The Replacements - Alex Chilton

If you liked this, try Can't Hardly Wait or Bastards of Young.

NMH - Holland, 1945

Neutral Milk Hotel. If you know about them then I don't need to tell you anything. If you don't, well, you don't know what you're missing. Pioneers in 90's indie rock. Their second album, In the Aeroplane over the Sea, was so amazing that vocalist/songwriter Jeff Mangum never attempted outdoing it (it was impossible!).

This, in my opinion, is the best song to introduce people to the band. It references Anne Frank.

The Libertines

Early 00's had a new trend in rock music, something labelled as "Garage Rock Revival" (a not accurate term), started by The Strokes and The White Stripes in the US. The first UK band to emerge from this were The Libertines. Combining influences from every alternative genre since Punk, their style can be felt in every "indie" band to come out from England after them. And that's just to give you an idea of how good they were.


Pete Doherty and Carl Barat, the two guitarists/lead vocalists, had a unique songwriting style that can only be matched by their decadent lifestyle. Their problems caused the breakup of the band after only two albums. Their best album, for me, is the first one, since the turmoil hadn't broken their focus yet.

My Top 5:
1. Up the Bracket
2. Time for Heroes
3. Can't Stand Me Now
4. What Became of the Likely Lads
5. Boys in the Band

Red Hot Chili Peppers

An alternative rock band formed in the 80's. Their style began as a fusion of rock, funk and rap, with elements from other genres too, but they have evolved into a finer, more polished style throughout the years.

Their early material is just ok for me, but nothing special. It wasn't until they had a steady lineup in 1989 that they took off. Blood Sugar Sex Magik is their greatest album, and a must for any fan of alternative rock. They're currently working on their new album.

My Top 5:
-Storm in a Teacup
-Give it Away
-Under the Bridge
-Otherside
-Higher Ground (cover)

In case you haven't listened to Storm in a Teacup, here it is:

Arctic Monkeys

An indie-ish rock band. To me it's one of the last great rock groups to be formed, considering the trend in music nowadays.

Their best album is their first one, which is also the fastest selling debut album ever (at least in England). Something about Alex Turner's voice and lyrics is just memorable. They're currently working on their new album.



My Top 5:
-I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor
-Fluorescent Adolescent
-Fake Tales of San Francisco
-Secret Door
-The View From the Afternoon

Also, if you liked this group, check out The Last Shadow Puppets, the lead singer's other project.

Aerosmith

The "Bad Boys from Boston". One of my favorite bands, and one with the longest career. They have had problems many times and somehow they've continued strong. Went to see them live last year and they still rock.

For me their best stuff is their early, 70's stuff. Their best album is Toys in the Attic, a definite classic. Since the 90's they have softened, but I think they somehow earned the right to be at that position since they had already proven everyone they rocked during the previous two decades. Well I also like their power ballads, which are good too if you like that style.

My top 5 songs:
-Dream On
-Sweet Emotion
-Walk This Way
-Last Child
-Love in an Elevator
(the order is just chronological)

Oasis

Oasis is probably the biggest UK band to appear in the 90's. Not only did they lead the Britpop movement, but their sound capture the essence of everything in rock music up to their time. Sounds pretty cool, huh?

The Gallagher brothers shared vocal duties, each one adding his unique style. To me their best albums are their first three, with their first one being the fastest selling debut album in the UK. Too bad the band has broken up.

My top 5 songs:
-Supersonic
-Live Forever
-Don't Look Back in Anger
-The Masterplan
-The Importance of Being Idle

The Ramones

Starting small sometime in the mid 70's, these guys invented Punk and mastered their game in no time. Their famous short gigs with a lot of songs continue to inspire bands up to this date.

I like the fact that they got fed up with the current trend in rock music. At the time, Hard Rock artists played the guitar in the hardest way possible, while Prog Rockers wanted to write complex songs. The Ramones just said screw that. They kept it as simple as possible.

My top 5 songs:
-Blitzkrieg Bop
-Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World
-Pinhead
-I Wanna Be Sedated
-Bonzo Goes to Bitburg
(the order is just chronological)