By Rizzo on October 27, 2009

This next song was picked in part due to the fact that I heard Pearl Jam’s newest single, “Just Breathe“, which is their first single in a while where I stopped and thought, “Hey, this is pretty good.” It’s definetly different, and kinda has a country vibe to it, but very enjoyable nonetheless. It is definitely worth a listen.
That being said, on to this week’s song, “Corduroy” by Pearl Jam. One of my favorites from the group, “Corduroy” is still played on select radio stations every now and then, despite the fact it was never released as a single. The eighth song of their third studio album, Vitalogy, “Corduroy” has that classic grunge sound that will have you mumbling along to the lyrics and stomping your feet to the beat. It has a very memorable opening and fairly unique in the fact that it has no repeating chorus or verses.
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Posted in Pearl Jam, Song of the Week | Tagged Pearl Jam
By Rizzo on October 18, 2009

After about a six month hiatus, Rizzo Music is back and better than ever. Armed with the new Wordpress platform, www.rizzomusic.com is here to bring you more of your favorite 90s music.
This week’s song, “Clumsy” by Our Lady Peace, was chosen in honor of Our Lady Peace’s fairly new album, Burn Burn, that I have seen advertised heavily throughout imeem.com. The album was released July 21, 2009, their first album in about four years. Needless to say, it was a welcome return to a band that has topped the Rock Charts for the last decade and a half.
By now, you probably have heard the single, “All You Did Was Save My Life” and I can’t say that it blew me out of the water, but it takes a step back in the right direction from the singles released in their previous album, Healthy in Paranoid Times, a album in which I found to be fairly disappointing at times.
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Posted in Our Lady Peace, Song of the Week | Tagged Our Lady Peace
By Rizzo on February 2, 2009

Remember the days before T-Pain and Nelly? Back when Sean Combs was still Puff Daddy? Back when two kings of the game ruled supreme? When rap still sounded like rap? If you haven’t figured it out yet, this article is dedicated to ’90s rap music. Rap in the ’90s brought widespread popularity to the genre. In the late 80s, Public Enemy, Run-D.M.C. and N.W.A. built a foundation for the gangster rap genre. They paved the way for what would be arguably the best decade the genre has ever seen.
With the exit of Ice Cube in 1989, N.W.A. continued to feud and eventually disbanded in 1991. The stage was set for an epic battle of rap supremacy in the early 90s. An East-West Coast divide had formed with Bad Boy Records on the East Coast, and Death Row Records on the West Coast. Tupac threw gasoline on the fire when he accused Biggie and Combs of being involved with the shooting he fell victim to in a NYC recording studio in 1994. With each record after that, the drama escalated and I think we all know how this story ends.
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Posted in A Tribe Called Quest, Beastie Boys, Blackilicious, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Cypress Hill, DMX, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Eric B. & Rakim, Gang Starr, Ice Cube, Ice-T, Jay-Z, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, LL Cool J, Luniz, Mase, Master P, Mobb Deep, N.W.A., Naughty by Nature, Notorious B.I.G., The, OutKast, Popular Rap Music of the '90s, Public Enemy, Puff Daddy, Roots, The, Run-D.M.C., Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur, Wu-Tang Clan | Tagged A Tribe Called Quest, Beastie Boys, Blackilicious, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Cypress Hill, DJ Polo, DMX, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Eric B., Gang Starr, Ice Cube, Ice-T, Jay-Z, Kool G Rap, Lauren Hill, LL Cool J, Luniz, Mase, Master P, Mobb Deep, N.W.A., Naughty by Nature, Outkast, Public Enemy, Puff Daddy, Rakim, Run-D.M.C., Snoop Dogg, The Notorious B.I.G., The Roots, Tupac Shakur, Wu-Tang Clan
By Rizzo on January 18, 2009

This week’s song is one that I recently discovered. I have always been a fan of Jimmy Eat World but somehow I never came across this song until very recently. I was able to get a hold of Bleed American (Deluxe Edition) and I was instantly drawn to this song. The Deluxe Edition of Bleed America, which was released last year, has some rare versions of the original songs on Bleed America as well as a few previously unreleased tracks. This song embodies everything I love about Jimmy Eat World and has quickly become one of my favorites from the boys from Mesa, Arizona.
Apparently the song was included on the Wedding Crashers: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack but I don’t remember it being featured in the movie. Regardless, it was chosen for the soundtrack because its a good song, and probably should have been a single.
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Posted in Jimmy Eat World, Song of the Week | Tagged Jimmy Eat World
By Rizzo on November 5, 2008

After last week’s 90s Pop Music playlist, I decided to get back to my real roots and create a playlist with a collection of some of the best rock songs of the late 90s. This playlist has some of my favorite artists from the 90s, and these bands are the reason I first became interested in music in general.
I tried to go with more of these band’s more popular and familiar songs but I plan on creating a few more of these playlists, where I dig a little deeper into the genre.
My favorite from this playlist has to be “Push” by Matchbox Twenty, one of the best songs of any genre from the 90s. The opening to “Push” never fails to bring chills down my spine.
Fortunately, this is not the only great song on this playlist. All of these artists have proved their worth over the years, and these songs only sample their excellence.
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Posted in '90s Post-grunge, Barenaked Ladies, Better Than Ezra, Bush, Collective Soul, Eve 6, Foo Fighters, Live, Matchbox Twenty, Third Eye Blind, Wallflowers, The | Tagged Barenaked Ladies, Better Than Ezra, Bush, Collective Soul, Eve 6, Foo Fighters, Live, Matchbox Twenty, The Wallflowers, Third Eye Blind
By Rizzo on October 29, 2008

The week’s playlist focuses in on 90s Pop Music. After compiling the top 5 pop songs from every year of the decade, I realized I didn’t have a playlist dedicated to the genre yet. This collection of songs is filled with songs that either people want to forget or have embraced over the years due to their nostalgic value. There is not too many people openly praising the quality of these songs. “Crazy For This Girl” is one of my favorites: an often forgotten 90s music gem. I have always been more of the alternative post-grunge fan of the late 90s but you can’t help but like these songs.
If you get one thing out of this, just remember:
“When you take a sip you buzz like a hornet,
Billy Shakespeare wrote a whole bunch of sonnets”
Enough said.
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Posted in '90s Pop, 'N Sync, Aaliyah, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Evan and Jaron, Jennifer Lopez, LFO, Robyn, Sonique | Tagged Aaliyah, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Evan and Jaron, Jennifer Lopez, LFO, Robyn, Sonique, \'N Sync
By Rizzo on October 7, 2008

After the popularity of Rizzo Music’s first 90s rap music playlist, I decided to create another one. Like the first, this playlist is just 10 solid rap songs from a great decade, the ’90s. I am in no way an expert on ’90s rap music but I really enjoy each and everyone of the songs on this list.
Enjoy this week’s playlist and don’t forget to sign up for our RSS feed!
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Posted in '90s Rap, A Tribe Called Quest, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Coolio, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Jay-Z, Method Man, Notorious B.I.G., The, Run-D.M.C., Salt-n-Pepa, Tupac Shakur | Tagged A Tribe Called Quest, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Coolio, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Jay-Z, Method Man, Run-D.M.C., Salt-n-Pepa, The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur
By Rizzo on September 12, 2008

It is not too often that a TV show picks such a sensational song as “Hey Sandy” by Polaris to be its theme song. The Adventures of Pete & Pete was one of the few shows where I was actually disappointed whenever I missed a chance at watching the opening credits to a TV show. Where some could argue that Fresh Prince of Bel Air and The Wonders Years had a similar effect to them, The Adventures of Pete & Pete’s opening credits never failed to create an uncontrollable urge to get up and start dancing.
There probably was no greater debate on the minds of six to ten year-olds at recess in the mid 90s then trying to figure out the correct lyrics to this song. I even remember looking up the lyrics about five years ago and the contributor literally writing something to the effect of “[incomprehensible mumblings]” as one of the lines in the song. Not only did this create interest in the song and the show itself but also added to its legend.
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Posted in Polaris, TV Show Theme Songs | Tagged Polaris
By Rizzo on August 31, 2008

Rizzo Music is back with a new article from the “Popular Music of the 90s” series. Last week I made a list of some of the best pop music of the decade and today I am going to share with you my list for the most popular rock music of the 90s. Out of all the lists and playlists I have created in the past, this was by far the hardest to come up with. There are so many great artists and songs that originated in the 90s and deciding on just 5 songs for every year was tough. I tried to get representation out of all the key rock artists and hopefully I didn’t forget anyone.
After much debate I was able to compile this list of 90s rock music. There are so many songs that I really enjoy that could not be included due restrictions on space but there are 50 great singles here for your enjoyment.
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Posted in AC/DC, Alice In Chains, Better Than Ezra, Blind Melon, Bush, Collective Soul, Counting Crows, Dishwalla, Eve 6, Everclear, Fastball, Foo Fighters, Fuel, Gin Blossoms, Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day, Jane's Addicton, Jesus Jones, Lit, Live, Marcy Playground, Matchbox Twenty, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana, Oasis, Offspring, The, Pearl Jam, Popular Rock Music of the '90s, R.E.M., Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Semisonic, Smashing Pumpkins, The, Sonic Youth, Spacehog, Sublime, Temple of the Dog, Third Eye Blind, Verve Pipe, The, Verve, The, Wallflowers, The | Tagged AC/DC, Alice in Chains, Better Than Ezra, Blind Melon, Bush, Collective Soul, Counting Crows, Dishwalla, Eve 6, Everclear, Fastball, Foo Fighters, Fuel, Gin Blossoms, Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day, Jane\'s Addicton, Jesus Jones, Lit, Live, Marcy Playground, Matchbox Twenty, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana, Oasis, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Semisonic, Sonic Youth, Spacehog, Sublime, Temple of the Dog, The Offspring, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Verve, The Verve Pipe, The Wallflowers, Third Eye Blind
By Rizzo on August 28, 2008

Remember when you could turn on the radio and actually find some decent music? That is what I miss the most about the 90s. Whether you liked rock, pop, or rap, the ’90s provided your fix for your particular tastes. Although my tastes tend to lean towards the post-grunge music I grew up on, there was no denying some of the great songs that came out of the decade.
I thought it was time to switch it up and bring to you a new kind of article. Within in the next few weeks I am going to present to you my favorite 90s songs separated by genres. I thought I would start off with pop since its pretty general, and well, popular. I will get to strictly rock and rap and many other sub-genres in the future. Feel free to offer your suggestions.
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Posted in Ace of Base, All-4-One, Amy Grant, Annie Lennox, Backstreet Boys, Billy Joel, Blaque, Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Dionne Farris, EMF, Ginuwine, Haddaway, Jennifer Lopez, K-Ci and JoJo, Los Del Rio, Marc Cohen, Mariah Carey, Michael Bolton, Michael Jackson, Montell Jordan, Mr. Big, Popular Pop Music of the '90s, Real McCoy, The, Rednex, Roxette, Savage Garden, Shania Twain, Sting, SWV, Technotronic, TLC, Vanessa Williams, Whitney Houston, Will Smith | Tagged 4 Non Blondes, Ace of Base, Aerosmith, All-4-One, Amy Grant, Annie Lennox, B52\'s, Backstreet Boys, Billy Joel, Blaque, Bryan Adams, C and C Music Factory, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Dionne Farris, EMF, Ginuwine, Haddaway, Jennifer Lopez, K-Ci and JoJo, LEN, Los Del Rio, Marc Cohen, Mariah Carey, Michael Bolton, Michael Jackson, Montell Jordan, Mr. Big, P. Diddy, Rednex, Roxette, Savage Garden, Shania Twain, Snap, Sting, SWV, Technotronic, The Cranberries, The Fugees, The Notorious B.I.G., The Real McCoy, TLC, Vanessa Williams, Whitney Houston, Will Smith, \'N Sync