  Cute Band Alert I spend all my money on CDs and shows. I blindly take risks on music, enduring hours of mediocre CDs and horrible opening bands, hoping for that awesome feeling of secret discovery.
These are the bands I felt that way about last year: The Sleepy Jackson BRMC Hem The Stills Mando Diao Tegan and Sara Wrens The Sounds Nellie McKaye The Kills Hot Hot Heat The Shins Yesterday I went to Tower Records and plopped down $10 on a CD from their emerging artists section. I have that feeling again. I almost want to keep it to myself. They're wonderful and poppy with traces of the Beatles. (Two songs specifically: the chimey guitar in "Julia" is evoked in one song, and the brassy guitar tone in the intro riff of "Something" is used in another.
They're also like The Beatles because they're strong singers. ) But they're edgier than the Beatles. They're more atmospheric and less annoying. They remind me of the Britpop I listened to in high school mixed with that very-now, swaggery NYC sound. Ah sweet soaring melodies, ah enchanting pop hooks! I'm in heaven or love or both. I almost want to keep it a secret because I don't want to share... But here goes. They are... 
