Nevermind The Posers

TNT’s Top 5
5. Modest Mouse – I often question what it’d be like seeing these guys live, so they had to make the list.
4. Little Jackie (Imani Coppola) – I am always singing her songs, she’s just phenomenal and I need to catch her live asap.
3. Local Natives – As soon as I find out that Local Natives are in town and attempt to buy tickets, the show is already sold out.  I will see you soon, mark my words!
2. Ida Maria – She’s another artist whose concerts sell out at a drop of a hat.  I absolutely love her and have been hip to her jive for a few years now.  Her music is making her way around hit movies, tv shows and commercials…and “Queen of the Night” has been my ring tone for the last year and a half.
1. AWOLNATION – When are you coming to NYC??!  I have a disease and the only cure is AWOLNATION…and more cowbell of course.

Angela’s Top 5
This list made me think, due to the fact that I make it a point to see as many bands live as humanly possible.  As a result, there are few I have yet to conquer and I’m now sitting here going, “Who HAVEN’T I seen live?”  After combing through my CD collection and finding those few gems, here are the bands that have escaped me thus far.
5. The Aqua Bats – The music is filled with silly fun, mixed with a blend of ska perfection.  Though I haven’t seen them yet, I believe I’m going to be changing that within the next month or two.
4. The Offspring – Growing up, I was a huge fan of The Offspring.  I’m not quite sure WTF happened with the Americana album but hey, we all make mistakes.  (Seriously, how do you go from a song like “Bad Habit” to “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)”?  Other than that, I’ve always wanted to see them and test whether Dexter’s voice can hold up live, as I’ve heard it doesn’t.
3. No Doubt – I like their music and I hear good things about them live.  They would be a nice addition to my “seen ’em!” list.
2. System of a Down – I’ve been told they tear it up live, and as a fan of their music, I can only imagine the crazy intense energy that exudes from the stage into the audience.
1. Tool – I’ve seen A Perfect Circle and gotten some of my Maynard fix, but I’ve heard such amazing things about the mind fuck that is Tool live; the darkened stage, a ceiling that looks like crawling bodies…definitely something I would love to experience.

Hoverbee’s Top 5
5. U2 – I’ve heard that U2 shows have tons of eye candy in addition to the wonderful tunes.  Although I’m not the biggest fan of the last few albums, I’d love a chance to catch a show and hear some of the classics.
4. Franz Ferdinand – This Glasgow foursome is said to have started the band to create songs that are fun and make people want to dance.  Well, they succeeded!  I’d enjoy a chance to dance at a show.
3. The Killers – I admit I disliked the single “Somebody Told Me,” but upon the insistence of a good friend, I listened to the rest of Hot Fuss and was hooked.  Although Sam’s Town was a departure from Hot Fuss, I was still intrigued enough to listen.  I loved Day & Age and would kill (pun intended) to see them live.
2. The Pixies – Need I say more?
1. The White Stripes – Here lies proof that a big sound need not arise from a large number.  This dynamic duo packs an awesome punch and I’d love to be socked in the ear.  Pow!  Blam!

Mark’s Top 5
5. Asian Dub Foundation – An electronic cluster fuck of punk, jungle, reggae, dub, surf, rock and hip-hop, drawn together with culture conscious lyrics and rhythmic protests, making them Europe’s answer to Rage Against the Machine, minus the shittiness and self-righteous lyrics.  What’s not to love?  They find the time to tour all over the world, including some third-world countries, and yet have never found a reason to tour the U.S., at least not since they toured with the Beastie Boys in the mid-nineties.  TOUR THE U.S. FOR FUCK’S SAKE!
4. Pet Shop Boys – From what I have seen on past tour videos and heard from various fans, they put on a grand and theatrical live show.  And being that they are 80’s new wave/synth-pop icons, that makes them all the more appealing to me.
3. Failure – Though they are now just a distant memory, part of the often overlooked side of the grunge movement, namely the actual talented and experimental sect, not to mention less shitty and self-important bands, they are still quite influential and a great listen.  One could only imagine how amazing their live shows would have been, as they ceased playing in 1997.
2. Boston – Although the original line-up has been broken up since the late 70’s, founder and guitarist Tom Scholz is still touring the world with one of the first rock bands that I have ever heard, and for two decades of admiration, I must satisfy the urge to catch one of their live rock-outs.
1. Kraftwerk – The electronic pioneers of the late 60’s are still alive and kicking, and playing capacity shows all over the world.  Although as of 2010 the group has only one original member (co-founder Ralf Hutter) they are still worth seeing, if not for the electronic multi-media experience, then for the ability to say that I got to see them live.

Klone’s Top 5
So, does this ever happen to anyone else?  I totally fail to realize just how many bands/artists I’ve seen until I finally sit down to try to think of the ones I still haven’t.  On the one hand I’m glad to know I’ve made so much progress as a fan of music, but on the other, it’s hard to narrow down the already narrow list…but here goes…
5. Disturbed – Probably the greatest gift to new metal from the early millennial change-over.  Other than the veterans of the days of rock gone-by, like Metallica, there’s not much left in the metal world that I feel would be worth spending my cash to see.  Disturbed rocks, hands-down, period.
4. Smashing Pumpkins – Sometimes you just gotta say, ‘Thank God some bands get back together.’
3. Nine Inch Nails – Trent Reznor is Nine Inch Nails…and watching them on Blu-Ray DVD has only made me realize how much I need to see NIN live before I die.
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Hey, oh…want to see their show, oh-oh-oh.  I got to go, oh, see RHCP’s show, oh, oh.1.
1. Tenacious D – I feel like this would be something of a religious experience.  After all the DVDs and internet videos I’ve seen of these guys, live would almost be too much to handle, but I’ll risk my musical sanity to test that theory.

Honorable Mention: Phil Collins – Technically I saw him over this summer, but he wasn’t performing his own material…it was a controversy since he advertised the show as his own, but it was supporting a 60s soul cover album he had just released.  The show was an epic fail.

Stigz’s Top 5
Disclaimer: This was super tough because I’ve seen a ton of bands live (working in radio is awesome – free tickets to almost anything)
5. Bayside – Never saw them live, but they are in the same vein (excuse the pun) as Alkaline Trio, but I have never caught them live.  I’ve had tickets, but just never made it there, and one of these days, I have to.
4. R.E.M. – I don’t know why, but I wish I could see these guys live.  I’m only a mild fan, but think it would be a great live show to see.
3. George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic – Yet again, someone had an extra ticket, but I couldn’t make it.  It would be an immense pleasure to see P-Funk and Clinton rock out in their legendary fashion, which cut them into the American music landscape forever.  Horn sections, funky bass lines, flamboyant garb and a dude in a diaper?  Come on!  That’s entertainment.
2. Reel Big Fish – I’m still pissed about not seeing them at Warped Tour, but who the hell goes on at 2:30??  Lol.  Joking aside I’ve always wanted to see them live, as many of their tunes just exude a feel-good, dance-like-nobody-is-watching attitude, and I would love to experience it live.
1. Nine Inch Nails – From what I hear, one of the wildest live shows you can catch (save for the obvious giant, crowd pleasing acts, like Gwar or in my sister’s case, Bon Jovi), and I wish I could have seen them on the NINJA tour – Nine Inchs Nails and Jane’s Addiction.  Additionally, I hear they pull out all the stops, and even use crazy gadgets like 15-foot-high, touch screen drum machines which would make an audiophile like me pop one in their trousers.

TNT’s Top 5
5. “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham! – Oh yeah, I went there.
4. “Colors” by April Smith and the Great Picture Show – This song has a beat that makes me want to wake up and sing while I strut my way to the shower.  It makes me feel full of love, which is a great way to start the day.
3. “Wake Up” by The Living End – The context of the words ‘wake up’  in this song makes me want to fight the system.  “Suicidal education / it got sold to our generation. / Wake up to the manipulation. / Wake up to the situation, suicidal education.”  At the end, voices of children join in with the chorus, my favorite part.
2. “She’s A Rainbow” by The Rolling Stones – When I hear this song, as soon as the tambourine joins in, I know it’s only a matter of seconds until the covers fly off and I’m dancing my way to the coffee machine.  “Ruby Tuesday” could be tied for #2.
1. “Don’t Shake My Tree” by The Hard Lessons – I love how the song progresses with volume and power, it’s the perfect snooze button.  The line ‘don’t shake my tree’ should get the point across that I don’t like to be messed with in the morning.  I will wake up on my own when I need to.

Hoverbee’s Top 5
5. “Hold On I’m Comin’ “ by Sam & Dave – This songs helps me to get on my way.  It keeps you moving like a locomotive.  It has awesome horns and a whole lot of soul.
4. “Green Onions” by Booker T. & The MGs – This song has no lyrics or vocals, but that doesn’t stop me from feeling the reeling.  It moves me and shakes me into a new day.
3. “Get Up Offa That Thing” by James Brown – As this song begins Mr. Brown squeals and then shouts “I’m back” several times.  This is how I feel returning to the waking world.  I got up offa the bed and returned from dreamland.
2. “Shotgun” by Jr. Walker & The All Stars – Waking up to this song in the morning pushes me out of bed and gets me ready to go.  The song starts with a gun firing.  It signals the start of the race so I’m off and running.
1. “Got To Give It Up” by Marvin Gaye – This song starts off with the sounds of a party.  It has an excellent energy.  Magically, I’m transported to a lovely shindig where there is much fun to be had.  Not a bad way to start the day.

Angela’s Top 5
The top five songs that wake me up…now, this doesn’t particularly mean the first thing in the morning in every case, just songs powerful enough to surge life through my body and bring me back to life.
5. “Love Addict” by Family Force 5
4. “Oh Yeah” by The Cliks
3. “This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race” by Fall Out Boy
2. “What I Got” by Sublime – I can’t come across this song and not instantly be in a good mood, ready to face the day.
1. “Straight Lines” by Silverchair – I can not even begin to explain how amazing this song is.  It runs through me and brings me so high…love it.

Daniel Edward’s Top 5
5. Family Guy Theme Song – Family Guy is my daily breakfast programing.
4. “1901” by Phoenix
3. “Bitch” by Rinocerose
2. “Gay Bar” by Electric Six
1. “The Church of Hot Addiction” by Cobra Starship – This is my wake-up alarm tone, so it literally gets me out of bed in the morning.

Klone’s Top 5
I always tend to think about the start of my day like the opening sequence of a movie, so when thinking about the Top 5 Songs to Wake-Up To, I tend to imagine songs that not only help me start my day, but would also be great soundtrack-to-the-movie-of-my-life songs.
5. “Sober” by Tool – Why can I not be sober?  Why can’t this Monday be over?  Why can’t we sleep forever?  I know my hangover would feel much better now…
4. “Symphonies” by Dan Black (featuring Kid Cudi) – I know this was in one of my recent Top 5s, so it’s not like this song has had much time to make my mornings, but I gotta say, when waiting for my commuter train over the last few weeks where we’ve realized that summer is pretty much officially over, this song has perfectly captured my emotional state and helped me step up and get onto the train instead of calling out and avoiding responsibility and adulthood.  Wow…that might be the saddest endorsement of a song I’ve ever heard…
3. “Wild Side” by Mötley Crüe – Just the way this song kicks in, like a motorcycle being kick-started (metaphorically, not literally like in “Kick-Start My Heart” or “Girls, Girls, Girls”…before anyone starts ranting about Klone not knowing his stuff), I can’t help but get moving in the morning, even if my eyes aren’t completely opened.
2. “Umbrella” by Rhianna (featuring Jay-Z) – The beat, the tone, the uplifting progression…it’s a great song when you’re trying to half-wake-up and half-catch-a-nap on the train to work in the morning.
1. “Wake-Up” by Rage Against The Machine – WAAAAAAKE UUUUUUUP!!!  WAAAAAAAKE UUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!!!

Honorable Mentions: “Man In The Box” by Alice In Chains, “Bug Eyes” by Dredge, and “I Got You, Babe” by Sonny and Cher – It’s GROUNDHOG DAY!

Mark’s Top 5
5. “Dream On” by Depeche Mode – The breathy vocals and down tempo electronics beat wakes you up, while Martin Gore’s acoustic guitar picking gets you moving with a subtle urgency.
4. “Dog Eat Dog” by Adam and the Ants – If you need a song to utterly startle and annoy you out of a peaceful slumber, than this irritating morning tune is what you need.  It’s great any other time of the day, though.
3. “Spirits in the Material World” by the Police – The opening drum roll is more than enough to yank your eyelids open immediately.  Nothing like synths and political lyrics to help start your day.  Thanks Sting.
2. “Dawn Chorus” by Boards of Canada – The title isn’t just accurate, it’s an indicator of the perfect time to listen to it.  It’s the type of song that you could imagine listening to as you and friends or a loved one are sitting on a hill, watching the world wake up as the sun rises after a great night, deciding to take in the beauty of it before drifting into slumber.
1. “Roygbiv” by Boards of Canada – For some reason unbeknownst to me, this is perfect and low-key, but strangely moving tune to awaken to; one of the few songs that doesn’t enrage me out of a sound sleep.  Swirling blips and simple synth lines on top of a slightly sleepy and clumsy beat helps to make the first few minutes of being awake that much less aggravating.  It’s basically the soundtrack to the morning mental fog.

Stigz’s Top 5
5. “Caffeine” by Psychostick – So, umm, yea.  A heavy song about caffeine.  Need I say more?
4. “Sanctified” by Nine Inch Nails – A serious house-influenced beat with industrial elements and explicit lyrics, this track always gets my blood pumping.
3. “Armageddon” by Alkaline Trio – From the initial grinding of the intro, to the bite of the vocals, verse by verse, this song makes me edgy and on my feet.  Heir go, just the fuel I need to shuffle out of bed.
2. “Wake Up” by Rage Against The Machine – Do I really need to explain this?
1. “My Own Summer” by Deftones – Just a driving and angry song to get your blood pumping.

Honerable Mention – “The Razor” by Head Automatica – I don’t know why, but I find this jam to be super funky.  Maybe I just have a weak spot for Glassjaw, and that’s transferred into Daryl’s other side projects.

TNT’s Top 5
5. “Hey, Soul Sister” by Train – I know that this song is over played and has been a hit since 2009, but I still love it; it definitely defined most of my summer soundtracks.
4. “Black Crows“ by HoneyHoney – What a song, what a band!  This was my favorite HoneyHoney song of the summer.
3. “Camera Talk” by Local Natives – “It’s alright, the camera’s talking / Oh / And even though I can’t be sure / Memory tells me that these times are worth working for.” =  🙂
2. “Daisy” by Fang Island – YES!  Fang Island is another amazing Brooklyn-based band that everyone needs to get addicted to.  Take a road trip and blast this song.  Yes, there are lyrics, they do make sense, but you don’t need them.  Your only responsibility is to have fun and whip out the air guitar every now and then.
1. “Burn It Down” by AWOLNATION – This chick has definitely gone AWOL.  Motherfucker, burn it down!  This song fits into any and every second of the summer, therefore, you need to blast it.

Daniel Edward’s Top 5
5) “Ghost” by Fefe Dobson – I was ambivalent about her music until I heard her sing an acoustic version of “Ghost” and then heard the album version.  It’s fun, sassy and a great song to jump around to.
4) “DJ Got Us Fallin in Love Again” by Usher – Usher is another artist I neither loved nor hated, but I can’t get this song off repeat.
3) “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” by Cage the Elephant – I just love this song.
2) “Karate” by Kennedy – The song may be a few years old, but I just discovered it this summer.  The funky disco beat and tongue-in-cheek lyrics are ridiculously catchy.
1) “Dancing on My Own” by Robyn – Robyn’s first single from her latest album Body Talk Part 1 is one of her best yet.  Dancey yet melancholic.

Hoverbee’s Top 5
5. “Two Weeks” by Grizzly Bear – It’s not the typical kick off your shoes and party summer song, but still so beautiful.  Picture yourself relaxing on the beach or catching some rays by the lake.
4. “Paisley Pattern Ground” by Black Hollies – What better time for psychedelia than summer?
3. “What We Do” by Devo – It’s a great song to listen to while you do what you do at the beach or with good friends.
2. “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – I love this song so much I’ve nearly played it to death over the last couple months.
1. “Got Nuffin'” by Spoon – This song is off an album that came out way before the summer but got crazy radio play so I can’t help but associate with the good times I’ve had.

Angela’s Top 5
These are all songs I’ve been bumpin’ in the car all summer.  It’s most of what I heard on the radio the most and when it was on, I was like, “yea, that’s good.”
5. “Cooler Than Me” by Mike Posner
4. “My Chick Bad” by Ludacris
3. “Bottoms Up” by Trey songz
2. “Find Your Love” by Drake
1. “Lil Freak” by Usher

Klone’s Top 5
Just a heads up, not all of my tracks will be new or even from this summer, but the tracks that I’ve been rockin’ steadily on my iPod and in my car all summer long.  These are effectively the top 5 tracks of my summer soundtrack for 2010.  (Goodbye summer, we will miss you.)
5. “City of Hate” by The Toadies – Got to check out a preview copy of their new, yet old (See Hoverbee’s review for full details) album Feeler (2010) and this was the ONLY track worth even listening to.
4. “Symphonies (Remix)” by Dan Black (featuring Kid Cudi) – A lovely blend of hip-hop and low-fi/pop goodness from Dan Black and Kid Cudi.  I love Dan Black’s Radiohead quality, and anyone looking for some of his earlier work that you might not realize you’ve probably already heard, check out his former project The Servant and their track “Cells”.  The instrumental version of the song was used in the Sin City movie trailer.
3. “Alejandro” by Lady GaGa – I know, guilty pleasures be damned, but I definitely was rocking this one to the point of memorizing the lyrics.  Shit happens.  😉
2. “Time” by Hans Zimmer – An instrumental track off of the Inception Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.  Awesome meditative quality, this song has definitely been inspiring some real creativity for me lately.
1. (TIE) “Burn It Down” & “Guilty Filthy Soul” by AWOLNATION – I was introduced to these guys very late in the summer here, but they both became instant repeat play tracks for me.  They have great party-atmosphere appeal and incredible energy, it’s hard to not get instantly addicted to their sound.

Honorable Mentions (I have no real rationale for why these didn’t make the list, but they did get significant play-time on planet Klone): “The Clincher,” “Jars” and “Letter From a Thief” by Chevelle, “I Will Not Bow,” “Give Me A Sign” and “Follow Me “ by Breaking Benjamin, “You and Your Heart” by Jack Johnson, “I’m Not Over” by Carolina Liar and “Sweet Soul Sister” by The Cult.

Mark’s Top 5
5. “Head Over Heals” by Tears for Fears – The last real favorite tune of the summer, thanks to the recent amazing show put on by TFF in Montclair.  A reminder of how great and underrated some of the new wave acts of the 80s were, and of the few acts of the era that really transcended the new wave label and became much more, like TFF.
4. “Ascension” by Dead Can Dance – A very simple, but dark and melodic piece that echoes the sounds of knights and the renaissance. Listen and imagine two knights of the round table squaring off in an abandoned castle… kick ass.
3. “Allelujah (Noisy Church mix)” by Recoil – Deep, dark and breathy hip-hop beats that accompanied me on many late-nite drives, acting as my soundtrack to the sights of dawn.
2. “Utopia” by Brendan Perry – The first single to be released from Dead Can Dance co-conspirator Perry, features a beautiful mixture of drum machines, building strings and melodic harpsichords laying the groundwork for lyrics of self-discovery tinged with sadness.  One of the best tracks of not just the summer, but the year.
1. “Little Secrets” by Passion Pit – The poppiest, happiest and by far the best danceable song of 2010.  The breakout star of my summer long multiple mood music playlists.

Honorable Mentions – “Blue Skies” by BT ft. Tori Amos – I rediscovered this amazing dance/rock tune during a long, late night drive down the shore mid-summer.  I forgot how much you can mosh, as well as dance to this track.  B to tha T never fails to surprise me sonically, even after all of these years.  “Burial (DJ Mehdi Mix)” by Miike Snow – Thanks to the incessant commercials from Palm’s Pre phone, this inescapable tune became pretty much an immediate favorite of mine, especially during DJ sets.  Luckily, it happens to be good, and an improvement over the original version both in mood and beauty, at least to me.

TNT’s Top 5
5. NOFX – I just want to party with these guys and play some drinking games, maybe spit some beer in their faces for once.
4. Tim Armstrong – I’d love to share a drink with this man to find out how he started Hellcat Records, you know, pick his brain a bit and maybe help map out a plan for my future label.
3. Willie Nelson – Okay, Nelson makes my list because a good friend of mine who is a security guard has told me some wild stories about hanging out with this man on his tour bus.  Drinks were not the main focus on that bus.  I’m interested to find out why he chopped off his braid and where it is now.
2. Chuck Berry – I think it’s important to know where your music comes from, therefore, I knew Berry had to make my list.  “If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry.” – John Lennon
1. Jerry Garcia – I regret never hearing this man’s voice live, therefore, a conversation would just be sublime.  Sure, I’ve read many books about the GD culture and the time period, but hearing it from this man would be the biggest mind-fuck ever!  I miss Jerry.

Angela’s Top 5
This list is composed of musicians who I would love to sit down and have a conversation with because their presence on stage and in their music is so much larger than life, I just have to know the thought process behind it all.  I feel like I could sit down with these guys, drink all night and have a great time.
5. The Amish Outlaws – They are a cover band, who are all in fact, legitimately Amish.  But they rock the hell out something fierce and I did in fact share a drink with them.  They were gentlemen and bought me shots all night as we interviewed.  I later stumbled home drunk as anything and it was awesome.
4. Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys – He’s Brian Wilson.  He’s a legend and genius.  GENIUS.  Definitely a brain I would love to get inside of over some booze.
3. Joey Ramone of the Ramones – I feel like if I could have had the chance to sit down and have a beer with this guy, the wealth of things I could learn about music would be infinite.  Just like the Ramones music, I feel in his simplicity of living, there is brillance.
2. Freddie Mercury of Queen (he’s only in the number 2 spot because he’s dead and I can’t ACTUALLY do this) – I love Queen.  I love Freddie Mercury.  Yet another brilliant, brilliant musician.  He’s just amazing.
1. Jack Terricloth of the World/Infenro Friendship Society – Because if you’ve learned anything about this band from me by now, it’s that each show is basically a giant punk rock party in three-piece suits bearing the theme Drink, Dance, Destroy.  Being the frontman and leader of such chaos, Jack is an awesome guy.  Having a drink with him is only natural and right.  And I bet if I got a hold of him, he might actually agree and meet me at a bar in Brooklyn somewhere.

Hoverbee’s Top 5
5. Bjork –  I’d like to sit down with this Icelandic goddess and ask her where she gets the inspiration for her outrageous music video styles and album covers.  She always has some new, strange costume jewels glued to her head, or fantastic CGI that transforms her into something else.
4. Echo & The Bunnymen – Of all the albums released by this band, Flowers is by far my favorite.  I do love the classic sound and style of the band, but Flowers was a bit different for them.  Last year, the band released Fountain and I was hoping it would be like Flowers instead of their classic sound.  I liked the album, but was disappointed that they chose to return to their roots.  I’d like to ask them if they plan on releasing another album that is less like the original sound.
3. John Lennon – I’m sure there are many things that music lovers would like to discuss with Mr. Lennon, but I’d like to ask him the true meaning behind the song Come Together.  This song has such cryptically strange lyrics that it makes me rack my brain.  Phrases like “toe-jam football,” “monkey finger,” and “mojo filter” need to be elaborated on.  I’d also like to ask him if he likes Aerosmith’s version of the song.
2. Eric Burdon – I love his voice so much that I sometimes try to imitate him when I sing.  It’s such a deep, burly, and robust voice.  I’d like to ask him if he developed his singing voice by basing it on other artists he loved or if he just opened his mouth and that’s the way it came out.  Any answer he gives is fine by me.
1. James Brown – I’d like to ask “The Godfather of Soul” what it feels like to be a bandleader.  He directs the other musicians in the band on many of his songs.  He is known to say things such as “horns,” “bring it to the bridge,” and “hit it and quit.”  I’d like to know if he made these decisions purely on instinct, musical composition, or a little of both.  I’m curious if there is a sense of power that accompanies these commands.  I’d also like to ask him how he feels about his influence on rap music and what are his favorite hip-hop artists.

Mark’s Top 5
5. Dave Brubeck – There would be nothing like sitting in a half empty jazz club, discussing music, history, life, piano technique and asking endless “Take Five” questions over gin and tonics.  He is walking musical history.
4. Charlotte Martin – Her warm and friendly demeanor made me feel like we were old friends getting reacquainted, and that was just  from interviewing her.  All that’s needed is a few bottles of good wine for some lively and meaningful conversation.
3. Alan Wilder – We both share a love for some of the finer things in life: cinema, travels, restaurants and art.  It’s always nice to enjoy the company of a like-minded individual.
2. The Police –  I could just picture knocking back a few with Sting, Steward and Andy, listening to everything from old tales of the road, to artistic influences, to what it feels like waking up ridiculously wealthy.
1. BT – If you’ve ever read his blogs or twitter posts, you would see that not only is he a psychically talented audiophile, but also a highly observant philosopher, positive thinker, poet, film scorer and adventurer, all in the body of a punk rock genius.  It would be nothing but multiple rounds of imported beers with a true renaissance man.

Klone’s Top 5
5. Courtney Love of Hole – Seriously, even if she’s not everyone’s cup of tea, this starlet has literally been through hell.  Fate seems to have been on overdrive when Hole’s early 90s album was titled “Live Through This”.  Recently, on a business trip to California, I wound up watching the “VH1 Behind The Music” episode on Hole and I had a new-found respect for Courtney Love.  I can imagine catching a drink with her would be quite an eye-opening experience…provided my drink doesn’t get mickied or anything.
4. Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins – I have a feeling after catching a drink (or a few) with Courtney Love, I’m going to have some serious questions for Billy Corgan.  Not only do I love The Smashing Pumpkins and find myself curious as to what the 90s phenomenon was like from the artist side of things, but also to get his side on the rumors and stories that come from camp Courtney.
3. Jack Black of Tenacious D – I love Tenacious D.  They are hilarious.  Especially since they are the “working class heroes” for overweight white guy guitar players who are into sex and drugs (there are dozens of us…DOZENS!!!), and for those reasons alone, I’d love to not only grab a drink with Mr. Black, but tear up the Jersey Shore boardwalk in search of guidos and guidettes to demolish…WITH OUR ROCK!!!!!
2. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails – Nine Inch Nails is Trent Reznor…enough said.  Who wouldn’t want to get a drink with this guy?
1. Maynard James Keenan of Tool – In what could very well be the last act of a desperate fan, I think the ultimate mind-fuck would be imbibing some witch’s brew with one of the most twisted minds in rock and roll history.  Something tells me this would be more likely to be the moment where you find yourself saying, “Well, I always wondered what a week-long peyote trip would be like,” knowing full well that this is Maynard’s typical Friday night.  (NO, this is not a known fact, just an assumption by someone who has spent close to two decades trying to figure out what Tool is really all about, and coming up with “drug experience” as the only possible explanation.  Seriously…these guys are probably huge FRINGE fans…)
Honorable Mentions: • Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains – The reason he didn’t make the list is because this would be a conflicted encounter.  Something tells me I’d spend most of my time asking questions about Layne Staley, instead of focusing on Jerry Cantrell himself, and that would just be unfair.  Cantrell is awesome and amazingly talented, so I wouldn’t want to embarrass myself or insult one of my heroes, or ask him about something he doesn’t want to talk about so much;
• Ke$ha – Might be the only opportunity to poison this bitch and end the nightmare that is her voice broadcast over the airwaves;
• (Posthumously) Peter Steele – Short of Ozzy Osbourne, I can’t think of a better artist to ask about death (especially now that he’s been to the other side.)  Rest in peace, Peter Steele.

TNT’s Top 5
My Top 5 is composed of bands that I’ve seen live and have had the running thought of “Holy shit!  When I throw a party big enough to hire a band, they’re getting the slot!  The entire audience is loving every second of this set, no matter what their preferred taste of music is.”  This is so for every band on here, so the hardest part I had this week was putting them in some sort of order; think it depends on the rager I’m throwing.
5. Washington Square Park – An up and coming band from NJ, their lyrics will instantly floor you.  Take my word for it and Click to listen
4. Jukebox the Ghost – There is no explanation needed here, as I’m sure you’ve already become memorized by JTG.  In the words of Ron Burgundy, “Compelling and Rich”.  Click to listen
3. Black Taxi – Phenomenal live!  One song and you’ll be in love with their addicting beats, high energy, body paint and megaphone.  Click to listen
2. Belikos – They blow me away every time.  You’ll have to catch a show to find out why.  So much energy and a great mash-up of genres, Belikos will keep you on your toes and your spirits high.  Click to listen
1. Bodega Girls – I saw the Bodega Girls in NYC at CMJ 2009 and have not forgotten about the performance.  I was blown away at what a band could do without a stage.  I do not dance unless heavily intoxicated, but danced sober at this show.  My feet couldn’t help it and my mind was tricked into thinking it was drunk (at least that’s what I’m sure it looked like to others).  Click to listen
Honorable Mentions: AWOLNATION (Have you gone AWOL?) and Drink Up Buttercup (Click for DUB)

Daniel Edward’s Top 5
5. Electric Six – Click to listen
4. Passion Pit – Click to listen
3. Men, Women & Children – Click to listen
2. Lola Ray – Click to listen
1. No Doubt – Click to listen

Hoverbee’s Top 5
I tried hard to concentrate on the Top 5 bands I’d hire to play a private party.  These choices were supposed to reflect bands that are superb live, but if I threw a private party and hired a band, fun would be at the top of my list.  So, these bands may not be the best to hear live, but they sure would be a lot of fun!
5. Cake – Add hilarious lyrics, John McCrea’s beatnik vocals, an awesome horn section, and stir.  Bake for thirty minutes and enjoy your party.  Click to listen
4. Clinic – These four lads from Liverpool (no, not The Beatles) can provide any party with outrageous, psychedelic insanity.  Click to listen
3. Gogol Bordello – Want a party that is unstoppable?  This punk rock band of Gypsies is sure to deliver.  Click to listen
2. Beck – We could all dance around in our chain smoke Kansas flashdance ass pants and be merry!  Need I say more?  Click to listen
1. George Clinton & The Parliament Funkadelic – A night with Mr. Clinton and the P-Funk would be a blur of dancing, positive vibes and some pretty far-out folks.  Watch out for the guy in the diaper!  Click to listen

Mark’s Top 5
5. Charlotte Martin –  With the warmth and intimacy that she exudes at her shows, it already feels like you are hanging out.  Why not do it in the comfort of your own home?  Click to listen
4. Peter Gabriel – A talented, highly collaborative artist who conjures up incredibly inventive and multi-genre infused music.  It is very likely that you would be involved in some highly interesting and worldly conversations before, during and after the set.  You might even get to recording with the man himself right there.  ROCK!  Click to listen
3. Bloc Party – Probably one of the most energetic and fun bands that you will ever see live.  Perfect for closing down the local bar and rocking out with some friends; a ridiculously danceable band.  Click to listen
2. Paul Oakenfold – One of the world’s top DJ’s deserves to have a residency in one of the finest and most intimate venues in the world, your own home.  Whether grooving out with chill tunes, or trying to rock the joint with solid trance or electro, he is the man who knows exactly what the scene he’s in needs.  Click to listen
1. Bt – No surprise that the sonic architect himself would make the list.  He is a quadruple party threat…either DJing with self-developed bad-ass plug-ins, the Real-time mash-ups of the Laptop Symphony, Live Synth playing, or ripping it up with a live band.  He would probably get wasted with you after the set.  Click to listen

Angela’s Top 5
5. DJ Tiesto – I like his work.  I’ve partied to it a bunch before and it always provides me with lots of beats to move to.  Click to listen
4. Reel Big Fish – You know what?  After having interviewed them and their willingness to play live, I’d love to hire them for a private party.  Their humor on stage carries over offstage and they always show the house a good time.  Click to listen
3. The Extra Action Marching Band – The name may be a little misleading, but this isn’t your average marching band.  A mix of punk, burlesque, and marching band type instrumentals coupled with (mostly) naked bodies, they’re definitely entertaining and engaging.  Click to listen
2. DJ Pavo – I’ve partied on more than one occasion to his music and I am absolutely in love with “99.9.”  Fantastic track.  Great DJ.  Click to listen
1. The World/Inferno Friendship Society – Loud.  Reckless.  Deviant, yet classy.  This band knows how to have a good time.  From singing in the streets of Brooklyn to a giant floating concert via cruise, each show has ALWAYS been a party.  Many a concert venue has banned them from ever returning, so you know they tear shit up.  Click to listen

Stigz’s Top 5
5. Reel Big Fish – Said it before, and I’ll say it again.  This band just makes you want to party, and with tracks like “Beer” and ska influences, who couldn’t help getting down with a cold one in their hand at a shindig?  Click to listen
4. Minus The Bear – Funky, feel good indie rock for the masses…need I go on?  Click to listen
3. Mind Control (Richie Santana & Peter Bailey) – Another duo I know personally, these two have been on my radio show Clubsessions years ago, before they hooked up and created soul penetrating tracks and techy grooves having you change your religion to bass-ism.  I had the pleasure of partying in the booth with them on New Years Eve at Pacha and would hire them in a second to spin at whatever blowout this hypothetical write-up is for.  Click to listen
2. Jonathan Peters – The man, the myth, the legend and another DJ I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and seeing a ton of times.  Every time, he breaks out tracks and grooves nobody has ever heard, and no two sets are ever even close to the same.  With his ungodly collection of rack gear, Macbooks, and Ableton live slaved to every software under the sun, this is the only DJ I’ll give a pass for using a computer.  He doesn’t use Serato or any similar program, but creates nearly every groove he drops on the dance floor. For anyone that’s caught his 24hr sets in NYC or attended his S&M or underwear parties, this guy can rock any party I would throw, without a doubt.  Click to listen
1. Danny Tenaglia – This DJ has been in the game for decades, and is the reason and inspiration for 90% or my dance music endeavors.  If you don’t know who he is, you don’t know anything about house music.  I’ve seen him countless times, met him a few, and he never ceases to amaze me.  He can work the crowd, and create the deepest, darkest, and funkiest grooves your eardrums can handle.  Click to listen

Klone’s Top 5
If I were going to throw a private party featuring a band, it would be one of two venue types – First, Mexicali Live in Teaneck, NJ.  The perfect mix of restaurant/bar, chill place, with a kick-ass stage and sound-system, and a space for everyone to rock out in front of it.  The guacamole is awesome and the ATM across the street dispenses 50s.  The second would be a laid back, acoustic lounge…think MTV’s Unplugged shows for the stage set-up and you’ll get the idea.  I also take the liberty to choose from acts both living and dead.
5. Laughing Colors {Mexicali Live} – These guys played my college back in 2000, and they were fucking awesome.  They’re a Baltimore area band who had made their way into rotation at the local DC rock stations.  I never followed them after I graduated, and have been consistently disappointed that they haven’t blipped onto the music world at large’s radar.  They’re the most fun bar band you’ve seen time 1 million.  Their energy is limitless, their music is rockin’, and they bring it to the event.  Click to listen
4. Evans Blue {Mexicali Live} – Saw these guys in 2007 at School of Rock in Hackensack, NJ. (http://www.schoolofrocknj.com/), and they sound just as awesome live as they do on their CDs.  They rock, and you can’t help but rock along.  They would definitely bring the house down on a private gathering of close friends.  Click to listen
3. Tenacious D {Unplugged Show} – It’s Tenacious D.  Need I really explain this?  Two guys with acoustic guitars melting your fucking nuts off with their molten hot magma metal, complete with destiny laden guitar picks and Satan-taming tonalities.  It was said that one day a band would come.  Well that band has come, and they’re here to cum again…in your ear pussies.   Click to listen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenacious_D
2. Chevelle {Mexicali Live} – I’ve never seen these guys live, but their music absolutely makes me want to head bang my car to tiny pieces when I crank it while cruising the highway.  In particular, songs like “The Clincher” (my favorite track of theirs) makes me feel like it would literally be the most rockin’ party ever if I had these guys bringing the walls crashing down with their monstrous rock.  Click to listen
1. Alice In Chains – Original Line-Up {Unplugged Show} – We all saw it on MTV, but after catching these guys this year with new front man William DuVall, I never lamented more that I had never seen the band while Layne Staley was still alive.  What was haunting was that DuVall sounded so much like Staley, it was eerie.  I’d love to have my own private Alice In Chains Uplugged show as the center-piece of a private party.  Click to listen

TNT’s Top 5
5. “Eyeball” by Meat Puppets – “Since I hurt myself, I feel so much better/Suck my eyeball.”  What a chorus!  Seriously, no idea what this song means.
4. “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits – Is the line “Money for nothing, chicks for free” referring to someone who works at MTV?  It sounds like a list of things to move and install, then goes into a random conversation with no one in particular.  If you want your MTV, do you really need to install microwave ovens and/or move refrigerators?  I can’t believe this song won a Grammy in 1985.
3. “Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba – This can barely qualify as a song, it sounds more like a drink order.  Do not think about picking this one to karaoke, it just repeats the lyric ‘I get knocked down, but I get up again, you’re never going to keep me down’.  In England, a tubthumper is a politician, so I’m going to assume it’s a protest song.  Any thoughts?
2. “Loser” by Beck – Everyone knows the chorus and some of the verse, but can anyone make sense of the song besides the obvious fact of being a loser and asking to be killed?  I love Beck because his lyrics don’t have to make sense.  This song is the result of not making sense…on purpose.  We’re listening now Beck, you have our attention.
1. “Lisztomania” by Phoenix – What?  Lisztomania, like when women went crazy for classical pianist Franz Liszt?  Or that movie by Ken Russel about Franz Liszt’s life, played by Rodger Daltrey?  If you try to look up the lyrics online, each site has something different.  Why is this love for gentlemen only?  Correction, the wealthiest gentlemen only.  I could go on and on, but why don’t you just read the lyrics and get back to me if you can make any sense out of them.

Hoverbee’s Top 5
5. “Modern Love” by David Bowie – There’s no sign of this song making sense.  I understand that Mr. Bowie is never going to fall for modern love, but what’s that have to do with the paper boy, standing in the wind, and never waving bye-bye?  I try to understand this song, I try.
4. “De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da” by The Police – It is true that every lyric in this song makes sense except for the chorus.  Still, the chorus is the most repeated line in the song!  I do love it, but feel especially strange when singing along.  All of a sudden, I’m a toddler and I want my binky.
3. “Shock the Monkey” by Peter Gabriel – According to Mr. Gabriel, this song is about the jealousy brought out by a lover in a relationship.  It took several readings of the lyrics for this explanation to make sense to me.  Still, a great tune!  Fox the fox. Rat on the rat.  You can ape the ape; I know about that.
2. “Levon” by Elton John – This song is about a guy named Levon who names his son Jesus and has a father named Alvin Tostig.  They count money, blow up balloons, and think about going to Venus.  Fantastic.
1. “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield – It is true that I dislike this song and wish to never hear it again, but it got ridiculous play and so I was forced to listen.  I understand that the end is not yet written, but what’s that got to do with opening a dirty window and feeling the rain on your skin?  It seems that this song is a sad attempt to be deep or have some special message.  She really should have left this song unwritten.

Mark’s Top 5
5. “Tarzan Boy” by Baltimora– Probably one of the greatest 80s novelty songs, but to this day makes ZERO sense.  I know what the song is about and I can understand the lyrics, but it still confuses the hell out of me.  I guess the biggest question is why is Tarzan Boy so alone?  He’s friends with the animals for Christ’s sake.
4. “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads – Psycho Killer…Qu’est Que C’est…what?  It probably means “what are you trying to say”?  It seems to be about a killer, but why the french add-ons?  So David Byrne can sing nonsense in a different language, that’s why…he’s so worldly.
3. “Chop Suey” by System of a Down – Ahh, good ol’ Serj…such profound and hard-hitting lyrics, offering heavy-handed criticisms of the government and societal travesties and faux pas…if only you weren’t speaking complete fuck-tard.  Here’s what I hear: something about makeup, leaving keys on tables, suicides and angels.  You are supposed to sing into the microphone, not try to eat it mid-chorus.
2. “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” by Busta Rhymes – Seriously, what the fuck is Busta Bust saying?  All I could ever make out is his repeating of the song title.  Thank god the video was cool.
1. “Even Flow” by Pearl Jam – Eddie Vedder + Lyrics – Message / Douche factor = Lost.  Resting your head on concrete?  Thoughts like butterflies?  He doesn’t know so he chases them away?  Fuck, I don’t know either, so I’m out.  But you have to admire Eddie’s persistence, as not many people have made a career out of singing with oatmeal constantly in their mouths.  It seems like such a high level of self-importance comes with a price…and a flannel shirt.

Stigz’s Top 5
I want to preface this list with the assertion that many songs are amazing, but many a time don’t make sense.  On this list are some of these- tracks that I love and understand on my own level, but lyrically at times make absolutely no sense.
5. “Gylcerine” by Bush – Like many songs you can groove to and like without knowing why, this song makes no sense if you read the lyrics.  But again, if you connect with it, you tend to ignore that.
4. “Voodoo Child” by Jimi Hendrix – One of my all time favorites, sometimes the lyrics take a foray into nonsense akin to the acid trip they were written on (fact…look it up).  And to quote White Men Can’t Jump “You might be listening, but you don’t hear Jimi.”  If you hear him, the song makes perfect sense.
3. “B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)” by Outkast – The lyrics make sense if you read them, but if you listen to the words you can catch, they still don’t make any.  Da da da stop the train bum bum drop the brain.  You get it…
2. “By The Way” by Red Hot Chili Peppers – Specifically the part in the song when the lyrics are comprised of such random words as “Steak Knife /Caro Shark /Con Job /Boot Cut.”  All of the songs make sense if you know their music and their backgrounds, but if I heard this for the first time, I’d think it was the soundtrack for Tourette’s Syndrome.
1. Anything by Lady Gaga…Specifically “Pokerface.” I don’t think I need to justify this.

Klone’s Top 5
It would be incredibly simple to just fill this list with Lady Gaga and Ke$ha, but at the same time that just seems too easy.  Songs with odd or awkward lyrics are nothing new, even though it seems to be the “hip” new thing to do.  I think for some of the more current acts, it’s a bit of a cop-out to quickly go to the gibberish lyrics.  Whatever happened to establishing song writer/lyricist as poet?  Guess that’s what happens when more artists than not are having their songs written for them…
5. “Plush” by Stone Temple Pilots – So, I along with everyone else who was alive and into the newly growing ‘Alternative’ rock genre in the early 90s thought that the singer of this new band was actually Eddie Vedder sporting a new hair color and style.  Imagine our surprise to find out it was a new player on the scene, speaking in equally puzzling, riddle-like lyrics.  This isn’t a negative criticism, as I think STP has always been poetic with their lyrics, but these really don’t make much sense without some explanation by the song writers: “Where ya going for tomorrow?  Where ya going with the mask I found?  And I feel, and I feel…When the dogs begin to smell her…Will she smell alone?”
4. “Hey Soul Sister” by Train – Besides being poppy and fun, the song kinda sounds like a drunken, desperate guy trying to find romantic metaphors in a high school biology textbook.  “Your lipstick stains / on the front-lobe of my left-side brains / I knew I wouldn’t forget you / and so I went and let you blow my mind” then “Hey, Soul Sister / ain’t that Mister Mister / on the radio, stereo / the way you move ain’t fair you know”…so, I get that the left side of the brain is associated with memory, and suddenly the Soul Sister is the person to consult if you think you’re hearing Mister Mister on the radio and/or stereo, but I’m still somewhat lost as to whether these are real lyrics or mostly filler around the longing for the girl he’s watching dance?  Unless your band is called Tool, the song shouldn’t be this much work to comprehend.
3. “Alejandro” by Lady GaGa – So, from this one all I’m getting is that Lady GaGa is a huge ho-bag and her boyfriend’s like a dad (just like a dad).  The song begins with some spoken lyrics about knowing that “we are young and that he loves me” but that “I just can’t be with you like this anymore…Alejandro” all spoken with a faux-European accent that serves more as mockery than homage.  What follows is a mix between an Ace of Bass rip-off and Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach”, all directed at these supposed Latin lovers whose names all end in “o”.  So I guess Pablo, Angelo and Constantino are all next…yet the song will still be called “Alejandro”.
2. “Tik Tok” by Ke$ha – So, tell me, what the fuck does it mean to wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy?  Is there a Sean P. Diddy Combs manual for waking up and starting your day by brushing your teeth with Jack Daniels?  Didn’t see it on Barnes & Noble’s “New Release” shelf.  There’s more to clever lyrics than name dropping, both celebs and booze, like some semblance of an actual thought maybe?  A metaphor or two in order to demonstrate the depth of you as an artist?   We know she’s busy “occasionally” coking it up, just like our #3 artist, so I’m sure none of this makes any sense to her, the way her lyrics make no sense to us.
1. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana – I know we all know the words, but I still defy anyone to tell us what the words have to do with what the song is supposed to be about.  I think this is the first song that I would say the video is a required part of the experience.  I feel like the video captured visually the type of feeling the song was meant to convey: the rebelliousness of youth clashing with the establishment.  It’s an old message, but done here in such a new way, that the lyrics almost become unimportant.  This is why “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was such a break-out hit.

Angela’s Top 5
5. “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden – “Call my name/through the cream/And I’ll Hear you scream again.”  Listen, when this came out in 1994, I was 10.  Between the song and the video, I was very confused and a little bit traumatized (I still refuse to watch the video for it.)  No clue what the man is talking about…still don’t.
4. “Louie Louie” by Richard Berry – Because everyone still sort of mutters along under their breath and gives it their all on the one part we CAN understand.
3. “A Milli” by Lil Wayne –  Hey hi…umm…what?  Since Lil Wayne doesn’t pre-write any of his material, I’ve noticed it often lacks cohesion and direction.  This one just stuck out for me.
2. “Song 2” by Blur – Remember when all we knew was “Woohoo!!” and the rest was kind of unintelligible?  Yeah, well even when you get around to deciphering the lyrics they still don’t make sense.  Allow me to illustrate, “I got my head checked/by a jumbo jet” only to be followed by, “when I feel heavy metal/woohoo!/And I’m pins and I’m needles”.  No clue, but once I learned them I sang them faithfully…not having the slightest idea wtf I was singing along to.
1. “Informer” by Snow – Come the fuck on, how did no one else make this their number 1?  To this day it remains one of those songs that its like ‘WHAT THE FUCK IS HE SAYING?!’  Maybe it makes sense when ya slow it down…but I couldn’t tell you.  I still don’t know.  It’s something about a snitch or something in the hood.  Fuck if I know.  Either way, this kid wins for most difficult song to understand.

TNT’s Top 5
I think it was too obvious to include her in my list, but Ke$ha definitely takes the cake.
5. “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas – Pass!  We all know it’s played 24/7, but it doesn’t mean you have to listen.  I don’t think I’ve ever listened to this song all the way through.  I’d rather listen to nothing, which is uncharacteristic.
4. “Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum – I have never liked this song but seem to hear it constantly.  Don’t you have any other songs Lady?
3. “In the End” by Linkin Park – Really, any Linkin Park song makes this list.  They’re over played on the air waves because they can be played on almost any radio station.  I don’t own a Linkin Park CD because I know I can turn the radio on and hear their music.  This is also the reason I have never seen them live.
2. “Baba O’Riley” by The Who – I love this song, but if I have to hear it one more time I will scream.  I hear it every time I put the radio on.  Just once, I’d like to actually play the song from my iTunes because I miss hearing it…here’s hoping.
1. “I Kissed A Girl” by Katy Perry – God, even having to type her name makes me squirm.  I really loathe Katy Perry and her music.  In my opinion, she is one of the biggest posers of our time.  I challenge someone to tell me that they’re her biggest fan.  I will bring you down, verbally speaking of course.
***Editors Note*** I just grabbed my mail and guess what I read on the cover of this week’s Rolling Stone?  Sex, God & Katy Perry- The Hard Road & Hot Times of a Fallen Angel.  I’m too shocked to even comment.  Ugh.

Hoverbee’s Top 5
I admit there are many songs that have been over-played and I still love them like the first time I heard them.  These five are not in that category.  Please, don’t get me wrong.  I loved each and every one of these songs when they first came out, but to everything there is a season and it is time to let these songs go.
5. “Bullet With Butterfly Wings” by Smashing Pumpkins – This song is a vampire set to drain.  Even after all these years, you’re still a rat in a cage.
4. “Under the Bridge” by The Red Hot Chili Peppers – Sometimes I feel like I don’t have the patience to listen to this song ever again.  It was once both beautiful and sad.  Now, it’s just sad.
3. “Interstate Love Song” by Stone Temple Pilots – Listening is the hardest thing to do.  This song is dead for me; how about you?
2. “Possum Kingdom” by The Toadies – Do you want to die?  Why, yes I do!  I wish for a swift death every single time I hear this song.
1. “No Rain” by Blind Melon – All I can say is that this song is pretty lame.  At one time, with its video starring the pudgy little bee girl, this song was an anthem for those ridiculed and abused.  I don’t know what it is now except a bummer.

Angela’s Top 5
5. “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz – Did anyone else notice that he repeats everything three times in this song?  Legit, three times each line.  I feel like I have a stutter.  Definitely can’t stand this one anymore.
4. “California Girls” by Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg – I’m from the East Coast, so go fuck your Golden Coast Katy Perry.  This song annoys the crap out of me.  Do not tell me your coast is better, we skank harder, we mosh better and we birthed punk rock.  And by the way, I will not fall in love once I party with you.  Stop telling me what I’m going to do.
3.  “I’m Not Afraid” by Eminem – The radio loves this one, and so, now I do not.  Good for you Em, but release another single already.
2. “Tik Tok” by Ke$ha – I get it.  You like to party.  Thank you for giving my country the newest in trend slogans, “before I leave/brush my teeth with a bottle of jack.”  Great.  I’m sure lots of ‘Jersey Shore’ guidettes got themselves in prime fist pumping gear to this one all summer long.
1. “Love the Way you Lie” by Eminem ft. Rhianna – I thought this was a great song when I first heard it.  I usually love his music, but enough already.  At any given time I can be flipping through radio stations and at least THREE of them will be playing the song simultaneously.  I’ve reached a point now where I’m just disgusted with the song; I change it instantly and yell back at the radio- telling it to either man up and set her the fuck on fire or break up already, it’s unhealthy.

Klone’s Top 5
5. “Hotel Room Service” by Pitbull – Oh, you’re talkin’ hotel, motel, Holiday Inn?  So, you’re a sellout to the lowest bidder?  Do they really have room service at the Holiday Inn?  Do they really?  And, this makes you cool, fly, or ghetto fabulous?  Ok…well, you keep chillin’ at the hotel, motel, and Holiday Inn…I’ll avoid all three of those locations like the bubonic plague.  But you keep rockin, or chillin, or whatever the hell it is you’re talking about.  Idiots.
4. “2am” by Slightly Stoopid – Seriously, I like good reggae, but not this lame, imitation, we’re white guys who smoke herb, so we’re reggae business.  There’s more to reggae than a repetative riff or horn progression.  This song is SUPER LAME, BORING, and needs to die.
3. “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas – As is typical with this commercial, almost bubble-gum pop hip-hop band, this song is kinda okay the first time you hear it.  Maybe it makes you move, start groovin a little…but by the 3rd, 4th, or 15 billionth time you hear it, you just want to kill someone…like the entire cast of Jersey Shore.  Fist pumpers…beware!
2. “Blah Blah Blah” by Ke$ha ft. 3OH!3 – I think Jay and Silent Bob summed it up best in their diner scene in Chasing Amy:
Jay: “What the hell is it he always has us sayin’?”
Silent Bob: “Oh, uh…Snoochie Boochies.”
Jay: “Snoochie Boochies?  Who the hell talks like that?  That is fuckin’ baby talk!”
If only that movie was 10 – 15 years younger, they would totally be talking about this bleached blonde bonehead who spells her name with a friggin’ dollar sign ($).  She must be stopped…
1.“Kids” by MGMT – I used to love it…but I had to kill it…I used to love it, but I had to kill it…I knew I’d miss it, so I had to keep it…it’s buried in my iTunes library…and we’re both happier that way.

Mark’s Top 5
5. Ke$ha – What do you get when you cross a skank with nonsensical lyrics and beats ripped off from any current top 40 “artist”?  The same shit in similar packaging.
4. Anything by Lady Gaga – “Alejandro,” “Bad Romance,” “Poker Face,” “Paparazzi”…so many supposed hits…yet the four songs that are played the most…I’m not sure whether that is a good thing or a bad thing.  Over-hyped, overrated and now eclipsed by her inescapable jackass antics (just ask her how to make a Mets game suck more).  A performance artist that has hijacked the airwaves.
3. “California Gurls” by Katy Perry– A song about girls from California?  Wow…I wonder why the Beach Boys and David Lee Roth and Doctor Dre and Tupac and Incubus (etc. and so on) never did that.  Extra props go to already questionably revered Snoop Dogg, for officially selling out and making an awful song that is much worse.
2. “Rude boy” by Rihanna – Proof that there is somebody actually ripping off Beyonce.  The first song that actually make my ears black and blue from the audio thrashing (XM just doesn’t start quick enough).  How is that song on at the same time every morning?
1. “Live Your Life” by T.I. ft. Rihanna – Did you ever notice that the only people who encourage you to not worry about money, and to be happy with what you already have are the same scumbags who have more of it than you do?  How would you like this preachy and faux-philosophical dreck to be told to you every hour on the hour, on at least five radio stations at any point all day long?