ask the guy who wants to help you listen to better music

Cafe Society
1

I’m a music geek - I live, breathe, and eat music. If I could, I’d grind up records and inject them into my arm. The Velvet Underground are my Klingon Language; primitive blues is my Linux. I’m a music nerd.

Let’s face it- I know everything about music. But unlike most music snobs, I’m evangelical in my zeal - I want to help everyone! There’s so much bad music in the world, and so few outlets for the good stuff to get through that many people are stuck listening to phony, calculated crap. But that’s ok! Freejooky is here to help. I want to help you listen to better stuff - it’s worth it!

Bring me your Norah Jones and Diana Krall; I’ll send you on your way with Blossom Dearie. Your Incubus becomes the Dismemberment Plan in no time with my help. Chingy and Lil’ John give way to Blackalicious and Edan. I’m here for you.

So, fire away with your questions. I’ll help you find the good stuff. What do you like? What do you want to find more of? What do you like that there’s probably a better artist out there that fills the same niche, only is better and more authentic and just plain good? If you like ___, I’ll suggest that you check out _____ and ____. And you’ll thank me for it!

2

I feel obliged to get a George Clinton album but don’t know whether I should get a Greatest Hits or a particular album.

3

I really like Jonny Lang and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Gimme some more blues to listen to.

4

This is pretty general, but what say you about acoustic guitar instrumentals?

5

Do you already have any of the Parliament/Funkadelic stuff?

6

Eva Cassidy died way, way too young. Who should I be listening to now that she’s gone?

7

I like Tears For Fears, and I like Radiohead. Mesh (the British one, not Mesh StL) is a close third. I enjoy musical complexity, stylized chord progressions, and interesting (or nonexistant) song templates. I loath reliance on simplistic melodies, lack of background ambience, and boringly repetitious vocals or music. A lead singer with unorthodox vocal styling is a plus, though ability to actually sing IS required. Thom Yorke = good, Tom Waits = borderline passable on certain songs, Robert Wyatt = oh my dear God please shut up before I commit seppuku. I do not care about lyrics, except insofar as they blend with the music to improve the song as a whole. Message is largely unimportant; if I want poetry, I’ll read a poem.

If you recommed the following, I shall be forced to dislike you. Strongly.

  • Depeche Mode
  • Simple Minds
  • Coldplay
  • U2
  • The Beatles

I get those a lot. Depeche Mode are simplistic, happy, repetitious and boring. I cannot imagine why anybody (read: everybody) thinks I would like them. Simple Minds sound like standard 80’s fare made about 20% better. I can listen to them, but they aren’t quite my style. Coldplay do not sound like Radiohead. In case anyone missed that: Coldplay do not sound like Radiohead. At all. I do not know what “musical expert” first pulled that gem out of his/her anus, but to anyone with a modicum of true musical understanding, it is blatantly untrue. U2…I don’t know where that one comes from, but I get it every so often. It’s odd, because TFF and Radiohead have both done live covers of Sunday Bloody Sunday, but regardless, I don’t like them.

I hate the Beatles. I hate the Beatles. I hate the Beatles. I hate the Beatles. I hate the Beatles. That is all.

Incidentally, in case anyone was offended by the stuff I’ve slammed, please recognize that it is my opinion alone. I seem to listen to music differently from most, and look for different qualities in it. So if you like, for example, Depeche Mode, good for you. I just don’t.

So, now that I’m done ranting…any recommendations, Freejooky? I’m always open to new suggestions. I figure there’s got to be more music I’ll enjoy out there, and it certainly ain’t on the radio, so I’m a bit limited in my sources. Anything you can suggest will be appreciated.

Man, I hate the Beatles.

8

I find the title of your thread silly but I’m always interested in learning about new artists so have at it.

Korn - but pretty much the Follow the Leader CD
Atreyu - Lip Gloss and Black is one of my favorite songs right now
Earshot - I’ve only heard Wait and Headstrong but I like what I heard

9

You probably already know about In Flames, but if you don’t, check them out. I recommend anything from the albums Colony and Clayman, but beware their newer stuff. A lot of people are accusing them of going “nu-metal” and saying they suck now. I disagree, but their newer stuff isn’t as good as their older stuff.

10

I adore Jason Mraz. He is my favorite singer. I love the sound of his voice. Who else would I like. I already have Gavin Degraw, Josh Kelly, Ben Jellin, Dave Matthews. Who can I add to my collection?

11

I’m not specifically familiar with Earshot, but unless they sound very different from Korn & Atreyu, you’re a fan of the new wave of American heavy metal. I’m not very familiar with it, but I recommend From Zero, Slipknot, Killswitch Engage, Avenged Sevenfold, Dillinger Escape Plan, In Flames, Poison The Well, Hatebreed, Martyr AD, Candiria, Systematic, Sevendust, and Biohazard. Look 'em up on Amazon for other recommendations.

To the OP: I really like Opeth and Into Eternity. What other post-death metal acts can you recommend?

12

Roland - Based on your tastes, you might like Sigur Ros, perhaps The Cocteau Twins if you want to get even more atmospheric and mellow. My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless is sonically complex and rich. It may take a few listens to get used to it, though. Personally, I think it’s the best rock record in the last 15 years.

Also, you might want to check out The Flaming Lips. Personally, I think they’re better than Radiohead (and more fun), and Wayne Coyne certainly has a distinctive voice.

Check out The Flaming Stars, too.

13

The only selections I’ve heard from In Flames is whatever gets played on xmradio. I’ve heard and liked quite a few of their songs although none of the titles stand out right now. I’ll be sure to check out the CDs you mentioned.

14

Okay, here goes.

I picked up Sevara Nazarkhan’s Yol Bolsin a few months ago and have really enjoyed it. Now I’d like to find some more in the same vein, which I would describe as “vaguely melancholy Mideast/Central-Asian pop.”

I just acquired Sahara Hotnights’s Kiss and Tell and dig it a lot. An all-girl quartet producing straight-ahead upbeat pop/rock with just the right hint of attitude. Seems like not much at first, like thin late-80s/early-90s throwback radio-friendly stuff, but it’s really grown on me.

(Re the last one, I’ve thought for a couple of years that it’s the women who will save pop from itself. One of my favorite CDs in the last two years is Visqueen’s King Me, for example; they’re a bright-and-shining punk-pop trio fronted by a female singer/songwriter who clearly wants to be a musician to be a musician, which has a very different energy compared to the typical guy-band attitude of being a musician because of what else it gets them. Your opinion?)

More like these, please. (And more as I think of them.)

15

Didn’t Tears For Fears do an album that was a total Beatles rip-off? Yeah, Seeds Of Love. :slight_smile:

Seconding the Cocteau Twins recommendation for you. Get “Heaven Or Las Vegas” and you’ll understand why.

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No, when I referred to GC, I meant any of the PF stuff, too.

17

Never hoid of 'em. I’ll give them a whirl.

They’re very iffy with me. Some of their stuff I just LOVE and other stuff, well, not so much.

Sounds vaguely familiar. I’ll give 'em a whirl.

Again, doesn’t ring any bells but I’ll be sure to give them the aforementioned whirl.

Same as previous.

See previous post.

Bells, whirl and all that jazz.

I’ve liked what I’ve heard but I have none of their CDs…yet.

Bells and whirl.

I’ve heard a few songs on xmradio’s Liquid Metal station so I’ve at least heard of them.

Bells/whirl.

I’ve liked every song I’ve heard by them but own none of their CDs. Strange, huh?

I’ve at least heard of them. I’ll sample some of their songs on Amazon.

Incidentally, I love meeting you in music threads, ultrafilter. You’re always so informative without being judgmental. I like that. I’d insert a smiley here but that goes against everything I believe in which, admittedly, is very little.

18

More girl-fronted pop/rock/punk bands you may like: New Pornographers (they have male and female singers who trade off on songs), , Letters To Cleo, All Girl Summer Fun Band, The Eyeliners, The Donnas, Catfight!, Sleater-Kinney.

More straight-ahead “garage” rock and indie-rock bands you may like (all with male singers, I’m afraid) : The Shins, The Raveonettes, The White Stripes, The Strokes, The Hives, The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, Secret Machines, Modest Mouse, The Vines, Hot Hot Heat.

19

You know, I don’t know anything about punk, but I like what I’ve heard. Could someone give me a quick field guide to the various styles and the major acts in each?

20

I have never been able to fill the void Frank Zappa left when he died. Any suggestions?