Brαiи Police - Beyoиd Tнe Wαstelαиd (2006)

Hailing from the vulcan shores of Iceland and picked up by an independent American label back in 2005, these aren't your ordinary Police, no sirree! This fantastic debut is a fine honed arbalest of rock and wailing thunder, invoking at times the souls of more well known ancestors such as Atomic Rooster and Led Zeppelin, yet retaining a specialized gallop that makes them unique in a world full of bands who rumble and quake as hard as anyone in the last century.

Treasures such as this album are peerless things, styles aside. They pulsate, resonate, stand their ground no matter what era somebody decides to pluck them from beneath the layers of silt and forgotten press. Songs such as 'Mystic Lover' and "Thunderbird' would kick just as much ass on radio back in '75 as they would in 2012, and that should be good enough for all and any sceptics.

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Splεndεr - Hαlfwαy Down Thε Sky (1999)

Along with Vertical Horizon, pop savvy alternative rockers Splεndεr had a brief moment there at the end of the 90's where the public was warming up to anything commercially viable that wasn't techno, Britpop or Nirvana. The other factors involved here, such as catchy songwriting, admirable performances, and the legendary Todd Rundgren at the production reins don't really hurt either. Have fun!

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Poετs Of Tнε Fαll - Tεмplε Of Tнoυgнτ (2012)

Finland's top rock band export since 2003, an unarguable point at this stage in the their career. Ever since tracks like 'The Last Goodbye' became a thematic focal point for Max Payne 2 way back when, this bunch has been releasing great album after great album of lofty, electronic-tinged modern rock, and this year's newest addition is no exception to that tradition. It's got a bit of everything: ballads with a sense of place and time (title track), mid tempo gems that burn the highway ('The Distance', 'The Lie Eternal') and even some groomed for radio showstoppers ('Running Out Of Time', 'Kamikaze Love') to seal the deal. Absolutely stellar!

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Bяεαkiиg Poiиt - Coмiиg Of Agε (2001)

Some of the musical world's more brilliant musical gems can be uncovered, it seems, after watching too many dubbed Dragon Ball Z films as a kid. This, my chums, is a prime example of such: one of those early 2000's post-grunge debuts which actually delivers something quite listenable without coming off as half-assed like most of its ilk.

The pros? Rough-round-the-edges production, great hooks, the absence of your usual cringeworthy lyrics and a refreshing lack of pretension. It's the sort of modern rock you could see yourself making AMVs around on Adobe Flash for the hell of it and not feel like a tool doing so. Shit, songs like 'Phoenix' and the title track almost make you want to believe there was hope for post-grunge a decade ago, that maybe a whole bunch of bands would take a cue from Breaking Point here and do something engaging with the established formula.

No such luck for the most part, but Coмing Of Agε gets points for trying quite hard to set the right precedent. For a couple of songs, at least, the potential of something more becomes a self contained reality.

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Edwiи McCαiи - Misguidεd Rosεs (1997)

Along with featuring the prominently overplayed yet fairly unique jazzy late 90's hit college-rock single "I'll Be", this jangle-laden little record is surprisingly powerful and interesting all the way through, not unlike classic Dave Matthews Band or Vertical Horizon as far as musical potency goes. Underrated and highly recommended by yours truly!

Listen Here - "See The Sky Again"


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Ra - Duality (2005)

Ra, in my opinion, are one of the few relatively mainstream modern rock bands of the last ten years who actually have something interesting to offer musically, coming across as some kind of poppy crossbreed between The Police, SOAD and Meshuggah with some grunge and prog. rock elements thrown in for kicks.

Part of why this outfit gels compared to their contemporaries that lead vocalist Sahaj Ticotin has some nice pipes behind him with range to boot, yet also possesses a strangely keen ear for riffs, structure and arrangement - all unusual factors considering the market these boys were aiming for half a decade ago. Even the songs that aren't standouts in Duality (the best of the bunch being 'Fallen Angels' and 'Undertaken') have something memorable and distinctive to give them that necessary edge, such as the Queen-esque shuffle of 'The Only One' and 'Superman', an anthemic little bugger that could have been an early Foo Fighters classic had it been born in a different time and place.

Thought it was a fruitless search to find a listenable album in the world of post-grunge that came out after 1997? Maybe this record (or the band's debut release From One) will change your mind.

Listen Here - "Undertaken"


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