April Madness... ? Well, Still.
The Golden Age of Rock (1960s-1970s)
(1) AC/DC - Highway to Hell vs. (16) the Steve Miller Band
Bobbo: Highway Ana: Highway Tim: Highway Josh: Highway
Bobbo: Props to Steve Miller, but Highway is an all-time classic.
Tim: How do you argue against the album that put AC/DC on the map?
(8) Credence Clearwater Revival vs. (9) Cheap Trick
Bobbo: CCR, Ana: Cheap Trick, Tim: Cheap Trick, Josh: Cheap Trick
Ana: Punk veterans > Folk legends. Sorry, Tom Fogerty
Tim: I just punched Bobbo for his insolence.
(5) “2112” - Rush vs. (12) Kiss
Bobbo: “2112”, Ana: “2112”, Tim: “2112”, Josh: Kiss
Decision Difficulty: 3
Josh: This band changed the rock n’ roll standard of the nation. An all time great song by Rush, but not better than a genre-changing band.
Tim: An 8 measure Neil Peart segment on “2112” is better than anything Kiss did in their entire career.
(4) Black Sabbath - Paranoid vs. (13) Joe Strummer - guitar/vocals - the Clash
Bobbo: Paranoid, Tim: Joe Strummer, Ana: Joe Strummer, Josh: Paranoid
Ana: Always side with a guitarist in a hard decision.
Bobbo: Allow me to disagree. Good guitarist? Yes. Better than a genre-defining album? No.
Tie breaker: Josh’s argument that Strummer’s mediocre solo career has to account for his selection as well
(6) “Hey Jude” - the Beatles vs. (11) “Cocaine” - Eric Clapton
Bobbo: “Cocaine”, Ana: “Cocaine”, Tim: “Cocaine”, Josh: “Cocaine”
Josh: And this coming from someone who doesn’t like Clapton so much.
Ana: I feel so dirty picking against the Beatles. Sorry, Paul! But Clapton is a god with a six-string
(3) David Gilmour - guitar - Pink Floyd vs. (14) “Castles Made of Sand” - Jimi Hendrix
Bobbo: Gilmour, Ana: Gilmour, Tim: Gilmour, Josh: Gilmour
Tim: One of my favorite Hendrix songs, yet … well, Gilmour.
Bobbo: Giiiiiillllmoooooouuuur
(7) Jeff Beck - rock legend vs. (10) John Entwistle - bass - the Who
Bobbo: Entwistle, Ana: Beck, Tim: Entwistle, Josh: Entwistle
Tim: Many props to Beck. Many more to Johnny Ent.
Ana: I am appalled. How dare you vote against a legendary guitarist!
Bobbo: Ent’s legacy > Beck’s legacy. Sorry.
(2) “Kashmir” - Led Zeppelin vs. (15) “Tuesday’s Gone” - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Bobbo: “Kashmir”, Ana: “Kashmir”, Tim: “Kashmir”, Josh: “Kashmir”
Josh: Daaa Daaa daa daa da da Daaaa daaa daa daaa DA DA DAA! (that’s the chorus riff)
Ana: He played a guitar like a violin… Game. Set. Match.
Hair Metal & Hard Rock (1980s)
(1) “Welcome to the Jungle” - Guns n’ Roses vs. (16) Electric Light Orchestra
Bobbo: “Jungle”, Ana: “Jungle”, Tim: ELO, Josh: “Jungle”
Bobbo: It brings you to your sha-na-na-na-na-na knees.
Tim: Come on, people, “don’t bring me down”. The collective genius of the band slightly trumps the GNR classic. Slightly.
(8) Run DMC vs. (9) Billy Idol
Bobbo: Idol, Ana: Idol, Tim: Idol, Josh: DMC
Josh: Name me one more influential hip-hop group of the decade.
Bobbo: Billy Idol is the definitive icon of the 1980s.
(5) “Number of the Beast” - Iron Maiden vs. (12) Beastie Boys - License to Ill
Bobbo: “Number”, Ana: “Number”, Tim: “Number”, Josh: “Number”
Josh: Maiden’s coupe de grace will trump just about anything.
Tim: Two timeless classics. But in deciding, we always remember that rock classics are better than hip hop classics.
(4) Metallica - Ride the Lightning vs. (13) Skid Row
Bobbo: Lightning Ana: Lightning Tim: Lightning Josh: Lightning
Ana: Absolutely masterful work.
Josh: Listening to Death Magnetic makes me frown knowing they once sounded like this.
(6) Jane’s Addiction vs. (11) David Bowie
Bobbo: Jane, Ana: Jane, Tim: Bowie, Josh: Bowie
Bobbo: Ushered in a whole different era of alternative rock.
Josh: Love for Jane’s Addiction and probably moreso than Bowie. BUT! Who encompassed the 80s more than Bowie did?
Tim: I’m off to Sufragette City. Anyone want a ride?
Tie Breaker: Josh’s argument that Jane’s Addiction, though released in the 80s, achieved most of their success in the 90s.
(3) Def Leppard vs. (14) Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mother’s Milk
Bobbo: Milk, Ana: Def, Tim: Def, Josh: Def
Bobbo: Even though it was a losing battle, I have to take any album that contains “Higher Ground”
Tim: The dude has one arm and he rocks more than some would we three.
(7) Heart vs. (10) Poison
Bobbo: Heart, Ana: Heart, Tim: Poison, Josh: abstain
Josh: Can’t stand either one enough to actually pick one or the other.
Ana: Holy shit! Girls that rock and aren’t whores?
Bobbo: Close call, but as much as it might cheapen my status, I rather enjoy Heart’s music
Tim: They’re both girl bands if you ask me (except Bret has a penis). But at least Poison can throw down.
(2) Motley Crue vs. (15) the Scorpions
Bobbo: Crue, Ana: Crue, Tim: Scorpions, Josh: Crue
Josh: All hair metal bands were posers next to the Crue.
Tim: The Scorps are apart of my childhood. They must be voted for.
Grunge Lancer! (1990s)
(1) Chris Cornell - vocals/guitar - Soundgarden vs. (16) “The Beautiful People” - Marilyn Manson
Bobbo: Cornell, Ana: Cornell, Tim: Cornell, Josh: Cornell
Bobbo: “Slaves and Bulldozers”, nuff said.
Ana: Fun fact: Chris Cornell is an amazing guitarist in his own right.
(8) “Even Flow” - Pearl Jam vs. (9) The Offspring - Smash
Bobbo: Smash, Ana: “Even Flow”, Tim: “Even Flow”, Josh: Smash
Josh: An absolute staple to the 90s SoCal punk scene.
Tim: “Even Flow” is in the top 10 most influential songs of the 90s. Can’t argue with those results.
Tie Breaker: Coin toss.
(5) R. E. M. vs. (12) Placebo
Bobbo: REM, Ana: REM, Tim: REM, Josh: REM
Ana: Stipe Stipe Stipe Stipe Stipe Stipe.
Josh: “All the Way to Reno” is my all time favorite ballad. Yeah, I went there!
(4) “Champagne Supernova” - Oasis vs. (13) “My Own Summer” - Deftones
Bobbo: “Champagne”, Ana: “Summer”, Tim: “Summer”, Josh: “Champagne”
Tim: Chino Moreno is a god damn BEAST! The chorus is still one of my favorite ever.
Josh: My head says Deftones, but my heart says “Supernova”
Tie Breaker: Bobbo recalled the drunk dial message Josh left when he sang “Champagne Supernova”, drunk as fuck. Hilarity ensued. And Oasis won out.
(6) Faith No More vs. (11) Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Bobbo: Bosstones, Ana: Faith, Tim: Faith, Josh: Faith
Josh: High grade level of insanity in every bite! Thanks Mike Patton!
Bobbo: Pretty even for me in likeness, but I’ve been liking the Tones longer.
(3) KoRn vs. (14) Incubus - S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
Bobbo: KoRn, Ana: KoRn, Tim: KoRn, Josh: SCIENCE
Ana: Munkey and Head were the reasons I wanted a 7 string
Tim: Much love, David Silvera.
Josh: I just straight up don’t much care for Korn. And Science was a stellar album.
(7) Jerry Cantrell - guitar/vocals - Alice in Chains vs. (10) Nirvana - In Utero
Bobbo: Cantrell, Ana: Cantrell, Tim: Cantrell, Josh: Cantrell
Bobbo: It was Layne’s voice and Jerry’s awesome guitar stylings that made AIC so magnificent
Ana: Why do my Nirvana picks keep getting such difficult matchups they can’t win? I’m forced to take Jerry.
(2) Sublime vs. (15) the Presidents of the United States of America
Bobbo: Sublime, Ana: Presidents, Tim: Sublime, Josh: Sublime
Josh: I got suspended from school because I sang “Date Rape” over and over when I was in 7th grade. So many memories from this band.
Ana: I don’t hate Sublime. I just find the Pres’s music far more accessible.
An Alternative Way to Rock (00’s)
(1) Danny Carey - drums - Tool vs. (16) “Knights of Cydonia” - Muse
Bobbo: Danny, Ana: Danny, Tim: DANNY!, Josh: Danny
Bobbo: Unbelievably gifted.
Tim: Bar none, my percussive music hero. “Ticks and Leeches” changed my life!
(8) “Feuer Frie!” - Rammstein vs. (9) Death From Above 1979
Bobbo: DFA, Ana: DFA, Tim: DFA, Josh: “Feuer Frie!”
Bobbo: Distorted bass, crashing drums, and throttling vocals. How could you ever go wrong?
Ana: Definition of “raucous”
(5) Bloc Party vs. (12) Velvet Revolver
Bobbo: Velvet, Ana: Velvet, Tim: Bloc, Josh: Bloc
Ana: I love Bloc Party, really. But as high as a #5 seed? Seriously?
Tim: If making a playlist that features “She’s Hearing Voices” on it 9 times is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
Tie Breaker: The fact that Bloc Party is still together. But it’s better that VR isn’t, as STP has returned!
(4) AFI - Decemberunderground vs. (13) Linkin Park
Bobbo: December, Ana: December, Tim: December, Josh: December
Josh: When they make the list for best albums of the decade, this one will be on it.
Tim: It’s pretty much a given.
(6) TV on the Radio vs. (11) Minus the Bear
Bobbo: Minus, Ana: Minus, Tim: Minus, Josh: TV
Bobbo: “Thanks For the Killer Game of Crisco Twister”. Fun to say, and fun to listen to!
Ana: Articulation much? Minus the Bear has got it down.
(3) Josh Homme - guitar/vocals - Queens of the Stone Age vs. (14) Static-X
Bobbo: Homme, Ana: Homme, Tim: Homme, Josh: Homme
Tim: Great guitarist, great drummer. A pretty special musician.
Ana: Homme is the newest rock musician that can be labeled as a genius.
(7) A Perfect Circle vs. (10) Radiohead - In Rainbows
Bobbo: Circle, Ana: Circle, Tim: Circle, Josh: Rainbows
Josh: This album set the music industry and fans simultaneously on their ears.
Bobbo: Sure there’s Maynard, but it gave us Billy Howardell too.
Ana: And Paz Lenchantin, a music hero of mine.
(2) System of a Down - Toxicity vs. (15) Tenacious D
Bobbo: Toxicity, Ana: Toxicity, Tim: The D, Josh: Toxicity
Bobbo: Not a #2 seed in my opinion, but the sum of it is more than the humor brought from the D (though not by much)
Tim: I laugh my ass off at everything they do. I’m going to watch the movie again now!
(We’re literally watching Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny now as we continue)
Throw Down Second Round
(1) AC/DC - Highway to Hell vs. (9) Cheap Trick
Bobbo: Highway, Ana: Highway, Tim: Trick, Josh: Highway
Ana: The lasting image of Bon Scott cannot be denied.
Tim: This band gave us the quintessential greeting concert opener!
(4) Black Sabbath - Paranoid vs. (5) “2112” - Rush
Bobbo: “2112”, Ana: Paranoid, Tim: “2112”, Josh: Paranoid
Bobbo: Magnum opus. Epic. Whatever you want to call it.
Josh: Dude… it’s fucking SABBATH!
Tie Breaker: Tim challenges everyone to sit in silence as he plays the entire 22 minute length track. Didn’t even reach the 3 minute mark before Josh blabbed.
(3) David Gilmour - guitar - Pink Floyd vs. (11) “Cocaine” - Eric Clapton
Bobbo: Gilmour, Ana: Gilmour, Tim: Gilmour, Josh: Gilmour
Ana: Clapton’s song is legendary. Gilmour’s entire career dwarfs it a thousand times over.
Tim: What about Gilmour doing a cover of “Cocaine”? How much ass would that kick?
(2) “Kashmir” - Led Zeppelin vs. (10) John Entwistle - bass - the Who
Bobbo: Entwistle, Ana: “Kashmir”, Tim: Entwistle, Josh: “Kashmir”
Bobbo: The bass solo on “My Generation” still impresses the hell out of me.
Josh: Anyone else feel like Plant’s vocals are underrated on this song?
Tie Breaker: The fact that Zeppelin cannot be denied… ever. Not even by legendary bassists.
(1) “Welcome to the Jungle” - Guns n’ Roses vs. (9) Billy Idol
Bobbo: “Jungle”, Ana: “Jungle”, Tim: “Jungle”, Josh: “Jungle”
Bobbo: When I think of rock and roll, I think of this song first.
Tim: YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE?! YOU’RE IN THE JUNGLE BABY!
(4) Metallica - Ride the Lightning vs. (5) “Number of the Beast” - Iron Maiden
Bobbo: Lightning, Ana: “Number”, Tim: “Number”, Josh: “Number”
Tim: Iron
Josh: fucking
Tim & Josh: MAIDEN!
Bobbo: I’m appalled at this decision. Lightning is arguably Met’s greatest album.
Ana: I’m shocked I picked it. But in all honesty, this song was one of the reasons I picked up a guitar in the first place.
Josh: Much love to Lightning though.
(3) Def Leppard vs. (11) David Bowie
Bobbo: Def, Ana: Def, Tim: Bowie, Josh: Def
Tim: Ziggy Stardust!
Ana: I connect Bowie to the 70s more than the 80s to be honest.
Josh: And Def Leppard was the epitome of the 80s.
Bobbo: Rock of Ages, still rollin’…. Rock and rollin’
(2) Motley Crue vs. (7) Heart
Bobbo: Crue, Ana: Crue, Tim: Crue, Josh: Crue
Bobbo: What was that about the epitome of the 80s, Josh?
Ana: The Wilsons will always have my “Heart”. But it’s Motley Crue!
Tim: Tommy Lee, while a pretentious prick, is truly a gifted drummer.
(1) Chris Cornell vs. (9) The Offspring - Smash
Bobbo: Cornell, Ana: Cornell, Tim: Cornell, Josh: Cornell
Ana: Can I just tell you guys how good his first solo album was? Sensational.
Tim: His “Rusty Cage” performance still gives me chills.
(4) “Champagne Supernova” - Oasis vs. (5) R. E. M.
Bobbo: REM, Ana: REM, Tim: REM, Josh: “Champagne”
Josh: This greatly saddens me.
Bobbo: It’s the end of Josh’s world as he knows it
Josh: And I feel fine.
Josh: No really, I do. I love REM!
Ana: Indeed. Stipe Stipe Stipe Stipe!
(3) KoRn vs. (6) Faith No More
Bobbo: KoRn, Ana: Faith, Tim: Faith, Josh: Faith
Bobbo: Sorry, FNM, KoRn was in my head first.
Ana: Likewise, I loved FNM before I did Korn.
Bobbo: Hold up. I know they’re terrible now. But you guys are including their early, good days in your decisions, right?
Josh: I’ve never been a KoRn fan, so….
Tim: Yes, Bobbo. The difference for me is that at least FNM knew they were falling apart and stopped before they embarrassed themselves. KoRn is just a trainwreck right now and it’s making their good days look tarnished.
Bobbo: Fair enough.
(2) Sublme vs. (7) Jerry Cantrell - guitar/vox - Alice in Chains
Bobbo: Cantrell, Ana: Cantrell, Tim: Cantrell, Josh: Cantrell
Bobbo: “No Excuses” anyone?
Ana: Yes please!
(All take pause to listen to the awesomeness of Cantrell and the band on “No Excuses”)
(1) Danny Carey - drums - Tool vs. (9) Death From Above 1979
Bobbo: DFA, Ana: Danny, Tim: Danny, Josh: abstain
Tim: I love DFA a whole heap. But their untimely end left much to be desired. Plus, y’know, Danny Carey is essentially the Jesus of drums.
Ana: I really wanted to pick DFA. Really. But Tim is right. How out of sight is his playing?
(4) AFI - Decemberunderground vs. (5) Bloc Party
Bobbo: December, Ana: December, Tim: December, Josh: Bloc
Ana: Oh, Davey Havok, you paint murals with your voice.
Tim: Sounds disturbing. But yeah, this album rocks…… no explanation needed.
Josh: I am mega-frown. What about “She’s Hearing Voices” 9 times?
Tim: Yeah. I’d rather have 12 fresh, imposing, awesome songs.
Bobbo: “The Missing Frame” anyone?
Ana: No, “Summer Shudder”
(proceed to blare “Summer Shudder”… sweet)
(3) Josh Homme - guitar/vox - QotSA vs. (11) Minus the Bear
Bobbo: Minus, Ana: Homme, Tim: Homme, Josh: Homme
Bobbo: Normally, I would take Homme. But MTB maintains to be the best band I’ve picked up probably this half of the decade.
Ana: I can’t stop thinking about “Turning on the Screw” and think “What the hell was this madman thinking?”… but in a good way.
Josh: Let’s not forget his Kyuss days.
(2) System of a Down - Toxicity vs. (7) A Perfect Circle
Bobbo: Circle, Ana: Circle, Tim: Toxicity, Josh: Toxicity
Tim: Thrashtastic. John Dolmayan is rampant all over that record
Josh: Why hello there, Serj Tankian! Didn’t see you ROCKING MY BRAIN on “Deer Dance”.
Ana: It’s one thing to go out and do brash rock. But APC was far more mellow, subtle, but still kicked out the jams.
Bobbo: Extremely well put together mood music.
Tie Breaker: Playing “3 Libras”. Tim gives in first.
Salacious Sixteen
(1) AC/DC - Highway to Hell vs. (5) “2112” - Rush
Bobbo: “2112”, Ana: Highway, Tim: “2112”, Josh: Highway
Bobbo: I get more out of the magnum opus of “2112” than of AC/DC
Tim: Legendary, both of them. But as a drummer, that has to account for something. Neil Peart me, please!
Josh: You are both frauds! Who dares vote against the Hell boys?!
Ana: “Girl’s Got Rhythm” was my childhood favorite song.
Tiebreaker: After no one budging, and playing several tracks off of Highway to Hell , we took a look at Tim’s iPod on iTunes to see what he listened to more of. The number of times listened to Highway: 12. “2112”: 14.
(2) “Kashmir” - Led Zeppelin vs. (3) David Gilmour
Bobbo: Gilmour, Ana: Gilmour, Tim: Gilmour, Josh: Gilmour
Bobbo: Anyone else feel dirty denying “Kashmir”?
Ana: Absolutely not. “Kashmir” is great. But altogether better than everything Gilmour has done? Hell no.
Josh: It’s funny. I thought “Kashmir” could’ve gone all the way. But Gilmour is the right choice.
(1) “Welcome to the Jungle” - Guns n’ Roses vs. (5) “Number of the Beast” - Iron Maiden
Bobbo: “Jungle”, Ana: “Number”, Tim: “Jungle”, Josh: “Jungle”
Bobbo: What is rock? It’s “Welcome to the Jungle”.
Ana: “The Number of the Beast” has to be one of the most influential songs ever. Do you know how many bands then and now were influenced by Maiden and this song?
Tim: Not more than “Jungle” and GNR.
Josh: Ooooh, burn!
(2) Motley Crue vs. (3) Def Leppard
Bobbo: abstain, Ana: Crue, Tim: Def, Josh: Crue
Tim: Both embodied the state of 80s hard rock. But still, I cannot credit their drummer enough.
Bobbo: Like Tim said, they are both the face of 80s rock. And I thought of the songs I enjoy from both, and really didn’t come out with an answer. I’ll just call it a tie.
Ana: I look at Crue to be more influential to actual rock than Leppard. Crue never did anything as blah-tastic as “Love Bites”.
(1) Chris Cornell vs. (5) R. E. M.
Bobbo: REM, Ana: Cornell, Tim: Cornell, Josh: Cornell
Josh: Play “Superunknown” and be ASHAMED of your decision, Bobbo!
Bobbo: I did just throw the upset here. And you all know how much I love Cornell, Soundgarden, and Audioslave. But we have to incorporate his entire career. And his solo work is not up to snuff. And the likes of Scream have to account for something. What was he thinking? It all has to be accounted for. And in that aspect, R.E.M. has done nothing to challenge their integrity throughout their career.
Tim: I agree that the whole career has to be looked over. But even then, with those points docked for his latest solo stuff, I still take him over REM.
Ana: Indeed.
(6) Faith No More vs. (7) Jerry Cantrell
Bobbo: Cantrell, Ana: Cantrell, Tim: Cantrell, Josh: Faith
Ana: When they make the list of greatest guitarists, he is often not on the list. Unjustifiably.
Josh: Love the licks, Jerry. But just like Cornell, we have to look at his entire career, even solo albums, and think… is he really better than this band?
(1) Danny Carey vs. (4) AFI - Decemberunderground
Bobbo: Danny, Ana: December, Tim: Danny, Josh: Danny
Tim: Danny is only, you know, the best drummer in this day and age.
Ana: Forgive me, but as a musicianship standard, Decemberunderground is an imperative album.
(3) Josh Homme vs. (7) A Perfect Circle
Bobbo: Homme, Ana: Homme, Tim: Homme, Josh: APC
Bobbo: It has to be looked at like this: APC was a Maynard/Billy side project. Homme himself has a cluster of bands, projects, and production value to his record. Kyuss, QotSA, Eagles of Death Metal, the Desert Sessions. He is far and away one of the best musicians of the 21st century.
Ana: …Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.
Josh: But what about “3 Libras”? “The Noose”? “Pet”? Seriously.
Tim: Yes. Shut up, Josh.
E-Bow the Eight
(3) David Gilmour vs. (5) “2112” - Rush
Bobbo: “2112”, Ana: Gilmour, Tim: Gilmour, Josh: Gilmour
Tim: Even I’m not dumb enough to deny Gilmour on this one, Bobbo.
Bobbo: We can argue this was the greatest epic of all time.
Ana: It would be a labored argument though. One song does not discredit his amazingness with Floyd and his solo career.
Josh: Waters is my least favorite part of Floyd, if you ask me. It’s all about Gilmour.
(1) “Welcome to the Jungle - Guns n’ Roses vs. (2) Motley Crue
Bobbo: “Jungle”, Ana: Crue, Tim: Crue, Josh: “Jungle”
Bobbo: I must refer to my past argument. When you think of the state of 80s rock, what do you think of most? And truth be told, I think of “Welcome to the Jungle” first.
Tim: Sent the world of rock into a whole other direction. But you can say the same thing about the Crue.
Ana: Crue had no greater songs than “Jungle”, but their collective rock bravado pushes it over the edge.
Josh: You made my argument for me, Ana. Crue had no better songs that were even half the impact of “Welcome to the Jungle”.
Tie Breaker: Bobbo imposed question: What song did you learn first on (respective instrument): “Jungle” or any Crue song. Everyone had the same answer: “Welcome to the Jungle”
(1) Chris Cornell vs. (7) Jerry Cantrell
Bobbo: Cornell, Ana: Cantrell, Tim: Cornell, Josh: Cornell
Ana: Throwing a wrench in the gears here. Cantrell was more stylistically in my favor. And it’s a losing battle, I realize, but I had to give him the vote.
Tim: Play “Jesus Christ Pose” while Ana repents, please.
(proceed to play “Jesus Christ Pose”)
Josh: You’re staaaaring at meeee, like I… Like I need to be saaaaaaaaaved!
(1) Danny Carey vs. (3) Josh Homme
Bobbo: Homme, Ana: Homme, Tim: Carey, Josh: Homme
Tim: Nooo!
Bobbo: Sorry, Mook, but Homme is just more versatile.
Tim: But Carey has had his share of side projects too.
Ana: Not to the extent of Homme.
Josh: No one is taking anything away from Danny. It’s just that the Josh man is a sterling representation of what is right with 21st music.
Tim: I am mega frowns right now.
Fuckin’ Awesome Four!
(1) “Welcome to the Jungle” - Guns n’ Roses vs. (3) David Gilmour
Bobbo: For all the praise that we’ve spewed about “Welcome to the Jungle”, and its impression on the rock and roll circuit, I just don’t think it’s a better song than David Gilmour. “2112” had a better shot at beating Gilmour, I think. Gilmour
Ana: There really is no one song that is better than a guitarist of Gilmour’s status. A Guns n’ Roses song, as legendary as it is, not withstanding. Gilmour
Tim: A certain Pink Floyd song itself was better than the entirety of Guns n’ Roses. Not the other way around though. Gilmour
Josh: That makes it a clean sweep. The lynch pin of Floyd’s greatness came direct from Gilmour.
(1) Chris Cornell vs. (3) Josh Homme
Bobbo: This is quite the even matchup I believe. My first notion is to go with the old standby and say Chris Cornell. His voice and musicianship is outstanding, and he anchored one of the best groups of the 90s, plus a successful side project, and then also Audioslave. BUT, when I see Josh Homme, dominating the un-mainstream style, running rampant with his side projects and other bands, production, his articulation and employment of alternative instruments, I think he’s taken the reigns to become a downright musical genius. Homme.
Ana: I look at it like this. Cornell is a legend of grunge proportions. I look at this, though, through two ways. Who have I more thoroughly enjoyed listening to, and who influenced me the most. And between Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal, the Desert Sessions, and his countless number of cameos on others. His name is enough to intrigue me whenever his name is attached to it. And sadly, I don’t get that same intrigue from Cornell anymore. Homme.
Tim: This one is easy. Cornell is a better guitarist and a MUCH better singer than Homme. Case closed.
Josh: On any other day, I would swear by Cornell. I really would. Soundgarden, as you all know, is one of my favorite bands. And as a singer myself, his vocal stylings have influenced me big time. But … Scream seriously disappointed me so much, and his subsequent interviews defending it… well… if you have to make multiple appearances to defend your music, something’s just not right. I love him more than the QotSA man, and was more influenced by him by a longshot. So why am I taking Homme? I don’t know. But I am. Homme.
\m/ \m/ \m/
(3) David Gilmour vs. (3) Josh Homme
Bobbo: Short argument here. I love Homme. He’s the current genius of music. But all his accolades combined just aren’t enough to trump David Gilmour.
Ana: My current obsession is Homme. But I would just feel sacrilegious if I voted against Gilmour. I’m going to listen to Eagles of Death Metal now. Gilmour.
Tim: David Gilmour… Josh Homme… Actually, if you asked me last year, I would give the edge to Homme. But recently, I’ve gotten into Gilmour’s solo stuff. And it just blows my mind. Sorry, Mr. Stone Age Queen, it is David Gilmour.
Josh: David Gilmour. Not even debatable.
(1) AC/DC - Highway to Hell vs. (16) the Steve Miller Band
Bobbo: Highway Ana: Highway Tim: Highway Josh: Highway
Bobbo: Props to Steve Miller, but Highway is an all-time classic.
Tim: How do you argue against the album that put AC/DC on the map?
(8) Credence Clearwater Revival vs. (9) Cheap Trick
Bobbo: CCR, Ana: Cheap Trick, Tim: Cheap Trick, Josh: Cheap Trick
Ana: Punk veterans > Folk legends. Sorry, Tom Fogerty
Tim: I just punched Bobbo for his insolence.
(5) “2112” - Rush vs. (12) Kiss
Bobbo: “2112”, Ana: “2112”, Tim: “2112”, Josh: Kiss
Decision Difficulty: 3
Josh: This band changed the rock n’ roll standard of the nation. An all time great song by Rush, but not better than a genre-changing band.
Tim: An 8 measure Neil Peart segment on “2112” is better than anything Kiss did in their entire career.
(4) Black Sabbath - Paranoid vs. (13) Joe Strummer - guitar/vocals - the Clash
Bobbo: Paranoid, Tim: Joe Strummer, Ana: Joe Strummer, Josh: Paranoid
Ana: Always side with a guitarist in a hard decision.
Bobbo: Allow me to disagree. Good guitarist? Yes. Better than a genre-defining album? No.
Tie breaker: Josh’s argument that Strummer’s mediocre solo career has to account for his selection as well
(6) “Hey Jude” - the Beatles vs. (11) “Cocaine” - Eric Clapton
Bobbo: “Cocaine”, Ana: “Cocaine”, Tim: “Cocaine”, Josh: “Cocaine”
Josh: And this coming from someone who doesn’t like Clapton so much.
Ana: I feel so dirty picking against the Beatles. Sorry, Paul! But Clapton is a god with a six-string
(3) David Gilmour - guitar - Pink Floyd vs. (14) “Castles Made of Sand” - Jimi Hendrix
Bobbo: Gilmour, Ana: Gilmour, Tim: Gilmour, Josh: Gilmour
Tim: One of my favorite Hendrix songs, yet … well, Gilmour.
Bobbo: Giiiiiillllmoooooouuuur
(7) Jeff Beck - rock legend vs. (10) John Entwistle - bass - the Who
Bobbo: Entwistle, Ana: Beck, Tim: Entwistle, Josh: Entwistle
Tim: Many props to Beck. Many more to Johnny Ent.
Ana: I am appalled. How dare you vote against a legendary guitarist!
Bobbo: Ent’s legacy > Beck’s legacy. Sorry.
(2) “Kashmir” - Led Zeppelin vs. (15) “Tuesday’s Gone” - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Bobbo: “Kashmir”, Ana: “Kashmir”, Tim: “Kashmir”, Josh: “Kashmir”
Josh: Daaa Daaa daa daa da da Daaaa daaa daa daaa DA DA DAA! (that’s the chorus riff)
Ana: He played a guitar like a violin… Game. Set. Match.
Hair Metal & Hard Rock (1980s)
(1) “Welcome to the Jungle” - Guns n’ Roses vs. (16) Electric Light Orchestra
Bobbo: “Jungle”, Ana: “Jungle”, Tim: ELO, Josh: “Jungle”
Bobbo: It brings you to your sha-na-na-na-na-na knees.
Tim: Come on, people, “don’t bring me down”. The collective genius of the band slightly trumps the GNR classic. Slightly.
(8) Run DMC vs. (9) Billy Idol
Bobbo: Idol, Ana: Idol, Tim: Idol, Josh: DMC
Josh: Name me one more influential hip-hop group of the decade.
Bobbo: Billy Idol is the definitive icon of the 1980s.
(5) “Number of the Beast” - Iron Maiden vs. (12) Beastie Boys - License to Ill
Bobbo: “Number”, Ana: “Number”, Tim: “Number”, Josh: “Number”
Josh: Maiden’s coupe de grace will trump just about anything.
Tim: Two timeless classics. But in deciding, we always remember that rock classics are better than hip hop classics.
(4) Metallica - Ride the Lightning vs. (13) Skid Row
Bobbo: Lightning Ana: Lightning Tim: Lightning Josh: Lightning
Ana: Absolutely masterful work.
Josh: Listening to Death Magnetic makes me frown knowing they once sounded like this.
(6) Jane’s Addiction vs. (11) David Bowie
Bobbo: Jane, Ana: Jane, Tim: Bowie, Josh: Bowie
Bobbo: Ushered in a whole different era of alternative rock.
Josh: Love for Jane’s Addiction and probably moreso than Bowie. BUT! Who encompassed the 80s more than Bowie did?
Tim: I’m off to Sufragette City. Anyone want a ride?
Tie Breaker: Josh’s argument that Jane’s Addiction, though released in the 80s, achieved most of their success in the 90s.
(3) Def Leppard vs. (14) Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mother’s Milk
Bobbo: Milk, Ana: Def, Tim: Def, Josh: Def
Bobbo: Even though it was a losing battle, I have to take any album that contains “Higher Ground”
Tim: The dude has one arm and he rocks more than some would we three.
(7) Heart vs. (10) Poison
Bobbo: Heart, Ana: Heart, Tim: Poison, Josh: abstain
Josh: Can’t stand either one enough to actually pick one or the other.
Ana: Holy shit! Girls that rock and aren’t whores?
Bobbo: Close call, but as much as it might cheapen my status, I rather enjoy Heart’s music
Tim: They’re both girl bands if you ask me (except Bret has a penis). But at least Poison can throw down.
(2) Motley Crue vs. (15) the Scorpions
Bobbo: Crue, Ana: Crue, Tim: Scorpions, Josh: Crue
Josh: All hair metal bands were posers next to the Crue.
Tim: The Scorps are apart of my childhood. They must be voted for.
Grunge Lancer! (1990s)
(1) Chris Cornell - vocals/guitar - Soundgarden vs. (16) “The Beautiful People” - Marilyn Manson
Bobbo: Cornell, Ana: Cornell, Tim: Cornell, Josh: Cornell
Bobbo: “Slaves and Bulldozers”, nuff said.
Ana: Fun fact: Chris Cornell is an amazing guitarist in his own right.
(8) “Even Flow” - Pearl Jam vs. (9) The Offspring - Smash
Bobbo: Smash, Ana: “Even Flow”, Tim: “Even Flow”, Josh: Smash
Josh: An absolute staple to the 90s SoCal punk scene.
Tim: “Even Flow” is in the top 10 most influential songs of the 90s. Can’t argue with those results.
Tie Breaker: Coin toss.
(5) R. E. M. vs. (12) Placebo
Bobbo: REM, Ana: REM, Tim: REM, Josh: REM
Ana: Stipe Stipe Stipe Stipe Stipe Stipe.
Josh: “All the Way to Reno” is my all time favorite ballad. Yeah, I went there!
(4) “Champagne Supernova” - Oasis vs. (13) “My Own Summer” - Deftones
Bobbo: “Champagne”, Ana: “Summer”, Tim: “Summer”, Josh: “Champagne”
Tim: Chino Moreno is a god damn BEAST! The chorus is still one of my favorite ever.
Josh: My head says Deftones, but my heart says “Supernova”
Tie Breaker: Bobbo recalled the drunk dial message Josh left when he sang “Champagne Supernova”, drunk as fuck. Hilarity ensued. And Oasis won out.
(6) Faith No More vs. (11) Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Bobbo: Bosstones, Ana: Faith, Tim: Faith, Josh: Faith
Josh: High grade level of insanity in every bite! Thanks Mike Patton!
Bobbo: Pretty even for me in likeness, but I’ve been liking the Tones longer.
(3) KoRn vs. (14) Incubus - S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
Bobbo: KoRn, Ana: KoRn, Tim: KoRn, Josh: SCIENCE
Ana: Munkey and Head were the reasons I wanted a 7 string
Tim: Much love, David Silvera.
Josh: I just straight up don’t much care for Korn. And Science was a stellar album.
(7) Jerry Cantrell - guitar/vocals - Alice in Chains vs. (10) Nirvana - In Utero
Bobbo: Cantrell, Ana: Cantrell, Tim: Cantrell, Josh: Cantrell
Bobbo: It was Layne’s voice and Jerry’s awesome guitar stylings that made AIC so magnificent
Ana: Why do my Nirvana picks keep getting such difficult matchups they can’t win? I’m forced to take Jerry.
(2) Sublime vs. (15) the Presidents of the United States of America
Bobbo: Sublime, Ana: Presidents, Tim: Sublime, Josh: Sublime
Josh: I got suspended from school because I sang “Date Rape” over and over when I was in 7th grade. So many memories from this band.
Ana: I don’t hate Sublime. I just find the Pres’s music far more accessible.
An Alternative Way to Rock (00’s)
(1) Danny Carey - drums - Tool vs. (16) “Knights of Cydonia” - Muse
Bobbo: Danny, Ana: Danny, Tim: DANNY!, Josh: Danny
Bobbo: Unbelievably gifted.
Tim: Bar none, my percussive music hero. “Ticks and Leeches” changed my life!
(8) “Feuer Frie!” - Rammstein vs. (9) Death From Above 1979
Bobbo: DFA, Ana: DFA, Tim: DFA, Josh: “Feuer Frie!”
Bobbo: Distorted bass, crashing drums, and throttling vocals. How could you ever go wrong?
Ana: Definition of “raucous”
(5) Bloc Party vs. (12) Velvet Revolver
Bobbo: Velvet, Ana: Velvet, Tim: Bloc, Josh: Bloc
Ana: I love Bloc Party, really. But as high as a #5 seed? Seriously?
Tim: If making a playlist that features “She’s Hearing Voices” on it 9 times is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
Tie Breaker: The fact that Bloc Party is still together. But it’s better that VR isn’t, as STP has returned!
(4) AFI - Decemberunderground vs. (13) Linkin Park
Bobbo: December, Ana: December, Tim: December, Josh: December
Josh: When they make the list for best albums of the decade, this one will be on it.
Tim: It’s pretty much a given.
(6) TV on the Radio vs. (11) Minus the Bear
Bobbo: Minus, Ana: Minus, Tim: Minus, Josh: TV
Bobbo: “Thanks For the Killer Game of Crisco Twister”. Fun to say, and fun to listen to!
Ana: Articulation much? Minus the Bear has got it down.
(3) Josh Homme - guitar/vocals - Queens of the Stone Age vs. (14) Static-X
Bobbo: Homme, Ana: Homme, Tim: Homme, Josh: Homme
Tim: Great guitarist, great drummer. A pretty special musician.
Ana: Homme is the newest rock musician that can be labeled as a genius.
(7) A Perfect Circle vs. (10) Radiohead - In Rainbows
Bobbo: Circle, Ana: Circle, Tim: Circle, Josh: Rainbows
Josh: This album set the music industry and fans simultaneously on their ears.
Bobbo: Sure there’s Maynard, but it gave us Billy Howardell too.
Ana: And Paz Lenchantin, a music hero of mine.
(2) System of a Down - Toxicity vs. (15) Tenacious D
Bobbo: Toxicity, Ana: Toxicity, Tim: The D, Josh: Toxicity
Bobbo: Not a #2 seed in my opinion, but the sum of it is more than the humor brought from the D (though not by much)
Tim: I laugh my ass off at everything they do. I’m going to watch the movie again now!
(We’re literally watching Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny now as we continue)
Throw Down Second Round
(1) AC/DC - Highway to Hell vs. (9) Cheap Trick
Bobbo: Highway, Ana: Highway, Tim: Trick, Josh: Highway
Ana: The lasting image of Bon Scott cannot be denied.
Tim: This band gave us the quintessential greeting concert opener!
(4) Black Sabbath - Paranoid vs. (5) “2112” - Rush
Bobbo: “2112”, Ana: Paranoid, Tim: “2112”, Josh: Paranoid
Bobbo: Magnum opus. Epic. Whatever you want to call it.
Josh: Dude… it’s fucking SABBATH!
Tie Breaker: Tim challenges everyone to sit in silence as he plays the entire 22 minute length track. Didn’t even reach the 3 minute mark before Josh blabbed.
(3) David Gilmour - guitar - Pink Floyd vs. (11) “Cocaine” - Eric Clapton
Bobbo: Gilmour, Ana: Gilmour, Tim: Gilmour, Josh: Gilmour
Ana: Clapton’s song is legendary. Gilmour’s entire career dwarfs it a thousand times over.
Tim: What about Gilmour doing a cover of “Cocaine”? How much ass would that kick?
(2) “Kashmir” - Led Zeppelin vs. (10) John Entwistle - bass - the Who
Bobbo: Entwistle, Ana: “Kashmir”, Tim: Entwistle, Josh: “Kashmir”
Bobbo: The bass solo on “My Generation” still impresses the hell out of me.
Josh: Anyone else feel like Plant’s vocals are underrated on this song?
Tie Breaker: The fact that Zeppelin cannot be denied… ever. Not even by legendary bassists.
(1) “Welcome to the Jungle” - Guns n’ Roses vs. (9) Billy Idol
Bobbo: “Jungle”, Ana: “Jungle”, Tim: “Jungle”, Josh: “Jungle”
Bobbo: When I think of rock and roll, I think of this song first.
Tim: YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE?! YOU’RE IN THE JUNGLE BABY!
(4) Metallica - Ride the Lightning vs. (5) “Number of the Beast” - Iron Maiden
Bobbo: Lightning, Ana: “Number”, Tim: “Number”, Josh: “Number”
Tim: Iron
Josh: fucking
Tim & Josh: MAIDEN!
Bobbo: I’m appalled at this decision. Lightning is arguably Met’s greatest album.
Ana: I’m shocked I picked it. But in all honesty, this song was one of the reasons I picked up a guitar in the first place.
Josh: Much love to Lightning though.
(3) Def Leppard vs. (11) David Bowie
Bobbo: Def, Ana: Def, Tim: Bowie, Josh: Def
Tim: Ziggy Stardust!
Ana: I connect Bowie to the 70s more than the 80s to be honest.
Josh: And Def Leppard was the epitome of the 80s.
Bobbo: Rock of Ages, still rollin’…. Rock and rollin’
(2) Motley Crue vs. (7) Heart
Bobbo: Crue, Ana: Crue, Tim: Crue, Josh: Crue
Bobbo: What was that about the epitome of the 80s, Josh?
Ana: The Wilsons will always have my “Heart”. But it’s Motley Crue!
Tim: Tommy Lee, while a pretentious prick, is truly a gifted drummer.
(1) Chris Cornell vs. (9) The Offspring - Smash
Bobbo: Cornell, Ana: Cornell, Tim: Cornell, Josh: Cornell
Ana: Can I just tell you guys how good his first solo album was? Sensational.
Tim: His “Rusty Cage” performance still gives me chills.
(4) “Champagne Supernova” - Oasis vs. (5) R. E. M.
Bobbo: REM, Ana: REM, Tim: REM, Josh: “Champagne”
Josh: This greatly saddens me.
Bobbo: It’s the end of Josh’s world as he knows it
Josh: And I feel fine.
Josh: No really, I do. I love REM!
Ana: Indeed. Stipe Stipe Stipe Stipe!
(3) KoRn vs. (6) Faith No More
Bobbo: KoRn, Ana: Faith, Tim: Faith, Josh: Faith
Bobbo: Sorry, FNM, KoRn was in my head first.
Ana: Likewise, I loved FNM before I did Korn.
Bobbo: Hold up. I know they’re terrible now. But you guys are including their early, good days in your decisions, right?
Josh: I’ve never been a KoRn fan, so….
Tim: Yes, Bobbo. The difference for me is that at least FNM knew they were falling apart and stopped before they embarrassed themselves. KoRn is just a trainwreck right now and it’s making their good days look tarnished.
Bobbo: Fair enough.
(2) Sublme vs. (7) Jerry Cantrell - guitar/vox - Alice in Chains
Bobbo: Cantrell, Ana: Cantrell, Tim: Cantrell, Josh: Cantrell
Bobbo: “No Excuses” anyone?
Ana: Yes please!
(All take pause to listen to the awesomeness of Cantrell and the band on “No Excuses”)
(1) Danny Carey - drums - Tool vs. (9) Death From Above 1979
Bobbo: DFA, Ana: Danny, Tim: Danny, Josh: abstain
Tim: I love DFA a whole heap. But their untimely end left much to be desired. Plus, y’know, Danny Carey is essentially the Jesus of drums.
Ana: I really wanted to pick DFA. Really. But Tim is right. How out of sight is his playing?
(4) AFI - Decemberunderground vs. (5) Bloc Party
Bobbo: December, Ana: December, Tim: December, Josh: Bloc
Ana: Oh, Davey Havok, you paint murals with your voice.
Tim: Sounds disturbing. But yeah, this album rocks…… no explanation needed.
Josh: I am mega-frown. What about “She’s Hearing Voices” 9 times?
Tim: Yeah. I’d rather have 12 fresh, imposing, awesome songs.
Bobbo: “The Missing Frame” anyone?
Ana: No, “Summer Shudder”
(proceed to blare “Summer Shudder”… sweet)
(3) Josh Homme - guitar/vox - QotSA vs. (11) Minus the Bear
Bobbo: Minus, Ana: Homme, Tim: Homme, Josh: Homme
Bobbo: Normally, I would take Homme. But MTB maintains to be the best band I’ve picked up probably this half of the decade.
Ana: I can’t stop thinking about “Turning on the Screw” and think “What the hell was this madman thinking?”… but in a good way.
Josh: Let’s not forget his Kyuss days.
(2) System of a Down - Toxicity vs. (7) A Perfect Circle
Bobbo: Circle, Ana: Circle, Tim: Toxicity, Josh: Toxicity
Tim: Thrashtastic. John Dolmayan is rampant all over that record
Josh: Why hello there, Serj Tankian! Didn’t see you ROCKING MY BRAIN on “Deer Dance”.
Ana: It’s one thing to go out and do brash rock. But APC was far more mellow, subtle, but still kicked out the jams.
Bobbo: Extremely well put together mood music.
Tie Breaker: Playing “3 Libras”. Tim gives in first.
Salacious Sixteen
(1) AC/DC - Highway to Hell vs. (5) “2112” - Rush
Bobbo: “2112”, Ana: Highway, Tim: “2112”, Josh: Highway
Bobbo: I get more out of the magnum opus of “2112” than of AC/DC
Tim: Legendary, both of them. But as a drummer, that has to account for something. Neil Peart me, please!
Josh: You are both frauds! Who dares vote against the Hell boys?!
Ana: “Girl’s Got Rhythm” was my childhood favorite song.
Tiebreaker: After no one budging, and playing several tracks off of Highway to Hell , we took a look at Tim’s iPod on iTunes to see what he listened to more of. The number of times listened to Highway: 12. “2112”: 14.
(2) “Kashmir” - Led Zeppelin vs. (3) David Gilmour
Bobbo: Gilmour, Ana: Gilmour, Tim: Gilmour, Josh: Gilmour
Bobbo: Anyone else feel dirty denying “Kashmir”?
Ana: Absolutely not. “Kashmir” is great. But altogether better than everything Gilmour has done? Hell no.
Josh: It’s funny. I thought “Kashmir” could’ve gone all the way. But Gilmour is the right choice.
(1) “Welcome to the Jungle” - Guns n’ Roses vs. (5) “Number of the Beast” - Iron Maiden
Bobbo: “Jungle”, Ana: “Number”, Tim: “Jungle”, Josh: “Jungle”
Bobbo: What is rock? It’s “Welcome to the Jungle”.
Ana: “The Number of the Beast” has to be one of the most influential songs ever. Do you know how many bands then and now were influenced by Maiden and this song?
Tim: Not more than “Jungle” and GNR.
Josh: Ooooh, burn!
(2) Motley Crue vs. (3) Def Leppard
Bobbo: abstain, Ana: Crue, Tim: Def, Josh: Crue
Tim: Both embodied the state of 80s hard rock. But still, I cannot credit their drummer enough.
Bobbo: Like Tim said, they are both the face of 80s rock. And I thought of the songs I enjoy from both, and really didn’t come out with an answer. I’ll just call it a tie.
Ana: I look at Crue to be more influential to actual rock than Leppard. Crue never did anything as blah-tastic as “Love Bites”.
(1) Chris Cornell vs. (5) R. E. M.
Bobbo: REM, Ana: Cornell, Tim: Cornell, Josh: Cornell
Josh: Play “Superunknown” and be ASHAMED of your decision, Bobbo!
Bobbo: I did just throw the upset here. And you all know how much I love Cornell, Soundgarden, and Audioslave. But we have to incorporate his entire career. And his solo work is not up to snuff. And the likes of Scream have to account for something. What was he thinking? It all has to be accounted for. And in that aspect, R.E.M. has done nothing to challenge their integrity throughout their career.
Tim: I agree that the whole career has to be looked over. But even then, with those points docked for his latest solo stuff, I still take him over REM.
Ana: Indeed.
(6) Faith No More vs. (7) Jerry Cantrell
Bobbo: Cantrell, Ana: Cantrell, Tim: Cantrell, Josh: Faith
Ana: When they make the list of greatest guitarists, he is often not on the list. Unjustifiably.
Josh: Love the licks, Jerry. But just like Cornell, we have to look at his entire career, even solo albums, and think… is he really better than this band?
(1) Danny Carey vs. (4) AFI - Decemberunderground
Bobbo: Danny, Ana: December, Tim: Danny, Josh: Danny
Tim: Danny is only, you know, the best drummer in this day and age.
Ana: Forgive me, but as a musicianship standard, Decemberunderground is an imperative album.
(3) Josh Homme vs. (7) A Perfect Circle
Bobbo: Homme, Ana: Homme, Tim: Homme, Josh: APC
Bobbo: It has to be looked at like this: APC was a Maynard/Billy side project. Homme himself has a cluster of bands, projects, and production value to his record. Kyuss, QotSA, Eagles of Death Metal, the Desert Sessions. He is far and away one of the best musicians of the 21st century.
Ana: …Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.
Josh: But what about “3 Libras”? “The Noose”? “Pet”? Seriously.
Tim: Yes. Shut up, Josh.
E-Bow the Eight
(3) David Gilmour vs. (5) “2112” - Rush
Bobbo: “2112”, Ana: Gilmour, Tim: Gilmour, Josh: Gilmour
Tim: Even I’m not dumb enough to deny Gilmour on this one, Bobbo.
Bobbo: We can argue this was the greatest epic of all time.
Ana: It would be a labored argument though. One song does not discredit his amazingness with Floyd and his solo career.
Josh: Waters is my least favorite part of Floyd, if you ask me. It’s all about Gilmour.
(1) “Welcome to the Jungle - Guns n’ Roses vs. (2) Motley Crue
Bobbo: “Jungle”, Ana: Crue, Tim: Crue, Josh: “Jungle”
Bobbo: I must refer to my past argument. When you think of the state of 80s rock, what do you think of most? And truth be told, I think of “Welcome to the Jungle” first.
Tim: Sent the world of rock into a whole other direction. But you can say the same thing about the Crue.
Ana: Crue had no greater songs than “Jungle”, but their collective rock bravado pushes it over the edge.
Josh: You made my argument for me, Ana. Crue had no better songs that were even half the impact of “Welcome to the Jungle”.
Tie Breaker: Bobbo imposed question: What song did you learn first on (respective instrument): “Jungle” or any Crue song. Everyone had the same answer: “Welcome to the Jungle”
(1) Chris Cornell vs. (7) Jerry Cantrell
Bobbo: Cornell, Ana: Cantrell, Tim: Cornell, Josh: Cornell
Ana: Throwing a wrench in the gears here. Cantrell was more stylistically in my favor. And it’s a losing battle, I realize, but I had to give him the vote.
Tim: Play “Jesus Christ Pose” while Ana repents, please.
(proceed to play “Jesus Christ Pose”)
Josh: You’re staaaaring at meeee, like I… Like I need to be saaaaaaaaaved!
(1) Danny Carey vs. (3) Josh Homme
Bobbo: Homme, Ana: Homme, Tim: Carey, Josh: Homme
Tim: Nooo!
Bobbo: Sorry, Mook, but Homme is just more versatile.
Tim: But Carey has had his share of side projects too.
Ana: Not to the extent of Homme.
Josh: No one is taking anything away from Danny. It’s just that the Josh man is a sterling representation of what is right with 21st music.
Tim: I am mega frowns right now.
Fuckin’ Awesome Four!
(1) “Welcome to the Jungle” - Guns n’ Roses vs. (3) David Gilmour
Bobbo: For all the praise that we’ve spewed about “Welcome to the Jungle”, and its impression on the rock and roll circuit, I just don’t think it’s a better song than David Gilmour. “2112” had a better shot at beating Gilmour, I think. Gilmour
Ana: There really is no one song that is better than a guitarist of Gilmour’s status. A Guns n’ Roses song, as legendary as it is, not withstanding. Gilmour
Tim: A certain Pink Floyd song itself was better than the entirety of Guns n’ Roses. Not the other way around though. Gilmour
Josh: That makes it a clean sweep. The lynch pin of Floyd’s greatness came direct from Gilmour.
(1) Chris Cornell vs. (3) Josh Homme
Bobbo: This is quite the even matchup I believe. My first notion is to go with the old standby and say Chris Cornell. His voice and musicianship is outstanding, and he anchored one of the best groups of the 90s, plus a successful side project, and then also Audioslave. BUT, when I see Josh Homme, dominating the un-mainstream style, running rampant with his side projects and other bands, production, his articulation and employment of alternative instruments, I think he’s taken the reigns to become a downright musical genius. Homme.
Ana: I look at it like this. Cornell is a legend of grunge proportions. I look at this, though, through two ways. Who have I more thoroughly enjoyed listening to, and who influenced me the most. And between Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal, the Desert Sessions, and his countless number of cameos on others. His name is enough to intrigue me whenever his name is attached to it. And sadly, I don’t get that same intrigue from Cornell anymore. Homme.
Tim: This one is easy. Cornell is a better guitarist and a MUCH better singer than Homme. Case closed.
Josh: On any other day, I would swear by Cornell. I really would. Soundgarden, as you all know, is one of my favorite bands. And as a singer myself, his vocal stylings have influenced me big time. But … Scream seriously disappointed me so much, and his subsequent interviews defending it… well… if you have to make multiple appearances to defend your music, something’s just not right. I love him more than the QotSA man, and was more influenced by him by a longshot. So why am I taking Homme? I don’t know. But I am. Homme.
\m/ \m/ \m/
(3) David Gilmour vs. (3) Josh Homme
Bobbo: Short argument here. I love Homme. He’s the current genius of music. But all his accolades combined just aren’t enough to trump David Gilmour.
Ana: My current obsession is Homme. But I would just feel sacrilegious if I voted against Gilmour. I’m going to listen to Eagles of Death Metal now. Gilmour.
Tim: David Gilmour… Josh Homme… Actually, if you asked me last year, I would give the edge to Homme. But recently, I’ve gotten into Gilmour’s solo stuff. And it just blows my mind. Sorry, Mr. Stone Age Queen, it is David Gilmour.
Josh: David Gilmour. Not even debatable.