One is the Loneliest Number
The wave of boy + girl bands is reaching its crest right now, showcasing a rare depth of sub-genres in the rock pool. Riding this rising tide is Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward's band, She & Him, who are readying their follow up to 2008's critically acclaimed folk-rock release, Volume One, with (surprise!) Volume Two, which will be out this March.
On a darker current is the British group, The xx, whose shared sultry melancholy is balanced brilliantly between lead vocalists Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim on their self-titled debut. Musically, The xx relies on spare bass lines, deep keyboard tones, and the occasional drum machine to create slow, atmospheric, yet infectious rock.
For a more turbulent sound, check out the husband/wife duo, Handsome Furs, featuring guitarist/singer Dan Boeckner from Wolf Parade and keyboard/drum machine player Alexei Perry, whose dancier beats are given a crashing edginess by Boeckner's rust-toothed vocals and Perry's impassioned screams. All these bands are featured in the AADL's robust CD collection.
Comments
She & Him = throw open the windows, turn up the record player and laze on the late evening porch with a lemonade and a deep appreciation for looking out on this tiny, tiny piece of the world you can say you belong to. (It's a good thing they offer both of their albums on vinyl to make all this possible!).
Another husband/wife duo (they do have a credited rotating band behind them) that rocks my soul is Over the Rhine. The library doesn't have their work, but you can check them out on Pandora or a similar service (I suggest the song "Ohio" as a really moody starting point) or their website.
I'll be sure to check out your other suggestions - anyone included in a post that starts with Zooey is a friend of mine.
Quote CasualTim: "The library doesn't have their work..."
Oh, but the library shall, soon. Ohio Drunkard's Prayer Discount Fireworks
Sweet! Thanks for the update! And folks who like to play quiet music loudly, go check it out!