Top Ten Bands

Mumford & Sons - This Month's Top Band

Hey there readers!  It's the beginning of the month, and it's time for another top ten list, courtesy of your Indie Team.  This month we're highlighting our current favorite ten bands that we think are making an impact in today's music.  Let us know what you think, and most importantly, listen to these awesome bands.  They'll be sure to give you a couple new songs to listen to on your free time.

 

1.Mumford and Sons

 

2.Kings of Leon

 

3.Muse

 

4.Switchfoot

 

5.The Killers

 

6.The Wombats

 

7.MGMT

8.The Temper Trap

 

9.Keane

  

10. Plain White T's

Don't like our list?  That's totally alright!  Give us your version of the top ten best bands in the music industry.  We would love to hear your opinion.  And if you do like our list..that's awesome too!  Listen to these great bands and become a follower of  Indie Alternative Rock for information on other great bands like these.

The Avett Brothers

The Avett Brothers

"Alternative." "Bluegrass." "Indie." "Folk." "Pop." "Country." "Rock." What do these words have in common?

For one thing, they are all genres of music. But they are also all labels given to an eclectic band from Concord North Carolina, The Avett Brothers.

The Avett Brothers flawlessly combine precise percussion, sweet piano parts, plucky banjos, orchestral instruments, and even some hard core guitar lines with harmonious vocals. This may sound random and eccentric, but it suits members Seth and Scott Avett, Bob Crawford, Joe Kwon, and Jacob Edwards just fine.

Although their sound in each song is a little different, catchy lyrics and superb delivery are prevalent. Their music is easy to sing along with and highlights relatable emotions like love, want, and regret.

In "The Perfect Space," the song is chill and quiet, with a soothing violin and cello supporting the sincere vocals. But suddenly, the tempo speeds up, the piano and percussion come in, and the singing becomes louder and more upbeat (with some screaming for emphasis). But as the song again regresses to a slower pace, they still maintain the same appeal and good qualities without losing the listener's interest.

A more popular song, "I and Love and You," has charmed listeners with it's carrying piano line and uplifting message. Scott and Seth Avett's voices blend together seamlessly to create a warm sound that fits their introspective lyrics perfectly. They are so synchronized, it's easy to believe that they are brothers.

But if blended vocals and relaxing instrumentals are not what you are looking for, try "Kick Drum Heart." With a pulsating bass drum punctuating the singing, the piano part and the rhythymic tambourine keep the music pulsing and provides a more upbeat sound while still retaining The Avett Brother's trademark sound.

Because of their diverse and varied style, The Avett Brothers have a little something for everyone. Even if country music is usually not your thing, or if you find banjo music minorly annoying, give The Avett Brothers a chance. Their music is always interesting, yet easy to listen to. So get out of your usual music "comfort zone," set up a Pandora station for The Avett Brothers, and get ready for a unique musical experience.

Links:
Website: http://www.theavettbrothers.com/us/home
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theavettbrothers
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theavettbrothers

And if you like The Avett Brothers...be sure to check out Mumford and Sons

Nevershoutnever

Christofer Drew Ingle of Nevershoutnever

Now don't freak out.  We know that the name of this artist tells us not to do this...but we're shouting crazy things for Never Shout Never.  He knows what he's doing.  Never Shout Never is the master of love songs, romantic music, etc.  If you need advice on how to ask your secret crush to prom, or if you're ready to make things serious, please take lessons from the songs of Never Shout Never.

Love has been what music is about for years.  Artists sing of new love, old love, lost love, imaginary love, etc.  It seems like it would get old right?  Not if the ways we express the idea change.  Never Shout Never takes a bubblegum feel and adds it to hissing along tunes to give the full romantic effect.  Lets take a closer look.

Never Shout Never is famous for his "body percussion."  In some of his songs, there are sections where he snaps his fingers or claps his hands.  This idea creates the genius effect of the audience or listener getting involved.  For instance..If you were at a campfire or together with friends, and someone pulled out a guitar and got people to start clapping to the song, the environment would be a great place to be.  The use of these body percussions allow the listener to feel involved, and from the romantic side of things, the girls that Never Shout Never is singing to feel closer to the artist with these cool beats.

The most important part of Never Shout Never's songs are his lyrics.  They're very simple and straightforward, because to be honest, not all fans can understand the metaphors that some artists use in their songs.  Never Shout Never makes everything easy by giving easy lyrics to listen to and sing along to as well.  When the song is simple, catchy, and easy to sing along to, that's when fans go nuts for the artist.  In this case, Never Shout Never is constantly bombarded with his crazy female fans.

We selected a few of our favorite Never Shout Never songs for you to take a listen to:

Heregoesnothin'

Big City Dreams 

Can't Stand It

Trouble

I Love You 5

Cheatercheaterbestfriendeater

Never Shout Never is basically the ladies man.  He shows his sensative side in his songs and plays great music for his fans.  His fans, of course, love his music almost as much as they love him.  With the use of these "body beats," or "body percussion," he can involve his audience, and his lyrics give the fans something easy to understand.  If you're not going nuts over this artist yet, go listen to his music.  It's great stuff.  You gotta hear it to believe it.

Links:
Website: http://www.nevershoutnever.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nevershoutnever
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/nevershoutnever

The New Politics

The New Politics

"You walk the streets, never feel no guilt, you make your money selling guns on the playground. I'm so ashamed 'cause we're all the same, killing in the name, money is a game now. And you're buying bombs and we pay the price, eat your lies and we feed it to the children. Is this what you want? Is this what you need? You're gonna kill us all to make peace."

-New Politics, "Dignity."

Just chew on that quote for a while.... Does it make you want to make an impact on the world? If so; good! That is exactly what the New Politics are looking for. In an age when a lot of music sounds similar and lyrics are only skin deep, the New Politics are trying to give a voice and promote change to a generation.

The New Politics consist of three Danish musicians, Soren, David, and Poul, who believe in taking risks and doing what you love. And they do just that through their music and parkour influenced videos. Their song "Dignity" shows off their impressive and somewhat aggressive sound. The instrumental is heavy and sets the tone for the in your face lyrics. Vocals alternate between singing/screaming to rapping, which rather than being excessive, just seems to emphasize the point trying to be made.

Another trademark New Politics' track is "Yeah Yeah Yeah." In this song they utilize dark guitar chords, pounding drums, and a pulsating bass line that carries the whole song, and for some strange reason, it really suits them. For some bands this would be chaos and dischord, but for the New Politics, it makes their music all the more poignant.

And on a completely unrelated note, The New Politics utilize the crazy talents of their vocalist David Boyds. To name a few (but not nearly all) of his stunts, running backflips off of buildings, headstands (singing all the while), and spinning on his head on top of amps. Needless to say, the New Politics live can be quite an experience.

Links:
Website: http://www.newpoliticsrock.com/us/home
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/newpoliticsrock
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/newpolitics

Weezer

Weezer

The nerds of rock n' roll.  Weezer has left a huge footprint in the industry with they're geeky appearances and their trendy music.  They've been featured on pop radio stations with "Beverly Hills," they've been given movie deals with the recent song "Memories," and they've owned the indie scene with their unique style.  These guys are different, but people love it.

From day one, Weezer's amazing sound has rocked the Indie world.  But what makes them so good?  The answer to this question is the relation between their music and their fans.  They're songs emmit crazy feelings and wishes that most listeners can relate to.  For instance, "Beverly Hills," one of their more popular songs talks about the wish of living a famous life in a great city.  It's basically the rockstar dream.  Now quickly close your eyes and imagine the average American.  They want money.  They want popularity.  They want recognition.  These ideas are found even in the high school system.  Weezer shows their listeners that it's ok to want these awesome things in life.  It may sound a little bit materialistic...but the music is great so we support it.

Another example of their music relating to listeners is "Memories," from the Jackass 3D soundtrack.  This song is all about the "good times," or the "old days."  Everyone in the world has memories that they would love to re-live.  Even if its a small one, the thought of that memory is amazing.  Weezer's song just makes that memory even better.  They play that song like they mean it.

Here are five of our favorite Weezer tunes:

1. Buddy Holly

2. Island in the Sun

3. Beverly Hills

4. If You're Wondering If I Want To, I Want To

5. Memories

So if you have wishes of fame, lost memories you miss, or just a love for great music, please go listen to Weezer.  We, the Indie Team, don't think we need to explain why they play good music.  You'll hear it when you listen.  We just want to reel you in with the bait of great taste.  These guys appeal to everyone, and hopefully you'll become the latest Weezer fan.  Do you have any personal relations to any of Weezer's songs?

Links:
Website: http://weezer.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/weezer
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/weezer