1. The HU - Yuve Yuve Yu
(A shame that that is so low on most of the rankings. I loved the hell out of this and have listened to it a few times now. I don't even know how to describe what I've just heard. It sounds like a genre unto itself. Awesome song. Even the design of the instruments is killer. Never expected to have a Mongolian song stuck in my head. Yuve Yuve Yu!)
2. Meg Myers - Desire
3. Jade Bird - Uh Huh
(Surprisingly good. Love the attitude and spunkiness. Would not have assumed it was a modern song if I just heard it on the radio, and I mean that in a good way. Will certainly be listening to more of her stuff.)
4. Jinjer - Pisces
(Insanely impressive vocal performance. Love the juxtaposition between the two styles, which should feel jarring yet somehow meshes perfectly. Hopefully the exorcists steer clear because the demon residing in her throat makes a great duet partner.)
5. The Gathering - Strange Madness
(Don't think I'm familiar with The Gathering, but I found this live performance very impressive. Heavy enough to headbang, but melodic and catchy at the same time. Curious to hear a studio version and other songs from the group.)
6. The Doors - Waiting for the Sun
(The Doors is a top five band for me, but I tend to favor less familiar artists/songs in these tournaments.)
7. Bat for Lashes - Winter Fields
(I really like some of Bat for Lashes stuff, but haven't listened to her in a long time. This song doesn't make a strong first impression, but I could easily see it growing on me. Very relaxing song. Love her voice.)
8. System of a Down - Aerials
(Never liked System of a Down, mainly because I find the singer's voice so annoying. If somebody could go through their catalogue and edit out his voice from every song, I might be a fan since the instrumentation is never an issue.)
9. Foo Fighters - Everlong
(It's really an indictment against the state of modern rock that the Foo Fighters are somehow considered one of the great rock bands of the 21st century. Not being a hater, because I like some of their stuff, but they've received a lot of accolades for simply being above average. Grew tired of this particular song long ago.)
10. Bad Sons - Cardiac Arrest
(Pleasant, radio-friendly song, but instantly forgettable.)
11. Bach - Mass in B Minor, Kyrie
(I'd rather listen to the Sebastian Bach from Skid Row. Stop trying to class up this tournament, @
ahwell! Haven't you learned yet that we're an unsophisticated bunch?)
12. Asian Kung-Fu Generation - Rewrite
(Have always hated this nerdy pop-punk sound. Somebody shove these losers into a locker.)