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Bands I've Discovered (and Really Like)
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Eighteen months ago, I returned to the South (the Georgia/Alabama
region) with very little current knowledge of indie music. See,
I went away to academic hibernation for 9 years and fell out
of touch. Since my southerly migration, I have enjoyed an immersion
into local, regional, and even national indie bands. I decided
for the end of the year, I would make a top ten list of the
favorite bands I've "discovered" in that time. I believe
they represent a smattering of mainstream indie rock-no fetishes,
bizarre sub-genres, or odd obsessions here, just good ol' guitar
roots rock. So, here it is, in alphabetical rather than hierarchal
order cuz I just couldn't compare these apples and oranges that
closely.
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American Dream
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Harp and cello in a rock band-how can you go wrong?
Seriously, if the
mix is correct, this band produces one of the most intricate
and rich sounds of any local live band. And, as proven by the
high amount of EvilSponge reviews, American Dream is perhaps the
hardest working band in Atlanta show business. |
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Crooked Fingers (and Archers of Loaf)
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Having been a poor grad student in the deserted
frozen tundra during the phenomenon of Archers of Loaf, I have
the distinct misfortune to appreciate their work only posthumously.
Luckily, though, Crooked Fingers offers a darkly sweet, if not
as powerful, live substitute for Archers. |
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The Plan is a great mix of thoughtful lyrics, diverse
melodies, and driving/funky rhythms that make them literally music
to my ears and mind. And, they offer the most exciting frontman
I've seen all year. It's like he has an epileptic fit onstage. |
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5-8
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What can I say? These three guys produce a lot of
sound, and it rocks. Besides, any band that counts
down the New Year repetitively after every song (and hours
after midnight) get definite bonus points for humor. |
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Kelly Hogan (and the Pine Valley Cosmonauts)
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I followed The Jody Grind back in the day, but I
was unfamiliar with Hogan's solo work until I returned. Her neo-country
sound is solid, even if it does not take enough advantage of her
vocal range and diversity. If you really want to understand the
joy of her voice, see Hogan perform live, and hope she covers
something interesting, like Journey. |
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The John Doe Thing
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Back in the day, I was only a moderate X
fan, but The John Doe Thing represents solid guitar work and sexy
lyrics. The concert last fall was one of the tightest and most
mature live shows I've seen as well. |
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Myssouri
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Michael Bradley and crew have fostered an artful
mix of goth and western rock. Love and death among the tumbleweeds…mmmmm… |
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Red House Painters
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To paraphrase Mark Kozalek, they may be "stupid
songs about my girlfriends and stupid songs about my cat,"
but the guitar work on their albums is exquisite. Married with
deep mahogany vocals and sensual lyrics, the Red House Painters
qualify as my favorite make-out band. |
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While I'm not as fanatical about The RATs as other
Minions, songs like "Car and Driver" include powerful
melodies and guitar work. And, their live shows offer an amusing
look at drunk indie-fan geeks trying to rock-out like metalheads. |
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The Woggles
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This band is a blast to see live. Just remember
to wear your dancing shoes-and buy a neck brace. You'll need it
after a night of head-bobbling. |
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The Young Antiques
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My favorite garage-rock dance band in Atlanta. Their
melodies are short, catchy, and just plain fun. For straight-on
rock, I think they may be one of the most overlooked bands by
other minions. |
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Music I Don't Get
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Call me pedestrian, but I have also discovered that
some obsessions within the indie community are just beyond me.
Certain Minions drag me to shows that either put me to sleep (with
nightmares about being stuck in the elevator from hell) or inspire
levels of testoterone I thought impossible among pseudo-androgynous
indie rockers. Here are a few such trends that just make me go,
"Hmm?" This list is also not in any particular order,
but the first two entries are bands while the last two are broad
genres. You get the idea. |
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The Drive-By Truckers
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I'm as proud of the South as anyone, but The Truckers
sometimes just take it too far. Digging in dirt with tractors
and glorifying Confederate soldiers are two Southern activities
which might best be left in the 20th century, if not the 19th. |
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Superchunk are a pleasant band. Their sound is well-honed
and complex. But, certain minions have come to find spiritual
significance in this band which is beyond me. They are basically
like ten other bands with a decent sound, whiny vocals, and one
token woman. Besides, the vocals are just not my taste in whiny. |
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My-Guitar-is-My-Tortured-Hot-Rod Bands
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Think of Yo
La Tengo and Seven Percent Solution here. I would lump both
of these bands into the "I like my guitar a lot. In fact,
I make love to it every night onstage" category. Perhaps
that should be its own sub-genre of music. I enjoy guitar-driven
music as much as the next guy (and, I'm a gal), but there's really
no need to stroke it longingly and forcefully while ignoring the
audience for whom you are performing. And the other thing I don't
get is this: why are all the men in the audience enraptured as
if the concert were a life-altering experience? |
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Songs over fifteen minutes without even the decency
to include lyrics just need to go. And, if you're going to perform
live, bring more than
a computer. |
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Related Links:
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Return to the End Of
Year Lists menu. |
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