First things first: I don't pretend to know anything about music. I know what I like, and sometimes it coincides with others' tastes, and sometimes it doesn't. But I don't understand mass "underground" popularity with certain bands. I keep telling myself: well, if the music bloggers like it, then so should you. But no matter how many times I try and give these guys (and gals) a listen, it all sounds like noise to me.

A list:

1. Grizzly Bear
2. Dirty Projectors
3. Fever Ray
4. Joanna Newsome
5. St. Vincent
6. Vivian Girls
7. Beach House
8. Girls (Women, however, is a good band)
9. Panda Bear

Yeah, I think that's nicely bookended.

Okay, now here are somewhat obscure bands that get mentioned on music blogs all the time and are actually top-notch (according to me, the person who knows nothing about music):

1. Ola Podrida
2. Noah and The Whale
3. Great Lake Swimmers
4. Doveman
5. The XX (I don't know if they're big yet, but their debut album is sweet)

And here are bands that are pretty well-known, but you should be listening to regardless:

1. The Books
2. Explosions in the Sky
3. The National
4. Yo La Tengo
5. Editors
6. Elbow
7. Tom McRae
8. The Unicorns (even though they've broken up–their stuff is still relevant!)