5. Shinedown
Shinedown have had an odd relationship with popularity. Every time they release an album the songs always get sufficient TV airing and some even frequent the radio, such as Simple Man and Crow and The Butterfly. Despite this, Shinedown is another band that isnt recognised for how truly great they are. My first experience with Shinedown came at WWEs Wrestlemania 22, their song I Dare You was one of the themes that year and I loved it. For some reason though I never followed up and listened to more of them, that was, until I heard 45. From then on Ive been a big fan of Shinedown and have enjoyed everything theyve produced. Shinedown have four studio albums, and working on a fifth, each different than the last. Im usually not pleased when a band changes substantially, such as Linkin Park or Fall Out Boys recent outing, though I didnt dislike either bands latest albums they just havent been as good. That being said I appreciate it when a band can evolve with each record, polishing their craft and trying new things without leaving their genre, Shinedown are a great example of this. Their first album
Leave A Whisper is really different to their latest,
Amaryllis. Brent Smith, Shinedowns singer, is one of the best vocalists around today. His voice suits any type of song, be it fast and heavy like Devour or slow and emotional like Second Chance. Shinedown come together to make a cohesive unit that are one of the best rock bands around and continue to impress and reinvent themselves with each album. Some of Shinedowns best songs include Sound of Madness, Im Not Alright, If You Only Knew, Her Name Is Alice, Im Alive, Adrenaline and Save Me, as well as any song Ive listed here. All of their albums offer something different and I couldnt recommend them enough.