White Lies Geffen/Fiction

Not a new band or anything here - White Lies has been around for a few years, but it occurred to me that I haven’t mentioned them here yet, so I thought I might expose them to the last few of you who aren’t familiar with their sound. Plus I get to bring back some Brits in the process. They call London home, play an 80s-style pop rock with moody vocals that combine emo, indie and punk all at the same time. The song I’ve featured here is a live version of “Death” where the chorus really lends itself well to an outdoor venue. Lots of potential for some good arena rock here and that’s always a good thing.

-John

Cults Forest Family Records

A couple of dudes from NYC make some cool, semi-electronic, rock music. It sounds clean, has catchy rhythms, good vocals - what’s not to like? Download three of their tracks for free here: Cults 7″

Thanks to Paugh for the tip…

-John

Jem Sony BMG

She’s from Wales, she’s hot and she’s kind of a big deal. She’s appeared on numerous movie soundtracks, been featured on multiple TV shows and played several big international musical festivals. She hit a good stride with all that back in the mid 2000s but is now bringing it back strong with tracks showing up recently on Gossip Girl and a new album released this year. Jem is back, no holograms needed.

-John

Lissie Columbia/Fat Possum

Her real name is Elizabeth Maurus and she appropriately calls Rock Island, Illinois home. She’s classified as a folk-rock artist, but I think that definition is way to confining. Having listened to several of her tracks I think she can play pretty much whatever she wants. She’s got a great voice, and easily shifts back and forth between belting out scathing rock lyrics and whispering quiet sentimental chouruses. Make no mistake, she’s the real deal. The video above is of her own single (found on her album Catching a Tiger that was released this past June), which is about as solid a pop-rock track as you’re going to hear, but if that doesn’t sell you, check out the selection of her covers below. She kills every single one of them. Her band is no joke either - one dude plays bass and drums at the same time. Respect…

Lady GaGa

Metallica

Kid Cudi

Thanks To David Lynch for the heads up.

-John

Hooverphonic PIAS/Epic

Taking it back to the mid-nineties for some authentic Belgian electro-pop rock. I think that’s everyone’s favorite genre of music. I know, growing up, it was certainly mine. All this time you thought Belgians were just good for waffles and frites, but they’re so much more than that. Besides housing the European Union’s capital, they produced Hooverphonic. They’ve got a rich sound that experiments not only with electronica but also with heavy orchestra accompaniment that gives them a fuller, arena-venue style. Lead singer, Geike Arnaert, has a unique tone to her voice that makes them stand out, but they’re real succes is managing to avoid the cheese-factor in their lyrics and delivery that prevents so many European bands from being successful. If you need to know what I’m talking about, just listen to German sensation Tokio Hotel’s Unchained Dogs. Hooverphonic, better than waffles? Probably not, but give them a listen any way.

-John

Two Door Cinema Club Kitsune Music

Hailing from Northern Ireland, this band is actually signed to a French label. After a listen to the track below that will probably make sense, due to the striking similarities to France’s electro-pop darlings, Phoenix. Another MySpace band that made the jump, they’ve been touring the college scene in Europe, but did some opening act duties state-side for a fairly well known, fellow indie pop outfit called…Phoenix. Guess I’m not the only one who thinks they sound alike. I should be a record producer. Based solely on the fact that I said one band sounds similar to another.

(thanks to PCC2C reader Meredith H. for the tip)

-John

Portugal. The Man Atlantic

Synthesizers, guitars, buzzy alt-rock seething with pop choruses and catchy hooks. Formed in Alaska, but currently calls Portland, Oregon home. Fresh vocals but a classic garage band sound. Portugal was eliminated from the World Cup today - they can suck it. This Portugal is the man. Portugal. The Man.

-John

Japandroids Polyvinyl

Do you want some frenetic, unbridled garage-band rock music? Do you? Would you prefer for it to not come from Brooklyn this time? Are you cool with Vancouver? (that’s in Canada - this whole other country) If so, then the Japandroids are your new band of choice. Don’t let the name fool you, even though it’s super awesome, these guys are Canucks through and through and even earned a Juno nomination this year for Best Alternative Album, which is like the Canadian Grammy but has nothing to do with the Ellen Page movie. Even though she’s also Canadian. Dig it…

-John

Blk Jks Secretly Canadian

I probably should have saved this band for next month when the World Cup starts since it hails from Johannesburg, South Africa, but why wait? A little bit of funk, a little bit of rock, a little bit of ska, and a little bit of Caribbean influence all come together to give these guys a unique and upbeat sound. Start rocking them out now so when your nation wins in the opening rounds of the greatest sporting event in the world you’ll be ready to celebrate in an appropriate style.

-John

Annie 679/Island

Norway in the spotlight this week - Bergen, Norway to be exact. One of the finer parts of the country, from what I hear. And I hear a lot. But let’s be clear, Annie is certainly not a newcomer to the musice scene. She’s been making music of one kind or another (pop, rock, electronica, DJing - is that how you spell that?) for roughly a decade now and has finally started to get a little more attention these past few years. Treat your ears to some soothing Scandinavian synth-pop below and tell me if you don’t recognize the seasoned sounds of a veteran musician. Go on…

-John