Kentucky

Kentucky:

These United States

CITY: Lexington
SONG THAT GOT US: "When Yr Traveling at the Speed of Light"
MYSPACE ADDRESS: myspace.com/theseunited
RECORD LABEL: United Interests

WHY THEM? The best modern roots bands are ones that can tap into the unbridled enthusiasm of their forbearers without sounding like its all just mimicry. These Unites States certainly find moments of solemnity in their repertoire, but they are always balanced out by a boisterous ferocity that approaches an off-the-rail party with instruments lying around. The occasional twang of a pedal steel is often the only indication that you are listening to something that might be, um, shall we say, NPR-friendly (as indeed, TUS are, having even graced the vaunted studio of All Things Considered). But don't let that put you off if you are usually averse to such roots-reverent indicators. At their top-dollar best, TUS have an unbridled energy that threatens to burst out of the songs themselves.

BONUS BIT! These United States are insanely prolific, about to drop their fourth long-player in less than three years. The latest, out July 20, is titled What Lasts — a somewhat ironic title, since it represents the remaining songs after a laptop theft in '09 robbed the band of some 300 demos.

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Kansas