A'ight, so summer vacation has started and I will review my charts now, and after to see the difference. I did a reset between the reviews (Not directly after) so I think it needs some time to build itself.
Here we go:
50.
July For Kings
JFK is a decent post-grunge. Not very different, but they got some nice hooks and good vocals. I tend to listen to them when I'm bored, or just tired.
Favourite Song:
Believe
49.
Puddle of Mudd
If I'm being deadly honest, I don't like POM. Aside from one song that I can listen to over and over, and another great song, I don't really like them.
Favourite Song:
Spin You Around
48.
Flipsyde
Flipsyde are the perfect band for me, but for some reason they're not among my favourites. They're also a little underlistened, since they're a band I could listen to almost anytime of the day. Still, good stuff.
Favourite Song:
Happy Birthday
47.
Talib Kweli
Kweli slowly made his way to my charts. "Eardrum" was a blind buy, and it was a good one. An album I'de recommend anyone who wants to get into Hip-Hop. I should check his older stuff.
Favourite Song:
More or Less
46.
Rocko
Ehhhh... No, not really. I only like one song. Shouldn't be in my charts.
Favourite Song:
Karma
45.
Run-D.M.C.
Everytime I see these guys so low in my charts I die a little inside. Damn, I love them to bits. Maybe they just tire me quickly. I don't think there are rappers more energetic and full of life than them. They were also the first to bring rock to rap.
Favourite Song:
King of Rock
44.
Plan B
The problem with B is that his lyrics are really heavy. At first, I didn't expect that. Of course, I expect to love the mix of rap & acoustic guitar, but the lyrics quickly grabbed me. Try to imagine Eminem with an acoustic guitar and songs about social issues, and you got Plan B
Favourite Song:
Dead and Buried
43.
Crossfade
Another decent post-grunge band I listened to while I was tired. I can't say they're really unique or anything, but they got atleast 2 really great songs, to their defense
Favourite Song:
Colors
42.
Audioslave
These guys will probably ALWAYS be in my charts. I can't avoide them, and I don't want to. They're clearly one of the better post-grunge bands out there. I hope I'm not the only one who think their first is their weakest.
Favourite Song:
Out Of Exile
41.
Hush
Oh, Hush is a good dude with his Rap/Rock mix. I heard he turned his project into a band, and an album will come out soon. It'll probably one of the better '08 albums.
Favourite Song:
Right Behind You
40.
Mr. Lif
Lif isn't much of a great rapper, but he writes some amazing lyrics. I think he was one of the first underground rap acts I've heard of. I got only one album, but I need to check the next one. A welcomed member of the Def Jux family.
Favourite Song:
Live from the Plantation
39.
Wu-Tang Clan
Hmm... I don't know if I'm really into thw Wu-Tang. Sure, they have their moments. I can't deny that the whole 9 are great rappers, and there's only one I don't like. Maybe they're not really my taste.
Favourite Song:
Gravel Pit
38.
Cage
Ohhh, Cage is good stuff. It's worth noting I listen to the rapper, not the metal band. Aside from that, I'm really satisfied with "Hell's Winter", and hope that a new album will come out.
Favourite Song:
Hell's Winter
37.
Clawfinger
I listened to the lots before the reset, not alot recently. Got a little bored I guess, I'm pretty sure I'll end up listening to them alot again. Like almost all music with good hooks. They also write some amazing lyrics.
Favourite Song:
What Are You Afraid Of
36.
Pharoahe Monch
God... I remember hating him... But damn, I can't resist his delivery. "Simon Says" is one of the best Hip-Hop club tracks. It hits HARD, and I used to hate it. Aside from that, great artist. I need to check his older band.
Favourite Song:
Simon Says
35.
Hangar 18
A rap group named after a song of a thrash metal band? And signed to Def Jux? That's I gotta see! Suprise, Hangar are more of a fun group. Nothing wrong. All the 3 members are great and have great chemistry. I hope they won't break anytime soon
Favourite Song:
Bakin Soda
34.
Swollen Members
They had to find their way to my charts. At one point, I felt sad from neglecting them. They really influenced my taste. The music still sounds great as it ever was, maybe even better. I hope a new album will come out, I could use a new dose of their battle-rap. Also, "Put Me On" has got to be one of the best love-raps.
Favourite Song:
Put Me On
33.
Anthrax
Saying I have bad experience with metal is an understatement. I mean, I could go and tell somebody that "metal sucks" just to piss the fans off. Still, I shouldn't let that affect the music. I gave Anthrax a new try after I expended my taste a bit, but it's better than I thought. Might be one of the favourite bands.
Favourite Song:
I Am The Law
32.
Public Enemy
Haha, one place above Anthrax. Technically, PE are probably the best artist in my charts. Are they my all-time favourite? Well, no. But now I'm acting like I hate them. I LOVE PE, it's just that I overplayed them and got a little bored. From now and then I put on a song and it's the same thing that made me love them in the first place.
Favourite Song:
Night Of The Living Baseheads
31.
Nine Inch Nails
When I first got "With Teeth", I only liked a few songs. I gave up on NIN. After hearing closer, I listened to "With Teeth" with a more open-mind and ended up loving it. T.Rez got 2 new albums, I'll probably check them out since '08 was a slow year.
Favourite Song:
Closer
30.
Saving Abel
A post-grune I found. Yeah, I guess I spent some time listening to them, but they aren't really a great band. They should take an exist.
Favourite Song:
She Got Over Me
29.
Orange 9MM
Damn! I forgot about these guys. Although the latest 2 albums are more of my style, I seem to listen alot to the first one, the more hardcore/post-hardcore one. Still, a good band that suits my taste
Favourite Song:
High Speed Changer
28.
GZA/Genius
I actually don't know if I like The GZA or not. I know he's one of the only "calm" rappers I enjoy, but I can't recall a time where I listened to him alot. Oh well, he wrote some amazing songs so I can't fault him. I also like his style, somewhat. Maybe he'll grow on me.
Favourite Song:
Beneath The Surface
27.
Aerosmith
It goes like this: I listened to them lots, got a new computer and forgot to rip the CD's back. I ripped them now and it's even better than before. Aero will probably be one of my favourites soon.
Favourite Song:
Back in the Saddle
26.
Beck
Where do I start... I listened to "Mellow Gold" alot recently, but I love it. Great melodies, good performance with the acoustic guitar, good singing, a song called "Mutherfuker" and some rapping. A strange mix that works, I'm gonna check other stuff, I wonder what more he can make.
Favourite Song:
Beercan
25.
Urban Dance Squad
I love the UDS. Now that I've expended my taste (or so I think?) I like them even more. Not much to say, but there's still things to discover. I hope they'll rise up
Favourite Song:
(Thru) The Gates of the Big Fruit
24.
Eminem
I remember only beginning listening to rap. I used to be a fan of Eminem, not anymore. He did some really stupid stuff. To his defense, he's a VERY sharp lyricist, and an amazing MC. It's also very catchy, so I guess he deserves a place in my charts.
Favourite Song:
'97 Bonnie & Clyde
23.
Buckcherry
Another band I listened to while I was tired of all the other stuff. They're more satisfying than other post-grunge stuff, I think I'll dive and explore a bit. The better version of Puddle Of Mudd
Favourite Song:
Next 2 You
22.
Aesop Rock
I don't know what to think of Aesop Rock. Aside that I LOVE his funny voice, he sounds like he rambles random crap. Good random crap that kept me listening.
Favourite Song:
None Shall Pass
21.
Bill Withers
"Ain't No Sunshine" is brilliant, so I checked the whole album and loved it. I've been trying to get into this style of music, and I hope Bill will help me. Hah.
Favourite Song:
Ain't No Sunshine
20.
Days of the New
A post-grunge band I found. At first, didn't like them but they grew on me and I must they're quite original. I heard that a new album might come out, and I hope so since this band is quite unique.
Favourite Song:
Touch, Peel & Stand
19.
Theory of a Deadman
An old post-grunge band, one of the first bands I've heard closely while going to music "serious". I'm very satisfied with the new album, exaclty how it should be and I feel Theory get a little more... unique with every passing album.
Favourite Song:
End Of The Summer
18.
Onyx
Haha. Boy, how can I not like these screaming dudes? Allmusic called them "Heavy Metal Rap" and I see from where that's coming from. Despite the fact they supposed to suck, they're great. Some say they're over-the-top, but for me that's what makes them great.
Favourite Song:
Slam
17.
Yak Ballz
An OK rapper from DefJux family. Nothing special, but decent. Not sure if one of my top 20.
Favourite Song:
A Billion Ways
16.
Lenny Kravitz
I have an interestng history with Lenny. I first heard the infamous "Fly Away", used to be my favourite song. Then, I heard him on a song with Jay-Z and I loved it. Finally, I heard "I'll Be Waiting" and decided to check te whole album. It's the first '08 album that I actually considered great. I'm also tryig to expand my rock horizons, so it helps.
Favourite Song:
Fly Away
15.
Orphaned Land
I guess I made my way to prog-metal with OL, not Opeth or Dream Theatre. Hey, it shouldn't be suprising why I like them. The album "Mabool" is really unique and great, I better go check some old stuff. A new album might come out, and it will help this slow year.
Favourite Song:
Ocean Land (The Revelation)
14.
The Mars Volta
At first, I only enjoyed some parts of the new album. In time, I ended up enjoying most of it now. Infact, for now, it's the best 08 album (Not that there are many '08 albums). Cedric is an amazing vocalist, and it helps carry the songs.
Favourite Song:
Agadez
13.
Panic at the Disco
Same situation with Saving Abel. It's Ok, I guess it had the same effect on me like FOB, only I like FOB more. They'll probably go down soon.
Favourite Song:
Nine in the Afternoon
12.
Big & Rich
I've listened to the first album lot and then stopped. The new album kinda bored me and I lost interest. Still, the first album is good.
Favourite Song:
Rollin' (The Ballad of Big & Rich)
11.
Cannibal Ox
"You were a still born baby/Mother didn't want you but you were still born"
Haha, here's that classic line. I think they were one of the first rap groups I ever heard of. I can't recall from where. I know that now, I love them. I don't think I'de like them back in the old day, so maybe it's a good thing I only checked them recently.
Favourite Song:
Iron Galaxy
10.
Living Colour
After hearing them on a song with Run-D.M.C., I checked them out and I was really, really satisfied. For now I got the last & first album and both of them are amazing. For now, one of my favourite rock acts.
Favourite Song:
Middle Man
9.
Sevendust
I have problems with them. I'm not sure if they're one of the favourites, but I know I can put them on repeat and never get bored. I know my love for them grew with time, so maybe they deserve a place in the top.
Favourite Song:
Deathstar
8.
Nightwish
Yeah, I listened to Dark Passion Play and I love it. I actually think Anette is a good singer, with a sweet voice and I met people who think like me, so I'm not alone with this. Of course, I will check older stuff, but for now DPP really satisfies me.
Favourite Song:
Amaranth
7.
12 Stones
12 Stones are for peope who can't resist good hooks, like me. But I don't like them as much as the other artists in the top. Still, I'de recommend them to anyone who wants quality hooks.
Favourite Song:
Eric's Song
6.
Del tha Funkee Homosapien
One of the first rap acts I ever heard of, thanks to Gorillaz. Finally, I really checked him out and I love it. He has an amazing voice, and with some good rapping skills it's clear I'll love it. "If You Must" makes me laugh everytime.
Favourite Song:
If You Must
5.
John Coltrane
I'll listen to Coltrane when I'm bored of everything else. OK, I listen to him when I want something different. Sadly, I don't know alot about Jazz, but I'll probably play Sax because of him.
Favourie Song:
A Love Supreme, Pt. 4: Pslam
4.
Cypress Hill
Oh god, where do I start? I LOVE these guys. Although Muggs is not my favourite producer, B-Real is not my favourite rapper & Sen Dog is not my favourite Hype Man, as a whole they work so well. They also have a long, varied discography so it helps. There's a chance I'll see them live soon, and it's a good thing that my first concert will be of my favourite band =)
Favourite Song:
Hand on the Pump
3.
El-P
Here's another favourite. Infact, he turned into my favourite producer, and for a good reason. When I listened to "I'll Sleep When You're Dead", I fell in love with in an instant. Maybe it's actually my favourite album for now. He's also the head of my favourite record label. Hah, I wonder if a new album will come out in the next 5 years.
Favourite Song:
Tasmanian Pain Coaster
2.
Everlast
I take what I said about Flipsyde back, Everlast is the perfect artist for me, or atleast that "Whitey Ford Sings The Blues" album. What I like about him is that his music never feels forced, always smooth. It seems that he joined a hardcore rap group, but the single from his new album shows he's still into singing. He can't decide between rock & rap, hehe.
Favourite Song:
What It's Like
1.
Company Flow
Now when I think about it, after Swollen Members, Sweatshop Union & Del, they were the first underground rap act I had interest in. I never bothered until I got intersted in El-P, and hearing he was a part of them. "Funcrusher Plus" deserves it's name, I love that album and I can easily put it and listen to the whole 18 tracks. The instrumental album is also great. I'm glad I didn't check the back then, I don't think I would enjoy them back when I was more close-minded. Are CoFlow my all-time favourite? Not really, I guess I prefere Cypress, El-P solo and Everlast over them, but I still love them and they're probably in my top 10. They also "created" my favourie style of Hip-Hop: Weird rapping over weird beats.
Favourite Song:
the fire in which you burn
Here it is, what I think about my whole top 50. I expect some rise, some to fall. I'm sure there will be new entries, since I've recently got interested in Shoegaze. Next review in 2 months.
Yak Ballz
