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Monday, July 2, 2012

Summer Psychosis: Preview for Part 4 of the First Round

Hello everyone,

Well, you know the drill by now. A new week means a new set of artists to judge. But since we've been wading through the first round for a month now, I can imagine that most of you would only be slightly less than absolutely elated for another batch. Thankfully, Part 4 completes the First Round and officially narrows the bracket to 64. Don't let fatigue get to you, voters! With artists such as Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan and Nirvana this section of the bracket is as stacked as any.

Upset Alert: The biggest low seed threats that I can spot are Eminem to Sly and The Family Stone and Captain Beefheart to Lou Reed.

Matchup to Watch: The Bjork vs. Parliament/Funkadelic matchup is very intriguing due to the artists' separate eras and styles. Personally, I have no idea who I'm picking.

Happy 4th of July!

1 Led Zeppelin vs. 16 Smokey Robinson and The Miracles

The heavy early 70's English rock band known for propulsive blues vs. The crowned "Soul supergroup" that was a staple of 60's Motown hits

Key Tracks: Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles - The Tears of a Clown

8 Tom Waits vs. 9 Jay-Z

The gravelly-voiced and critically revered 80's songwriter who continues to experiment boldly vs. The lauded and prolific 2000's MC with a great track record and legendary swagger

Key Tracks: Tom Waits - Jockey Full of Bourbon, Jay-Z - 99 Problems

5 Sly and The Family Stone vs. 12 Eminem

The late 60's/early 70's funk/soul group that was a major influence in their genre vs. The early 2000's firebrand and supremely talented rapper who broke boundaries

Key Tracks: Sly and The Family Stone - Family Affair, Eminem - Lose Yourself

4 Miles Davis vs. 13 Pulp

The jazz trumpeter who helped the genre evolve and was a major influence in popular music vs. The Sheffield rock group became Britpop superstars after missing out on success for over a decade

Key Tracks: Miles Davis - So What, Pulp - Common People 

6 Lou Reed vs. 11 Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band

The 70's art rock legend with a distinguished and eclectic solo career vs. The late 60's/early 70's underground artist who helped define experimental rock for generations

Key Tracks: Lou Reed - Walk on the Wild Side, Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band - Big Eyed Beans From Venus

3 Nirvana vs. 14 Paul Simon

The Seattle grunge band who was the main force behind the popularization of alt rock vs. The 70's/80's folk rock giant who hails from Newark yet has covered many genres

Key Tracks: Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit, Paul Simon - 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover

7 Bjork vs. 10 Parliament/Funkadelic

The 90's Icelandic experimental electronic diva with an incredible voice vs. The 70's funk collective that crafted a unique sound that influenced many subsequent genres

Key Tracks: Bjork - Hyperballad, Parliament/Funkadelic - One Nation Under a Groove

2 Elvis Presley vs. 15 The Chemical Brothers

The incredibly successful singer who introduced rock and roll to a much wider audience vs. The Manchester Big Beat duo who dominated their genre and the electronic music scene

Key Tracks: Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel, The Chemical Brothers - Setting Sun

1 Bob Dylan vs. 16 The Everly Brothers

The celebrated icon of rock with impeccable lyrics and a major footprint in popular music vs. The country-inspired rock and roll duo who made a huge impact in the 50's

Key Tracks: Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone, The Everly Brothers - All I Have to Do Is Dream

8 Simon and Garfunkel vs. 9 Massive Attack

The iconic and praised 60's folk rock duo from Queens vs. The progressive 90's electronic duo who are considered to be the driving force behind Trip Hop

Key Tracks: Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water, Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy

5 The Kinks vs. 12 Primal Scream

The British Invasion band who was one of the most important 60's rock acts vs. The 90's Scottish alt rock band who rose to prominence by incorporating acid house elements into indie pop

Key Tracks: The Kinks - You Really Got Me, Primal Scream - Loaded

4 Public Enemy vs. 13 Smashing Pumpkins

The politically charged Long Island rap group who were influential even for their 80's peers vs. The Chicago alt rock band that was a major commercial and critical force in the mid 90's

Key Tracks:  Public Enemy - Fight The Power, Smashing Pumpkins - 1979

6 Beck vs. 11 Frank Sinatra

The LA alt folk rocker who sounds equally experimental, self-aware and bummed-out vs. The critically lauded and revered icon who dominated the 50's with his crooning

Key Tracks: Beck - Loser, Frank Sinatra - I've Got You Under My Skin

3 The Smiths vs. 14 Randy Newman

The Manchester alt rock quartet known as one of the most important bands of the 80's vs. The satirical 70's rock legend who is now better known for Disney film scores

Key Tracks: The Smiths - This Charming Man, Randy Newman - God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)

7 Ramones vs. 10 Brian Eno

The aggressive and fast Queens trio who laid the foundation for Punk Rock vs. The Suffolk 70's electronic artist who became one of the major innovators of Ambient music

Key Tracks: Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop, Brian Eno - Cindy Tells Me

2 The Beach Boys vs. 15 Aerosmith

The sunny, Californian vocal rock group with an indelible mark on popular music vs. The powerful and iconic 70's rock band from Boston

Key Tracks: The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations, Aerosmith - Dream On

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