36. Devendra Banhart "Cripple Crow"
The album opens with an acoustic guitar that can't help but remind me of Nick Drake but Banhart proves to be anything but a one way train with this album. You have the rocking and quirky Chinese Children, the spanish bossanova Santa Maira de Feira, the quiet and emotional Korean Dogwood. Devendra shows himself to be a versatile songwriter drawing from a well full of influences throughout this album.
Cripple Crow marks a change in Devendra's sound, showing him to be more creative then before and releasing a beautiful and well crafted release.
Favorite Song: Korean Dogwood
MySpace.com - Devendra Banhart - - Folk / Indie - www.myspace.com/devendrabanhart
35. Stars "Set Yourself On Fire"
"When there's nothing left to burn you have to set yourself on fire" and then the album opens up with a melancholic array of instruments but then it takes a turn and you hear a more upbeat rhythm. Canadian indie-poppers Stars create an album that takes you on a trip through the various sides of romance. While at times cliche, it never feels cheesy or overdone as they always manage to remain true to the broken hearted and love sick. Crafting songs that goes from quiet reflection to crying in your room, Stars show you that setting yourself on fire could be less painful than falling in love.
Favorite Song: Your Ex-Lover Is Dead
MySpace.com - Stars - Montreal, CA - Melodramatic Popular Song - www.myspace.com/stars
34. Tegan and Sara "So Jealous"
This is kind of my ultimate guilty pleasure and I kind of want to put it higher. The music is so cute and precious and probably means more to me then it should. Anyway, Tegan and Sara create cute indie-pop twee folk type songs with adorable voices that make my heart melt. I don't think anyone else will like them much.
Favorite Song: I Know I Know I Know
MySpace.com - Tegan and Sara - Vancouver/Montreal, CA - Indie / Pop / Alternative - www.myspace.com/teganandsara