The 11 Best Songs By Thin Lizzy

As hard as it was to see the White Stripes break up last week, we all know they're going to be reuniting in the near future.  It's harder when we truly lose someone forever.

This week, lead guitarist for the epic 70s rock band Thin Lizzy passed away.  Gary Moore laid down some of the truly great guitar riffs of the 70s inspiring everyone from Metallica to Bruce Springsteen to John Cougar Melloncamp.  He was a legend that delivered some of the most memorable rock songs of all time and inspired countless more.

This was not an easy list to make.  There are dozens of other Thin Lizzy songs that deserve recognition...so please...explore.

Here are the 11 Best Songs By Thin Lizzy:

1.  Whiskey in the Jar (Vagabonds of the Western World)
2.  Jailbreak (Jailbreak)
3.  Little Girl in Bloom (Vagabonds of the Western World)
4.  Emerald (Jailbreak)
5.  Dancing in the Moonlight (Bad Reputation)
6.  Roisin Dubh (Black Rose)
7.  Johnny (Johnny The Fox)
8.  Got To Give It Up (Black Rose)
9.  Cold Sweat (Thunder and Lightning)
10.  Romeo and the Lonely Girl (Jailbreak)
11.  Opium Trail (Bad Reputation)

Buy the newly released Thin Lizzy's Jailbreak Deluxe Edition 

The 11 Best Songs By ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead

Itunes hates the Trail of the Dead.  For some reason...adding "..." to the beginning of your band title does not jive well with Itunes Maoist operations.  Even though I've imported their CDs into my computer countless times, whenever I go to play the band, Itunes can't find their music. Even if I search by album title or song title,

 nothing comes up.  When I go to re-import the music...then Itunes freaks out that the music already exists.  If it exists, then why can't I find it?

And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead is not only under appreciated by Itunes, they are also under appreciated by many music fans critics.  Their debut was great and praised by all...but they've never been able to completely rekindle that fire. Their follow-ups have had some great moments, though only moments.  Still, many of those moments are worth seeking out and discovering.

Here are The 11 Best Songs By ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead:

1. Will You Smile Again (Worlds Apart)
2. It Was There That I Saw You (Source Tags & Codes)
3. Ounce of Prevention (AYWKUBTTOD)
4. Heart in the Hand of Matter (Source Tags & Codes)

5. Far Pavilions (Century of Self)

6. Mach Schau (Elena's Tomb)
7. Half of What (AYWKUBTTOD)
8. Blight Takes All (Madonna)
9. Sunken Dreams (So Divided)
10. Another Morning Stoner (Source Tags & Codes)
11. Isis Unveiled (Century Of Self)

Buy the new album by AYWKUBTTOD...Tao of the Dead.

The 11 Best Songs By Cut Copy

Yesterday the Black-Eyed Peas played the Superbowl.  Despite what every talk show said...most people I know...if not every one I know, hated the halftime show.  Sure it was a great visual display, but it completely took you out of the game.  I spent two hours watching modern day gladiators rip each other hearts out, and then I have pause for a half hour and watch the IceCapades. It totally broke the momentum of the game.  Even though the second half was exciting, it was really difficult to get back into it because most people had been lulled to sleep.  In fact at our Super Bowl party, at halftime, we went from about 90 people to about 40 people at the start of the 3rd quarter.  We later found out that a few people left because they thought the game was over!!

Good job Super Bowl producers.  Good job.

Here are the 11 Best Songs By Cut Copy:

1.  Hearts On Fire (In Ghost Colours)
2.  Strangers In The Wind (In Ghost Colours)
3.  Time Stand Still (Bright Lights Neon Lights)
4.  Lights & Music (In Ghost Colours)
5.  Out There On Thin Ice (In Ghost Colours)
6.  Future (Bright Lights Neon Lights)
7.  Bright Neon Payphone (Bright Lights Neon Lights)
8.  Nobody Lost, Nobody Found (In Ghost Colours)
9.  Far Away (In Ghost Colours)
10.  A Dream (Bright Lights Neon Lights)
11.  Feel The Love (In Ghost Colours)

Buy Cut Copy's new album, Zonoscope...now!!!

The Unknown: The White Stripes - Get In Front Of Me Jesus

We start next week in a world without the White Stripes.  And after the Super bowl today, we may start the week in a world without NFL football.  Negotiations pending, could be the end of an era.

Let's enjoy both while they're still around.  (PS...this will be up for a limited time...get it while it's hot)

Here is The White Stripes - Get In Front Of Me Jesus:

1.  What Goes Around
2.  Black Jack Davey
3.  Hand Springs
4.  Walking With A Ghost
5.  It's My Fault For Being Famous
6.  Cash Grab Complications
7.  Honey, We Can't Afford To Look This Cheap
8.  Though I Hear You Calling
9.  Good To Me
10.  Who's to Say
11.  Baby Brother
12.  Shelter of Your Arms
13.  Who's a Big Baby
14.  Jolene
15.  Tennessee Border

Check Jack White's Third Man Records now for some great rare White Stripes material.

The 11 Best Songs By The White Stripes

This past decade, one band has managed to keep the Led Zeppelin torch lit: The White Stripes.  In an era where karaoke contests determined the next music sensation, the White Stripes stuck to the basics.  Their break-out release White Blood Cells was recorded on a 4-track.  Their follow-up, Elephant, was recorded for less than the crafts services table at a stage Britney Spears paparazzi shoot.  If you look at the best selling artists of all time, in the top 80, only 14 are pop artists…yet, 36 are rock.  Makes you wonder if the labels want to sell more music why they don’t want more music like the White Stripes around.

Unfortunately, the White Stripes have disbanded.  Here are some fun live recordings to say goodbye.

Here are the 11 Best White Stripes songs:

1. Seven Nation Army - Elephant

2. I Fell In Love With A Girl - White Blood Cells

3. Denial Twist - Get Behind Me Satan

4. I Can't Wait - White Blood Cells

5. Black Math - Elephant

6. Ball & Biscuit - Elephant

7. Truth Doesn't Make A Noise - De Stijl

8. A Martyr For My Love For You – Icky Thump

9. Hotel Yorba - White Blood Cells

10. We're Going To Be Friends - White Blood Cells

11. Apple Blossom - De Stijl  

Check out Third Man Records for lots of cool rare White Stripes stuff.

The 11 Best Songs By Cracker

The big news of the day is that White Stripes are breaking up.  For good.  Or so they say.  It's definitely sad news for die hard rock fans.  But they're on good terms...and there's only 2 of them.  The chances of a White Stripes reunion in the next 5 years probably falls under the category "highly likely."


The big news should really be about the Decemberists hitting number one on the Billboard 100 album charts.  Not only have the folk rockers ripped the #1 spot away from the pop divas, 4 out of top 5 slots went to rock albums.  Yes, rock and roll won the week.  Maybe there is some hope for a new rock music revolution.


Cracker reminds me of a 90s version of Decemberists.  They were pigeon-holed with other alternative bands and genre of the decade, but always persevered with their own sound.  David Lowery has a respected 25-year career to show for it, Decemberists have a #1 record.  I call that a win-win.


Here are the 11 Best Songs By Cracker:

1. Teen Angst (Cracker)

2. Low (Kerosene Hat)

3. Forever (Forever)

4. I Want Everything (Kerosene Hat)

5. The Golden Age (Gentlemen's Blues)

6. Been Around the World (Gentlemen's Blues)

7. We Shine A Light (Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey)

8. 100 Flower Power Maximum (The Golden Age)

9. I Hate My Generation (The Golden Age)

10. Turn On Tune In Drop With Me (Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey)

11. Another Song About The Rain (Cracker)

Buy David Lowery's new solo album, The Palace Guards now!!

The 11 Best Songs By Matisyahu

One of the most coveted musical honors is getting to play the Superbowl halftime show.  This year, we get to be dulled to sleep by the Black Eyed Peas.  Don't they realize the band's last album tanked?  I really hate it when the network tries to go after ratings instead of giving football audiences what they want and like.  You really think a bunch of 13-year-old girls are going to sit around and watch two hours of commercial-heavy football just to see their favorite band lip sync through a distorted-filled audio malaise?  Or are they going to sit in their bedroom and gossip about cute guys and wait for the GLEE halftime show re-invention of Thriller?  I get the geriatric rockers.  It's something for every one.  Most football fans appreciate it.  But going young & hip?  Has that ever worked?  Just be sure to keep Fergie's boobs in a tight dress.

What does this have to do with Matisyahu?  Really nothing.  Just go buy the new live album.  It's back to his stripped down musical basics.  It's the Matisyahu we love...not the overproduced Matisyahu we don't.

Here are the 11 Best Songs By Matisyahu:

1. Jerusalem (Youth)
2. King Without A Crown (Live at Stubbs)
3. Youth (Youth)
4. Message in A Bottle (Chop 'Em Down)
5. Chop 'Em Down (Shake Off The Dust)
6. So Hi So Lo (The Louisville Light Sessions)
7. WP (Youth)
8.  Close My Eyes (Shake Off The Dust)
9. I Will Be Light (Light)
10.  Got No Water (Shake Off The Dust)
11.  On Nature (Light)

Buy Matisyahu's new album,  Live at Stubb's 2.

The 11 Best Songs By The Dead Weather

I have to dedicate tonight's post to Jack White and his outstanding Third Man Records.  Jack White may not only be one of the greatest musicians out there today...he also gets. He gets music.  He doesn't use autotune.  He doesn't blast the levels out of his productions.  He lets the music speak for itself rather than letting the engineer make it into whatever pop schlock than can conjure.  His record label Third Man Records isn't just a record label.  It's also a record store.  Which isn't just a record store.  It's also a recording studio...and a performance hall.  It's one of the only places you can see a show performed, engineered, packaged and sold all at the same time.  And best of all, it's all overseen and produced by Jack White, so you know it's not going to be watered down by some tone deaf A&R douche just trying to impress his ex-girlfriend by getting back stage passes to the Script's upcoming concert.  But wait...there's more.  Third Man Records also releases exclusive editions of their albums.  Colored vinyl, limited pressing, triple decker records.  You know what a triple decker record is?  It's a record inside a record.  I don't know how practical it is...but I sure as hell want one.

Check out Third Man Records and help support someone trying to make our music world just a bit better.

Here are the 11 Best Songs By The Dead Weather:

1.  The Difference Between Us (Sea of Cowards)
2.  Treat Me Like Your Mother (Horehound)
3.  No Hassle Night  (Horehound)
4.  Hang You From The Heavens  (Horehound)
5.  Outside (Horehound B-Side)
6.  You Just Can't Win (Treat Me Like Your Mother)
7.  I'm Mad (Sea of Cowards)
8.  I Cut Like A Buffalo  (Horehound)
9.  Forever My Queen (From the Vault)
10.  Gasoline  (Sea of Cowards)
11.  Blue Blood Blues (Sea of Cowards)

Buy Wanda Jackson's new album, The Party Ain't Over, now (produced by Jack White).

The 11 Best Songs By The Cold War Kids

You know how a picture says a thousand words?  I think this picture of the CD racks at a local Target speaks volumes to the problems within the music industry.  I went to pick up the new Cold War Kids CD at Target.  They didn't have it.  "Out of stock" was the answer I was given.  In fact, they were out of stock of many hot artists.  In the top 20 slots they were out of stock on 14 titles.  The music labels keep complaining that illegal downloading is killing them.  No one is buying CDs anymore.  Maybe the reason no one is buying CDs anymore is because you're not selling any of them!  How are we supposed to buy CDs if you won't even stock them?  This rack was specifically set up for certain artists.  Target obviously had these titles at one time.   Which means people obviously bought them. Am I the only one perplexed by this?

On a side note, they had dozens of copies of Snooki's new book.

Here are the 11 Best Songs By the Cold War Kids:

1.  Something Is Not Right With Me (Loyalty To Loyalty)
2.  Audience (Behave Yourself)
3.  Mexican Dogs (Loyalty to Loyalty)
4.  We Used To Vacation (Robbers & Cowards)
5.  Hang Me Up To Dry (Robbers & Cowards)
6.  I've Seen Enough (Loyalty To Loyalty)
7.  Welcome to The Occupation (Loyalty To Loyalty)
8.  Hospital Beds (Robbers & Cowards)
9.  Coffee Spoon (Behave Yourself)
10.  God Make Up Your Mind (Robbers & Cowards)
11.  Dreams Old Men Dream (Loyalty To Loyalty)

Buy the new Cold War Kids - Mine Is Yours

The 11 Best Songs By Iron & Wine

The big news in the music world yesterday was that Trent Reznor (the voice and force behind Nine Inch Nails) was nominated for an Oscar.  A freaking Oscar.  I was surprised when Eminem and Three 6 Mafia were nominated and won...but this is even stranger for some reason.  Eminem and Three-6 were nominated for song, and although this is a category usually reserved for Celine Dion and the Alan Menken mafia, their songs were pivotal to the story-telling.  Trent didn't do a song...he did the whole freaking score.  The music, mood, and atmosphere is one hundred percent being controlled by the paranoid delusion of a man who once bought Sharon Tate mansion, where the Charles Manson murders occurred, because it was musically inspiring.  Is this a sign that the mainstream media is becoming more excepting of eclectic artists or am I just getting old?

It has always been baffling to me that Iron & Wine never joined the ranks of rock stars turned Oscar-nominations.  With two extremely pivotal tracks in the movies Garden State and In Good Company, they should have been backstage with Celine, snacking on organic vegetable platters.  Maybe their new poppy turn will get them the cinematic recognition they deserve.

Here are the 11 Best Songs By Iron & Wine:

1. Jezebel (Woman King EP)

2. Cinder and Smoke (Our Endless Numbered Days)

3. The Trapeze Swinger (In Good Company)

4. Woman King (Woman King EP)

5. Resurrection Fern (The Shepard's Dog)

6. Upward Over the Mountain (The Creek Drank The Cradle)

7. Such Great Heights (Garden State)

8. Bird Stealing Bread (The Creek Drank The Cradle)

9. Love Vigilantes (Around The Well)

10. Boy With A Coin (The Shepard's Dog)

11. Free Until They Cut Me Down (Our Endless Numbered Days)

Buy the new album now...Iron & Wine - Kiss Each Other Clean.