List of the Day: 6 Greatest Bassists

This list is not intended to be an exploration of the most technically skilled bassists in all of rock music history, I'm sure Geddy Lee would probably have no problem playing circles around the below listed individuals. However, as David Berman famously said, "all my favorite singers couldn't sing." This philosophy can and should be applied to many sectors of life, and in this case I have applied it to my favorite bassists. Because if you don't think your favorite things are also the greatest things, there's something wrong with you.

Six Greatest Bassists:

6. Jack Lawrence
"Little Jack," the right-hand man of Jack White in both The Dead Weather and in The Raconteurs, composes dirty bass riffs that compliment the modernized blues-rock crafted by White.

5. Andy Nicholson
The first bassist of the Arctic Monkeys who played bass on their outstanding record, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.

4. Andy Rourke
Rourke's weaving baselines complimented Johnny Marr's jangling guitar compositions perfectly in their work together with The Smiths. His finest work can be heard on The Queen Is Dead.

 3. Galen Polivka
The greatness of this essay alone is enough of a reason to include this founding member of The Hold Steady on this list. However his resume also includes the ability to light a cigarette mid-song in spectacular fashion.

2. James McNew
This man has served as one essential fraction of the mystical triad that is Yo La Tengo since their 1992 album, May I Sing with Me.

1. Alex Levine (pictured above)
First of all, The Gaslight Anthem's bassist is one of the coolest looking individuals in the world, slicked back hair, sideburns, impeccable choice in footwear and a white t-shirt give Alex Levine a look that's been classy for more than 60 years. His fast paced and hard hitting basslines give the unfiltered rock music of The Gaslight Anthem a big part of its characteristic timeless sound.