I often find myself in musical discussions, suggesting bands or albums or both, for friends to check out. I have tried endlessly to bring folks over to the light side, to good music. This will most likely be the first of 3 posts detailing bands and their albums that will turn you into a tight pant wearing, fixed gear bike riding, modern indie scenester. Luckily it’s in music taste only, but seriously these are good tunes. This first post will focus on band with broad appeal, that basically anyone can like. I must clarify that this music is all from very recent history and these bands are descendent from many bands that came before them, enjoy them nonetheless.

The Shins
Chutes Too Narrow

This album was MY first intro to indie, so how can I start anywhere else. These are just great tunes, pop rock indie at its finest. Often mentioned in breaths with the Beatles or Beach Boys because of their sunshiney sound, this band is well-known thanks to inclusion in Garden State. I’m not sure their songs will change your life, but they will get stuck in your head.
Standout tracks: Kissing the Lipless, Young Pilgrims, So Says I

Death Cab For Cutie
Transatlanticism

DCFC are again one of the bigger names on the indie scene currently. This album helped to propel them into the mainstream, where they’ve since released two good albums. Their songs are personal, sometimes lingering on small intimate memories. While other tunes bring more epic scope, length and soundwise. The lead singer, Ben Gibbard’s voice is soft, which fits well with their quieter brand of rock. You just have to hear them and you’ll be hooked.
Standout Tracks: We Looked Like Giants, The New Year, Title and Registration

Band of Horses
Everything All the Time

Band of Horses worked their way into my heart with a very sad song. Called Funeral, the tune is slow building, and the payoff is excellent as is the entirety of this album. If there has been one band in almost constant rotation since the release of this first album, it’s been Band of Horses. Tapping into southern rock roots and marrying that with the high voice of lead singer Ben Bridwell makes Band of Horses one of the best indie rock bands working today. They sound like a warm summer evening feels and that’s a good thing. Also they have amazing facial hair.
Standout tracks: Funeral, Our Swords, I Go To The Barn Because I Like The

Spoon
Gimme Fiction

What a freaking band and what a freaking album. I honestly don’t know what else to say, it’s just a really good band making a really good album. I had a tough time choosing between this and their most recent release, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, but Gimme Fiction is more accessible. You may recognize their sound from the Will Ferrell movie Stranger than Fiction where they were heavily featured. I mean if Ron Burgundy digs them, who are you to disagree?
Standout Tracks: I Turn My Camera On, I Summon You, Sister Jack

Pinback
Summer In Abaddon

I am honestly not sure how to describe Pinback. They are just awesome. They have some great mellow tunes. The band is beat heavy, not like rap beats, but they rely on bass and drum beats to make the majority of their music. I can’t even think of another way to describe them, so I’ll quote pitchforkmedia.com, “they sound clockwork precise: The drums, guitars, and bass lock together like cogs turning against each other.” That’s about right, they just sound clean.
Standout Tracks: Non-Photo Blue, Fortress, This Red Book

Maximo Park
A Certain Trigger

I would be remiss to not introduce you to some of our friends from across the pond, and who better than Maximo Park. They are listed as “post-punk,” but since that means nothing to anyone, I’ll say this: They will make you feel like the guy on the cover of their album. They use kind of angular power chord guitar riffs and upbeat tempos to kick out the jams, all with a lovely English accent. Eat fish and chips.
Standout Tracks: Apply Some Pressure, Going Missing, Postcard of a Painting

Alright, that’ll do it for your training wheels. Check out these bands and albums, I promise you will find at least one group you’ll be into. And in a bit we’ll be able to get speeding on that sweet new 10 speed Huffy.