Modest Mouse--"Cowboy Dan"

The Lonesome and Crowded West stays true to its theme with the song, "Cowboy Dan." The lyrics gave me an image of Ted Nugent getting drunk and shooting into the sky in the middle of the desert. Clocking in at about 6 and a half minutes this is classic Modest Mouse, with very quotable lyrics and of course the simple-as-hell guitar lines, that still sound cool.

Beck--"Lost Cause"

In my opinion this is the best song on "Sea Change".It is such a emotion song and becks vocals couldnt be better. The simplistic guitar fits perfectly into this song.This was a big transition song for Beck it was the first time he got at least a minor hit without having to use irony, just pure unadulterated emotions.

Incubus--"Talk Shows On Mute"

I have seen the video for "Megalomaniac" and "Talk Shows On Mute" countless times on MTV. Of course the "Megalomaniac" video didn't make me a happy camper, the song didn't help either, especially the lyrics. But enough of me injecting my own politics into the review of a song, "Talk Shows On Mute", unlike "Megalomaniac", is actually a good song. Mike Ezinger's guitar lines are basically what make this song what it is, and jump it from good to great, with a nice jazzy guitar solo.

The Killers--"Somebody Told Me"

With play on Subterranean and even some normal time play on MTV and MTV2 this single is gaining quick ground. But, it's just another indie-rock-one-hit-wonder. The boys from Las Vegas, don't live up to their name but do produce a very catchy tune.The chorus doesn't do much lyrically to force listeners to rush out and buy their new album "Hot Fuss"..."Some told me/ that you had a boyfriend/ who looked like a girlfriend/ I had on Febraury of last year/ It's not confidential/ I've got potential..." Hm...Somebody told me this song won't go far.

Blur--"Caramel"

Off the 1999 release "13", this Blur tune couldn't sound more less of the Blur we are all used to. But with its spaced out production and sound it actually accomplishes something different. With it uncomprehendable lyrics and rambling drumming, the song which clocks in above 7-minutes, spirals out of control and then fades out...But wait, there's more! This hippity dance-techno beats starts going for about the last minute of "Caramel" and finally quits. Like most songs on "13", "Caramel" is a collage of about 3 different songs, which is one of the reasons it sounds so much different compared to other Blur albums. Weird tune.

Starsailor--"Silence is Easy"

If silence is so easy why dont you just shut up? I hate to admit it but the first time I heard this song I kind of liked it. The second time I heard it I couldnt stand it. They must say "silence is easy" one billion times.To add to the effect of the redundancy of this song, the guitarist must of never moved his hand more than a fret. That can actually work for some songs. This is not one of those songs. If I had money, I would put it on Starsailor being a 1/2 hit wonder.