I can see that. He kind of started that “post-grunge” sound characterized by such interchangable bands like:
3 Doors Down
Nickelback
Creed
Nickelback wannabe American Idol contenstent Daughtry
Candlebox
Fuel
etc
etc
As I’ve been listening to their, sadly, only two albums non-stop recently I must recommend the brilliant Jellyfish.
Power Pop greatness in the mold of Queen and Supertramp, released in the midst of the Grunge renaissance, explaining their lack of success.
I’ve said the exact same thing before and you’re the only one I hear echo it. I can add Matchbox 20 and Puddle of Mudd (and to a certain extent, 7 Mary 3) to this list as well. It’s one of the rock genres I loathe the most (although, to be true, I do like 1 or 2 examples of this, for instance, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge by My Chemical Romance, which hits the trying-too-hard-to-be-angsty singing spot on.)
There’s also Puscifier, which is a project of his and Danny Lohner of Nine Inch Nails. Only two or three songs have been released as of yet but there’s an album due out soon. It’s good stuff.
Seconded, definitely. Listened to them this morning. Their first album is a little scrappier and, well, probably more inebriated (Youth & Young Manhood). Their second is a little less “alive” but the songs are fantastic. I haven’t really got too into their new one, though so I can’t say. I’ve heard mixed things though.
Have you had an Arcade Fire or Franz Ferdinand phase yet? Otherwise, I second TV on the Radio and add Interpol. Mazarin. Editors. Built to Spill.
I am not into music nor would my friends consider me very hip to new music or good music, but I like a funk group called Filthy Children. Great live (that is how I learned about them), but you can also get thier album over itunes and it is pretty good. Lot of horns and the lead singer is very good.
I am pretty sure they would be funk…did I mention I am not much into music…
I think My Chemical Romance is characterized as more emo-punk, along the lines of Fall Out Boy and Panic! At the Disco. Basically, as I understand the genre, it’s kind of like post-punk bands like Blink 182 or Green Day but less lighthearted and more angsty
Puddle of Mudd and 7 Mary 3 I would add to that list, but Matchbox 20 and Goo Goo Dolls for that matter, I’m not so sure. They kind of sound like those other bands but at the same time, sound a little more regular old alternative rock like Counting Crows.
I’d recommend The Fratellis’ “Costello Music.”
Sample videos:
Link 1- Flathead
Link 2- Ol’ Black and Blue Eyes
Link 3- Henrietta
First album in many many years that I’ve listened to straight through without ever feeling the need to skip a track.
32, M, with similar musical tastes as the OP
Good idea! Here are some videos by the Raveonettes, who I recommended upthread. Love them!
“The Great Love Sound”
“Attack of the Ghost Riders”
“Beat City”
Yes, but to me, the sound of the singing on that album, and to a certain extent the music, reminds me of the post grunge faux-angsty genre a lot moreso than the rest of emo-punk does. So much so that the pleasure I feel in listening to that album is a guilty one even though I should not care what other music music sounds like as long as I like it.
I agree with Revtim check out Pandora. Also, here in Columbus Ohio we have a totally awesome alternitve radio station called CD101 . They play White Stripes, Shins, Franz Ferdinand, Green Day, Violent Femmes, TMBG and many many others I can’t remember the names of. If you click the link you can listen to them live on the net. One of the cool things they do is they allow a listener to come in and guest DJ each day arond the lunch time hour. The guest DJ gets to pick all of the music and will talk about their selections and tastes etc. I’ve found some really great stuff on this station. Check it out.
I had the opportunity to tap into Muse’s “Black Holes and Revelations” this morning. I love it already! Their carefully refined studio production was a fun contrast having just finished listening to the intentionally low-fi White Stripe’s “Elephant.” And, I take back everything I said about the singer for Muse’s voice, it’s phenomenal. Lately I’ve really liked singers who sing falsetto, like the singer for Scissor Sisters.
I’m also looking forward to listening to some of the above listed bands that I’ve never heard even a note of. With White Stripes and Muse, I had heard their hits on the radio before, so it was familiar. There’s something awesome about a completely untapped resource.
*I can’t help but chime in that Fallout Boy’s music annoys me unlike anything I’ve ever heard.
Check out one of my favorite bands, Bran Van 3000. They’ve only released two albums, but they’re a bit rock-hip-hop-world hybrid.
PJ Olsson is along those lines too. A bit more alternative with Beck-like lyrics.
If you liked the Beastie Boys (old school stuff), check out Northern State. It’s just like the Boyz but with girls instead.
As for somethin’ a bit jazzy, check out Curtis Stigers. Especially his cover of Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright”. The organ in that song f***in’ soars. Solomon Burke also has a great album out there called “Don’t Give Up On Me”. And tangentially related, it’s time to get your Tom Waits on. Check out his newest original album “Real Gone” or go back to “Nighthawks at the Diner”.
For deeper, instrumental Jazz, check out Buckshot LeFonque, Russell Gunn, or the Bad Plus.
Yay! I win! 
They’re on tour right now, btw, and I just saw them, and they’re AMAZING live. best performance I have seen since Rage Against the Machine in the freakin’ 90’s. You might be able to catch them, depending on where you live.
I know you mentioned Wilco as a band you can’t get into, but I wonder if you’ve given their latest album (Sky Blue Sky) a listen. It’s a little more “accessible”. I don’t mean to sound condescending with that, I just can’t think of a better word. It has less random noise, less incomprehensible lyrics, and more melodic songs than A Ghost Is Born or Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
They’ve even sold out to Volkswagen!
I know you’re looking for new music, but you might also consider going backwards, too. Find the influences of bands you like. If you haven’t gotten into them give The Misfits a chance. A lot of the whole dark, cursing, fast hard rock band thing came from them. And then Danzig.
As others have said The Fratellis are good, although I burned out on them very quickly. My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade is pretty good. They’re not new, but no one has mentioned Godsmack either.
Really though I’d just go out and get all the White Stripes you can. The latest album Icky Thump is great. I also “found” a White Stripes B-Sides collection that is 90% superb.
Do you like the Monkees? (probably not.) It took me a couple listens to realize FOB’s just having fun and don’t really mean anything they say, and are completely open about this. Then again, the Monkees are annoying to me unlike anything I’ve ever heard but the comparison is apt.
Well, yeah, ultimately musical genres exist to help you find what music you want to listen to quicker.
I just have to gloat a bit that, in a little over a month, I’ll be seeing both Rage and Muse (and Gogol Bordello and Daft Punk and Iggy & the Stooges and…) live at Vegoose in Las Vegas. 