I listed 11 bands instead of 10 like I said but according to my own rules In This Moment probably shouldn't count since they were Disturbed's opening act and not a headliner, but nobody submitted them anyway so who cares. Anyway let's talk about my taste in live music.
#Txashaun: Puddle of Mudd - Blurry
I debated about whether I could even include Puddle of Mudd on this list for reasons that would take way too long to explain (I actually made a tiktok talking about this concert, lol.) But I'm getting off topic here. Puddle of Mudd are TRASH, and their frontman Wes Scantlin needs to find Jesus soon before he becomes the first person to get arrested in all 50 states. That said, Blurry is the best thing they've ever made and ever will make. It's so easy to forget that a band with such little talent in it actually made one of the best early 2000s rock hits. Blurry is a beloved staple of rock radio for a reason, the raw emotion and very relatable lyrical content about loving someone you have to be far away from is extremely touching to say the least.
#Booyahhayoob: Breaking Benjamin - So Cold
I love Breaking Benjamin. They’ve always been a band I have so much respect for, a lot of people find their stuff to be a bit samey but I don’t see it tbh. That said… I've always found this song to be just a little overrated in all honesty. They've had SO MANY great hits that are staples of modern rock radio, and then there's this one. I know people love this song but it just kinda bores me. Sorry!
#Weetmaster: Imagine Dragons - Follow You
I can't think of any band who squandered their potential faster than Imagine Dragons. That first album was absolutely amazing, the second was passable, and everything after has just been trash. That said, this song is fine. I don't hate it like I do Believer, Thunder or ESPECIALLY Cutthroat. If it comes on on the radio, I usually keep it on but don't really sing along or anything.
#LaCroix: Buckcherry - Crazy Bitch
Ahh, this song. I’ve seen Buckcherry live 5 times, including just a couple months ago. Why? Most of the times I went it was free for me because of my connections and they’re a fun live band. Does that mean the quality of their music is the best on this list? God no. In terms of objective quality they’re probably middle of the list overall, there’s worse but there’s far better, but in terms of the amount of fun I have listening to the songs posted on this blog this song is a lot higher than you’d expect. This song easily gets the crowd going in the white trash area I live in and I am no exception. Very, very guilty pleasure!
#Yswimmer96: Godsmack - Voodoo
One of the very few songs I can think of that is led by the percussion, seriously that drum line is iconic. Allegedly this song is about some movie Sully saw but I like to think it’s a bit deeper than that. Either way, I’ve always loved this song even though I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite by them. Again, me saying it’s not my favorite doesn’t mean I don’t like it, because I absolutely do! If I’m seeking out Godsmack typically I’m looking for something a little harder than this, but if this comes on the radio I am 100% turning it up and singing along every single time. Good pick!
#Ilovetosing: Shinedown - Second Chance
I used to be OBSESSED with this song when it first came out, and for many years after. Shinedown are an amazing band with possibly the most objective quality and universal appeal out of all 11 bands on this list. I've cooled a little over time on this song but it's still fantastic! I was playing it at work just a few weeks ago and the wave of nostalgia hit me like a semi truck, it was such a good moment. This holds up very well!
#JayElVeeIsBack: Theory of a Deadman - Rx (Medicate)
I think this is their biggest hit now, and I kinda get why because for a good long while this was my favorite song by them. I was really into this when it first came out, and ironically it's a pretty great song to, uh, "self medicate" to. Nowadays I think it's kind of a slog to get through but this is still a fine song from Dollar Store Nickelback.
#NewNightmare7: Disturbed - Stricken
I'm embarrassed to have to admit this but I really wasn't familiar with this song before you submitted it. I figured every song this round would be easy slam dunks for me to review without much thought but nope you actually found a blind spot! So upon listening to this… I immediately listened to it maybe 15 more times after, headbanging more and more as time went on and I got more into it. This is ABSOLUTELY my shit and I'm ashamed I didn't know this song sooner considering they more than likely did this one at the show!
I surprisingly had a much harder time filling out the top spots than the bottom ones this time, which never happens. This was a razor thin margin but I had to give it to...
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In all honesty, all the trash Puddle of Mudd has continued to put out in the time since Blurry has just made Blurry shine all that much brighter. Nobody can ever take this gem away from them, and from the listening audience who love it so much.
And who's on the bottom this round? I don't like having to award any of these bands I love so dearly the bottom spot, but that's how the game works. And based solely on song choice it's gotta go to...
Pretty much ANY other Breaking Benjamin hit would've landed you a bit higher, but I have just been so done with this song for a while now unfortunately.
Originally I was gonna have you guys only submit between the bands that weren't selected for the round itself but I just don't think that's as fun, so you're free to submit anything from the 11 bands as long as it wasn't already used! Remember, send me your face-off submission in MAILS!
