Not too many people know it, but I’m a sucker for alternative sappy songs (think Radiohead, Our Lady Peace, Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Death Cab For Cutie, Keane, Dashboard Confessional, The Fray), at times even bordering on the emo genre. Of particular interest are those songs which have vocals and melodic music that bring out the emotions wrapped around the song’s lyrics . The ultimate effect is you can’t help but just sing along and feel the song.
Since I was starting to get tired of what’s on my music library, I went on a search for relatively newer sappy songs. Thanks to last.fm I discovered Paramore (Never Let This Go, My Heart, Stuck On You) and Augustana (Boston, Only One, Angels, Mayfield). I’m still looking on the other recommendations but so far I’m more than content on my new musical discoveries.
Love those bands you mentioned.
I’d like to recommend Aqualung (particularly their album, Left Behind), Fightstar (Grand Unification) and the Afters (I Wish We All Could Win) — if you haven’t listened to them yet. 