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verbal_kintThis is when you know I'm getting really bored. But hey, any chance to shove my opinion down others' throats, right?
Here's some groovy bands (in my actually rather stupid opinion) that for one reason or another haven't quite gotten the recognition they deserve. So take some MP3s, impressed your friends with your knowledge! Yay.
Phoenix
This band just released a new album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, so I expect they'll hit some radio stations soon, as they're a small step away from mainstream. They've got an awesome sound, really original and catchy--think Vampire Weekend meets Spoon. Admittedly, I enjoy their new stuff much more than their pre-2004 sound. It seems they've evolved from electronic funk (which would be cool...if it sounded better) to rockish slight funk...I'm obviously band at describing them. Oh well. And get this, they're French. But you'd never know, as all of their songs are in English and pretty easy to understand.
Definitely check out:
Long Distance Call (Youtube)
Like 'Em? Try:
Armistice
Rally
Stars
Now, you might very well have heard of Stars. They're huge in Canada, and pretty big here, too, but as nobody I know has heard of them, I figured I'd share the love twice if you're already familiar with them. Stars is soft indie pop...like Iron and Wine on speed and with a glimmer of Death Cab For Cutie. I saw these guys in concert, and they've got enough energy for a Broadway musical. Their lyrics are literally some of the most beautiful things ever uttered by a human in a song, and while they are also a band that has drastically changed its style, old Stars is still very recognizable. Love these folks; listening to them's like being hugged by an old friend. :)
Definitely check out:
Take Me to the Riot
Like 'Em? Try:
In Our Bedroom After the War...one of my all-time favorite songs.
One More Night
Islands
Again, one you may have heard of. And another Canadian band. Islands is really nothing like Stars, though. They're pretty much full-out dance-rock. I guess the only way I could really describe Islands would be to tell you they're like a really good actor, if that makes sense. They've got plenty of straightforward, awesome guitar riffs, but the songs are so layered it's like counting every time Johnny Depp purposefully twitches his lower eyelids in Sleepy Hollow. They're closest companion would probably be Arcade Fire, who layer their music similarly.
Definitely check out:
The Arm (Hey look! I found a House vid to this song. Yay relevence!)
Like 'Em? Try:
Kids Don't Know Shit
J'aime Vous Voir Quitter
Cymbals Eat Guitars
These folks only have one album out, but it's gosh-dern epic. They fall into a genre I like to call "mindrape soft rock." Their songs are (literally...seriously) soft and ethereal while upbeat and catchy. I'm not even sure who to compare them to. They're so obscure, I can't even find a youtube vid of their songs, but you have to check out "Indiana." It juxtaposes completely morbid lyrics with a happy-go-lucky melody. It scares me. Listen to it.
Indiana
Like Blood Does
The Helio Sequence
This is such a freakin' fun band. They're almost similar to Phoenix, although they're a bit softer, less layered, more electronica, but very cool. Love their lyrics, which are pretty kooky but very accessible. Nuff said, I think.
Definitely check out:
Hallelujah
Like 'Em? Try:
Lately
You Can Come to Me
Alright, I'm done being pretentious now. :) I swear I like normal bands, too! Do let me know if you want any other songs from any of these folks though; I have most of their albums.
Oh, and as a parting gift for anyone who sat through this, here's Modest Mouse's Float On. Yes, this is literally THE most upbeat song in the history of the universe. Literally, this song will make you feel good post-mugging...not that I'm expecting you to be mugged...just that...never mind.
.
Here's some groovy bands (in my actually rather stupid opinion) that for one reason or another haven't quite gotten the recognition they deserve. So take some MP3s, impressed your friends with your knowledge! Yay.
Phoenix
This band just released a new album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, so I expect they'll hit some radio stations soon, as they're a small step away from mainstream. They've got an awesome sound, really original and catchy--think Vampire Weekend meets Spoon. Admittedly, I enjoy their new stuff much more than their pre-2004 sound. It seems they've evolved from electronic funk (which would be cool...if it sounded better) to rockish slight funk...I'm obviously band at describing them. Oh well. And get this, they're French. But you'd never know, as all of their songs are in English and pretty easy to understand.
Definitely check out:
Long Distance Call (Youtube)
Like 'Em? Try:
Armistice
Rally
Stars
Now, you might very well have heard of Stars. They're huge in Canada, and pretty big here, too, but as nobody I know has heard of them, I figured I'd share the love twice if you're already familiar with them. Stars is soft indie pop...like Iron and Wine on speed and with a glimmer of Death Cab For Cutie. I saw these guys in concert, and they've got enough energy for a Broadway musical. Their lyrics are literally some of the most beautiful things ever uttered by a human in a song, and while they are also a band that has drastically changed its style, old Stars is still very recognizable. Love these folks; listening to them's like being hugged by an old friend. :)
Definitely check out:
Take Me to the Riot
Like 'Em? Try:
In Our Bedroom After the War...one of my all-time favorite songs.
One More Night
Islands
Again, one you may have heard of. And another Canadian band. Islands is really nothing like Stars, though. They're pretty much full-out dance-rock. I guess the only way I could really describe Islands would be to tell you they're like a really good actor, if that makes sense. They've got plenty of straightforward, awesome guitar riffs, but the songs are so layered it's like counting every time Johnny Depp purposefully twitches his lower eyelids in Sleepy Hollow. They're closest companion would probably be Arcade Fire, who layer their music similarly.
Definitely check out:
The Arm (Hey look! I found a House vid to this song. Yay relevence!)
Like 'Em? Try:
Kids Don't Know Shit
J'aime Vous Voir Quitter
Cymbals Eat Guitars
These folks only have one album out, but it's gosh-dern epic. They fall into a genre I like to call "mindrape soft rock." Their songs are (literally...seriously) soft and ethereal while upbeat and catchy. I'm not even sure who to compare them to. They're so obscure, I can't even find a youtube vid of their songs, but you have to check out "Indiana." It juxtaposes completely morbid lyrics with a happy-go-lucky melody. It scares me. Listen to it.
Indiana
Like Blood Does
The Helio Sequence
This is such a freakin' fun band. They're almost similar to Phoenix, although they're a bit softer, less layered, more electronica, but very cool. Love their lyrics, which are pretty kooky but very accessible. Nuff said, I think.
Definitely check out:
Hallelujah
Like 'Em? Try:
Lately
You Can Come to Me
Alright, I'm done being pretentious now. :) I swear I like normal bands, too! Do let me know if you want any other songs from any of these folks though; I have most of their albums.
Oh, and as a parting gift for anyone who sat through this, here's Modest Mouse's Float On. Yes, this is literally THE most upbeat song in the history of the universe. Literally, this song will make you feel good post-mugging...not that I'm expecting you to be mugged...just that...never mind.
.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2009-06-02 03:58 am (UTC)And I will listen to your suggestions, thank you! Maybe I will be cool
again? Who am I kidding--I have never been cool. And it would simply be pathetic to attempt it--my students would laugh uproariously...(no subject)
Date: 2009-06-02 04:06 am (UTC)Oh don't worry, these songs won't make you cool. These songs will cause you to lose friends and then gain them, though. People get into my car and say, "What the fuck is this, May? ...Actually it's not that bad."
Coolness is absolutely not an option though, and who'd want it to be? *IZ DWEEB AND PROWD*
(no subject)
Date: 2009-06-02 04:34 am (UTC)I think it's more cool to like bands NOT in the mainstream.
Tragically Hip is awesome. I turned a few friends on to them about six years ago on a hockey trip. They were stuck in my car while I played their CDs. Yes, we had CDs back then, not iPods or other crap.
Be glad I didn't mention 8 track tapes. EEEEK!