Weezer

While so much of the decade's music revolved around angst and intellectual irony, Cuomo's songs often had an insouciant charm that seemed equally rooted in '70s arena rock and '80s new wave, yielding the infectious singles in "Buddy Holly," "Undone (The Sweater Song)," and "Say It Ain't So." The band's easy way with melodies and hooks are also showcased on "In the Garage," "Surf Wax America," and "The World Has Turned and Left Me.