Music speaks to people in many different ways. There are all different types of music; country, rap, hip-hop, R&B, alternative. You name it. But there are bands that don't get enough credit that I think everyone should know who they are and let their ears be blessed with their beauty.
1. The Hunna
This indie rock band from England has such a unique sound that you will get addicted pretty quickly. Their album 100 consist of mellow songs such as “She’s Casual” and “Sycamore Tree” to more upbeat “Alive” and “We Could Be”. The singer, Ryan Potter, has a voice of an angel and he will be stuck in your head for about a week, just a warning. Honestly, just listen to the whole album and you’ll see how quickly you’ll never shut it off.
2. The Postal Service
This American indie rock band from Seattle formed in 2001 and thank god they did. Their music goes in one ear and stays in there and never escapes. There are songs such as “Such Great Heights” and “We Will Become Silhouettes” that have such mesmerizing beats and a unique tone of voice that just makes you want to listen to them more and more until you can’t get enough, which will never happen. In 2013 Ben Gibbard, vocalist, announced that the band would no longer perform together, sad tweet. But don't you worry because you can hear his amazing voice through the band of Death Cab for Cutie, cool huh?
3. Silversun Pickups
This alternative rock band from L.A was formed in 2000 and when I first heard “Lazy Eye” at around the age of thirteen I couldn’t help but fall in love with them. The power of Brian Aubert’s voice is just amazing with the sick guitar work from Joe Lester. And of course, as my dad and I call him “Animal” from the Muppets; the drummer Christopher Guanlao is incredible to watch live, just saying. Their songs other than “Lazy Eye” that I recommend are “Little Lovers so Polite”, “Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)”, “There’s No Secrets This Year” and their newest song “Nightlight”. You know what? Just go listen to every single song on each album and be amazed just as I still am at the age of twenty.
4. The Decemberists
Yes, everyone this is a real band. And they are AMAZING! This American indie folk rock band from Oregon consists of the ever so interesting and different vocals of Colin Meloy. When you listen to the lyrics sometimes they just make no sense at all but at the same time you can’t help but listen. For example, “Sons & Daughters” is one of my all time favorite songs and I have no idea why. There is a line that Colin sings and he says “We’ll build our walls aluminum. We’ll fill our lives with cinnamon now.” Why Colin? No one knows but it’s a good song so who cares? Other songs I recommend from this unique band are “July! July!”, “The Abduction of Margaret” and “Make You Better”. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. Just maybe questioning Colin Meloy’s mind set? I don't know.
5. Alabama Shakes
When I first heard this band on the radio I was so confused as to who was actually singing. This blues rock band from Alabama has an incredible lead vocalist named Brittany Howard who distracts your mind from the everyday world we live in. Their album Sound & Color was awarded Best Alternative Music Album of 2016 along with Best Rock Song being “Don’t Wanna Fight”. If that doesn’t tell you to at least go check them out then I don’t know what else to tell you other than you should listen to “Gimme All Your Love” and “Future People”. I can honestly say I didn’t know they had another album called Boys & Girls so I’m going to listen to that right now, as you should too.
6. My Morning Jacket
In 1998 an American rock band from Kentucky was formed. To this day they are still creating psychedelic rock music that is blessing our ear drums. Jim James has a voice that is indescribable in a sense. When he sings the music relaxes your mind and your soul. When The Waterfall was released in 2015, hearing the song “In Its Infancy (The Waterfall)” was just amazing as the beat changed from intense to relaxation. Other songs I recommend consist of the following: “The Day is Coming”, “I’m Amazed”, “It Beats For You” and “Steam Engine”. Yeah, they are pretty awesome. There’s even an entire American Dad episode dedicated to them; that must mean something!
7. Band of Horses
An American rock band formed in Seattle in 2004 has changed my perspective of music since I was young. I remember listening to them around my house with my dad around the age of ten. Hearing songs like “Is There A Ghost” or “The Great Salt Lake” took my mind into a whole other world while just laying there trying to understand each line of each song. Ben Bridwell’s voice has this certain tone to it that if I heard it in a store somewhere I would know exactly who was singing. If you ever just want to lay down in your bed and relax, you should throw on some headphones and play “Marry Song” and just let your mind drift, okay?
8. Death Cabe for Cutie
I mentioned this band previously on this list and I decided to include them because well, when you have a tattoo of one of their songs on your ribs, they kind of deserve it. Anyways, this alternative American rock band was formed in 1997 and still rocks my world with their inspiring lyrics and unique sound. “Black Sun”, “Soul Meets Body”, the classic “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” and “Little Wanderer” all speak to me in such a special way that I can’t describe to you unless you listen to them yourself. All of their songs are fantastic and I am just going to tell you to listen to “You Are A Tourist”, “I Will Possess Your Heart”, “What Sarah Said” and “The New Year” too because I can. Right now, go.
My advice to you when listening to these bands that are dear to my heart, listen to them. Really listen and let the music sink into your soul. When you listen to music that way, it's a whole different way of respecting the work of these amazing artists.
