Exploring the Flaming Lips' Best Non-Hits

The Flaming Lips have been around since the early 1980s, and over the years their style has morphed. When I saw them back in 1993 -- on a bill with Butthole Surfers and Stone Temple Pilots -- they were a loud, guitar-heavy alternative-rock unit. By the end of the decade, they were more symphonic/philosophical in their approach. Now, we recognize the band for its glitter-and-hand-puppets live shows, with frontman Wayne Coyne acting as leader of this group of merry pranksters. With Oczy Mlody coming out Friday, I went through the Lips' back catalog to find their best deep cuts. The results are live over at MEL.

Exploring Metallica's Best Non-Hits

Metallica's new album, Hardwired...to Self-Destruct, drops today. So, hey, why not celebrate this metal band's legacy by looking at their best deep album cuts? Good idea! Check it out over at MEL.

Exploring De La Soul's Best Non-Hits

Tomorrow, De La Soul release And the Anonymous Nobody..., their first disc in 12 years. Today for MEL, I explore the trio's back catalogue to find their greatest deep album cuts. Oh man, was this fun. Check out the list here.

Exploring Aerosmith's Best Non-Hits

My latest rundown for MEL of an iconic artist's forgotten back catalogue brings me to Aerosmith. Sci-fi tunes, childhood lullabies, songs about the perils of rock 'n' roll decadence ... they're all here.

Exploring Neil Young's Best Non-Hits

When it comes to someone like Neil Young, the notion of a "hit" is amorphous at best. Outside of "Heart of Gold," which went to No. 1, he's not exactly a dude who dominates the charts. So for MEL, I picked 10 songs that have never been featured on a live album or best-of collection. In theory, these are the greatest of his "obscure" songs. I hope this list shows many of the different aspects of the man's style and career shifts. Dig in.

Exploring Paul Simon's Best Non-Hits

Paul Simon's new album, Stranger to Stranger, arrives today. Over at MEL, I gave myself the task of selecting his strongest deep album cuts over his career. This required me listening to a bunch of Paul Simon songs, which I hardly consider work. You can read my piece here.

Exploring Phil Collins' Best Non-Hits

Over at MEL, Craig MacNeil and I spent a little time digging into Phil Collins' deep album cuts, looking for the gems that never made it to the radio. With No Jacket Required being reissued this Friday, it seemed like the right time. Check out our findings here.