07/04/2008
The Best American Indie Bands of the Moment, According to Yours Truly
Since today is the 4th of July, a day in which we celebrate our independence, I felt it would be appropriate to share with you, what I feel are, the best American bands of the moment (I am disregarding the fact that some of these bands haven't put out music this year, deal with it). So without further ado, let the fireworks begin!
Jay Reatard
Nothing is more American than cynical, sometimes violent punk-rock. In terms of crafting these types of songs, Jay Reatard [MP3s] is currently king. He has been making music for years, under several different monikers (The Reatards, Terror Visions), but his breakthrough came in 2006 with the furious and catchy masterpiece Blood Visions with its fiery sound born from the likes of Wire, The Buzzcocks, Chrome and The Screamers. This is the kind of dude who would stab you in your sleep then record a 7" about it. If that ain't America, I don't know what is!
Recently, Jay has been on a non-stop tear, writing and recording songs that just keep getting better (he is in the midst of a 7" series with Matador, which will be collected into one album in September).
Listen to various tracks on MySpace and buy his music from Matador, In the Red, and Goner.
LCD Soundsystem
It took a good 'ol American Jersey boy to introduce Euro-disco to the arm-crossed indie set. James Murphy and LCD Soundsyestem [MP3] were one of the first to ride the new-wave of electro, and they are the best. Their shows are full-throttle dance parties that will get your heart racing and leave your American Apparel summer shirt soaked in sweat, which is definitely a good thing.
Listen to their music on MySpace and buy their albums from DFA.
Bishop Allen
Bishop Allen [MP3] are, in essence, an American folk-band disguised as an indie-pop band telling stories steeped in history and personal experience. They are extremely ambitious as well, releasing an EP every month for 12 months in 2006.
Every song from 2007's The Broken String travels along it's own unique, emotional path. From silliness to sadness to sympathy, this Brooklyn-based band are the charming poets of the new American indie frontier...and my favorite band at the moment.
Listen to and buy Bishop Allen's music on their website.
Animal Collective
Animal Collective [MP3] may be the strangest band on this list, but also the most influential. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the faces of this Baltimore band should be glowing like a mystical shaman's eyes (or something). I can't count how many Animal Collective followers exist in today's indie music scene, and it's for good reason.
The group's sound is truly unique and is constantly being refined, as it mixes African tribal music, Beach Boys harmonies, and Frank Zappa absurdity into an avant-garde head-trip. Oh, and when you play Feels in the right environment it actually summons the spirit of Native Americans.
Listen to their music on MySpace and buy it from Paw Tracks.
Liars
Liars [MP3] are definitely the coolest, and possibly the most versatile band in American indie-rock. They have gone from dance-punk to tribal-prog and have most recently landed on apocalyptic Black Sabbath-inspired post-punk. The sound of 2007's s/t album is the sound of demons fucking while you are being tarred and feathered, American Revolution style.
Listen to their music on MySpace and buy their music from Mute Records.
Spank Rock
In the grand tradition of Too Short and 2 Live Crew, Spank Rock and friends are happily putting the filth back into hip-hop and on America's birthday, in a country that is becoming progressively more PC, it's definitely a cause for celebration.
From Yoyoyoyo to Bangers and Cash, the Philly-by-way-of-Baltimore Spank Rock crew create unfiltered shock-rap for the 21st century that is both smutty and smart. Our fore-fathers would be very proud.
Listen to Spank Rock's music on MySpace and buy it from Big Dada.
Dan Deacon
I think this video says it all.
Listen to his music on MySpace and buy it from Carpark.
Deerhunter
Although it doesn't become officially available until October, Microcastle, Deerhunter's follow-up to Cryptograms, is nothing short of amazing.
Continuing in the tradition of great American underground music from the likes of Sonic Youth and Galaxie 500, it floats above the rest in terms of sound, feeling and songwriting. I think we are going to see this one turning up on a lot of peoples End of Year lists---quite possibly at number 1.
Listen to some tracks from the upcoming album on their MySpace.
HEALTH
Who says indie-rock can't be tough? LA band HEALTH [MP3]'s self-titled album is everything that Death Cab For Cutie records are not; fearless, violent and risky. It's a calculated, post-everything trip through a schizophrenic nightmare where pockets of noise and tribal rhythms leap out from every dark corner, threatening to lop off your head, all the while peering at you with a mangled, George Washington-esque smile.
Listen to their music on MySpace and buy their music from Lovepump United.
Chromatics
The down-tempo electro sound of Portland's Chromatics [MP3s] emits an air of mystery and seduction that is unbelievably infectious. This is definitely night time, after-hours music that is best played on neon-lit highways or in smokey, late-night clubs.
Listen to their music on MySpace and buy their 12"s from Italians Do It Better.
So there you have it! Have a happy and safe Independence Day!
Posted by Michael on 07/04/2008 10:10 AM in Editorial
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