Six Pack of the Week - The "Should-Be" Guilty Pleasures

So, the whole idea behind guilty pleasures is that you should feel at least somewhat guilty about listening to them.  If you don't feel guilty about it, do you really have a guilty pleasure?  Technically, no.  But there are cases were you should feel guilty about it, but don't for some reason.  Usually you "justify it" in some crazy and not-completely-logical way.  Yeah, we know you do it (and, in all honesty, we may or may not do it ourselves).  Without further ado, here are some songs that should-be our guilty pleasures (and some crazy justifications as to why they are not).  Oh, and Stu is first this time.

Ya, probably don't need to say a whole lot here.  I'm still a fan of Tragic Kingdom, and about half of Return of Saturn, but the crapfest that was Rock Steady sent Gwen Stefani on her merry way to a solo career and being what I believe is referred to in the lexicon as a "holler back girl."  Yes, gross, I agree.  But early No Doubt was a pretty good band; they pulled in a lot of different influences and were loosely categorized as "alternative."  I remember as a young buck I was a fan of their trumpet section (which was most likely due to trying to learn to play the trumpet myself at the time).  I'm no expert on the history of music, but a lot of the musical effects I first heard from No Doubt I would later hear again when what I believe is called "ska" became somewhat popular.  So yeah, there's my excuses: they were influential (kind of) and their early stuff was quite good.  Therefore, I need not feel guilty listening.  Right...

[mp3] No Doubt - Sunday Morning

Buy some No Doubt: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them online: Official | Myspace

These guys are just barely not in the real guilty pleasures section for me.  They are even a little too poppy at times for my taste.  I wasn't even a closet fan until I randomly gave their third album, More Than You Think You Are, a try.  Turns out, that album rocks, it really does.  And not only does it rock, but on the slowdown songs (like the at-one-time popular, Unwell) they'll throw in some awesome banjo action.  I was pretty much forced to listen.  And when that happens, well, it's pretty much impossible to hold onto any feelings of guilt about listening to a particular popular band, regardless of how very insanely popular they are/were.  Now, was I able to fool you into believing that?

[mp3] Matchbox Twenty - Cold

Buy some Matchbox Twenty: Amazon | iTunes
Visit them online: Official | Myspace

I know My Chemical Romance probably should be an all-out guilty pleasure, because I love my parents and I don't wear (ugh) guyliner.  But The Black Parade was just so good.  It's a once-in-a-lifetime album, from start to fantastic finish, and if you don't own it, run out and fix that!

[m4a] My Chemical Romance - Dead!

Buy some: iTunes | Amazon
Check them out: Official | Myspace

Oh, yeah, this one I will fight for to the grave!  It's a funny movie, featuring the likes of Seth Green, Donald Faison, and Parker Posey.  In addition to a fine cast, there is some sweet music, some of it written by none other than Adam Duritz, my very favorite songwriter.  I dare you to listen to "3 Small Words" without humming along by the second chorus.  (Also, I just noticed the 6-5-4-3-2-1 thing in the chorus.  Awesome).

Buy it!

I know, I know - totally lame.  I get it.  I used to be one of those guys dissing the Goo too.  Then, Name got stuck in my head.  I couldn't get it out - it just wouldn't go away.  I grew to love it, and with that love I grew to appreciate the Goo.  It's uber-poppy and I know deep down that it's not particularly good and I SHOULDN'T like it, but I do.  They're like the 90's Bon Jovi - totally lame, but everyone from that era still secretely digs them.  The difference here is I don't secretely like them, secret's out and I'm tired of hiding my love away.  It could be worse, right?

[mp3] Goo Goo Dolls - Iris

Buy their music:  Amazon | iTunes
Visit them online:  Official | Myspace 

It's a shame how this band is being remembered.  Back in the day The Cranberries were known for their awesome she-rock combined with crazy yodel-esque melodies.  Now?  Linger.  That's what they're remembered for, Linger.  It's a fine song and all but it's a little on the top 40 side for me.  I like rockin' to Zombie.  It's just a damn shame that anyone who hears me talking about The Cranberries automatically goes to Linger.  Damn kids, it's all about the Zombie!  Get it right!

[mp3] The Cranberries - Zombie 

Buy their music:  Amazon | iTunes
Visit them online:  Official