This Thread Is For Indie/Pop'ers
 

So I'm bored and decided I would talk about some of my favorite indie/pop acts out there at the moment. It's a great world we live in, b/c there are so many bands I want to talk about.

I guess I'll start out in no particular order with

Tilly and the Wall

http://www.nailgunmedia.com/tillyandthewall.jpg

The group consists of two female vocalists, a male vocalist, a keyboard player, and a tap dancer (not to mention an assortment of other instruments). They're an Omaha band, but surprisingly not on Saddle Creek Records. I guess the unique feature of this band is that their percussion parts are mostly taps and hand claps. I wasn't really a big fan when I first saw them live in a really small venue, but it was fun to see their energy and crazy tapping (and the whole band is just eye candy).

I'll be frank, they are not the best thing in the world. In fact, a lot of their songs thus far overdue it on the vocals (even if their main vocalist has a pretty good voice) and struggle to find a good melody. Despite that, Wild Like Children had enough good tracks on it to be worth your while.

I think they are one or two CDs away from putting out something really, really good. Their new album Bottoms of Barrels sounds much better than what they've put out thus far. The single "Bad Education" is definitely one of their best songs (if not the best) to date. I look forward to hearing more from them.

Favorite tracks: Bad Education, Black and Blue, Freest Man, You And I Misbehaving, Fell Down The Stairs, and Let It Rain.

http://www.myspace.com/tillyandthewall
http://www.tillyandthewall.com/tatw/index.html

Mates of State

http://www.twentyfortyzine.com/zine/...Smaincolor.jpg

Wow. What a fun band. Another midwest group, this time it's a husband/wife duo whose voices really work well together. Well it's quite clear, their crazy electric organ keyboard gives the unique sound of the band. Not to mention, there is no need for a guitarist or bass player. Who needs them anyway? Everything on Team Boo is melodic, catchy, and has pretty clever hooks. I wish I had more insight on their earlier album and EPs...or even, their latest album, Bring It Back (which I HAVE listened to...well, mostly...and on first impression, it didn't seem as great as Team Boo).

It's dance music. It's sing-a-long. It's pop. You'll love it.

Favorite tracks: Abercrombie, Fluke, Open Book, Girls Singing (a nice change of pace), and Fraud in the 80s.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcFCd...s%20of%20State
http://www.matesofstate.com/
http://www.myspace.com/matesofstate

Eh, I'll be back later for more bands.

i have bring it back from mates of state....a couple of good songs but nothing impressive...i should check out team boo...

by the way, i've read a fairly detrimental review of le sport...and i was thinkin of downloading the album, but the man in question says they only have two good songs...:(

They have a couple of remixes on their homepage that i haven't yet listened to. I want to get my hands on the debut album regardless, but afterall it is their debut, so I think they'll have plenty more opportunities to make something better happen. And, I can think of at least three good songs so far [Your Brother Is My Only Hope, Business Girls, It's Not The End of the World] ;)

Tegan and Sara

http://www.undercover.com.au/pics/te...arah270803.jpg
This is two Canadian 20-something twin sisters, who are just absolutely adorable. But, they weren't always at the top of their game. Their first several efforts were simple and hardly eye catching. It wasn't until the release of So Jealous, where even the two sisters admit that they're not sure how it turned out so well produced. Their singing improved exponentially, it's almost hard to believe that this is the same group.

According to my lastfm, I have listened to them quite often. First time I heard of them was actually in this indie forum, some random thread that didn't get much attention. I checked them out, and honestly I didn't see anything worth my time. It seemed too poppy and predictable with no substance. When I saw a flyer for their show last year, I thought "Hey I know who they are...they aren't that great...meh, I probably won't go." And I didn't...one of the biggest regrets I have.

Somewhere along the line, I revisited them and saw the appeal of So Jealous...simple pop melodies executed perfectly with two of the cutest voices you may ever hear. The album, from top to bottom, is filled with catchy sing-a-long pop tunes, with a slight rock attitude and edge (both sisters are apparently fans of punk music). Their claim to fame is the melodic song "Walking With A Ghost", but it's hardly the best song on the album.

To me, this is still one of those guilty pleasure bands. When I play them around friends (who would typically not like this style of music), I feel reluctant at first, but thus far, I hear the same response..."You know what? I actually like this stuff."

Favorite Tracks: I Know I Know I Know, Downtown, Take Me Anywhere, Walking With A Ghost, You Wouldn't Like Me, and Monday Monday Monday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnyA2...n%20and%20sara
http://www.myspace.com/teganandsara
http://www.teganandsara.com/index.php

you know, it occured to me that this thread is essentially a conversation between you and me....so maybe i shouldn't reply but you're a sad frustrated man so i'll do it just to get a few replies to this thread.
i've listened to them once or twice maybe and they seemed ok, but i didn't get that instant catchy feel ( apart from the amazing "you wouldn't like me" )...maybe it's the lenght of the album ( a catchy pop album shouldn't have 14 songs...it gets a bit samey after a while and it's hard to maintain the same level of interest for this type of music for so long ).
but i AM listening to them again...:) it's very nice....maybe it was the latter part of the album that left me with the feeling of samey-ness...because the first 5 songs seem very catchy now...
you're right, it's amazingly produced, and i looked at that video you posted and amazingly enough, her vocals sound absolutely the same...i thought it was a bit tampered with on the album but nope..that's really how she sounds...( btw, are they twins or something, because i didn't know who i was looking at half the time in the video )

Hehe, thanks buddy. But no seriously, this thread is really for my own enjoyment, and hopefully I can just compile a really good thread, and save the link for future use. I'm thinking about doing a similar thing for other types of music, once again, just for my own entertainment, and maybe the use of this messageboard can help me organize my thoughts. And besides, should I have expected a larger audience other than you? ;)


Edit: Yeah, they are twins. I'm still not sure who is who. I know one of them carries a majority of the vocals in their songs, I'm not sure which one it is.

Architecture in Helsinki

http://www.solarculture.org/images/c...helsinki_2.jpg

This is the Australian experimental avant garde eight-piece that has acquired a pretty strong following. Well, think about it. Eight members, and....god knows how many different instruments (although a lot of their songs still come off minimal)...including glockenspiel, trombone, trumpet, tuba, recorder, clarinet & finger clicks. I really like the clarinet in "Imaginary Ordinary" and "Scissor Paper Rock." Not all of their vocalists are favorable at times. But, the wide range of instrumentation and vocal options makes them very attractive to me. Note: Avant garde is usually the term they throw at bands like this...i.e., bands that can't be placed under one category and confuse the hell out of you.

They still have a very...mellow, if you can even call it that...pop sound. But, in songs like "Do The Whirlwind", they can be bouncy and fun (and really bubblegum-ish) if they wanted.

The debut album Fingers Crossed is a good start. It's fresh and very well produced. The next album In Case We Die is essentially the same album, which may not be a good thing. This is one of those bands you just want to see get better with each release. Just keep your eyes out for them.

Favorite tracks: Tiny Paintings, Scissor Paper Rock, Do The Whirlwind, In Case We Die (Parts 1-4), and One Heavy February.

http://www.architectureinhelsinki.com/ (sample In Case We Die!)
http://www.myspace.com/aihmusic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXIzy...0in%20Helsinki

Tilly and the Wall are pretty good, they're just missing a little something that would make them a regular listen.

I really like Tegan & Sara. They're extremely catchy. A lot of people have trouble with the vocals (generally people who are only interested in a single genre) but I find the vocals to be one of the endearing qualities of the band.

Looking at the type of bands you've mentioned you'd probably also like:

Blonde Redhead
Smoosh
Joanna Newsome (can be hard to get into)
Piano Magic (all the albums are completely different, Disaffected is a good starter)

Yeah dave, I was going to post about Blonde Redhead and Smoosh at some point in this thread. And, I've been trying to become a fan of Joanna for a while, but as you know, it is kind of hard (to say the least) to get into.

Edit: And great observations on Tilly and Tegan&Sara. I couldn't agree more!

The Go! Team

http://www.groundcontroltouring.com/...EUP%5B1%5D.jpg

After watching some of their live videos on YouTube, I’ve come to the conclusion that I really don’t like Ninja (the band leader-slash-main vocalist live). But thank god her vocal contribution to the production of the album Thunder, Lightning, Strike wasn’t so important.

This is the crazy U.K. six-piece, including several drummers and guitarists, who also use a wide range of other instruments. Essentially, their songs sound like a cheerleading rally, with a mixed hip-hop, rock, and funk vibe. Predominantly, the music’s appeal is the instrumentation, rather than the raps or chants. They’re a very popular and well-played group in dance clubs around the world, while some of their songs like “Ladyflash” and “Bottlerocket” have been used in various advertisements, soundtracks, and so on.

I’ve always been under the impression that this would be some sort of short-lived project that wouldn’t bother staying together for another album. Well, doing some research, I learned that they actually have a catalogue of E.P.’s released before TLS. I guess my thought process was, “how can this sort of gimmick last for more than just one album?” Still, a couple of fresh new dance numbers can’t be bad! They’re a hit or miss band…you either like their perky upbeat style or you loathe it. But, if you like to dance, then you must like the Go! Team…fo sho’.

Favorite Tracks: Huddle Formation, Ladyflash, Panther Dash, The Ice Storm, and Junior Kickstart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lT2T...arch=Ladyflash
http://www.thegoteam.co.uk/flash/GoKids.html
http://www.myspace.com/thegoteam

Electric President

http://www.this.is/drgunni/electric.jpg

This is a Florida duo with a hint of simple computer-aided electro added to their very soft guitar, vocal, and drum parts. They are still essentially an acoustic pop band. I keep reading comparisons to the Postal Service, maybe more so with lyrical content, rather than the overall feel of the band. The "major" 'debut' album is not anywhere near the production quality of an album like Give Up, although it's still good enough to the point where you would probably not even notice. In fact, the album was recorded in a toolshed and bedroom. Not to mention, the label that finally signed them is in Berlin! So these guys are still trying to get all their **** together.

Unfortunately, thus far, the band's only claim-to-fame is the play of "Insomnia" and "Grand Machine No. 12" on some ridiculous TV show called the O.C. that 99/100 Americans apparently watch. I guess for some of you, that is enough to tell you that Electric President can at least catch a tune.

Favorite Tracks: Good Morning Hypocrite, Insomnia, Grand Machine No. 14, Grand Machine No. 12, and We Were Never Built To Last.

http://www.myspace.com/radicalface
http://www.radicalface.com/6928/22173.html

Its impossible to be unhappy listening to The Go! Team and Teagan and Sara...

Ambulance LTD.

http://www.omguide.com/images/Amb_new.jpg

Someone recently asked me about them, so I’ll briefly talk about them. They’re a NY (almost hard to believe that they are from there) rock band who seem like they decided to ditch new wave at the last minute to become a dream pop, shoegaze-ish band. They claim that their main influences are The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elliott Smith, and The Smiths, among others. Based on appearance alone, you’d think they were a second away from being an iPod commercial band, while some of their songs are pop-y enough to be in a teen movie.

Their debut self-titled turned out with more than a handful of catchy, pleasant and sometimes heartwarming tunes. The album starts out with an instrumental track (“Yoga Meets Union”), and followed by two definitive tracks (“Primitive” and “Anecdote”) that give you a true feel for what this band is all about. Similar tracks like "Stay Where You Are" and "Ophelia" are included in what turned out to be a 12 song LP, finishing off with an interesting cover of Lou Reed’s “Ocean”.

Ambulance LTD also released an EP earlier this year that contains some familiar songs (“Heavy Lifting” and “Sugar Pill”) and the single “New English” which you can listen to on their homepage. According to the group, the EP is just something to indulge in before the release of a new LP later this year. :)

Favorite Tracks: Primitive (The Way I Treat You), Anecdote, Stay Where You Are, Ophelia, and New English.

http://www.ambulancenyc.com/
http://www.myspace.com/ambulanceltd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMfAu...mbulance%20LTD

Good list of bands.

Somebody told me about Ambulance LTD ages ago & I thought they were OK , I just sort of forgot about them. Electric President look interesting.

some great bands here! Will add a couple when i get some free time

Azure Ray (featuring Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink)

http://alyssasgallery.com/bands/azur...s/prevs/01.jpg

I made an attempt to bump an old thread in order to get some feedback on Azure Ray a few months back, but I’m not sure if anyone bothered to check them out.

Well, Azure Ray is Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink (wife of Todd Baechle of The Faint), both of whom have respectively put out solo albums (both girls are fully capable of holding their own as full time solo artists if they chose to). Todd actually chose to take the last name of Orenda after the marriage (what’s even more odd…I can’t imagine Orenda listening to the Faint). Much like the Faint, Azure Ray are based in Omaha (although originally from Georgia) and are on Saddle Creek Records. Unlike the Faint, they are very much a lo-fi folk group, with emphasis on their piano loops, violas, and ethereal acoustic guitars or sometimes the occasional electro beat. Both girls have very soft, quiet (almost whispering), and intimate voices, which works perfectly with their slow harmonies. Their voices (particular Maria’s) are so tender that the girls sound as if they are…lonely and lost…maybe hopeless…or even shy. The music comes off very romantic and melancholy, but too beautiful to be depressing.

Their debut self-titled was released in 2001 on Warm Records, and for a debut, it was a very strong record, one worth your dollars worth (at least for the first half of the album). Burn and Shiver was also released on Warm Records, although honestly I’ve never heard the album (with the exception of “The New Year”), so I cannot comment. If it’s anything like their other albums, it’s probably a great record. They went on to sign with Saddle Creek in 2003 and released Hold On Love, debatably their strongest effort. Several of their most well-known singles are off of this album, and really, from top to bottom, I have nothing negative to say about it.

As I mentioned earlier, both Maria and Orenda released solo albums. When you listen to both, (no offense to Orenda) you can tell how important Maria is to Azure Ray. Maria’s solo album 11:11 sounds basically like Hold On Love, but even more intimate… if that is possible. All I gotta say is, if you like Azure Ray, you’ll love Maria Taylor’s 11:11…maybe even more.

They’re also in another Saddle Creek project called Now It’s Overhead…couldn’t tell you a damn thing about them though.

Favorite Tracks: If I Fall, Rise, November, We Are Mice, Drinks We Drank Last Night, and Sleep
Favorite Tracks (Maria Taylor): Two of Those Too, Speak Easy, Leap Year, and Xanax

http://www.azureraymusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/azureray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H3m0...ch=Azure%20Ray

Don't know these bands - will check them out over the next week and report!
Tilly and the Wall
Mates of State
Tegan and Sara
Azure Ray (have a couple songs - will get more)

All of these I very much like
Archtitecture in Helsinki
The Go! Team
Electric President (think postal service)
Ambulance Ltd (best brit-pop of 2004/5... but from the US!)

Grandaddy - Jason Lyttle and co.

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/pic...22967qhctt.jpg


You can't have an indie/pop thread and not include these guys! Modesto Califronian band that have just release their 5th and final album. The lead singer is now in isolation in Montana, but we hope for music in the future... Grandaddy's best moments came with their 2nd and 3rd albums - Under the Western Freeway and The Sophtware Slump but their last two albums, Sumday and Just Like the Fambly Cat should still be found in everyone's cd collection.

The music style is loosely called 'Space-pop'. It's indie pop with a bit of synths and catchy tunes in other words. They are definately a band that have created their own sound as even I have a hard time thinking of similar bands... but I assure you it's good!

Best songs include AM 180, Elevate Myselft, I'm on Standby, Miner at the Dial-A-View, Now It's On, Ok with My Decay, Summer Here Kids (and many more!)

^ AM180 was on the 28 Days Later Soundtrack (*loved that soundtrack...and the rage zombies*). I'll have to check them out closer, they sound pretty good. And, they've been around for a while too.

Of Montreal

http://ofmontreal.net/photos/pittsburgh3.gif

Of Montreal is NOT a Montreal band, in fact, they are from Athens, Georgia. The founder apparently named the band after a Montreal girl who broke his heart (aww...how cute :rolleyes: ).

Much of their earlier work can be described as psychedelic pop and new-wave influenced (also heavily influenced by the Beatles and 60s pop in general), with each release escaping further away from being overly rock influenced. They are a giddy, playful...can I say zany even? Sometimes you’ll hear their lyrics referred to as clever “childlike nursery rhymes”, although on other occasions, they can be quite melancholy and complex. Frontman Kevin Barnes displayed his storytelling abilities on the first couple of albums (The *** Parade and Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse) which can be interpreted as “concept” albums with even more clever song titles. Another distinguishing feature is Barnes’ near-the-brink-of-spazzy opera-esque voice, which some will find appealing, while others will be disgusted and then some.

Nothing up to this point was really anything special until they left Kindercore Records and jumped ship to Polyvinyl to release Satanic Panic in The Attic (2004), which probably brought them a little more exposure to the world. Unlike the others, this album was more disco funk and synth based, while blending psych and power pop, more danceable, as well as being better produced overall. In 2005, Sunlandic Twins, believe it or not, was their 7th album, once again gearing more towards the synth sound. This, in my opinion, is probably the most listenable album to the average pop fan, but not necessarily the most accomplished lyrically or in terms of creativity (that is, compared to their earlier albums).

Favorite Tracks: I Was Never Young, The Party's Crashing Us Now, Wraith Pinned to the Mist (and Other Games), Penelope, Oslo In the Summertime, and Disconnect the Dots [all the songs, except the latter, are from Sunlandic Twins]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PoJv...=Of%20Montreal
http://www.ofmontreal.net/
http://www.myspace.com/ofmontreal

damn you - of motreal was my next band to add! will be back with another soon!

I was just thinking to myself 'shit how the hell did I miss Grandaddy releasing a 5th album'

Then I saw it only came out last week , I don`t feel so bad now.

*makes mental note to pick it up this afternoon*

i am hypnotized by your avatar. haha

Architecture in Helsinki sounds cool!

Anybody heard about Mistys Big Adventure? <3

I can not post urls yet, so I'll edit this one later, for now just google 'em.
They're worth it! ^^

The Reindeer Section (no link to a proper website exists)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...er_Section.jpg

Perfect band to recommend on this thread. This is a Glasgow 'Super Group' led by Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol that have made one of the only albums I'll give a 10/10 to of the last 5 years with Son of Evil Reindeer (2002). I remember NME saying they were the 'The Most Indie Band Ever', and while I'm not quite sure what that means, I found it funny.

Including such people as Belle & Sebastian's Mick Cooke and Richard Colburn, Arab Strap's Aidin Moffatt, Mogwai's John Cummings, Idlewild's Roddy Woomble, Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub and members from Astrid, Hercules, Eva, Mull Historical Society, V-Twin, The Vaselines and Cadet. Like I said - a supergroup!

Their first album Y'all Get Scared Now, Ya Hear! (2001) I don't care for as much (6/10) but still worth getting if you like the other.

It's akin to early Snow Patrol (before Final Straw) which I much prefer to their newer stuff (When It's All Over We Still Have to Clear Up is another great album which I'll give a 9/10) but still much more broader, if nothing else due to all the different styles and amounts of instruments being used...

Here's a couple freebies for ya that give a good indication of their music. Cartwheels is easily my favorite song of theirs (and honestly comes to mind when people ask me the best pop song ever made)...

Cartwheels mp3 - http://www.ezarchive.com/derekdavies...Cartwheels.mp3

You Are My Joy Video - http://music.yahoo.com/ar-286706-vid...indeer-Section (just saw this for first time myself looking for links for this thread!)

(that girl with red hair is fit too!) :)

Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins

http://www.chordmagazine.com/images/...wis_img_01.jpg


I could just as easily talk about why I love Rilo Kiley (trust me), but Jenny Lewis’ solo album Rabbit Fur Coat on Team Love records will do for now. Jenny is the former child actor-turned-rocker who seems more “at home” with this acoustic solo stuff than with Rilo Kiley. Maybe it seems that way, because you can better appreciate her precious voice, fairly strong songwriting capability, and heavy country accent/influences. Really, Lewis could make a great country or folk artist. Honestly, I think if Rabbit Fur Coat had even more of a country-feel, it’d be a love affair among critics.

Jenny refers to Rabbit Fur Coat as an intimate “soul” album, although on the outside-looking-in it appears to be nothing more than an acoustic coffee-house album, while the Watson Twins additionally offer a bluegrass-type feel. The entire album is melodic, but something about each song leaves you feeling unfulfilled…it’s like Neko Case without the extra push…but this is still an album without any filler, meaning it’s still somewhat superior to an average Rilo Kiley album (no, I still love Rilo Kiley).

This isn’t a deep or complex album and frankly, you're an idiot if you were expecting that. It’s a soulful piece that is both melodic and sincere. Let me just say that you don’t have to like Rilo Kiley to like this album. :)

Favorite Tracks: Happy, Rise Up With Fists, Handle With Care, It Wasn’t Me, and Rabbit Fur Coat

http://www.myspace.com/lewiswithwatsons
http://www.jennylewis.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1o3d...watson%20twins (amusing video, try to ignore Sarah Silverman...the only time you'll ever hear me saying that ;) )

(The Singer/Songwriter thread...Coming Soon...)

finally got arround to checking out tilly and the wall, you're right, it's not the greatest thing in the world but the drumming/tapping is very addictive...plus they do have many fun tracks...( and a bunch of filler )....it was still worth downloading...

^ I love their new album (Bottoms of Barrels) sooo much. Have you checked it out? It's the best thing that's happened to me since Tegan & Sara...oh and Mates of State...:love:

i have in fact downloaded both...and yes, they're very good....:)