SONG OF THE WEEK: 1-11-2026

SONG:  "Wicked Game" (Chris Isaak cover)

ARTIST:  Stone Sour

ALBUM:  "Come What(ever) May" (Special Edition)

YEAR:  2006

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Des Moines, Iowa

YEARS ACTIVE:  1992 - 2020

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The Stone Sour song "Wicked Game" is a cover of the original song by Chris Isaak. The original "Wicked Game" was written by Chris Isaak for his 1989 album "Heart Shaped World". Isaak has stated that the song was inspired by a late-night phone call from a woman suggesting a casual sexual encounter, and it explores the strong attraction one can feel towards individuals who may not be beneficial for them. The song is often interpreted as a ballad about unrequited love, but Isaak's personal account reveals a deeper theme of irresistible, potentially problematic desire.

STONE SOUR DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2002 - Stone Sour (Roadrunner Records)

* Peaked at #46 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

2006 - Come What(ever) May (Roadrunner Records)

* Peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

2007 - Live In Moscow (Roadrunner Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2010 - Audio Secrecy (Roadrunner Records)

* Peaked at #6 on the Billboard 200

2012 - House Of Gold & Bones Part 1 (Roadrunner Records)

* Peaked at #7 on the Billboard 200

2013 - House Of Gold & Bones Part 2 (Roadrunner Records)

* Peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200

2017 - Hydrograd (Roadrunner Records)

* Peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200

2019 - Hello, You Bastards:  Live In Reno (Cooking Vinyl Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON STONE SOUR:

Stone Sour is a Des Moines, Iowa band that got it's start back in 1992. For the first 5 years as a band, they recorded several demos but disbanded in 1997, mostly due to lead singer Corey Taylor's involvement with another upstart band called Slipknot. In 2000, Stone Sour reformed and in 2002, they released their stellar debut album "Stone Sour". This album was nominated for a few Grammy's and their single "Bother" is just a killer song! The band followed their self-titled album with a hugely successful sophomore effort, 2006's "Come What(ever) May". This was the band's highest charting album, peaking at #4 on the Billboard 200 charts and thanks in part to the hit single "Through Glass", this album has gone on to be certified Platinum. 2010 saw the band drop "Audio Secrecy". In 2012 and 2013 respectively, Stone Sour released a 2 part concept album called "House Of Gold & Bones" Parts 1 and 2. I guess there was also a novel that coincided with the release of these albums. The band's most recent full length album would be 2017's "Hydrograd". The band also put out some cover song EP's and a few live albums. In 2020, Corey Taylor basically said it was time to put Stone Sour on the shelf for a while and announced an indefinite hiatus. Taylor still keeps himself very busy with Slipknot and his solo career as well. Stone Sour is sort of like a post-grunge, alternative metal type of band. Unlike Corey Taylor's other band Slipknot, who is much more of a metal outfit, Stone Sour seems to be more influenced by grunge bands. There's hard rock, there's metal and there's some acoustic stuff too. I was never really a big fan of Slipknot but Stone Sour is right in my wheelhouse because I am such a fan of bands like Alice In Chains and Soundgarden. Corey Taylor is a great vocalist as well. I think Stone Sour and his solo stuff makes his voice shine more as Slipknot features lots of screaming vocals and such. When I heard "Bother" in 2002, Stone Sour had me. "Zzyzx Rd." is another epic song from their "Come What(ever) May" album. I love that f'n song! Hopefully these guys come back off hiatus but I don't know. I'm sure Corey plays a lot of Stone Sour material at his solo shows so, I guess we'll have to see. Great band, great vocalist!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Godsmack

Seether

Staind

Drowning Pool

Saint Asonia

TEN STONE SOUR SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Bother

2. Zzyzx Rd.

3. Song #3

4. Get Inside

5. Through Glass

6. Do Me A Favor

7. Inhale

8. Unchained (Van Halen cover)

9. Absolute Zero

10. Say You'll Haunt Me

SONG OF THE WEEK: 1-4-2026

SONG:  "Cheers To Another One"

ARTIST:  Rory

ALBUM:  "We're Up To No Good, We're Up To No Good"

YEAR:  2006

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Altamonte Springs, Florida

YEARS ACTIVE:  1998 - 2007

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Cheers To Another One"'s meaning centers on themes of emotional numbness and the repetitive, almost medicinal nature of modern social or romantic interactions.

RORY DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2006 - We're Up To No Good, We're Up To No Good (One Eleven Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON RORY:

Rory is a Florida band that got it's start back in 1998. Not a lot of news out there on these guys. Their first release was an EP called "Always Right As In We Are", which dropped in 2004. Their first and only full length album was released in 2006, titled "We're Up To No Good, We're Up To No Good". This album was co-produced by Mark Hoppus of Blink 182. The band's only single that I know of came from this album, a song called "Deja Vroomier". The band broke up in 2007 with some members popping up in other projects but nothing major. Rory is a pop punk band. I definitely heard these guys around 2006. As I said in other "Song Of The Week" blogs, right around that time I called my "Taking Back Sunday" phase! I was really listening to a lot of pop punk/melodic rock type of bands at that time. Rory's one full length album isn't bad. It's a decent album. The band just never distinguished themselves amongst the top tier bands of that genre. Really, with only one album and one EP, it's kinda hard to leave a mark. 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Armor For Sleep

The Academy Is...

The Early November

Taking Back Sunday

Acceptance

TEN RORY SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Deja Vroomier

2. The State Of Now

3. Cheers To Another One

4. This Could Have Been A Dance Revolution, But Now

5. Typical

6. Doing Lines Of Conga

7. Everybody Stabbed me And It Didn't Even Hurt

8. Deja Vroom

9. Conversations With Strangers

10. Nice Planet, We'll Take It

SONG OF THE WEEK: 12-28-2025

SONG:  "Immortality" (Pearl Jam cover)

ARTIST:  Seether

ALBUM:  "One Cold Night"

YEAR:  2006

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

YEARS ACTIVE:  1999 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The Seether song "Immortality" is a cover of the Pearl Jam original, and its meaning is largely derived from the themes and lyrical interpretations associated with Eddie Vedder's composition. The song explores themes of vulnerability, mortality, and the struggles of finding comfort and meaning in a challenging world, highlighting the desire for immortality and the inevitable choices one faces when confronted with mortality.

SEETHER DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2002 - Disclaimer (Wind-Up Records)

* Peaked at #92 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

2004 - Disclaimer II (Wind-Up Records)

* Peaked at #53 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

2005 - Karma And Effect (Wind-Up Records)

* Peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

2006 - One Cold Night (Wind-Up Records)

* Peaked at #50 on the Billboard 200

2007 - Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces (Wind-Up Records)

* Peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

2011 - Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray (Wind-Up Records)

* Peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

2014 - Isolate And Medicate (The Bicycle Music Company)

* Peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

2017 - Poison The Parish (Canine Riot Records)

* Peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200

2020 - Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum (Fantasy Records)

* Peaked at #37 on the Billboard 200

2024 - The Surface Seems So Far (Fantasy Records)

* Peaked at #138 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON SEETHER:

Seether is a South African band that got it's start back in 1999. Originally the band was called Saron Gas and released an album under that moniker in 2000 called "Fragile". In 2002, the band changed their name to Seether, after the Veruca Salt song of the same name. Seether, I guess you would call official debut album, would release "Disclaimer" in 2002. Right off the jump, singles like "Fine Again" and "Gasoline" created huge buzz for Seether. In 2004, the band would put out "Disclaimer II" which basically was "Disclaimer" with extra tracks. This album also featured what may be Seether's biggest song, a version of "Broken" featuring guest vocals by Amy Lee of Evanescence. This album would be the beginning of a string of 3 releases that went on to be certified Platinum. The next one was 2005's "Karma And Effect" and following that, 2007's "Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces", an album that features my favorite song by the band "Rise Above This". 2011's "Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray" would be the last album release with label Wind-Up Records, who the band had been signed with since 2002. That was also the band's highest charting album, peaking at #2 on the Billboard 200 charts. In 2014, Seether released "Isolate And Medicate". The band would continue a streak of albums which charted in the Billboard 200 with the release of 2017's "Poison The Parish", 2020's "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum" and the band's most recent full length album, 2024's "The Surface Seems So Far". Seether is a post-grunge, alternative metal type of band. Heavily influenced by the grunge era, you can hear the styles of Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice In Chains and Soundgarden all through their music. Seether has also been one of the most successful hard rock acts of the 2000's for sure. I got into these guys right away. The first song I heard by them was "Fine Again" and I was like, yeah, that's a band that's right up my alley! They just constantly put out great albums and great songs. Their song "Rise Above This" from their 2007 album "Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces" is a fantastic song. I just love it. It's not as heavy as some of their other material but for me, it just sunk it's teeth into me! There aren't too many playlists that I put together that don't feature that song on them. Awesome band, Seether!

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Staind

Breaking Benjamin

Three Days Grace

Chevelle

Saint Asonia

TEN SEETHER SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Rise Above This

2. Broken

3. The Gift

4. Remedy

5. Country Song

6. Dangerous

7. Let You Down

8. Words As Weapons

9. Judas Mind

10. Seether (Veruca Salt cover)

SONG OF THE WEEK: 12-21-2025

SONG:  "Say The Word"

ARTIST:  The Classic Crime

ALBUM:  "Albatross"

YEAR:  2006

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Seattle, Washington

YEARS ACTIVE:  2004 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

The Classic Crime's song "Say the Word" from their debut album "Albatross" is subject to various interpretations, primarily revolving around themes of relationship struggles, personal change, and spiritual longing. While some initial fan interpretations leaned towards a religious meaning, particularly concerning God, others strongly suggest a narrative about a romantic relationship and the pain of witnessing a loved one change.

THE CLASSIC CRIME DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

2006 - Albatross (Tooth & Nail Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2008 - The Silver Chord (Tooth & Nail Records)

* Peaked at #123 on the Billboard 200

2010 - Vagabonds (Tooth & Nail Records)

* Peaked at #105 on the Billboard 200

2012 - The Phoenix (Goomba Music)

* Peaked at #130 on the Billboard 200

2014 - What Was Done, Vol. 1:  A Decade Revisited (BC Music)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2017 - How To Be Human (BadChristian Records)

* Peaked at #95 on the Billboard 200

2020 - Patterns In The Static (self-released)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2023 - Grim Age (The Classic Crime Music, Inc.)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON THE CLASSIC CRIME:

The Classic Crime formed as a band back in 2004, hailing from Seattle, Washington. The band quickly inked a deal with Tooth & Nail Records and released their debut full length album, "Albatross", in 2006. This album sold 4000 copies in it's first week making it Tooth & Nail's highest selling debut album. 2008's "The Silver Chord" became The Classic Crime's first album to chart on the Billboard 200, peaking at #123. The band finished their commitments to Tooth & Nail with the release of "Vagabonds" in 2010. For their next album, The Classic Crime decided to ask fans help fund the project through Kickstarter. A practice they would continue since. With that help from their fans, The Classic Crime released "The Phoenix" in 2012. In 2014, the band released "What Was Done, Vol. 1:  A Decade Revisited" which is a compilation album of reworked songs that the band has released up to that point in their career. 2017's "How To Be Human" would be The Classic Crime's highest charting album to date, peaking at #95 on the Billboard 200. In 2020, the band released "Patterns In The Static" and the band's most recent release would be 2023's "Grim Age". The Classic Crime is basically a melodic, poppy, rock band. They often get labeled a Christian band due to their relationship with Tooth & Nail Records. The band members do not necessarily agree with that label as they believe their faith is personal to them. Their faith does end up in some of their lyrical content however. Around the time The Classic Crime came out, I was really getting into similar bands. Think Taking Back Sunday, Anberlin, So They Say, etc. I would say Taking Back Sunday and Anberlin would be at the upper echelon of that melodic rock style. The Classic Crime is a band that sorta falls in line. They don't totally jump out from the pack, but they are a very solid band. "The Coldest Heart" was the first track I heard from these guys back in 2006 and to this day, that's my favorite song by the band.

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Anberlin

Acceptance

Blindside

The Dangerous Summer

Further Seems Forever

TEN THE CLASSIC CRIME SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. The Coldest Heart

2. Seattle

3. Abracadavers

4. The Precipice

5. Ghost

6. The Fight

7. Solar Powered Life

8. The Outside

9. What I'd Give Up

10. Rageboi

SONG OF THE WEEK: 12-14-2025

SONG:  "Dreaming" (Blondie cover)

ARTIST:  Green Day

ALBUM:  "Dreaming" single

YEAR:  2020

PLACE OF ORIGIN:  Rodeo, California

YEARS ACTIVE:  1987 - Present

WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:

"Dreaming", the 1979 Blondie song covered here by Green Day, is a fast-paced new wave song that explores themes of escapism, the ephemeral nature of pleasure, and the pursuit of personal dreams, often contrasting them with the realities of life and fame.

GREEN DAY DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):

1990 - 39/Smooth (Lookout! Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

1991 - Kerplunk (Lookout! Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

1994 - Dookie (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200

* Certified 2X Diamond

1995 - Insomniac (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200

* Certified 2X Platinum

1997 - Nimrod (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200

* Certified 2X Platinum

2000 - Warning (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Gold

2002 - Shenanigans (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at #27 on the Billboard 200

2004 - American Idiot (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* Certified 6X Platinum

2005 - Bullet In A Bible (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200

2009 - 21st Century Breakdown (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

* Certified Platinum

2011 - Awesome As Fuck (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200

2012 - Uno! (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200

2012 - Dos! (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200

2012 Tre! (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at #13 on the Billboard 200

2014 - Demolicious (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at #112 on the Billboard 200

2016 - Revolution Radio (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200

2019 - Woodstock 1994 (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at #156 on the Billboard 200

2020 - Father Of All Motherfuckers (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at # 4 on the Billboard 200

2021 - BBC Sessions (Reprise Records)

* Did not chart on the Billboard 200

2024 - Saviors (Reprise Records)

* Peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200

MY THOUGHTS ON GREEN DAY:

Green formed as a band back in 1987, hailing from Rodeo, California. They were originally called Sweet Children. In 1989, they officially changed their name to Green Day. The band's debut album would be 1990's "39/Smooth". After this album, drummer Tre Cool joined the band and Green Day has been Billie Joe Armstrong on vocals/guitar, Mike Dirnt on bass and Tre Cool on drums ever since. 1991 saw the band release "Kerplunk". With the grunge movement in full swing and a burgeoning punk rock revival simmering, Green Day inked a major label deal with Reprise Records. Their first album with Reprise, 1994's "Dookie", went through the roof! With singles like "When I Come Around", "Basketcase", "Longview" and "Welcome To Paradise", Green Day became a household name and instant headliner. To this day, "Dookie" has gone on to be certified 2X Diamond! That's a lot of f'n records sold is all that means! The band followed that up with the much darker "Insomniac" in 1995. 1997's "Nimrod" featured the unsuspecting acoustic hit, "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)". In 2000, Green Day released "Warning" which not a totally stripped down album, but definitely not as distortion heavy as their previous albums. At this point in their career, many thought that Green Day's light was beginning to dim. Then came 2004's "American Idiot"! The band's first concept album, "American Idiot" sprung Green Day back to the top of the heap. This album turned Green Day from great punk band, to one of the best rock bands of all time, period. "American Idiot", "Holiday" "Jesus Of Suburbia" and "Wake Me Up When September Ends" were singles that propelled this album to #1 on the Billboard 200 charts and cemented Green Day as icons. In 2009, Green Day released "21st Century Breakdown", yet another super ambitious effort. 2012 saw the band release three full albums, "Uno!", "Dos!" and "Tre!". These are all solid albums but in retrospect, I think the band could have combined them into one 13 to 15 song album that would have been killer! 2016's "Revolution Radio" showed the band hasn't lost a step! Really great album! In 2020, the band kinda lost me a little bit. They released "Father Of All Motherfuckers" which was a pretty big departure to their core sound. I don't know if they just wanted to reinvent themselves or something, but I thought that album was easily the band's worst effort. I mean, I love every Green Day album and that one I might like only 1 or 2 songs. Luckily, the band returned to form with 2024's "Saviors", the band's most recent full length album. What can I say, Green Day is awesome as fuck!! No pun intended..  Like many people, my first taste of Green Day was in 1994 with "Dookie". It wasn't really the singles that got me, it was songs like "She", "Coming Clean" and "Pulling Teeth" that made me fall in love with the band. Also, the song "J.A.R." from the "Angus" soundtrack made me a super fan! At their core, they are a pop punk/melodic punk band but they are much more than that for sure. Billie Joe Armstrong is just a fantastic songwriter. The songs are so catchy and memorable. Green Day is just one of my favorite bands of all time. Just when you think they are done, they just keep putting out killer music, except for that lapse in 2020! Don't know what happened there!! I can't believe their song "Suffocate", which surfaced on their B-side compilation "Shenanigans", never made an official album! That song kicks mucho ass! 

SIMILAR ARTISTS:

Foxboro Hot Tubs

Pinhead Gunpowder

The Offspring

My Chemical Romance

Alkaline Trio

TEN GREEN DAY SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

1. Suffocate

2. J.A.R.

3. Going To Pasalacqua

4. Armatage Shanks

5. She

6. Still Breathing

7. 2,000 Light Years Away

8. Know Your Enemy

9. Minority

10. Let Yourself Go