Top 10 Bands - 'That You Need to Listen Too' ( #1)

In writing this piece, this list is more for myself than anything. Often we are bombarded by technology and competing influences and a lot of cool things get lost in the shuffle. And with that said, here is my Top 10 Albums that you need to listen too. These bands or artist may not be Hall of Fame worthy but they do make some good music. In putting this list together I tried mainly to use bands that are a little more obscure or haven't had much mass appeal as of yet. This list is no particular order. Enjoy.

1. Baroness - A really good jam band that are a slightly dark sounding prog-rock. You will hear more riffs than actually signing. Great music to have playing in the background for when your working on something. If I had to describe their sound further, it would be the soundtrack to a medieval odyssey, a journey of time and space. Check out the 'Red Album". Who knows, after a listen, they may just be your new favorite band.

2. Gotye - This signer songwriter is interesting to say the least. Vocally he sounds like Sting (Police) and even sings like Sting! But that is where the comparisons end. Gotye is this atmospheric hipster pop. The songs themselves really don't focus on vocals but rather the mood the music is conjuring. Very light and delicate, but infectious at the same time. The music is similar to a modern Beck. His biggest hit to date is "Someone you used to know".  Other songs you should check out is "Hearts a mess" and "State of the Art".

3. ScissorFight - I used to get Century Media catalogs through the mail. That wad of paper was filled to the brim with artist and bands that I had never heard of. So in the early days of Napster, I would actually go through the catalog, pick the bands that seemed interesting, and search for them on Napster. And let me tell you, ScissorFight did not disappoint! They are loud, rude, fun, and lay down the thick riffs with your mother. Imagine combining the sillyness of the Foo Fighters, with a healthy dose of Black Sabbath, a pack of beer, and New Hampshire then you should create ScissorFight. Bottom heavy with their riffs, raw but understandable vocals, and extremely memorable lyrics, this is one band to brighten your day. Some songs: "Blizzard, Buzzards, and Bastards"
"New Hampshire was made for Fighting"  "Drink, Fight, and Fuck"....etc.

4. Iced Earth - Century Media's golden boys, this band has been around since the 90's but sound nothing like the 90's. If you were to mix the raw sound of Judas Priest with the technical precision and grand themes of Iron Maiden, then you might end up with Iced Earth. The band hails from Florida and does the state proud. Almost all of their albums are concept albums. Check out their album "Night of the Stormrider". Listen to it beginning to end and if your a fan of good metal, this is the band for you.

5.Quartz - the little engine that could of NWOBHM.  Everyone remembers Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Venom, and few others to just name a few, but somehow Quartz gets lost in the shuffle.
Creative grooves, good signing (think Coheed and Cambria) over Black Sabbath like riffs with slightly higher tempos (sort of like Heaven and Hell or Sabotage). The irony is Tony Iommi (guitarist of Black Sabbath) actually produced one of their albums. Great band that deserves more attention than what they get. Check out the song "Stand up and Fight".

6. Red Fang - With Red Fang they are a bit 'hit an miss' when it comes to their albums. Fans of the band would probably be up in arms about that statement, but I will concede that it may be more personal taste than broad appeal that I'm speaking about. They have much of the same energy as another band on this list, ScissorFight, but lyrically more subdued in comparison. This band has the potential to great. Be sure to check out their videos on YouTube. Its none stop fun is the best way to describe this band. Heavy with a sense of melody and not afraid to go into long jams, it might be time you gave them listen.

7. Ghost - Wow! What a band. What a band, indeed. Of all the bands on this list, here is one that consistently gets right almost every time. I am talking about albums that are good from beginning to the end. Their music seems timeless in the sense that it will age well with time. The songs themselves are simple and wouldn't be that hard for the novice guitarist to learn, but simple isn't always a band thing and this band proves it spades. The band themselves dress like druids with the singer looking like some undead satanic pope. The music itself sounds like new tunes from Blue Oyster Cult who are covering Black Sabbath (again another Sabbath reference in this list). The only bad thing I can say about this band, that as a Christian, I do struggle to listen to this guys. They sign about Satan, a lot! So if you actually pay attention to the lyrics and you happen to be a believer in Christ you will feel uncomfortable. But man, this band good. I wish they would lighten up on devil stuff for at least one album. No matter your personal beliefs this is a great band. Check out their first album. Google them. Now.

8. Mustasch - Bow to the Stach! These Swedish riff lords got their name from all their favorite rockers who they noticed all have mustaches. Tony Iommi, Freddy Mercury, Lemmy Kilmister (I think he was one, RIP)..etc. Imagine a band that has solid rock groove laiden riffs with a signer who has tone of a Freddy Mercury. Look at planet earth for you just encountered Mustasch. Love this band. Not everything they do is gold, but most what they do is gold. When looking this band up,  you need to listen to the album "Thank you for the Demon". Also, make sure you spell the name right or google will show you nothing but links to facial hair.


9. Steam Powered Giraffe - Well, honestly, if wasn't for their videos I'm not sure I would even listen to them. Having said that, their videos are good. This band is part of the Steam Punk genre (yes there is such a thing). Laid back Victorian musical landscape with folky overtones. Elaborate costumes, makeup, and mechanical choreography are the biggest things that stand out about Steam Powered Giraffe. Their music is decent. Very hit or miss.  I put this band on the list because you really need to watch their videos. Two that come to mind is "HoneyBee" and "Diamonds" as being among their best both musically and video wise.

10.  Perturbator  - if you love John Carpenter not just for his movies but also for the soundtrack to all his movies, then there is no reason you can't get into Perturbator. The music itself is part of the Sci-fi/horror Synthwave. Apparently there is more than one genre of synthwave. The great thing about their music is you can literally picture some awesome movie playing in your head. Very dark, atmospheric sounds that penetrate to all the favorite corners of your brain that you tend to neglect until flexed. Check out the album "I am the Night".  Good stuff.


That's my list. These band were named right off the top of my head. In no particular order. I may do other Top Ten list of the same topic (and other topics) to throw more little known or obscure bands out there. Any bands that you feel should make the list, let me know in the comments below.