Spending spring break here in beautiful Hanover has inspired me to be more positive in my discussions on music, and not rely on tearing down various easy targets. This is of course bound to happen when you're walking through two feet of snow during "spring." So, in the spirit of being positive, I'm presenting a series of suggestions naming artists you should explore this spring.
Underrated Band (that just happens to be from my hometown): Despite brief glimpses of fame, The Dandy Warhols have never gotten a fair shake. When they haven't been ignored by the masses, they've usually had to deal with critics unfairly calling them rip-off artists. Instead, I see a band that has produced three amazing albums. There's the densely atmospheric and rich "Come Down," which is filled with brilliant lines about how heroin is so passe and how I want a girl who's just as cool as the Pixies' Kim Deal. I'd also point to "Welcome to the Monkey House," which predicted the raiding of '80s sounds at least two years before the Killers and their clones hit it big; it's an album that allows you to trip without the aid of illegal substances. I'd also like to point out the album that perfectly sums up life in the '90s, "Thirteen Tales of Urban Bohemia," which effortlessly combined country, gospel, pop and alternative into one tight package.
Underrated Punk Band: If you love your punk delivered to you by hard-core communists, listen to The (International) Noise Conspiracy and you'll be in luck; failing that, you should be impressed by their appreciation for great hooks and punchy anthems. If this does not do the trick, then see them live, and be prepared for one of the most amazing performances you will ever see -- they have a natural connection with the crowd, plus it's always awesome to see the band climb onto equipment and do flips while they're playing. Start off with A New Morning, Changing Weather, and you just might find yourself screaming how "Capitalism Stole My Virginity", even while you're sipping your Starbucks latte in your spiffy new Nike jacket.
Underrated Dinosaur Classic Rock: This is a genre that is still surprisingly popular with young folk, even though I don't think many of us realize the irony of listening to rebellious, youthful songs that are still beloved today by the old people who are supposed to inspire our rebellion. However, I have two suggestions for those classic rock fans who want some variety in their lives. There's the MC5, who produced one of the greatest live albums ever (Kick Out The Jams), and showed how much the blues can rawk. My other pick would be Television, a band that you should love for their intricate guitar interplay and beautiful melodies. Though their total output was small, they have two perfect albums (Marquee Moon and Adventure) and tons of awesome live bootlegs.
Underrated Rap Artists: This is the section where I pretend that I am at least familiar with non-rock artists, so I can avoid the awful "rockist" label. Even though I'm pandering, I'm still going to recommend listening to Jurassic 5. Yes, it's an obvious cliche choice for a white college dude -- intelligent lyrics, classic flow, and old-school beats. So sue me. Even though they've broken up, you can still pick up two brilliant albums (Quality Control and Power In Numbers) and one pretty good one (Feedback).
Indie Band That Deserves Your Undying Devotion: My Morning Jacket have a classic rock sensibility, and a knack for writing songs that are instantly memorable. Start off with Z, then move backwards through their catalog in order to gain a full appreciation of their work. Finish it all off by finding a copy of their live DVD, Okonokos, and be astounded by the amazing musicianship on display.
Just Plain Underrated: Eels. Beautiful Freak, Daisies of the Galaxy, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations -- just about everything is great. The very definition of bittersweet, the mix of delicate pop songs and brilliant, cutting lyrics are irresistible.
And the Eels said it best -- goddamn right, it's a beautiful day. Enjoy your spring.
