From the San Diego coffee houses to the mainstream pop world, Jason Mraz utilizes a slew of influences from Folk, Alt Rock, Reggae and Blue Eyed Soul to crate his own style of melodic pop music.  Mraz is often lumped in with John Mayer) though his body of work differs from him greatly.   He did have respectable album sales and love from the Grammys but is he considered influential enough to really be considered?

Beloved in his circle, Iron and Wine (essentially the one man Folk Band, of Samuel Bean) put out some of the sweetest and soothing sounding Indie Folk music in years.  The critics have gushed over Bean (as they should have) and commercially he has not done badly, but Folk music may have reached a certain quota in Cleveland and has a long line ahead of him.

Synth Pop stars, Hot Chip might be one of the most unique electronica bands of the modern era.  The London based group approaches their concerts as if they were a “regular band” and coupled with the falsetto skills of their lead singer, Alexis Taylor makes an interesting contrast to everything around him.  Is this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame unique?  Probably not, but it is special.

We aren’t going to hold our breath waiting for Hilary Duff to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and likely neither is she.  This doesn’t take away from the fact that in her teens, she sold a lot of albums in the bubblegum, and pop genre and did have a number one album.  Sometimes music doesn’t have to be that deep.