Well, it has been a while since my last post for two reasons: 1) the adapter plug for my computer with i-tunes broke, and I had to wait a few weeks to receive a new one (thank you Best Buy even though you told me 3-5 days); and 2) just when I got the adapter, life (especially school) decided to get really busy. And although I enjoy it, this of course is not at the top of my priority list. But I couldn’t abandon the idea for good, so this week is a treat… 25 artists to make up for the long delay (and probably future delays).
85. Tupac Shakur
Last post and this one begin with a rapper. However, this will be the last rap/ hip-hop artist you see on the list. Some hip-hop music can be very influential, inventive, and even inspiring, but most rap artists, I believe are the furthest thing from “musicians” there are in the industry. In my opinion, a true musician does it for one of three reasons (or all reasons): 1) to make a difference, 2) to cope with pain (kind of like an escape from the stresses of life) or 3) just a “pure” love of music. One thing I love about the so-called “underground” music scene is you get that with most of the artists. But how many rappers can you name that don’t want to be rich and famous? Tupac wanted that too, but I feel like there was so much more to what he did. He had fun, but he spoke his mind and revealed his heart through his music. He lived in the studio and loved what he did. When you listen to his stuff, you feel like you get to hear a part of him. He was real, he was open, he was sometimes crazy, but he was a “musician”.
Song: Keep Ya Head Up
84. SG Wannabe / (Korean Music)
I don’t think this Korean pop group would really be this high on their own, but I had to put some Korean music on here to represent my mission. So they kind of represent all Korean music at this spot. I don’t listen to many Korean tunes anymore, but a few songs of Wannabe have a special place in my heart.
83. Martina McBride
You got to love her. Not just because she’s a very pretty older lady with some amazing pipes that knows how to sing a strong chorus like no other, but because she’s those things, and she’s stayed surprisingly humble and motherly through it all.
Song: Where would you be? …can’t get as high as she does in my car, but you know I still try!
82. Blind Pilot
This is one of the first folk rock bands that I heard after my mission. Their songs all sound awfully similar, but I like their relaxed style.
Song: One Red Thread
81. One Republic and 80. The Script
These bands are like the same band to me. They got popular about the same time, both just came out with not-as-good sophomore albums, and they have almost the exact same sound that mixes mainly piano rock with pop, hip-hop, and 2000’s punk music. With that being said, I still enjoy listening to both. I like people that mix styles even if they aren’t all styles I highly enjoy.
Songs: Say (All I Need) & The Man Who Can’t Be Moved
79. Spoon
I love this guy’s voice. I wish I had the perfect word to describe it. Croaky, raspy, and whiney all come to mind, so maybe I’ll make up a word: “Crinespy”. Add his voice to unique, solid instrumentals and its “Crinesprilliant!”
Song: In honor of March Madness – “The Underdog”
78. Bon Iver
Speaking of good voices, what Justin Vernon (lead singer) can do with his voice is amazing. It is so melodic, yet you can sense so much pain behind it. He recorded practically the whole first album by himself while in seclusion at a Wisconsin cabin.
Song: Blindsided (or “Skinny Love” if you haven’t heard it before)
77. Dean Fields & 76. Teitur
These two are similar artists. They’re talented singer-songwriters that mix pop, soft rock, and folk. Teitur has gained some fame through movie soundtracks, opening for John Mayer, and being on the back of a Doritos bag; but Dean is so not famous that he actually requested to be my friend on Facebook because he saw I liked his music.
Songs: Half-hearted Apology –DF, & One and Only One - Teitur
75. Dan Fogelberg
This is one of my dad’s favorite artists (along with Bread, Jim Croce, James Taylor, and Paul Simon). As much as I hate to admit it, I think my pops and I would’ve had very similar tastes in music. I think I would have expanded my likes to some more soulful stuff over at Motown and some more experimental jam bands like the Allman Brothers, the Grateful Dead, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. But I know his favorites would have been some of mine too. How do I know, because most of them will be on this list just like Fogelberg.
Song: Same Old Lang Syne
74. Joni Mitchell
This is an artist I’m starting to listen to a lot more ever since I’ve discovered what an inspiration she is to so many of the artists I like. She is the mother of modern folk music with Dylan as the Father.
Song: A Case Of You
73. Johnny Flynn
I found Flynn when I spelled the Syracuse basketball player’s name wrong in a search (his has no “h”). He was something new and introduced me to this new British Folk Rock genre (e.g. Mumford and Sons).
Song: The Box or Kentucky Pill
72. Isaac Russell (RuRu)
Very smart move for him to change his stage name from RuRu. I prefer his real name over a childhood nickname. He is young and released his first CD when he was 16, but his music is anything but childish. He’s just a local Provo kid (son of a BYU music professor is what I’ve heard), but he makes my top 100 because it amazes me every time I hear his songs that he was a 15-16 year old when he wrote them. He may be unknown, but he has some of the best songwriting for his age of anyone I’ve ever heard.
Song: West Virginia
71. Xavier Rudd
Rudd is a very talented multi-instrumentalist, singer, and lyricist from Australia. He came to Utah for a small show when I was up there, but I didn’t know him well then and didn’t go. Poor choice!
Song: Better People
70. Norah Jones
When I stop listening to Norah, she seems to creep down my list and I forget about her. Until I hear her music again and remember how awesome she is. Her newest cd, “Featuring Norah Jones” (a collection of her duets), is definitely on my list of CD’s I need once I get more money.
Song: Not Too Late
69. Johnny Cash
There will never be another Cash. He is definitely one of a kind and cannot be duplicated. Yet he embodies what country music is all about to me: pure story telling through music.
Song: God’s Gonna Cut You Down
68. The Format
This is one of a few bands that take a spot in this list because of what they mean to my history of liking music. My tastes are always evolving, but I feel like you can’t just let go of old stuff that used to mean so much to you. Although, among these bands, the Format is one that I can still listen to quite frequently without getting annoyed.
Song: The Compromise
67. The Duhks & 66. The Waifs
These two bands sound similar. They both mix female and male voices and have a modern bluegrass feel. If you’re wondering what this is, it is kind of blend between indie, bluegrass, and folk. It’s actually one of my favorite styles of music… If you’re interested, I have a bluegrass mix on my I-tunes ready to be burned at anytime. I promise, you’ll love it too.
Songs: Fast Pace World – Duhks, & Rescue – Waifs
65. Rascal Flatts
Say what you want about Rascal Flatts, but there aren’t many more successful groups of the 2000’s. It seems like they always have a current hit song on the radio. Most artists come and go, especially groups, but they’ve stayed around strong for a decade. They’re definitely not where they once were with me and sometimes can get a little cheesy, but I’ll always recognize and enjoy his unique, high voice.
Song: If you don’t know a good Flatts song, something’s wrong with you!
64. The Weepies
I’m running out of time and things to say. Good duo. Good song-writing. Good music.
Song: World spins madly on
63. Justin Nozuka
It’s not always, but sometimes I feel that I like girly music (It’s probably because almost all the compliments I’ve ever gotten on my taste in music have come from females). Its artists like Nozuka where I remember that fact though. Whenever I listen to him, I get the sense that his fans are mostly girls. It may not even be true, I just don’t feel very manly with his music... but I still like it anyway.
Song: Golden Train
62. The Killers
They’ve had their share of good songs and bad songs, but there aren’t many songs in history that are better than “All These Things That I’ve Done” -- in my opinion, of course.
*Yes, and that was just 5 “The…” bands out of the last 7 artists. “The” something always makes a good band name!
61. John Legend
I’ve always been a sucker for Rhythm and Blues. Throw in some actual piano talent and good songwriting, and I’m sold. Thank you, John.
Song: Ordinary People
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