Favorite Bands / Musicians
As per the title, this a list of music I like. My whole thing with music is: If you hear something and you like it - who cares who it's by or what genre it's in? So, that being said, I don't really consider myself to be limited to a specific genre of music, nor do I mean to imply that the bands/ musicians I chose for this list are meant to thoroughly represent that statement. I mean, I like a lot of 90s grunge and alt. rock, but I can like any type of music but, then again, the ones within this list are ones I tend to label as being my personal favorites. Oh, and aside from the first 2 (really 4), this is in no definite order
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Nirvana was an American rock band formed by lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. Nirvana went through a succession of drummers, the longest-lasting and best-known being Dave Grohl, who joined in 1990. Despite releasing only three full-length studio albums in their seven-year career, Nirvana has come to be regarded as one of the most influential and important alternative bands in history. Though the band dissolved in 1994 after the death of Cobain, their music maintains a popular following and continues to influence modern rock and roll culture.What can I say? Nirvana is amazing and don't let anyone tell you differently. I grew up with Nirvana (and a lot of other bands on this list -thank god for cool parents), but I've definitely been able to appreciate and relate more to the music of Nirvana as I get older. Some days my favorite album from their studio album discography varies - some days I prefer the raw, in your-face sound of Bleach (1989), other days I enjoy Nevermind (1991) the most, and some days I prefer the melodic but melancholy In Utero (1993). I guess I can admit that I may be a snob when it comes to the things I like, but oh well whatever nevermind (sorry, I had to do it...)
Favorite Song(s): Rape Me, In Bloom, Paper Cuts, Territorial Pissings, Dive, Lounge Act, All Apologies, Sliver, Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle, Lithium, Smells Like Teen Spirit, Floyd the Barber, Serve the Servants, Scoff
Also, own 7 Nirvana shirts. Yeah, damn the whole corporate aspect but, for my pre-eBay account days, it sure came in handy, I'll admit.- Music Artist
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Kurt Cobain was born on February 20 1967, in Aberdeen, Washington. Kurt and his family lived in Hoquiam for the first few months of his life then later moved back to Aberdeen, where he had a happy childhood until his parents divorced. The divorce left Kurt's outlook on the world forever scarred. He became withdrawn and anti-social. He was constantly placed with one relative to the next, living with friends, and at times even homeless. Kurt was not the most popular person in high school as he was in public school. In 1985 Kurt left Aberdeen for Olympia where he formed the band Nirvana in 1986. In 1989 Nirvana recorded their debut album Bleach under the independent label Sub-Pop records. Nirvana became very popular in Britain and by 1991 they signed a contract with Geffen. Their next album Nevermind became a 90s masterpiece and made Kurt's Nirvana one of the most successful bands in the world. Kurt became trampled upon with success and found the new lifestyle hard to bear. In February 1992 Kurt married Courtney Love, the woman who was already pregnant with his child, Frances Bean Cobain. Nirvana released their next album Incesticide later that year. The album appealed to many fans due to the liner notes, which expressed Kurt's open-mindedness. In September 1993 Nirvana released their next album, 'In Utero', which topped the charts. On March 4, 1994, Kurt was taken to hospital in a coma. It was officially stated as an accident but many believe it to have been an unsuccessful suicide attempt. Family and friends convinced Kurt to seek rehab. Kurt was said to have fled rehab after only a few days from a missing person's report filed by Courtney Love. On April 8th Kurt's body was found in his Seattle home. In his arms was a shotgun, which had been fired into his head. Near him laid a suicide note written in red ink. It was addressed to his wife Courtney Love and his daughter Frances Bean Cobain. Two days after Kurt's body was discovered people gathered in Seattle, they began setting fires, chanting profanities, and fighting with police officers. They also listened to a tape of Courtney reading sections of the suicide note left by Kurt. The last few words were "I love you, I love you".I feel it appropriate to list some of the frontmen/women to these bands - especially that of Kurt Cobain for Nirvana who was, essentially, Nirvana. I'm not a Cobain worshiper who considers him this God, nor do I buy into ludicrous conspiracy theories about his death, but Cobain was a genius when it came to music - there's just no denying that. RIP- Actress
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Hole is one of the most underrated bands ever (if not the most underrated). Most people just dislike Courtney Love the person and try and deny any artistic merit on her behalf, but Hole was an amazing band. I believe Rolling Stone said "Hole is a band, Courtney Love is a soap opera." I personally favor the grungy sound of Hole - specifically the Live Through This era, but they're one of the few bands I can name that transitioned well from a grungy rock sound (Pretty on the Inside) to a more polished rock sound (Celebrity Skin). I don't really consider the last Hole album Nobody's Daughter (2010) to really be Hole, since Hole was/is Courtney Love and Eric Erlandson, but I thought it was still a great album. Anyway, Hole's underrated and I love their music and lyrics especially - In your face honest but cathartic lyrics, and melodic but often powerful.
Praying for a proper reunion.
Own 10 Hole shirts: 5 from the Celebrity Skin tour, 1 from the Live Through This tour, 1 Live Through This album cover shirt, 2 logo shirts, and one with a concert poster from when Veruca Salt opened for them.
Album Ranking:
Live Through This (1994)
Celebrity Skin (1998)
Pretty on the Inside (1991)
My Body, the Hand Grenade (1997) [Compilation Album]
Nobody's Daughter (2010)
Favorite Song(s): Violet, Celebrity Skin, Doll Parts, Jennifer's Body, Softer Softest, Good Sister/Bad Sister, Retard Girl, Boys on the Radio, Plump, 20 Years in the Dakota, Best Sunday Dress, Olympia, Teenage Whore, Asking for It, Drown Soda, Malibu, Old Age- Actress
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The daughter of Grateful Dead devotee and first manager Hank Harrison and psychotherapist Linda Caroll, Courtney Love was born Courtney Michelle Harrison in San Francisco, California in 1964. Love spent her early years living in hippie communes in Oregon and at schools in Europe and New Zealand, under the care of her mother and other family members.
By age 16, Love became legally emancipated and traveled throughout Europe, living off of a small trust fund left behind by her grandmother. Love eventually returned to Portland, Oregon, still pursuing music, and then moved around to various locations in the United States before making her break into the industry.
As a musician, she played in early incarnations of Babes In Toyland and Faith No More, as well as acting in bit parts for some Alex Cox films. In 1989, she started her own band, Hole, and in 1992 married Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain, giving birth to their daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, that same year. After Cobain's suicide in 1994, and the release of Hole's second album "Live Through This", Love continued to thrill her fans and enrage her detractors with her on- and off-stage antics.
By 1998, Hole had released their third studio album, "Celebrity Skin", and Love had attracted cinematic notoriety for her performance in The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), which not only garnered her a Golden Globe nomination, but recognition as a serious performer.
Early into the millennium, Hole broke up, and Love took some supporting roles in films such as Trapped (2002), but her rocky past and propensity toward drug addiction eventually caught up with her, sending her through a whirlwind of numerous health and legal issues.
After unsuccessful stints in and out of drug rehabilitation centers, Love was ordered by the L.A. county court to three months in lock down rehab, which came to an end in 2006. Love soon after released a scrapbook-like diary recounting her life, titled "Dirty Blonde: The Diaries of Courtney Love", and continued writing music, testifying her sobriety to the press and public.
In 2009, after losing custody of daughter Frances Bean Cobain for unrelated reasons, Love re-formed Hole with an entirely new lineup, and soon after released the band's first album in ten years, titled "Nobody's Daughter".Say what you will about Courtney Love, but she's an original. I think a lot of people (mostly so-called Nirvana/Kurt posers) deny their misogynistic hate towards her but, regardless, who cares? She's her own person and not a lot of musicians are like that. Courtney's a great actress, Hole was awesome (her recent solo stuff is pretty good too), and I can name very few people in the world who have a ballsy (if somewhat erratic) attitude to them. For better or worse, there is only one Courtney Love.
I saw Courtney Love live once. She opened for Lana Del Rey during Rey's summer tour in 2015. I saw her on the last night. She was amazing and, in many ways, not only stole the show (I dig Rey's persona but Courtney had more energy and stage-presence), but certainly pinned the culture-ignorant millennial in their seats. It was awesome. At one point she started singing "Rock 'n' Roll N!gger" by Patti Smith and some idiot behind me was like, "Oh my god...Did she just say what I *think* she said."- Music Artist
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I originally despised The Smashing Pumpkins, but now I kind of love them for the same reason I originally hated them for (droned out guitar sounds, Billy Corgan's voice). Sure, I mostly enthuse over their earlier work but, overall, I'm not totally close minded to their (and by "their" I mean Billy Corgan) newer endeavors. Siamese Dream (1993) is one of my Top 5 favorite albums of all time, and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995) is amazing. Gish (1991), though it doesn't hold up as well as you think, it still a noble, psychedelic debut effort. Adore (1998) was pretty good in certain parts but a little cheesy in some areas; however, the songs on there that stand out (i.e. "To Sheila" and "Shame") are masterpieces. Machina/ The Machines of God (2000) and, really, Machina II (2000) for that matter, are both kind of underwhelming swan songs. Zeitgeist (2007) is one of the worst albums I've ever heard but a small part of me likes to believe that, in time, I may be able to appreciate it more. Oceania (2012) was pretty great actually, and Monuments to an Elegy (2014) was cheesy but somewhat noble.
I got to see them in April of 2016 with Liz Phair opening and it was, by far, the best time I've ever had at a concert. "Whir" and "Saturnine" were taken to levels I didn't know existed. Of course, it was kinda fake Smashing Pumpkins but, either way, I had an orgasmic time.
Also, as heart-broken and disappointed as I am over D'arcy's treatment and absence for this reunion, I couldn't pass-up the chance to see them again with 3 of the 4 original members. I wish Melissa Auf du Maur could have joined them, but oh well.
Their reunion tour show was amazing as well. Just so special being in an arena, listening to great, beloved rock music, and watching the grand production of everything. They had utterly beautiful visuals to accommodate each song that made for an enchanting and special evening.
Own a Siamese Dream shirt, Mellon Collie shirt, a long sleeve "Zero" shirt from the 1996 Mellon Collie tour, an Adore 1998 Tour Shirt, a "Zero" Hoodie I bought at one concert for some $60, a "Siamese Dream" poster shirt, and a 2018 Tour Shirt.
Favorite Song(s): Rhinoceros, Cherub Rock, Hummer, Mayonaise, Luna, Whir, Frail and Bedazzled, Blew Away, Jellybelly, Bullet with Butterfly Wings, Muzzle, Galapogos, Thirty-Three, 1979, Beautiful, By Starlight, Eye, To Sheila, Perfect, For Martha, Shame, Stand Inside Your Love- Music Department
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Billy Corgan was born on 17 March 1967 in Elk Grove, Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for Batman & Robin (1997), Stigmata (1999) and Ransom (1996). He has been married to Chloe Mendel since 16 September 2023. They have two children. He was previously married to Christine Fabian.Again, kind of felt compelled to list the frontman below the actual band. I think Corgan's pretentious and kind of whiney persona is kind of what makes him intriguing to keep up with. He kind of seems to me like he wants to do more of a Trent Reznor Nine Inch Nails kind of thing and compose music for films (which is why I don't really care about NIN - mostly glorified background noise), but I think Corgan is a great songwriter and has collaborated well with other artists (i.e. He assisted with the music -and just the music- creation process with Hole on Celebrity Skin). Plus he has really intellectual and spot-on opinions about the music industry as an entirety.
Recently, Corgan embarked on this "30 Days" road trip throughout the U.S. He visited Nashville and, on his way back from there, he stopped in my area on his way to Muscle Shoals, AL. He stopped in the nowhere / highway / nothing town of Killen, AL and recorded himself playing "Snail" in front of a dilapidated bridge that I, not only had passed a million times before, but had traveled on back when it was functional. It was a very surreal and totally awesome experience.- Actress
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Veruca Salt is an American alternative rock band founded in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in 1992 by vocalist-guitarists Nina Gordon and Louise Post, drummer Jim Shapiro and bassist Steve Lack. The band's first release was the single "Seether"/"All Hail Me" on Minty Fresh Records, in 1994. The single was a success and Veruca Salt accompanied Hole on a tour, before releasing their first full-length album, American Thighs. The album, which included "Seether" and "All Hail Me", eventually reached Gold status.Veruca Salt was one of those bands that I kind of took for granted and, up until recently, remembered how great they were/are. I love the combination/alternation of vocals between Nina Gordon and Louise Post and they can rock the hell out with catchy and loud - but very timeless - rock sounds. American Thighs (1994) is an impressive piece of early 90s rock and Eight Arms to Hold You (1997) often doesn't get the respect it deserves even amongst fans of the band from what I've read, but I love it dearly. Even though the post-Eight Arms/ solely Louise Post incarnation wasn't that bad, I'm beyond happy that they've reunited and Ghost Notes (2015) is the best album I've heard in a long time. I love that it keeps its 90s alt. rock roots and also kind of pokes-fun at how music has changed since their "Seether" years.
Own two shirts from their 1997 tour - one a Good Disaster/ Volcano Girls one and the other an Eight Arms to Hold You album cover shirt, which is possibly my favorite shirt I own - and 3 others from their 1994 / 1995 American Thighs tour.
Favorite Songs: "Loneliness is Worse" "All Hail Me" "Seether" "Straight" "Volcano Girls" "Eyes on You" "I'm Taking Europe with Me" "Celebrate You" "Forsythia" "Earthcrosser" "Forsythia" "Twinstar" "Sleeper Car" "One Last Time" "Alternica" "Shimmer Like a Girl" "Poetry Kit"- Music Artist
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Marilyn Manson was born Brian Hugh Warner on January 5, 1969 in Canton, Ohio, to Barbara Jo (Wyer) and Hugh Angus Warner. He has German and English ancestry. During his childhood, one of his neighbors molested him several times until the young Brian broke down one day and told his mother what happened. As an only child, he would often get into mischievous activities such as adventure through his grandfather Jack Warner's sex toys, shoot his BB gun with his cousin Chad, and create sex magazines to sell to his classmates. His parents raised him as an Episcopalian, and he attended the religious private Heritage Christian School. It was there that he became fueled with hate towards Christanity. During his tenth grade year, he convinced his parents to let him attend a public school.
After he graduated from high school, he and his parents moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida because his father got a better job there. He studied journalism and theater at the local community college called Broward, and being some place new and feeling lonely, he wrote poems and short stories. After being fired from his last job at a record store, he became entertainment journalist for a local magazine. He interviewed several famous musicians including Trent Reznor from the band "Nine Inch Nails". Along with his job and writing, he would also frequently go to rock clubs. He soon decided to create his own band.
With musical influences from Ozzy Osbourne and KISS, he recruited other musicians with the same interests and started the band called "Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids". He got the name Marilyn Manson as a combination from the names of the movie star Marilyn Monroe and the psycho killer Charles Manson. The band's name would later officially change to just Marilyn Manson, and most of the original band members would leave and be replaced, too. Manson reunited with Trent Reznor and had his band tour with "Nine Inch Nails". Reznor would also produce Marilyn Manson's first three albums (Portrait of an American Family, AntiChrist Superstar, and Mechanical Animals) and an E.P. (Smells like Children). "Mechanical Animals" is Marilyn Manson's most successful album to date. With the success, Manson became a controversial celebrity, because the anti-Christian message in his songs, and Satanist 'Anton Szandor LaVey' deemed Manson a Reverend for the Church of Satan. Also with fame, Manson started to mingle with other celebrities, and began a romantic relationship with the actress Rose McGowan. They became engaged, but broke off the relationship in 2001.
He then fell in love with the burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese, and soon became engaged. They had a fairy tale, non-denominational wedding in a castle in Ireland. Meanwhile, Manson came out with two more albums (Holy Wood, and the Golden Age of Grotesque), and a best of album (Lest We Forget: The Best Of...). He also dabbled into acting by being in such movies as Jawbreaker (1999), Party Monster (2003) and The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things (2004). He continues to make music and act in movies.Okay, I guess it's kind of inevitable that my inner rebellious preacher's son wannabe past-life bad-ass hellion in me finds enjoyment in the music of Marilyn Manson. I guess he's kind of like the male Lady Gaga, only without the large LGBT following I suppose. I mostly like his early stuff (he's kind of soft now) - Antichrist Superstar is a masterpiece. I dig the whole Bowie-Metal vibe of Mechanical Animals, and the post-Columbine appeal of Holy Wood.
Favorite Song(s): Mechanical Animals, Coma White, 1996, God Eat God, Irresponsible Hate Anthem, Lunchbox- Music Artist
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Alice in Chains is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1987 by guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney. Since its formation, Alice in Chains has released five studio albums. Their debut album, Facelift, featuring the hit single "Man In The Box", was released in 1990 and has been certified double-platinum by the RIAA, selling over two million copies. In 1992, the band's second album, Dirt, was released to critical acclaim and was certified quadruple platinum.A lot of fans of this era of music want to argue that Alice in Chains is better than Nirvana and, really, 9 times out of 10 I'll allow that opinion because it's a damn fine opinion to have. I like Nirvana more, but Alice in Chains was amazing as well. I don't really believe in this new incarnation of Alice in Chains and, frankly, it's just a little tacky to be touring under the name without Layne Staley - but that's just my opinion. I like that (for the most part) they stayed pretty consistent in their music style. Like, what you'd listen to on "Facelift" could just as well have been found on something like their last album.
Own the 1995 album tripod shirt; would love to own a Jar of Flies and Facelift one.
Favorite Song(s): No Excuses, Would, I Stay Away, Don't Follow, Man in the Box, What the Hell Have I, Dam that River, We Die Young, Heaven Beside You, Grind, Brush Away, Shame in You, Brother- Music Artist
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Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987 by lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist Mike Dirnt. For much of the band's career, they have been a trio with drummer Tré Cool, who replaced John Kiffmeyer in 1990 prior to the recording of the band's second studio album, Kerplunk (1991). Green Day has sold more than 85 million records worldwide. The group has won five Grammy Awards: Best Alternative Album for Dookie, Best Rock Album for American Idiot, Record of the Year for "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", Best Rock Album for the second time for 21st Century Breakdown and Best Musical Show Album for American Idiot: The Original Broadway Cast Recording.Blah blah blah Green Day sold out. Who the hell cares? They're still a helluva lot better than most bands of this current era. I know they get criticized a lot for ripping off songs, but it doesn't really make a difference to me - I like them. I think American Idiot is a masterpiece, and I personally could go the rest of my life and never listen to "Basket Case" again.
Favorite Song(s): Brainstew, American Idiot, Longview, When I Come Around, Oh Love, Warning, Are We the Waiting, X-Kid, Geek Stink Breath- Music Artist
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I like that Weezer's pretty much always stayed true to themselves - even in the midst of the 2000s when they had like "Beverly Hills" and "Dope Nose" - they still managed to crank out catchy songs with great, oddball lyrics that exemplified their inner geek appeal. Even their new stuff is pretty good when compared to the other music of today. I truly think they make the music that they want to make. And, yeah, I consider "Pinkerton" their best album. It's definitely a top 20 for me.
I saw them in the summer of 2018 and they put on just a fun, great show. Got a shirt from that tour, as well as one from their 1995 and 2002 ones.
Favorite Song(s): My Name is Jonas, Undone (The Sweater Song), No One Else, Say it Ain't So, Holiday, Tired of Sex, Butterfly, El Scorcho, The Good Life, Devotion, I Swear it's True, Don't Let Go, Hash Pipe, Dope Nose, Suzanne, Only in Dreams- Music Artist
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It's kind of hard for me to totally embrace this current Kim Deal-less incarnation of the Pixies, but I thought Indie Cindy (2014) was pretty damn good, Head Carrier (2016) wasn't bad, and Beneath the Eyrie (2019) was pretty good, so maybe in time one gets over it? I'm just glad that they never got massive or marketable to the degree that a Pink Floyd or Nirvana got - meaning that, you know how when you see somebody with a Pink Floyd shirt and you question whether they actually listen to Pink Floyd? Or somebody who wears a Nirvana shirt, despite probably not being able to name a song other than "Smells Like Teen Spirit?" Well, it's good one doesn't have to go around asking somebody to name a song other than "Where is My Mind?" - which they only know because of Fight Club; furthermore, it's like, people who only know that song because of Fight Club can admit it and that's fine because they never admit or do anything to suggest an implication of being a Pixies fan when they're not. But I love the Pixies and I think everybody wants to be in a band like them.
I saw them open for Weezer in 2018 and, yeah, I missed the hell out of Kim Deal and, yeah, I wasn't a big fan of the setlist BUT it was still cool seeing them and I feel like at some point in the future Kim Deal will rejoin at least for one more proper reunion tour.
Favorite Song(s): Bone Machine, Gigantic, Where is My Mind, River Euphrates, Debaser, Wave of Mutilation, I Bleed, Monkey Gone to Heaven, Gouge Away, Here Comes Your Man, Dig for Fire, Velouria, If She Weird, Hang Wire, All Over the World, Trompe le Monde, U-Mass, Alec Eiffel, Space (I Believe In), Head On, Build High- Music Artist
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R.E.M. was an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, that was formed in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist/backing vocalist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe. R.E.M. was pivotal in the creation and development of the alternative rock genre. In 2007, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. R.E.M. disbanded in September 2011.I love it when it's a R.E.M. type of day - just endless hours of great riffs and powerful singing. I personally like Monster the best of all their albums, or at least it's the one I've listened to the most, and I find Automatic for the People to be a tad overrated, but still great. I love the way Stipe sings, and love his lyrics. Can YOU believe they put a man on the moon?
Favorite Song(s): What's the Frequency Kenneth, Crush with Eyeliner, Stand, Everybody Hurts (this song is a bloody masterpiece), Strange Currencies, King of Comedy- Actor
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John Michael Stipe was born in Decatur, Georgia, on January 4th, 1960. Since his father was in the military, they moved around a lot. In 1980, while he was attending the University of Georgia (studying painting and photography), he met Mike Mills, Peter Buck and Bill Berry. They dropped out of school to form R.E.M., which, with over 40 million records sold to some estimates, rival Irish band U2 in being one of the most popular bands on the late 20th century. Their debut single in 1981, Radio Free Europe, generated enough buzz for R.E.M. to sign with a major label. With IRS Records, they released Murmur (1983), Reckoning (1984), Fables of the Reconstruction (1985), and Life's Rich Pageant (1986). Document (1987) brought them into the public view, with Out Of TIme (1991) sending them to the top of the charts. The movie video for the flagship song, Losing My Religion, was recently rated by MTV as being one of the top five greatest music videos. Automatic for the People (1992), was a successful followup to Out of Time. In 1994, the band released Monster. The guitar-inclined songs the album focused on showed that R.E.M. could be a grunge band, as well. New Adventures in Hi-Fi, recorded mostly during sound-checks during the Monster tour, was released in 1996 to only modest success. It was followed by the equally so-so Up in 1998. Michael Stipe began to focus more on Hollywood in the 1990s. In the early 1990s, he and Oliver Stone tried for over two years to get a movie financed, but never succeeded. His Single Cell film company started achieving success in 1999, producing the Oscar-nominated Being John Malkovich (1999), among other films.Michael Stipe seems like just a very chill and down-to-Earth guy. He really is just a music God, and it's cool that he does a lot of charity and raises political awareness but isn't obnoxious about it.- Music Artist
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Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Oasis have had eight UK number-one singles and eight UK number-one albums. They have won seventeen NME Awards, nine Q Awards, four MTV Europe Music Awards and six Brit Awards, including one in 2007 for Outstanding Contribution to Music and one for the Best Album of the Last 30 Years-for (What's the Story) Morning Glory?-as voted by BBC Radio 2 listeners; (What's the Story) Morning Glory? is also the fifth best-selling album in UK chart history. They have been nominated for three Grammy Awards. When they disbanded in 2009, Oasis had sold over 70 million records worldwide.Who doesn't like Oasis...or at least who doesn't like at least one song from them? I guess maybe I have a thing for somewhat whiney sounding male singers (but not whiney ANGSTY pop-punk singers *shivers*), but putting on Oasis (my personal favorite being Definitely, Maybe) is just a very mellow experience. Have you ever cleaned your house to Oasis playing in the background? It's nice. You should try it.
Definitely, Maybe is probably my favorite of their works. (What's the Story) Morning Glory? is great too. Be Here Now is underwhelming and, if anything, I prefer the compilation album, The Masterplan, over it any day. I actually liked Standing on the Shoulder of Giants (2000) more than I did Heathen Chemistry (2002), but I enjoyed both.
I went through an Oasis resurgence recently upon watching that documentary "Oasis: Supersonic" and it gave me a deeper understanding / appreciation for the band.
Favorite Song(s): Champagne Supernova, Shakermaker, Supersonic, Cigarettes and Alcohol, Half the World Away, The Masterplan, Stay Young, Don't Look Back in Anger, Some Might Say, Acquiesce, Listen Up, D'You Know What I Mean, Live Forever, Slide Away, Going Nowhere, Roll it Over, Whatever- Music Artist
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Pink was born Alecia Beth Moore in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and was later raised in Philadelphia. Her parents, Judith Moore (née Kugel), a nurse, and Jim Moore, a Vietnam veteran, divorced when she was very young. Her mother is from an Ashkenazi Jewish family, while her father has Irish, German, and English ancestry. As a child, all Pink wanted was to become a singer, and she was driven by the music of Madonna, Mary J. Blige, 4 Non Blondes, Janis Joplin, Billy Joel and Whitney Houston. She was a very unique teenager, and went through phases as a skateboarder, hip-hopper and gymnast.
Pink spent several years as part of the club scene in Philadelphia, singing guest spots and performing for talent shows. At the age of 13, she was asked by a local DJ to sing back-up for his rap group, Schools of Thought. A short time later, she was discovered by a record executive and joined a female R&B group, Choice. When that didn't work out, she signed with LaFace Records and began her solo career. In spring 2000, she released her debut, "Can't Take Me Home". She co-wrote many songs and watched it go multi-platinum by the year's end. Her debut included the Top 10 hit, "There You Go", which was certified a gold single.
Pink is now considered an icon in the world of pop music. For example, in 2019 she won the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music, becoming the first non-British artist to have won the award since the Brit Awards began in 1977 (originally known as the BPI Awards). This was especially impressive as she was chosen ahead of the likes of Phil Collins, a British musician who has sold more records and had a longer career but never won the award.Of all the current singers (or singers of my generation), I think that P!nk is the best. Why? Well, she's the only one who can actually sing without being obnoxious about it (cough Aguilera cough). I mean, any woman who can cover "Killing Me Softly" just as good if not better than Lauryn Hill's version is something special.
Favorite Song(s): Just Like a Pill, Please Don't Leave Me, Family Portrait, Stupid Girls, Save My Life, Raise Your Glass, Most Girls, Who Knew, Me + Ur Hand- Music Artist
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Fleetwood Mac are a British-American rock band, formed in London in 1967. The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling bands. In 1998, select members of Fleetwood Mac were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.Come on, who doesn't like, or at least, appreciate Fleetwood Mac? I think it's most admirable how they were just able to crank out hit after hit of music that was melodic but not limited to one style. Take something like "Gypsy" a straight up pop song, to something so raw and powerful like "Landslide" Plus, I think it's inevitable to grow up in the south and not be exposed to Fleetwood Mac in some way, shape, or form. "Rumours" is one of the greatest albums of all time - no if, ands, or buts about it. It may be the Nevermind to their discography but that's just secondhand news...
Favorite Song(s): Secondhand News, Landslide, Go Your Own Way, Over My Head, Don't Stop, Silver Springs- Music Artist
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Metallica is an American heavy metal band. The band was formed in 1981 in Los Angeles, California by drummer Lars Ulrich and vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield, and has been based in San Francisco, California for most of its career. The group's fast tempos, instrumentals and aggressive musicianship made them one of the founding "big four" bands of thrash metal, alongside Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer.My parents love Metallica so, being their offspring (and having spent many hours on long road trips having them jam out to Kill Em' All), it became inevitable for me not to love Metallica. I really dig Master of Puppets the most and, while I don't really like songs that take forever to go off (I do NOT want to "Take it to the Limit" one more time!), I usually make an exception for Metallica. In recent years, I've gained a greater appreciation for their 1991 black album. Load and Re-Load are, really, the only ones that don't do much for me, personally.
You know how every high school has that one group of guys who sport their Metallica and 80s hair metal band shirts? Well, that wasn't me, but props to those who were. Also, I loved their latest album, Hard Wired to Self-Destruct, and, really, it sounded like straight-up 80's Metallica.
I bought me and my father (a fan since the 80's who had never seen them) tickets to see them in January of 2019 for Christmas. We both had an absolute blast, and I know he really appreciated it, and it was a really great experience to share together. They put on a hell of a great show and sounded amazing.
One of the coolest shirts I own is this concert shirt from 1995 in which this beer company flew-out Metallica, Hole, Veruca Salt, and Moist to this remote town in Alaska for a concert. Only a few shirts were given-out since it was a rather exclusive promotional thing but I managed to get one on eBay. Own a Ride the Lightning one too and 2 from the 2019 leg of their "Hardwired...to Self Destruct" tour.
Album ranking:
Master of Puppets
Ride the Lightning
...And Justice for All
Kill 'Em All
Metallica
Death Magnetic
Hardwired...to Self-Destruct
Load
Reload
St. Anger
Favorite Song(s): For Whom the Bell Tolls, Am I Evil? (Cover), The Shortest Straw, Welcome Home (Sanitarium), Fade to Black, One, Orion, Eye of the Beholder, Enter Sandman, Disposable Heroes, Seek and Destroy, Leper Messiah, The Thing That Should Not Be, Wherever I May Roam, Enter Sandman, Harvester of Sorrow- Composer
- Music Department
- Actress
Liz Phair was born on 17 April 1967 in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. She is a composer and actress, known for High Fidelity (2000), Thirteen (2003) and She's All That (1999). She was previously married to Jim Staskauskas.Liz Phair is definitely one of the most underrated musicians of her time. I really love her singing voice, and she's made some really cool albums and pretty damn catchy singles. I know she's cited Sheryl Crow as being a big influence on her, and both have these unique (almost a kind of randomness) to their lyrics, but I felt I should list Liz Phair since she often doesn't get the respect she deserves. I mean, who wouldn't love a woman who sings about wanting to be your blow-job queen?
In my opinion, Exile in Guyville (1993) is rather overrated and, really, I'd take Whip-Smart (1994) or Whitechocolatespaceegg (1998) over it any day. To me, Whitechocolatespaceegg is her magnum opus.
Ranking:
Whitechocolatespaceegg
Whip-Smart
Exile in Guyville
Liz Phair
Somebody's Miracle
Funstyle
Favorite Song(s): Explain-it-to-Me, Never Said, F_ck and Run, Supernova, Go West, May Queen, White Chocolate Space Egg, Big Tall Man, Perfect World, Polyester Bride, Uncle Alvarez, Only Son, Sh!tloads of Money, Extraordinary, Why Can't I?, Good Love Never Dies, Little Digger, Closer to You, Everything to Me, Jeremy Engle, Hurricane Cindy- Music Artist
- Actor
- Music Department
I grew up with No Doubt, so a lot of my love for them is probably nostalgic, but I still really love them. I almost listed Gwen Stefani on here since she's like this sorceress who possibly sucks the souls out of people to stay hot and relevant, but I'm more of a fan of the music of No Doubt, rather than her solo stuff, personally, but her solo stuff is fine too.
Back to No Doubt: I love their Ska sound and, when it comes to pop music, they really have made some amazing contribution to that. Tragic Kingdom is their magnum opus - but I think their first album, No Doubt, is probably the best representation of their style, obviously; however, Rock Steady is one of the best pop albums of that entire decade. Hell, even Return of Saturn is an underrated masterpiece. Lyrically, I think Saturn is Stefani's best work. I liked their latest album fine (Push and Shove) it wasn't near on the level of Tragic Kingdom or Rock Steady, but it was pretty good nonetheless - I was just mainly happy to see another No Doubt album after so long, and I like that Gwen Stefani still manages to keep No Doubt relevant (Update: Well...maybe not).
Own a Rock Steady tour shirt, 2 Tragic Kingdom tour shirts, an album cover shirt of it, and two "Return of Saturn" tour shirts.
Ranking:
Tragic Kingdom
Return of Saturn
Rock Steady
No Doubt
The Beacon Street Collection
Push & Shove
Favorite Song(s): Ache, Paulina, A Little Something Refreshing, Sometimes, Greener Pastures, Open the Gate, Spiderwebs, Just a Girl, Hey You, Different People, Sunday Morning, Don't Speak, World Go 'Round, You Can Do It, Ex-Girlfriend, Simple Kind of Life, New, Suspension Without Suspense, Too Late, Dark Blue, Underneath it All, Running, Don't Let Me Down, Making Out, Settle Down, Undercover- Soundtrack
Going back to the whole 90s grunge scene, I guess there were 3 prominent female led bands: Hole, L7, and Babes in Toyland - surprise that Courtney Love (Hole), Jennifer Finch (L7 bassist), and Kat Bjelland (Babes in Toyland) were all in a short-lived band beforehand. Babes in Toyland gets forgotten/ neglected and, while I agree that early Pretty on the Inside era Hole was better than Babes in Toyland ever was in their entire stretch as a band - I dig that BIT kept it mostly all in a family when it came to their loud sound. Fontanelle is a great album and, if Courtney was the rebel smoking in the bathroom, than Kat was the cheerleader with rage.
Ranking:
Fonanelle
Nemesisters
Spanking Machine
Favorite Song(s): Bruise Violet, Gone, Handsome and Gretel, Ragweed, Memory, Bluebell, Blood, Right Now, Ariel, Pearl- Composer
- Actor
- Music Department
Garbage is a Scottish-American alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1993. It consists of Scottish musician Shirley Manson (vocals, guitar) and American musicians Duke Erikson (guitar, keyboards), Steve Marker (guitar) and Butch Vig (percussion). All four members are involved in songwriting and production. Garbage have sold over 17 million albums worldwide.Talk about some great rock song riffs. I really like their whole kind of goth vibe and that whole mid/later 90s industrial appeal to them; however, I like that they separated themselves from any other act of their day primarily because they had/have such kick ass songs. I would love to sit down and hang out with Shirley Manson - she seems to cool.
Favorite Song(s): Stupid Girl, Only Happy When it Rains, Push It, I Think I'm Paranoid, Queer, When I Grow Up, Medication, Supervixon, Temptation Waits, Not My Idea, Milk, Stroke of Luck, Special- Music Artist
- Actor
- Music Department
The Carpenters were brother and sister Richard Carpenter and Karen Carpenter. Both grew up in Downey, California and were very musical at an early age. Richard Carpenter started his own instrumental band with his sister Karen called "The Richard Carpenter Trio." Richard played the piano and organized the music, and Karen played the drums. The Richard Carpenter Trio won a 1966 "Battle of the Bands" contest. Richard helped Karen develop her singing voice and started to make demo tapes with her after the Richard Carpenter Trio split up. One of those demo tapes was sent to Herb Alpert at A&M Records and he immediately signed on Richard and Karen as "Carpenters," after he liked what he heard.
In 1969 the Carpenters made their first album called "Offerings." It was a flop, and so was their first single "Ticket To Ride," which was a ballad version of the Beatles song. In 1970 the Carpenters made their second album called "Close To You." The album was a hit, and the two singles "Close To You" and "We've Only Just Begun" made the Carpenters superstars. This earned them 2 Grammy Awards and made them millionaires. The Carpenters were ridiculed, because they didn't fit into the rock-and-roll, drug scene during the early 70s. They were considered "goody two shoes" and "square" by most, but their music was very much loved by people of all ages.
During the Carpenters performance for President Richard Nixon at the White House in 1973, President Nixon called them "Young America At Its Best," a title that made them stand out even more during the 70s. But nevertheless, the Carpenters continued to make hits songs and albums. In 1971 their third album, simply called "Carpenters" was successful with songs like, "Rainy Days and Mondays" "For All We Know" and "Superstar." In 1972 the Carpenters had another hit record with their fourth album called "A Song For You," which had hit songs like "Top Of The World" and "Goodbye To Love" and "Hurting Each Other." The Carpenters had another hit album in 1973 with their fifth album called "Now & Then." The song "Yesterday Once More" became the Carpenters signature song and it is their most recognized song around the world. It was also their most successful song.
The Carpenters popularity climaxed and they started to tour around the world, extensively. They had numerous television guest appearances on talk shows, and they were starting to make their own musical variety shows for ABC. It was also at this time, that Karen Carpenter started to become more sensitive about her weight. Music critics called her fat, and this upset her. She started to diet lightly, by only eating green salads and drinking iced tea. Then she didn't eat at all, and started to abuse laxatives. Karen became thinner and thinner. Around 1975 she collapsed on stage during one of the tours, and was bedridden for 6 weeks. Her weight had lowered to 77 pounds. In 1975 the Carpenters had made their sixth album called "Horizon." The album wasn't as successful as the previous 4 had been, but it did moderately well. In 1976 the Carpenters started to have more success on television, when they started making their own variety shows. These shows were very successful for ABC and the Carpenters, and their popularity was still growing. In 1976 the Carpenters made their seventh album called "A Kind of Hush." This album only did moderately well also, and their record sales were getting lower.
In 1977 they made their eighth album called "Christmas Portrait," and this album did very well. The Carpenters were still doing the TV shows and Variety Specials. By this time they were touring excessively and it was wearing Karen and Richard out. Karen had become even thinner, and people were starting to notice. Sometimes when she would walk out on stage the audience would gasp when they saw her, because of her excessively thin looks. Around 1979, Richard Carpenter checked into a chemical dependency unit in Oklahoma, to help himself get off of sleeping pills. Since Richard was in the hospital the Carpenters music and TV shows were on hiatus. Karen was becoming weary and restless, and wanted to make music. So she decided to make a solo album. She wanted Richard's blessing, but he said no at first. Later Richard told Karen it was okay, but asked her not to make a disco music. So Karen flew from Los Angeles to New York to make her solo album with famous music producer Phil Ramone.
Phil and Karen didn't want to make more of the Carpenters trademark music, so they both decided to do more adult and edgier music. Karen sang more sexually themed songs like "Making Love on a Saturday afternoon" and "My Body Keeps Changing My Mind" and "Make Believe It's Your First Time." Karen and Phil both loved the album, and during the end of 1979, when Richard was cured and Karen's solo album was finished, everyone met at A&M Studios to listen to Karen's solo album. On their first listen, everyone but Karen and Phil hated the album. Richard Carpenter and Herb Alpert hated it so much, that they decided to shelve the album. Phil Ramone and Karen were hurt. During 1980 Karen started to date Thomas Burris. A wealthy real-estate businessman. Karen was looking for two things in a man she would marry. That we was rich, so that he wouldn't financially depend on her, and that he would be important, so that he wouldn't be intimidated by her superstar. Karen found those things in Tom Burris and married him in 1980 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. A newly and happily married Karen was wanting to make more music again. So she and Richard went back to the studio and made their last album together, "Made In America." The album did better then expected.
Karen and Tom's marriage was falling apart, and after a long fight at the Carpenter's house, Tom came down the stairs and told Richard "You Can Have Her!". Karen was preparing divorce papers at the time of her death but they were never signed or filed. During the early 80s, Karen's long battle with anorexia nervosa, was getting worse. Karen still picked at her food, and rarely ate. So she and Richard agreed to send her off to New York again. Karen met with a psychotherapist everyday, but she didn't really make progress. She went into hospital and was fed intravenously and went from 80 lbs, to 100 lbs.
She had obviously gained too much weight. She checked out of the hospital, and went back to Los Angeles, but was still weight-obsessed and the disorder returned to her again. On February 4, 1983 Karen died of a heart attack from her long battle with anorexia nervosa. The autopsy had also shown that she had died from overdosing on ipecac, a drug used to make her vomit, and when taken in large quantities, it becomes fatal.
After her death, during 1983, Richard made a tenth Carpenters album called "Voice of the Heart." He used old Karen recordings and some music from her shelved solo album for "Voice of the Heart." The album wasn't a failure but it wasn't a hit either. In 1984, Richard got married and produced the eleventh Carpenters album called "An Old Fashioned Christmas." In 1985 Richard helped produce "Yesterday Once More," a Carpenters compilation album that was the first of many compilation albums to be produced. The songs on "Yesterday Once More" were all remixed for better and cleaner sounding songs. In 1987, Richard made his first solo album called "Time." Richard sang and had guest singers like Dionne Warwick contribute to the album. The album turned out to be a flop.
In 1989, he made a twelfth Carpenters album called "Lovelines." More songs from Karen's shelved solo album were used here, and later that year, Richard help to direct and produce "The Karen Carpenter Story" TV movie, which was a success.
During the early 90s Richard started a family that has grown to 5 or 6 children. In 1996 his mother Agnes died and Richard wrote brief liner notes to accompany Karen Carpenter's finally released solo album, and in 1997 Richard made his second solo album called "Richard Carpenter: Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor." It was an instrumental album that flopped again. During the late 90s Richard helped produced more Carpenters compilation albums and box sets, and started touring by himself around the USA and Japan. He also does concerts with artists such as Petula Clark. In 2001 Richard produced the thirteenth Carpenters album called "As Time Goes By.", a combination of unreleased Carpenters songs and outtakes of songs. In 2003 Richard Carpenter participated in a charity event called "Top Of the World" and in December 2003, he wrote the liner notes to a new Carpenters compilation CD released by A&M Records, called "Gold: 35th Anniversary Edition." In 2004 he released "As Time Goes By" to the USA for the first time and in March 2004, he participated in "Top of the World II" charity event.Again, kind of grew up on The Carpenters so a lot of it is probably nostalgia, but, then again, it's not like one really needs to defend their love or appreciation for The Carpenters.
Favorite Song(s): Top of the World (One of the greatest songs of all time), Superstar (no thank you Sonic Youth version), They Long to Be Close to You- Music Artist
- Actress
- Producer
The Dixie Chicks are a popular trio of women country-and-western musicians who hail from Texas. Their public comments have increasingly made them controversial, even among their own fans.
The group began in 1989 singing on a Dallas street corner. Their music initially stayed largely within the bounds of traditional bluegrass. Their major success occurred after 1995 when they changed their line-up, hired Natalie Maines as their lead singer and broadened their musical focus. The group's sound still bears the mark of bluegrass, since they often play songs that are up-tempo and that emphasize the fiddle and the banjo.
The other members of the trio are sisters Martie Maguire, known as a virtuoso on the fiddle and the mandolin, and Emily Strayer, who is a master of the banjo, the Dobro, the guitar and the accordion. They are recognized as being among the best musicians in country music. The group's songs are often about freedom from a woman's point of view.
In 1998 the Dixie Chicks sold more CDs than all other country music groups combined. In the years that followed they won numerous awards, including five Grammys and the Country Music Association's Album of the Year in 2000 and their Vocal Group of the Year award in 2002. The Chicks' various albums and concert tours have met with great commercial success.
In 2001 the Dixie Chicks sued their record company, Sony, for underpayment of royalties. In the following year the suit was settled privately and a new arrangement was made which included the Dixie Chicks creating their own label, with their albums would be distributed by Sony. The Chicks later said that Sony should be praised for standing by them during their political controversies.
The Dixie Chicks are no stranger to controversy. As they came to express more of their progressive social and political views over time, they found themselves increasingly out of step with many in their country and western fan base, most of whom are culturally and politically conservative. Their 1999 song "Goodbye Earl" was a humorously rendered story about dealing with an abusive husband by literally eliminating him. That, and their lusty song "Sin Wagon", were banned from a number of country radio stations. In turn, the group's 2002 song "Long Time Gone" criticized many country stations for failing to play country classics.
In March 2003 Maines made a fateful remark in public that made news around the world. On the eve of the invasion of Iraq, many Americans were gearing up to support the impending war while many others were opposed to it. In contrast, most Europeans thought the war was ill-conceived, and assumed that all Americans were united in supporting their President's war policy. While in London, Maines commented on the approaching war and the man who was leading it: "Just so you know, we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas."
Many country music fans were upset, and considered this remark, its timing and its venue, to be virtually treasonous. Natalie tried apologizing for her comment but to no avail. Many country music stations banned all Dixie Chick music. Fans joined together to ceremoniously burn or crush their CDs. One conservative radio station sponsored an event where Dixie Chick CDs were by a bulldozer. Other country musicians stepped up to criticize the Chicks, notably Toby Keith and Reba McEntire. The Chicks received numerous death threats, and the front gate of Emily Robison's home was smashed in. Although the Chicks' ongoing concert tour proceeded without trouble, some music critics predicted the end of the Dixie Chicks' career.
In 2006 the Chicks began promoting their new album. By this time most Americans now had doubts about the wisdom of the Iraq War. Maines withdrew her previous public apology. The album's first single included the defiant lyrics "I'm not ready to make nice, I'm not ready to back down". There were further public exchanges between the Chicks and their critics. Despite very limited play on country radio, the new album debuted at #1 on Billboard's Country and overall Top 200 charts. Their concert was sold out in Europe, and in Toronto 20,000 tickets were sold in eight minutes. However, large venues in the American South and in the Chicks' native Texas had to be re-scheduled apparently due to lagging ticket sales in the region that was once their home base. The Dixie Chicks retain much popularity but it seems their underlying fan base has shifted.
The group can be seen in performance in the concert movie An Evening with the Dixie Chicks (2002) which is available on video.Admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of country, but I felt compelled to list The Dixie Chicks because they're kind of awesome and, compared to the grand scale of this list, I suppose they don't fit in with the likes of a Hole or Pearl Jam. Again, grew up on them, but still listen to them. Plus, they were huge in 1999 / 2000 and everybody in the south loved them - regardless of musical taste of background. Fly (1999) is an amazing album and I like that they're very politically sound- plus that whole Keith Urban (I think it was - all the country dudes kind of run together for me) feud was hilarious. Also, their stance on their whole "We're ashamed the president is from Texas" comment was pretty ballsy and set them apart from any band/group of their era and, in hindsight, they were certainly right and, regardless, didn't deserve nearly as much sh!t as they got.
Glad they went back on a successful tour here recently, and Gaslighter (2020) - though it suffered from too much repetition lyrically speaking - was pretty good.
Also, not gonna lie, I'm still gonna call them the "Dixie Chicks." Personally, I believe words only have meaning and power if you give them that, and I think it's especially badass for them to be so outspoken and liberal and call themselves the "Dixie Chicks" to counteract thoughts associated with that word. Just my opinion.
Favorite Song(s): Wide Open Spaces, Goodbye Earl, Without You, Cold Day in July, You Were Mine, There's Your Trouble, Travelin' Soldier, Top of the World, Don't Waste Your Heart, Ready to Run, I Can Love You Better- Music Department
My Ruin is known for The Devil's Muse (2007).Appealing to my inner wannabe goth spirit animal, I have a thing, I guess, for bands with female singers who scream their lungs out. It's a shame that this band isn't more well known, but thank god for YouTube.
Favorite Song(s): Beauty Fiend, Terror, Miss Ann Thrope, Letter to the Editor