Mainstream = Indie?

Hey, it’s finally my first post! You might already be aware that I enjoy expressing my views on music, whether it’s on a particular artist, a gig or a recent trend. So expect to hear reviews and album/song suggestions from time to time.

Over the past year we have witnessed “vintage” 80s fashion become trendy. Whether you’ve been attending concerts at the Horseshoe or just walking down Queen St. in downtown Toronto, you’ve probably seen your share of skinny ties and cheap blazers. You might have also heard bands like Modest Mouse and Metric on the radio - and incase you aren’t aware, these bands are not exactly “new” but recently they’ve benefited from this recent fad ironically known as “indie”. Hard to believe but indie has become mainstream.

Meanwhile, Outkast’s “Hey Ya” was not only successful on the MuchMusic countdown but also a big hit within the underground alternative scene in 2003. A year later, Pitchfork Media (a music review website which normally favours underground/indie artists) ranked Kanye West’s “College Dropout” as one of their top 50 albums of 2004. So basically, what we’ve seen happen is indie become mainstream, and mainstream become indie.

If I was a music snob I could easily say, “Put down that Arcade Fire album, it’s sacred!” But instead I’ve decided to list some of my favorites and encourage anyone who hasn’t heard them to check ‘em out, so now you’ll have the proper music to go with your retro blazers, ties, and striped shirts! There’s a reason why these bands are no longer a secret! So here are some quality “indie” songs worth downloading… feel free to msn me if you would like any of these in mp3 form.

“Wake Up” by The Arcade Fire
The most hyped-up Canadian band at the moment. “Funeral” was my favorite album last year and it’s tough to pick just one song off it, but I chose “Wake Up” because it is probably their best-known. But again, I recommend getting the album – it’s a grower!

“Constant Lover” by Magneta Lane
If you like Franz Ferdinand you’ll probably like their EP. However this song sounds a lot more like Morrissey, both musically and lyrically.

“Deceptacon” by Le Tigre
Le Tigre are a lesbian pop/punk band who have been around for ages, and some of their songs will really grab you by the balls! You might have heard this one on a Telus commercial.

“So Small” by Jim Gutherie
Nice easy song which sorta mutates into a 1700s war song at the end. Pretty cool.

WARNING: Look out for the phonies like The Killers who are really teenbop boy bands disguised as indie. Also watch out for mediocre bands tend that to get over-hyped by the press.

Over-hyped
Interpol, Controller.Controller, Razorlight

Fake (shit!)
Rooney, The Killers, The Bravery