Which bands have the chops to make their mark?
By Thomas Rozwadowski
trozwado@greenbaypressgazette.com The three most cringe-worthy words in the Unofficial Rock Critic's Dictionary are "next big thing."
For one, liberal use of the phrase as it has been applied to everyone from Radiohead to the Strokes to Arctic Monkeys seems to indicate that no band can be successful unless it initiates a massive cultural movement. And once you get the tag, well, every other band that follows becomes conjoined no matter the actual relevance of their music.
But all you have to do is ask the Shins where it would rather be. Thanks in large part to Zach Braff's movie "Garden State," the Sub Pop band — which has found widespread success with its latest album, "Wincing the Night Away" — is officially on the market for mass consumption.
Others that have smashed through the glass ceiling: Arcade Fire ("Neon Bible" debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts) Bright Eyes, ("Cassadaga," out April 10, should confirm Conor Oberst's generation-spokesman status) and Modest Mouse ("We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank," out Tuesday, might even lead to a second "Kidz Bop" tribute!)
So, who else might make the jump into mainstream consciousness? Here are some of 2007's best candidates.
The Fratellis
Why they will: Hear it. Hum it. Love it. The Fratellis have become THAT band. You know, the one with an instantly memorable single in a 'round-the-clock iPod commercial. For the record, it's called "Flathead," and if it doesn't make you want to buy portable Apple products, it'll at least make you dance around the room like an idiot.
Why they won't: "Costello Music" came out domestically Tuesday, but several British press darlings have crashed and burned stateside. And while commercials are the new jukebox for the masses, the public is notoriously fickle when it comes to, you know, purchasing an entire album.
Bloc Party
Why they will: Frantic debut "Silent Alarm" created enough positive vibes that the band repeatedly was mentioned on year-end "Best Of" lists for 2005. As dazzling single "I Still Remember" displays, just-released follow-up "A Weekend in the City" isn't content to stay on the fringes. This band wants to be huge.
Why they won't: Not as graceful as Keane. Not as polished as Snow Patrol. Not as uplifting as Coldplay. In fact, while Bloc Party is better than all three, "Weekend" has enough murky layers to keep things unpredictable.
Klaxons
Why they will: Tagged for every major breakthrough list in Britain, Klaxons are a blend of hyperactive blips, spastic beats and peculiar mysticism. Or basically, a combination just weird enough to catch on.
Why they won't: Trippy single "Atlantis to Interzone" sounds like the Prodigy wedded to Pop Will Eat Itself. The former failed to usher in the late '90s "electronica" revolution, while we're fairly certain you haven't even heard of the latter.
Peter Bjorn & John
Why they will: The whistling intro to "Young Folks" is more infectious than Ebola. That the song already has been featured in episodes of "Grey's Anatomy" and "How I Met Your Mother" bodes well for recently released "Writer's Block."
Why they won't: As ABBA, Roxette and Ace of Base all prove, Americans like their Swedish-bred pop to be more about style than substance. That doesn't describe Peter Bjorn & John.
Of Montreal
Why they will: Almost as bizarre as Bob Dylan appearing in a Victoria's Secret commercial, Of Montreal now conjures up the image of a Porterhouse soaked in A1 thanks to an altered version of their song, "Wraith Pinned to the Mist (And Other Games)," in an "Outback Steakhouse" commercial. "Let's go Outback tonight …" Dude, you've totally hummed it.
Why they won't: The name of their latest is "Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?" It's the tip of the iceberg for a sprawling concept album that contains song titles like, "We Were Born the Mutants Again with Leafling" and "Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse."
Apples in Stereo
Why they will: Hipness points: It's the first band to release an album on Elijah Wood's (that's Frodo Baggins, people!) Simian Records label. Bonus hipness points: Lead singer Robert Schneider made a memorable appearance on the "Green Screen Challenge" episode of "The Colbert Report" last year.
Why they won't: The Apples are almost too poppy for widespread appeal on "New Magnetic Wonder." Instead, they seem destined to record a whimsical children's album like their closest oddball contemporaries, They Might Be Giants.
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