The Smiths

Probably one of the most iconic bands in my intro to rock and roll.

The Smiths have the ability to write an incredibly happy song, with the most depressing lyrics you'll ever hear.

The first song I ever heard by the Smiths is "Asleep" and continues to be one of the songs that touch me the most.

The Smiths' vocals are incredible, the instrumentation is haunting, the lyrics are amazing.

Not much more I can say about the band, except if you don't like them, you've clearly never heard them. SO CHECK IT OUT!

Up Next: The most iconic indie band ever: THE PIXIES

The Weepies

Many people have said to me, "Check out The Weepies, you won't be sorry!"
Now I'm passing the message to you.

I put off and put off listening to them, but then they were added to my ever growing list of artists I hear on Pandora, and I decided it was time.

Mellow, cheery, brilliant.

This is what came to my mind as I was listening to an album by The Weepies, called "Be My Thrill". With two singers (Deb Talan & Steve Tannen) that share the lead vocals, you won't get bored. The music is full of subtleties that make a music theory geek like me go insane with giddiness. The voices of Talan and Tannen blend so easily, that you'll start to believe it's fate that brought this pair together.

It's not only their voices that blend. The mix of instrumentation isn't too dramatic, but very mellow and emotional. A song that sticks out to me is "I Was Made for Sunshine"...if people woke up to this song everyday, I truly believe the world would be a much better place. "Not a Lullaby" and "How Do You Get High" are key tracks off the album; The former shows the songbird quality of Talan's vocals, and the latter has a kickin' bass line and a drum part that makes you want to groove out to it.

Overall, The Weepies would be an excellent addition to your record collection, one that appeals to a host of listeners.

Here's to a little rock in your life,

Miranda

The Weepies Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/theweepies?ref=ts

The Ums

It appalls me that these guys, at the time of this post, only have 98 fans on Facebook...granted, that's 92 more than I currently have, but they're a lot more talented, and worth listening to...in trying to find words to describe them, I stumbled upon their description of themselves...a "playful mélange of post-rock, geek rock, soul, British-invasion pop and psychadelia..."
In comparison to other, more famous musicians, the Ums are similar to the Beatles, Ben Folds, and Rufus Wainwright (all personal favorites of mine, highly recommended to EVERYONE).
"Bathroom Walls" is by far my favorite song from the band...A contemplative, slower song, but with beautiful vocals and harmonies, and a jazz element (something I've come to expect from the band). The song has ups, and downs, and progresses both musically and emotionally. Overall, the Ums are worth the listen...you can't find much of their music on their Facebook page, but you can see more on their iLike page, both links will be listed below...Five stars!
Here's to a little rock in your lives,
Miranda

Members: Brett Vaughn, Alex Zacharias, Steve Gillespie, Jesse Ricke

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/the-Ums/26597352217?sk=info

iLike: http://www.ilike.com/artist/the+Ums

Calm Paradox

Did you ever think you'd hear a sound reminiscent of Norah Jones with a punk bite? It's been a long time coming, but Calm Paradox mixes the two well. She has the ability to deliver lines dripping in cyanide with a soft-spoken quality...this is demonstrated in songs like "Boots" where she sweetly says, "I'd rather share a married man than have a cheating asshole who's all mine." and "By the way I called you're wife, you're right...she's a bitch."
If you listen there's definitely an edge to Calm Paradox that you can't quite put your finger on...While songs like "Retrograde" can seem pop at the surface, if you listen to the simple bass line and the acoustic guitar strums, you can see the influence Franz Ferdinand has.
Going back to The Strokes, the band that influenced Michelle Kennedy to become Calm Paradox, you can hear them most in the song "Barcelona".
In the song "Clear" you can hear her sing lines like "Love, let's be clear- I don't like you."
It's lyrics like this that make me put Calm Paradox into the softer side of the punk rock category, because punk (being one of my favorite genres) isn't just about the loud and limited guitar chords, obscene lyrics, loud and chaotic drums, and a maniacal lead singer...so much of punk is not being afraid to say how you feel, in your lyrics. Punk is the protests of the generation made accessible to the people in that generation and beyond. This is what Calm Paradox is doing.
Here's to a little rock in your lives,
Miranda

Members: Michelle Kennedy

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/calmparadox?sk=app_178091127385#!/calmparadox?sk=info

Website: http://calmparadox.com/home.cfm

JAMESTOWN REVIVAL

Jamestown Revival- based on all the other descriptions I've read, I would not think they would be my taste at all. A folk/country duo with strong southern roots that are apparent in their music...but that isn't really true.
Yes, they do have a southern sound, but more reminiscent of the softer side of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Zac Brown Band, and James Taylor.
The lyrics are beautiful and sometimes sad, but the way their delivered make the songs less heavy, which gives it an understated feel. This is apparent in songs like "Looking For the Right Thing", where lyrics like "I have thought about throwing this all away.." are sung with beautiful harmonies and a light-hearted bass-line.
The voices of the duo blend together wonderfully, and the harmonies are simple in a way that makes you love them. One of my personal favorites that I've heard is "Beat On Down", a newer song by the band, and definitely worth a listen.
Jamestown Revival is part of the new folk movement, which I find gives the genre a more modern flair, and brings it to a wider audience.
Here's to a little rock in your life,
Miranda

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/jamestownrevival

Members:
Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance

LOCAL NATIVES

This band is something you'd hear in a Twilight movie...and I don't know how many of you have ever seen a Twilight movie, but if you have, you'd know I'm absolutely right, and this is a compliment. I don't care what you think of Twilight, and that's not what we're here to talk about, but you can't deny, Stephenie Meyer has amazing taste in music, and it shows in the movie soundtracks. Local Natives have a sound that blends folk music with modern styles. In songs like "Who Knows Who Cares" there is definitely a trace of a modernized John Denver, it sounds like something you should be listening to while driving down a long and winding country road. Just listening to them makes you feel closer to nature. In fact, you can hear in songs like "Sun Hands" a sound that makes you think of Native Americans and sitting around a campfire, looking at someone you love dance behind a wall of sparks crackling off the wood. In "Wide Eyes" they show their ability to create songs that aren't mood specific. You can listen to them when you're happy, contemplative, angry, sad, or in any other mood they're sure to satisfy. I would say that if you're planning a road trip across the U.S., definately bring some Local Natives.
Here's to a little rock in your life,
Miranda

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=413026061277&set=a.36944841277.69852.36939606277&theater#!/localnatives?sk=info

Members: Taylor Rice, Kelcey Ayer, Ryan Hahn, Andy Hamm, Matt Frazier

FICTIONIST

I was introduced to this band recently while flipping through the pages of Rolling Stone...they posted a host of unsigned bands to their website, and one would be voted to be on the cover. I went and listened to the bands and Fictionist immediately caught my...ear?
Their understated, yet still rock and roll tone is one often sought after by many bands, and Fictionist has achieved it. Songs like "Human Wings" showcases the beautiful songwriting and emotional side to the band. Their incredible lyrics continue to shine through in songs like "Before I'm Old", with lyrics like "If the me back then, could see me now, would I shake my head, and wonder how", the songs stretch to both the up and coming generation, and the people who've been here for a while.
Listening to the band, and watching their videos, one can't help but sense modesty, and humor. This is a band that I would like to hang out with.
Overall, Fictionist gets five stars from me.

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/fictionistnoise?sk=info

Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH3J3j6Z_0w&NR=1

Members:
Aaron Anderson, Robbie Connolly, Jacob Jones, Brandon Kitterman, Stuart Maxfield

Worth a listen!
Here's to a little rock in your lives,
Miranda

P.S. Find out if Fictionist advances in the Rolling Stone Cover Contest on March 16th!