35. The Flaming Lips
Despite not being a fan of very much of their pre-'99 material, I still love this band on the strength of their last four albums, all of which are tremendous in different ways. If you have never given this band much of a chance, it is all about The Soft Bulletin. In 50 years, a new generation will be listening to that record, and it will still sound just as innovative, daring and spectacular as it does today. And if you ever have a chance to see them live, do not hesitate...buy yourself a ticket and get ready for some fun. Remember, music is supposed to be fun, and no band's live show embodies that more than the Lips' live shows do.
Favorite albums: The Soft Bulletin and At War with the Mystics
Favorite songs: "The Gash," "Pompeii Am Götterdämmerung," "The Sound of Failure," "One More Robot/Sympathy 3000-21," "The Spark That Bled," "What is the Light?," "Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell," "Sleeping on the Roof," "Vein of Stars" and "My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion."
34. King Crimson
Crimson is one of those bands that, for me, when they connect, they knock it out of the park, and when they miss, they miss badly. Their great albums are ones I cannot get enough of sometimes, and many of their lesser albums are ones that I probably wouldn't care if I never heard them again. Not that they are bad or anything; it's just that their best albums are sooooo much better, when I am in a King Crimson phase, I am going for the good stuff, ya know?
Favorite albums: The Power to Believe, Red and Discipline
Favorite songs: "Starless," "The Power to Believe II," "The ConstruKction of Light," "One More Red Nightmare," "Thela Hun Ginjeet," "Eyes Wide Open," "Elephant Talk," "The Talking Drum," "Level Five," "The Sheltering Sky" and "Dangerous Curves."
33. Van Halen
Similar to The Who for me in that they are also like a retired favorite. I have been listening to this band almost as long as any other, except for a handful, and I still get a kick out of their music, especially during the summer. I am a fan of all three eras: the Roth era, the Hagar era, and, yes, the Cherone era. It is too bad that Eddie Van Halen is such a train wreck, as they probably still had plenty of good music left in them, but have been nothing but a nostalgia act, when acting like a band, for well over 10 years now.
Favorite albums: I, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge and Fair Warning
Favorite songs: "Pleasure Dome," "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love," "Once," "Mean Street," "Unchained," "Runnin' with the Devil," "Dreams," "Humans Being," "Poundcake," "Feelin'," "Panama" and "Little Dreamer."