 Pay Attention! Underappreciated Artists Due for a Breakout in ‘09By
Douglas Newman Share:
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 Neil Halstead
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Neil Halstead has already cemented his status as an indie rock legend of sorts for his work with the beloved shoegazing band Slowdive. However, his subsequent work with Mojave 3 and as a solo artist has been criminally overlooked. Granted, his startling jump from blissed out guitar anthems to gentle, country-tinged pop might have alienated his fans, but the new environment really enables Halstead’s songwriting chops to shine. With a voice and finger-picking style reminiscent of Nick Drake, Halstead’s two solo releases, Sleeping On Roads (2002) and Oh! Mighty Engine (2008) are high watermarks in an illustrious career. Here’s hoping more Slowdive fans will turn back to Halstead once they’re ready to come down. They won’t be disappointed.
 Parts & Labor
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Hands down one of the year’s most thrilling albums, Parts & Labor’s Receivers finds the trio moving further away from the noise rock of past efforts into a more grounded, yet still highly inventive, song-based style. Without losing any of their edge, Parts & Labor prove that there’s a lot more depth to their talent with gems such as the droney, fuzzy undertones of the loping “The Ceasing Now,” (which channels Bob Mould’s vocal delivery) and the hard-charging opener, “Satellites.” Although all eight tracks are strong, the highlight for me, and candidate for song of the year, is the epic “Nowheres Nigh,” with its swirling keyboards, pounding rhythms and anthemic vocals (again reminiscent of peak period Mould).
 Port O’ Brien
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Fans of the Decemberists, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Neutral Milk Hotel should take a listen to the rousing sea shanties that populate Port O’ Brien’s 2008 album, All We Could Do Was Sing. With warbling vocals, full choruses and raggedy accompaniment the whole thing threatens to fall off the rails, but is anchored by some stellar songwriting. It’ll be interesting to see what direction Port O’Brien takes its music as I can see the band heading toward the demented lo-fi land of Neutral Milk Hotel or the more polished (and bland) indulgences of the more recent Decemberists’ offerings. Here’s hoping for the former!
 James Yorkston
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. I was introduced to this talent when I saw him open for Beth Orton back in 2001, and frankly, he was much better than the headliner. Steeped in the traditional music of his homeland and indebted to the talents of Richard Thompson and Bert Jansch, Scottish singer-songwriter James Yorkston has released four exquisite albums of gentle folk rock. While his unassuming, yet intricately arranged songs certainly echo Celtic folksongs of yesteryear, his music is anything but derivative. Yorkston is a master craftsman whose lovely baritone majestically carries the first-rate compositions that are built on a lush bed of double basses, concertinas, mandolins, xylophones, horns, piano and gently plucked acoustic guitars. The 2008 When the Haar Rolls In is a wonder that deserves repeated listens.
 Love is All
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Love is All’s A Hundred Things That Keep Me Up at Night is a post-punk rave-up out of Sweden that channels the Delta 5 and The Clean while nodding to the no-wave scene of New York City when bands like James Chance & the Contortions roamed the downtown clubs. Screeching saxophone, choppy guitars and the glorious wail of vocalist Josephine Olausson kick up plenty of noise and cathartic choruses to keep you dancing furiously around your living room for the remainder of the year and into next. Along with These New Puritans, Love is All is miles ahead of the rest of the post-punk revival pack.
 Grand Archives
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Led by former Band of Horses guitarist, Mat Brooke, Grand Archives’ debut harks back to the heyday of ’80s and’ 90s British alternative rock when bands such as House of Love and Prefab Sprout roamed the indie charts. Heavy on reverb and sunny harmonies, Grand Archives resemble a poppier version of the Band of Horses. Considering Band of Horses released one of the best records of 2007, that’s not such a bad thing. Pages: 1 2
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COMMENTS (48)
Johnny Woods said:
Wow dude that is like WAY cool! Jason Burgos said:
You guys totally forgot about Adam Power who just released his album War Love. The myspace is http://www.MySpace.com/WarLoveAP Cullen said:
Wow, it’s a bunch of emo and indie bands — Save your time and don’t click the play buttons. Hopefully your visitors will appreciate that tip. koufax said:
shearwater, parts & labor, and los campesinos are all great. parts and labor were just featured on sound opinions last month. thank god there are no crappy punk bands here. like: http://tinyurl.com/6poz6v Stoney Hando said:
Roddy cool list mate. Mellow Talley said:
10. Yer Friend (folk pop band) Benjamin said:
Cullen, I think you may be listening to music in odd way if you describe the way something sounds through magazine given genres. Not fair to the many sounds music can have. Bob said:
I would add Australia’s Josh Pyke to that list. Anony Mouse said:
No Ugly Duckling? You should do some research into them. The spiritual sucessors to De La Soul, so much so that they even supported them on tour. Bodymore said:
That’s funny I wrote about these same bands, but the title of the article “Boring Bands that I would most likely kill myself to, if I had to hear them again” Cullen said:
Ben, What kinds of music do you listen to? Please tell me it is all 4/4 or 6/8 timed, 80-120BPM, and played in e-minor, a-minor, or C-sharp. If you want me to be more specific, don’t click the links if you don’t find strained male vocals, erratic detuned drumming, and synth overtones pleasing to the ear. Bodymore said:
except Los Campesinos. And Ugly Ducking has been around since 2000. I think they would have broken a long time ago. Matt said:
Check out these guys Mike said:
All this article proves is two things: 1) The author has terrible taste in music. Unemployed Again. said:
2 bands that need to break out Sasquatch and the Sick-a-billys (psychobilly) Justin-Chicago said:
I like Office from Chicago as the next break out band…they’ve been hovering around that status for 2-3 years now with some real success along the way. Pop rock with an ear for composition and riddim…. Craig said:
Great post! Two artists/bands I would keep an eye out for: The High Strung http://www.thehighstrung.com Chris Bryers http://leonstemple.com/bryers.html davo said:
these records sound good when i’m drinking but i don’t want to wake up next to them in the morning. nick woodward said:
respectable list, thanks for the tips… i’ll be looking out for these guys in the future Jump Back Jake plays raw soul-flavored rock and roll with dance grooves and horn lines that tout a modern writing approach. Bringing together the traditional sounds of the south with a no lack of attitude, Jump Back Jake aims to bring a country-funk southern revolution to a brand new audience. Up until the release date of December 19, 2008, take 3 free tracks from Jump Back Jake’s debut LP, Brooklyn Hustle / Memphis Muscle (tracks include album art) here: http://jumpbackjake.bandcamp.mu/ Lyssa said:
MellowTalley – While I absolutely adore BTMI!, I feel they’re probably not going to get much bigger than they are. Though, word on the street is that their new album (Scrambles) is going to be incredible. Jeff Rosenstock definitely has a way with music, so this wouldn’t surprise me in the least. I feel like Four Year Strong are absolutely going to blow up. Awesome stuff Tom said:
Holy fuck, this is a collection of awesome artists! Thanks, you rule. Jeremy Larson said:
This guy is great. He composes, plays, and records all his own music and it is wonderful. Jay said:
Great selection of new artists. “Rook” is easily one of the best albums I’ve heard all year. Cullen, you’re a fool. Temudgin said:
Utterly predictable progressions and hooks throughout. I love music, but each of these sounds like a parody of an already established song from artist that already did it better. Hopefully ppl will realize this before they become over-appreciated. Rob said:
Benji fucking Hughes calvim said:
Wow dude that is like WAY cool! Google The Oct8pus said:
Seriously – aren’t people sick of bands who are ifluenced by Coldplay, Radiohead and Jeff Buckley? Come on! These bands are talented, but they have nothing new to offer…yawn… Sean said:
Love Is All is totally sweet. Here are my picks for a breakout: 1. Ebu Gogo (Providence) christ almighty said:
These are all pretty awful. chonnelly said:
omg, i like a few of these songs but they sound too much alike. What you need up there is some of The Expendables, they are somewhat popular but they deserve more press. robin said:
Holy fuck, this is a collection of awesome artists! Thanks, you rule.. John.BB said:
respectable list, thanks for the tips… i’ll be looking out for these guys in the future.. Jez said:
Great list! I’ve only listened to a few of them, but I’ll be sure to check the rest out. ryan said:
Regarding Frightened Rabbit: Not bad, but it takes more than clever explicit lyrics for me to buy an album. ryan said:
it is a good line though. ensiform said:
People who comment just to say things like “You have terrible taste in music! I’ll never come here again” — are they actually 12 years old, or only mentally and socially 12 years old? Do they really think they sound “cool” when they denigrate other people’s tastes? Do they not realize that no one in the whole world except their mommy cares what they think or do? Most people realize that once they hit 21 or so. Yes, this is a list of bands that reflects a certain type of music appreciation. You may enjoy some or all of these bands as well. You may enjoy none of them. That’s how taste is. We adults will go ahead and just appreciate that someone took the time to share what he considers bands worth talking about, whether we like every band on here or not. Thanks for passing along the recommendations, Douglas. Marilyn Roxie said:
Ooh, but what about thenewno2? Francis said:
I liked the performance of Los Campesinos at Pukkelpop in August (2008). Erik said:
Wow dude that is like WAY cool!!! Steaven said:
Wow dude that is like WAY cool!! alizee said:
That’s funny I wrote about these same bands, but the title of the article “Boring Bands that I would most likely kill myself to, if I had to hear them again” soapboxguy said:
Good list. I just wonder what cullen listens to that makes him so unique? Mars volta perhaps? lol cullen you amaze me with your edginess i better listen to you since you are so critical ps said:
I agree with Cullen… if all those bands are so special… why do you have to add a refrence to other bands to give them credit on each description? best underrated artist of the year? M. Ward Dunc said:
Los Campesinos! have 7 members, Neil, Gareth, Tom, Ollie, Alex, Ellen and Harriet. Therefore, they are not a sextet. becca said:
this was actually awesome Kooky McTits said:
I’m enjoying Wavves’ stuff. But I guess its not for everybody. Nithe litht, though. Banner said:
Sounds like a bunch of music that your college roommate would try to convince you was good. Nothing outstanding, nothing that makes you sit up and say, “Wow.” There’s a reason why they’re not THAT appreciated. |
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