While attempting to make a list of every band I've ever loved, I often get distracted by daily unearthing in my musical endeavors. And in writing. And, well, with most other things. I've seen my taste for music go from a solid distaste for anything that was NOT punk rock, to including nerdcore, new wave bluegrass and, of course, techno-goth pop. 2009, however, brings a freshly discovered open mindedness to me, with disregard to my previous genre snobbery. I think it's definitely a year of hope, and a couple of other things. That true musicianship isn't gone, you can seriously, seriously love music, and still have fun with it, and that sometimes old ideas in a new light is just what you need. With that said, I suggest to you my January neurosis of music:
Some are new discoveries, others are old favorites, but for the most part, these artists will most likely be buzzing my audio meatus this month...
Andrew Bird - Noble Beast. Please do yourself a favor of freshly picked Violin virtuoso combined with prodigal whistling and and ever present optimism in simplicity.
Bag Raiders - Feel good techno. No raves, X, or sweaty German men about it.
Beirut - Along the lines of the aforementioned Birdman, however sub an accordion, a slightly docile hook, and an epic disposition .
The Bowerbirds - NC based band that are self described acoustic Americana. I can agree with that. They seem to not mourn the fact that they are musicians, Kudos!
Brazilian Girls - Throw caution to the wind and any sexual preference that may go with it, because you'll definitely be dancing like a tipsy Tri Sigma on Homecoming night after you hear "Good Time". It's a fuckin good time.
Call Florence Pow - This was the Nerdcore I was talking about. If you ever tried your damnedest to dominate Mario brothers on your key-tar, I'm sorry, you will literally wet yourself when you listen to these guys. It's like every late 80's video game went to a mixer with the Mormon Tabernacle choir and made some babies.
The Cars - Maybe it's Echo nights, or maybe I just remember them being really fucking awesome.
Christopher O'Riley - Everytime I heard slight hints of major chords fluttering over tiny compy speakers from across the room, I have to ask who it is. Upon further investigation, this guy is good. Beautiful, even.
Dear & The Headlights - Refreshingly original acoustic alternative, mixed with a little pop, and carelessness toward defining which genre they'd like to belong to...
Fleetfoxes - Just go to Hulu.com and watch their SNL appearance, you'll understand.
Gary Jules - Wow. Why didn't I listen to him sooner? Remember that Gears of War commercial that caught you off-guard when Marcus Fenix is slaughtering COG's to a soothing piano cover of a song you think you almost know? Yeah. It's this guy. And listen to Bluefish.
The Gaslight Anthem - Rock your face good stuff. Go grab a skateboard and some Chucks, please.
Girl Talk - I could make this an entirely separate post, but I might embarrass myself by the extent to which I freak out like a tween and a Jonas Brothers concert every time I hear Feed The Animals. Do you like oldies? Rap? Hip Hop? Techno? Hardcore rock? Alternative? Not any of them? Oh well, you'll like this biomedical engineer turned mash up DJ and producer. The flawlessness to his craft is both enviable and genius. Oh, and my mother and I can listen to the same CD that I could also play at a house rave or roadtrip.
The Go! Team - Hipster alternative remix music with a hint of the Fox & The Hound and the Bronx Children's choir? Yes. I think so. Also, Media Molecule (I've been told it's some soft of video game developer?) decided that The Go! Team's enlivening innocence would be a good theme song for their puzzle platformer, Little Big Planet. If you've played the game, or heard their music, you'd agree.
The Great Fiction - It's about as pop culture as I'm getting this month, but this band was featured on the Invisible soundtrack. Although being devoid of a good plot, the soundtrack introduced me to some pretty good bands, this being one of them.
Harvey Danger - Whenever you need witty lyrics, a 1990's state of mind, and something you know your Nickelback loving friends would HATE, put this in... yum.
Iron horse - It's bluegrass, and it's good. Not much more to say, though I may be biased, I usually get to enjoy it overlooking a river while sitting in a hot tub.
Islands - Genre: other. If you enjoy archaic new wave alt pop, please bless your little adventurous heart and ignore my botched attempt to describe this band. Go fill your playlist with 'Where there's a will there's a whalebone', Rough Gem, and Creeper.
Jump, Little Children - Charleston, SC based band, swoon. May have opened for the Gin Blossoms at one point (just guessing...). While they are not still together, I hope one day they will serenade me with By the way they dance, in person. Also good a track: Mexico.
Justice - D.A.N.C.E: do it. 1 2 3 4 5.
Kay Kay & His Weathered Underground - Indie folk with a flair for theatrics, honky tonk pianos, and genuinely jamborific confidence in telling a story with a song.
The Long Winters - Quite the panty dropping band. If you're a struggling lonesome with your heart set on a struggling artistic(ish) barista/actress, ditch the Say Anything standard and pop Cinnamon on your mixtape. Ching! you'll see that tramp stamp in no time.
MGMT - Yet another unknown varmint that blew up, while still remaining slightly underground (Not unlike tremors, not in popularity, in, like, below the surface fracas...ahh nevermind) Synthetic groovy beats. Beegee appeal vox. I'm just doing a terrible job describing this one aren't I? Check out Time to Pretend and Electric feel.
Norfolk & Western - Could possibly see this band at a local musician showcase, but there is a NPR Crossing Boundaries quality that I can't avoid. Illegally download the new Rise of labor and start from there.
Of Montreal - An old standard that has an uncanny ability to complete smooth transitions in my mixes of new music. Aces. If you like Minus the bear and Daft Punk, they may not sound similar, but I bet you like Of Montreal too...
Okkervil River - I'd really like to see them perform with Ben Folds. Or Beirut? Or both! Cat's pajamas. Their ability to write heartfelt lyrics and riffs that aren't butt rock make their sincerity shine through. Could be comparable to the Killers, if the Killers were from Seattle or Chicago, instead of Las Vegas.
Ra Ra Riot - A band I discovered while in New York, which is appropriate if you ask me. Smooth listening that incorporates the Kooks vocals timbre and a decemberistness... Not a word. Using it anyway. Listen to 'Can you Tell'.
Ratatat - Thank you, white boy mixes of r&b and techno (used loosely) to created very DJ friendly dance beats. They will inevitably end up collaborating with Timbaland. I shutter at the thought.
RJD2 - Soon to hit every automobile (Esp. Cadillac) commercial, but in the mean time: Children! Scramble to buy Deadringer... then you can brag that you knew him back when... Choice listens? Ghostwriter and the Horror.
Soul Coughing - Yes, they've been around for a while. No, I didn't know them before November, sue me! In fear of turning anyone off, please listen to Screenwriters blues and circles.
TV on the Radio - They are turning up everywhere, XM commericials, American Eagle, Clubs, FUSE.. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to pee in the middle of the night and walk in to find Tunde Adebimpe singing 'Crying' in my shower stall. Comparable to Black Kids, if the postal service, my morning jacket, and the dodos helped write the album. Essentials, Wolf Like me, Love dog.
The Weepies - The woman's voice alone makes the band's namesake viable. She literally makes me want to weep, it's just so damn sweet. 'I gotta have you', go listen to it. Then burn your bra and light some incense.
The Wombats - By far my favorite, favorite, favorite band of the month. Jeebus. Maybe even the year? I had an album of theirs a couple of years ago, and forgot about it. Until recently, when 'Let's dance to Joy Division' revived my wombat loving heart. Um. Ramones, clash, ting tings, kooks rolled into pure unadulterated punk pop goodness.
It's a long description. But 2009 will definitely take a turn up if you listen to these artists. Live in the moment, put on your headphones, play it as loud as you effing want, and keep an open mind.
Cheers!
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