Passion Pit: Little Secrets

Passion Pit is an electronic/pop band that was formed in 2007 by frontman Michael Angelakos. They're known best for their upbeat, catchy songs and Angelakos' hard to miss falsetto. The band's first full-length studio album, Manners, was released May of last year to great reviews. Little Secrets is the second single from the album. This undeniably catchy and fun song also features the PS22 Chorus, a chorus from an elementary school in Staten Island. With it's almost inaudable top end vocals and assorted beeps and bops, the single is certainly eccentric.

Diary of Jane - Breaking Benjamin

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Breaking Benjamin has been a long time favorite of mine, and I've only met 2 other people who had even heard their name! They are a great rock band, high energy, and cynical, yet hopeful. The band has been together 8 years and was formed in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. They got their name after lead singer, Benjamin Burnley broke a micrphone on stage after covering a Nirvana song. They have toured with bands like Flyleaf and Three Days Grace.
When I discovered Breaking Benjamin, 'Diary of Jane' was my first taste of their music. Even now, it stills remains a favorite. They have released four albums, Saturate (2002), We are not Alone (2004), Phobia (2006), and Dear Agony (2009). Other songs you might want to check out are 'So Cold,' 'Breathe,' 'Evil Angel,' and 'Unkniwn Solider.'

Scratch - Beach Girl5

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 This song was appeared on the first episode of Disney Channel's new show- Shake it Up. I was upstairs trying to sleep while my sister was watching TV. Rather than falling head over heels for the TV show, as she did, I found a few good songs.
I suspect the band, who is very new to the music scene, got featured so quickly because one of the members was a former back up dancer and friend of Miley Cyrus. There is a lot information about the musicians themselves, but still little being reported on their music.
Scratch is a very peppy song, definitely dance-in-your-room music. The song is featured on Shake it Up right after the opening of the first episode, and with good reason. It's very catchy as well, and appears to be quite popular. Beach Girl5 has done 5 remixes of the song. Unfortunately, I believe this doesn't bode well for the band. Although I haven't listened to the rest of their album, remixing songs into the ground is a typical move of desperate one hit wonders.

Black Velvet Band - The Dropkick Murphys

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 The Dropkick Murphys are an Irish punk band, formed in Quincy, Massachusetts. They are world famous and gained their reputation through constant touring. In Boston they are known for their St. Patrick's Day weekend concerts. The Dropkick Murphys sing about things like sports and politics, making them very relatable to their fan base. The band identifies themselves as all democrats and are anti-Bush. They appeared on Rock Against Bush vol. 2 with the song We Got the Power. To learn more about the band visit the official website.
Once more, I found this song through a friend. I've only had the chance to listen to four of their songs, so I'm still terribly unfamiliar with their music, but I can't wait to hear more! The Dropkick Murphys are a high energy band and very upbeat in a rather mischievous way. They are quite different from I usually put in my ears, so if you're looking for a change of pace have a peek at their music and enjoy.

Paralyzed - The Used

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Formed in 2001 and from Orem, Utah, The Used consists of Dan Whitesides, Bert McCracken, Quinn Allman, and Jeph Howard. They have four albums out, a self-titled one from 2002, In Love and Death from 2004, Lies for Liars from 2007, and Artwork from 2009. The have done several world tours and have an official website.
I discovered them through an older friend of mine. I've been playing their first 3 albums incessantly while I bike ride back and forth to school. My favorite album is Lies for Liars. I will admit I've had a few dances sessions with I-pod to it. Initially, I thought they were mostly a rock band (this was the genre of all favorites), but as I explore the albums more, I've found quite a variety, mostly consisting of love songs. And everybody loves a good, angsty love song. If you like this song I recommend Liar Liar, Hospital, and Empty With You.

Poison-Groove Coverage

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Hailing from Germany, Groove Coverage is a techno/dance duo. Most of their success has been in Europe, with a few songs that made radio play here in the USA. Poison, the song song above, is the most notorious. They have also done many covers and remixes of songs, examples being Alice in Chain's 'Poison' and Bad Religon's '21st Century Digital Boy', which was retitled '21 Century Digital Girl.'
This song never gets old for me. It's a little edgier and more feminine than I usually listen to, but just as amazing. The music is almost theatrical, as best heard in 'Runaway' and varies greatly from one song to the next. The majority of Groove Coverage's songs are remixes and covers. I was floored by the sound of '21st Century Digital Girl' and 'What You See is What You Get,' since I'd always known them as an electronic sounding band. If you like variety and surprises, this is the band for you.