Thursday, January 9, 2014

New Bands to Update Any Musical Collection for 2014

Popmatters has posted "The Best Hopes to Break Out in 2014," including my write up for pick The Wild Feathers. I also wrote a bog post about this band after catching them in Austin at the ACL Music Festival, embracing a classic country rock that appeared on the 70s music scene. Since I suggested that the New Year is also a great time for people to update and organize their own music collection, I thought I'd offer suggestions some new bands to satisfy fans across the genres.  I may still favor the indie pop sound, but as my playlists will attest,  I also enjoy more mellow musical moments along with the kick-ass dance tunes.  

So check out the suggestions below and dig into some tunes, while supporting current bands that welcome new fans.  The groupings are for reference only -- not to make any kind of statement but more as a guide for those willing to experiment. Some bands here have been around awhile, but that doesn't mean their new music isn't fresh for a listen.

Country folk rock leanings: The Wild Feathers, Jamestown Revival, The Head & The Heart, White Denim, Okkervil River, Band of Horses

Solid rockers: Divine Fits, Dr. Dog, The Dandy Warhols, The Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys

Harder edged rockers: Augustines, Superhumanoids, Jack White, TV on the Radio

Contemplative indie rockers: The National, Junip, Yo La Tengo, Grizzly Bear, The Shins, Travis

Epic soulful rock: Portugal. The Man, Phosphorescent, Spiritualized, Frightened Rabbit

Electronic indie pop: Painted Palms, Ra Ra Riot, Phoenix, Jagwar Ma, Youth Lagoon, Washed Out, Broken Bells, The Go! Team

Mellow tunes: Low, Devendra Banhardt, Earlimart, Mazzy Star, Nada Surf, Jim James, The Olms

Psych rock leanings: MGMT, Tame Impala, The Flaming Lips, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Deerhunter, Animal Collective, Wampire, STRFKR

Punk rock leanings: Parquet Courts, Franz Ferdinand, Superchunk, Palma Violets, Matt and Kim

Motown sound leanings: Vintage Trouble, Mayor Hawthorne, Har Mar Superstar, Fitz & The Tantrums, Nick Waterhouse

Gal groups indie pop/rock: Haim, Lucius, Frankie Rose, Santigold, Dum Dum Girls, Warpaint

Guy groups indie pop/rock: Bombay Bicycle Club, Foals, Vampire Weekend, Django Django, Telekinesis, Cayucas, Generationals, Caveman, Dan Croll, Smith Westerns, Cage the Elephant

Gal/guy groups indie pop/rock: Tennis, Cults, Phantogram, MS MR, The Naked and Famous

Electronic zone out: Boards of Canada, Caspian, Hammock, Beach House, M83, Moderat, Moby (instrumentals)

Dance tunes galore: YACHT, Hot Chip, Passion Pit, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., Cut Copy, Daft Punk, Empire of the Sun, Holy Ghost!, Arcade Fire (new)

Experimental Electronica: The Octopus Project, Jon Hopkins, Beck, Bibio, Toro Y Moi, Atoms for Peace, Panda Bear, Four Tet, Major Lazor, Pretty Lights, Trentemoller, Porcelain Raft, Black Moth Super Rainbow