As the Round of 256 moves into the second quarter, we take a break from famous rock legends like Clapton, U2 and Fleetwood Mac to hear from some lesser-known, but highly regarded rockers.
Listen to the tunes here, and vote by commenting below by 8pm EST on Thursday.
#1 Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) vs. #16 Classical Gas (Mason Williams)
#8 I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) #9 Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones). Joe Cocker’s performance at Woodstock is pretty unreal, but John Beluschi mercilessly mocking him on SNL brings him down a peg. Curious where this cover will fit in.
#4 Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) vs. #13 Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes). I feel like “Temple of the Dog” by Hunger Strike would make a good thrash punk song.
#5 Times Like These (Jack Johnson) vs. #12 Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega)
I only know half of these songs, so if one of these is your nominee, please makes sure I’ve got the right version. Enjoy!
Living the Dream 
Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) = 7.5
vs. Classical Gas (Mason Williams) = 4
I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) = 7
vs. Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) = 6
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) = 6
vs. Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) = 8
Times Like These (Jack Johnson) = 7.5
vs. Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) = 8
Angelie is voting with me tonight! So, Angelie then me.
Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) vs. Classical Gas (Mason Williams) = 3.5/ 3.5 to 9/ 8
I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) vs. Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) = 7/ 3 to 5/ 6.5
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) vs. Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) = 8.5/ 8.5 to 9/ 8
oof this is a battle.
Times Like These (Jack Johnson) vs. Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) = 6.5/ 6 to 8.5/ 8.5
Adam: I’m afraid to admit that that Jack Johnson song was pretty good.
never gonna change: 7.6
classical gas: 6
i was about to give CG an 8, while thinking it sounded pretty similar to the first song… but i think it was the grooveshark playing song 1 over again. really enjoyed the first one. classical gas didn’t have enough OOMP to get me goin (alas i should have voted for that RJD2 song with no words i really like, oops)
i put a spell on you: 5 because the stupid song won’t load and takes a pause every 5 seconds to re-load
rock like war: 5 because the rhythm is not jibing with me
hunger strike: 4 sounds like bad pearl jam (also terrible loading)
home: 6.5
times like these: 7
tom’s diner: 9
sweet! I PREVAIL OVER DUMB ASS SLOW INTERNET!
never gonna change – 3 –
classical gas – 7 –
i put a spell – 4.5-
rock like war – 4 –
hunger strike – 6.5 –
home – 9.5 – (love love this song)
times like these – 5 –
tom’s diner – 8 –
Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) = 7
vs. Classical Gas (Mason Williams) = 5
I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) = 4
vs. Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) = 7
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) = 6.5
vs. Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) = 7
I forgot I liked that Temple of the Dog song. I also liked Home; it is kind of cute and folksy.
Times Like These (Jack Johnson) = 6
vs. Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) = 4.5
Tom’s Diner will be in my head for the next week.
never gonna change – 4.5
classical gas – 6.5
i put a spell – 5
rock like war – 2
hunger strike – 9.5 – first time i heard this song was riding the school bus in grade school. still awesome.
home – 7
times like these – 5
tom’s diner – 2 – i like the weird al version better
#1 Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) 6.5
#16 Classical Gas (Mason Williams) 5.4
Here comes the country- gotta go with the Truckers . Instrumentals, bah- even if it is something like Classical Gas or a Christmas Eve In Sarajevo Transiberian Orchestra thing.
#8 I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) 5.5
#9 Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) 6.8
I really really liked the ending of Rock Like War, totally brought it back from the brink for me.
#4 Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) 6.5
#13 Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) 9.7
Ugh this is a battle. Edward Sharpe is my song, but Temple of the Dog is the prologue to Pearl Jam (Temple of the Dog was every member of the original Pearl Jam before they formed Pearl Jam and making this record was how they met, + Chris Cornell of Soundgarden. You can hear the Cornell influence at about 2:30.) You can tell they were still trying to get into the rhythm here though.
And then there’s Home, my first song of my 8. This song is gorgeous, and 100% my favorite duet behind Cash/Carter songs. Every line of the verses resonates for me…I mean it’s hard to beat a line like “moats and boats and waterfalls, alleyways and payphone calls, I’ve been everywhere with you.” Everything about the skeleton of this love story sounds like something you wouldn’t mind remembering. But -0.3 for selling out to the NFL for their commercial last fall- maybe I’ll forgive in a later round, but still sort of angry about that.
#5 Times Like These (Jack Johnson) 5
#12 Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) 6.4
Jack Johnson has better. Tom’s Diner seems like it might polarize the People. But there’s something pretty cool about this narrative, you have to admit. I could never tell what exactly was happening in this song and probably never will. Wikipedia was not helpful.
Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) ~ 6.2
Classical Gas (Mason Williams) ~ 7.9
I dig instrumental tracks.
I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) ~ 5.3
Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) ~ 7.4
Enjoyed Rock Like War alot.
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) ~ 7.1
Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) ~ 8.8
Hunger Strikis is good, but Home is fantastic… This Mix is better though. So is This One
Times Like These (Jack Johnson) ~ 9.4
Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) ~ 7.2
Full Disclosure: I nominated this song by Jack Johnson. Its not my favorite by him, but after listening to dozens of his songs to think of which one to put forth I thought this would vibe with the most people. Tom’s Diner is fun, definitely a brainworm though…
This thing is pretty much the best thing ever, thanks for reminding me of it Nick!
have you seen this kid and her dad doing “What’s Going on”? The best, cutest thing ever!
Never Gonna Change – 6.5 – not a bad song, but doesn’t really go anywhere.
Classical Gas – 7 – I’ve never heard of Mason Williams, but I like this song proggy chamber pop?
I Put a Spell on You – 7.5 – His voice will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but he definitely sings with his entire being and the song is a classic.
Rock Like War – 6 –
Hunger Strike – 8 – I haven’t heard this one in years, nice nomination whoever nominated this one, classic 90’s.
Home – 7 – Good tune, I like the girl’s vocals.
Times Like These – 6 – Jack Johnson songs are never that bad, but they are all kind of the same. +.5 since its summer.
Tom’s Diner – 8.5 – Song of the round for me.
Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) = 6.5
vs. Classical Gas (Mason Williams) = 6
I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) = 4 Give me Screamin’ Jay or John Fogerty any day.
vs. Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) = 6.7
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) = 8
vs. Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) = 8.5
This was pretty hard. I would be happy with either of these songs advancing.
Times Like These (Jack Johnson) = 5
vs. Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) = 7
Jack Johnson has always bored me. Don’t know what’s going on in Tom’s Diner, but let’s refill the coffee and go for another round of it.
Never Gonna Change – 5
Classical Gas – 7.4
I Put a Spell on You – 4
Rock Like War – 4.8
Hunger Strike – 5
Home – 8.2
Times Like These – 4
Tom’s Diner – 6
Posting on behalf of myself and Danno (in that order)
Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) = 4/4.5
Classical Gas (Mason Williams) = 8.5/6
Marc: You know what would have been a nice change … two less verses
I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) = 7/7
Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) = 8.5/9
Danno: RLW is my nomination. Absolutely love the “It’s just a thunderstorm” part towards the end.
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) = 7/6.5
Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) = 4.5/9
Danno:The video Gmo posted is how I was first introduced to the song. Awesome choice.
Times Like These (Jack Johnson) = 4.5/5
Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) = 3/3
#1 Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) 9.3
#16 Classical Gas (Mason Williams) 6.5
Love the Truckers – one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen was them in a beat-up old school theater in Durham (not on the Duke campus) when I was in law school – was exhausted and hammered when I got there, and it was definitely a countrified scene, and oddly lots of older folks. They came out into the aisles and played and sang with us out there, old folks were dancing around like crazed nutballs, and this was the encore – and they managed to blow out a speaker with it. Incredible. Only knock is that I’m at work, and i REALLY want to change right now. Love Classical Gas, and this was a cool recording, but just can’t back instrumentals in a tournament like this except in perfect conditions.
#8 I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) 9
#9 Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) 6
Love Cocker’s gravelly voice belting this song out. I feel like if I ever walked into a small club in some city vastly cooler than Boston (this feels like an old Montreal type thing for some reason) and heard this, I’d bet my life that I was about to have an unforgettable night that I would have no chance of remembering. Its just that good. Rock Like War starts pretty damn sweet too… but for some reason it was a roller coaster for me.
#4 Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) 1
#13 Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) 5
Wow. I was so psyched up after the first 2 matchups. Then the whiny, over-angsted (probably not a word), repetition of Hunger Strike popped up. I am now angry. Bad juju for the voting. Not sure where I”ve heard Home before (i think it’s in a commercial maybe?) but it’s kinda cool – not digging the whistling though.
#5 Times Like These (Jack Johnson) 3.5
#12 Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) 5.1
JJ is mostly white noise to me, which is weird because I generally like the style. Don”t love Suzanne Vega, but it was definitely more engaging.
Never Gonna Change: 6
Classical Gas: 7
I put a Spell On You: 4
Rock Like War: 7
Hunger Strike: 9 (Classic song against a great current song was tough to see this early in the tournament but gotta give the edge to the pearl jam / soundgarden combo)
Home: 8
Times Like These: 3 If this song sounds familiar, it’s because all of his songs sound the same.
Tom’s Diner: 6
Never Gonna Change – 5.5 vs Classical Gas – 6.0
I Put A Spell – 10.0 vs. Rock Like War – 6.5
Hunger Strike – 6.0 vs Home – 6.5
Times Like These – 8.0 vs Tom’s Diner – 7.5
Never Gonna Change – 6.0 vs Classical Gas – 6.5 Never might be better than this but had to strain to hear the lyrics. No fun. And no it is not age related. Classical – enjoyed this one only as a memory. Probably enjoyed more 20 + years ago.
I Put A Spell – 9.5 vs Rock Like War – 6.0 – Emotion, delivery and material overcome all that rasp and grit. But I like the next Cocker track better. Rock wasn’t bad but should lose some of the noise and gimmickry.
Hunger Strike – 5.5 vs Home – 6.0 – Hunger was just OK but definitely not a spirit lifter. Home – not sure what to make of this one. More listenable than Hunger but just don’t know what it wants to be.
Times Like These – 8.0 vs Tom’s Diner – 6.5 – Jack is always good to chill by. A breath of fresh air. Diner was much too talky and repetitive. Puts me to sleep when I just wanted to chill.
Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) = 6 I’m pretty sure the guys in this band have listened to some Neil Young before.
vs. Classical Gas (Mason Williams) = 5
I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) = 4
vs. Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) = 6
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) = 5
vs. Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) = 7 Undeniably catchy.
Times Like These (Jack Johnson) = 4
vs. Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) = 10 This was my favorite song in seventh grade and Kathy, my bus driver, used to crank the radio for me whenever it came on. Plus, I lived two doors down from Tom’s in law school and loved few things more than dipping their fries in a thick Broadway shake.
It’s not Thursday yet, right?
Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) – 5
vs. Classical Gas (Mason Williams) – 4
I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) – 5
vs. Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) – 4
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) – 4.5
vs. Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) – 9.5*
*See this if you need convincing (I don’t know how to be fancy with links and videos in comments like some of you): http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113758518 (Home is the second song in the set.)
Times Like These (Jack Johnson) – 6
vs. Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) – 6
I guess giving the same score for both songs is kind of useless. Oh well.
“Seeming to exist in a blissed-out alternate universe — during the wonderful “Home,” singer Jade Castrinos exclaims, “Good morning, everybody!” as the clock behind her reads 2:10 p.m. — this is a band whose performances beg to be seen as well as heard, not to mention shot through a wide-angle lens.”
lovely, thanks for that link dj roomba!
Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) = 7.5
Classical Gas (Mason Williams) = 7
I’ve heard of and probably heard the Drive by Truckers bunches of time but never put a tune with the name (which, by the way, is fantastic). I liked this a lot, though it lost steam with the guitar wank in the middle and end, which was a sharp contrast to the beautiful work in what followed.
I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) = 4.5
Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) = 3.5
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) = 5.7
Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) = 9.3
Home expresses my most favorite love-song sentiment. It’s a song that always makes me happy.
Times Like These (Jack Johnson) = 3.7
Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) = 6.5
Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) = 7 [first time I saw these guys was at a festivial in florida where they had the best blueberry beer I’ve ever had. So there’s that. But not one of my favorite songs of theirs]
Classical Gas (Mason Williams) = 6 [skillz. If you like this, check out Guy Van Dusen’s version of Stars and Stripes Forever… which is not on youtube… so check Chet Atkins doing Guy’s version instead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyiq6lewgOk&feature=related
I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) = 6.5
Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) = 6.5 [As a Mainer of a certain age, I can’t even recall how many Rustic shows I’ve seen. And nostalgia requires that I give them a nod of some nature, since they were my second concert ever. However, this is far from one of my favorite Rustic songs. Here’s the classic Simple Song– which gets a 9: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37PC_ojUszw
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) = 8.5
Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) = 8.7
Times Like These (Jack Johnson) = 6 [want to hate… but..just…can’t… do it…]
Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) = 6 [see above.]
Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) = 6.8
vs. Classical Gas (Mason Williams) = 9.2
I like the Southern Rock thing that DBT does, even if they are a bit noisy in person. Classical Gas is just a great song, however. I could have done with a touch less horn at about 1:20 but that doesn’t stop it from steamrolling over the DBT. I guess I’m just partial to instrumental tracks (see, e.g., my nomination of the ballad of speck and pebble).
I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) = 4.5
vs. Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) = 4.5
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) = 8.2
vs. Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) = 10
Wow. Super tough matchup! I wish these two songs were not matched-up so early in the contest.
I tried to nominate Home myself, but it was already there. Home is my favorite new song and my first 10 of the contest. Hunger Strike is a nostalgia trip.
Times Like These (Jack Johnson) = 8.5
vs. Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) = 7.2
Jack Johnson’s laid-back, California-surf rock has always held a special place in my heart. Tom’s Diner is a classic.
Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) = 4.5
Classical Gas (Mason Williams) =6.5
Not my favorite version of Classical Gas – but I still love the song. What was going on with that wierd horns thing?
I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) = 7
Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) = 6.5
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) = 6.5
Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) = 10
I knew I recognized something from Temple of the Dog – I did not realize the Pearl Jam/Soundgarden connection, and was definitely digging this song. But nothing can touch Home – it has got to be the best love song in recent music history – its just so joyful and sentimental and perfect. 10!
Times Like These (Jack Johnson) = 5.5
Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) = 6
I laughed out loud when Tom’s Diner started – I had no idea what this song was called, but totally remember it from 7th grade. I enjoyed it today – but it was better in my memory.
never gonna change – 7
i was a huge dbt fan several years ago. i very much dig their sound & they put on a hell of a live show. the only problem is when you’ve listened to a bunch of their stuff & are someone that tunes out lyrics, most of it sounds the same after a while. there are only a handful of their songs that really stand out to me, and this is not one of them. i still enjoy it though.
classical gas – 5
mixed feelings about this one. it got me kinda pumped.
i put a spell on you – 6.5
i like the bluesiness
rock like war – 7.5
this makes me want to jump around & get my dirty hippie dance on
hunger strike – 5
i love me some 90s grunge but this song is a bit blah
home – 9
fantastic on so many levels – the energy & emotion, the instrumentation, the originality (and i loved seeing them live a couple weeks ago)
times like these – 4
jj doesn’t do much for me, i find him pretty boring
tom’s diner – 5
this one will definitely wear on me after a few more listens…
Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) = 7.1
vs. Classical Gas (Mason Williams) = 6.2
I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) = 6.1
vs. Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) = 6.9
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) = Gains points for the band being a tribute to Andrew Wood of Mother Love Bone. Loses major points for featuring Eddie Vedder. 6
vs. Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) = 7.3
Times Like These (Jack Johnson) = 6.1
vs. Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) = 4.2
#1 Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) 5.5
#16 Classical Gas (Mason Williams) 6.25
#8 I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) 5
#9 Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) 5
#4 Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) 7.5
#13 Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) 9
#5 Times Like These (Jack Johnson) 5
#12 Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) 7.5
never gonna change – 6
classical gas – 7
i put a spell – 5 Definitely more of a fan of the Nina version.
rock like war – 5.5
hunger strike – 8
home – 9
Unfair.
times like these – 6
tom’s diner – 7.5
never change: 4
classical gas: 9
spell on you: 5
rock like war: 4 (sounds like these guys – http://grooveshark.com/s/Wasted/vEqP?src=5)
hunger: 6 (Pearl Jam? is that you?)
home: 7.5
times like: 5
tom’s diner: 8.5
Never Gonna Change (Drive By Truckers) – 7.5
Classical Gas (Mason Williams) – 5.8
I Put A Spell On You (Joe Cocker) – 8.2
Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) – 5.6
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) – 8
Home (Edward Sharpe) – 9.3
Times Like These (Jack Johnson) – 6.1
Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) – 7.7
Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers): 3
Classical Gas (Mason Williams): 5.5
I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker): 6.5
Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones): 3.5
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog): 4
Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes): 8.5
Times Like These (Jack Johnson): 7
Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega): 6
Did I miss the memo for everyone to hate on Jack Johnson? I mean, its not like he’s John Mayer or anything…
#1 Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) vs. #16 Classical Gas (Mason Williams) 6/8.5
Classical gas gets the win because it reminds me of:
And I’m really missing basketball right now!
#8 I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) vs. #9 Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones). 4.9/2.5
Cocker is kinda boring but Rustic is just tasteless.
#4 Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) vs. #13 Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnic Zeroes). 7/9
This is a really interesting match up of duets- Hunger Strike is classic but Vedder and Cornell are basically the same person. Home actually *feels* like a duet. Home also feels like a song I’m going to listen to ten years from now and get nostalgic for right now. Home is already a part of me, Hunger Strike is just that decent post-grunge song I hear on the radio once in a while that could be Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Live, Soul Collective or Alice in Chains.
#5 Times Like These (Jack Johnson) vs. #12 Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) 3/9
JJ plays another unoffensive but unremarkable acoustic guitar track. Tom’s Diner is a great selection- the hook can get a little annoying- but the rain, the minimalism and the perfect encapsulation of a place and time make it a winner.
never gonna change –2
classical gas – 6
i put a spell – 5
rock like war – 3
hunger strike – 1
home – 6
times like these – 3
tom’s diner – 5
I was just listening to big band swing music before this and none of these songs really did it for me. But tom’s diner makes me think of apple pie milkshakes…yum
MARJ! Welcome to the tournament! Yeah! I hope you’re not still in the house on Humboldt, I am genuinely concerned that structure will soon be sucked into the Denver earth, Poltergeist style. If it hasn’t been already.
No I don’t live there anymore! I’m pretty that house is a black hole now or there’s a giant mutant bed bug living in the basement. I actually got to vote today because I had my computer at work hooray!
Never Gonna Change (Drive-By Truckers) = 6
Like the DBT’s, and this is the type of song I’d drop in the juke at an empty bar slowing sipping Beam and thinking “I ain’t never gonna change.”
vs. Classical Gas (Mason Williams) = 5.5
Sorry.
I Put a Spell on You (Joe Cocker) = 6.5
Yeah!
vs. Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) = 4
Meh.
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) = 7
wow, where did this come from? this brings me back! I used to think this was pearl jam. have a feeling this will be stuck in my head for awhile…
vs. Home (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes) = 8
I have to give gmo credit for recommending this song to me a year or so ago. A great live impromptu version can be found here:
http://www.blogotheque.net/2010/06/10/edward-sharpe-and-the-magnetic-zeros/
Times Like These (Jack Johnson) = 1
sorry, i can’t stand jack johnson. vomit.
vs. Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) = 6
im giving this one extra points because it makes me think of toms diner in denver. last time i was there they kicked me out for passing out in my breakfast. but before i left i puked on their restroom floor. thats awful i can’t believe i told you that.
def best comment
Never Gonna Change – 7
Classical Gas – 4.5
I Put a Spell on You – 5.5
Rock Like War – 7 Always fun live.
Hunger Strike – 6
This is a song I get somewhat excited to hear when it comes on the radio…and then I change the station before the end of the song looking for something better
Home – 7.9
great song, I may just be a little sick of it at this point
Times Like These – 6 – I don’t hate JJ, this also isn’t my favorite
Tom’s Diner – 4.5
Never Gonna Change (Drive By Truckers) – 8
Classical Gas (Mason Williams) – 5
I Put A Spell On You (Joe Cocker) – 7
Rock Like War (Rustic Overtones) – 5
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog) – 5
Home (Edward Sharpe) – 10
Absolutely love Home. Tried to nominate it myself but someone else beat me to it.
Times Like These (Jack Johnson) – 6
Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega) – 7