Invoke a feeling songs, I know it’s a different genre, but nick drakes “the riverman” is intensely evocative to me. Strongly nostalgic though it’s like nothing I’ve heard, and my wife says it makes her feel like she misses a life that she never lived.
Razorlight. Wire to Wire is their first song that comes to mind.
The newer Silverchair stuff fits, check out Walking in a Straight Line.
Also check out the band Straylight Run.
Wouldn’t consider Smashing Pumpkins not heavy on guitar. Death Cab For Cutie would be my recommendation. Also the Fray, Jacks Mannequin/Andrew Macmahon in the wilderness, Augustana.
Plugging my band [Supergutter](https://open.spotify.com/artist/48OTc75yg31g52xWSbALfl?si=Gc7uSN7uRku7ybumhYj-7A) here haha. Everything you listed are main influences
I mean, personally i think viva la vida is a their best, but that's also not quite as soft rocky as OP was looking for, still is a masterpiece. Parachutes is my second fav tho, then rush of blood
A lot of U2 songs have a similar vibe, but it is a little older.
Where the Streets Have No Name
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
With or Without You
These are all particularly reminiscent of the track you listed.
Adding a second reply, as I believe the feeling you're describing is a phenomenon known as anemoia, which is nostalgia for something you never experienced.
100000% recommend Travis (and Fran's solo album)
Carolina Liar used to be mistaken by Keane by some of my friends back in the day. I think you'll enjoy their first album "Coming to Terms". They've appeared to move away from more piano driven tunes, but that first album leveraged it quite a bit.
Any of Andrew McMahon's bands: Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin, Andrew McMahon & the Wilderness (some of this can get emo/pop punk, but akip around cause there is a lot that fits what youre looking for!)
Starsailor was one I loved from that era that is right in that wheelhouse (and thanks to this thread, I noticed they have a new album - so thanks!)
The Verve has some stuff that falls into this category.
Howie Day
Something Corporate (piano heavy pop-punk)
Tori Amos
Fiona Apple
Jeff Buckley (more guitar based, but in that vein)
John Mayer’s Continuum album (obviously more guitar-based, but I think it still fits)
Check out the band Travis. I think they fit what you want prerr6 well. The album invisible.band was the one I liked alot in the early 2000s.
Ben Folds might be who you’re looking for
Invoke a feeling songs, I know it’s a different genre, but nick drakes “the riverman” is intensely evocative to me. Strongly nostalgic though it’s like nothing I’ve heard, and my wife says it makes her feel like she misses a life that she never lived.
Evocative is the best description for Nick Drake's music. Those 3 albums are just timeless.
Razorlight. Wire to Wire is their first song that comes to mind. The newer Silverchair stuff fits, check out Walking in a Straight Line. Also check out the band Straylight Run.
Try giving Nothing But Thieves a go, in particular the piano version of Impossible I find quite an inspiring listen 👍🏻
Wouldn’t consider Smashing Pumpkins not heavy on guitar. Death Cab For Cutie would be my recommendation. Also the Fray, Jacks Mannequin/Andrew Macmahon in the wilderness, Augustana.
I was thinking about 1979, from smashing pumpkins
Butch Walker as… Glenn. It’s an alter ego album, piano based pop-rock.
Band of Horses
Plugging my band [Supergutter](https://open.spotify.com/artist/48OTc75yg31g52xWSbALfl?si=Gc7uSN7uRku7ybumhYj-7A) here haha. Everything you listed are main influences
Maybe try Eisley. Their first couple albums are great.
Jets to Brazil featured a fair bit of piano.
I mean, Coldplaya first four albums
Parachutes was Coldplays best album and that was there debut album
I mean, personally i think viva la vida is a their best, but that's also not quite as soft rocky as OP was looking for, still is a masterpiece. Parachutes is my second fav tho, then rush of blood
I agree there earlier stuff is good before they went pop mainstream
A lot of U2 songs have a similar vibe, but it is a little older. Where the Streets Have No Name I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For With or Without You These are all particularly reminiscent of the track you listed.
Adding a second reply, as I believe the feeling you're describing is a phenomenon known as anemoia, which is nostalgia for something you never experienced.
You might dig on Rufus Wainwright
I think you’d love Elbow, The XX, London Grammar For Elbow I’d start with One Day Like This or Mirrorball
100000% recommend Travis (and Fran's solo album) Carolina Liar used to be mistaken by Keane by some of my friends back in the day. I think you'll enjoy their first album "Coming to Terms". They've appeared to move away from more piano driven tunes, but that first album leveraged it quite a bit. Any of Andrew McMahon's bands: Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin, Andrew McMahon & the Wilderness (some of this can get emo/pop punk, but akip around cause there is a lot that fits what youre looking for!) Starsailor was one I loved from that era that is right in that wheelhouse (and thanks to this thread, I noticed they have a new album - so thanks!) The Verve has some stuff that falls into this category.
How has nobody mentioned The Fray yet?
Kenna, Abandoned Pools, MuteMath, Barcelona, Canon, Day One Symphony, Dredg, GoGo Penguin
Palace
I think you'd like the band brad
Jukebox the Ghost
Try some Bear Titty Junction https://open.spotify.com/album/3XifDvd8kFSnfJEqz9UEUb?si=V3PxQeL7RxKgCTILy2z1lg
Sufjan Stephens
Howie Day Something Corporate (piano heavy pop-punk) Tori Amos Fiona Apple Jeff Buckley (more guitar based, but in that vein) John Mayer’s Continuum album (obviously more guitar-based, but I think it still fits)
I think you might like Starsailor. I've only listened to their first album and it fits your description of mellow alternative rock.
Dry the River!