I love music.  Mostly all of it, though I'll never claim to like "every" type of music, because...nobody likes everything.  But that is a topic for a different hub.  Rock has always been my favorite, even with some questionable choices throughout the years.  I find no point in writing about the greatest rock bands of "all time",  because it will no doubt end up like everybody else's list- full of "classic rock" bands, maybe even with comments about how Led Zeppelin should be above The Who, or something silly like that.  Which, is why I've decided to write about my favorite rock bands that have surfaced onto "the scene" relatively recently.  (Sorry about the excessive use of quotes, I don't really know what's come over me.)  These are in no particular order, seeing as I don't think I could pick one over the others.

5. The Hives - They formed in 1993, in Fagersta, Sweden.  They remained relatively unknown around the world till around 1997, when their popularity started to spread across Europe, (though I'd argue they're still highly unknown and underrated in the U.S. today).  Generally speaking, their music is fast-paced, and in-your-face, reminiscent of more traditional punk bands, but still remains catchy and could even be described as hypnotic.  The Hives are truly one of the most unique bands in the world today.  They've gained some fame from having their singles, "Main Offender" and "Die Alright" on Rock Band and Rock Band 2, respectively.  They put on a fantastic, highly energetic show, making their crowd go crazy simply to be in their presence.  The Hives are truly packed with talent.  They're incredibly quirky and hard not to love.

4. Muse - Muse has also been around since the early 90s, being made up of only three people, they produce an immensely large sound.  Singer, Matt Bellamy, is possibly one of the most talented and well-informed musicians of our time.  Not only does he have an incredibly diverse vocal range, and the ability to play guitar while using it, but he also does the piano for the band, and scores strings for the songs.  Drummer Dominic Howard and bassist Chris Wolstenholme are equally as talented, allowing Muse to create an insanely unique sound. They currently have released four studio albums, their last, Black Holes and Revelations, having been highly anticipated and hugely successful.  They continue to find more fame, and are reportedly recording a fifth studio album, with a title and release date yet to be announced.

3. Maxïmo Park - About two years ago, I was almost entirely fed up with trying to find new music.  All of it started to sound the same, and for as much as I loved my favorite bands, I was in dire need of something new.  Something unlike what I'd been stuck hearing.  Fortunately, my friend in Austria was able to save me when I expressed my grief to her.  She almost immediately recommended me a band she'd just started listening to, almost certain I would love them due to our extremely similar taste in music.  And that was the day I discovered Maxïmo Park, or "The Park" as they are more affectionately called by fans.  Singer Paul Smith has proclaimed that the band is to be the "savior of indie-pop"; others consider them to be part of the post-punk revival.   But no matter what genre you might put them in, you can't help but love Smith's earnest lyrics and the band's unique sound- truly a blend of traditional pop and rock.  Also, if you're a fan of accents, Smith doesn't lose his in the process of singing, and it's right in between British and Scottish, seeing as they hail from Billingham, in the Northern part of England.

2. Turbonegro - Before you say anything, in Norwegian, the word "Turbonegro" is actually an anti-racist statement.  Just for clarification.  I find it humorous now that I first discovered Turbonegro on Bam Marger's Viva La Bands CD.  It's a CD I probably wouldn't consider so much as picking up at a music store.  But thankfully, at one point I was foolish enough to.  Viva La Bands exposed me to the band's single "All My Friends Are Dead"- albeit a morbid song, but one that was amazing nonetheless.  The band is extremely unique, claiming their own genre they named "death punk", and being into theatrics more so than many other bands these days.  Singer Hank von Helvete always dons dramatic makeup, along with the rest of his band, all of them usually dressed in denim, or some relatively outlandish clothes.  Be warned though, the subject matter of their songs is without doubt crude, but if you are a true music aficionado, you'll recognize that their talents as musicians are valid.  They've got a huge fan base all around the world, the Turbojugend, which spreads the word about this Norwegian band in every nook and cranny.  The band has created a great deal of albums throughout the years, giving plenty of songs for the dedicated listener.  I've found Turbonegro to be extremely hit-or-miss, but give it a listen, it might be worth it.

1. Mando Diao - Okay, so maybe I put Mando Diao first because they are my favorite band.  I'll probably consistently try to shove them down your throat, because I'm constantly trying to recruit new fans and spread their popularity as much as possible.  Anyway, Mando Diao is a band from Borlänge, Sweden.  Their sound has definitely developed throughout the years, starting off reminiscent of punk, with just a hint of pop, then drifting solely towards pop, and in their last two albums, taking a more folksier, gritty sound on.  The greatest thing about their ever-changing style, is that they never fail to sound like Mando Diao.  They maintain those distinct qualities that let the listener know that even though one album might sound different from the previous, that they are still rooted in one spot.  The band has two singers, something I find rare in bands today.  Gustaf Norén has a raspy, pure-rock'n'roll kind of voice; their other singer, Björn Dixgård can utilize his voice in the same way, however he also has the ability to take on a smoother, more soulful kind of singing, making them highly unique and extremely versatile.  The band has gained lots of popularity in their native country of Sweden, and throughout a lot of Eastern Europe, and are spreading towards the West of Europe, however their popularity in the United States is minimal.  They've been cranking out album after album: Bring 'Em In in 2002, Hurricane Bar in 2004, Ode to Ochrasy in 2006, Never Seen The Light of Day in 2007, and are soon releasing their fifth album, titled Give Me Fire in 2009.  Constantly being busy and constantly creating new sounds, Mando Diao is a band that you are unlikely to get bored with.