The Alphabet List: The Letter "J"

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So, its not that we forgot or abandoned the idea of the Alphabet List, it's just that "I" is a sonofabitch.

So, with that, we skip it, at least for now, and bring you the lovely letter "J"

I cannot believe how relieved I am to be working on a real list again, nor can I believe how long it took me to realize that I could actually skip a letter and it would not be the end of the world. Now, again, if you forgot the rules, this is going to be a list of bands/artists starting with the letter "J." The names cannot be given, and must be chosen. So, although, I love me some John Mayer. and Jason Mraz and whatnot, you will not find them below on this list. However, I have broken that rule slightly, you'll see.

Jay-Z
I am not one who is going to wax philosophically about who is the best rapper of all time. It't not that I don't have my opinions on the matter, but I just do not feel qualified. I love me some rap music, but, as a fan, not a historian. However, I cannot deny that he is just the man.
This song is from his new Duet album with Kanye West "Watch The Throne" which is fantastic.
"Otis" by Jay Z and Kanye West


The Jackson 5
This is my cheat. It's a name, but it's also a band. So, I'm letting it slide. Now, I had a real hard time deciding who to put after Jay Z. It was either Jackson 5 or Journey. And, I guess, I cannot deny that The Jackson 5 made a bigger impact on the world, and myself.
"I'll Be There" by The Jackson Five


Journey
Guilty pleasure does not even begin to describe this band. I don't even think I need to say more then that.
"Open Arms" by Journey


The Joy Formidable
This three piece band from North Wales makes a very big noise, and are one of my current favorites. This video especially shows the raw, sexy power of Ritzy, the femme fatale of a lead singer. Just watch and tell me you do not want to be in this room with her manning the mic.
"Austere" by The Joy Formidable


Jane's Addiction I just to think that Dave Navarro was the coolest dude alive. Played in two bad ass bands, had a smoking hot lady, and could pull off nail polish. He was simply awesome. It didn't suck that is was in this legendary band. Below, my favorite track.
"Been Caught Stealing" by Janes Addiction

Jars of Clay
I feel like its the supidest idea ever to follow Jane's Addiction with Jars of Clay, but that's how I sees it. And, I almost had it the other way around Imagine that. There is probably not a cassette tape I played more in 95/96 than this self-titled debut. And, honestly, at the time, I was not even that aware of the religious undertones, I just loved the mellow, post grunge whiny alt rock.
"Flood" by Jars of Clay


Jet
This is one of those bands that sneaks into your earmind and before you realize it, you are singing at the top of your lungs. When I need a good road trip mix, or if I am driving late and night and the cold air of the open windows are no longer keeping me awake, I turn to Jet, and live loud.
"Cold Hard Bitch" by Jet


Japandroids
Come on admit it, you all knew I would find a way to sneak in a NW(Vancouver, BC)  band when all was said and done with, but that is not the only reason I have opted to include this fantastic Canadian duo. They are the first band that I have found in years that truly epitomized the sound and the feel of one of the all time greats, The Sonics. Like, if The Sonics, were Canadian, and formed in the 00's, they would sound like this.
"Wet Hair" by Japandroids


Jimmy Eat World
A lot of people will look at Jimmy Eat World as a one hit wonder, but those people need to be junk punched. If you listened to the actually album their "hit" comes off of, you would know what I am talking about. It is a fantastic record from beginning to end, and needs to be celebrated and included on this list. Also, they have one of the best grammatically incorrect names ever.
"The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World


Ja Rule
Ja Rule is kind of a joke these days, but back in the day, you know 2001, he was the man. I think he had something like 20 top 100 singles in 4 year, including like 3 number 1 albums. With all the crap he gets now, it's hard to remember that he really did rule the hip-hop/R&B world. And he was one of the first, if not the first, to really make that Rap R&B duet thing so damn successful and popular. It's so commonplace now, people don't realize it was fairly uncommon back before the early 2000's.
"Always On Time" by Ja Rule and Ashanti

Jodeci
To me, when I think of Jodeci, I think mostly of K-Ci and JoJo, and I know that is not fair, because they were only half of the band, but it's how I learned of them. I kinda discovered them backwards, back when I was all into R&B, I started to listen to a bunch of K-CI & JoJo, thanks mostly to the Save The Last Dance soundtrack, and I decided to see where they came from, that is how I found me some Jodeci.
"Forever My Lady" by Jodeci



Honorable Mention
"Virtual Insanity" by Jamirquai


"It Ain't Gonna Save Me" by Jay Reatard

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.

Alphabet List: Letter G

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Alright, alright you've probably been wondering where the Alphabet list had gone. Well, I'm not going to lie- the letter G depresses me. Here are the best picks I could find out of the limited G bands. Know a great G band? Send ideas our way!

1. Green Day (When I Come Around)
If you were a teenager in the 90's this song means something to you. Maybe your friends and you moshed to it live at a concert. Maybe you stole a winecooler and drank it out back while listening. Or, like me, it was your "song" with your boyfriend (shout out to Joey Winski). Either way, although Green Day doesn't move me like they once did I will forever have a special spot for Green Day (and for the true die hard fans that had the Sweet Children 45's like me). In a time when Manic Panic was your best friend this song will always bring back the memories.
Live at Woodstock


2. The Gits (Second Skin)
For those of you that really know me you know that I have always had a part of me that is Riot GRRRL. It started growing up as a teenager in Washington in the 90's and has never really left. The Gits, though not originally from Seattle, really found their stride there and received local and underground success particularely among the Seattle Grunge and Punk scenesters. The band was on their way to main stream success when the brutal murder of singer Mia Zapata tore the band apart. I remember her murder and attending subsequent Home Alive concerts/gatherings. The Gits were never the same and disbanded shortly after. This video from the Gits movie is called Second Skin- enjoy!


3. Goo Goo Dolls (Iris)
Admit it, no matter how cheesy Goo Goo Dolls can be you still sing along when John Rzeznik starts in to the chorus with "and I don't want the world to see me..." This was the best embeddable vid I could find but check out youtube to see a really great one of them playing live in the pouring rain- rad.



4. Garbage (Only Happy When It Rains)
Yea Shirley Manson! That girl rocks! Guess who went out and bought fishnet stockings and big "Daria" black combat boots after this. No, not Adam. What people don't know about Garbage is that, yes Shirley Manson is awesome, but there are actually other members of the band people! And one just happened to produce this little known album called Nevermind of a small grunge group called - okay you know this- well his name is Butch Vig, so check him out.



5. Guns N Roses (November Rain)
Theres not a person I know that won't sing along at a dirty bar while Sweet Child O' Mine or Paradis City comes on. Legitimately though, I love November Rain. I even considered walking down the aisle to it but I think Kyle would have veto'd that idea right away (we ended up walking back up to the acoustic version of Everlong by Foo Fighters). An awesome video, an awesome guitar solo by slash, and maybe the best 9 minute video I know. By the way, perhaps the only time I think smoking is cool but when Slash is at the wedding smoking and hands the priest the rings- brilliant. Note there is a blink and you'll miss it cameo of Riki Rachtman!


6. Good Charlotte (The Anthem)
Catchy, poppy and yet they're dressed as... punks? gangstas? goths? I'm not sure. Still I can sing along to like 6 of there songs so here they are.



7. Ginuwine (Pony)
He can dance. He has the hottest body. The song is sexy. Nuf said.


8. Gorillaz (Clint Eastwood)
Before I had even heard music by Gorillaz I had heard about Damon Albarn's new project (although they tried to keep members secret for a while- remember that?)Although I like Blur better, Gorillaz brought something different to a time when music was kind of in a lull (1998).



9. Gomez (See The World)
So Gomez the band isn't new but I've just started to pay them attention. My husband has noted that they're somewhat inconsistent (perhaps due to having three singers and 4 songwriters?) but this song is beautiful.



10. Goldfinger (Here in My Bedroom)
'94 brought about a lot of great moments in music and this ska/punk was one of the best of it's genre.

The Alphabet List: Letter "F"

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And on we go..... This is our continuing, 26 part, Alphabet List. We have been trying to limit these lists to 10 entries, but I do not deal with limits well. Especially since I was so excited to write the list for this letter. I actually bartered letters with Stevie to get this one. I have so many bands that I love that begin with the letter "F" that I absolutely love.

Now you will notice on this list that I do not have those classic rock bands on here. In fact only four of these bands were even created in the 90's. There are so many up and coming bands that choose f names for whatever reason, that I just could not find the room to include them.

*Side note.... This is our 200th post. WooHoo!!! This kinda snuck up on us, or else we would have put together a calabro, competition list. We will try to set that up for 250 or 300. Enjoy.

Alphabet List: Letter E

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My co-blogger Adam has been bugging me to post this guy so he can throw down on the next letter so here it is- the next letter in the series of our Alphabet List, version letter E. Since this is my favorites, and not say, my dads favorites, you will notice I left some heavy hitters out (The Eagles, Earth Wind and Fire) and instead included the stuff I actually listen to. Without further ado, here it is...

1. Eels (Novocaine for the Soul)




2. Elastica (Connection)



3. Everclear (Santa Monica- live at Woodstock '99)



4. Eminem (Stan)



5. Missy Elliot (The Rain Supa Dupa Fly)



6. Eagle Eye Cherry (Save Tonight)



7. En Vogue (Don't Let Go)



8. Eve 6 (Inside Out)



9. Eazy E (Boyz in Da Hood)



10. Eurythmics (Sweet Dreams)

The Alphabet List: Letter D

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So the letter D has some great standouts... and a whole lot of random. You might have some personal favorites that are not on this list: Devo, Def Leppard, Destiny's Child - but I could only pick 10 faves and here they are. Note again that we're not including people (hence on this list you will see that Damian Rice, Damian Jurado, or Dave Matthews don't appear). So here goes, the next installment of the alphabet list: letter D.

1. Death Cab for Cutie (I Will Follow You Into the Dark)



2. Dishwalla (Counting Blue Cars)


3. The Doors (Light my Fire)


4. Digable Planets (Cool like Dat)- *note, not my favorite video- go check out the real video on youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY0c2ZAeMK4



5. Dixie Chicks (Goodbye Earl)


6. Depeche Mode (Enjoy the Silence)


7. deftones (My Own Summer)


8. Da Brat (Funkdafied)


9. Dinosaur Jr. (Feel the Pain)


10. Dido (White Flag)

The Alphabet List: Letter "C"

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Tada! We continue our Alphabet List with the letter "C." I must admit, this list was so much easier to put together than my debut list for the letter "A." Actually, in many ways it was harder, there are so many good bands that start with this letter, it was actually hard to only pick ten. I had to leave some of my favorites off, including Cat Power, Charilift, Collective Soul, Coldplay and Cage the Elephant.

1. Counting Crows

2. The Civil Wars

3. Cold War Kids

4. Citizen Cope

5. Clipse

6. The Clash

7. Choir Of Young Believers

8. The Cardigians

9. The Cranberries

10. Cage

Bonus Clip

Coolio

The Alphabet List: Letter B

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Following Adams debut list of the best bands starting with the letter A is my version with the letter B. Yes there are many great bands out there with B - and even some popular crappy ones (Backstreet Boys anyone?) but this is my own list of personal faves. Enjoy!

1. Bush



2. Blind Pilot



3. (The) Beatles



4. Boat



5. Blues Traveler



6. Bishop Allen



7. Blind Melon



8. Boyz II Men



9. Beastie Boys



10. Beach Boys

The Alphabet List: Letter "A"

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So, with the first of 26 entries, I present to you my favorite bands that start with the letter "A."

Few rules to lay down for this and these upcoming lists. No "real" names. So, as much as I like Amos Lee and The Avett Brothers, you will not see them on this following list. I did this, in part to make it more difficult, but also, because I have had this fascination with band names lately. Choosing a band name is a huge decision, and Amos did not choose that name, it was given to him. So, he is disqualified.

The most important rule, I have to actually, really love the band, as this is MY list. So, although it would be easy to fill the list with Air Supply, AC/DC, and so on, it would not be something I would put on a playlist and enjoy.

I hope you enjoy my list.