Sometime in 2011, I did my Top 25 musical artists. I went back to look at it, and I noticed it was horribly written. I attempt to fix that with an updated list. 2013 edition. This will most likely change in some ways in the future, but my reasons for liking a band won't be "lol guitars," it'll be profound and sh*t.
My tastes in music have changed since then quite a bit (began listening to numerous new bands, lost interest in some, gained some in others, etc etc), and obviously they may change slightly again in the future as I listen to more artists and lose interest in more and such. So, here's what I think of music artists.
If you disagree with my opinion, I don't care. You can say something, but if it's rude or something, then you can go f*ck yourself with a cactus.
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#25
Gorillaz
Recent release: Plastic Beach (2010)
Favorite song: Stylo (ft. Bobby Womack/Mos Def)
Other good ones: Feel Good Inc., Superfast Jellyfish, Clint Eastwood
I knew who the Gorillaz were, but I didn't know anything about them. I knew their song Feel Good Inc, but never heard it. When I finally did listen to them, I realized they were pretty damn amazing. They're a virtal band (meaning, the band members are cartoons and the music is made for these cartoon characters), with Damon Albarn doing the music and the characters headed by Jamie Hewlett. The best way to describe their music is electronic rock, alt rock, and pop rock, but two of their songs are never the same; each song is unique, adding something different to the production, vocals, and everything else. With the many musical guests they feature and some of the people who work with them behind the scenes, it makes sense, and the Gorillaz are truly a great, unique, refreshing, and fun band to listen to.
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#24
Ozzy Osbourne
Recent release: Scream (2010)
Favorite song: Let it Die
Other good ones: Crazy Train, Bark at the Moon, Iron Man (with Black Sabbath)
The Prince of Darkness! The King of Metal! Ozzy motherf*cking Osbourne! Ozzy is one of the most notable metal artists of the 70s (with Black Sabbath) and 80s (solo), and started a revolution. What made him so interesting? Was it his dark, genius, yet deep lyrics? His stunningly evil metal voice? The composition of his songs? All of the above? Definately all of the above. Ozzy has also managed to stand the test of time very well, having not being dead from ridiculous amounts of drugs for 40+ years, and still releasing new music (new Black Sabbath album in June? Awww yea!) that sounds just as good. He's doing well. Get 'em, Prince of Darkness.
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#23
Flyleaf
Recent release: New Horizons (2012)
Favorite song: I'm So Sick
Other good ones: All Around Me, Again, Fully Alive
Let's ignore the fact the original lead singer left the band right before their new album came out in stores (I dunno if the new one is good or not), only focus on what was heard of, because the new singer didn't release anything new. Anyway, man does Flyleaf f*cking rock. I made a very short blog saying they were awesome. I swear, Lacey's voice is just... errggghhh... so beautiful it's painful. And amazing. Not just that, the heavy instruments that accompany her angelic voice just slather that peanut butter onto that jelly like a boss. The songs are so great... I'm gonna keep going on about her voice, gaaah. It's the most wonderful thing about that woman. Where can I get a voice as nice?
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#22
Bullet for my Valentine
Recent release: Temper Temper (2013)
Favorite song: Fever
Other good ones: Tears Don't Fall, Scream Aim Fire, Temper Temper
I can say that BfmV is the only good band considered "screamo" that I will listen to, they truly are the only decent ones. Unlike all screamo bands, their screaming vocals don't completely sh*t all over the song, and the vocals when there is normal singing doesn't suck (the only other screamo band with this trait of good not-screamo singing is A Day to Remember). Plus, the lyrics aren't just whiny BS, and the instruments are just the same notes being played at Mach speed. Anyway, BfmV is a fantastic metal band worth listening to. That is all. I love the lead singer of Flyleaf's voice.
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WARNING: 21 contains massive controversy due to people really, really, REALLY disliking this person or these people. Please be warned, and put all butthurts into the paper bag you recieved at the entrance. Thank you.
#21
Nickelback
Recent release: Here and Now (2011)
Favorite song: Rockstar
Other good ones: Never Again, Too Bad, S.E.X.
WHAT NOOOOW MOTHERF*CKER. NICKEL F*CKING BACK. I like them. They're great. Awesome music. Hard rock. People hate them. Like igaf. Why do I like them? Why are they underrated? Yes, they have a lot of songs about sex and partying and stuff, but enjoy music for what it is, don't criticize every damn sex song. Nickelback can usually write some entertaining songs, even if they lack depth, or some are a bit cheesey. I genuinely enjoy them and their sillyness. And not all of their songs are this kinda stuff. Ever hear the song 'Never Again?' That song is about domestic violence. 'Too Bad?' That's about the lead singer's father walking out on him as a child. So yea, just because a few sex songs ruined their rep, doesn't mean they're terrible. Respect.
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#20
Five Finger Death Punch
Recent release: American Capitalist (2011)
Favorite song: If I Fall
Other good ones: Under and Over It, Never Enough, Walk Away
I like some metal, but was never huge into the deep vocals that FFDP have in some of their songs. Sure, it wasn't screamo, but it was still weird. Those kind of vocals, I realized, weren't bad, and of course FFDP, as a result, grew on me, and damn they are awesome. Of course, not all of their songs are this super heavy vocal stuff, but with or without them, they sound bleeding awesome. With some heavy and intense instruments, a strong voice with strong lyrics, and being amazingly powerful and catchy, these guys truly know how to rock-- no, how to metal.
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#19
Seether
Recent release: Holding onto Strings Better Left to Fray (2011)
Favorite song: Country Song
Other good ones: Broken, Fake It, Remedy
While numerous hard rock bands sometimes are referred to as post-grunge, only two bands really capture the post-grunge style very well; Nirvana (which I'm not a huge fan of, sorry) and Seether. Hailing from South Africa, these guys truly have mastered the grunge sound, with the guitars, vocals, compositions, and all that. They're difficult for me to describe, but they're awesome nonetheless, and if you haven't heard them, I recommend you listen to them.
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#18
The Offspring
Recent release: Days Go By (2012)
Favorite song: Gone Away
Other good ones: Self Esteem, Pretty Fly (For a White Guy), You're Gonna Go Far Kid
One of the most prominent punk acts of the 90s, the Offspring know everything that is about punk: fast-paced, crazy, insane, fun, and awesome. While being ridiculous and fun (Pretty Fly For a White Guy remains one of the world's finest songs), they also know how to be punk as f*ck. Even their more serious songs have that perfect punk touch to them that makes infectious, amazing, and foot-tapping. There is no denying their greatness, and they shall remain one of the top punk bands of history.
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#17
Tech N9ne
Recent release: KLUSTERFUK, E.B.A.H., Boiling Point (he released 3 EPs last year, like a boss)
Favorite song: Worldwide Choppers (ft. a ludacrous amount of people)
Other good ones: O.G., Who Do I Catch?, E.B.A.H.
Mainstream rap tends to suck. I mean, Lil Wayne? He just gives us the same trash with every single. Drake? He's not even good at it, and he popularized yolo. 2Chains? 2Sh*t. Where are the good rappers? Some of them are independent, such as the rapping powerhouse Tech N9ne. First off, he doesn't make songs about how his hoes have money and his money has hoes and all that garbage, he has legitimate lyrics with legitimate meanings. Second, his rapping style is ridiculously awesome; I mean, his words probably are fast enough to get speeding tickets on thruways. If that makes sense. Third? His production is just top-notch, and perfectly compliments his rap style. He makes fantastic music everyone should listen to.
No, Drake, you did not start from the bottom, you were on f*cking Degrassi.
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#16
Three Days Grace
Recent release: Transit of Venus (2012)
Favorite song: Pain
Other good ones: The Good Life, World So Cold, The High Road
Similar to Flyleaf (zomg Lacey's voice btw), the original singer of TDG left the band (there's some weird stuff going on about it actually), but there is no permanent replacement at the moment, but anyway Three Days Grace are awesome. Capturing some damn fine hard rock stylings in there with a tad bit of punk, Three Days Grace succeed with music capturing emotion very well, lyrics of true caliber, and albums that have literally gotten better each time (their new album is their best), they are on a path to become one of the most notable rock bands of this generation.
Well, but then Adam left the band... hopefully they get a worthy replacement. Breaking Benjamin is down to two members, maybe they could assist...
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#15
Machine Gun Kelly/MGK
Recent release: Lace Up! (2012)
Favorite song: Stereo (ft. Alex Fitts)
Other good ones: Invincible, Champions, Save Me
The good rappers aren't mainstream sell-outs. The better ones have meaning in their songs. Like Tech N9ne, MGK is not only a meaningful songwriter (even if his appearance doesn't show it), but he has that awesome flow also. He's been through some sh*t, and it reflects in his songs, having true meaning to his songs other than "f*ck b*tches get money." On top of this, his music has a touch of punk to it, not just straight-up rap, which compliments his crazy style. Punk rap? Sounds like an awesome genre. MGK, you are a true killer. Lace the f*ck up.
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#14
Metallica
Recent release: Death Magnetic (2008)
Favorite song: Battery
Other good ones: One, Seek and Destroy, Nothing Else Matters
These are the big four. The fathers of heavy metal. The kings. The masters. The owners. They ARE heavy metal. Metallica. Even their name is metal. Best described by b*tchin' riffs, fast and heavy instrumentals, their metal ballads (most of their songs are over 5 minutes and amazing), and the massive energy you get from this band is immense. It's hard to not like them, and even if you don't, it's impossible to deny their importance or not have respect for them. We'd be a sh*tty world if these guys didn't leave their mark (or continue to, they have another album planned coming out, maybe this year!).
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#13
Foo Fighters
Recent release: Wasting Light (2011)
Favorite song: The Pretender
Other good ones: Everlong, All My Life, Bridge Burning
As previously stated, I'm not huge on Nirvana. Sure, I have plenty of respect for them, and 'Breed' is an awesome song, but their other stuff never really got my attention or anything. Again, they aren't a bad band, I'm not into them. However, I love the Foo Fighters (started by Nirvana drummer, Dave Grohl, the biggest badass in forever). The Foo Fighters have this thing about them that is just so awesome, so unique, and always fun to listen to. Their infection rock style (which is anything between alt and hard rock) can keep your attention, mystify, and get you lost in a Foo world. Each song is a story, a well-written rock masterpiece, deserving everyone's attention. Please listen to the Foo.
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#12
Shinedown
Recent release: Amaryllis (2012)
Favorite song: Sound of Madness
Other good ones: 45, Save Me, Cyanide Sweet Tooth Suicide
There's something real about Shinedown. It's hard to describe it, but their songs are just so... something. Might be in part to the amazing vocal talents of Brent Smith, along with instruments that butter the vocal bread. Shinedown also has a large range of music sounds, from very soft rock ballads, to fast-paced angry hard rock tracks, even to some light-hearted tracks, and a few medleys of awesome. It's this thing about Shinedown that makes them awesome, their very true-sounding style that is appealing and makes them pretty sweet.