The 11 Best Songs By M. Ward

Axl Rose might be one of the most polarizing figures in music.  The music world was reeling this week when Rose announced that he was snubbing the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.  For the past twenty years, fans held out hope that the original line-up of GNR might reunite for this one-night event.  Now, we realize that will never happen.  This actually wasn't too big of a surprise.  Rose also said he wouldn't attend the event.  This wasn't too surprising either.  Up until this point I just shrugged my shoulder and said typical Axl.  But what he did next actually did stand out...and it was probably the one thing he did that felt incredibly douchey.  He refused his induction into the Hall of Fame.  With the first two acts...he was just being Axl Rose...but the third thing was a statement.  Nothing changed by letting himself be inducted...but Axl didn't want to be a part of it...unless it could be exactly the way he wanted it.  Not even sure what the point of that was except to come across incredibly dickish.  One journalist supported it.  And honestly, he made a good argument.  Johnny Rotten always said the Pistols would ignore the induction...and they stuck by their guns.  Axl has refused to reunite with the original line-up for years...so that was expected. But Axl never knocked the HOF...so to do this was a bit out of left field.  One might argue that Axl is a true rock star because of this...but why?  What's his cause?  Because real rock stars don't need verification of their musical genius?  I guess that would seem like the right answer if Axl didn't complain so much when he didn't get accepted by the critics or the general public.  I agree with Axl's statement that his split was Slash was like a divorce and the dream of the parents getting back together was nothing more than a dream.  But at least good parents will both show up to their kids high school graduation...regardless if the other one is there.

Here are the 11 Best Songs By M. Ward:

1. Poison Cup (Post-War)
2. Never Had Nobody Like You (Hold Time)
3. Chinese Translation (Post-War)  
4. Epistemology (Hold Time)
5. Vincent O' Brien (Transfiguration of Vincent)
6. Post-War (Post-War)  
7. Carolina (End of Amnesia)
8. Rave On (Hold Time)
9. Eyes on The Prize (Post-War)
10. Beautiful Car (Duets For Guitars)
11. Sweethearts on Parade (Transistor Radio) 

Buy M.Ward's new album A Wasteland Companion....now!

The 11 Best Songs By The Great Lake Swimmers

The best time of the year is coming closer.  Record Store Day.  Finally!! the official list for the states has been released. Waiting for the list was like staring at the clock at work...waiting for it to hit 5:00...only to be told by your boss right before clocking out time that you had to stay late. Thankfully, your boss can't keep you over night and the list has arrived.  It's interesting to be sure. Some real nuggets in there.  And though there doesn't seem to be as many big releases...mostly 7"...I think I have about three times as many wishlist items as I did last  year.  It's Christmas in April for sure...and wait only gets more exciting.

One of my favorite past RSD releases is the Great Lake Swimmers Legions Sessions.  It's only fitting that it goes hand it hand with their newest release.

Here are the 11 Best Songs By The Great Lake Swimmers:

1. Your Rocky Spine (Ongiara)
2. Bodies and Minds (Bodies and Minds)
3. I Saw You In the Wild (Bodies and Minds)
4. Palmistry (Lost Channels)
5. Song For The Angels (Bodies and Minds)
6. Moving Pictures Silent Film (Great Lake Swimmers)
7. Various Stages (Bodies and Minds)
8. Pulling On A Line (Lost Channels)
9. Gonna Make It Through This Year (Hands In Dirty Ground)
10. This Is Not Like Home (Great Lake Swimmers)
11. Before They Make Me Run (Alt. Country Tribute to the Rolling Stones)

Buy The Great Lake Swimmers new album...New Wild Everywhere...now!

Here are the 11 Best Songs By Rusko

Before Skrillex dubbed the hell out spaced-out teenagers high from sniffing their parents cleaning supplies, the sound he would later dominate was being refined for him by whole group of other musicians across the ocean.  I find it so interesting that the truly innovative artists who struggle to create a new sound are the ones who are left behind when that sound dominates the airwaves.  Nirvana was a success because of the years the Pixies, Sonic Youth, and Mudhoney put in.  Radiohead hit it big thanks to the Stone Roses, Suede and Pulp.  And most recently Foster The People's success can really be linked to bands like Empire of the Sun, Phoenix, and MGMT.  Sure some of the lesser known bands have their own moderate success...but it's really their job to build the foundation so someone else can come late to the game and take all the credit.

Here are the 11 Best Songs By Rusko:

1. Hold On (O.M.G!)
2. You're On My Mind  (O.M.G!)
3. Everyday (Everyday)
4. Feels So Real  (O.M.G!)
5. Jahova (FabricLive.37)
6. Raver's Special  (O.M.G!)
7. Acton Dread (Acton Dread EP)
8. Dial My Number  (O.M.G!)
9. Mr. Chips (FabricLive.37)
10. Hammer Time (FabricLive.37)
11. William H Tonkers (Single EP)

Buy Rusko's new album, Songs...now!!!