Nine Bands You Should Be Listening To: Part 1

Hopefully, a soon to be feature on To Whom... Recently, I was compiling this list of some indie bands, new music, and stuff I don’t think a lot of people listen to. Some of these artists, I’m discovering for the first time. Some, I've been a fan of for a long time. I think they are all pretty great. I was going to make it one post. However, I’m long winded and it just turned into a mess of information and reviews. So, I made it into three parts, listing three bands into each part. I’ll do one a day, for the next three days. Stay tuned. Listen well:

1. Wes Dando- Not one guy, but a trio of gentlemen from Seattle who gel together some of the prettiest and technical sounds with an almost "quirky" resonance. Not just another indie rock outfit, this band writes sincere and personal tunes with heart, meaning, and soul. Their debut from 2001, The Tired Hours, showcases the brilliance of their sound. A quality in music that has been attempted, but not too often perfected, Wes Dando’s effort is a success. It’s available from Paste Music. Recommended: Coughing Is Contagious, As Bravery Crumbles, and My Confidence, Your Opinion.

2. This Runs Through- Another Florida hardcore band that is newly signed to California's very own Facedown Records. However, this is not your typical band; in fact, it's just the very opposite. With an extraordinary approach to hardcore, these boys blend their riffs and rhythm in the vain of Strongarm (RIP) and Throwdown, with the hope of the once thriving "spirit-filled" scene. That hope being their relationship with Christ. This is one band that is not ashamed to be labeled by their faith. Maybe not quite as technical or loud as the comparisons, but This Runs Through creates a wall-of-sound on their first EP, Until Forever Finds Me, which was put out by Indianola Records. Recommended: A Prayer Upon Revival, I Kiss the Envelope, and The Wind That Brought Us Here.

3. Led Zeppelin- This may seem kind of funny to some of you, but it has taken me more than two years to begin having an interest in listening to these English legends. I’m somewhat beginning to understand the genius that is Led Zeppelin. Formed in 1968, after having some lineup changes, and playing as The New Yardbirds, (to fulfill the original Yardbirds commitments) eventually Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham became the band we know them as today. Writing lyrics with mystic and mythological meanings and incorporating hard rock, blues, and folk styles into their music, they created their own definitive sound. They are also most notably recognized for producing songs and music strictly for an entire album listen; versus the trend of releasing strong singles and having filler for the rest of the record. All Music Guide writes up a good review on the band and gives suggestions for either, the new listener or the casual fan.