I'm not quite sure what makes some garage rock exciting and the rest of it... not. What separates The Black Lips and The Kills from the pack? Hard to say - I don't think it's as simple as good songwriting or perceived "authenticity." You just kinda know it when you hear it.

Though not exactly garage rock - they're part pop, part punk, part middle-of-the-plate indie - the Soft Pack also has that irresistible je ne sais quoi despite doing absolutely nothing new. Good for today's ride home from work...