The Go

Despite that they are best known for the fact that White Stripes frontman Jack White used to be a member of this band, the Go should be given a medal for keeping the true tones of rock 'n' roll alive and kicking in the 21st century. This Detroit-based, denim and leather-clad rock juggernaut began playing wiry, old-school, garage rock-influenced music that picks up from Motor City bands of yore as well as many other non-mainstream, teen-friendly rock bands of the late 1960s and early '70s. While many of their bluesy, glammed-up songs drip the warm wetness of old sounds, the band let loose with saucy lyrics and witty arrangements that are rooted in the honest excitement and energy of being young and in a good band at the turn of this new century. Some folks will pan them as a retro outfit, but what's so retro about glorious familiarity? If your mom makes you a delicious ribs and chicken dinner, do you dismiss it because someone invented the ribs and chicken dinner before her? If giving an innovative twist to a tried-and-true recipe is retro then yes, the Go are a retro band. But don't say it like it's a bad thing.