There is so much music today, and so much of it is accessible with just a few clicks of the mouse. With so many options to listen to, it’s tough to really nail down an artist, group or band to be invested with. Especially considering that what’s being played on popular radio stations nowadays is just bubble gum pop and nothing tangible to engross and develop an emotional connection with. For those who are having a tough time finding that group to be emotionally invested in, or just want something new to listen to, here is a list of the eight bands to be emotionally invested in:
1. Death Cab for Cutie
Legends in the indie rock community, Death Cab for Cutie is the kind of band that you can’t help but get deep with. Their most popular song, “I Will Follow You Into the Dark,” after all is a guitar ballad about following a love 'til death. Upon hearing such evoking masterpieces you can’t help but want to know more of what other songs they have and what they have are songs for any feeling. Love, loss, heartbreak, moving on, depression, being different, desire, relationships and California wild fires just to name a few. It’s not even just the themes to be intrigued about, their use of unconventional instruments, technical sound drumming from Jason McGerr and overall guitar-based sound, is soothing for the soul.
2. Tegan and Sara
The greatest twins in music are also part of indie music royalty. Although they have matriculated to a more mainstream sound, they still embody the same feeling that they have carried with themselves since they first started in 1997. That aforementioned feeling is one of believability and that these two women are telling you just what they’re experiencing. Like Death Cab for Cutie, Tegan and Sara touch on numerous themes within their writing, all of which are common in everyday life making their writing so relatable. You can easily connect with the lyrics and experience actual emotions. What’s also cool about this group is how you can follow these sisters as their music changes and experience different kinds of music as the two shift from genre to genre. Not to mention they love to do interviews and film themselves so you can truly get to know Tegan and Sara and develop a personal relationship with them.
3. The Beatles
Ladies and gentlemen -- The Beatles (screams)! They're the greatest band of all time. They’ve inspired almost every musician who has followed and have created new waves of music that are still being used today. They consisted of the four most interesting and beloved Brits in Ringo, Paul, John and George. Just listen to any song of theirs and you’ll fall in love.
4. The Strokes
One of the coolest bands on this list, The Strokes is a garage-indie-rock band from New York. They basically made wearing Converse cool and started the garage-rock wave in the early ’00s. Their debut album, “Is This It?” has been hailed as one of the greatest debut albums of all time, making the number eight spot on “Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Debut Albums of all Time” and is personally one of my favorite albums. The Strokes have a unique and nostalgic vibe that is made only more unique with the lyrical and vocal styles of lead singer Julian Casablancas accompanied with an always-vibey baseline from bassist, Nikolai Fraiture. Listening to the Strokes is like entering a new world, a spaciously mellow cool world you’ll be glad to be a part of.
5. Mumford & Sons
One of the more recent bands of this list, Mumford & Sons is a folk-alternative rock band from across the pond and a band that will always hit you in the feels -- especially their first two albums, “Sigh No More” and “Babel.” It’s as if the boys know how to take us on an emotional roller coaster with their songs. One song we’re sitting back and vibing out to a mellow folk jam, the next we’re curled up in our seat feeling sorry for ourselves and the world with an emotional tune, and the next we’re at the edge of our seats jamming to an epic rock song. Their music transcends genres and is consistently loved by everyone and for good reason.
6. The Arctic Monkeys
Another sleek and rather cool band on this list, the Arctic Monkeys is an awesome alternative band from the England and one that has made alternative music a more popular genre. Their catchy guitar riffs, often fast-paced rhythms and clever, tongue-twisting vocals from lead singer Alex Turner make for awesome records that die-hard fans and general music fans really dig. What really sets them apart from other groups is their focus on music and their consistent use of the four-piece band formula of drums, rhythm guitar, lead guitar and bass. It just always feels like these lads are jamming and it’s so great to listen to.
7. The Lumineers
The folk trio from Colorado is truly an amazing storyteller. Their music tells tales of love, death, heartbreak, childhood and what seems like old folk tales of early 19th century America. It’s amazing how creative and wonderfully original the Lumineers are, as if it’s a sound without any inspiration. They have a purely organic sound that you can’t exactly explain but love anyway. If you ever want to feel something or just feel empty, put on a song by these guys and prepare for your emotions to be awakened.
8. Nirvana
The band in the ’90s, Nirvana was a band that changed the world. Kurt Cobain’s dark, sad and angst-filled world was put together perfectly in Nirvana’s music and incredibly palpable for those who were feeling similar to Kurt. Before Nirvana, there really wasn’t a band that was able to project exactly what people were feeling and even today people still find solace in Nirvana’s music. Not only is the music deep, it freakin’ rocks, with upbeat and powerful sound that you can play anywhere, except for probably a funeral. Not to mention, Dave Grohl, the coolest and nicest guy in rock, is the drummer. What more can you ask for?
