Fall, Glimmer, Sparkle and Fade

:: Sunday, November 20, 2005 ::

I Love The 90's

This one is courtesy of the only woman still walking around in ripped jeans and flannel shirt, Phoe:
Okay, to capitalize on the premature 90's nostalgia floating around, what would you say are the best bands of the 90's?
And if they're still together or whatever, or started before the 90's, that's fine. You just have to have a reason why you associate them more with the 90's. And why they're kickass.


Is it just me or is VH1 nuts to be running these I Love the 90's shows? Hey, I really did love the 90's, but that doesn't mean I'm ready to reminisce as if it were 25 years ago. I understand that VH1's original programming isn't exactly lighting the world on fire, but what about an extra version of The Surreal Life instead of these over the top 90's shows? Or hell, bring back Bands Reunited and just bring together bands from the 90's. Who couldn't use a Mr. Big reunion?

I guess if VH1 is allowed to run a whole I Love the 90's series, then I can do a list about the best bands from that decade. If you want to read about Nirvana or Pearl Jam, just head over to Rolling Stone's website to read their weekly tribute to one of the two.


1. Hootie & The Blowfish
- That's right, show some respect to Hootie. Seriously though, is there any band from the 90's that gets less respect? I understand they are the pop band to end all pop bands, but their debut is one of the best selling albums of all time. All time! It seems to me that *N SYNC gets more credit for their achievements and all they did was dance around with strings attached to their arms. You may snicker, but with 15 million copies of Cracked Rear View floating around out there I bet you have one of them.


2. Toad the Wet Sprocket
- Everyone likes to talk about the way Nirvana paved the way for the current crop of rock bands (which is true), but it's rare you hear anyone mention the Toad's of the world that made the mainstream accessible to the likes of John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band and Matchbox Twenty (for better or worse). Never a massively huge band, Toad was popular enough to prove a rock band with a bar band sound could find it's way onto the radio.


3. Gin Blossoms
- Of the five bands that make up this list, it would be a close race between the Gin Blossoms and Hootie for the most songs still being played on the radio. Even before the recent rehashing of the 90's the Gin Blossoms were still a staple of adult contemporary radio stations and of course 'flashback' hours across all formats. The native sons of Tempe have a great story if you've never heard it before. Head here to read it.


4. Marcy Playground
- These guys deserved much more than simply being a one hit wonder. Sure, 'Sex and Candy' was fun, but virtually everything John Wozniak wrote could have been a hit and it would have never surprised me. Unfortunately they were never truly given a shot at a follow up and they have since faded into obscurity although they are still together and making records.


5. The Presidents of the United States of America
- Obviously the Presidents will never have staying power in the pure sense of the phrase, but tell me they didn't have some of the catchiest songs of the 90's? Sure, they played guitars with three strings, drums with four pieces and sang about Peaches. But weren't all those things part of their charm? No, there wasn't any charm? Oh well, at least they were fun.

:: Ryan 1:01 AM [+] ::
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Where In The World

D keeps on churning out the hits:
No GPS necessary for this list... What are your Top 5 Songs with a geographical location in the title?

Man, my titles for these lists just keep getting worse and worse. Lucky for me, Deirdre keeps bringing her 'A' game when it comes to the actual list suggestions. Geographical location in the title? Brilliance.

I've noticed -- despite the lack of posts -- a nice increase in traffic lately. So I'd like to welcome any new visitors that stumble upon this fine waste of web space.

If you've found this site while looking for transcripts to SNL skits, new pictures of Britney Spears' baby, information about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, a free download of LimeWire or good 'ole fashioned porn, I'm sorry to disappoint you. But hopefully you'll enjoy the posts anyways. And all are obviously welcome to leave a comment or two.

Don't be a stranger, kids.


1. Jimmy Eat World "Lucky Denver Mint"
- The most underrated song ever? If it isn't, it has to be on the list. The boys of JEW hit it big with "The Middle", but planted their rock star seed with this one. C'mon, haven't you ever thrown a coin into a wishing well?

This time it's on my own
Minutes from somewhere else
Somewhere I made a wish with Lucky Denver Mint


2. Bruce Springsteen "Atlantic City"
- It's a shame I couldn't find any song about my hometown of Middletown, NJ, so this one will have to do. Despite any changes in Bruce's music over the years, the one constant has always been his ability to tell a story. While this is far from his best Jersey song, it still ranks as one of the best overall in his catalog.

Well now everything dies baby that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your makeup on fix your hair up pretty
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City


3. R.E.M. "Radio Free Europe"
- Is it cheating by using Europe? In the end, I make the rules around here so this one is fine by me. Every time R.E.M. puts out a record, I hope it will capture just a little bit of the pop energy this song has. It hasn't happened yet, but there's still time.

Straight off the boat, where to go?
Calling on in transit, calling on in transit
Radio Free Europe, radio


4. Better Than Ezra "King of New Orleans"
- There aren't many things better than the native sons of New Orleans belting this one out in concert.

So set him up
Then let him fall
Turn him over in your hands
God save the king of New Orleans


5. Genesis "Back in N.Y.C."
- One of the few pre-Phil Collins tracks that really grabs me. Much like the pre-Sammy Hagar Van Halen, all the early stuff is cool but the music was simply made for vocalist No. 2. I don't have any problems with Peter Gabriel or David Lee Roth (his new morning show notwithstanding), but both were just keeping the seat warm.

I see faces and traces of home back in New York City
So you think I'm a tough kid?
Is that what you heard?
Well I like to see some action and it gets into my blood



A Bonus Bottom 5!

As shown above, there are some great songs with a geographical location in the title. But what about the God awful ones? Don't worry, we like to look at all the angles here whenever we can.

1. David Lee Roth "Ladies' Nite in Buffalo?"
- Okay, so other than his new morning show and this song I don't have any problems with DLR. Seriously, I don't.

Jazz it up or play it slow
It's still the only song I know
It's 2 a.m. and traffic's slow
Another ladies' night in Buffalo


2. Creed "In America"
- At this point, they had yet to reach full on suck status. Seeing as how they started with a suck factor of 9, it didn't take them long to reach the ceiling of 10. But seeing how this was from their 'better time', that makes this song that much worse.

I am right and you are wrong
No one's right and no one's wrong
In America


3. Weezer "Beverly Hills"
- I don't like Rivers Cuomo. Never have and probably never will. But usually his music is pretty decent. But I'm not quite sure what he was doing here.

Beverly Hills
That's where I want to be
Living in Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills
Rolling like a celebrity
Living in Beverly Hills


4. Charlie Daniels Band "The Devil Went Down To Georgia"
- Do you understand the fascination with this song? I never have and probably never will.

The devil went down to Georgia
He was lookin' for a soul to steal
He was in a bind 'cause he was way behind
And he was willin' to make a deal


5. Murray Head "One Night in Bangkok"
- Does this one really need any explanation?

One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can't be too careful with your company
I can feel the devil walking next to me

:: Ryan 6:51 PM [+] ::
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