Issue #29C- Friday Flashback- Angie Aparo- "Spaceship"

He looks like Howie Mandel. He sounds like he should haven't the voice he has. He is Angie Aparo.

Angie Aparo is an Atlanta based singer-songwriter who had a few minutes of fame back aroudn 2000. He released his major-label debut album "The American" at the end of 1999, and had a minor Modern Rock hit with "Spaceship" in early 2000. He also wrote and released a song called "Cry," which Faith Hill later turned into a Country hit. I actually got to see him live once in concert. It was Angie Aparo and Howie Day... opening for Evan and Jaron. (We left before Evan and Jaron. I still have my man card).

He got caught in record label limbo, and has since released a few albums by himself, including an album of covers. "The American," with it's major label budget is by far his most radio-friendly and polished set of music he has put out.

We venture to the year 2000, our Friday Flashback is Angie Aparo, and his song "Spaceship."

Issue #29B- Friday Flashback- Y2KROQ

We jump to part 2 of this week's Friday Flashback, into the new millennium we go. VH1 has already dipped into the 2000's with "I Love the New Millennium," and it was only time until someone started counting down the top songs of the 2000s (so far.) Yeah, it's 2009 already. Holy crap.

Legendary Alt-Rock station KROQ from LA decided to take the task into their hands with their Y2KROQ Countdown. The Top 200 Alternative Songs of the 2000s. Their take on the countdown is pretty interesting. Think about it, in the 90s, you had quintessential tracks like Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and U2's "One" and the Chili Peppers "Under The Bridge" that ALWAYS land near the top.

Stop and think, are there ANY real runaway songs for #1 from this decade?

I'll wait while you think.

::twiddles thumbs::

KROQ did OK with their list, showing love to Linkin Park and the Foo Fighters, who both kept at the forefront this decade. But there were some glaring omissions from the list, and some "are you kidding me??" add-ins. Here's the full list for you to check out:

200. Stacy's Mom - Fountains of Wayne
199. Scars - Papa Roach
198. Lazy Eye - Suilversun Pickups
197. The Rock Show - blink-182
196. Talk - Coldplay
195. Lying From You - Linkin Park
194. Here It Goes Again - OK Go
193. Little Sister - Queens of the Stone Age
192. I Write Sins Not Tragedies - Panic at the Disco
191. Vertigo - U2
190. Bat Country - Avenged Sevenfold
189. Maps - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
188. Los Angeles is Burning - Bad Religion
187. If I Had Eyes - Jack Johnson
186. Silver & Cold - AFI
185. A-Punk - Vampire Weekend
184. Fat Lip - Sum 41
183. From Yesterday - 30 Seconds to Mars
182. DARE - Gorillaz
181. Nice to Know You - Incubus
180. Wake Up - The Arcade Fire
179. Victim of Reality - Pennywise
178. The Reason - Hoobastank
177. Stupify - Disturbed
176. Slow Hand - Interpol
175. By the Way - Red Hot Chili Peppers
174. Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground - White Stripes
173. Girl's Not Grey - AFI
172. Oil & Water - Incubus
171. Smile Like You Mean It - The Killers
170. Helena - My Chemical Romance
169. She Hates Me - Puddle of Mudd
168. Decode - Paramore
167. Woman - Wolfmother
166. I Miss You - blink-182
165. Send the Pain Below - Chevelle
164. Underneath it All - No Doubt
163. Let It Die - Foo Fighters
162. Juicebox - The Strokes
161. Vicarious - Tool
160. Cold Hard b**** - Jet
159. Face Down - The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
158. Empty Walls - Serj Tankian
157. Pain - Jimmy Eat World
156. Jenny Was a Friend of Mine - The Killers
155. Show Me How to Live - Audioslave
154. Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
153. Miserable - Lit
152. Somewhere I Belong - Linkin Park
151. Perfect Situation - Weezer
150. Stellar - Incubus
149. Give It Up - Pepper
148. Love Like Winter - AFI
147. Trouble - Coldplay
146. Long Road to Ruin - Foo Fighters
145. Only - Nine Inch Nails
144. Tear You Apart - She Wants Revenge
143. Paralyzer - Finger Eleven
142. Hypnotize - System of a Down
141. South Side - Moby f/ Gwen Stefani
140. Breaking the Habit - Linkin Park
139. Time is Running Out - Muse
138. (I Hate) Everything About You - Three Days Grace
137. Love Song - 311
136. The Day That Never Comes - Metallica
135. Clint Eastwood - Gorillaz
134. B.Y.O.B. - System of a Down
133. A Praise Chorus - Jimmy Eat World
132. Dig - Incubus
131. Steady, as She Goes - The Raconteurs
130. Down With the Sickness - Disturbed
129. Island in the Sun - Weezer
128. Change (In the House of Flies) - Deftones
127. Read my Mind - The Killers
126. Times Like These - Foo Fighters
125. Violet Hill - Coldplay
124. The Leaving Song Part II - AFI
123. Because I Got High - Afroman
122. Jesus of Suburbia - Green Day
121. Ex-Girlfriend - No Doubt
120. Californication - Red Hot Chili Peppers
119. Sugar We're Going Down - Fall Out Boy
118. Megalomaniac - Incubus
117. All These Things That I've Done - The Killers
116. Adam's Song - blink-182
115. Fell in Love With a Girl - White Stripes
114. Shadow of the Day - Linkin Park
113. Lose Yourself - Eminem
112. Speed of Sound - Coldplay
111. Parallel Universe - Red Hot Chili Peppers
110. Optimistic - Radiohead
109. Youth of the Nation - P.O.D.
108. I'm Not Okay (I Promise) - My Chemical Romance
107. Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
106. Aerials - System of a Down
105. Welcome to Jamrock - Damien Marley
104. Never Too Late - Three Days Grace
103. Reach For the Sky - Social Distortion
102. Beverly Hills - Weezer
101. Testify - Rage Against the Machine
100. How You Remind Me - Nickelback
99. Darling Nikki - Foo Fighters
98. Sweetness - Jimmy Eat World
97. The Boys of Summer - The Ataris
96. The Red - Chevelle
95. Flake - Jack Johnson
94. New Dark Ages - Bad Religion
93. Bring Me to Life - Evanescence
92. Guerilla Radio - Rage Against the Machine
91. Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day
90. Shadowplay - The Killers
89. The Hand That Feeds - Nine Inch Nails
88. New Slang - The Shins
87. Crawling - Linkin Park
86. Paper Planes - M.I.A.
85. Outside - Staind
84. Schism - Tool
83. Dashboard - Modest Mouse
82. Far Behind - Social Distortion
81. Amber - 311
80. Alive - P.O.D.
79. Otherside - Red Hot Chili Peppers
78. Last Night - The Strokes
77. Love Hurts - Incubus
76. Miss Murder - AFI
75. Kryptonite - 3 Doors Down
74. Hammerhead - The Offspring
73. Rock Superstar - Cypress Hill
72. Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon
71. All the Small Things - blink-182
70. Pork and Beans - Weezer
69. Sleep Now in the Fire - Rage Against the Machine
68. Bathwater - No Doubt
67. Given Up - Linkin Park
66. No One Knows - Queens of the Stone Age
65. Soul Meets Body - Death Cab for Cutie
64. F*** Authority - Pennywise
63. Beautiful Day - U2
62. Icky Thump - White Stripes
61. Like a Stone - Audioslave
60. Hey Ya! - OutKast
59. Anna Molly - Incubus
58. Believe - The Bravery
57. Numb - Linkin Park
56. Smooth Criminal - Alien Ant Farm
55. Can't Stop - Red Hot Chili Peppers
54. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
53. Toxicity - System of a Down
52. Hash Pipe - Weezer
51. It's Been Awhile - Staind
50. When You Were Young - The Killers
49. The Kill - 30 Seconds to Mars
48. Ready to Fall - Rise Against
47. Hurt - Johnny Cash
46. Faint - Linkin Park
45. It's My Life - No Doubt
44. Holiday - Green Day
43. Wish You Were Here - Incubus
42. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
41. Blurry - Puddle of Mudd
40. Sorrow - Bad Religion
39. Boyz-N-the-Hood - Dynamite Hack
38. Welcome to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance
37. You're Gonna Go Far Kid - The Offspring
36. The Middle - Jimmy Eat World
35. The Pot - Tool
34. Misery Business - Paramore
33. One Step Closer - Linkin Park
32. Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet
31. The Good Left Undone - Rise Against
30. Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
29. Renegades of Funk - Rage Against the Machine
28. Yellow - Coldplay
27. All My Life - Foo Fighters
26. Snow (Hey Oh) - Red Hot Chili Peppers
25. Float On - Modest Mouse
24. Bleed it Out - Linkin Park
23. King Without a Crown - Matisyahu
22. Drive - Incubus
21. Knights of Cydonia - Muse
20. American Idiot - Green Day
19. Such Great Heights - The Postal Service
18. Prayer of the Refugee - Rise Against
17. Viva la Vida - Coldplay
16. What I've Done - Linkin Park
15. Tell Me Baby - Red Hot Chili Peppers
14. Seven Nation Army - White Stripes
13. Pardon Me - Incubus
12. Somebody Told Me - The Killers
11. Best of You - Foo Fighters
10. Chop Suey! - System of a Down
9. Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz f/ De La Soul
8. Last Resort - Papa Roach
7. Clocks - Coldplay
6. Dani California - Red Hot Chili Peppers
5. Starlight - Muse
4. In the End - Linkin Park
3. Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green Day
2. Mr. Brightside - The Killers
1. The Pretender - Foo Fighters


OK. So "The Pretender" is #1. Technically, it does deserve to be there. It spent 18 weeks at #1 on the charts, the longest run at #1 ever on the Alternative Chart. Other songs definitely could deserve the #1 spot, but as for actual charting numbers, give it to the Pretender. "Starlight" by Muse at #5? It's a good song, but not #5 good. Matisyahu at #23? Really?

There were some head scratchers scattered about the countdown. Dynamite Hack at #39 AHEAD of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy"? Wow. AFROMAN at #123? Someone was high making this list. Vampire Weekend? Ok guys, you've lost respect now.

We go from the "WTF?" songs to the "Where the fuck are they?" songs. Songs with glaring omissions from the chart. Some people pointed out "Headstrong" by Trapt is nowhere to be found. What about "Hemorrhage" by Fuel? Yet Eminem pops in on there (#113 with Lose Yourself.)

If I felt like sitting down and taking the time, I'd come up with my own Top 200 of the 2000s. Being unemployed, I just may do that.

Issue #29A- Friday Flashback- ALL 90s!

We have a special for this week's Friday Flashback. It's a 3 part posting today, spanning back to 1990. Awesome!

The first part is a risky challenge a radio station in Sacramento has recently taken. 106.5 FM KWOD in Sacramento had been an Alternative station for nearly 20 years before getting yanked of the air last week. The format that replaced it? ALL 90s as 106.5 The Buzz.

Will this format work for a radio station? All 80s stations popped up across the country in the late 90s (including 96.5 The Point here in Philly). They all got a good initial response of people saying "hey! look at that." But interest quickly waned, and the stations scrambled to keep listeners, some morphing into full blown Hot AC format stations, some morphing into the Jack-FM style format, some just flipping to something else altogehter.

Will an All 90s format station work? While I would love it to, I'm not too positive about it's longevity. First, music in the 90s was HIGHLY fragmented, and to do a 90s station right, you have to cover it ALL (which 106.5 the Buzz is doing). They've played anything from DJ Jazzy Jeff to Foo Fighters to Sarah McLachlan to Coolio. They actually had a segue from Wilson Phillips into Dr. Dre. I kid you not. While most people KNOW all the music, those who like Wilson Phillips probably aren't going to like Dr. Dre, and will tune out. I hope the format proves me wrong and it sticks around, because it's definitely an interesting listen.

Check it out for yourself, you can listen online by CLICKING HERE or by checking out www.90sbuzz.com

Issue #28- The Juke Kartel- "The Closer We Get"

We head down under for today's "Best Music" entry. Out of Melbourne, Australia comes The Juke Kartel, a band that had been gathering attention in their homeland, then got some extra spotlight push when their lead singer appeared on National TV.

Remember the two seasons that CBS did the "Rockstar" contest? The first season was looking for a new lead singer for INXS, the second season for a supergroup called Supernova. Toby Rand, the lead singer of The Juke Kartel finished 3rd in the competition, and brought his new-found fame back to The Juke Kartel, who signed a major distribution deal, and have released their debut album "Nowhere Left To Hide."

From their debut album, here is The Juke Kartel with "The Closer We Get." Courtesy of my friends at Alternative Addiction:

CLICK HERE to listen to the Juke Kartel song!

Issue #27- Michael Tolcher- "Speed Feels Better"

It seems like there isn't room for another singer-songwriter in the musical world right now, with John Mayer, Matt Nathanson, Howie Day, and more hogging the lime-light, but this guy definitely deserves to be there.

Michael Tolcher is an Atlanta-based musician who just released his new EP "In The Meantime" back in March. He had previously released his full-length album "I Am" back in 2004, which spawned the hits "Mission Responsible" and "Sooner or Later" which was used as the theme song for the short lived ABC show "Life as We Know It."

He crafts some amazingly slick pop songs that are worthy of being as hugely popular as John Mayer's music, including today's blog entry. Watch the video and check out all the sports cameos (like Barry Sanders, Andy Roddick, Kimmie Meissner and more). It's Michael Tolcher with "Speed Feels Better"

Issue #26- Vertical Horizon- "Save Me From Myself"

I wouldn't categorize Vertical Horizon as a one-hit wonder. Sure, the only song you probably remember from them is "Everything You Want" from back in 1999 (Yeah! It was a friggin DECADE ago!). You might remember their smaller hits from that album, "You're a God," and "Best I Ever Had," which became a country hit for Gary Allen. What happened to them? Lack of record label promotion. They released a follow-up album called "Go," but it sputtered sales-wise. They broke free of their label, got to re-release the album, and had minor hits with "Forver" and "When You Cry." Then they disappeared.

Well now, they're back, signed to small-label Azoff Music, and have released their new album "Burning the Days." The lead-off single is "Save Me From Myself." Enjoy it as today's "Best Music" entry!

Issue #25- Friday Flashback- Diffuser- "Karma"

Your Friday flashback hits a day early this week, since... well... tomorrow I'll be up in Noo Yawk watching the Phillies hopefully decimate the Yankees at "yankee stadium." (I use quotes and don't capitalize because it's not really Yankee Stadium)

Today's Friday Flashback is a song that I use to get pumped. Put this on your iPod while working out and you'll feel energized. It's rockin, it's high energy, it's loud. And best of all, I found out that Karma is a wonderful, wonderful bitch this week, and that made me smile.

So, we head back to 2001, when the band Diffuser released their debut album "Injury Loves Melody." The band watched this song hit the Mission Impossible II soundtrack, and crawl up to #26 on the Modern Rock Charts. They never hit big with any of their songs off of "Injury Loves Melody" or their follow up, 2003's "Making the Grade." The band apparently briefly broke up, before releasing a new album back in 2008, called "Sincerely, Wasting Away."

We head back to 2001 for our Friday Flashback. It's Diffuser, with "Karma."

Issue #24- Pilot Speed- "Put the Phone Down"

We dig through the Canadian music scene for today's "Best Music" entry. I first heard of these guys when I was working at my college radio station, but under a different name. They went by the name "Pilate." (Pronounced pilot, not pil-ought-tee), and had a song called "Into Your Hideout" and a followup "Melt Into the Walls." Both pretty good, straightforward alternative songs.

They are onto their third album now, called "Wooden Bones," which is in stores now. Today's blog entry, Pilot Speed, and their new song "Put the Phone Down"

Issue #23- The Script- "The Man Who Can't Be Moved"

This one had to grow on me. A little bit.

At first listen, I thought this song sounded a little bit bland, and I brushed it aside. Having it randomly come up on my iPod made me re-evaluate it, and it definitely has grown on me.

They are poised to become the next big thing out of Ireland. Their debut, self-titled album is in stores now, and you may have heard this song if you sit at home Friday nights and watch "The Ghost Whisperer" on CBS. They're an international success trying to do it in the USA, we'll see if this song helps them.

Today's blog entry, it's "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" by the Script.

Issue #21- Blue October- "Say It"

It must be nice when a record label admits "Hey! We fucked up." That's exactly what happened to Blue October.

Back in 1999, they signed to Universal Records and released their second album "Consent To Treatment." The album didn't do anything, and Universal Records said goodbye to Blue October in early 2002. The band, not fazed, recorded their third album "History For Sale," and released it on Brando Records. With the single "Calling You," the album took off, and Universal Records said "Hey! Yeah, we fucked up. Wanna sign with us again?" Somehow the band did, re-releasing "History For Sale," and the next two albums "Foiled," and their latest "Approaching Normal."

The band can be dark, and downright demented sounding (as heard in the first single from "Approaching Normal," entitled "Dirt Room.") But they can also sound like a straightforward pop band, like they do in their latest single.

Today's "Best Music" blog entry... it's Blue October, and "Say It."

Issue #20- Friday Flashback- Fatboy Slim- "Satisfaction Skank"

For today's Friday Flashback, we hearken back to the days of High School for me. My radio was constantly set to Y100 in Philly. Now I'm not a huge Fatboy Slim fan, and I'm not a Rolling Stones fan, but whenever they'd throw this on the air, I had to crank it up. I don't know how widespread the radio airplay was of this song, so you may have heard it, you may not have. Let's take the Rolling Stones "Satisfaction" and Fatboy Slim's "Rockafeller Skank" and have ourselves a mashup.

Today's Friday Flashback on the "Best Music" blog- Fatboy Slim- "Satisfaction Skank"

The Satisfaction Skank - Fatboy Slim

Issue #19- Matt Nathanson- "Falling Apart"

It's taken him a while, but Matt Nathanson is finally seeing the commercial success he deserves. Now on his second major label album, "Some Mad Hope," you know him... he had the big smash hit "Come on Get Higher" which is STILL climbing charts almost a year after it was initially released. Amazing. The record label finally got off their butts and picked a third single from the album. Now the whole album is chock full of songs worthy of radio play (the album is nothing groundbreaking, but solid nonetheless), but they decided to go with this one. I think they need to give "Detroit Waves" a shot at radio eventually.

It's not brand new... but it may be new to you. Today's "Best Music" posting... "Falling Apart" by Matt Nathanson.

Issue #18- Single File "Girlfriends"

Considering this band started out as a swing jazz trio, they've come a long way. Following in the footsteps of The Fray, Single File hails from high atop Denver, Colorado. They have put out a couple of EPs and an iTunes full-length album since they formed back in 2003, and have even made the rounds on the Vans Warped Tour.

Their major label debut is called "Common Struggles" and it hits stores back in the beginning of April. Today's "Best Music" entry is from Single File, and their song "Girlfriends."

Now, since there isn't a good version of this on YouTube, and when I tried to upload it, it was IMMEDIATELY deleted in a copyright violation by the record label... that means you gotta go to their MySpace page and check it out:

CLICK HERE to check out Single File

Issue #17- Parachute- "She Is Love"

From the musical hotbed of... Virginia... comes today's "Best Music" band. They're called Parachute. Have fun googling that and trying to find info on the band. Their debut album hits stores a week from today, (May 19th), and I believe this song is the free download of the week on iTunes. (Go check!)

They don't even have an official webpage from my quick and lazy search, but you can check out info on the band from their MySpace page:

http://www.myspace.com/weareparachute


We go slower and mellow today. Today's "Best Music" blog entry: "She is Love" by Parachute. (Gotta click to watch today. Damn you Universal Music)

CLICK HERE to watch the video.

Issue #16- Hedley- "Old School"

No. It's not a song written for the Will Ferrell movie. Thank God. These guys are huge in Canada, eh.


The band formed in the early 2000s, but gained popularity after their lead singer auditioned for Canadian Idol on a bet by his bandmates. After finishing 3rd, the re-formed group has seen big Canadian success with their self-titled first album and their latest album "Famous Last Words," which actually hit stores back in 2007.

This one was one of four Canadian Top 10 hits they've had. Today's "Best Music" is from Hedley, and their song "Old School"

Issue #15- Friday Flashback- Rustic Overtones- "Love Underground"

Friday Flashback time on the "Best Music" blog. Today we zip back to the grand year of 2001, when Nu-Metal had horribly ruined what people thought was "Alternative." This band from Maine released their 4th album, "Viva Nueva!". I only heard of these guys from working at my college radio station then (WICB in Ithaca). We spun a good 4 songs off of their album, and I'm really pissed that I missed their show when they rolled into Ithaca.

The band called it quits in 2002, but wait! Recently they have decided to get back together and even put out an album called "Light at the End" in 2007, and are still actively playing some shows to this day.

Today, on the "Best Music You've Never Heard," the Friday flashback is "Love Underground" by Rustic Overtones.

PS- Fast forward about 40 seconds into the video to get to the music. Sorry the video is so insanely cheesy, but it's the only one on Youtube with a good version of the song!

Issue #14- Daughtry- "No Surprise"

Today's "Best Music" blog isn't for Pop Music haters. Plain and simple. While I cover anything from indie to maintream, I can't please everyone. Those who liked Silversun Pickups will probably hate me for today's blog. Today's is basically for my former BZI listeners in Kansas and Missouri. While working there, Daughtry broke onto American Idol and onto the radio, and became one of the biggest requests we had while I was there. They even played a show in Joplin! (to which the Foundry gave our wonderful competition free tickets to give away and BZI none. Thanks.)

Well they're back with a new upcoming album "Leave This Town," hitting stores on July 19th.

Here's Daughtry's new song "No Surprise," today's "Best Music"

Issue #13- Howie Day- "Be There"

I can sum up today's "Best Music" blog with these words: "IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME!"

It's been 5 1/2 years since we've seen an album from Howie Day... the Gold certified "Stop All The World Now," which spawned the major hit "Collide" and more minor hits "She Says" and "Perfect Time of Day." So what happened in the past 5 1/2 years?

How about two arrests, one for locking a fan in the bathroom of his tour bus and one for verbally abusing flight attendants while under the influence of alcohol and sleeping pills. I thought I read a story about his brother dying as well, but I can't seem to find that one now, so I'm not sure if it's true. Howie went into rehab, briefly (for maybe a week) had a relationship with Britney Spears IN rehab, and now, FINALLY will be getting around to releasing a new album. Whew.

Right now, he has a 3 song EP available (www.howieday.com) and the full album pegged for an August 25th release date.

Today's "Best Music" is from Howie Day. His new song called "Be There"

(Ya actually have to click on the link to check out the song today. woo!)

CLICK HERE for Howie Day's new song.

Issue #12- Silversun Pickups- "Panic Switch"

I didn't like these guys from the start. The first few singles from their last album didn't really strike me that much, even though they did moderately well. "Lazy Eye" was OK... "Well Thought Out Twinkles" was meh. At least to me. But for some reason, their new song has hit me.

One downside to Silversun Pickups is the lead vocals. I'm not saying they're bad at all. I can sing worth shit, so I have no right to compare or criticize, but the lead singer's voice is... different. Along the same lines of say Placebo, Our Lady Peace, or Anberlin... it's not a bad voice at all, but since it's different sounding, people may take a negative response to it right off the bat. Give it time, get used to it. I did, now this is one of my favorite songs of the moment. Check it out, it's on their latest album called "Swoon."

Today's "Best Music"- Silversun Pickups- "Panic Switch"

Issue #11- Mat Kearney- "Closer to Love"

My musical tastes usually don't stray too far from the rock side of things... but my rock tastes can vary from good, crunching, loud rock, to singer-songwriter, like today's artist.

Mat Kearney is a Christian artist finding pretty good success at Pop radio with his last few hits. He scored pretty big with "Nothing Left to Lose" and "Undeniable," and had a song "Breathe Out Breathe In" featured on Grey's Anatomy.

He's back with a new album called "City of Black and White," in stores May 19th. The first single is this one: "Closer to Love"

Issue # 10.5- Friday Flashback Answer

On Friday, I posted a video from 2001 of an artist who changed his name and recently had a top 10 hit. That guy?

Kevin Rudolf.

Yup... "Let It Rock" Kevin Rudolf.




PS. The song was ruined by Lil' Wayne.

Issue #10- Friday Flashback- Binocular- "Deep"

This week's Friday Flashback is a case of an artist you've never heard of, but you really have. I stumbled upon this guy a while back and was able to find his CD and was thoroughly impressed. He went by the name Binocular. He was signed to Maverick Records and in 2001, released a self-titled album. It didn't spawn any radio hits, it didn't gather any attention, and if I hadn't stumbled upon this artist online, I never would have heard of him either.

What's most amazing is that the artist did EVERYTHING himself. I mean EVERYTHING. From vocals, to all the instruments, to recording and mixing himself. Pretty amazing in this day and age. Sadly, the album went nowhere, and the artist settled into a life of producing records for others.

Until recently, they came back, under a new name, and amassed a Top 10 Pop hit.

Who is it?

Watch the video and listen to the song first...and leave some guesses in the comments. Monday, I'll tell you who it really is.