The often forgotten other parent of Fugazi, Rites of Spring is possibly the most innovative punk band. They were active in the 80's but their sound is unmatched to this day. In fact they make most current post-punk bands sound like whiners. Read more about Rites of Spring...

A minimalist band with big ideas. A stripped down version of punk. A rocking version of folk. Call it what you want, but Ian MacKaye of Fugazi and Amy Farina of the Warmers take a new approach to their music. This baritone guitar and drums duo create surprisingly full and satisfying pop music and enhance it with strong vocals. Read more about The Evens...

They call their sound "bastardized orchestral garage rock". Perhaps garages in Minnesota are full of cellos, violins and French Horns. And perhaps in those snowy plains all bastards happen to be talented composers and vocalists. But A Whisper in the Noise is anything but bastardized, and since Steve Albini recorded their first CD, well that rules out the "garage" bit. So you are left with "orchestral rock", but I would add "patient", "dramatic", "deep", and "downright brilliant". Read more about A Whisper in the Noise...

From noise-making toys to miniature harps to opera vocals, the two sisters of CocoRosie use whatever they can find to create a sound that is so uniquely theirs and fragile-sounding that the girls give the impression they are letting you into their tiny Paris apartment to share stories and dreams. Read more about CocoRosie...

Built around samples from records that don't sell, Amsterdam-based one-woman-band "Solex" is upbeat, catchy, and easy to love. Elisabeth Esselink delivers darkly humorous tunes with a touch of disco that makes for a good party background sound or personal pick-me-up. Read more about Solex...