Honestly, the Magnetic Fields! I love this band with all my heart. I remember the first song I heard was "Papa was a Rodeo"
This song will tug at your heart strings like no other.
I've probably harped on this before, but listen to the magnetic fields if you ever get a chance.
Learn about the band here: <
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magnetic_Fields|touch it!>
and then there's the merritt of the band!
From Wikipedia:
"Merritt, like his musical collaborator Claudia Gonson, is openly gay. His lyrics are known for bending and blurring the gender line; examples include the song "When My Boy Walks Down The Street", sung by a male vocalist, which contains the lyric "and he's going to be my wife". He is fascinated with the undead, often making veiled or explicit references to vampires. Other frequent motifs in his lyrics include trains and railroads, the moon, dancing, eyes, and, of course, love." To learn more about Merritt: <
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephin_Merritt|yaya>
and don't forget Claudia Gonson!
A great quote from Wikipedia:
“I was straight when Stephin met me, and I’m gay now, which may have been influenced by the openness of hanging around with so many gay people,” she reflects. “When we started Magnetic Fields we purposely had one lesbian, one gay guy, one straight woman, and one straight man. The audience could identify with whomever they wanted. I hang out with more gay women now, but I guess I’m more of a fag hag than a lezzie hag.”For more about Gonson: <
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudia_Gonson|toodles>
My personal recommendation? (if you haven't heard of em?) pick up 69 Love songs, or the Lonely Open Highway.