My 5 favorite bands, May 2007

Since I haven't actually blogged about my favorite bands yet, here is the current list:

1. THE DRESDEN DOLLS
Inventors of the "Brechtian punk cabaret" genre. Amanda Palmer is one of the few songwriters who can make me pay attention to lyrics, as I'm typically more drawn to melody. Her words are emotional, moving, edgy, personal, and humorous. Brian Viglione is one of rock's more underrated drummers. Their powerful live cover of "War Pigs," with only vocal, piano and drums, is worth tracking down.
Recommended: "Sex Changes," "Half Jack"

2. ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI
A quirky Australian troupe that plays the catchiest happy pop songs you will ever hear. I discovered them by complete accident through someone's LiveJournal and was instantly hooked. I've decided to travel to Philly to see them next month and I'm psyched about their new album due out this summer.
Recommended: "It'5!," "Maybe You Can Owe Me"

3. THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
Their 2005 album Twin Cinema just kept growing on me, and "The Bleeding Heart Show" became my favorite song of the past year. I love how it starts as a slow verse with sporadic drum bursts, and then opens into a glorious final chorus with a repetitive "Hey la, hey la" refrain behind Neko Case's beautiful lead vocal. The rest of the album is equally engaging.
Recommended: "The Bleeding Heart Show," "Sing Me Spanish Techno"

4. FALL OUT BOY
This one's a little embarrassing but if I'm being honest with myself, they deserve to be here. Fall Out Boy's last two albums are clinics in how to write quality, hook-filled rock songs. They've almost established their own emo empire, with Gym Class Heroes, Panic! at the Disco, The Academy Is... and all the other bands they hang out with.
Recommended: "Of All the Gin Joints in the World," "Thriller"

5. PEACHES
Absolutely filthy electroclash songs, almost exclusively about sex. I first saw her live when she opened for Nine Inch Nails and couldn't stop laughing (in a good way) at how far out there she was. I can't reprint any of her lyrics here, but a Google search for "Peaches lyrics" is a goldmine.
Recommended: "Fuck the Pain Away," "Two Guys for Every Girl"

Bands that would be on the list, except they have been inactive lately:
Junior Senior, Sigur Ros, Radiohead