(Bear with me, first post. I will grudgingly accept post criticisms.)

This is a musical genre I’ve really enjoyed for the last 5 years or so. Wikipedia describes it as heavy metal with symphonic elements. I prefer the ones with female vocalists with a classical sound, near operatic sometimes.

It started with a haunting ballad from the soundtrack of Daredevil (of all places) and I just fell in love with Amy Lee’s voice. Then a driving duet on the same album, a combination of heaven and hell, with pounding guitars,  angry rap-like lyrics, and Amy’s angelic sound wrapping it up. I was hooked. Since then, I’ve sought out more like it. I find that I’m drawn to the sheer energy of the music as well as the smooth vocals. I tend to steer clear of the growly, “Cookie Monster” vocals, although I’ll make exceptions. Here are some of the bands that have captured my fancy. (more…)

You know, it’s really nice to see a band that is just genuinely having a good time playing music and is just flat great at what they do. That’s Better than Ezra.

Just One Day


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Third Eye Blind is a great band that has had a long absence from the scene, at least as far as creating anything new is concerned. (more…)

Band of Skulls is a new 3-piece british band that has recently released its debut album, Baby Darling Doll Face Honey.  You can listen to the whole album on their website.  This band is getting a lot of attention right out of the gate and for good reason.  Bassist/vocalist Emma Richardson looks and sounds like a young Chrissy Hynde (but hotter).  Guitarist/vocalist Russell Marsden sounds like a cross between Caleb Followill and Jack White (but hotter).  Drummer Matt Hayward is intense without being overwhelming (but he’s not quite so hot).  This is definitely a new band you will want to check out and will keep listening to for a long time to come.  They are going to be huge (remember, you heard it here first).

DCFC blew into town Monday and played at Thanksgiving Point in a beautiful outdoor setting under skies that cleared just in time for the show. (more…)

Salt Lake City gave Augustana its usual adoring welcome last Friday at the Avalon, but this concert was markedly different from the others that have featured this great young band from Greenville, Illinois and San Diego, California.

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 Last night was the Elbow/Air Traffic show at the Depot in SLC.  I can’t begin to tell you how incredibly amazing this show was (Oh, Ok, I’ll try).   (more…)

 Bell X1 started out as Juniper, with Damien Rice, who left them on the eve of recording their first album to go find himself herding sheep in Tuscany. (more…)

With 2008 only one quarter over, this is the album of the year, the one everyone else will be shooting for–and probably missing.  Remember, you heard it here first.

Elbow is a band from Manchester that has made some fantastic music in the past and has a new album (their fourth), The Seldom Seen Kid, which has just been released in the UK and comes out in the States in April. (more…)

 

I have now seen this movie three times.  Aside from the fact that this makes me something of a freak, I discovered the following: (more…)

 

Here’s a band you may want to check out Clark:

Every once in a while, you catch a band that seems ready to take the next big step and launch into the stratosphere. The Bravery seems like that kind of band right now. (more…)

Alex Dezen of The Damnwells has written some new songs and, as always, they’re completely fantastic. I hope they make it onto a new Damnwells album. Here’s one symptom of what’s wrong with the music business: The Damnwells are not as successful as bands with half the talent they have. If you love these guys as much as I do, pass the word, and buy their albums: Bastards of the Beat and Air Stereo.

[cross-posted at mcqesq]

The Next Hundred Years are a rock band that really rocks. That’s about all I can say, except I’ve been listening to their new album non-stop since I got it. And their guitarist, who answered the questionnaire below, is one of the funniest men in music.
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Old gits like me watch the Reading Festival on the telly. This sad situation is made especially depressing by the sight of the teenage crowd singing along with the Chili Peppers. I mean, these kids were in nappies when Under the Bridge first entered MTV rotation. Said young whippersnappers included my nephew this year, who, dammit, is cooler than me.

Sigh.

Anyway, from the vantage point of my clean Ikea sofa, and wearing my new slippers, here are a few acts I enjoyed this year (CSS, The Gossip, New Young Pony Club): (more…)

All hail the rather excellent Indie-dance band, the Sunshine Underground. The lads are originally from Shropshire (sleepy, rural county bordering Wales), but formed in Leeds and subsequently earned the Live Band of the Year trophy at the Leeds Music Awards. Their debut album, Raise The Alarm, was released in August 2006.

Bassist Daly Smith agreed to tell us a bit about the band: (more…)

This week’s Band Spotlight features a wonderful Swedish band, Loney, Dear.
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This week’s Band Spotlight features a southern California band, The Spores. Read on to learn more about them, in their own words—in this case, the words of Molly Mcguire, vocalist/bassist/puppeteer.
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This week’s Band Spotlight features a NYC band, The Shivers. Read on to learn more about them, in their own words—in this case, the words of Keith Zarriello, guitarist/vocalist.
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This week’s Band Spotlight features Midlake, a band I can only think of describing as really, really wonderful. (Big thanks to BTD Greg for recommending them.) Read on to learn more about them, in their own words.
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This week’s Band Spotlight features Pelican, a Chicago band that can be described as ambient, uplifting, sad, heavy, and mellow all at once. Read on to learn more about them, in their own words—in this case, the words of Laurent Lebec, guitarist.
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This week’s Band Spotlight features BOAT, a Seattle band I just discovered and love. Read on to learn more about them, in their own words.
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This week’s Band Spotlight features CSS, a Brazillian dance band on the Sub Pop label. Read on to learn more about them, in their own words.
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This week’s Band Spotlight features Climber, a band I discovered via Bob Mould’s blog. Read on to learn more about them, in their own words—in this case, the words of Michael Nelson, vocalist/pianist.
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This week’s Band Spotlight is firmly aimed at Ladyhawk, an indie rock band that I think a lot of you KB’ers will enjoy. Read on to learn more about them, in their own words—in this case, the words of their bassist/vocalist, Sean Hawryluk.
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