Erica Banas: Writing Samples

The AC/DC catalog can be split into two parts: The Bon Scott years and the Brian Johnson years. For the sake of our latest list, we’re going to focus on the Brian Johnson years.

U2 has been one of the biggest bands of the past 50 years and for good reason: Their catalog is a prime example of a band evolving and growing up before the eyes of the world.

Alice in Chains released their debut LP, Facelift, 30 years ago today (August 21), and three decades later, the album remains one of the darkest, most-influential titles in rock.

There are big albums, there are monster albums and then there’s AC/DC’s Back In Black, which in terms of grandness is like Godzilla on HGH. The landmark album turns 40 on July 25, but frankly, it feels weird attaching a number to a work like this. Why? Because it’s timeless. It’s never lost its sense of cool, nor has it really aged or become “dated.” In the decades since its release, it’s evolved from being an album to essentially being a rock and roll starter kit. Know a young kid ju

Guns N’ Roses’ 2020 North American summer tour would’ve kicked off today (July 8), but, obviously, you know why those plans have changed. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has altered countless touring schedules, and without a doubt, GN’R’s tour would’ve been one of the biggest parties this summer. However, all of that still doesn’t mean we can’t honor one of the biggest bands of all time with an epic list. Below is a ranking of all 87 songs that make up the Guns N’ Roses catalog. (Some random

Rage Against the Machine announcing a 2020 reunion tour last year was easily one of the best surprises in the rock world, and there were a number of reunions of note. Of course, much to everyone’s surprise, those tour plans had to be pushed back to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, that doesn’t mean we have to wait to celebrate the incredible catalog of this dynamic band, and what better time than now to do so? Here is Rage Against the Machine’s top 20 songs ranked.

The Beatles’ final studio album, Let It Be, turns 50 today (May 8), and what better way to celebrate the final golden anniversary in the Fab Four’s iconic album catalog than with a ranking of their 50 best songs ever. Narrowing down a ranking like this to just 50 songs and then ranking those 50 songs is both enjoyable and torture. After all, we’re trying to rank The Beatles. Much like snowflakes, it’s unlikely any two rankings will shake out the same, but isn’t that the beauty of lists like thi

With nine tracks clocking in just over 42 minutes, The Rolling Stones’ Let It Bleed was the sound of the band signing off from the 1960s in all of their dark, lusty glory and the first album released since the sudden passing of Brian Jones.

The Beatles‘ Abbey Road turns 50 today (September 25), and like many classic albums, it really shows no signs of age.

AC/DC released Highway to Hell 40 years ago tomorrow (July 27), and it remains one of the most beloved albums in AC/DC’s catalog and in rock history.

In honor of the new Beatles-themed film 'Yesterday,' here are twenty of the best Beatles covers ranked.

Tom Petty‘s Full Moon Fever contains 12 tracks. Truth be told, ranking 12 tracks shouldn’t be a terribly difficult task. However, when it comes to ranking the songs from Full Moon Fever, there’s just one problem: There isn’t a weak song on this classic album.

So, how do you honor one of the greatest, most influential bands of all time as their debut album is about to turn the big 5-0 on January 12? Hunker down with a fifth of Jack Daniel’s, a 2-liter of Coke and dive head first into the “Zep-a-Thon.” Dubbed so by Jack Black when the band received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2012, the “Zep-a-Thon” is a musical binge session where you listen to all of Zeppelin’s eight studio albums (plus the 1982 compilation album Coda) in one sitting. This binge wasn’t all for pleasure, even though it was oddly fulfilling. The purpose of doing this was for research in order to rank all 92 original Zeppelin tracks.