Has this year’s attempt at New Year’s resolutions already fallen apart? Are you looking for fresh artists, bands and albums to awaken your soul in the doldrums of these dark winter days? If you are still reading, then you must be— and I have got just the thing for you.
Through tireless effort and boundless dedication to musical justice, I have compiled a list of four artists and bands that you ought to make a resolution to listen to in the year of 2012. Some are more obscure and some are almost household names, but they are all bands and artists that deserve to be known.
Fleet Foxes
The Fleet Foxes mix Beach Boys era surf-pop with Appalachian folk from the 1890s, with a touch of influence from medieval castle sounds. You know, just your basic band.
Hailing from Seattle, Wash., the group has been playing and recording since the release of their first EP in 2006. Afterward, they signed with Sub Pop records— a major Indie label— and released a second EP, “Sun Giant.” They followed those with a self-titled, full-length album in 2008, which brought the band worldwide attention, and “Helplessness Blues,” one of the best albums of 2011.
Their songs are like time machines that take listeners back to days we can only read about in history books. They make you want to grow a beard, wear flannel, read Emerson and Thoreau and live in the woods. Their harmonies are reminiscent of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and are guaranteed to turn any frown upside down. For full Fleet Foxiness, I recommend trying out “Montezuma,” “Blue Ridge Mountains” or “White Winter Hymnal.”
tUnE-YarDs
Besides the difficulty of saying and writing the name, tUnE-YarDs are a pure pleasure. They are a breath of originality after a decade in which Nickelback was one of the best-selling rock bands.
Starting as the project of Connecticut native Merrill Garbus, the band has grown to include a bassist and a saxophone section. Reviewers have tagged their unique sound as a blend of experimental rock, Afro-beat and Lo-fi. Following their debut release “Bird Brains” in 2009, they put out “w h o k i l l,” their breakthrough record in 2011, which has received much critical acclaim.
Garbus works like a mad scientist during live shows, with tools that allow her to record densely layered vocal and percussion parts on the spot, along with a ukulele under-distortion and a versatile voice that will power through a brick wall. Unlike a mad scientist, she does not create monsters, just banging jams. Check out “Bizness” or “You Yes You” for a sample.
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Although this crew has not recorded collectively since 2009, be expecting big things soon from these folks. Their 2009 debut “Up From Below” earned chart success and widespread popularity, with nearly all of America singing their classic “Home” at one point or another. Led by Alex Ebert as Edward Sharpe— and followed by what looks more like an army of pacifists and peace lovers than a band— these 21st century troubadours come together to make a beautiful blend of music with the key ingredient of love: love for life, love for your significant other, love for your family, love for the land and love for yourself.
Not only do they bring transcendentalist vibes and free hugs, but also guitars, drums, trumpets, keyboards, accordions, a bass and a choir full of voices. It feels like a campfire jam with good friends on a summer night. Join the party by listening to “40 Day Dream,” “Janglin’” or “Jade.”
Youth Lagoon
Search “Youth Lagoon” on Wikipedia and you get one sentence, explaining that Youth Lagoon is the stage name of Trevor Powers, and that he released an album in 2011 on Fat Possum Records. This all fits perfectly with the persona of Youth Lagoon.
The debut album, “The Year of Hibernation,” sounds like it was written and recorded entirely from the bedroom of a sweet, shy kid from Boise, Idaho. It is filled with simple and fuzzy guitar riffs, gentle synthesizers and wavering echoed vocals that sound like a kid reading his diary out loud. It is simple in nature, and less complicated than most music out there, but its simplicity is what makes the music great. And what it lacks in musicianship, it makes up for in truth, purity and emotionalism.
The record is a straight shot to the heart for anyone who was ever a kid in the past, and anyone who has dealt with heartache. Ultimately, it shows us that hope is the most beautiful thing we own. With lyrics such as “When I was seventeen/ my mother said to me/ don’t stop imagining/ the day that you do is the day that you die,” Powers shows us that it is okay to be a kid sometimes. In fact, we should try it more often. Give a listen and shed a tear to tracks “17,” “Posters” or “Afternoon.”
Happy New Year and happy new listening!