25 Bands/Artists that I LOVE.

This post is dedicated to bands/artists that I LOVE. I'm not talking about bands or artist I like, or even listen to a lot. These are the ones that I continually come back to, when I can't figure out what I want to listen to, or when I just need something that will make me happy, or something to inspire me, or reconnect me to my youth, etc...

Enjoy.

Example of how I'll do this:
BAND or ARTIST
Very brief explanation of why I love them.
Fave Album of theirs | Fave song of theirs

not in any order, because that would be too hard to do:

1. Muse
They just rock. Hard. And they're a trio. And I wish I was as good as Bellamy.
Absolution | Map of the Problematique
2. Radiohead
Pioneers. These guys are who everbody else wants to sound like. uber-creative.
OK Computer | Subterranean Homesick Alien
3. Sister Hazel
Catchy pop rock with some southern influence. They just make me happy.
Fortress | So Long
4. Vertical Horizon
More cactchy pop music... this time with a more alternative edge. Matt Scannell's voice and guitar playing are awesome.
Everything You Want | Shackled
5. Led Zeppelin
No explanation needed... but I can give you 4: 1. Robert Plant; 2. Jimmy Page; 3. John Paul Jones; 4. Jon Bonham
Houses of the Holy | The Ocean
6. Pink Floyd
Mostly because of their inventive nature and David Gilmour's tasty licks.
Wish You Were Here | Comfortably Numb
7. Toad the Wet Sprocket
Such good songwriting. Consistently good.
Dulcinea | Don't Fade
8. Pilate
Relatively unknown in US, but they're SO good. Kind of Radiohead-ish. Great songs. Great voice on the leads. Emotion in their music.
Caught by the Window | Melt Into the Walls
9. This Day & Age
Now defunct, but sort-of resurrected in Reign of Kindo. Very clever musicianship and song-crafting.
The Bell & The Hammer | Winter Winter Spring
10. Rush
The original power trio. And they have songs about things like post-atomic life on earth, a future where fuel-powered cars are outlawed, and the rise of a rebellion in a world where music is forbidden.
Moving Pictures | Show Me Don't Tell Me
11. Joe Satriani
Guitar skills for eons. His left hand is amazing. Smooth.
Joe Satriani | Always With Me, Always With You
12. Gary Hoey
My favorite guitarist, stylistically speaking. He actually plays what I imagine in my head. (I can't. ;) )
Bug Alley | Bert's Lounge
13. Delirious?
Brit-rock worship music. These guys rock so awesomely, it's a shame they don't have the mainstream success in the USA that they do across the pond.
Kingdom of Comfort | Investigate
14. Sixpence None the Richer
2 reasons I love them: Leigh Nash's voice and their amazing lyrical depth. (ignore that "kiss me" song.)
Divine Discontent | Tension is a Passing Note
15. U2
The Edge.
The Joshua Tree | With or Without You
16. Glen Phillips
His solo stuff after Toad is amazing.
Winter Pays for Summer | Courage
18. Death Cab for Cutie
Great songs. Creative. I get hooked on these guys over and over again.
Transatlanticism | Cath...
19. Coldplay
Nothing too complicated to why I like them... they just write great music.
X & Y | 42
20. John Mayer
Awesome guitar chops. Great songs.
Continuum | Vultures
21. Nada Surf
So good... these guys also make me happy. Even though a lot of their music is melancholy. Go figure.
The Weight is a Gift | Your Legs Grow
22. Lincoln Brewster
Lincoln can play some guitar. He's got mad style and is singing for God, which is cool in my book.
Live to Worship | Take Me Higher
23. The Police/Sting
Sting and The Police go hand-in-hand to me. Love them. Sting knows how to write.
10 Summoner's Tales | Shape of My Heart
24. The Goo Goo Dolls
Except for when that other guy with the worst voice ever tries to sing...
Gutterflower | Truth is a Whisper
25. Weezer
Weezer rocks my face off. They make me happy, too. I dig their style.
The Blue Album | Island in the Sun

Ok. that's it. Feel like I'm cheating some of my other faves out, but that's ok I guess.