Whoa. Wonderful mix of Indian music, dance and britpop. Didn't particularly care for their last one though where they seemed to abandon everything that made them special.

Another band which depending on what kind of mood I'm in determines how I rate 'em. Generally they're pretty terrific. I could do without the extended jams which you really only need to suffer through on their live stuff.

Simply perfect pop music

Latino hip-hop. Endorsed the legalization of marijuana. With their stoned out beats and B Real's nasal vocals these guys always sounded as if they were high. Their first two albums are their best. They kinda lost some street cred when their popularity crossed over to the alternative rock scene. True originals regardless.

No matter what you might think, they ARE an important band. One of the first bands to embrace synthesizers successfully, they basically are THE synth pop band. Also Martin Gore became a really good songwriter on the way and they are still going strong!

Let's hear it for great guitar noise! Dinosaur Jr's albums can be a bit uneven but it's worth owning quite a few. Their early albums led the ground work (for better or worse) for what became alternative rock in the 90's. Just when that sound became popular J. Mascis kinda abandoned it.

Doesn't get the respect that a lot of early rock & roll artists get and maybe he doesn't deserve it, but his easy going songs are classics from the 50's-60's

Another band that coulda shoulda been big. These Jersey guys were a welcome relief in the late 80's. Not as gritty as the Replacements they never made an album that wasn't worth a listen. Just great song after song.

Easily one of my favorite present day groups. I guess you'd call it country-rock but perhaps just Southern Rock would be more appropriate. Since the late 90's they have made great after great records

Would they have been as big without MTV? No. They still would have "made it" however because so many of their songs are just great, harmless but tasty pop

Admittingly they made their share of crap and some of their lyrics can be a bit dicey but their post punk psychedelic sound is great. If you're curious I'd say start with "Ocean Rain"

One of my favorite synth pop bands of the 80's. I have always loved Lennox's voice

Despite the fact that I usually can't understand a word Mark E. Smith is saying, I have always loved the Fall. Their tons of albums can make it difficult to know where to start. Generally British fans like their earlier work while Americans like their "Brix period" when they became a bit more accessible. Both are great and if you like Pavement you really should have a listen.

Difficult people will usually say that Fleetwood Mac WERE a great band before being ruined by Buckingham and Nicks. Ignore them. Very well done soft rock/pop and don't forget about McVie who was a great songwriter too. Afterwards you can check out the blues period of the Mac which is very different but satisfying also.

One of the great Motown groups and one of the few to have a consistent lineup for decades.

Think the shoegazer sound was first heard in Great Britain? Think again. This American group were sorta ignored at the time but presaged a lot of what was to come in the early 90's

Terrific band from the 90's that despite great acclaim never quite made it. Their first two albums are almost perfect. I'd guess you'd call their sound Americana. Great songwriting and tastful production.

Whoa. Kind of a blues/punk sound with a wildman frontman

Another unique voice in the literal sense and that of his music. Rock/Folk