Part 1.Part 2.
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21: Art Brut This is another one of those groups where you initially hear the voice and the initial reaction could conceivably be, "Is this a joke?" "Are you messing with me?" Definitely an interesting voice that can be a little distracting at times, but what can you say, really? They have some pretty good pop music. I was not the biggest fan of their most recent album, but not every one can be a winner.
If you like this song, find: Emily Kane, Good Weekend, Post Soothing Out, Demons Out!, Pump Up the Volume, Modern Art
22: Discovery
A side project comprised of members of Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot (neither of which are on this list!), this is pretty good shit IF you can handle some electronica. Don't get me wrong, these are mostly pop songs, but there's some dance hall/eletronic sound to the music. They only have one album, and with these side projects it might end up being the only one, but it's full of quality songs. I recommend it heavily.
If you like this song, find: Orange Shirt, Osaka Loop Line, Swing Tree, Carby, I Want You Back
23. fun. I just can't help myself... their first album comes out in two weeks. This is what is sometimes known as a "supergroup" even though in my opinion the groups that they are coming from aren't that super. There's Nate from The Format, which in my opinion is the only reason this band is going anywhere. There are also members from Steel Train and another band I don't know. I only know Steel Train because I saw them open for The Format and my sole recollection of that show was that the guitarist can shred like crazy, so I'm glad to see him paired with Nate's voice in this new band. What can I say? 4 songs have been released already and all of them are great! "Walking the Dog" is my favorite, it's just a great summer song. I did get the chance to hear a few more when I saw them live in May. I'll be going again to see a headlining show in September, most likely. I think everyone should check this band out and get their debut album "Aim and Ignite" when it's available on August 25th.
If you like this song, find: At Least I'm Not As Sad (As I Used to Be), All the Pretty Girls, Take Your Time Coming Home, Benson Hedges
24: Girl Talk
I think anyone can like Girl Talk if exposed. Girl Talk is essentially one guy, who mixes together all the music you already know and puts on these crazy concerts using only his laptop where people absolutely lose their shit and go wild. Listening to "Feed the Animals", it's like a guessing game of name that sample. Oh, there's Tom Petty, oh, there's Fleetwood Mac. Hey, that's "Flashing Lights" mixed with No Diggity or Boyz by M.I.A. mixed with The Cranberries. My absolute favorite is Jessie's Girl mixed with "I Wanna Get Some Head"... this is the PERFECT party CD, especially if you want to get people dancing. Fun fun fun.
If you like this song, find: The entire "Feed the Animals" album. You can also check out the other one "Night Ripper" but I don't like that one as much, too much rap I never heard before. Feed The Animals draws from more accessible pop that everyone will notice something from.
25: hellogoodbye
This band hasn't been up to anything in a while and I tried to google some recent information on them lately and all I was able to get back was news about them trashing some college and being giant douchebags... not a good sign. However, their EP and first full length, "Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!" were both good, fun albums that were right up my alley. Hopefully they'll be back around soon.
If you like this song, find: Here In Your Arms, Call n' Return, Touchdown Turnaround, I Saw It On Your Keyboard, Dear Jamie, Two Weeks in Hawaii
26: Hot Chip
More of an electronic/dance group. They have a few CDs, but I'm only really a fan of last year's big hit, "Made in the Dark." Not much more for me to add, except if you want to listen to some funky, danceable beats - they might be looking in to. Very popular with some of the hipster set, so maybe that can earn you some points if there is a girl whose skinny jeans you desperately want to get in to.
If you like this song, find: Out at the Pictures, Shake a Fist, One Pure Thought, Wrestlers
27: The Kooks
Weepy, slightly feminine British band in the same sort of vein as Coldplay, but not nearly as grandoise. That's probably not 100% accurate because it's not QUITE as sensitive, but I kinda lump it into that group in my head. Good melodies and some really catchy pop/lite rock tunes. Despite the unfortunate name, "Jackie Big Tits" is a really catch and damn good pop song. I think this band could break through and be big. They are already pretty big across the pond in the UK but different beast here in the US... although I have heard the embedded clip in movie trailers and on commercials.
If you like this song, find: Jackie Big Tits, She Moves in Her Own Way, Match Box, Love it All
28: LCD Soundsystem
"Sound of Silver" was the album of 2007 hands down and "All My Friends" is one of the best songs I've ever heard in my entire life. I don't know what else to add, really. It's smart, good music that perfect for anyone who likes to move and likes good music.
If you like this song, find: Someone Great, North American Scum, Us V Them
29: MGMT
I'm not sure it's possible for me to mention or list a band that could be considered hipster darlings any more than MGMT, but hey, the music is good. Jay-Z wanted some "hipster" influence on The Blueprint 3 and there's going to be a song featuring MGMT on there. I can't wait to hear what it sounds like. These are light, funky songs that don't take themselves too seriously, which in all seriousness is probably perfect for that waste of life Williamsburg set who moves throughout life trying to one-up each other in a battle to see who can be the most ironic in their life choices. Ehh, I like the music even if I really don't love most of the people who are going nuts over it.
If you like this song, find: Electric Feel, Time to Pretend, Love Always Remains, Destrokk
30: The National
I love The National, and I think in parts they have already reached the mainstream. I was shopping at Home Depot once when I heard "Fake Empire" come over the loudspeakers. I definitely did a double-take. This is more of a serious band, not as funky or in to my normal subset, but I heard of The National years ago quite randomly... I think I read a recommendation on some random place of the internet for their new album at the time, "Alligator"... I loved it. They've since released "Boxer", which is what got them some of their mainstream attention. Definitely a band worth tracking down. Both "Alligator" and "Boxer" are chock full of great songs that you will remember for a long time... also their first EP "Cherry Tree" has the gem "About Today".
If you like this song, find: Secret Meeting, About Today, Fake Empire, Slow Show, Apartment Story, The Geese of Beverly Road, Mr. November
One more part left to go, where I will also include some of the bands that just missed the list for various reasons.
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