Crazy Ken Band is the only modern day artist I actually like. A lot of their stuff is jazz/funk with distinctively American overtones. I've included the 2 songs that were featured in Ryu ga Gotoku 2 (Known in the US as Yakuza 2)
And since we're on the subject, Yakuza 3 comes out in March 2010 for PS3. Even with all the games coming out please don't pass it up. All of the fans worked really hard with Sega to see it released in NA and Europe. Ryu ga Gotoku/Yakuza makes fans out of any who are willing to play it. I know I'm sort of shamelessly plugging it, but I promise you I wouldn't if it didn't deserve a bigger audience.
Listening to the Bright Eyes/Neva Dinova split a lot lately, something about Christmas makes it feel comfortable and close. This one keeps sticking with me on repeat:
Thanks, looking up those bands should keep me occupied for a bit.. Also thanks for the reminder, I have been meaning to look up the blms but it slipped my mind.
In no particular order because I can't pick: Finntroll Eluveitie Fairyland Ensiferum And uhm, Epica or some other female fronted band like Nightwish before they became le suck. /nod xD