Every now and then in music, you hear something new and think to yourself, “how is this not bigger than it is?”

Unfortunately, the success of bands and artists is not based on a merit. Instead, success is based more on how much a song can be played, ad infinitum, on the radio before listeners start to riot.

It also seems that the farther away from America a band is, the less likely it is to be a hit here. Europe has a long history of producing some great acts, but the days of manufactured music have hushed many of them.

Foreign bands have been forced to seek independent labels, and the direct consequence of that is smaller distribution. European bands and artists represent a cross section of music that is diverse, engaging and far more interesting than listening to Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” at least once an hour.

Incidentally, it’s hard to believe that song still gets so much play.

If music were based on a meritocracy, a band like the Swedish doom metal group Katatonia would be as big — maybe even bigger — than A Perfect Circle. Katatonia is all about subtlety, which is difficult to comprehend in a metal band, but the label is generic and fails to capture the dynamics of the band.

The band’s 2006 release, “The Great Cold Distance,” is a masterful slice of melancholia that is more about subtlety than hyperbole. Many American bands in the same vein, such as Type O Negative, are content beating listeners over the head with their sorrow.

Katatonia is not. There may be something sublimely melancholy about the band, but it doesn’t feel forced or manufactured. The band’s honesty is unique.

Katatonia is not alone though. Last year, Norwegian singer/songwriter Anja Garbarek released “Briefly Shaking.” Its slight experimental tones are among the most engaging listening that 2005 produced.

However, Garbarek’s albums aren’t even available in the United States regardless of the fact that she could easily achieve success on these shores. Her experimental style is at once reminiscent of Bjork, but the comparison is on a musical basis only.

Garbarek writes better lyrics than Bjork, and her voice is more soothing. “Briefly Shaking” is highly recommended; it’s one of those rare albums whose beauty is difficult to comprehend. Shop around, though. There doesn’t seem to be a way to buy it new for under $25.

Some bands are starting to get more recognition in America though. The British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree recently signed a deal with Roadrunner Records that will undoubtedly result in more notoriety than the band has experienced. After 15 years and eight amazing full-length albums, it’s about time.

Maybe that’s the key. Perhaps America will catch up given time. There’s no guarantee that the reception will be huge, but something is better than nothing.

Let’s hope that it doesn’t always take 15 years. There’s only so much Green Day one can tolerate.

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