A simple but special gift to buy your loved ones for the holidays is the gift of music – but not the mainstream chart-toppers you already know they're fans of.
This holiday season, introduce your friends to artists they've never heard of but you know they'll appreciate.
Take it back to the basics, and buy and wrap the actual album. You'll be surprised by how satisfied they'll be with something so simple.
'Grace Potter and the Nocturnals'
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
For those who appreciate and miss music with legitimate soul and rock ‘n' roll, look no further than the amazingly powerful vocals of Grace Potter and her Nocs.
Whether it's her beautiful, seemingly effortless voice on soulful tracks like "Low Road" and "Things I Never Needed" or her overwhelming Joplin-like squeal on "Paris," Potter is without a doubt a diva.
The group combines old school soul, jazz, rock, folk and even gospel influences to create a sound that, no matter the genre, is something irresistible and easy to listen to.
For those music enthusiasts who delve into the albums searching for meaningful, close-to-home lyrics, this album will have you re-reading and over-analyzing each song, with lyrical content about life, love and heartbreak.
Regardless of your musical tastes, Potter and the nocturnals offer a timeless sound that is easily appreciated by all.
'Sigh No More'
Mumford & Sons
This four-piece English folk/indie band is a breath of fresh air on the underground scene and brings the vibes from your favorite local music venue or London pub through the speakers.
Though its perfect mellow tones are what the band is best at, the spontaneity of its energetic instrumentals, from the mandolin to the banjo, serve as a nice dose of fluctuation and prove the group is far from bland.
Not into folk with genuine Appalachian and rustic influences? Most aren't. But give the simultaneously haunting and catchy "The Cave" a listen. Then fall further in love with lead singer Marcus Mumford's raspy voice on the energetic and bitter track "Little Lion Man."
You'll change your mind.
'Brothers'
The Black Keys
Combining blues and psychedelic rock genres, the sexy, grimy sounds of The Black Keys give us the same vibes we heard when we were first introduced to The White Stripes.
Standout track "Tighten Up" begins with a raunchy whistling backbeat and leads into the tireless, lovelorn voice of lead singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach.
"Everlasting Light" encompasses the ability of Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney to come together and make something messy and dirty seem like just enough instead of too much.
The song "Next Girl" is enough to stand alone and prove the duo's talent and edginess.
'Odd Blood'
Yeasayer
The futuristic, wacky sounds of the band Yeasayer are comparable to bands like MGMT. The band focuses on combining global rhythms and stepping way outside the box for each track.
The band should instantly be recognized for being so unique and treating its music more like an art form and a production as a whole.
Single "Ambling Alp" is undeniably catchy and will instantly be stuck in your head for days.
The song has an upbeat theme, showcasing lead singer Chris Keating's pleasantly strained voice and dabbles into a variety of sound effects without overdoing it.
The album's a great gift for music enthusiasts who appreciate something out of the ordinary.
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