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The 10 Most Underrated Rock Albums of the 00’s Part 2 Here’s a quick run down of 6-10 10. Ryan Adams - Rock N Roll 9. Weezer - Maladroit 8. Fall Out Boy - Take This To Your Grave 7. Jack’s Mannequin - Everything In Transit 6. Jon McLaughlin - Indiana On with the top 5! 5. Better Than Ezra - Closer Lead-singer, Kevin Griffin, has one of those voices that you know immediately who you are listening to. Hell, he even has a writing style that is just as distinctive (Don’t believe me? Listen to previously mentioned “Human” on Jon McLaughlin’s Indiana, which was co-written with Griffin.) Along with Griffin, Bette Than Ezra have developed a sound that is reminiscent of early Beck and is the perfect combination of Pop, Rock and Funk. The attitude that they hit you with will make you want to sing along with all the words, even if they are a little peculiar.  It really makes you think how this band is considered a one-hit wonder with the obvious talent on display. There are so many songs, from “Misunderstood” to “I Do”, that will have their hook stuck in your head for days. And then there is the lone ballad on the album, “A Lifetime”, which is definitely one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard this decade. Better Than Ezra are currently getting ready to release their new album, Paper Empire, on May 12, 2009 and the first single, “Absolutely Still”, will be released on iTunes on March 17, 2009. 4. Josh Rouse - 1972 I would like to say that I have to thank my older brother, Rick, along with the Atkins boys for introducing me to at least half the music I listen to today. This album, is one of theirs and it took me a while to really appreciate it, but boy is it a good one. On 1972, his fifth album, Rouse turns the clock back to the early 70’s to bring us some good old fashioned pop-rock-folk-funk. It sounds like an album that you can’t believe wasn’t made before because it fits so well and is so perfectly crafted. It just may be one of the best albums of the 70’s. If you are thinking about driving to the beach, or just lounging around, this is the background music you are looking for.  Never does Rouse get overly excited, but he has this smirking-like sound to his voice that sounds like he is completely relaxed and having fun, no matter the subject. The music is well crafted in its simpleness. Rouse never overblows anything and doesn’t try to make some grandiose sweeping statement, rather just lets the music get inside of you and groove. It’s a wonderful feeling. He is currently writing for his next album, which hopefully will be out sometime late 2009, or early 2010 and he has a wonderful website that is constantly updated with new material from Josh www.joshrouse.com. 3. Matt Nathanson - Beneath These Fireworks To think that Matt Nathanson’s first album came out over 15 years ago is astounding to me. His first few albums showed the beginnings of his talents and if they could be remixed and remastered would probably show how good he was even then. In 1999, he made his best work to date with Still Waiting For Spring, an album that would give us the signature Matt that has been around for a decade now. 4 years later he would build on SWFS (even taking 2 songs along with him) with Beneath These Fireworks. BTF is an album that has one constant through its entirety; hope. Whether it is an upbeat tune like “Pretty The World” or its proceeder “Little Victories”, a song that could have easily been done in a completely morose fashion, Nathanson lets that little glimmer of hope shine through. Not to mention, Matt’s has one of the best ears for melody and his lyrical choices are always tops. Currently, Matt is on tour still promoting his 2007 follow up Some Mad Hope, another wonderful album that could make a case for this list, but now he is getting some decent radio play and his single “Come on Get Higher” has been on the iTunes Top 100 for almost a year now. Also, after the tour Matt will be heading back in the studio to produce his 7th LP. 2. Dashboard Confessional - A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar I wish Chris never made The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most. Not because it’s bad, it has some good moments, but because it labeled him as Mr. Emo. If you listen to any of his other albums you will find someone who can make an acoustic song come alive with his voice, a lyricist who can move you with one line, or a rock star who could make 20,000 people scream every word. On A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar, Carrabba sets out to make a country styled rock record. This is one of the wonderful elements about Dashboard; each album has been something different. Whether it be the acoustic angst of The Swiss Army Romance (his best, and only not on this list because I think its been pretty well received by most people), the aforementioned despair mostly found on PYHCTFTM, the arena rock stylings on Dusk & Summer, or the acoustic, gold rush inspired, The Shade of Poison Trees; Dashboard has not made the same record twice.  Getting back to aMaMaBaS, the country rock atmosphere fits the songs beautifully from “Carry This Picture For Luck” or the best song on the record, and one my personal favorites, “Carve Your Heart Out Yourself”.  The lyrics don’t feel pushed and the music is wonderfully put together, especially the drums of Mike Marsh, a vastly underrated player. Anyone who has written them off as “emo”, I ask that you give this record a shot and save judgement until then, because this album wonderfully mixes youthful hope and angst with a tone that suggests that you should enjoy it while it lasts and it gives the album a wonderful layer to it. Currently, Dashboard are in the studio recording their 6th studio album, to be released sometime in 2009. 1. The Format - Dog Problems This was a no-brainer to be #1. The Format (Childhood friends Nate Ruess and Sam Means) has a very loyal following, but it is an album that is vastly unknown and immensely underrated. What they did on “Dog Problems” is complete an album that told the story of a man dealing with a part of his life where everything seems to be crumbling but that you have to hit bottom if you want to fight back to get what you want. And thats exactly what The Format did with this record. After being released from Atlantic Records after they were bought out by one of the giants, The Format were label-less, and faced with being a band that had tons of talent but nothing to show for it. On top of that, lead singer Nate Ruess had just been broken up with and cheated on by his long time girlfriend. So what did they do? They decided to write a record about it and if someone wanted to buy it, well then that would be a bonus. What came out was probably the most interesting pop album made since The Beatles or The Beach Boys were at the top of the game. Yes, I would put this album up against any Sgt. Peppers or Pet Sounds that you throw up against it.  Admittedly, without those records, this album would probably never exist because it is obvious how influential those bands are on both Ruess and Means. Dog Problems has lyrics, written mostly by Ruess, that bring you in and tell you a story you don’t want to stop listening to. The music, mainly done by Means, are beautiful landscapes for the story of this man’s life in the sun of the southwest US. Whether it is the simplistic guitar or the brilliantly incorporated brass sections that are in many of the songs, each song has a distinct feel to it yet molds together into one vision. I really can not say enough about this album to do it justice, so I will stop here. Unfortunately, in 2008 Ruess and Means decided to put the Format on “indefinite hiatus” (what a cruel term) because of musical disagreements and it was becoming a strain on their friendship.   Currently Ruess has created a new band, Fun, and will be releasing a new disc this year and touring to promote it. Means joined Ex-Straylight Run member Michelle Derosa to form Destry and are about to head into the studio to produce their first album. Well thats it, hope you enjoyed and let me know if I missed something!  Zoom

The 10 Most Underrated Rock Albums of the 00’s

Part 2

Here’s a quick run down of 6-10

10. Ryan Adams - Rock N Roll

9. Weezer - Maladroit

8. Fall Out Boy - Take This To Your Grave

7. Jack’s Mannequin - Everything In Transit

6. Jon McLaughlin - Indiana

On with the top 5!

5. Better Than Ezra - Closer

Lead-singer, Kevin Griffin, has one of those voices that you know immediately who you are listening to. Hell, he even has a writing style that is just as distinctive (Don’t believe me? Listen to previously mentioned “Human” on Jon McLaughlin’s Indiana, which was co-written with Griffin.)

Along with Griffin, Bette Than Ezra have developed a sound that is reminiscent of early Beck and is the perfect combination of Pop, Rock and Funk. The attitude that they hit you with will make you want to sing along with all the words, even if they are a little peculiar.  It really makes you think how this band is considered a one-hit wonder with the obvious talent on display.

There are so many songs, from “Misunderstood” to “I Do”, that will have their hook stuck in your head for days. And then there is the lone ballad on the album, “A Lifetime”, which is definitely one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard this decade.

Better Than Ezra are currently getting ready to release their new album, Paper Empire, on May 12, 2009 and the first single, “Absolutely Still”, will be released on iTunes on March 17, 2009.

4. Josh Rouse - 1972

I would like to say that I have to thank my older brother, Rick, along with the Atkins boys for introducing me to at least half the music I listen to today. This album, is one of theirs and it took me a while to really appreciate it, but boy is it a good one.

On 1972, his fifth album, Rouse turns the clock back to the early 70’s to bring us some good old fashioned pop-rock-folk-funk. It sounds like an album that you can’t believe wasn’t made before because it fits so well and is so perfectly crafted. It just may be one of the best albums of the 70’s.

If you are thinking about driving to the beach, or just lounging around, this is the background music you are looking for.  Never does Rouse get overly excited, but he has this smirking-like sound to his voice that sounds like he is completely relaxed and having fun, no matter the subject.

The music is well crafted in its simpleness. Rouse never overblows anything and doesn’t try to make some grandiose sweeping statement, rather just lets the music get inside of you and groove. It’s a wonderful feeling.

He is currently writing for his next album, which hopefully will be out sometime late 2009, or early 2010 and he has a wonderful website that is constantly updated with new material from Josh www.joshrouse.com.

3. Matt Nathanson - Beneath These Fireworks

To think that Matt Nathanson’s first album came out over 15 years ago is astounding to me. His first few albums showed the beginnings of his talents and if they could be remixed and remastered would probably show how good he was even then. In 1999, he made his best work to date with Still Waiting For Spring, an album that would give us the signature Matt that has been around for a decade now. 4 years later he would build on SWFS (even taking 2 songs along with him) with Beneath These Fireworks.

BTF is an album that has one constant through its entirety; hope. Whether it is an upbeat tune like “Pretty The World” or its proceeder “Little Victories”, a song that could have easily been done in a completely morose fashion, Nathanson lets that little glimmer of hope shine through.

Not to mention, Matt’s has one of the best ears for melody and his lyrical choices are always tops.

Currently, Matt is on tour still promoting his 2007 follow up Some Mad Hope, another wonderful album that could make a case for this list, but now he is getting some decent radio play and his single “Come on Get Higher” has been on the iTunes Top 100 for almost a year now. Also, after the tour Matt will be heading back in the studio to produce his 7th LP.

2. Dashboard Confessional - A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar

I wish Chris never made The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most. Not because it’s bad, it has some good moments, but because it labeled him as Mr. Emo. If you listen to any of his other albums you will find someone who can make an acoustic song come alive with his voice, a lyricist who can move you with one line, or a rock star who could make 20,000 people scream every word.

On A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar, Carrabba sets out to make a country styled rock record. This is one of the wonderful elements about Dashboard; each album has been something different. Whether it be the acoustic angst of The Swiss Army Romance (his best, and only not on this list because I think its been pretty well received by most people), the aforementioned despair mostly found on PYHCTFTM, the arena rock stylings on Dusk & Summer, or the acoustic, gold rush inspired, The Shade of Poison Trees; Dashboard has not made the same record twice. 

Getting back to aMaMaBaS, the country rock atmosphere fits the songs beautifully from “Carry This Picture For Luck” or the best song on the record, and one my personal favorites, “Carve Your Heart Out Yourself”.  The lyrics don’t feel pushed and the music is wonderfully put together, especially the drums of Mike Marsh, a vastly underrated player.

Anyone who has written them off as “emo”, I ask that you give this record a shot and save judgement until then, because this album wonderfully mixes youthful hope and angst with a tone that suggests that you should enjoy it while it lasts and it gives the album a wonderful layer to it.

Currently, Dashboard are in the studio recording their 6th studio album, to be released sometime in 2009.

1. The Format - Dog Problems

This was a no-brainer to be #1. The Format (Childhood friends Nate Ruess and Sam Means) has a very loyal following, but it is an album that is vastly unknown and immensely underrated. What they did on “Dog Problems” is complete an album that told the story of a man dealing with a part of his life where everything seems to be crumbling but that you have to hit bottom if you want to fight back to get what you want.

And thats exactly what The Format did with this record. After being released from Atlantic Records after they were bought out by one of the giants, The Format were label-less, and faced with being a band that had tons of talent but nothing to show for it. On top of that, lead singer Nate Ruess had just been broken up with and cheated on by his long time girlfriend.

So what did they do? They decided to write a record about it and if someone wanted to buy it, well then that would be a bonus. What came out was probably the most interesting pop album made since The Beatles or The Beach Boys were at the top of the game. Yes, I would put this album up against any Sgt. Peppers or Pet Sounds that you throw up against it.  Admittedly, without those records, this album would probably never exist because it is obvious how influential those bands are on both Ruess and Means.

Dog Problems has lyrics, written mostly by Ruess, that bring you in and tell you a story you don’t want to stop listening to. The music, mainly done by Means, are beautiful landscapes for the story of this man’s life in the sun of the southwest US. Whether it is the simplistic guitar or the brilliantly incorporated brass sections that are in many of the songs, each song has a distinct feel to it yet molds together into one vision.

I really can not say enough about this album to do it justice, so I will stop here.

Unfortunately, in 2008 Ruess and Means decided to put the Format on “indefinite hiatus” (what a cruel term) because of musical disagreements and it was becoming a strain on their friendship.  

Currently Ruess has created a new band, Fun, and will be releasing a new disc this year and touring to promote it. Means joined Ex-Straylight Run member Michelle Derosa to form Destry and are about to head into the studio to produce their first album.

Well thats it, hope you enjoyed and let me know if I missed something! 


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