As first a music lover and then a beauty junkie, it's my responsibility to spread my propoganda around the web. I'm not the girl who's rocking out to Beyonce, those days died back when Destiny's Child was a four woman group with a debut album. Nor am I a country starlet content to listen to the lazy and immature songwriting of Taylor Swift. I'm born and bred a rockstar, most likely named for the Van Halen song Jamie's Cryin'. If I were more musically inclined my calling would be sharing a tour bus with three sweaty dudes and countless groupies, headlining sold out shows around the globe. But I'm not. Instead, I just use my freedom of speech to support my favorite acts and give you a no nonsense look at the best of the best.
Sadly, the music industry has taken quite a hit in the past ten years, all starting with a little thing called Napster. Remember Napster? Now we're lucky if our favorite bands release actual touch 'em and feel 'em CDs and lots of the best music ends up on the cutting room floor due to the politics of the middle aged white males who run record companies. As I fan I would be remiss not to share with you some of the little known tracks that I can't get out of my head, whether they be bonus tracks exclusive to one particular store, movie soundtrack songs that never make in on an artist's actual album or songs that were cut from an album for one reason or another. Behold, the best songs that never were.
10 Years- Silhouette of a Life, a bonus track on the band's newest release, Feeding the Wolves. If you haven't heard of 10 years, or haven't heard their newest material, get out there and do it. Easily one of the most intellectual, thought provoking bands out there, 10 years has found a way to be both provocative and melodic, not losing their art to speak their minds.
My Darkest Days- Without You & Still Worth Fighting For, a two for one special, both bonus tracks from the bands debut album. These guys have been on tour with major acts, this summer with Sick Puppies and Stone Temple Pilots. "Without You" is clearly Chad Kroeger inspired and/or written, with the familiar melody of a Nickelback song, only better. The song almost makes me weep it's so powerful. "Still Worth Fighting For" is another truly great breakup song. As someone who married her first love, if a song can make me feel the emotions of a terrible breakup, I know it's good. These two are complete departures from Porn Star Dancing but are similar to the rest of the tracks on the album.
Godsmack- Bring it On is a track exclusive to some video game or another. It's not available for legal download but I definitely suggest all you Godsmack fans check it out on Youtube. This joint has the feel of all of Godsmack's heavier stuff and would make a great addition to any collection.
Hinder-Bad MothaFu**a. This one's a bonus track on the Deluxe version of the album, I got mine at Best Buy but I'm not sure if it's exclusive to them. This song is truly hilarious, a live version of the song performed in front of a rowdy crowd. It comes across as a freestyle even though it's clearly been well thought out. You have to hear this one for the laughs alone.
Black Label Society- Blackened Waters is a beautiful song from the hard rock band. It's one of their slower songs, along the lines of "In This River." This one's for anyone who's ever felt left out, a place all of us are all too familiar with. As usual Zakk Wylde brings the pain with the kick-ass guitar line that accompanies this song.
5 Finger Death Punch- Undone and Hate Me (Succubus), another two-fer. How these songs got out there is a mystery, one day they just appeared on Youtube without the bands permission and they just took off from there. Before I'd truly gotten into the band my brother recommended "Hate Me" and after finally resulting to Youtube, I could finally hear the song. It's definitely along the same lines as the rest of War Is The Answer, a very angry hard rock song album. "Undone," is actually one of my favorite songs, a great track that shows the true power of Ivan Moody's voice, I swear I could listen to it all day.
Three Days Grace- Running Away. This is another bonus track that I found on my Best Buy copy of One-X, the band's second CD. Another great song from this release. It's pure 3DG, a song you have to hear if you're a fan of the band. It's not straight up hard rock but "Never Too Late" it's not, this one is definitely heavier than their pop hit!
Day by Day- Taproot is from the Dracula 2000 soundtrack and easily one of my favorite songs from the band. The line "I'm a pain in the ass, 'cause that's what I'm about" was basically my motto for my teen years. If you love "Poem" and "Calling" but your knowledge of the band ends there I suggest you check this one out.
Evanescence- Wow. Too hard to narrow down. From Evanescence's unreleased material before Fallen you'd be hard pressed not to find a song you love and can't live without. A lot of them are the original versions of the songs we know and love but there are some super amazing new songs as well. The talents of Ben Moody and Amy Lee are really shocking when you realize how young they were when many of these songs were recorded, and how little difference was made by re-recording in a studio. If the record label didn't jump to make alterations, and Fallen sold that many copies, you know you're dealing with the talent of the band not the music factory that is the current record industry.
Tell me, do you have a favorite unreleased song or perhaps a bonus track, soundtrack only or video game track? Let me know in the comments. I'm always in the mood to discover new tunes!
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