But I think that in the ironic post-everything pop musical society that we find ourselves in now, most of us would find it easiest to write-off Chicago as pure cheese. But as a non-ironic musicologist, I set out to prove that Chicago was definitely once a band to be reckoned with. If those killer hits with the super-sheened horns weren’t enough, I dug up a killer track from Chicago’s first album, when they were still named Chicago Transit Authority. The song is ‘Liberation’, a live in-studio performance with no overdubs, and it is as much a testament to what a find rock band Chicago was, as a testament and tribute to late Chicago guitarist Terry Kath. He was certainly one of the best. So here it is, dig in…

mp3 audio: Chicago Transit Authority – Liberation

And here’s your palate-cleanser, if you need the taste of Chicago removed from your ears, from a man whose cool will never be called into question, despite Tin Machine and his fascination with the Nazi party in the late 70′s… allegedly! This song is great. Thanks, Mo!

AAC audio: David Bowie – All the Madmen

Bob is a prime example of someone who never fully got their due, or just became known for the cheesy things they did over a massive 40-year music career. Bobby always had to take a backseat to Jerry, and it would be hard to argue that Bob was more talented than Jerry because he just wasn’t. BUT, was Bobby a necessary and captivating part of the Grateful Dead? Yes! Bobby was the palette-cleanser for Jerry songs…on the records and especially at shows. And most of the time, Bobby had some great songs that could inject a little more energy into a Dead show (…think “One More Saturday Night”). And shit, in the final years of the Dead, Bobby was just about the only member that was still playing with any kind of fire.

So I present to you some primo rockin’-out Bobby from his 1972 solo album, Ace, on which all of the Grateful Dead members play, oddly enough. And then there’s a jazzy Bob bonus from Kingfish’s first album in 1976. Bob was a member of the band, Kingfish on their first two albums. Both of these tunes show the power of what Bobby could bring to the table. So do yourself a favor, and hear out this case for Bob Weir…

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mp3 audio: Bob Weir – The Greatest Story Ever Told

mp3 audio: Kingfish – Lazy Lightnin’

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And here’s some relief for the super-cool if you just almost got sick sitting through two Dead-related songs. A little Can should pacify you…

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AAC audio: Can – She Brings the Rain

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That said, what if I throw out a few of the names that have been coming up and you’s all can vote on which you think would make an interesting episode? Or you can also write in your candidate. No matter which you pick, and however much muck their name has been drug through, I will guarantee to find some redeeming shining-diamond of a song to present you with, so that we can all try to eek some respect out of this artists’ recently frowned-upon repertoire.

So read on for the list of candidates that I’ve been hesitating to expose and to vote…

1) Journey

2) Bob Weir

3) Foreigner

  4) Phish

5) Styx

Or right in your candidate below…and thanks for your help!

The Doobie Brothers – It Keeps You Runnin’

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And now for something completely different…

The Black Lips – Bad Kids

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Leave your thoughts and song reviews below…

I’ll get ‘er started, umm-kay?…

(In no particular order)

1) Level 42

2) Yes

3) Phish

4) Hall & Oates (except they’ve almost turned the corner back to cool)

5) Supertramp

Innocent pleasure… gotta say Bob Dylan.

How ’bout yers?

How could I not start this off with a Phil Collins song? He’s the shining example of the fantastic songwriter who made the mistake of staying alive and having a super-popular solo career. Sins accused of include always tucking in shirt, khakis, baldness, Tarzan soundtrack, ‘I Can’t Dance’, and you can add more in comments if you like. But Phil’s first solo album in 1981, Face Value, is a solid bit of work. I had a hard time choosing between this song and an instrumental called ‘Hand in Hand’, but I chose this one since it’s more representative of Mr. Collins to hear him singing. I’ll play you ‘Hand in Hand’ in an upcoming edition though. So here’s ‘Behind the Lines’. Dig it (you gotta love that Phil C. drum sound!)…

Phil Collins – Behind the Lines

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And as a palate cleanser, I give you some refreshing wafer-thin Pere Ubu…

Pere Ubu – On the Surface

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Leave your reviews for both songs below….