Idolator

Fuse and the Boston Phoenix have coincidentally come up with similar ways to celebrate Independence Day. The Phoenix has named the best band, best solo artist, and best new band from each of the 50 United States, while Fuse is having viewers decide which of two modern acts should represent each state for an All-American Face-Off. The Phoenix is going for bands that exemplify both the "all-time greatest" and ultrahip, so their choices rarely coincide with Fuse's. For instance, while the Boston alt-weekly praises Alabama's Hank Williams, Louvin Brothers, and Wild Sweet Orange, Fuse sticks with Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks. What about Massachussetts' own The Pixies and Jonathan Richman, Fuse? No thanks, they've got Rob Zombie and Staind. But there are a few cases where the two sides agree on the best artists (if not always said artists' home states), and we'd like to celebrate those moments of consensus. More »