The Postelles "White Night" (2010)

The Postelles are an up & coming NYC band. Their 2009 track ""123 Stop" was produced by Abert Hammond of the Strokes. Strong & tight, expect more (and even better) to come.  Embedding is disabled, so click on the screenshot below.

Gold Motel "We're On The Run (2010)

Just what a good pop song should be...catchy and simple (well not always, of course, but it fits in this case). Gold Motel is a side project of Chicago singer/songwriter Greta Morgan of The Hush Sound. Actually this is better, as her voice can get lost in the mainstream pop THS formula.

Sebadoh "Ocean" (1996) & Folk Implosion "Natural One" (1995)

If some little brat asks you what the 90's was like, point that little brat toward this song. This was Dinosaur Jr. bass man Lou Barlow's lo-fi side project which turned into a 10 year gig after DJ gave him the thumb (and middle finger). The video quality is weak; here's a better one with embedding disabled.



And this was Barlow's other project (from the Kids soundtrack)

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin "Sink/Let It Sway" (2010)

Tight songcraft from former Russian President Boris Yeltsin's favorite indie band. These guys may be emo-certified, but don't let that scare you off.

Deerhunter "Helicopter" (2010)

Deerhunter is a four-man outfit from Atlanta. Though they dabble in different genres, this may be their most mesmerizing tune to date.

Keane "Untitled 1" (2004)

Keane's Hopes and Fears was one of the UK's biggest selling albums of the last decade, and spawned 4 hit singles. This wasn't one of them, but is one of my favorites for it's inquisitive, mystical hook, the perfect theme for a late night trek through a dark, deserted city street. In fact, that whole album has more hooks than a bait and tackle shop.

Elsinore "Lines" (2010) & "Chemicals" (2010)

Elsinore is a Illinois band with a limited budget, but certainly not limited talent. A band to keep an eye on.

Les Savy Fav "Lets Get Out Of Here" (2010)

Relentless, catchy guitar hook and sound that draws comparisons to 90's-era Pavement. A current IRC indie favorite.

The Walkmen "The Rat" (2004)

This showed up on many decade ending lists of the greatest rock songs of the Aughts. Likely because there was a raw anger that comes through, as if it was recorded in their landlady's basement with eviction note in hand. Actually, they have done that. Interestingly, the song of theirs that has heard the most ears was featured in a Saturn Ion commercial in 2006.

The Walkmen's upcoming sixth album is getting good pre-release buzz. Check out four of the songs here (pre-clip ad alert).

Crystal Castles "Celestica" (2010)

Name your adjective...lush, dark, dreamy, gothic...they all fit. Alice Glass is the face and voice of Crystal Castles, who hail from Toronto. Her striking video presence notwithstanding, the mood is similar to the long-defunct British band Lush .

Check Out The Modern Rock Charts To The Right

Links to the modern rock charts of various issues of Billboard magazine are included in the right column. You may notice that throughout the Aughts, the music on the chart became increasingly less "alternative" (or what used to be called "modern rock"), in favor of more corporate, less inventive, and often downright bland rock. Bottom line, a lot of it sounded the same, and it continues up until this day. There is still a lot great music being made, but the majority of it isn't showing up on the Billboard "Alternative" charts.

The chart below is from January 20, 1996.

Tame Impala "Solitude Is Bliss" (2010)

Extremely listenable, modern psychedlia from this Australian four-piece. I came across this at the excellent We Are Involved music blog.

V.A.S.T. "Touched" and "Flames" (1998)

VAST stands for Visual Audio Sensory Theatre, an Austin based collaborative led by multi-instrumentalist Jon Crosby, who came onto the scene in 1998 with a highly regarded debut. Two standout tracks are featured here. The former got some play on modern rock radio, while the latter, with it's haunting violin, is as dark as a love song can get.

Ra Ra Riot "Boy" (2010)

A recent indie rock hit from this Syracuse NY band, who have created a lot of buzz with their great live performances.

Cowboy Indian Bear "Saline" (2010)

A modern, though mildly psychedelic aural & video trip back to the '70's from this Kansas based trio. They may not have opened for the Dead in 1975, but listening to this you may think they did.

The Ruby Suns "Maasai Mara (2006)

Interesting sound with more than a passing nod to XTC in their prime. One of the nuggets from the '00's that should have been played more on the radio (then again radio rarely played XTC in THEIR prime, because most program directors are incompetent, ass-kissing zombies).

Harlem "Friendly Ghost (2010)

Relentless guitar riff & a lo-fi vibe make this a great tune for hangin' in the cellar with a some friends and a six pack of PBR. Or perhaps the Arizona garage where Harlem honed their sound.

The Decemberists "The Sporting Life" (2005)

The Decemberists are a band you either love or hate. The pseudo-intellectual, arty pretensions that turn some purists off make them demi-gods to others. Picaresque is a very listenable album (as is much of their output since their debut in 2002), and they are a very interesting live act. Plus, the average IQ of a Decemberists show crowd may be the highest in rock (the silly promo shot in the video notwithstanding; it shows they don't take themselves too seriously).

Metric "Sick Muse" (2009)

Here is a band who are doing it the right way...building a core audience by consistently putting out good music & buzz worthy videos. They remind me a bit of Garbage. It helps that lead singer Emily Haines is easy on the eyes.

Real Estate "Beach Comber" (2009)

Mellow, jangly guitar laden debut from this New Jersey quartet. A simple guitar hook that sounds instantly familiar, though like nothing you've probably heard before.

Atlas Sound "Shelia" (2009)

The lyrics are almost as creepy as the video image, but the melody will stick in your head after repeated listenings. Except the middle, where it slows down and makes you feel like killing yourself. Well, not quite, but it does create an odd contrast of moods within the song.

The Besnard Lakes "Like The Ocean, Like The Innocent Pt 1 & 2" (2010)

The Canadian music scene has really exploded in the past few years. This art rock opus from the Montreal collective is long, but thoroughly engaging.

The Flaming Lips "Feeling Yourself Disintegrate" (1999)

Stepping back pre-millenium, the Oklahoma trip rockers put out this mellow-dramatic masterpiece on their great "Soft Bulletin" CD.

Sufjan Stevens "Chicago" (2008)

For some reason, this song reminds me of that old "I'd Like To Teach The World" Coke commercial from the early '70's. Arty and melodic, if not the socially-relevant anthem it sounds like it should be.

The Morning Benders "Excuses" (2010) & "Boarded Doors" (2008)

The Benders are a talented indie band from Berkely CA who I believe are in for much bigger things. "Excuses" is a great, hummable song, while "Doors" highlights the irony of relationships i.e. oftentimes, the only ones that are available to you are the ones you may not want.

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings "I Learned the Hard Way" (2010)

Not modern rock, per se, but modern soul. Good to see that in a world of mindless hip/hop, with every song "featuring" this or that unknown non-talent, that there is some classic, melodic soul still being made. Now, when are the brothas going to quit rapping and start getting back to the basics, a la the Temptations, Stylistics, Chi-lites, Four Tops, Spinners. Hell, even Parliament/Funkadelic.

Radiohead In Rainbows Disc 2 Outtake "Lost Flowers" (2007)

The best(and sometimes most frustrating)thing about being a Radiohead fan is that sometimes their best stuff doesn't even make their "official" releases. "Lost Flowers" was from an In Rainbows bonus CD originally available only from their website. The first video is a Thom Yorke solo version, followed by the CD track. The fact that you can barely tell the live from the CD version speaks of Yorke's enormous talent.

XTC "The Wheel And The Maypole" (2000)

Great later period stuff from the legends of melodic pop. Andy, can we get one more album out of you guys, by chance?

Stars "Fixed" (2010)

The first single from the Canadian band's recently released CD. Not groundbreaking stuff, but catchy nonetheless.

She And Him "Into The Sun" (2010)

Another simple yet tuneful track, with a retro feel, from this American indie/folk band. Has yet to chart in the US, but did recently enter the lower ends of the French pop chart.

The Postal Service "Such Great Heights" (2003)

One of the best singles of the 2000's, which surprisingly (or given the state of radio, perhaps not surprising) did not chart in the US or UK. Which further points out the irrelevancy of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The world is still awaiting TPS's follow up LP, and apparently, they're still promising one.

Revolver "Belulalow" (2009)

This is a French band (not to be confused with the early '90's English band of the same name, or the Beatles album). Simple but engrossing pop. Embedding disabled, but just click on the link.

Blonde Redhead "Here Sometimes" (2010)

A new track from the American based trio with international talents. Mellow & dream inducing.

Arcade Fire "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" (2004)

One of the most heralded albums of the 2000's was AF's Funeral, from which this is the opening track. Well worth the purchase; excellent "ensemble" indie rock from Montreal.

Midlake "Roscoe" (2006) & "Acts of Man (2009)

Midlake is a Texas band with a distinctive sound. They were formed in 1999.

"Driftwood" - Travis (2001)

Travis, from the UK, was one of the best bands at the turn of the century. Great melodic, catchy pop rock. This was a hit all over the world (except the US, of course) in 2001.