Edit: Thanks for the help on the embedding, Truthiness!
Personally, I'm all over the place. I must say that my heart lies in the metal and hardcore range, but I'm open to more or less anything. Skip the first three if you're not interested in screaming, growling and/or any combination of them. Here's a list of some of my favorites:
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* Band/Artist
* Song Title
* Genre/Genre/Genre
My opinion.
Video.
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* Psyopus
* Whore Meet Liar
* Grindcore/Death Metal/Progressive
I had refused to listen to these guys for a while because of the hype that all my friends created over them and I had pegged them as another Converge wannabe (Converge is a legendary Grindcore act from Boston that literally defined and continues to improve upon the genre). However, after a few listens, my mind is completely blown. They have one guitarist but it sounds like they've got three. Their songs all have a meaning, and each note is perfectly aligned with the next to create a mind-numbingly intricate story. This song is a perfect example, speaking about exactly what one would assume from its title. This video starts off with a funny little cover, then jumps right into it. You can also find more of their music at www.myspace.com/psyopus
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* Emmure
* A Fist Fight With Dick Tracy
* Hardcore
Emmure is unlike any other Hardcore act out there. They can best be described by two words -- effin' brutal. These guys make it feel like I didn't waste a smooth $300 getting a kickass stereo system in my car. When one of their heavy breakdowns hit, I crank up my system and it liquifies anyone riding with me and blows out all the windows around me. Unfortunately, the only good version of this song comes attached to three minutes of a still picture, so you might want to do something else while you're listening (if you're listening, I should say). This song is off their first EP, The Complete Guide To Needlework, and it features three awesome breakdowns, the last one being my favorite. PROTIP: don't ever get married. You can find more of their music at www.myspace.com/emmure.
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* The Devil Wears Prada
* Hey John, Whats Your Name Again?
* Metal/Hardcore/Christian
I want so badly to not like this band. They are so clearly Christian that it's almost sickening. They profess their love of God, but they never try to impose it. The reason I can't hate them is that they rock so damn hard. They have catchy lyrics, furious breakdowns and a certain sense of musicianship that never fades. They also put out two CDs within a year - They came out with their first cd, Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord and then released Plagues 364 days later. This band falls in line with two other bands for the illustrious title of "Favorite", though I would probably lean more towards TDWP as my true favorite. Here is their music video for the first single off Plagues. You can find more of their music at www.myspace.com/tdwp.
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* Rascal Flatts
* My Wish
* Country/Pop
Rascal Flatts is a group that is oozing talent and passion. The singer has a rather different appearance for a country singer, but he possesses an amazingly smooth and soothing voice. They've been around for five or six years, and in that time have managed to balloon and become a wildly popular, world class act. I'm not a big country fan, but I can't say no to these guys. This video is them performing at the CMAs. You can find more of their music at www.myspace.com/rascalflatts.
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* All Time Low
* Dear Maria, Count Me In
* Powerpop/Punk
I was introduced to All Time Low around a year and a half ago and wrote them off at first as another carbon copy of Fall Out Boy from their Take This To Your Grave era. I was wrong. Sure, at first, their voices can sound similar, but the coincidences end there. They don't write solely about either missing a girl or getting some, but instead opt for simple and clean fun. Heck, they have a song about a woman hooking up with her lawyer then leaving, suing and killing her husband. Their live performances are so much fun, they involve the crowd and always keep them laughing. This song is the first single off their recently released debut full length, So Wrong Its Right and it embodies everything that the band is and everything they stand for. You can find more of their music at www.myspace.com/alltimelow.
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* Protest The Hero
* Bloodmeat
* Punk/Thrash Metal
Protest The Hero is the second band the ties for my favorite. This band and TDWP are the only two CDs I have ever refused to download first, believing that the Artists deserved any profit they get off the CD. Protest The Hero has released two CDs, Kezia and Fortress. Both CD's break genres left and right and sound absolutely epic, flowing seamlessly from song to song and back again. If you have the CD on repeat, you almost don't notice when it starts again. The technicality and raw musicianship that they bring to the table is unmatched, and at Kezia's release none of them were even old enough to sit at a bar. This song is the first single off their epic new CD, Fortress. You can find more of their music at www.myspace.com/protestthehero
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* Forever The Sickest Kids
* Believe Me, I'm Lying
* Electronic/Pop/Punk
Surprisingly, Forever The Sickest Kids rounds out my three-way tie for favorite. They haven't even released a full-length (they're currently recording it), but they've already managed to get themselves on the Alternative Press tour with powerhouse acts All Time Low and The Rocket Summer. They have such a fresh, unique, energetic and completely infectious sound that I can't help but adore them. They gained a huge following through myspace, and had an outrageous showing at their first headlining show ever, shown in the proceeding video. You can find more of their delicious music at www.myspace.com/foreverthesickestkids
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There's a bunch more bands I could mention and dole out opinions on, but I feel that this adequately represents my musical tastes. I'm not quite sure how to end this huge piece, so I'll end it with a bang.
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