In 2010, my taste in music underwent a drastic change. While perusing through an Indie Rock playlist, I discovered a collection of songs that were not my usual bag, and fell in love instantly. I have an eclectic taste in music, but folk rock had never graced my mp3 player before. Songs like “Dustbowl Dance” by Mumford and Son, “Devil’s Spoke” by Laura Marling, “Feeding Line” by Boy and Bear and “Blue Ridge Mountains” by Fleet Foxes set my soul on fire. I had never been a folk rock fan before, but I certainly am now. Here is a look at some of the best folk rock bands that are not only current, but relevant and highly enjoyable as well. This is not your grandfather’s brand of folk rock music!
Boy and Bear
Boy and Bear is a folk rock group from Austrailia whose sound pleasantly surprised me. Their album “Moonfire” was just released in Austrailia on August 5, 2011, and thanks to youtube.com I’ve had the chance to hear first hand how brilliant the album is. Some of the best songs from the album include “Feeding Line,” “Blood to Gold” and “Mexican Mavis.”
Mumford and Sons
Mumford and Sons is a London based folk quartet that has been producing some major waves in the UK, the United States and beyond. Their sound is rich, inviting and utterly unique. Some of their best songs include “White Blank Page,” “Dustbowl Dance” and “Little Lion Man.”
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes is a folk band from Seattle, Washington whose sound can only be described as extraordinary. Their songs have a other-worldly quality to them, and are definitely worth a listen. I felt as I was transcended to a different time and place when listening to their album “Sun Giant.” Some of the best songs by Fleet Foxes so far include “Mykonos,” “Blue Ridge Mountains,” “Your Protector” and “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song.
Iron and Wine
Iron and Wine is the stage name of Sam Beam (the musician, not the beer maker), and is the master behind such remarkable songs such as “Boy with a Coin,” “The Trapeze Swinger” and “Naked as We Came.” Iron and Wine’s sound is not strictly folk but mixes a variety of song genres to create a beautiful end product. Iron and Wine garnered some significant praise and popularity when his song “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” was used in the movie “Twilight.”
Horse Feathers
Horse Feathers is a folk band from Portland, Oregon whose star is quickly rising. Their sound is beautiful and stirring with songs such as “Curs in the Weeds,” “Finch on Saturday” and “Dustbowl.” Horse Feathers deserves all the recognition they can get.
Laura Marling
In a music genre ruled mostly by men, there is a shining example of a female folk singer: Laura Marling. Based out of London, Laura has taken the U.K. by storm, and now is gaining popularity in the United States and beyond. Some of Marling’s best songs include “Devil’s Spoke,” “Ghosts” and “New Romantic.” If you haven’t listened to her yet, what are you waiting for?
More from this Contributor:
Review of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ Album “Up From Below”
Mumford and Sons “Sigh No More” Changed the Way I Listened to Music
5 Fantastic Bands and Artists to Watch in 2011: Originality, Inspiration and Diversity Explode from the Indie Music Scene