The Alphabet List: Letter "H"

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So, I was just going to hope you would forget about this list series, reader. But, alas, my afternoon at my co-bloggers welcome home barbecue was ruined (read, thrilled that someone besides myself would bring up the blog) with persistent (read, one) questions about "What happened to The Alphabet List?"

Yeah, thanks to awkward encounters, The Alphabet List has returned with the difficult letters. I am just happy to have "H" and not "I." Good luck Stevie.

Dread. That is how I felt about this letter, until I scrolled through my iPod a bit, and I think I'll be able to power through. I think the tricky part will more of the order rather than finding enough.

1. Hey Marsellies

There was really no other option for number one on this list. Probably the best local band I have found in years. Their complete/full sound is undeniable. I have never heard a voice live that sounded as clear as on the record. They just (re)released their debut album. Pick it up, download it, do something. Support great music.

Hey Marseilles - From A Terrace (Live at CHBP) from KEXP RADIO on Vimeo.

2. The Head and The Heart

If any band is going to make a run at the best local band title, it is this one. Their 2010 release is AMAZING. I wish I had a better adjective to describe just how much I love it, but, nothing really quite grasps its instant impact. But, look at it this way, their album has been out less than a month, and already, they are number 2 on the best bands that start with the H. Impressed yet? That ain't nothing, pick up their record.

3. Heart

Underappreciated. Undervalued. Underrespected. Undereverythinged. Come to think of it, another Seattle band. Way to be Puget Sound!

4. The Hush Sound

So, we finally find a band NOT from the Pac-NW! This is one of those great bands that never really broke the way I had hoped they would. And, not they won't as they are on hiatus. Which we all know means they hate eachother. However, their sound does live on somewhat in the band Gold Motel. An EP and an LP have been released in the last 6 months. Both of which I have just purchased and am very very excited to delve into.

This video SUCKS. But it is the only video from my favorite of the band albums. Before they were picked up by a label. Its so obviously self made, its silly. Yet awesome.

5. Hootie and The Blowfish

This is the first concert I can remember going to. And it was good. I will not deny that "Cracked Rear View" was a heavy contributor to my 1994-1996 life soundtrack. And lets be honest, you loved it too. The album went platinum 19 times over. Yeah, thats 19,000,000 records sold in the US alone. That is the 15th best selling record of all time in the US. Yeah, you loved it.

6. hellogoodbye

Shhhhh..... one of my guilty pleasure bands. Their effervescent pop makes me happy. And they make the best videos. Also, watch this and this

7. Hole

I would lose my considerable street cred if I failed to list this band. And looking back on their 1998 release "Celebrity Skin" they had a good impact on my musical tastes. Still to this day infact as I often compare female frontmen to this dirty diva.

8. The Hives

One of those bands you don't know by name, but just click play and tell me you don't know almost every word of that hook. I dare ya, reader.

9. House of Pain

Pack it up, pack it in, let me begin
I came to win, battle me that's a sin
I won't ever slack up, punk you better back up
Try and play the role and yo the whole crew'll act up
Get up, stand up (c'mon!) c'mon throw your hands up
If you've got the feeling, jump across the ceiling
Muggs lifts a funk flow, someone's talking junk
Yo I bust him in the eye, and then I'll take the punk's hoe
Feelin, funkin, amps in the trunk and I got more rhymes
than there's cops at a Dunkin' Donuts shop
Sho' nuff, I got props
From the kids on the Hill plus my mom and my pops
I came to get down, I came to get down
So get out your seat and jump around!

10. Hoobastank

So, this opinion may or may not piss you off. But this a great one hit wonder band that's success is clearly predicated by their unexplainable name. If you would have called this band something innocuous, like Robot Makeup they would have been much more likely to have gone by the wayside. But, this is a great song. And I've never been a one hit wonder, so there's that.

11. Harvey Danger

Yet another Seattle band that starts with an H. Yay us, but sad us. As Harvey Danger played their last show in 2009. Below is the classic 90's song that everyone knows and loves, but, please click here for an awesome video I found that was put together by what looks to be the coolest place to work ever.

12. Horse Feathers

I feel like I screwed something up and accidentally turned this into a Pac-NW list. Here is another rain lovin band, who's 2010 album is really growing on me. Below I have actually found a video from the NPR tiny desk series. It's 3 songs that actually gives you a really good feeling for the band. I especially love "Heathen"s Kiss."

13. The Hollies

I am kinda embarrassed to admit that I love this song. But, its that song that you play really really loud in your car and just sing along too. One of the worlds biggest guilty pleasure songs. Check it.