Sparklehorse was basically the one man operation of Mark Linkous who may have delivered the most introspective and morose songs of recent memory.  The music of Sparklehorse was laden with antidepressants and internal conflict, yet there was a hypnotic beauty to the music.  To the shock of few, Linkous committed suicide like so many in Rock has.  It is possible that one day the music of Sparklehorse will become more celebrated than on college radio.  It took Nick Drake decades to really become honored in the music world.  The same could happen here, if it ever happens at all.

Although Sleater-Kinney was not the first Riot Grrl band (or to some even a Riot Grrl band at all), they emerged as one of the highest regarded feminist based Indie Rock bands ever.  The band was poignant and powerful and could generate attention for their causes (regardless of what they were) with equal parts melody and articulation.   This was a group loaded with multiple sonic weapons and the only thing they were missing was commercial love to go along with critical respect and passionate fans.  Chances are they didn’t miss the commercialism that much at all, and the fans they have likely preferred it that way.

The closest thing Alternative Rock ever had to teen prodigies, Australia’s Silverchair took the alt world by storm by their uncanny sonic resemblance to Pearl Jam.  Of course, mimics are rarely respected, and though Silverchair received an early pass due to their youth, they worked hard to develop their own identity.  They may not have remained in the public eye in North America, but they did so in Australia while continuing developing their legacy Down Under.  For them to have a serious run for the Hall, Silverchair will once again have to conquer the American market.

We might have younger readers who may think that Rammstein is the best band to come out of Germany.  Fans of Krautrock and the Scorpions may dispute this (as do we), but it is hard to dispute that Rammstein has been one of the more successful groups to come out of Germany in the past fifteen years.  With an Industrial driven brand of Heavy Metal, Rammstein was able to cross borders and become successful in North America.  This was an impressive feat considering they rarely sang in English.  At some point, a second German group will crack the Hall; could it be Rammstein?