This has been a crazy, crazy semester for me, but now that I have made it through, I wanted to still finish my top 100 artists that I had started at the beginning of the year. Because I’ll be heading back to school soon, I thought I’d do as many as I could this week. So here are 30 artists (50-21) for your enjoyment!
50. Simon & Garfunkel
I was thinking recently how there’s no way Simon and Garfunkel would get any radio play these days. And then I thought about how much popular music has declined over the years. If you listen to the very old stuff like Ella Fitzgerald or Hank Williams, that was real talent. And then the 60’s brought a lot of political lyrics and experimental music like Dylan and the Beatles. The early 70’s had real “rock & roll” music, and you had Motown running strong through all those years. Then, I think the 80’s brought way too many hair bands, music videos, electronic beats, and voice synthesizers. It wasn’t about the music and talent anymore. Radio continued to decline until today, where it’s all about who and what’s marketable in mainstream music. Now we’re stuck with Gaga, Miley, Katy, Bruno, and Ke$ha every other song on the radio. Do you really think Simon and Garfunkel would have found their music in between any of those songs? Yeah, didn’t think so. But they played it back then! Anyways, that’s my rant; now let’s get to the rest of the countdown.
Songs: The Boxer & 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (Paul Simon)
49. Sam & Ruby
This is a very good duo that not many people have heard of. Shamefully, I first found them while shopping at Hollister.
Songs: Chillin & Heaven’s My Home
48. Willie Nelson
He’s not the best musician or singer, but there’s just something about Willie that people love. He gets me too!
Songs: Always on my mind & Maria (Shut up and kiss me)
47. Dierks Bentley
I have been up and down with Dierks during his career. I loved his first album, and then they just seemed to get worse and worse after that . . . until his latest record. It is maybe his best yet. He even worked with two of my other favorites, Miranda Lambert and Chris Thile, on it. He redeemed himself and shot back up on my list.
Songs: Wish it would break & Long trip alone
46. Jimmy Needham
I first heard him while carpooling with a friend from school and was impressed. He is kind of like a Christian-Pop (with some soul) version of Jason Mraz or Eric Hutchinson.
Songs: The Reason I sing & Part the Clouds
45. Langhorne Slim
It kind of takes a while to get used to his voice, but Slim is a great song-writer and passionate musician.
Songs: Worries & So Glad I’m Coming Home
44. Jack Johnson
Sometimes Jack is one of my favorites; and other times, I don’t really care for him. Either way, it’s always hard to make it through a whole album of his without needed something fresh. That’s why he’s just 44.
Songs: Angel & Sitting, Waiting, Wishing
43. Brendan James
Sometimes I wonder, if I was a little more musically talented and driven, what kind of artist I would be. Genres are so subjective or limiting these days, I think it’s better to compare to an artist. I’ve thought about this before, and I think I would be a mix between Amos Lee, Eric Hutchinson, and Brendan James, both in sound and personality. They all have a good balance of playful and introspective song-writing.
Songs: All I Can See & Hero’s Song
42. Bob Dylan
I’ll admit, I get to about the fourth song of Dylan’s in a row, and I can hardly take his voice anymore. However, I cannot deny his impact on music. He was passionate, innovative, and versatile. He proved to the world you didn’t need a traditional voice if you were singing for a meaningful purpose. His poetic and impactful lyrics helped shape a generation; and he set a path for many future artists to follow - many artists that I really like.
Songs: Blowing in the Wind & Don’t think twice, it’s alright
41. David Gray
Until this winter break, I didn’t really appreciate David Gray. I only remembered that “Babylon” song, and for some reason just associated him with Robbie Williams since their songs were popular close together and they were both British. But I saw he toured with Ray Lamontagne last year and decided to look up some of his music during my break. I’m very glad I did because the man has talent and has put out some quality stuff.
Songs: This Year’s Love & The Other Side
40. Incubus
When I want to listen to 90’s/2000’s rock music, this is one of my go-to bands. They actually made me start liking “white people” music again back in junior high school. I love their fusion of hard rock with funk. Everybody loves their album with Drive and Pardon Me, but I think Morning View (not as popular) was their true masterpiece.
Songs: Stellar & Wish You Were Here
39. The Kooks
This is one of a couple artists that Pandora radio introduced me to. Thanks Pandora! I think “She moves in her own way” still holds the record for most plays in a single day on my i-tunes. It was like 40 or 50 something.
Songs: She Moves In Her Own Way & Seaside
38. Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
Potter has been this semester’s top artist. It seems every few months, I find some new artist that I fall in love with, who quickly becomes one of my favorites. I found her music in December, but it took me a month or two to decide whether I liked it. Her voice is awesome though. She can do anything from rock to country to blues to pop, etc. Heck, she can even do Disney (she sings the main song for Tangled).
Songs: Only Love & Medicine (Also, get the Daytrotter free version of Paris, it’s much better)
37. Zac Brown Band
One problem I have with most artists, especially in country, is you can’t trust them. They may have a song that you like, and they catch your attention for a bit; then they release something horrible and you think, “Why’d I ever like them?” But is there a more consistent band/group/artist out there than Brown and Co.? I feel like you can trust them. Everything they’ve put out has been good. No let downs!
Songs: Colder Weather & Whatever it is
36. Garth Brooks
Garth is just classic. There’s not really much I can say about him besides "classic".
Songs: She’s Every Woman & Beaches of Cheyenne
35. Brad Paisley
Paisley is the perfect example of what I mentioned with the Zac Brown Band. You can’t always trust what he’s going to put out. He has made songs that I'll love forever and songs that I can't stand. He has many greats, and then he has songs like “Ticks”. Still, his volume of the ones I like and his sweet guitar skills make him one of my favorite country men.
Songs: Holding on to You & Little Moments
34. Matt Costa
It was Costa’s Pandora station that introduced me to Brett Dennen, The Kooks, The Shins (who Costa sounds eerily similar to by the way), and Dispatch. I’m happy my brother had a few Costa CD’s around when I got back from my mission to introduce me to him.
Songs: Astair & These Arms
33. Ben Harper
Harper doesn’t really have any “blow you away” or “change your life” songs in his repertoire, but he has consistently been putting out quality music across many genres for 2 decades now.
Songs: Steal My Kisses & Walk Away
32. Tevin Campbell
Yes, he is also known as “Powerline”. I loved his music as a young kid and it’s my opinion that he would have been the next Michael Jackson had R&B not changed drastically in the late 90’s and had he not been such a weirdo and got in trouble with some child sex charges . . . Oh wait, maybe he was the next Jackson.
Songs: I’m Ready & Don’t Say Goodbye Girl
31. Michael Jackson
Speaking of Michael, I don’t care how odd he was, there will never be another like him. His music is timeless and his dancing will never be duplicated.
Songs: Human Nature & of course, MAN IN THE MIRROR!
30. Parachute
This may be the best band that has come out in the past 5 years. I just listened to their sophomore album, and it is just as good as the first. That’s not common (see: The Script and One Republic). I also saw them live and they did not disappoint.
Songs: Under Control & What I Know
29. Bearfoot
This is another contemporary bluegrass group - probably less well-known than the Duhks, the Waifs, or the Wailin’ Jennys; but in my opinion, better. Those Canadians really know how to make good bluegrass folk music!
Songs: Before I Go & Time is No Medicine
28. Citizen Cope
I don’t think he has really done much as of late, but I wish he would. His mix of hip-hop, rock, and acoustic sound is awesome! And there's something about his music that mixes well with movies and TV. Check out his wickepedia and you'll be amazed at how many times he's had his songs in those TV and Film.
Songs: D’Artagnans Theme & Sideways
27. Damien Rice
Rice hasn’t really had any good new stuff lately either. I am also upset that he let Lisa Hannigan go too. It was perfect with his calm, yet coarse voice and her strong, yet pretty backing vocals. I’m sure he has some other girl sing for his live shows now, but I liked Lisa. Still, his music is wonderful and never gets old to me.
Songs: Nine Crimes & Cold Water
26. Peter Bradley Adams
I don’t know if there is a better love song writer right now than Adams (e.g. Keep Us, For You, One Picture, Always, etc). His melodies are peaceful, and the words are original and heart-felt. You don’t find that with love songs very often anymore. That’s because most of them are songs of infatuation about someone they like for one night in the club or maybe a year until they get sick of them and move on to the next. But Adams tunes are well-crafted and sincere.
Songs: Those mentioned, & The Longer I Run
25. Miranda Lambert
Not only is she a newlywed to Blue-eyed Blake Shelton, but she is a unique singer, talented song-writer, and a better-than-Taylor-and-Carrie Country Superstar! I’ve always loved Miranda’s style ever since I saw her on Nashville Star in 2003.
Songs: Gunpowder and Lead & Me and Charlie Talking
24. James Morrison
Morrison caught my attention when I got back from my mission in ’07 and heard a couple of his famous songs. Then I kind of forgot about him because I didn’t have a laptop, cd player, or much access to new music for about a year and a half after my mission. But last summer I started getting into Morrison again. He’s a little bit “Poppy”, but he’s got a lot of soul to him and an amazing voice.
Songs: The Only Night & You Make It Real
23. Kalai
I’ve been to a lot of concerts in my life, but no one has had a voice that sounded even better live than recorded but Kalai. He’s not the best performer I’ve ever seen, in fact he’s pretty chill and talks probably more than he sings, but what he could do with his voice and guitar and his overall style won in my book.
Songs: Patience Lies & Divide Me
22. Jim Croce
Of all the premature deaths in the entertainment business, this is one that probably saddens and disappoints me the most (Chris Farley, a close 2nd). He could’ve been bigger than Simon or JT if he would’ve stuck around longer. He was still young and undeveloped as an artist. I would’ve liked to have more, but I’m still happy for his music I do have.
Songs: Operator & Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy)
21. Something Corporate
This was my favorite band in high school. I had their every song and went to every show when they came to Vegas. My tastes and behaviors have changed a bit since then, but some music never leaves your soul, and Something Corporate will forever be in there!
Songs: Walking By & Ruthless
