I haven't heard to much talk about these guys (well, John Darnielle) but I think they deserve some recognition.
Anyone who watches Morel Orel would know them. I don't, but I still love their songs. They're funny, catchy, and fun to play, even though they are often dark and somber or sarcastic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRP6egIEABk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eetIgGXH ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSLDkIJnNF8

I also like the early lo-fi recording quality they did.

My first girlfriend in high school was in fucking looooove with The Mountain Goats (John Darnielle). I think she even gave him a CD of some of her recorded songs. His voice was too nasally for me to get into at the time, but he's been growing on me slowly since then. Gonna listen to this again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IsXKMkDAMQ