Apart from 99% of tha mainstream music nowadays being absolute crap, there definitely are some pearls in the ocean. I'm having big problems finding anything worth listening to the couple past years, here are some things that have sparked hope in my music loving heart.
1. Justice
This guys just rawk! (that is if you like electronica) They're pretty new(created 2003, debut album in 2007)but let us hope they continue to create amazing things:
2. Mute Math
They're also pretty new (2003) but they definitely know their shit.
3. The Raconteurs
Jack White doesn't really need any more explanation, but this band (especially after seeing them live) is like the fulfillment of my dreams of good music come back. Imagine all the oldschool bands that became great. Now imagine that they actually know how to play. That's The Raconteurs.
4. Kanye West Audiofeels and K8
I've changed my mind on Kanye. Instead decided to put in Audiofeels and Kate since they've got a lot of talent.
The Raconteurs I been loving for a couple of years now. The other stuff wasn't too bad either. But putting Kanye West's latest stuff on there is just absurd. IMO Kanye has way better talent then going to the dipshit stuff he has been releasing lately. I can't say anything that Kanye has released in the passed couple of years is genius. He paired up with Lil' Wayne(with their stupid auto tuners) and decided to release a unworthy album. I rather see Kanye back to producing then singing in the near future but thats meh. Everyone has there own taste.
mute math has some decent songs, but i really didn't like the song they are known for (typical).. it sounds so pop. i like "break the same" a lot.
don't like the raconteurs at all. not my style of music
and i like kanye, but i have to agree with kennelie in saying that his recent stuff is horrible. especially love lockdown. i hate that song with a passion. reminds me so much of the "artist" i hate the most... lil wayne.
@misclick: I know that 'Typical' sounds pretty weird for Mute Math (that's one of the reasons I put Reset there too) but it doesn't change the fact that the song is pretty good and if you try it a couple of items it just gets better and better.
Edit: And I have no idea why it reminds me of this song from the eighties:
listened to all your recommendations, justice is pretty good, they have some catchy stuff. the other bands were not really my cup of tea, but thanks anyway!
uhm, i was like lol, this band is mainstream? then i check views, and all their videos have like <50,000 views thought thread was about the few mainstream bands that were good:O
pelican is instumental metal. but most of the chord progressions feature major chords. that what i enjoy about them. they are the only band i listened to last year that wasnt from the 60s/70s. i dont like metal as a rule except in its orgins with bands like king crimson or rush.
that mutemath live track... sounds a little too much like radiohead's morning bell. sick drumming though