The Knife

The Knife, a popular music duo from Sweden, was forged in 1999.  The two siblings, singer Karin Andersson and brother Olof Dreijer own a record company called Rabid Records.

The band transcends many genres, including a lot of experimental electronic, synthpop, and ambient 'trip-hop'.  Many of their songs feature new age influences and extensive vamping, with soothing, melodic phrasing.  They take inspiration from vintage synth pop and avant-garde sounds that are just as sinister as they are pleasing.

They were brought to the international stage with their song 'Heartbeats', which appeared in a Sony commercial.  Several of their songs have since appeared on television shows and commercials.  In 2006, they released their critically acclaimed Silent Shout album, and have won several Swedish Grammis (to which they refuse to attend the award ceremony).

They have both done solo projects since, but rumors hint towards an upcoming project which may or may not already be in the works!

Simian Mobile Disco

In 2005, James Ford and Jas Shaw formed Simian Mobile Disco.  From the UK, this duo began after leaving the other members of their previous experimental electronics band, Simian.

Hoping to break from the mold of polished, programmed dance tracks, the duo exclusively uses analog equipment - a style for which they are most known.  Their tracks feature house roots, four-on-the-floor, dancable beats, and electronica influences.

They released a remix album in 2008, entitled Sample and Hold.  A year later, an entirely original album, Temporary Pleasure, appeared with collaboration from some big-named producers.

Last year, they released their studio album Delicatessen & Delicacies, taking the names of their tracks from bizarre delicacies around the world.

Watch their video 'Hustler'.  It's hot.

Queens of the Stone Age - Go With the Flow

Queens of the Stone Age is a rock group from Palm Desert, California.  Josh Homme is their lead vocalist and guitarist, and started the band in 1996.  Their current line-up features Troy Van Leeuwen on guitar, Joey Castillo on drums, and Dean Fertita on keyboard/guitar.

They feature hard rock roots, with blues and grunge influences.  Their subtle use of vocal harmonies and antiphony is a good contrast with their heavy sound. 

On why Homme settled on the name 'Queens' instead of 'Kings', he stated that "...Rock should be heavy enough for the boys and sweet enough for the girls." 

Their popularity peaked when, in 2001, former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl joined to help record their third (and best) album, Songs for the Deaf.   However, other projects required Grohl to leave the band.  He was soon replaced by former Danzig drummer and permanent member Castillo.

Songs for the Deaf reached gold status in 2003 at just under 1 million copies sold, and came very close to the Billboard Top 40.  However, their next album  'Lullabies to Paralyze' debuted at number 6 on the same Billboard Top 40.  Josh Homme also made a guest appearance on Comedy Central's Tosh.O for a web remix with internet sensation Samwell.

P.S.  This is one of my most favorite videos of all time.

iMonster - Daydream in Blue

iMonster is an eclectic, electronic duo from England.  It was formed in 1997 by record producers Jarrod Gosling and Dean Honer.   Together, they own their own label, Twins of Evil.

They feature very docile rock instrumentation and mellow electronica.  They are most renowned for their subtle vocal harmonies, melodic phrasing, and awesome string ensemble.

Their biggest hit came with 'Daydream in Blue' in 2001, which hit #20 in the UK.  Since their acclaimed album 'Neveroddoreven', released in 2003, the duo have done many guest DJ appearances all over the country.

Their most recent album, A Dense Swarm Of Ancient Stars, was released in 2009.  Very good stuff!  Check out some of their other videos!

Glukoza

Russian-born solo artist Natalia Ionova is SMOKING HOT.  Her musical accolades have escalated tremendously since her musical breakthrough in 2002.

Her more common band name, Glukoza (translated ''glucose'') is a cute, punk-pop band with danceable rhythms and major tonalities.

Her musical influences are Madonna, Moby, Mumiy Troll and Agata Kristi (not to be confused with the most boring, horrible mystery author Agatha Christie)

Her first album, titled 'Glukoza Nostra' featured two of her biggest hits, Nenavizhu (I Hate) and Nevesta (Bride), which shot her to the top of the Russian music charts.  After the first two music videos featured a computer animated Natalia, it became common-place; now, all of her videos feature a smooth, CGI version of her band.  Her computer generated charicature was named ''Character of the Year'', and she has won the MTV-EMA award for "Best Russian Act"

Since 2003, she has performed over 500 concerts.  She is a spokeswoman for Motivi, the face of Avon Color Trend, and has been featured on many magainzes, including Elle Girl and Seventeen.

Alkaline Trio

The Alkaline Trio is a punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois.  They are a 3-piece, formed in 1996 with their lead guitarist Matt Skiba being the only original member.

For a 3-piece band, they still cover many sounds and continuously refine their tenor.  The band started small with lead guitarist and vocalist Matt Skiba, bassist Rob Doran and drummer Glen Porter.  In 1997, Slapstick singer and bassist Dan Andriano replaced Rob Doran in 1997, and the band thereafter began to actuate a sizeable fanbase..

Since Dan's arrival, he has added a complementary voice to Matt's singing.  The two write their own songs and lyrics, for which they both do their own vocals.  Due to their contrast in vocal quality, their songs each have a unique feel to it, yet evoke the same fervent  response.

To date, the band has released seven studio albums, with their newest album - "This Addiction" - having been released in February 2010.

Throughout my time in high school, there was always one band that summed up my wasteful youth with its alluring and magnetic sound.  This band was my biggest inspiration for musical endeavors.  My rebellious, adolescent phase syncopated perfectly with their punk roots and omnipotent vocal harmonies.  They are most renowned for their electric wall-o-sound, rhythmic syncopation and verbose melodic phrasing.

My Muse

The Muse trio is from a sleep town of Teignmouth, Devon.   They started their British rock band experiment at age 13, more popularly known at first as the Rocket Baby Dolls.

Muse - by Warner-Music
By 1997, the band had decided on the name 'Muse', and released their self-titled debut EP with Dangerous Records.

Their first full-length album was called Showbiz, released around New Years of 1999.  The band reached platinum status with the release of their hit album The Origin of Symmetry.

The trio consists of guitarist and vocalist Matthew Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme on Bass Guitar, and Dominic Howard on drums.  Their fusion of progressive rock, electronica, and Radiohead-influenced experimentation have lead to an amazingly unique sound.

Knights of Cydonia is by far their best video.  It introduced me to this band, and definitely left a lasting impression.  Check out some of their other videos on Youtube!

100% Chromeo

Chromeo is an electrofunk duo from Montreal, Canada.  The band formed in the mid 1990's, and are most known for their electronica and disco influences, their house roots, and their extremely danceable beats.

The band is composed of P-Thugg (Patrick Gemayel), who plays synthesizer, keyboard and talk box, and Dave 1 (David Macklovitch), the duo's guitar player and lead vocalist.

The two, who were childhood friends, sarcastically define themselves as the "only successful Arab / Jewish partnership since the dawn of human culture".

Their debut album, 'She's In Control', dropped in 2004.  It instantly became a world-wide hit, being played in clubs overseas, as well as at home.

After a three year break, the band released their second album, Fancy Footwork.  And another album, Business Casual, on September 14, 2010.

On February 21, they performed their hit-song ''Hot Mess" on TBS's Conan.  Watch it here!

This is one of my all-time favorite bands.  Their videos are awesome, and they seem to respectfully enjoy their fan-base, and their success.  Not to mention - they're incredibly good at what they do.  They seem to be a convivial duo who are trying to create something new in a world of repetition and monotony. 

Pizzicato Five

No, not pizza.  Pizz-i-ca-to.  5ive.

Pizzicato Five actually started as far back as 1979.  At a local music society meeting, two university students - Yasuharu Konishi and Keitaro Takanami, met and agreed to form a band.  They recruited fellow member Ryo Kamimiya, but would not find a suitable lead vocalist until 1984, when the band settled on Mamiko Sasaki.

(Sorry, no official video.)  Their first single, "Audrey Hepburn Complex" set the tone for their impending popularity, and after their 1990 single "Lover's Rock", they became one of the most popular acts in Japan.

Unfortunately, after establishing a legacy, the band announced their separation in 2001.  They are known throughout Japan as the "Godfathers of the Shibuya-kei scene, Tokyo kitsch-pop deconstructionists." 

Pizzicato Five features jazzy, electronica dance beats with hard rock roots.  Their songs are uptempo, with major tonality, danceable grooves and a subtle use of vocal harmony.

International Pony

International Pony is a German funk band known for their house roots, disco influences and four-on-the-floor beats.  They feature classic beats made for dancing and un-syncopated ensemble rhythms.

The band was formed in 1998 when singer Cosmic DJ and turntablist DJ Koze met up with keyboardist Erobique.  'We Love Music' was their debut album, released in 2002.

The band blends funk and electro, and is really easy to listen to.  I've followed them since I first heard 'Gothic Girl' in 2006.  Check out 'Solid Gold' and 'Gothic Girl' as well!

Bob Crosby and his Bobcats

Bob Crosby, younger brother to Bing Crosby, primarily found himself in the awkward seat of being the least important member of his own orchestra.  He was incapable of reading sheet music, and couldn't play an instrument.  He dropped out of college to get a job as a singer, and from 1932 to 1934 was the vocalist of friend Anson Weeks' band. 

After a couple of infinitesimally small venues, producing agent Cork O'Keefe helped Bob land a gig as the singer of a popular group of musicians,  under the direction of saxaphonist Gil Rodin.  The popularity of the Crosby family would help propel their band's status, and actually helped  launch his career.  Over time, he helped turn a newly established Decca Records into a major record label.

This song can be found in Bethesoft's 'Fallout 3' soundtrack.  It makes this song a lot more amorous to associate it with strolling the ruins of post-apocalyptic America, mowing down everything that moves with an assortment of death machines.

This is a relaxing, feel-good song.  Most Bob Crosby songs consist of very classy New Orleans jazz elements, big lead band, melodic tenor sax, and major trumpet and piano tonality.

Yelle!

Yelle is an amazing French band founded by Julie Budet.  She was born January, 1983 and became prominent when an early version of their song 'Je veux te voir' appeared on MySpace in September 2005.  Later that year, it reached the top 5 songs in France, and in 2007, their debut album, 'Pop Up' was released.

The band includes lead singer Julie, drummer Jan-Francois Perrier, and keyboarder Tanguy Destable.

Their sounds include electronica influences, mild rhythmic cyncopation, heavy use of vocal harmonies, synthetic sonority and minor key tonality.

Listen to her!!!