MOLI VIEW™

I have a good friend who I routinely talk with about music. I'm not sure why, because we never agree on anything. But I love the guy.

Yesterday we were discussing the big acts of 2007 with our usual mutual consternation. When I asked him if he'd heard any new bands that he likes lately he said, "Sure, but nothing you'd like. If you're asking me if I've heard anything as good as Led Zeppelin lately, then ‘no,' I haven't heard anything as good as Zeppelin."

Earlier in the conversation he had complained to me that new bands never get a fair shake from music geeks because everybody wants them to be as good as the great musical titans of yore (thus the Zep reference). So, when they can't hang on that level (and let's face it, few can), they are frequently dismissed entirely.

For my part, I think having impossibly high standards is crucial. Why shouldn't today's artists be expected to make music at the level of artistry of the Who, the Beach Boys, or Funkadelic? Justin Timberlake is great at what he does, but is his contribution really as valuable to the culture as Michael Jackson's?

Naturally, once I'd hung up the phone, I finally thought of a new act that I would put in the ring: Brooklyn duo MGMT. Generally referred to as "Management," Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser's intoxicating psych-tinged melodies and powerful arrangements are definitely a cut above the current pop malaise. What's more, they've been signed to Columbia — proving that, occasionally, the majors can still sniff out a worthy artist.

It's too early to know if the genius of their debut EP Oracular Spectacular is indicative of future greatness. But one can hope.

I'd be interested to know who you see as potential contenders. I'll likely be talking to my friend next week — and it'd be great to have a snappy list of newbies ready to kick some Zeppelin ass.

Wendy Case is the MOLI View's contributing editor for Arts & Entertainment.

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