The new Black Keys album is awesome, as expected. They've made 3 very good albums now. They are incredibly underrated, IMO. Now, selling out arena's meas it's probably hard for me to make that claim - but I don't know a lot of people personally who like/know them.
Anywho, that got me to thinking of my top bands that are modern (AKA, have put out an album in the past few years.
For me right now:
1.) Arcade Fire
2.) The Black Keys
3.) Foo Fighters
4.) Arctic Monkeys
5.) Jimmy Eat World
6.) Queens of the Stone Age
7.) Of Monsters & Men
8.) Muse
9.) Death Cab for Cutie (Ben Gibbard/The Postal Service)
10.) Manchester Orchestra
I dunno man, I think TBK are the probably the biggest rock band out there today. I am sure there are people who've never heard of many popular artists/bands out there today. Unless you're someone like Lady Gaga or Katy Perry where pretty much everyone will know who they are, and probably know at least one of their songs.
As for me I've pretty much stagnated as far as my musical likes are concerned. I am not into the current indie alternative scene, which is where a lot of my favorite bands came from. Too much weird shit going on there now. No other genres really appeal to me.
I did just download the Hamilton Leithauser album, the former front man for The Walkmen (my favorite band) and it's pretty good. A lot of familiar sounds in there, while going in a more soul/rockabilly direction.
Actually, I'm probably at the point in my musical listening life where all my favorite bands best days are behind them, and/or breaking up.
The Walkmen just went on "indefinite hiatus" and now a bunch of the guys are putting out solo albums.
Radiohead hasn't released an album since early 2011 -- no word of another, and they've said "they're done with traditional albums" so I don't expect any new stuff from them aside from maybe solo stuff.
Arcade Fire peaked with The Suburbs, IMO, but they should still have another good 10 years left in them.
The National peaked with Boxer/High Violet, but they're still a band I seek out when they release new stuff.
Other bands I like, Stars, The Strokes, same deal.
It's kind of depressing...I guess I will be listening to this stuff for the rest of my life, although none of it will be played on the radio. Guess my iPod better last forever.
The "new-er" stuff I do like is limited and it's doesnt consume me like my favorites did during the last 10-15 years.
My wife is in love with Lana Del Rey right now and I kind of dig her stuff.
The Head and the Heart is a solid band, a tad hokey, but I like their sound. They just played Ram's Head last night I was going to go see them but it sold out before I got around to buying tickets.
I am seeing Arcade Fire in DC in August so I am excited about that.
Been listening to a lot of old school rap lately....that never gets old.
I never had friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?