Okay, since we can’t be snobs about listening to Kasabian, here are three bands we can be snobby about:
They’ve all been around a while, and I’m sure they’ve all gotten radio play, but they ain’t no Britney Spearses.
The Zutons have a very 60s rock feel—damn good 60s rock—with a refreshingly complex yet natural sound. They don’t take themselves too seriously, which makes the music just plain fun.
The Secret Machines are approximately what you’d get if you combined the best bits of Led Zeppelin, U2, and Alanis Morissette. No, really. I’m serious.
Medeski, Martin & Wood are a different kettle of fish. Their exact style is almost impossible to pin down, especially since they’re always trying new things. Their latest album, End of the World Party (Just in Case), is groovy, funky electro-jazz that manages to be ear-candy without being unsophisticated or overproduced.
Comments
the music scene
you should move to seattle
Hrm...
I hope that, as a devotée of the two former bands, I may without danger of giving offense inquire what the best bits of Alanis Morrissette might be?
Re: Hrm...
She makes good use of catchy hooks and she's one of the few popular singer/songwriters who still writes her own songs. Also, there's something about the cadence of some of the Secret Machines' lyrics that reminds me very slightly of Alanis.
Re: Hrm...
But you probably have a different slew of singer/songwriters in mind than I would, not being a Lilith Fairish, listens-to-HS-class-of-94-sibling's-castoffs individual like myself. :P
Re: Hrm...
Anyway, I'd argue that Alanis Morissette is popular in a way that Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, and even Dave Matthews aren't. How many 12-year-old girls listen to Sara McLachlan? How many listen to Alanis Morissette? Catch my drift?
Alanis has the rare distinction of being popular even among the Britney Spears teeny-bopper crowd, and in that crowd, she's certainly one of the only singers writing her own stuff.
more good music
The Go! Team
Cut Copy
Broken Social Scene
Interpol
!!!
Avalanches
Belle & Sebastian
Beta Band
Goldfrapp
Le Tigre
Buck 65
Four Tet
Manitoba
Schneider TM
LCD Soundsystem
Cornelius
holy cow: damn good 60s rock
the best bits of Led Zeppelin, U2, and Alanis Morissette
were that, darned, Bloody Monday was NOT my thing back then, like it was to The Cranberries, the fat lady has stopped singing and LZ never took-off (as a Zeppelin). pleeze if You want the whole story get 'pere ubu' see dee+
no, I'm not patronizing