There's something sadly thrilling about getting to sit in front of my computer and watch Coachells unfold before me without paying hundreds of dollars, enduring crazy temperatures, dust, dirt, and douche bags.  Right now I'm flipping back and forth between New Order and Phoenix.  I couldn't do that at the festival...I would have to choose...currently, I'm winning.  Because at home, I get both.

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The 11 Best Songs By Rival Schools

There was a ten year gap between Rival Schools debut album, United By Fate (2001) and their second official release, Pedals (2011).  That's a bigger gap than was between Quicksand's debut and Rival Schools.  That doesn't mean Rival Schools was silent during that time.  In 2003, the band recorded a follow-up to United By Fate...but the common problems that plague every band caused the album to

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The 11 Best Songs By James Blake

Looking for a job in today's world is much harder than it was years ago...and frankly, far more time consuming.  Big hub career boards like Career Builder and Monster are pretty awful.  All they do is point you to outdated job listings where you have to go to the site and fill out ten pages of personal data just to see if you qualify for the job.  My friend filled out an online application

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The 11 Best Songs By Dawes

March Madness is the ultimate war of attrition.  And may be the perfect analogy to the music industry.  You have everything:  from one-hit wonders to legends, from big city brawlers to country kids, from the unknown to the everybody knows.  There's no guarantees in the tournament, the big name powerhouse can lose to the upstart podunk school making their big dance debut (Florida Gulf Coast vs.

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The 11 Best Songs By Rilo Kiley

The news of a new Rilo Kiley album created a stir of excitement.  When Rilo Kiley broke up five years ago...it was done right as the band was hitting their stride.  There is something to be said about going out on top...though it sucks for the fans.  But hearing that a potential reunion was in the works everyone was on their toes, especially after the multiple solo albums.  Hearing it was just

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The 11 Best Songs By The Cold War Kids

I had a  free credit to Best Buy that was expiring.  I needed to get something.  It was only $15.  Not enough for a big purchase...but I could definitely pick up a CD I didn't have.  Which is rare to hear that there's a CD out there that I don't have.  I've been wanting the new expanded edition of Fleetwood Mac's Rumors...so I felt that would be a good choice. I went to the store and begin

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The 11 Best Songs By Depeche Mode of the 00s

Recently, Christopher Clemons of the Seattle Seahawks said that any NFL player who comes out and reveals that his is gay...that would be considered a selfish act.  This reminds me of a story from my childhood...

When I was in high school, one of my classmates noticed that I was listening to Depeche Mode on my walkman and teased me for being gay because I liked Depeche Mode. Unfortunately for

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The 11 Best Songs By The Strokes

It has happened...the best time of the year for music fans is upon us.  Record Store Day.  April 20th, 2013.  It's the day all us of audiophiles spend every last spare dime in our piggie banks on limited edition 7-inches in blue splatter paint or a see-through vinyl.  Where a $30 12-inch with one demo seems like a good deal.  Why?  Because Record Store Day is what listening to music is all

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The 11 Best Songs By Songs: Ohia

Loss is the hardest thing any of us face in life.  It comes suddenly and destroys ruthlessly.  Being under appreciated while you're here...is equally potent.  Jason Molina of Songs: Ohia and the Magnolia Electric Company died this past weekend.  He was 39.  His music is timeless.

Here are the 11 Best Songs By Songs: Ohia:


The Black Crow (The Lioness)
Hot Black Silk (Axxess & Ace)
Nervous

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The 11 Best Songs By Justin Timberlake

Okay, I'm not going over to the dark side...and no, I'm not becoming a pop music fan.  But I can honestly say, I respect the guy.  Of all the pop stars to come out over the past couple of decades...he's leaps and bounds more creative and innovative than the rest.  When Justin was awarded the MTV video music award over Johnny Cash, he threw a fit and thought it was a complete travesty that he

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The 11 Best Songs By The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Today begins March Madness...sorta.  A couple years ago, the NCAA thought it would be a great idea to add a couple extra games on the front of the tournament.  They thought it there's nothing bad about "more" March Madness, right?  Wrong.  There's a big problem.  No one cares.  No one watches the first four games.  Two of the games are by 16-seeds...which makes little or no impact on the

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The 11 Best Songs By The Replacements (Twin Tone Years)

To many Replacements fans there are two versions of the band.  The early version of the band on Twin Tone Records and the later version of the band on Sire.  Some fans love both versions...others abhor the major label version, calling the band sell-outs for cashing in.  In there defense, even if the Twin Tone years were stronger creatively for the band, they were not very lucrative financially

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The 11 Best Songs With Dave Grohl That Are Not Nirvana or Foo Fighters Songs

As difficult as it was to narrow down David Bowie's career to 111 songs, this list might actually be harder.  I honestly believe Dave Grohl has been featured on more albums than David Bowie.  Though many of his appearances may be simmered down by some to a mere session drummer guest spot, there's a distinguishable energy on many of the songs where Grohl leaves his mark.  The new album is no

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The 111 Best Songs By David Bowie

I am not the definitive voice on David Bowie.  I am one voice.  Basically, this list encompasses the majority of Bowie's solo career.  I did not include Tin Machine or his guest spot/team-ups.  I also avoided the live albums.  This list was hard enough with just his main releases.  This should be a good start...especially if you're only getting into Bowie now.  Just remember, I told you about

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The 11 Best Songs By The Men

I've been fighting this parking ticket for almost 9 months now.  I had parked on a street one evening.  I was not parked in the red and there were no parking signs on the street.  I was attending a party and parked with a row of twenty other cars.  We came out during the party to find that all of our cars had been ticketed.  The parking officer claimed he tried to come into the party to tell

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The 11 Best Posthumous Songs By Jimi Hendrix

There has always been a question to the legitimacy of the posthumous releases of Jimi Hendrix's unreleased material.  This is mostly due to Alan Douglas' questionable producing on 3 of the albums and a couple of the compilations.  Using studio musicians to finish Hendrix's tracks left a bad taste in fans' mouths, tainting all the of posthumous releases, including the ones he had nothing to do

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The 11 Best Songs By Porcupine Tree of the 00s

There's no bigger nightmare in LA than the 405.  It was always bad.  But it was a reliable bad.  Since they started construction on the 405...about 5 years ago...traffic has not only grown worse, it has become almost unbearable.  And it's not just the 405 that's undriveable, it's every freeway in LA.  It's a ripple effect that has clogged every major road artery in the city.  The construction

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The 11 Best Songs By The Smiths

What is amazing about the Smiths is how consistent all their music is.  Every song is good.  Every song.  Making a list is almost impossible.  Every time I go through their catalog, the list changes.  From day to day and minute to minute. I could put all the songs on cards and paste them up on my wall, then throw darts blindfolded and the 11 cards I hit could make my list...and it would an

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The 11 Best Songs By Thom Yorke

Today a new system to stop internet piracy has been put in place.  It's called the Consumer Alert System.  It's a plan by internet providers to alert users who download music illegally.  You will get warnings that you are committing piracy and be told stop.  The problem with this system is it might be the most ridiculous and improbable attempt to stop online piracy.  First of all, how will

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The 11 Best Songs By Bullet For My Valentine

I think I send a few shock waves through my social circle when people discover that I listen to these guys.  I'm not sure if I get more questioning glances because of this band or David Guetta. My brother is a wine snob...I mean, connoisseur. He's like a fifth level sommelier...just for fun.  When it comes to wine...he has his favorites.  And he definitely turns his nose up at the others.  But

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The 11 Best Songs By Starfucker

The first thing that crosses my mind when I hear of a band named Starfucker, I think that death metal.  This band is far from that.  Maybe it's because Fucked Up tainted my conception of what a profanity-laden band would embody.  Also, with Fucker in the title of your band name...you're really limited your exposure.  You can pretty much kiss off any halftime appearance at the Super Bowl,

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The 11 Best Songs By Samantha Crain

The PlayStation 4 was announced today.  The article talks about how the PS4 will be the most advanced gaming system ever.  A processor faster than 99% of most computers.  The highest resolution pixel count of any system.  A faster network.  Motion-capture.  And, a new social media component. But the one thing they don't mention is if the games are any good.  Everyone loves the bells and

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The 11 Best Songs By Puscifer

My friend Gina deactivated her Facebook account for the week of her birthday then she reactivated it the following week.  When I asked her why she did it, she said it was because she didn't want to have to thank everyone on her Facebook for wishing her a happy birthday.

Whether we like it or not, there is an unsaid Facebook birthday etiquette.  It is understood that you don't have to wish

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The 11 Best Songs By Foals

Is it just me or does Top Ramen deserve a Medal of Honor?  Or whatever medal they give out to food that has gone above and beyond its purpose.  I mean, think about all the great things Top Ramen has done for this country.  Think of all the countless college students who could afford to eat and pay their tuition because Ramen provided such an affordable meal.  I went through a flat of that

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The 11 Best Songs By Late Night Alumni

There comes a point when a side project becomes bigger than the artist who created it.  This happens when the new band has a life of its own, it's own fan base...who many don't even know the guitarist was in some 80s hair metal band.  Late Night Alumni's famous member is EDM darling, Kaskade.  I guess it's a sign of the times that when a DJ has a side project...it's an actual band.  I've been

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The 11 Best Songs By Frightened Rabbit

Every time I feel like giving the Grammy's a second chance they severely let me down.  I will admit that Sunday's show was much better than the show has been in recent years.  But I turned off the show with a feeling of..."that's it?"  Maybe last year was so strong this one just pales in comparison.  I love that there's less awards and more live performances. Though some of the live sets

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The 11 Best Songs By Ride

I've been reading some of the reviews about the new MBV release.  Almost every review/reviewer has been completely full of shit.  It's like a hipster vocabulary orgy with each critic spewing out pages of Roget's Thesaurus to describe the either sublime, beautiful or pungent songs that have been unveiled by Kevin Shields.  And each critic is so busy trying to sound clever that in the end,

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The 11 Best Songs By My Morning Jacket

The Super Bowl is over and I can't say I'm happy about the game. I agree with Frank Gore...the better team did not win.  The 49ers played a piss poor first half but came roaring back in the second half to almost pull off an amazing comeback.  There was one thing standing in there way:  the officiating.  No, I'm not a sore loser...and no I don't think that had the right calls been made that it

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The 11 Best Songs By My Bloody Valentine

I'm not sure what news is most shocking tonight:  is it that the 49ers are back in the Super Bowl after almost 20 years...or is it that My Bloody Valentine has released their 3rd album after a 22-year wait?  (Take that Axl Rose)  Is it a coincidence that MBV's new album was released today on the eve of the 49ers return to football super stardom?  MBV's first album came out in 1989...the same

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The 11 Best Songs By Ben Harper and...Someone Else

While most artists start off in a band and end up going solo as their career progresses, Ben Harper started out solo and is now creating new collaborations as his career evolves.  Each new partnership is different than the last and adds unique new layers to an already rich musical career.  As great as it to push the boundaries of music, it's appreciated to see an artist like Harper embrace

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The 11 Best Songs By Tomahawk

This weekend saw one of the most horrific tragedies to ever occur during a live music event.  Over 200 people killed and over 100 more injured because of another pyrotechnic display gone awry.  There are really very little words that can describe the devastating event in any sort of light other than misery.  Apparently the incident occurred because the lead singer of the performing band lit a

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The 11 Best Songs By Tegan & Sara

I read the magazine The Week.  There's a small section in it called "It Wasn't All Bad."  It's a very small section but always has some very positive news articles.  Recently I read a great story online about a rapper which reminded me of these articles.  I'm sure you've all heard the song "Thrift Shop" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.  And if you think you haven't heard it...you have.  Here's

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The 11 Best Songs By The Mars Volta

It's official.  Coachella line-up has been officially released.  The Mars Volta has broken up.  I guess that means we'll have to wait until Coachella 2023 for the reunion.

Here are the 11 Best Songs By The Mars Volta


Intertiatic E.S.P. (De-Loused in the Comatorium)
Metatron (The Bedlam in Goliath)
Viscera Eyes (Amputechture)
This Apparatus Must Be Unearthed (De-Loused in the Comatorium)

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The 11 Best Bad Religion Songs of the 90s

Recently there was a fake video posted about why doesn't MTV play videos anymore. (watch it here)  It's a snarky response blaming the audiences for the programming change.  Though it's fake and not really MTV's response...you can't take it too seriously.  But there is some glaring misguided reasoning that may or may not actually be true to why there's no more videos.  First off, the fake CEO

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The 11 Best Songs By The Joy Formidable

I had a meeting in a coffee shop today.  When I walked in, I was a little startled to notice that every single table was occupied.  That wasn't the unusual part.  Hip coffee shops in LA are always unrealistically busy, like showing up to one is the only way to keep your hipster cred intact.  What was strange was that there was only one person at each table.  Each person was staring aimlessly

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The 11 Best Songs By Ra Ra Riot

For sports fans, this was quite an up-and-down weekend.  As big as the NFL playoffs and the return of the NHL were, the biggest event came when Lance Armstrong was interviewed by Oprah.  How is it bigger news and treated with more fanfare when someone fucks up and lies to cover their tracks...than it is when someone actually succeeds?  Syracuse upsets #1 Louisville in college basketball, the

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The 11 Best Songs By Girls

I recently watched Zero Dark Thirty and was rather blown away with the movie.  It still ranks behind Lincoln and Life of Pi on my list as the best movie of the year.  Yes, I keep movie lists, too.  What interested me most about the movie was the pace.  It was slow build toward the final invasion that played more like a BBC documentary than a Michael Bay shoot em up.  The reward was almost

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The 11 Best New Order Songs (Post 1990)

Recently Sony issued an 86 song box set of unreleased Bob Dylan recordings.  It was a European only release, limited to only 100 copies, and it was done for one reason only: because the copyrights were about to expire.  Not only is it astonishing that there are 86 unreleased Bob Dylan recordings from the early part of his career that we've yet to hear...but it's even more astonishing that

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The 11 Best Rumored Albums of 2013

One of the best things about a new year is a whole set of new speculation about what albums could possibly be coming our way.  I've collected the best of them...let's see how many come true.

Here are the 11 Best Rumored Albums of 2013:



U2 (July) - Mercury Records announced the new album was coming in 2013...but no word yet from the band.
My Bloody Valentine - Album #3 (June) - Twenty-two

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The 111 Best Albums of 2012

Thanks to all those who voted!

Here are the 111 Best Albums of 2012:



Japandroids - Celebration Rock (Bonus Track)
Frank Ocean - Channel Orange (Bonus Track)
Jack White - Blunderbuss (Bonus Track)
Kendrick Lamar - g.o.o.d. kid, maad city
Grizzly Bear – Shields
The xx - Co-Exist
Alabama Shakes - Boys and Girls
Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel
Sharon Von Etten - Tramp
Beach House - Bloom

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The 11 Most Anticipated Albums of 2013

I'll post the top 111 albums of 2012 on Friday.  So you still have time to get me your lists!!  Just send me your favorite albums of 2012 in the comment section.  Top 20...or whatever number of albums you liked.

With 2013 already .3% over, let's start looking ahead at what our year might look like musically...

This is a list of albums that have official release dates...or have been

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