Cloud Cult/Exit Clov

Music begets music. Two years ago at SXSW we got to BD Riley's early to catch The Victorian Gentlemans Club (good thing too it was mobbed) and caught a band we hadn't heard of - The Eames Era. Way outside of what we were looking for, they charmed us and moved into our VERY short list of American bands who don't suck.
When they turned up in Boston last year for a gig at Hennesseys near the North End they spread the love. (photos here http://www.flickr.com/photos/31046907@N00/sets/72157602914833596/) Supporting was a band who we hadn't really heard of - Exit Clov. True before they came on there was some signs they might appeal



But if you look further (photos here http://www.flickr.com/photos/31046907@N00/sets/72157602917812607/ and here http://www.flickr.com/photos/31046907@N00/sets/72157602928664180/) you find a band who can write charming pop songs, some of which have a bite to them, who sometimes seem to struggle with an identity crisis but when they pull it off are fun, charming and with underlying thought provoking tendencies. Check out their myspace - http://www.myspace.com/exitclov and their myspace exitclov.com perhaps you will be as charmed as I was.
Exit Clov play at the middle East Downstairs on Thursday November 13th supporting Cloud Cult - be there.
Exit Clov MK ULtra

American Bands I actually like

Anyone I meet knows I am completely taken with UK music, like a few international bands and have a minimal tolerance for American music.
There are a few exceptions

The National
Scissors For Lefty
The Blood Arm
Every Move A Pictures
The Eames Era
Locksley
The Spinto Band
Cold War Kids
We Are Scientists
MC Lars
Ambulance LTD
Aberdeen City
Ra Ra Riot
The Little Ones
Tapes N'Tapes
Interpol
Be your Own Pet
The Dandy Warhols
Pixies (and spinoffs)