BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) THEM CROOKED VULTURES
One part Nirvana and Foo Fighters… one part Queens of the Stone Age… and one part Led Zeppelin. Take these ingredients, shake firmly, and slowly pour over ice. Drink and be taken to a world of awesome. That is the recipe of one of the best “super groups” ever formed. Dave Grohl on drums, Josh Homme on guitar and vocals, and John Paul Jones on bass and keys is all you really need. This band is rock and roll at its finest and most pure. It sounds like someone your father would pass down to his son, but in this case it’s the son who can pass it on to the father. It’s weird dynamic. I would love for them to add in some random superstar collaborators on guest vocals or another instrument. Imagine if Jack White did vocals and rhythm on a song? It would be almost too much to handle. As it is, I want more. They have one album out so far. Do yourself a favor and get it now!
(THREE) THE KILLERS
For some reason, people are quick to dismiss The Killers. They have to be one of the best bands of the 00’s. I’m not saying they’re number one, but in the VERY least “Top Ten”. The first album Hot Fuss came out in 04 and it got them out there. Then Sam’s Town was the second release two years later and again… it made them even bigger. Their last album “Day & Age” was released in 08 and I think was probably the best album released that year. They sound like they’re replicating their influences at times, I’ll admit it. But once you get into the nitty gitty of their discography you get to hear some really good stuff.
(TWO) YEAH YEAH YEAHS
They have some synth, some poppy dance stuff, and some really catchy hooks. Yeah Yeah Yeahs are easily one of my favorite “art rock” bands out there. The music is just catchy as hell, but it’s the vocals, screams, and presence of vocalist Karen O that makes this band great. The first album was hot shit. 2003’s “Fever to Tell” was awesome. I could probably sing along to the entire album if I had to. The second album, 2006’s “Show Your Bones”, had some stuff on it that I loved but was mostly forgettable. 2009’s “It’s Blitz!” was nowhere close weak sauce, but not my cup of tea. I’m still not done with this band yet. I think they have another great album in them. At least one more. In the meantime, listen for yourself and form your own opinion.
(ONE) ALICE IN CHAINS
It’s hard to classify Alice In Chains. They hit it big when grunge was still going on, but they were a little harder than your typical grunge. They weren’t aggressive and caveman enough to be full on metal. They’re alternative, but have something classic to their sound. It’s really hard to pin point them and I think that’s why Alice In Chains is one of the most underrated bands of all time. When Layne Staley was a live, the band was on fire. They put out hits like “Man In The Box”, “Sea of Sorrow”, “Would?”, “Rooster”, “No Excuses”, “Got Me Wrong”, “Heaven Beside You”, and about a million more. They really didn’t put out a bad album and I don’t think they ever would have. Layne passed away and then would eventually get a new singer. I didn’t say a “replacement”, but a “new singer”. William DuVall has stepped in and has done great, but they still haven’t managed to capture that magic from back then. Regardless, I recommend giving these guys a fair and full chance. Listen to an album or two and tell me they’re not great.
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