I've totally started to appreciate Minneapolis's scene, which is weird, because, if you know me, you'd know the first thing I'd say is "I was born in the wrong music scene." I usually hate Minneapolis's bands - they don't seem to offer much musically, and even then have trouble producing good stable songs that are able to keep my attention. Seriously, up until this year, I only really ever gave Small Towns credit for being good, appreciated Motion City (before Even if It Kills Me - that album was a disappointment), and only actively listened to Mainstay. In high school, I honestly wanted to be apart of the Seattle-area or Chicago-area scene, but now I have three bands I want to direct your attention to, all having roots in Minnesota.

Camera Can't Lie
Listen to: Losing You
- I actually saw these guys (having no clue who they were) when I saw June/the Graduate last August. I was impressed then. The vocals are smooth, the background music catchy and uplifting, and I totally find myself singing along.

Weaver at the Loom
Listen to: You Can't Evade Them
- Beautiful lyrics and very powerful vocals. I totally started to cry when I started listening. Their EP "I Was Searching and I Found" is amazing, and the vocals remind me of Mainstay's. Few bands can pull off deep lyrics, in my opinion, and these dudes are one of them who can. It's a nice EP to just mellow out to, if that means anything to anyone but me.

Sing It Loud
Listen to: Come Around
- Good, fun pop punk/powerpop that reminds me of Valencia and All Time Low. These boys out of the three I suggested will probably go the furthest, especially considering they already have buzz on absolutepunk and have enlisted Joshua Cain as their prouducer.

Also, if I were you, I would definitely check out theAudition's new disc, Champion, which came out today. And on February 5th, I would check out Ivoryline's debut with Tooth and Nail.

-cross posted to my absolutepunk blog.