14. Dan Mangan
Dan Mangan is a two time Juno award winning musician from Vancouver, Canada. To date, Mangan had released 3 full length LPs and 3 EPs over his 10 year career. Primarily an acoustic indie musician, Mangan does often have a full band behind him but always keeps his albums throwing out a varied mix of songs. His 2009 release Nice, Nice, Very Nice featured the upbeat and heartfelt song Robots, the high tempo full country hit Some People and the sobre duet The Indie Queens are Waiting with Veda Hillie. His career has also taken him over the world touring in Canada, USA, UK, Australia and Europe. During Canada Day in 2011, Mangan performed for Prince William and Duchess Kate of the British Royal Family.
Sounds like: What you should be listening to when driving around aimlessly.
Listen to: Robots from Nice, Nice, Very Nice.
13. Aesop Rock
Aesop Rock is a rapper from North Port, New York and based in San Francisco. By far one of the most innovative and ingenious artists working under the genre today. Known to some as one half of the folk/hip-hop collaboration The Uncluded with friend Kimya Dawson (of Mouldy Peaches and Juno fame). Proving there is more to rap than girls, cars and money, Aesop Rock has a constantly creative way of telling the messages of his songs. His song 'Grace' from his 2012 release Skelethon goes to the extremes of referencing being held hostage but on a closer listen, the song is about how he hated vegetables as a kid and wasn't allowed to leave the table until he ate them. Aesop is known for his very clean flow and interesting fast paced beats and as with many of his songs, despite a simple enough narrative to the songs it wouldn't hurt to keep a dictionary near by. Which on the close and informed listens to his work you begin to appreciate it even further.
Sounds like: A dictionary being read to you on top of breakbeat drums.
Listen to: ZZZ Top from Skelethon.
12. Brand New
Brand New are an early emo/pop punk band from Long Island, New York. Formed in the year 2000, Brand New have gained an extremely devoted yet largely underground fan following. From the very start, Brand New's first full length LP, Your Favourite Weapon was known for pulling no punches with its emotional content in the lyrics and very raw sound, somewhat reminiscent of early Weezer. Their first album appealed to most through its highly relatable lyrics from front man Jesse Lacey, such as losing his girlfriend to his best friend (John Nolan of Taking Back Sunday) in the song 70 Times Seven and moving on with your life and moving someone behind, like in the song Logan to Government Centre. As Brand New's career they developed a much more mature sound and moving away from their pop punk beginnings. Not only that but became much more lyrically diverse by moving the song topics away from mostly old girlfriends and friendships. Brand New's live show has also moulded into a true spectacle due to the sheer intensity and passion they play with which is rarely seen on such a level.
Sounds like: You, after you have just been dumped with emotional backing music.
Listen to: The Archers Bows Have Broken from The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me.