9. Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska and first gained success as a musician when he was living in Portland, Oregon. Though his primary instrument was guitar, he was also proficient at piano, clarinet, bass, drums and the harmonica. He is often known for his very thin and quiet delivery of his lyrics and dark emotional instrumental writing, partly due to the fact that Smith suffered from depression, alcoholism and drug addiction. However due to this, Smith's work is all the more frank and relatable. Smith's compilation of his songs were done in such a way that his work is almost made for and often found in films. Most notably Good Will Hunting and The Royal Tenenbaums. Over the course of his 12 year active career, Smith released 5 studio albums. His sixth album From a Basement on the Hill being released after his death in 2003.
Sounds Like: You are in a deeply emotional movie scene that can only be completed with sombre acoustic guitar.
Listen to: Somebody That I Used To Know from Figure 8.
8. The Bronx
The Bronx are a hardcore punk band from Los Angeles formed in 2002. Known for their driving riffs, varied drum grooves and truly roof raising live shows. Speaking in terms of technical proficiency The Bronx are about one of the tightest bands around (if you want to know exactly what I mean, listen to Knifeman from their 2008 self titled release). The Bronx have released 3 self titled albums (2003, 2006, 2008) and their fourth album The Bronx (IV) was released earlier this year. The band are known for their very raw yet melodic sound. In 2009 the Bronx released Mariachi El Bronx, the first of two mariachi albums (which are genuinely fantastic). This no doubt aided the band to mature into what they are now releasing one of their strongest albums yet through its solid hybrid of hardcore punk and melodic riffs on top of the classic dark Bronx vocals.
Sounds Like: An A-Bomb of hardcore riffs, grooves and vocals which transcend the definition of "Perfectly in sync".
Listen to: Past Lives from The Bronx (2008).