Musicazon -

A pioneer, an artist, a poet, a passionate soul. Janis Joplin would do more for music in her short 27 years on this planet than most do in a lengthy lifetime. She paved the way for women in rock and blues music, as well as changed the perspective on what a woman’s singing voice sounds like. I idolized her growing up, and I still idolize her now. It’s unfortunate that the hardcore drug use of the 1960s by almost all musicians, would claim her life just as many other legends of that era. There are certain songs that Janis Joplin wrote and performed, whether it was with Big Brother & The Holding Company or during her solo years, that resonate with me more than others. As with anybody who is a fan would know, funneling down her classic hits to a list of five is almost disrespectful. If you don’t already own Janis’ records or albums, you’re seriously missing out on a huge piece of music history. Fortunately modern times have made it quite easy to get the music downloads of artists that only ever produced vinyls.

1. A Woman Left Lonely

The first time I heard this song off my parents’ record, I cried. I think I may have been 12 years old. Did I understand what she was singing her out about? No, but if you listen to her sing it, you can hear the emotion that Janis was so amazing at portraying over her lyrics.

2. Me and Bobby McGee

Fond memories of singing this song with my family. How can you sit silent and listen to this track? Impossible. Such an American classic.

3. Cry Baby

Don’t you know, honey
Ain’t nobody ever gonna love you
The way I try to do
Who’ll take all your pain
Honey your heartache too
And if you need me, you know
That I’ll always be around, if you ever want me
Come on and cry, cry baby

4. Piece of My Heart

Another classic heartbroken Janis song that most people fall in love with after hearing it the first time.

5. Summertime

Below is video of Janis Joplin with the song Summertime:

Musicazon - Eminem blew out of Detroit in the mid 1990’s and hasn’t stopped turning heads since. His debut album sparked multiple controversies while simultaneously going platinum and dropping three #1 singles. He took the genre by storm and hasn’t let go maintaining his status as a figurehead in the hip-hop world along the ranks of P.Diddy & Jay-Z.

He took his celebrity professionally paving the groundwork for acts under his banner such as the group D-12 and the now star-studded 50 Cent. Soon after producing 50 Cent’s first record, 50 would grow more popular than Eminem himself for a time. Teaming up with Dr. Dre, Eminem has released over eight respective albums. His latest, Recovery, is on the verge of multi-platinum and features Rihanna and Kanye West.

Here are Eminem’s top five tracks we think you’ll enjoy. You can grab these as free music downloads from Kazaa.

1. The Way I Am – (Marshall Mathers LP)

2. Kill You  – (Marshall Mathers LP)

3. Stan – (Marhsall Mathers LP)

4. Toy Soldiers – (Encore)

5. Not Afraid – (Recovery)

Below is the video of The Way I Am by Eminem:

311 Live

Musicazon - Forming in 1988, 311 has been one of the pioneers of successfully blending elements of funk and rock together in harmony. Forget Linkin Park or any of the hip-hop to rock transitions of the mid-90’s; 311 have been treading sometime before any of that went mainstream. Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, 311’s liberal platform has been consistent throughout all of their albums with a simple message throughout; unity. Though their pro-marijuana stance and skepticism over the origin of their name has led to some controversy in the bands past, they’ve not failed to deliver to audiences as all of their albums have debuted in the Billboard top 200.

Our picks for 311’s top 5 are great examples of their ability to cross genres and engage their audiences lyrically. Be sure to check out 311’s free music downloads after reading our selections.

1. All Mixed Up

Coming off their second album, All Mixed Up made it to the top half of the Billboard charts and garnered some mainstream attention for the band. This was their second single and differed a bit from Down, focusing more on the funk rhythms of guitars and drums and concentrating more on the vocals. This track is a great example of how the two vocalists from the 311, Doug Martinez and Nick Hexum, add a unique feel to every 311 track they’re both on.

2. Omaha Style-E

A personal favorite, Omaha Style-E premiered of their first studio album, Grassroots, and as the track may suggest, this is 311’s fun way of letting you know all about them. They admit their influences from reggae, funk, and hip-hop as well their roots in Nebraska. A light hearted fun song fueled by distorted guitars meshed with an insanely catchy chorus and the underlying approach of connecting with the musician–by the end of the song you feel as if you’ve been following 311 since they originally formed.

3. Come Original

Their second track off of the 1999 release, Soundsystem, Come Original is regarded as 311’s debut into the mainstream audience. Though their presence was well established by now, it wasn’t entirely accepted by those influenced by other hybrid groups such as Linkin Park and the Lost Prophets. Having these bands fill the airwaves acted as a blessing in disguise for 311, who helped shape the genre as is and catapulted with a catchy enough tune to skyrocket past their competitors. Coincidentally, the track is all about staying true to your roots, so it was ideal that its popularity came while their competition increased.

4. Down

Down was from their second album and was a violent shove in the rock direction for 311. There are really no elements of funk in the song as their last album, Grassroots, encompassed this in practically every track. Heading in a different direction, Down opens up the second album with thrash guitars and Doug Martinez’s high-pitched vocals. It’s fast, swift, and confrontational; a fantastic way to engage a new audience and to get some airtime amidst other rock acts.

5. Beautiful Disaster

Nick Hexum’s Beautiful Disaster might not sound it at first, but it is the perfect combination of rock, funk, and hip-hop. It’s almost as if the song is inverted as the verses are all heavy while the choruses are light with a scratchy guitar riff leading over it. It was the third single of their Transistor album and fell a bit into obscurity in the realm of radio. This song shines when the band plays it live. It’s an anthem for fans to rally together at concerts and became an encore for their tours.

Sir Elton John

Musicazon - Not many people are walking around right now who haven’t listened to something composed by Elton John. Since 1970, the pianist has transversed styles and unleashed countless hits. Now you can download music from his entire catalog online. From dominating the club scene to selling out the Grand Marquee and writing pieces for Broadway musicals, it seems this musician has a presence that cannot be limited to a specific taste in music. He’s everywhere at once. Here’s our choice for the top 5 Elton John masterpieces we can’t do without:

1.  Tiny Dancer - One of his earlier songs, listeners are introduced to Elton John’s free-form piano style and how it comes together to present a song. Tiny Dancer does this beautifully taking the listener in one direction until the chorus kicks in. His unique vocal style backed with another vocal track in unison has appeared on plenty of Elton tracks, this being one of the first, and has become a staple in peaks in his tracks.

2. Rocket Man (I think it’s going to be a long long time) - Again this track opens up with a similar piano introduction, though we’re not waiting in anticipation nearly as long for that hook in the chorus. Rocket Man went on to be interpreted in a number of ways as well as appear in countless productions of plays and movies. It’s recognized as one of Elton John’s finest songs that haven’t been written specifically for a film or musical.

3. I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues – Where Tiny Dancer and Rocket Man start with a damp tone and build up for some major harmonies, this song properly tells a story of sorts without becoming obnoxious and repetitive. What remains interesting about this song is his ability to convey the narrative through the music. Though Elton John does this plenty of times throughout his albums, we think he does it at his absolute best with this track.

4. Bennie And The Jets – The first time listening to this song, I could’ve swore it was something composed by Pink Floyd. The incredible sound effects of marching soldiers, waterfalls, and plane take-offs thrashed together with a dreary melody–it sounds nothing like Elton John until a couple of seconds in. The listener never hears this again as the song gradually becomes more positive with each passing chorus. Most people will think of this track when remembering Elton John for its absolute catchy nature. It’s beautiful in its simplicity with falsetto vocals in random moments and the sound effect of applause. This song proves Elton John’s ability as a songwriter. No blows and whistles.

5. Crocodile Rock – Quite honestly, Crocodile Rock is one of the funnest compositions I know of. A true minimalist at heart, Elton John’s Crocodile Rock is mainly just percussion and piano with his signature vocal style. Though it might not be his most popular song, it most certainly has to be his happiest. Plenty of his songs as we’ve stated carry out narratives. Others are quite dark, such as Candle In The Wind, which gave tribute to Princess Diana. This is anything but dark. It’s nonsensical, zealous, and imaginative. A perfect Elton John hit encompassing his very persona.

Check out the video of Elton John singing Crocodile Rock on The Muppet Show:

Musicazon - Although she is only 29 and we surely have many more years of her great music to come, I love Brandi Carlile’s songs and definitely find them worthy of mentioning here on MusicAzon. She is a modern version of the great folk artists of the seventies similar to the likes of Joni Mitchell. Her poetic lyrics and unique voice makes her songs easy to fall in love with, and almost impossible to sound good singing along to. It’s apparent that she was born to write songs and sing along to an acoustic guitar. I am so excited for her to have a lengthy career and anticipate many good stories within her songs. If you are not familiar with her great talent I suggest you download music by her today.

1. The Story

The Story is probably the most popular Brandi Carlile song, perhaps because it was used in a GM commercial back in 2008 Olympic Games. I feel like she singing about my own life with some deep meanings hidden behind song’s rhythm. The lyrics are telling a story in themselves, of which I think portray a much sadder image than the beat allows.

2. Turpentine

Whereas The Story can be taken in a lighter sense, Turpentine leaves nothing subjective. It’s an incredibly emotional lyrical story about losing someone and the desire to turn back life’s clock.

3. Hiding My Heart

Another beautifully sad song about not being able to have what you want. It seems like Brandi has suffered an immense amount of broken heart and not so much mending.

4. Have You Ever

If ever a song was to take you back in time and make you feel like a child, it would be Have You Ever. It’s upbeat rhythm and lyrics send you away to the days where everything was so basic: getting lost in the woods, laying on your back looking at the stars, feeling at one with everything around you. Do you ever do that any more? You’ll want to after this song.

5. Someday Never Comes

Another song about heartbreak (surprise). This one can be applied to many people’s lives in the sense that everyone knows somebody that they had to say goodbye to because they will never change, friend or lover or even a family member.

Musicazon - One of the most astoundingly talented musicians of the past century is Billy Joel. His career has spanned almost 50 years now, starting in 1964 at the age of 14. Starting in a band at a bar on Long Island, Joel would soon find himself in LA with a recording contract. Since then we’ve seen him release 13 studio albums, win 6 Grammy awards, and be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

On top of it, he’s one of the only musicians in modern times that has written all of his music himself. How can you not love this man? He is pure New York in the finest sense. You should download free music if you love him and relive all his greatest hits. My top five hits of Billy Joel are:

1. New York State of Mind (1976)

2. She’s Got a Way (1982)

3. We Didn’t Start the Fire (1989)

4. Piano Man (1973)

5. The Longest Time (1984)

Musicazon - It’s nearly impossible to come up with a top five list for Aerosmith. It would be a lot easier if I could have a top 20, or if they hadn’t been pumping out hits for the last forty years. Of the five tracks I’ve managed to consolidate to, the albums they come off include Aerosmith, Toys in the Attic, Get a Grip, and Permanent Vacation. I also got free music downloads of all these hits at Kazaa which is great when I was assessing their catalog. Anyway check out my top 5.

1. Dream On

Their first major hit and although the charts say otherwise, probably the most popular over the period of time since its release in 1973. Awesome lyrics that everyone can relate to: the acknowledgment of mortality.

2. Sweet Emotion

The title says it all. All I can think is what is the backstage boogie? I want to know so bad. Sweet Emotion was used on the soundtrack of Dazed & Confused, a comedy that takes place in 1976.

3. Amazing

Although Amazing only made it to #24 on the Billboard chart, it’s definitely one of the band’s most popular songs. I weigh the reason for my admiration of the song more with the lyrics than music, but that doesn’t degrade it in my book. Tyler once again masterfully sings us a philosophical and spiritual message which could mean so many different things to different people listening.

4. Angel

I adore this song for two reasons: the musical composition is beautiful (as most of Aerosmith’s ballads are), and the lyrics are so emotional, so heart wrenching. Everyone who knows what it feels like to be helplessly in love can relate to this song. What’s more is that it contains quite possibly one of the sweetest bridges ever written.

You’re the reason I live
You’re the reason I die
You’re the reason I give
When I break down and cry
Don’t need no reason why

5. Cryin’

Another song about love and heartbreak. Who can forget the music video with Alicia Silverstone? Great choice by the band to have her in multiple music videos. I think this might be one of my favorite break-up songs of all times.

Alternative Rockers for a new generation - Muse

Musicazon - British trio Muse have destroyed all preconceived notions of alternative rock. Coming from the small town of Teignmouth, England, they’ve released their 5th album last year entitled The Resistance, which has already spawned two hit singles and a successful tour across America & Europe.

In 2003, their album Absolution quickly gave them a vital fan base with their breakthrough hit Time Is Running Out. Though this was America’s introduction to the trio, this was in fact their third album. Most recently they’ve been featured on the soundtrack for the film Twilight with one of their tracks off of their second album, Super Massive Blackhole. I got free music downloads for all these tracks at Kazaa.

Here are a list of personal favorites from my favorite British trio:

1. MK Ultra – The Resistance

2.  Super Massive Blackhole – Blackholes & Revelations

3. Hoodoo – Blackholes & Revelations

4.  Thoughts of a dying Atheist – Absolution

5. Hysteria – Absolution

Check out this amazing live performance of Hysteria in Milan:

Musicazon -

1. Problems

A lot of punk fans hate them and numerous musicians bag them, but I feel they miss the point about what is great about the Sex Pistols. Most importantly they played music with their whole souls. I have heard a million albums in my life and I still get something from Never Mind the Bollocks, Here s the Sex Pistols. The song Problems articulates anger and frustration perfectly and is just a damn great rock track. When I am angry with the world and someone in it, one listen to this makes me feel so much better. Listen to this track and all the Sex Pistols greatest hits by getting your music downloads for free and sticking it to the man.

2. Holidays in the Sun

I love the tightness of this song and revolutionary feel that came about after the lads spent a few weeks in Berlin escaping the hostile British reaction to their album. Johnny Rotten fell in love with the Berlin wall and the whole circus of the city, which I feel was a microcosm of the world at that time and it like most tracks on the album it rocks.

3. Bodies

One of the crudest songs on an album that shocked the world says much more about society than most artists or politicians do in a lifetime. This track speaks of abortion in the most upfront and provocative manner I have ever heard.  The coarse lyrics in the chorus are from an aborted fetus’s point of view and are spoken with furious venom by Rotten.

4. God Save the Queen

This track almost got young Johnny killed in the forward thinking nation that was England circa 1977. It was banned by the BBC and every independent radio station in the country. It is a straight forward attack on Briton’s social conformity and deference to the crown. The track is performed with as much heart as anything else on the album and placed the Sex Pistols in the hearts and minds of many an angry young person left out in the cold by the old world order that controlled England in 1977.

5. Anarchy in the U.K.

When you make a statement like God Save the Queen you might as well back it up with this so the punters really know how you feel about the state of the nation. This is directed straight at the authority figureheads at the time. Personally I feel that it was not a call for a lawless society but spoke of the lawlessness of those that enforced the rule of the day. Whatever it really means doesn’t matter for fans fond of great Rock ’n’ Roll with Steve Jones providing some classic guitar riffs and feedback.

Below is a video of Steve Jones demonstrating Sex Pistols guitar riffs:

Musicazon -

1. October

The title track off their 1981 second album is my personal U2 favorite. Long before a time when everyone’s music selection ran deep due to the ability to download free music at the touch of a button, this was a song I cherished. I used to play this song every night on my way to sleep when I was young. The simple and poignant piano combined with softly sung lyrics still give me the same feeling of sweet sorrow to this day. There is something wonderfully youthful about this time in the U2 story that is unattainable in adulthood.

2. Running to Stand Still

1987’s The Joshua Tree saw the group explode into the mainstream market and contained many iconic tracks. However it is this track that was an instant personal favorite. I can thoroughly relate to the story of not knowing your place in the world and getting trapped by the pitfalls of life’s temptations and suffering the consequences. Bono gives the track the right amount of emotion to see it rank so high.

3. Lemon

This song used to get skipped on my CD player until I saw the ZooTV concert in Sydney in 1993. Lemon just blew the whole stadium apart with the lead singer giving a wonderful performance as his stage persona Macphisto. Some critics say Bono isn’t talented vocally relying mainly on heart, well on this track u2 show why they have been around for so long and without doubt deserves to be in any top U2 song list.

A video of U2 performing Lemon in Sydney:

4. Acrobat

When the album Achtung Baby was released in 1991, I rushed straight out after school and bought it. At first I was horrified by the new sound the band had produced and friends of mine at first called it the worst load of crap of all time. I now regard this as one of the best U2 albums ever. Acrobat, once again wasn’t one of the major singles off the record but after many listens it has become one of my favorites, carrying a strong inspirational message.

5. Angel of Harlem

In 1989 I went to see the Love Comes to Town Tour that included the amazing BB King. It was there I feel in love with live music and learned about the power of music and it’s ability to touch the soul. The lyrics to this are a beautiful homage to jazz singer Billie Holiday. This was recorded at the famous Sun Studios in Memphis and the history of the studio inspired  the band to great heights with the backing of a stellar horn section.