GOOD SONGS BY BANDS I DON'T LIKE VOL. 3

Today we present another installment of “Good songs by Bands I don’t like.” Now, this is always a tricky subject. These are bands that I either can’t stand wholeheartedly or bands or artists that I haven’t really fallen in love with like the other subjects we encounter. Enough of that though, enjoy!

Rancid, Ruby Soho
Like many people, I jumped on the bandwagon when the band came to prominence, but never really stuck around. “Ruby Soho” though, is one of the great not often mentioned songs of the rock movement of the late 90’s. Tim Armstrong's squirrely vocals come spewing out, and before you know it, the chanting chorus is taking full effect. Out of all the tracks on the excellent “And Out Came the Wolves,” “Ruby” is easily the best and most well known, but it’s a testament to how solid they are as a unit that the song is still in at least one person's mind.

Marcy Playground, St. Joe on the Schoolbus
Everyone knows “Sex and Candy,” and while it’s their biggest hit, it pales in quality to this track. I always felt this song was better and should have received the attention that “Sex” received. The vocals are troubling and fit in with the vibes of the era, but the musicianship and melody is deep and thumpy, which ultimately gives the song the panache it needs to be a memorable song. Everyone can relate to being bullied and pushed aside, and that’s probably what resonated with a 16 year old me. If you haven’t checked it out, please do, it deserves to be the song Marcy Playground is remembered for.

Garth Brooks, Thunder Rolls
Quite frankly, Garth Brooks is a legend and is unparalleled in the world bringing country to wide ranging audience that many country artists simply couldn’t reach. I’m not a huge fan, but there have been quite a few drunk sing along to Brooks, so this song fits in the context of this entry. The scope of the music and the solitude of the lyrics linger much like the “Thunder” depicted in the lyrics, and the song is epic above all other country songs. Brooks has always been an expert showman, but “Thunder Rolls” stands over all of his conquests.

Savage Garden, Truly Madly Deeply
I haven’t listened to this song in probably fifteen years at least, but I remember it being played incessantly during my high school years. It’s a standard sappy song that fifteen year old girls get aroused to when they listen, but the band never could capitalize on this tracks massive success. Some bands are just meant to be one hit wonders, and that's how it goes. The video is especially full of 90’s cliches, but for the time it was released in, it works perfectly, It couldn't have fit in any other era, and thankfully, the Savage Garden era ended right around the time of Y2K.


Tori Amos, Silent All these Years
Not that I dislike her, but she never really spoke to me. Maybe it’s because I’m a dude and I can’t relate to the subject matter(having never been physically abused), but the song is a monument to long suffering people everywhere(I hope that doesn’t come off as shallow or insensitive). Having said that, the piano and Amos’ strong voice and force give the song the power it requires to make it a memorable song.It’s a great song, and thankfully Tori Amos is still a well respected artist who hasn’t backed away from touchy or difficult subjects.Thanks for reading!