I don't know if you've heard them before, but one obscure band that I've gotten into recently have been the Swedish prog rock band The Flower Kings. If you like upbeat, melodic, heavily 70s-influenced rock with some progressive and jazz fusion influences this is definately a band for you. You could compare them to bands like Yes, Pink Floyd, Emerson Lake Palmer, King Crimson, Camel, and Genesis. Their standout players are the guitarist/singer/songwriter Roine Stolt (you may think you are listening to Steve Howe of Yes!) and keyboardist Tomas Bodin (very similar in style to Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson, lots of hammon organ B)) Check out their website HERE. Their new album, "Adam & Eve", now has Pain of Salvation frontman/genius Daniel Gildenlow singing some lead vocals, percussion, and guitar! Here are some sound samples from the new album and past ones: "Love Supreme" (from the 2004 release "Adam & Eve") "Drivers Seat" (from their 2004 release "Adam & Eve") "Rumble Fish Twist" (from 2000's "Space Revolver") "Corruption" (from their 1999 release "Flower Power") "In the Eyes of The World" (from the 1997 release "Stardust We Are")
I recomend that you should check out Tupelo Honey. They are a band form Edmonton that just signed a big record deal, they are a pretty decent band and they can put on a good show. Check out three of their songs at their official site, Official Site, their first single is called Why I Bother.