Roncag
04-18-2007, 01:15 PM
The past few months have given us the chance to bring you 10 bands worth checking out. Listen to what we feel are some of the best bands you may have never heard of. In our general malaise, we have built up quite a list, so expect this more often. So without further ado.......
10 Bands You Should Know
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/nurses.jpg Nurses
Website (http://www.nursesmusic.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/nurses)
Given this band's listless moniker, Nurses, I wasn't expecting a whole lot on first listen. Fortunately, the creative energy not expended in creating a memorable name seems to have been applied directly to songwriting, which melds Blood Brothers-esque experimental spaz with the catchy, keyboard-heavy indie hooks of oldschool Hot Hot Heat. I'm convinced that in a parallel universe occupied by humans that don't suck at liking music, any number of songs on this album could because instant singles, especially "Wait for Safe Sign," an incredibly engaging track that could be one of my favorite songs of the year.
RIYL: The Blood Brothers, Hot Hot Heat, Mellowdrone, Cursive, Portugal the Man, Minus the Bear, Mewithoutyou
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/radicalface.jpg Radical Face
Website (http://www.radicalface.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/radicalface)
Radical Face, a captivating folk band from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, is not really a band at all. It seems that a guy named Ben Cooper is its sole member (notwithstanding the occasional contributor), managing all by his lonesome to craft a charismatic brand of folk-rock to fill out his new album, Ghost. On his skillful debut, it feels as though the talented musician(s) drew from a myriad of well-established sources: one can hear the delicate intricacies of Sufjan Stevens’ lilting melodies echoing throughout, with The Mountain Goats’ pop songwriting sensibility moving alongside as both merge fluidly with the tale-spinning lyrical flair of The Decemberists. But, at its heart, Ghost is a unique piece of music that owes nothing to anyone but its creator; this obviously gifted musician molds a beautifully intense and soulful collection of songs, evoking a tone of dark immediacy that belies its underlying old-world warmth.
RIYL: Neutral Milk Hotel, Amandine, The Mountain Goats, Sufjan Stevens, The Decemberists, Electric President
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/eustacia.jpg Eustacia
Website (http://www.eustacia-music.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/eustacia)
It's not often that a band will message you on MySpace out of nowhere and actually be worth a damn. In fact, it seems that, should this happen, you're 100% guaranteed you're going to be subjected to tripe. Eustacia sent me a message on MySpace and stated their case with mild conviction, in essence telling me that, since I like Oceansize, Failure, and Biffy Clyro, maybe I would like them, maybe. And that I should at least give them a chance. Normally, I would just delete the message without even bothering to read it. I clicked this one, as the name Eustacia intrigued me. And what I got one was of the most exciting random band encounters ever. The fact that these guys hadn't even set foot in an actual studio yet, but still managed to create such epic, powerful, empowering music was astounding.
RIYL: Oceansize, Failure, Radiohead, Biffy Clyro, Cooper Temple Clause, Hum, Amplifier
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/ayin.jpg Ayin
Website (http://www.ayinmusic.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/ayin)
Ayin is, simply put, an amazing experimental quartet who hail from Salt Lake City, Utah. These brilliant boys have been together for several years now, putting together an Ep and demo that showed tremendous talent and potential. However, with the independent release of their debut album, The Persistent Divide, Ayin have encapsulated a whole other level of magnificence and splendor. By combining the melodic, spacey croon of a Codeseven or Silverchair with the layered walls of sound akin to an Oceansize or Aereogramme they have joined an elite club, and will certainly be idolized once the word gets out.
RIYL: Codeseven, Dredg, Silverchair, Junius, Sans Seraph, Aereogramme, Oceansize
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/thetwilightsad.jpg The Twilight Sad
Website (http://www.fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/artistInfo.php?id=107) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/thetwilightsad)
If you stop to think about it for a really long time, the CD inserts and various promotional art pieces that The Twilight Sad is currently using are pretty freaking scary. This uneasy sentiment is only further enhanced when you take a break from the band’s haunting resonance and actually pay attention to the ominous lyrics that singer James Graham delivers with guiltless effort. Again, you’d have to stop and really think about it seeing as how The Twlight Sad has a multi-layered sound that’s so easy to get lost inside of. Distorted, fluttering guitars that would easily orchestrate the wings of a humming bird documentary are what dominate this release. One could argue these guys as being the best Fat Cat artist despite only having a notch and a half on the belt.
RIYL: Aereogramme, Menomena, Clann Zu, Swan Lake, Calla, Beirut, Film School, I Am Kloot
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/ashesarenutritious.jpg Ashes Are Nutritious
Website (http://www.ashesarenutritious.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/ashesarenutritious)
Coming from the town of East Brunswick, Ashes Are Nutritious have quickly catapulted into the top ten standings for the absolute worst band names ever. Lucky for them, their choice of monikers is not at all indicative of the band’s sound. The musicianship of their debut album, Frustration+, quickly calls to mind obvious influences, but at the same time has an impeccable charisma that is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Within these 11 songs of aural dynamite are blistering melodies and amazing intricacies skillful enough to make The Mars Volta’s jaws drop and Tool turn green with envy. Bands this young aren’t supposed to turn out freshman albums this cool. What the hell are they leaving themselves to look forward to?
RIYL: Glassjaw, The Mars Volta, Maverick, Seneca, The Dear Hunter, Fair to Midland, Opus Dai, Circa Survive
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/sleeptalker.gif Sleeptalker
Website (http://www.sleeptalker.net/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/sleeptalkerband)
Once upon a time the frontman of Sleeptalker, Mason Frenzel, had an overlooked venture called Aireline. The band parted ways probably because they discovered that there’s no money in music that actually harbors true talent behind the craft. However, any woe is me feelings aficionados may have for the old project are now going to be quickly pushed aside. Mason’s new endeavor buries the old days in what could barely be classified as a distant, afterthought memory. Expanding and surpassing all previous foundations, simplifysimplify is a short, placid recording that still manages to pull off an epic feel despite the literal and figurative expression of its title. Sleeptalker is a stunning act; please support these starving artists. After all, they sent out their CD in a USED envelope!
RIYL: Aireline, Coldplay, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Bridges, Miles Dark, Dikta, Anathallo, Ester Drang
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/youjudas.jpg You Judas
Website (http://www.dubrek.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/youjudas)
To say the least, the United Kingdom’s You Judas has found an interesting way to express their anger. With screams raging of political anthems, crashing guitars, and spastic drumming all oddly juxtaposed with the same loud-soft dynamics of a post-rock band, this is the type of act that is undeniably flexible across a myriad of different tastes. Just when you think you understand them, they come down a completely different avenue. The current trend is to brand them as a heel, metal version of Radiohead that’s sporting a quasi Deftones makeover. But whatever inconsequential label that’s destined to follow, what will remain is the consensus feeling that both You Judas releases excel at imaginative ruses -- two listens that will stay in heavy rotation for quite some time.
RIYL: Redjetson, Jesus Lizard, Mogwai, Muse, Deftones, Radiohead, iLiKETRAiNS, ISIS, Cult Of Luna
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/whiteroom.jpg WhiteRoom
Website (http://www.whiteroom.ca) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/officialwhiteroom)
There are purists out there who think that music is dying. There have been these same naysayers for a number of years, citing a lack of creativity and a bulk of weird and different for the sake of weird and different. WhiteRoom is about to blot out these same people by shoving their self-titled album down their throats. WhiteRoom's music is a collage of everything great about Brit rock from 1964 to 1977, then 1994 to the present, skipping the embarrassing fads of the 1980s and cutting back and forth between the juicy bits, from Radiohead squalls to upbeat Beatles ditties. It should make anyone a fan of music again. If you like the Cooper Temple Clause, you should love WhiteRoom. More eclectic and less likely to get lost within their own song. Highly recommended.
RIYL: Cooper Temple Clause, 65 Days of Static, Woven, Radiohead, Lake Trout, Kieskagato
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/peaceburialatsea1.jpg Peace Burial At Sea
Website (http://www.peaceburialatsea.co.uk/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/peaceburialatsea)
Peace Burial at Sea is certainly a different kind of beast in the world of post-rock. Warbling synths, sonic guitar arrangements, dank lyrics, vocals quite heavy on the reverb -- all of these ideas wrapped in post-hardcore bow are what make up this group’s two absurdly unnoticed LPs. With so much going on all at once, it’s no secret that this quartet doesn’t write the kind of music that’s easily marketable. It’s sort of an upsetting sacrifice to the uncompromising creative drive. Nevertheless, PBAS is long overdue for a big breakout -- at least it’s initially expected to have those feelings at this point. But the gentle, menacing aura that surrounds their music leaves second impressions that they are just fine with lying in the weeds.
RIYL: Junius, Fugazi, 65 Days of Static, Pink Floyd, Oceansize, Immune, Neurosis, Kayo Dot
--coming to you courtesy of MJ Austin, Scott Miller, Ben Rice, and Adam Roncaglione.
10 Bands You Should Know
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/nurses.jpg Nurses
Website (http://www.nursesmusic.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/nurses)
Given this band's listless moniker, Nurses, I wasn't expecting a whole lot on first listen. Fortunately, the creative energy not expended in creating a memorable name seems to have been applied directly to songwriting, which melds Blood Brothers-esque experimental spaz with the catchy, keyboard-heavy indie hooks of oldschool Hot Hot Heat. I'm convinced that in a parallel universe occupied by humans that don't suck at liking music, any number of songs on this album could because instant singles, especially "Wait for Safe Sign," an incredibly engaging track that could be one of my favorite songs of the year.
RIYL: The Blood Brothers, Hot Hot Heat, Mellowdrone, Cursive, Portugal the Man, Minus the Bear, Mewithoutyou
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/radicalface.jpg Radical Face
Website (http://www.radicalface.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/radicalface)
Radical Face, a captivating folk band from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, is not really a band at all. It seems that a guy named Ben Cooper is its sole member (notwithstanding the occasional contributor), managing all by his lonesome to craft a charismatic brand of folk-rock to fill out his new album, Ghost. On his skillful debut, it feels as though the talented musician(s) drew from a myriad of well-established sources: one can hear the delicate intricacies of Sufjan Stevens’ lilting melodies echoing throughout, with The Mountain Goats’ pop songwriting sensibility moving alongside as both merge fluidly with the tale-spinning lyrical flair of The Decemberists. But, at its heart, Ghost is a unique piece of music that owes nothing to anyone but its creator; this obviously gifted musician molds a beautifully intense and soulful collection of songs, evoking a tone of dark immediacy that belies its underlying old-world warmth.
RIYL: Neutral Milk Hotel, Amandine, The Mountain Goats, Sufjan Stevens, The Decemberists, Electric President
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/eustacia.jpg Eustacia
Website (http://www.eustacia-music.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/eustacia)
It's not often that a band will message you on MySpace out of nowhere and actually be worth a damn. In fact, it seems that, should this happen, you're 100% guaranteed you're going to be subjected to tripe. Eustacia sent me a message on MySpace and stated their case with mild conviction, in essence telling me that, since I like Oceansize, Failure, and Biffy Clyro, maybe I would like them, maybe. And that I should at least give them a chance. Normally, I would just delete the message without even bothering to read it. I clicked this one, as the name Eustacia intrigued me. And what I got one was of the most exciting random band encounters ever. The fact that these guys hadn't even set foot in an actual studio yet, but still managed to create such epic, powerful, empowering music was astounding.
RIYL: Oceansize, Failure, Radiohead, Biffy Clyro, Cooper Temple Clause, Hum, Amplifier
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/ayin.jpg Ayin
Website (http://www.ayinmusic.com) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/ayin)
Ayin is, simply put, an amazing experimental quartet who hail from Salt Lake City, Utah. These brilliant boys have been together for several years now, putting together an Ep and demo that showed tremendous talent and potential. However, with the independent release of their debut album, The Persistent Divide, Ayin have encapsulated a whole other level of magnificence and splendor. By combining the melodic, spacey croon of a Codeseven or Silverchair with the layered walls of sound akin to an Oceansize or Aereogramme they have joined an elite club, and will certainly be idolized once the word gets out.
RIYL: Codeseven, Dredg, Silverchair, Junius, Sans Seraph, Aereogramme, Oceansize
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/thetwilightsad.jpg The Twilight Sad
Website (http://www.fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/artistInfo.php?id=107) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/thetwilightsad)
If you stop to think about it for a really long time, the CD inserts and various promotional art pieces that The Twilight Sad is currently using are pretty freaking scary. This uneasy sentiment is only further enhanced when you take a break from the band’s haunting resonance and actually pay attention to the ominous lyrics that singer James Graham delivers with guiltless effort. Again, you’d have to stop and really think about it seeing as how The Twlight Sad has a multi-layered sound that’s so easy to get lost inside of. Distorted, fluttering guitars that would easily orchestrate the wings of a humming bird documentary are what dominate this release. One could argue these guys as being the best Fat Cat artist despite only having a notch and a half on the belt.
RIYL: Aereogramme, Menomena, Clann Zu, Swan Lake, Calla, Beirut, Film School, I Am Kloot
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/ashesarenutritious.jpg Ashes Are Nutritious
Website (http://www.ashesarenutritious.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/ashesarenutritious)
Coming from the town of East Brunswick, Ashes Are Nutritious have quickly catapulted into the top ten standings for the absolute worst band names ever. Lucky for them, their choice of monikers is not at all indicative of the band’s sound. The musicianship of their debut album, Frustration+, quickly calls to mind obvious influences, but at the same time has an impeccable charisma that is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Within these 11 songs of aural dynamite are blistering melodies and amazing intricacies skillful enough to make The Mars Volta’s jaws drop and Tool turn green with envy. Bands this young aren’t supposed to turn out freshman albums this cool. What the hell are they leaving themselves to look forward to?
RIYL: Glassjaw, The Mars Volta, Maverick, Seneca, The Dear Hunter, Fair to Midland, Opus Dai, Circa Survive
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/sleeptalker.gif Sleeptalker
Website (http://www.sleeptalker.net/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/sleeptalkerband)
Once upon a time the frontman of Sleeptalker, Mason Frenzel, had an overlooked venture called Aireline. The band parted ways probably because they discovered that there’s no money in music that actually harbors true talent behind the craft. However, any woe is me feelings aficionados may have for the old project are now going to be quickly pushed aside. Mason’s new endeavor buries the old days in what could barely be classified as a distant, afterthought memory. Expanding and surpassing all previous foundations, simplifysimplify is a short, placid recording that still manages to pull off an epic feel despite the literal and figurative expression of its title. Sleeptalker is a stunning act; please support these starving artists. After all, they sent out their CD in a USED envelope!
RIYL: Aireline, Coldplay, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Bridges, Miles Dark, Dikta, Anathallo, Ester Drang
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/youjudas.jpg You Judas
Website (http://www.dubrek.com/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/youjudas)
To say the least, the United Kingdom’s You Judas has found an interesting way to express their anger. With screams raging of political anthems, crashing guitars, and spastic drumming all oddly juxtaposed with the same loud-soft dynamics of a post-rock band, this is the type of act that is undeniably flexible across a myriad of different tastes. Just when you think you understand them, they come down a completely different avenue. The current trend is to brand them as a heel, metal version of Radiohead that’s sporting a quasi Deftones makeover. But whatever inconsequential label that’s destined to follow, what will remain is the consensus feeling that both You Judas releases excel at imaginative ruses -- two listens that will stay in heavy rotation for quite some time.
RIYL: Redjetson, Jesus Lizard, Mogwai, Muse, Deftones, Radiohead, iLiKETRAiNS, ISIS, Cult Of Luna
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/whiteroom.jpg WhiteRoom
Website (http://www.whiteroom.ca) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/officialwhiteroom)
There are purists out there who think that music is dying. There have been these same naysayers for a number of years, citing a lack of creativity and a bulk of weird and different for the sake of weird and different. WhiteRoom is about to blot out these same people by shoving their self-titled album down their throats. WhiteRoom's music is a collage of everything great about Brit rock from 1964 to 1977, then 1994 to the present, skipping the embarrassing fads of the 1980s and cutting back and forth between the juicy bits, from Radiohead squalls to upbeat Beatles ditties. It should make anyone a fan of music again. If you like the Cooper Temple Clause, you should love WhiteRoom. More eclectic and less likely to get lost within their own song. Highly recommended.
RIYL: Cooper Temple Clause, 65 Days of Static, Woven, Radiohead, Lake Trout, Kieskagato
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/bandsyoushouldknow/peaceburialatsea1.jpg Peace Burial At Sea
Website (http://www.peaceburialatsea.co.uk/) :: Listen (http://www.myspace.com/peaceburialatsea)
Peace Burial at Sea is certainly a different kind of beast in the world of post-rock. Warbling synths, sonic guitar arrangements, dank lyrics, vocals quite heavy on the reverb -- all of these ideas wrapped in post-hardcore bow are what make up this group’s two absurdly unnoticed LPs. With so much going on all at once, it’s no secret that this quartet doesn’t write the kind of music that’s easily marketable. It’s sort of an upsetting sacrifice to the uncompromising creative drive. Nevertheless, PBAS is long overdue for a big breakout -- at least it’s initially expected to have those feelings at this point. But the gentle, menacing aura that surrounds their music leaves second impressions that they are just fine with lying in the weeds.
RIYL: Junius, Fugazi, 65 Days of Static, Pink Floyd, Oceansize, Immune, Neurosis, Kayo Dot
--coming to you courtesy of MJ Austin, Scott Miller, Ben Rice, and Adam Roncaglione.