“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is the kind of sex song that you’d expect a serial killer to write to a potential victim. Everyone, movie directors in particular, thinks that. And if so, that’s fine by Trent Reznor, the man who orchestrated the…
Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo introduced the band to the world as lovable geeks who loved grunge guitars and power-pop hooks. But this was far from a naive attempt at winning friends. This was a carefully orchestrated plan. And it was “Buddy Holly” that cemented…
Top 10 Songs by Steppenwolf
May 2, 2025
Steppenwolf produced the greatest biker rock anthem, “Born to be Wild,” and a few mighty psych-blues gems besides. Yes, the sound was very much of the era. But judged for all of its terrific songs, Steppenwolf has to be seen as one of the greatest rock bands of…
Top 10 Songs by Pretenders
May 1, 2025
Pretenders was a delayed effect of the initial punk-rock boom in England. The group, led by talented frontwoman and songwriter Chrissie Hynde, however, outlived and outsold most of the original punk groups. Pretenders is one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
The…
Top 10 Songs by Blue Öyster Cult
April 30, 2025
Blue Öyster Cult was made up of serious artists and musicians who embraced what is, often, a juvenile genre of music – heavy metal. But in doing so, they became “the brains of hard rock,” and “the visionaries of thunder & lightning.” Blue…
Top 10 Songs by Linkin Park
April 29, 2025
Linkin Park was the biggest band of the early 2000s. The group achieved that by cutting the difference between angry nu metal, trendy hip hop and forward-thinking production and marketing techniques. Linkin Park is one of the biggest rock bands of all time.
The…
Top 10 Songs by Alkaline Trio
April 28, 2025
Alkaline Trio is a supremely undersung band in rock music. Too melodic for punk, too bouncy for emo, and too workaholic to be slackers, Matt Skiba’s group has carved out an incredible discography. Alkaline Trio is one of the finest bands in alternative music, one of…
Top 10 Songs by Cream
April 27, 2025
Cream was the first band made up of superstar musicians. They also played louder than most, improvised for extended periods, usually simultaneously, and came up with a few ageless classic songs. Cream is one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
And today, I am focusing…
Top 10 Songs by Whitesnake
April 25, 2025
Whitesnake and David Coverdale were never key proponents of subtlety in rock music. But whereas the blues players who had influenced them disguised their lustful ways, Coverdale let it all hang out. But the band had the songs to match the machismo. Whitesnake is one of the…