Lesser known "indie" bands that everyone should try at least once.
The Posies
Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow are perhaps two of the most under-rated musicians of the 90's. They have performed with numerous bands and performers, including R.E.M, Radiohead and Burt Bacharach. They have six full length albums as The Posies and several more in their solo work. Their lyrics and music scream teenage angst and relationship woes, while holding on to the poetic nature of lyrical composition. Find more info here. Must Own Album: Every Kind Of Light.
Neutral Milk Hotel
Jeff Mangum is a genius in his own right. When you first listen to Neutral you will most likely not like it. But the more you listen, you begin to find subtle things in Mangum's music that pull you in. The Lyrics and music tie together with a voice that, although an acquired taste, is worth delving into. Unfortunately only two albums were produced before Neutral was disbanded. Must Own Album: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.
The Decemberists
Colin Meloy and his crew are perhaps the most interesting bunch of misfits in music today. They dress in period clothing while performing ballads and Sea Chanties about love, loss and revenge. Everything about them says they were born in the wrong time period, but at the same time they are well ahead of their time. Each song is a story, each album is a novel. You can get more info on them here. Must Own Album: Picaresque.
The Hush Sound
Founding Members Bob Morris and Greta Salpeter have created something that everyone should hear. Blending piano, guitar and beautiful harmonies, this band will keep you interested for years to come. Greta and Bob both have fabulous voices that sound just as good solo as they do when they harmonize. You can find them at here. Must Own Album: Like Vines.
The Apples In Stereo
Heavily influenced by the Beach Boys, this band falls under the category of "math rock". Lead singer/songwriter Robert Schneider lulls you into the dream laden world of tin pan alley musicians, and under-sea adventures. Every album is a dive into the unknown that will always leaving you happy and ready for more. You can dive in here. Must own album: Tone Soul Evolution.
The Shins
To quote the movie Garden State, "The Shins will change your life". James Mercer and friends are a force to be reckoned with. With only three albums, several soundtracks and a Grammy behind them they seem to only get better with every subsequent track. The Shins paint a world that you will instantly recognize as your own. Blending several musical styles, they send the listener to places that seem familiar yet foreign at the same time. You can learn more here. Must Own Album: Wincing the Night Away.
These bands represent a small niche in the independent labels that are producing more and more groups that either go un-noticed or get looked over due to the commercial industry. This is definitely not a definitive list by any means. You would be surprised how many bands simply die before getting out to the public what they have to offer due to the music industries insistence on "what the public wants". The easiest way to discover some truly wonderful music is to go through your local music shops bargain bin, or pick up a few indie label compilations. You will be happy you did. Some great labels to check out can be found at the following sites: www.subpop.com, www.Elephant6.com, www.rykodisc.com. Don't stop at just these sites, there are many more out there with a lot of untapped potential.
