Mazzy Star

I was at an open studio event and someone was playing this familiar and beautiful song: "Into Dust"... and I just had to stop and listen. Mazzy Star is one of those very important bands that I feel had a huge influence on music and people in general. They were always doing their own thing. Very dream-poppy, but American, with a slight country tinge, and always beautiful. I think someday they will be one of those classic bands that all of the hip young folks talk about... in a Velvet Underground, My Bloody Valentine sort of way. There is a reason why the vinyl format of "So Tonight That I Might See" rarely goes for less than $500 on ebay.

Mazzy Star - "Into Dust", 1993
Mazzy Star - "Roseblood", 1996

The Poppy Family

I love this band consisting of a married Canadian couple: Terry and Susan Jacks. They only released two albums, "Which Way You Goin' Billy" in 1969 and "Poppy Seeds" in 1971. The title track from their debut was a big hit. I really enjoy their simple melodies and lyrics with airy background vocals. There are certainly some Carpenters comparisons to be made. I first discovered them through Saint Etienne's "The Trip" compilation, one of the most consistently rewarding purchases of my life.

I am currently addicted to the following songs:

The Poppy Family - "Good Friends?", 1971
The Poppy Family - "Free From The City", 1969
The Poppy Family - "What Can The Matter Be?", 1969
The Poppy Family - "Where Evil Grows", 1971
Terry Jacks - "Concrete Sea", 1972

Mama Cass

Joselito

Beautiful.

Fanfarlo

This band sounds a lot like Beirut, using the same vocal inflections as Zachary Condon. Fanfarlo is a bit more upbeat though. I'm not sure who is copying who... or if the similarities are merely coincidental.

I really like this song with its flowing vocals and bursts of excitement. Also, the album cover is nice, at first glance, but then I noticed the crow mask thing, which seems like a "The Knife" rip-off and a bit overly dramatic. I'm such a bitch. The fact that their name possesses my name scores some points.

Fanfarlo - "Ghosts", 2009

Dodie Stevens

This song rocks. A nice little wholesome pre-gay-realization ditty.

Dodie Stevens - "Pink Shoelaces", 1959

Ninotchka

Ninotchka - "I've Got Wings", 1997

This is one of my most favorite songs ever. The song is very upbeat and shoegazey in a very poppy yet noisy way. The sound is different from other Shoegaze bands, and it was released at a time when sounding dream poppy was not very hip. The guitars or whatever that noise is is mesmerizing. This band only released one single and this link is the only other information I can find on them: http://www.grimsey.com/ninotchka.html

There is another band named Ninotchka that appears to be still together. I appreciate them also as they explore many genres with their music. There are many free downloads on their website: ninotchka.co.uk Cinderella, One Girl Rumba, and Capricorn are my favorites.
Ninotchka - "One Girl Rumba", 2004