Braid

I will preface this with the fact that I've driven 1,000 miles to see Braid in the past. Braid always delivers with poetic lyrics and quality instrumentals, just a great band, and sound. PERIOD. Start listening and see them live if you never have. Robert Nanna is fantastic - 'nough said.

Definitely worth the ride from DC. Owen was beautiful and Braid rocked.

While most of my other high school chums were listening to the unfortunate 'brocore' genre in the late 90's, I fell into the circle of friends with burgeoning musical tastes a few years earlier. I first heard of Braid most likely from a comp (remember Emo diaries?!) or through a friends mix tape. Frankie Welfare and the other albums were precursors but Frame and Canvas was essential listening for me in high school. Yes, they got older, but son of a gun, they played their hearts out. Hearing Frame and Canvas was a treat in itself, followed by an encore of other Braid hits. It was nice to relive the time before technology consumed us all and when you actually had to be a true music fan to discover new bands, shows, etc through word of mouth than relying on the internet.