Good Bands You May Not Have Heard - But You Really Can't Miss

By Elliot Imes - Music Sherpa

The Gaslight Anthem

New Jersey is famous for many things, but the young darlings in The Gaslight Anthem seem to care about only one of them: Bruce Springsteen. Their new album, The 59 Sound, plays the same game as the Boss, recalling simpler times where girls with names like Jane and Maria sat in the backseats of Cadillacs with young, earnest boys who hoped to run away with the girl of their dreams. The songs are just fantastic, even though they rely on the same three chord progressions, because singer/guitarist Brian Fallon has no shame at all. He lays everything on the line in his lyrics, and writes tunes with reckless abandon. Check this band out before they really start blowing up, so you can get jealous when everyone you know loves them. [more]

Bon Iver

If you take a listen to For Emma, Forever Ago and say, "Sounds like this thing was recorded in an isolated cabin," then you are psychic. Justin Vernon spent three months in a cabin to collect his thoughts, and wound up recording an album that is generating huge buzz, even landing him that dubious honor of getting a song on Grey's Anatomy. It's all deserved praise, as these sparse, acoustically-driven songs have a sort of haunting beauty, passing through you and leaving a great warmth, despite the sadness in Vernon's falsetto. Honestly, if you like music, you will love this. [more]

These Arms Are Snakes

Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra recently accused these guys of having the most emo name he's ever heard. He couldn't have listened to them, because These Arms Are Snakes sure ain't no wussy emo band. Independent from all trends, they still get categorized as post-hardcore, due to a harsh sound without being heavy. Wild bursts of feedback give way to thick rhythms that can make you dance while pounding your skull. They also evolve brilliantly with each album, so Tail Swallower and Dove is their best release yet. [more]

Dillinger Four

If you haven't heard of them yet, don't feel stupid. They've only been around for 12 years, creating some of the most acid-tongued, gritty pop-punk ever, and have generated a rabidly loyal fanbase. But if you're unaware, its okay. They just released their first album in over six years, called C I V I L W A R, and it's my personal front-runner for Album of the Year. So now's your chance. If you're a fan of punk rock in any form, and you're not tapping your foot and humming along by the first couple songs, then I don't know what to do for you. [more]