With their pop-punk sensibilities, Paramore have had a strong following on ATRL since their breakthrough single, "Misery Business," in 2007, dominating many personal countdowns and survivor games. Despite solid album sales, stans have watched with disappointment as future releases (including Twilight soundtrack headliner "Decode") failed to achieve crossover success on the charts -- until this past summer, when "The Only Exception" provided the career revitalization they've been waiting for.
Essential track: "The Only Exception," which explored an entirely new sound for the band
"Bleeding Love" was an anthem for the ages, but Leona Lewis never scored the true follow-up hit she needed to cement her status as an international pop sensation. (Blame the shift of the musical landscape to dance influences, her inability to release anything but a ballad, the retread sound of "Happy" or what you will.) Nevertheless, scads of ATRLers have remained devoted to the big-voiced British beauty, despite a quiet few years (and those incessant cries of "Horse face!"). "Leona Lewis has one of the best voices out there," says craztowel. "And she's here to stay!"
Essential track: "Bleeding Love," which spent an astounding 17 weeks in the top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100
Since the release of the critically acclaimed, multi-platinum, Grammy-winning American Idiot, Green Day's newfound maturity, social conscience and respectability have transformed them into the elder statesmen of punk. But they've also been introduced to a new generation of listeners who have the supported the band's expanding endeavors, including a Rock Band video game and a Tony-nominated Broadway musical.
Essential track: 2006 Record of the Year "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," which was a smash hit on the rock, pop and Hot AC charts
Her best days may be behind her and she hasn't had a real hit in almost a decade, but there's no denying Janet Jackson's imprint on the music industry. "The sleekness of her choreography has served as a reference point for artists such as Ciara and Britney Spears," says Patrick. "She has helped defined a standard for dancing and stage presence in pop music."
Essential track: With 10 #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and myriad other classics to choose from, this seems almost an impossible task. But in recognition of Rhythm Nation 1814 -- truly one of the greatest albums of all time -- I'll go with with its title track (and the iconic music video it inspired).
For years, Alicia Keys was the good girl of pop, building her career on lovelorn piano ballads like "If I Ain't Got You"... and upbeat piano ballads like "No One." She hit a speed bump in recent years when a scandal broke over her relationship with married music producer Swizz Beatz, chasing away much of her fan base. But that didn't stop her from releasing some of her best music ever ("Un-Thinkable [I'm Ready]") on her last album, The Element of Freedom.
Essential track: she has no shortage of amazing songs, but her Grammy domination with debut single "Fallin'" was an impressive fear
(she's really high here 
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Great start, love all the artists in this episode so far.
