Underoath - Reinventing Your Exit

Underoath (sometimes written as underOATH or UNDERØATH), is a Christian metalcore/post-hardcore band hailing from Tampa, Flordida. Underoath is a six-piece, grammy-nominated band signed to Solid State Records, and is currently their most popular band.

Underoath's musical style varies from album to album. Originally a deathcore band, Underoath has slowly progressed into varying sounds, including post-hardcore, metalcore, emo, screamo and emo. More recently, Underoath has been consistently post-hardcore and metalcore, but the genre tags do not matter so much as the music does. Give Underoath a listen. If you're into some form of rock, Underoath has you covered.

My Girls - Animal Collective

Merriweather Post Pavillion, Animal Collective's most recent album, gained so much attention from critics and devoted listeners alike that just 20 days into the new year, it was already predicted to be number one on end of the year best album lists. Without losing any of their experimental creativity, Animal Collective made their music more accessible to unfamiliar ears by adding sweet words about not wanting material things, "Woooo!"s, hand claps and catchy electronic beats. Everything that Animal Collective did in the past built up to make Merriweather Post Pavillion the masterpiece that it is. A band that once barely fit into the freak folk genre, now has created a category of its own.

songs to start with:
-"My Girls"
-"Brother Sport"
-"Summertime Clothes"

+ click on the album cover below. it totally looks like it's moving

Mona Lisa - The All-American Rejects

I haven't heard much of The All-American Rejects since Move Along and Dirty Little Secret.  To be honest I never was that into them.  But I'm a sucker for cute acoustic songs i.e. Hey There Delilah.  And I guess it was just a matter of time before AAR released a generic, folky, love song.

Mona Lisa is a über-friendly pop-acoustic song with chill, nonchalant lyrics sure to make thirteen year old girls swoon.  I was surprised to hear lead singer Tyson Ritter take such risky vocal choices.  Personally, I like it when lead singers don't have perfect, processed voices.  Ritter's falsetto quirks with the song's obvious country influenced harmonies prove to not only be original but effective.  Probably my new favorite All-American Rejects song.

Ring of Fire - Social Distortion

Many of you may not enjoy listening to Johnny Cash. No problem. Orange County band Social Distortion covers "Ring of Fire" with a layer of rock and roll sweetness. For you purists out there - chill, covers aren't supposed to sound like the original.

This one just happens to sound better. Enjoy.

Four Year Strong - Bada Bing! Wit' A Pipe!

Far from your typical band, Four Year Strong is a strong blend of powerpop, hardcore, and Pop punk with a small dose of synthesizers. But Don't be too quick to label Four Year Strong, or they'll catch you with one of their surprise hardcore hooks or "Rent"-esque synth vocals. A five-piece band hailing from Massachusetts, FYS claims influences from all over, including Saves the Day, Gorilla Biscuits and New Found Glory.

The song above is Bada Bing! Wit' A Pipe! from FYS's latest album, Rise or Die Trying.

Credits: Itunes store, Wikipedia

Reverie - The Morning Of

Typically I'm not a huge fan of bands with two lead singers.  I find without the single-mindedness of one singer, the overall tone of the song clashes with itself.  The Morning Of is the perfect exception.  Never before have I heard such a flawless synthesis of two distinct voices, male and female I might add.

Reverie is a heart wrenching plea for freedom from the city life with some (not-so) subtle love lyrics.  Both Justin Wiley and Jessica Leplon have surprisingly strong voices.  The band seems to make sure to not overpower their harmonizing voices or the prettyish piano with the bass or the electric guitar.  Haha.  It's pretty.  I like it.

Typical - Mute Math

Just in case you're wondering what the BBN's theme song was.

Wikipedia describes Mute Math's genre as, and I quote, "alternative rock, art rock, indie rock, new wave, electro, psychedelia, and jazz with ambient vocals."  I just had to see the keytar in order to fall in love with this song.  Typical is saturated with anti-melodic electric parts, incredibly minimalistic keyboard and overall random noise.  Possibly the only junk music that actually sounds good.

Awesome music video too.  Sorry for the poor quality.

So Cold I Could See My Breath - Emery

What actually got me interested in this song was the title.  Provocative, intriguing, and found absolutely no where inside the actual song.  Haha.  I guess that's life.

So Cold I Could See My Breath is a frustrated, guitar-heavy anthem with cold, sarcastic lyrics which are terribly, ironically true.  Lead singer Toby Morrell does an awesome job of conveying emotion through his decidedly rough voice.  It's funny how easy it is to find yourself mouthing these lyrics under your breath one second and rocking out to the air guitar the next.  Or maybe it's just me.

Life in Technicolor ii - Coldplay

Coldplay is one of the most popular bands in the world right now, and their seven nominations and three wins at the Grammy's – Song of the Year (Viva la Vida), Best Rock Album (Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends) and Best Vocal Pop Performance by a Duo or Group – show it plainly. Coldplay has traditionally been a creatively serious band, particularly with their music videos. When this came out, I was happy to discover that Coldplay actually has a sense of humor. It's from Coldplay's EP Prospekt's March. Enjoy, and happy Friday Barons!

Chem 6a - Switchfoot

You probably thought you've heard all you'd ever want to hear from Switchfoot.  Well I'm glad to say you're wrong.  They've written more songs than "Meant To Live" and "Dare You To Move."  In fact, they weren't always the alternative-rock band they are now.  In fact when they first started the band, their San Diego blood called them to the surf pop genre.

Chem 6a is a lyrically mundane, grunge friendly, feel good song.  Switchfoot's immaturity, musically and spiritually, shows blatantly.  But, in this case, immaturity isn't a bad thing.  In fact, it's my theme song when it comes to school.  "I don't want to be here. I don't want to study now. It's all wrong, but it's all right."

Oh.  Make sure to listen in stereo.

The Distance - Cake

Cough Syrup - The Jakes

Let's face it.  Bands that exist only on Myspace aren't supposed to sound good.  They're supposed to either make it big and forsake their humble beginnings or die a horrible, unknown death.

When I heard about The Jakes, I didn't expect to be treated with addicting harmonies and chill electric guitars.  I didn't expect to hear incredibly well written melodies or super legit vocals.  I didn't expect to be hooked onto "Cough Syrup" for the next five days.

The Jakes caught me off guard.  They're an unsigned, Irvine-based, just out of high school band.  They're not supposed to sound this delicious.  But they are.

Honestly. Check it out.

http://www.myspace.com/thejakes

Take California - Propellerheads

Fatboy Slim meets Art of Noise. Rock meets electronica. The Matrix meets James Bond. This is as close to rock & roll as big-beat techno is going to get. Propellerheads gives you party-techno, hip-hop, acid-house, jazz-funk, and spy-film all rolled into one. Keyboardist/bassist/DJ Alex Gifford played keyboards for Van Morrison and then teamed up with local drummer/DJ Will White to bring you Decksanddrumsandrockandroll for your listening pleasure. Enjoy.

Embers and Envelopes - Mae

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to make music.  Although, it doesn't hurt to have engineers and theorists in a band.  This is exactly the case for indie-rock band Mae.  The two founding members graduated from Old Dominion University in Virginia.  The band is named after a phenomenon called synethesia, coined Multi-sensory Aesthetic Experience by the drummer. This is obviously not a band of high school drop outs.

Don't expect nerdy dialogue or annoyingly complex riffs when listening to Mae though.  Embers and Envelopes may be the definition of simplicity in the music world.  Lead singer Dave Elkins boyishly sings a catchy melody with friendly lyrics.  Embers is an easy listen with light, atmospheric electric guitar and playful synthesizer.  Check out their album The Everglow.