Disecting the Anatomy of Midwestern Consciousness Means You're Gonna Have to Listen to Some Melodic, Emotional, Dolled Up Pop-Rock

Hollywood Undead - ...check out some Linkin Park-esque hip-hop emo. They seem to have an oppressed Sum 41 mixed with Slipknot vibe going on.

The Medic Droid - In emoland the electro-reprisal of Good Charlotte's emo forays pays off with middle-America's lost children. It's as if Jeffree Star and Jon B got together to manipulate computer kids with provacative hot-topic rhetoric and annoying synths. Pretty great stuff if you're in the mood.

Metro Station - "Kelsey" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRTyMUZ1m1A - One more emo favourite that I would normally pass on -- especially with the 80s flare I kill to avoid. But I checked their "Kelsey" music video online, and I have to say this is a pretty good interpretation of the spirit of the domesticated lands I've been traversing. The droopy haircuts, automobile transportation, traffic flow signs, the longing for the coast. "I'd swim the ocean for you. The ocean for you. Whoa-oh. Kelsey." Emo goes Escada -- for those in the know. The waves are kind of small, flat, and grey though.



Pomegranates -- silly Gondry-style indie-pop. I'd call this moreso local Deathcab-infused passion, rather than large-format emotional exploitation. I love the erratic starts and stops. Glad to see that element of the informal pop-rock playground sticking around.

Dark Room - http://www.myspace.com/darkroommusic This stuff is a little more spacey, and they could have even been at the symphony I was at, since that's pretty much their territory. I think those guys might like a little Mozart now and again, if my guess is correct.

Anathallo - yourhappymakesmegooldies.blogspot.com (playing the El Mocambo with Dosh on May 19th) http://www.myspace.com/anathallo The name sounds pretty cool, and I hung out with some kids that seemed pretty into this stuff, so I figured I'd give 'em a listen. From a first impression I'd expect the band to be sticking around for awhile anyways.