NPR
NPR enlisted the help of Seattle’s KEXP to make a short list of “5 Artists You Should Have Known in 2010”. Of the five, two of them are Seattle bands. The first should be no surprise; they have been earning local and national acclaim at an incredible speed this year. The Head and the Heart’s self-titled album has been featured on all the major music blogs, including NPR. “You’re likely to love this Seattle band’s debut collection of well-crafted acoustic indie-pop. Its imaginative, piano-based arrangements are highlighted by tight, soulful harmonies, heartfelt lyrics and sing-along choruses,” explains the article. The other local album on the list is Macklemore/Ryan Lewis’ Vs. NPR explains its pick: “The Vs. is the first album of innovative hip-hop from Seattle’s Macklemore and DJ/producer Ryan Lewis. Macklemore embraces a wide range of personal themes (including his recent struggle with drug addiction) in the powerful “Otherside.” Lewis samples from Arcade Fire, Caribou, Beirut and Antony and the Johnsons, turning them all into cinematic bangers. Call it postmodern indie alterna-hip-hop crossover if you must, but it works.” See the full list at the link above.