Arcade Fire
Well, I guess this one kind of speaks for itself. I mean they released in my opinion the greatest album of all time in 2004, Funeral, they released another brilliant album in 2007, Neon Bible, and well they may be responsible for Obama in the White House and the creation of the film Where The Wild Things Are. These guys are like Radiohead in the fact that everything they do is looked at as amazing, which is true unless you ask Wayne Coyne. Arcade Fire is young, they are musically beyond their years, and well their fan base is world-wide. I don't know if I ever expect them to top Funeral, but God I hope they try!
Yeasayer
If you have listened to Yeasayer at all over the past few years you know how creative and talented the are. Well, what if I told you that I think they will get better and better. With the release of All Hours Cymbals in 2007 they more then got their foot in the door of the indie music scene. Yeasayer has built a solid fan base over the last few years despite only releasing the one album. Their funky psych-pop-rock style of music is conducive to an endless potential of creativity. I can honestly see these guys making an album for the ages, and they have a chance with their next album Odd Blood due out in February.
Frightened Rabbit
If you haven't heard of or haven't listened to Frightened Rabbit, I would compare them to an angry Scottish version of The National. Lyrically the band essentially uses drunken tirades of sexual and emotional lashes against themselves and former lovers that turn out to be quite interesting despite their filth. Musically Frightened Rabbit has yet to hit their stride. I believe the talent is there, but it has yet to be harnessed into an album that is complete. That is why I am certainly interested in seeing where they go over the next decade.
Vampire Weekend
This NYC quartet's self-titled debut album hit the ground running and made a memorable mark on Indie music in 2008. They will be releasing a sophomore album in early 2010 and I know it is being highly anticipated by everyone who heard the first album. Whether you like them or not you must admit the are musically gifted and quite original and daft lyrically. If the can keep up the pace with very good to solid albums, this could be a helluva decade for these Columbia-educated boys.
Beirut
This is a personal pick. Beirut is one of my favorite bands and I follow their every move. With their double EP that came out earlier this year I saw that there is more to them then meets the eye. The amazing Zach Condon is creative and refreshes his music with everything he does. He is still young and there is about 90% of the world he hasn't written music in. That's a lot of cultural influence to delve into.
Grizzly Bear
Some are labeling Grizzly Bear as the greatest band out there right now. They are well-known world wide and critically acclaimed everywhere. They have released at least two top-notch albums in the 2000's with Yellow House and the immortal Veckatimest. With their haunting indie folk take on music they are more than capable of creating something special. I mean more special then what they have already accomplished, and that is saying a lot. With the exception of Arcade Fire they are the most accomplished band on this list and I am incredibly excited to see what the future holds bright for them.
Japandroids
The second-coming of Sonic Youth is embodied in the duo of Japandroids. I know that is a lot to put on these Vancouver-based rockers but I truly love them and I truly think they have what it takes to live up to that billing. Post-Nothing is their 2009 dynamic debut album with the booming song Young Hearts Spark Fire sitting in the two slot. One of the best songs of the year to go along with one of the best albums of the year. In a very good year for Indie music they managed to make a lasting impression. Will they be able to stay creative enough in the next decade? I think (hope) so.
Bon Iver
Justin Vernon is the man behind the music here and he maybe one of the most talented musicians we've seen this decade. So with one album under Bon Iver and one under Volcano Choir I look forward to some damage done by Vernon. Most likely he will be doing this with Bon Iver as their debut album was one of the best seen in the 2000s. Bon Iver has a woodsy-folk style that stands alone in the genre of folk music. Its sweet, yet sad and emotional, yet soft. Its remarkable how good an album can be when the music is simple but sensational. If you haven't hit these guys up or checked out Volcano Choir, please do so, because there is something about Justin Vernon that is special.
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